Maui Filipino Chamber announces 2025 Gintong Pamana awardees, scholarship recipients
The Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of the 2025 Gintong Pamana Leadership and Scholarship Awards, recognizing outstanding members of the Maui Filipino community who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional excellence and a steadfast commitment to serving the community, as well as students who are receiving $1000 scholarships.
Now in its 30th year, the Gintong Pamana Awards will be celebrated on June 11, 2025, at the Maui Beach Hotel Ballroom. The Chamber invites past recipients to join this milestone event.
2025 Gintong Pamana Leadership awardees

- Jessica Acop, program director at Maui Health, is a pioneering healthcare leader known for building and scaling medical facilities and championing access to quality care for underserved communities. From launching free-standing emergency rooms in Texas to managing Maui’s first wound care clinic, her work has improved patient outcomes and strengthened healthcare infrastructure. In the wake of the Lahaina fires, she mobilized her department to provide critical care and secured vital resources through national partnerships. An advocate for mentorship and education, Acop’s leadership has been recognized nationally, including the Restorix award in 2023. A proud Indigenous Filipina of the Ibaloi tribe, she brings her values of resilience, service and community to every role she undertakes.
- Everett Balmores, communications systems specialist with the Maui Emergency Management Agency, exemplifies quiet leadership and steadfast service. With a background spanning emergency management, hospitality safety and retail leadership, Balmores plays a vital role in coordinating communications infrastructure and public alert systems across Maui County. During the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, while personally impacted by the loss of his family home, Balmores continued to serve on the front lines—supporting local, state and federal response teams with unwavering dedication. Known for his calm presence, humility, and deep sense of duty, Balmores’ leadership in times of crisis reflects a profound commitment to both his work and his community.
- Joel Navarro, CEO of the Maui Pono Foundation, is a longtime West Maui resident whose leadership spans real estate, finance, youth development and disaster recovery. With over 30 years of community involvement—from banking and title services to youth sports and education—Navarro now leads one of Maui’s most impactful wildfire recovery nonprofits. Under his guidance, the foundation has distributed nearly $2 million in direct aid, small business support and community resilience projects. A steadfast advocate for West Maui, Navarro also serves on the Lahainaluna High School Foundation board, leads the Lahaina Junior Golf Association and chairs the Legacy Cup Golf Tournament, all while preserving the values and spirit of Lahaina through dedicated service.
- Chef Bernardo “JR” Oao, owner of several restaurants under Oao Sushi LLC, embodies the Filipino immigrant dream through resilience, humility and heart. Originally from Isabela, Philippines, Oao began his culinary journey as a dishwasher, working tirelessly to become a master sushi chef. In 2022, he opened his first food truck, which quickly grew into a thriving restaurant brand with three locations across Maui: Oao in Wailea, Oao Sushi Go in Kahului and Hachi by Oao in Kīhei. A devoted community supporter, Oao has provided aid to Lahaina fire victims, sponsored youth athletics and actively serves through his church. His story is one of faith, perseverance and a deep commitment to giving back.
- Jingo Magic Tamayo is a seasoned media professional, community leader and cultural advocate whose broadcasting career began in the late 1980s with the Manila Broadcasting Company, where he served as program director. After immigrating to the US, he moved to Maui in 2013 and helped establish the independent radio station KPMW. Through his prime-time show “Biag Ti Hawayano,” which became the top evening program for nearly two years, Tamayo amplified Filipino voices and promoted cultural pride. He also served as a court interpreter, helping Filipino clients navigate the legal system. During the 2023 Lahaina fire, he stood alongside the Philippine Consul General, delivering critical live updates on DZRH to inform families abroad. Now serving as president of the Maui Taxi Operators, Tamayo led successful negotiations with state and county agencies to update long-overdue tariff rates and improve working conditions for predominantly Filipino drivers. His efforts continue to uplift the Filipino community while supporting Maui’s tourism and recovery efforts.
2025 scholarship awardees

Fifteen students were awarded $1,000 scholarships through a competitive selection process judged independently. Recipients and their intended fields of study include:
- Braeden Asuncion (Maui High School) – Computer Science, UC Davis
- Sarah Cariaga (Lahainaluna High School) – Hospitality Management, University of Nevada
- Michelle Castillo (Maui High School) – Event Sport and Management, Chaminade University
- Kamuela Dahilig (H.P. Baldwin High School) – Biology, Stanford University
- Taylor Deocares (H.P. Baldwin High School) – Civil Engineering, UH Mānoa
- Willyn Domingo (Maui High School) – Software Engineering, Pacific University Oregon
- Kalia Kaneta (Maui High School) – Political Science, MIT
- Victoria Osborn (Seabury Hall) – Kinesiology, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Lilinoe Quitazol (King Kekaulike High School) – Computer Science, Oregon State University
- Micah Sijalbo (Maui High School) – Civil Engineering, Oregon State University
- Jonah Tapaoan (Maui High School) – Bioengineering, UC Merced
- Sophia Topinio (Lahainaluna High School) – Entrepreneurship and Finance, Grand Canyon University
- Ikaika Wright (King Kekaulike High School) – Computer Engineering, UNLV
- Charllene Guansing (UH Maui College) – Liberal Arts
- Jhenie Yuro (UH Maui College) – Liberal Arts, Pre-Nursing
The Gintong Pamana Leadership & Scholarship Awards banquet will be held Wednesday, June 11, 2025, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Maui Beach Hotel. Tickets, sponsorship packages, and advertising opportunities are available at mauifilipinochamber.com.
For more information, contact the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce at mauifilipinocc@gmail.com.