Filipino named ‘model Chinese citizen’ of the year in Hawaii

Filipino-Chinese Eddie Flores, owner of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue chain, was named Model Chinese Citizen of the Year in Hawaii. DFA

SAN FRANCISCO — Eddie Flores, a businessman and philanthropist of Filipino Chinese descent, was named 2016 Model Chinese Citizen of the Year by the United Chinese Society of Hawaii. He was honored in a banquet held at Empress Restaurant in downtown Honolulu on December 4.

Flores is the owner of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue chain of restaurants in Hawaii and the US mainland. He was a former president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii (CCCH).

As CCCH president Flores led a joint Chinese-Filipino Trade Mission to Manila with the Filipino-Hawaii Chamber of Commerce in February this year. Consul General to Honolulu Gina Jamoralin accompanied the team.

Flores was also one of the prime movers behind the establishment of the Philippine Community Center (Filcom Center) in Waipahu, a cultural center and meeting place for Filipinos in Hawaii. He also originated and regularly supports the yearly “Flores de Mayo/Philippine Fiesta held in Kapiolani Park.

Consul General Jamoralin, who was one of Flores’ special guests at December 4 banquert, congratulated him for his award, leadership and philanthropic activities both in the Chinese American and Filipino American communities.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell of Honolulu, Hawaii State Senator Donna Mercado Kim and State Representative Daniel Holt also presented plaques of appreciation to Flores.

Flores is organizing another Chinese American business delegation to the Philippines early next year.