Emerging generation of Filipino Americans in Hawaii
United Filipino Council of Hawaii
Honoring Heritage, Empowering Futures, Uniting Filipino Hawai'i."
We aim to preserve and promote the history and contributions of Filipinos in Hawaii.
The United Filipino Council of Hawaii Foundation (UFCH Foundation) is a community organization that supports Filipino Americans in Hawaii. It was created in 2019 to continue the work of the United Filipino Council of Hawaii (UFCH), which is the oldest Filipino American umbrella group in Hawaii, celebrating over 60 years since its founding in 1959.
United Filipino Council of Hawaii
Our Featured Events
Discover who we are
About UFCHF
Purpose
We focus on supporting education, cultural awareness, civic mentoring, and public outreach programs.
Legacy
We aim to preserve and promote the history and contributions of Filipinos in Hawaii.
Community Focus
We bring together Filipino community groups from different Hawaiian islands to work as One Community.
Programs
Includes scholarships, cultural events, pageants (like Mrs. Hawaii Filipina Charity Pageant and Miss Hawaii Filipina Scholarship Pageant), health fairs, and voter engagement activities.
Digital Presence
The foundation maintains an active online platform to connect people and keep the community engaged.
Volunteers
We are supported by dedicated volunteers who help organize events and initiatives.
Sixty Years and Beyond
Our history
What exactly is UFCH? Is it just a concept, an idea, a social rubric or a website database? It is all of these and more. To realize the essence of our Council, let us look back and read an excerpt from Attorney Antonio Ramil’ s A History of the United Filipino Council of Hawaii. June 19, 20, and 21, 1959, Hawaiian Village Hotel, Honolulu. The occasion: the “First Annual Convention of Filipino Community Associations of Hawaii.” The theme: “Statehood and the Filipinos in Hawaii.” Thus, began, a fine tradition that was to carry on for many more years to come.
A Fiesta Filipina celebration was held with the theme “A Salute to the 50th State.” Out of the convention and fiesta was born the United Filipino Council of Hawaii. There were high hopes. There was a fanfare, but there was also skepticism as well as downright opposition. Labor leaders saw a Statewide Filipino council as undercutting the Filipinos’ involvement in the labor movement. The 1959 convention and fiesta marked the fruition of then Philippine Consul General Juan Dionisio’s efforts to bring together Filipino community leaders in Hawaii to form a Statewide Filipino Council.
On June 20, 1959, the UFCH constitution and by-laws were adopted. Roland Sagum was elected the first UFCH president. A parade and fireworks display ensued. The United Filipino Council of Hawaii was born. That was three generation ago, but we can still hear the chatter of muted discussions, the strain of Philippine airs, the synchronicity of purpose and faith and shared vision of Filipino American life sixty years ahead.
Activities & Events
Join us in our upcoming event
Mrs. Hawaii Filipina 2025 Scholarship & Charity Event
The Mrs. Hawaii Filipina Scholarship and Charity Pageant is an annual project of the United Filipino Council of Hawaii Foundation. Launched in 1988, the program initiated the first full on fund campaign utilizing pageantry which is a staple event in most town fiestas and festivities. Today celebrating its thirty-eight year, the Mrs. Hawaii Filipina Pageant has become UFCHF’s major fundraiser supporting the organization’s college scholarship, business mentoring and student outreach programs. These projects perpetuate the legacies of the Filipinos in Hawaii and speaks of
UFCHF’s continuing commitment to the future.
- Date: June 7th 2025
- Time: 6-11pm
- Venue: Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom 4&5