The FJCH legacy can be traced back to 1969 when Geminiano “Toy” Arre, Jr. made history by becoming the first president of non-Japanese descent to lead the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce. During Toy’s tenure, he led the effort with Ernest Mina to form the first Filipino-themed JCI chapter in Hawaii with Ed Hasegawa (ironically of Japanese descent) as its first president: the Bayanihan Jaycees. 

Unfortunately, the word ‘Bayanihan’ was forced to be removed due to the U.S. Junior Chamber’s policy banning ethnic connotations to chapter names. Although it was renamed to the Metropolitan Jaycees, the chapter’s bayanihan spirit remained. 

The U.S. Junior Chamber’s policy eventually changed and a new chapter later emerged as the Oahu Filipino Jaycees. It became a solid source for young leadership in the local Filipino community, bringing forth notable individuals such as Judge Rey Graulty, Roland Casamina, Larry Ordonez, Alex Sonson, and Willie Espero. Some of its members would ultimately be key in helping establish Oahu’s Annual Filipino Fiesta, the Filipino Community Center, and the Miss Sampaguita Hawaii Pageants. 

Until 1984, the organization's membership was restricted to men between the ages of 18-35. In 1982, women who were supporters of the Oahu Filipino Jaycees organization, formed The Oahu Filipino Jayceettes. In 1985, the two groups merged to form one co-ed organization.

Today’s organization began to form in the late 1990s by Harry Alonso. In 1998, the Filipino Junior Chamber officially reemerged as the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce (HFJCC) with Michelle Acosta as its first president. Under Eric Barsatan’s leadership in 2008, HFJCC branded itself simply as the Filipino Junior Chamber (FJC).

Under Jay Raymundo’s leadership in 2011, HFJCC officially renamed itself JCI Hawaii Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce as JCI resources became more readily available to its national and local organization members. 

In 2012, Ryan Fernandez became the first ex officio board member of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. This position would continue to be held by current Filipino Junior Chamber presidents and open leadership and networking opportunities to members. 

Around this time period, FJC continued its tradition as a source for young leadership in the local Filipino community, supporting the development of notable leaders today such as Brandon Elefante, Tyler Dos Santos, and Sergio Alcubilla. Prominent projects included Save a Bottle Save a Life, Night of Honor, Top Outstanding Young Filipinos, and the Luzviminda Fashion Show.

In 2018, FJC hosted its 45th Reunion Celebration and continued to build its legacy, with a focus on member recruitment, engagement, and retention. They sponsored projects for World Clean Up Day in 2019, a civic movement in bringing 180 countries together for a cleaner environment as well as their now signature project, Kamayan Feast. In 2020, the chapter was heavily affected by COVID-19. Despite the restrictions, FJC held their very first virtual twinning ceremony with their current sister chapter, JCI Dagupeñas, and was awarded “Most Outstanding Chapter” by JCI Hawaii. In 2021, the chapter reorganized itself to what it’s known today, Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu. 

Like the chapters that preceded it, the current chapter has a diverse and talented membership. Current and former members are sought for their leadership by businesses, government of all levels, and the community. Collectively, they share a journey that allows them to learn about and appreciate Filipino culture and history; work with other young professionals on projects aimed at taking local action in support of global challenges; and, most importantly, discover themselves in a whole new light. 

Today, the Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu is the local community’s premier young professional organization that develops and empowers leaders for the future, while remembering the Filipino roots that precedes it.