by Federico V. Magdalena and Belinda A. Aquino
Empowerment – a single word desired in multicultural Hawaiʻi. For Filipinos, acquiring it will contribute to their social, economic, political, and cultural advancements in the Aloha State.
They can significantly enhance their status and influence through political participation, economic opportunities, historical understanding, and community cohesion. Here is our take:
1. Political advancement
In Hawaiʻi, Filipinos lag, initially at least, in political participation. While they have achieved some success in it, more action is still desired to translate numbers to an empowered community.
Political representation: When the first Hawaiʻi legislature opened after statehood, only one representative, Pedro de la Cruz, was elected from the community in 1959-62. Another representative, Rudolph Pacarro, entered the list the following year. Recently, Filipinos began to catch up.
Numbers grow: Ten years after, Filipino representatives tripled. Two more were added after twenty years, making the total to eight. However, this number remained constant until 2024 – eight out of 51 or 13% of the current Filipino population of 367,525. Filipinos, however, were over-represented in the Honolulu City Council, while in the Senate their numbers matched the Hawaiʻi population at 24% at six out of 25 elected in 2024. The state has also had a Filipino governor (Ben Cayetano), two Senate presidents (Robert Bunda and Donna Mercado Kim), and two mayors (Lorraine Inouye. and Eduardo Malapit).
However, no Filipino has yet been elected to the US Congress.
2. Economic Opportunities
Though the largest Asian group in Hawaiʻi today, Filipinos still grapple economically. Economic empowerment is another critical factor for them.
Stable employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, and financial resources will significantly impact their social mobility.
Filipinos achieve little success in the professions, managerial posts in the hospitality industry, and construction. Tapped to the maximum, these will contribute to their economic advancement through their labor and innovative ventures.
However, challenges have continued in wage disparities, limited career opportunities, and low business ownership. Filipino entrepreneurs other than mom-and-pop vendors are visibly scarce.
To achieve economic empowerment, several strategies can be pursued:
Promote Entrepreneurship: Supporting Filipino-owned businesses through mentorship programs, access to capital, and networking opportunities can foster economic independence and wealth creation within the community. Thus far, Filipinos are highly represented in the health industry, notably homecare and caregiving.
Workforce Development: Investing in education and skills training tailored to the needs of emerging industries can enhance Filipinos’ competitiveness in the job market. Programs that promote career advancement and leadership development are crucial for breaking barriers to higher-paying positions. Kudos to Melody Calisay for working on this matter!
Higher Education: This is the picture of higher education among Filipino youth. At the University of Hawaiʻi, they are just 14 percent of the total. They are visibly underrepresented at UH Mānoa and UH Hilo, said Jon Okamura and confirmed by the UH Pamantasan Council in 2022. Pamantasan also reported that the tenured and tenure-track Filipino faculty at the UH System is 4.2%, cut to half (2.5%) at UH Mānoa.
3. Historical Context
Understanding and appreciating Filipino history in Hawaiʻi is a must.
History fosters solidarity, resilience, and a collective sense of identity that binds a group and connects it to the homeland leading to empowerment.
Sakada: A cursory review of the historical context is crucial in empowering Filipinos. The Filipinos in Hawaiʻi date back to 1906 when 15 Ilokano laborers (sakadas) came to work in the sugar and pineapple plantations. Over the decades, this historical foundation has shaped the community’s identity, challenges, and achievements.
Heritage: Island Filipinos have a rich heritage of resilience and adaptability. They have navigated through periods of labor exploitation, discrimination, and cultural assimilation. However, their contributions to Hawaiʻi economy and culture are undeniable. History acknowledged and celebrated, Filipinos can reclaim a sense of pride and identity essential for empowerment.
Utilizing history: Historical consciousness and its appreciation provide a platform for advocacy and policy-making. Understanding past injustices helps address current education, healthcare, and employment disparities, as pointed out by Jon Osorio. Organizations and community leaders can leverage this knowledge to demand equitable treatment and resources for Filipinos. For instance, historical grievances can inform initiatives for inclusiveness in law and justice, access to education, and political representation.
4. Community Cohesion
Community cohesion plays a pivotal role in empowering Filipinos in Hawaiʻi.
Strong social networks, cultural institutions, and civic engagement foster solidarity, and increase political influence. Keen observers lament that unity is lacking among Filipinos.
Filipino community organizations are hubs for cultural advancement, social services, and advocacy. These organizations address community needs, promote civic participation, and preserve cultural heritage, as suggested by the following:
Cultural Preservation: Celebrating Filipino heritage through festivals, language programs, and arts initiatives fosters cultural pride and intergenerational bonds. These are platforms for sharing traditions, stories, and values that bind the community. FilCom Center promotes them through Filipino Fiesta and other cultural presentations. United Visayan Club organizes free Filipino language classes during the summer, while the Knights of Rizal-Aloha Chapter conducts youth leadership training on Jose Rizal.
Social Support Networks: Building a strong support network through community centers, religious institutions, and social clubs enhances resilience and provides resources during times of need. These networks offer emotional support, mentorship, and access to essential services.
Civic Engagement: Encouraging participation in voter registration drives, and advocacy campaigns empowers Filipinos to influence policy decisions that affect their lives. Active involvement in civic affairs ensures their voices are heard and their interests represented.
Conclusion
Filipino empowerment in Hawaiʻi draws strength from the confluence of political participation, economic opportunities, historical consciousness, and community cohesion.
Recognizing the importance of these factors is crucial in achieving empowerment.
Empowered, they can assert their identity, improve their quality of life, and contribute more to the State’s diverse society through these factors.
Addressing systemic barriers will promote entrepreneurship, create role models, and nurture leadership. These will help Hawai’i Filipinos realize their full potential and secure a brighter future.
FEDERICO V. MAGDALENA, PHD, is an Associate Specialist and Assistant Director of the Center for Philippine Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
DR. BELINDA A. AQUINO, PHD, is the founding director of this Center and an Emeritus Professor at UH. The authors acknowledge insights drawn from ChatGPT by OpenAI in conceptualizing this article. However, the responsibility for the content lies with the authors.
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