October 2012

In recognition of this year’s Filipino American History Month, FAHSOH is coordinating the FilAm History Fest 2012: Filipino Organizations in Hawaii, an event that highlights the diversity of Filipino civic, cultural, mutual aid and professional organizations in Hawaii. Since Filipinos migrated to Hawaii, individuals have sought ways to help and recognize each other and their heritage through organizations.

As a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization FAHSOH preserves, enhances and promotes an appreciation of Filipino heritage and the experiences of Filipino Americans in Hawai’i.  Organized in 1980 FAHSOH brings together individuals who are interested in learning more about Filipino heritage and increasing their understanding of the Filipino American experience. FAHSOH shares this knowledge with the wider community through exhibits, community forums, workshops, publications and other public presentations and dialogues.

FAHSOH also collaborates with other organizations and individuals in the community who share similar interests in promoting the understanding of the Filipino American experience and that of other ethnic groups in Hawai’i. Membership is open to all who are committed to supporting the aims of FAHSOH and are willing to share in the responsibility of implementing the projects and activities of the Society.

Some of the highlights of FAHSOH past programs are:

• Production of “Sangang Daan” Video (1981)
• Forums: “Remembering the Olden Days: The Filipino-American Experience in Hawai’i (Life in Rural Hawai’i, Life in Urban Hawai’i, The Second Generation)” (1991)
• Publication of The Filipino-American Experience in Hawai’i (Social Process in Hawai’i, vol. 33) (1991)
• Forum: “Filipino-American Experience in Hawai’i (The Younger Generation, The New Generation)” (1992)
• Exhibits: “The Filipinos’ Continuing Quest for Freedom and Dignity, Parts I & II” (1996 & 1998)
• Forum: “The Legacy of Filipino Plantation Workers in Hawai’i” (1996)
• Production of “Katipunan: A Cry for Freedom” (1997)
• Exhibit: “Kasaysayan and Ka Mo’aukala: The Continuing Revolutions of the Philippines and Hawai’i” (2001)
• Publication of “Unbending Cane”, by Melinda Tria Kerkvliet (2002)
• Forum: “Documenting Filipino American Lives in Hawai’i” (2004)
• Establishing eFIL: Filipino Digital Archives and History Center of Hawai’i (2006)
• Host for the 2006 Filipino American National Historical Society national conference in Honolulu