FALEA was established in 1993 by Juny Laputt, Paul Lucero and Vergel Del Rosario. They are three Filipino
engineers who felt the need to organize a group that would give Filipinos a better chance at success in the professional licensing
process and promote its member's image and reputation.
Since its inception, it has evolved into a very active tightly knit group with focus on providing programs
for continuing education and training needed to meet the requirements to practice in Hawaii. FALEA is a group of professionals
with an extensive network of engineers, architects, surveyors, contractors and allied professions from Oahu and the neighbor
islands. Although its membership is composed mainly of Filipinos, it is open to professionals of other ethnic backgrounds.
It has consistently attracted new members over the years and has a list more than 300 in its roster. The
past few years, it welcomed 30+ new members, which is a strong indication that FALEA is serving a need particularly in the
engineering and architectural community. The group has been united and guided by its stated mission "to promote a high standard
of professionalism by fostering opportunities for career advancements and to promote unity, friendship, camaraderie and mutual
assistance among its members."
FALEA has committed itself to serving the needs of its members by enhancing opportunities through professional developments
and building strong ties within the organizations as well as the community. Its objectives & goals and the means to achieve
them are well defined and planned as follows:
- To keep current with advances in technology, FALEA offers workshops in Computer Aided Design and Drafting and computer
seminar on MS Word, Excel and Autocad.
- To enhance and augment the professional development of its members, seminars on building codes, project management
and coordination and other presentations that are of interest to architecture, engineering and building professions are offered.
Some of these presentations are scheduled to coincide with its General Membership Meetings.
- To create more opportunities to practice in Hawaii, FALEA conducts review classes for EIT and Architectural Registration
Exam with its members serving as lecturers.
- To encourage and motivate its members to excel, FALEA recognize outstanding members who have demonstrated excellence
in Engineering, Architecture and related fields each year. In addition to professional excellence the award recipients are
judged on their personal character and contributions to the community and organization.
- To help in the personal development of its members, programs on improving communication skills are offered such as
Speechcraft with the help of the Honolulu Downtown Toastmasters.
- To reach out to the community, FALEA awards scholarship grants each year to students entering or are in the school
of engineering and architecture. It is actively involved in the development of the Filcom Center by showing support through
participation in FILCOM's annual Fiesta Parade. FALEA is providing quality control/plan continues to explore opportunities
in helping and reaching out to the community.
To promote units and friendships among its members and their families, FALEA holds gatherings such as its annual family
picnic & Christmas party and ballroom dancing events. The annual banquet and installation of new officer and directors
is held in September or October. Sport events including golf, bowling and basketball tournaments are popular with the sport
minded members in the group.
FALEA is member of the Hawaii Council of Engineering Societies, It is a non-profit organization and depends on membership
dues and fundraising efforts to support its numerous worthwhile programs. It maintains contact with the members through its
Newsletter and through its general membership meetings. Election of new officers and directors is held during the first Saturday
in August during the annual General Assembly.
