Flag to be raised for Filipino American History Month | News, Sports, Jobs

The Maui News

A Philippine flag raising ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. today at the Kalana O Maui building front lawn in Wailuku to celebrate Filipino American History Month of October.

The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the County of Maui have prepared a short program that is open to the public and a proclamation, according to a news release.

Filipino American History Month was established by state lawmakers through Act 15 in 2008 to “commemorate the contributions of Filipino Americans to the history and heritage of Hawaii and the United States.” On Maui, the flag will be raised for the entire month of October to honor Maui’s Filipino community and heritage, its plantation roots, and to celebrate Maui County’s diversity and culture.

This year, due to the Aug. 8 wildfires that destroyed properties in Upcountry and decimated the town of Lahaina, the usual festive ceremony will be followed by somber commemoration of the loss of life and loss of sense of place.

“Being that more than 50 percent of those affected by the catastrophe are Filipino families, we recognize the historical and economic contributions of the Filipino community in West Maui,” said Dominic Suguitan, president of the Maui Filipino Chamber. “We helped create a vibrant and diverse town that beamed with Lahaina pride and has perpetuated Hawaiian values of aloha — we want to honor those Filipino families and stand in solidarity in this healing journey of recovery in the next few years.”

The Maui Filipino Chamber created a Bayanihan Fund program to fundraise for support for the families affected. On Sept. 23, the organization hosted the Hawak Kamay (hand-in-hand) Filipino Resource Fair that served 2,750 individuals and partnered with more than 50 agencies at the Lahaina Civic Center to provide comfort to families. There was language assistance, spiritual and mental support, free orchids, haircuts, massages and keiki toys and activities. Fundraising is ongoing and those interested in supporting may visit mauifilipinochamber.com.

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