Maui Stories Featured in Online Event for Filipino American History Month

The public is invited to join “Mga Larawan at Kwentuhan” (photographs and stories) – a free virtual event to celebrate Filipino American History Month by the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.

The event is a light-hearted “talk story” featuring four members of the Maui community and their Filipino American stories of immigration, growing up Filipino and overcoming adversity. They are:

• Vernon Patao: Two-time Olympian, veteran fireman of more than 25 years, and owner of HI Performance Athletics
• Dr. Virgie Cantorna: Registered nurse and clinical psychologist, author of book Dark on the Inside
• CJ Ancheta: Secondary math teacher at Lahainaluna High School and Director of the Maui Regional Science Olympiad
• Liezl Oandasan: Community organizer and Executive Housekeeper at Sheraton Maui

Early in the month, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino and the County recognized October as Filipino American History Month with a proclamation recognizing Filipinos as the largest Asian demographic in the State of Hawaiʻi, according to the 2020 Census and the third largest Asian American population in the United States. Nearing a decade-long tradition, the Philippine flag is raised at Kalana O Maui building for the entire month.

The virtual event is free and will be livestreamed on Facebook. It will be hosted by Kit Furukawa and Wayne Aguiran. To register for free, go to mauifilipinochamber.com.