Vince G. Bagoyo, Jr.
Editor’s Note: Many on The Fil-Am Voice’s staff have connections to Sakadas and the plantations. Although we generally hate to be the subject of the articles / columns, this is the fourth in a series focusing on The Fil-Am Voice’s staff’s Sakada offsprings.
Lucy Peros | All photos courtesy Vince Bagoyo
Our featured Sakada Offspring this month is the Fil-Am Voice Co-Publisher and Staff writer, Vince Bagoyo, Jr. He was born in Santa, Ilocos Sur, Philippines on August 17, 1953. His parents were the late Vincent C. Bagoyo, Sr. and Rosa Galinato Bagoyo. He is married to Jennifer Bagoyo, a retired former RN/Case Manager at Maui Memorial Medical Center. They have three daughters: Megan McKellar (Educator/Vice Principal), Meredith Burns (Registered Nurse), and Mallory Kumangai (Registered Nurse). They have two grandchildren, Makenna June and Noah Vincent Burns.
Vince’s father, Vincent Bagoyo, Sr. was a 1946 Sakada who came to Hawai‘i on April 26, 1946 leaving behind his pregnant wife Rosa and his two young daughters to find a better life for his family. He left Port Salamague, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Philippines on board the S.S. Maunawili. He was able to come to Hawai‘i by luck and by creativity. It so happened that a man named Mariano Galinato changed his mind to come to Hawai‘i. So Vincent and his very supportive wife, Rosa asked if they could buy or pay Mariano Galinato for his recruitment papers. Mr. Galinato happily agreed to sell his recruitment papers to them. The Bagoyos paid 20 pesos for that paper. With the help of the former Governor of Santa, Ilocos Sur, Gov. Sixto Brilliantes, Vincent got through the immigration lines, doctor check up lines, etc. with flying colors even though not as Vincent Bagoyo but as Mariano Galinato. He had to make sure that when he was called on the S.S. Maunawili that he must remember that he was Mariano Galinato. It was difficult at first but he got used to that name.
Upon reaching Hawai‘i, they were able to choose which plantation they wanted to go and work. Vincent chose to go to Lāna‘i to work under the Dole Company for 50 cents per hour. Young Vincent cut grass in the pineapple fields but he lasted for only five days. He wasn’t meant to be a field worker.
Vincent had a brother named Nazario Bagoyo who lived in Honolulu and who owned a café called Spic and Span Café. Nazario welcomed his brother Vincent to work for him for less than a year. Unfortunately, Spic and Span Café had to be closed.
Vincent found a job at Pearl Harbor and he worked there for three years. On the other hand, Nazario came to work at the Pioneer Mill in Lahaina. Vincent missed his young family so much that he decided to go back to the Philippines for good in September 1949.
While in the Philippines, Vincent got involved in politics. He was so involved to a point that he ran for Council and won. He even had an ambition of working up to run for Mayor or even perhaps for Governor of Ilocos Sur. However, politics in the Philippines is quite different from politics here in the United States. It was not as peaceful. The Bagoyos encountered some trying times in the Philippine politics.
Being a very caring brother, Nazario filed a petition for Vincent if he wanted to come back to Hawai‘i. Vincent chose to come back. Both Rosa and Vincent agreed and were convinced that it was all in God’s plan for them. Vincent came back to Hawai‘i in July 27, 1966. Besides working, Vincent and Rosa were involved in different Filipino Organizations such as the United Santanians Organization, Kahului Filipino Community Association and he was the founder of the Saranay Maui Organization.
The Bagoyos were blessed with five children: Rosalia Lozano, Leticia Enriques, Rogelio Bagoyo, Estrella Cabatic (deceased), and Vince Bagoyo, Jr. All except Vince were educated in the Philippines. Vince received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 1980 and his Masters Degree in Public Administration from California State University at Long Beach in 1981.
From 1982 to 1984, Vince was the Director of the Maui County Department of Human Concerns and Housing. He directed and coordinated Maui County’s social services programs for the elderly, youth, disabled, and low-income residents. He was responsible for the planning and development of County-sponsored affordable housing projects in Maui County.
From 1984 to 1990, Vince was the Director of the Maui County Department of Water Supply. He developed financial and operating strategies for the department’s projected twenty-year master plans. He approved and directed pipeline, pump, treatment and storage projects on Maui and Molokai. He developed water rates for the department that required Maui County Council and Board of Water Supply approval.
Vince is a very community-oriented individual. Since 1983 to the present, these are the community activities that he was involved in: Maui Community Culture and Arts, Maui Homeless Shelter Fundraising Committee, Maui Filipino Community Council (President), Kiwanis Club of Maui (President), Maui Community College Provost Advisory, Hawai‘i Community-Based Economic Development, State Dept. of Health Environmental Advisory, Maui Filipino Centennial Celebration Coordinating Council (Chair), Two-Thirds World Network (Chairman of the Board), Board Member of Housing Hawai‘i, and Vice Chair, Maui Memorial and Medical Center Foundation. He led the acquisition of the two-acre parcel and fundraising for the development of Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center.
Professionally, Vince was involved from 1984 through 2003 in the following activities: Member of American Water Works Association, Hawai‘i Community-Based Economic Development Board, Member in the Maui County Charter Commission, and past president of the Hawai‘i Resort Developers Conference.
From 1991 to 1992, Vince served one term as a member of the Maui County Council. He became chairman of the Council’s Planning Committee and served on various Council committees such as Public Works, Budget and Finance, Parks and Recreation, Economic Development, Agriculture, Land Use and Zoning, Water, and Human Services and Housing.
From 1993 to 2003, Vince was Vice President with Castle & Cooke, Inc. He assisted and directed the strategic planning of luxury master plan resort and residential development on the island of Lana‘i. He directed the revitalization of Lana‘i’s commercial development, which maintain the country town atmosphere that provides a core focal point of visitors, residents, and potential luxury homebuyers. He also oversaw and managed the company’s 560-plus residential rental units. He developed strategic business plans to sell a majority of the rental units to current tenants which produced positive cash flow for the company and more importantly became a model for community revitalization while maintaining the island’s unique character. He was also responsible for developing and implementing strategies and programs to ensure maximum value of the company’s land holdings and optimum utilization of its natural resource asset, water. He developed a long-term water and wastewater capital improvement programs and initiated and developed a world-award winning wastewater treatment plant that utilizes hyacinths treatment processes. The company became a leader on wastewater reuse.
Since 2004, Vince has been the president and owner of V. Bagoyo Development Group, LLC. He is involved in real estate development consulting and development, project analysis and management and involved in all aspects of land use entitlement processes including but not limited to preparation of projects’ environmental assessment, zoning and state land use boundary designations and Special Management Area (SMA) Permit applications. He specializes in workforce housing projects.
Although Vince is a very busy man, he enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren going hiking, hunting, visiting national parks and museums, and writing whenever he can. He is also a former licensed Foster Parent.
This writer had a privilege in asking Vince’s father, Vincent Bagoyo, Sr. his personal reflection before his passing. This is what he shared: “Love, respect, and adore God. Know and love God. Be patient, be humble, and be forgiving. Remember that God is the best judge. Help the less fortunate. Be understanding.”
This writer also asked Vince Bagoyo, Jr. to share his personal reflection: “My greatest joy of life is when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and to faithfully follow Him according to His perfect will. I’m a Co-founder and the Chairman of the Board of Two-Thirds World Network (TTWN), a Christian based non-profit organization, with a 501(c)(3) tax exemption under the IRS. TTWN’s primary purpose is to share the Good News and the Gospel through missions in Southeast Asia according to the biblical principles found in the Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 28:18-20. From a sinner to a transformed life by the Grace of God, my family and I have been blessed with much joy and love, and kindness by our Lord and by our community friends. Being a believer—we never arrive, but aspire to be a better person everyday in the likeness of Christ.”
It is quite amazing that both father and son, from different generations, have very similar personal reflections.
Lucy Peros is a retired school teacher. She taught at St. Anthony Grade School and Waihe‘e Elementary School. Both her parents, Elpidio Cabalo and Alejandra Cabalo of Hali‘imaile worked for Maui Land and Pine Company. Her Dad was a 1946 Sakada. She is now enjoying retirement. She now has time to join the other seniors at the Enhance Fitness Program under the Department of Aging three times a week, attend the line dancing class and other activities at Kaunoa, and joins the other Waihe‘e School retirees when help is needed at the school. Lucy also devotes some of her time to activities at Christ The King Catholic Church. She enjoys writing and reading in her spare time.