Family First
Sergio is a devoted husband to Hiromi Iida, originally from Iwate, Japan. He is the loving father to 9 year old daughter Aina and 7 year old son Sergio IV, both students in public school at Pauoa Elementary where Sergio enjoys his time volunteering with the PTA.
Non-Profit & Community Leader
Sergio was previously an attorney and the Director of External Relations at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, a non-profit, public interest law firm where he focused on providing legal help and led efforts in improving access to justice for the most vulnerable in our community.
Sergio has served on various committees of the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, is a board director of the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, and is a board director of the Filipino Young Leaders Program. Sergio was also selected by the Hawaii State Bar Association as a Leadership Fellow and honored by Pacific Business News' 40 Under 40. Currently, Sergio is a volunteer member of the sponsoring committee for the Hawaii Workers Center, a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of low-wage workers.
Sergio has served on various committees of the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission, is a board director of the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, and is a board director of the Filipino Young Leaders Program. Sergio was also selected by the Hawaii State Bar Association as a Leadership Fellow and honored by Pacific Business News' 40 Under 40. Currently, Sergio is a volunteer member of the sponsoring committee for the Hawaii Workers Center, a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of low-wage workers.
Immigrant Dreams
Originally born in Iloilo City, Philippines Sergio immigrated to the United States when he was 7 years old after his father, a military police officer, was assassinated by a communist hit-squad during the tumultuous times of the People Power Revolution during the Marcos dictatorship.
His mother Mater, now widowed with 5 young children and 7 months pregnant moved with Sergio to the United States where she could return to work as a nurse. She would leave Sergio's other siblings in the Philippines so she could save enough money to eventually bring them over.
Hoping to provide a more stable environment, Sergio's mother sent him to live with her sister Pilar and their family in Virginia Beach, VA. It was here that Sergio could begin to assimilate to American culture, learn English, and have a stable home.
After a few years, Sergio's mother was able to save enough money to bring the rest of the children to the United States and reunite the family. As a single mother, she worked hard to raise six young children on her own. Knowing the struggles of working families first-hand, Sergio has devoted his life to helping others and finding ways to pay it forward.
His mother Mater, now widowed with 5 young children and 7 months pregnant moved with Sergio to the United States where she could return to work as a nurse. She would leave Sergio's other siblings in the Philippines so she could save enough money to eventually bring them over.
Hoping to provide a more stable environment, Sergio's mother sent him to live with her sister Pilar and their family in Virginia Beach, VA. It was here that Sergio could begin to assimilate to American culture, learn English, and have a stable home.
After a few years, Sergio's mother was able to save enough money to bring the rest of the children to the United States and reunite the family. As a single mother, she worked hard to raise six young children on her own. Knowing the struggles of working families first-hand, Sergio has devoted his life to helping others and finding ways to pay it forward.
Life of Public Service
Born to a military household, the values of service and love of country were instilled in him at an early age by his father, a Philippine police/military officer and his grandfather, a decorated WWII veteran. Sergio sought to continue the family tradition of military service but when his citizenship mistakenly became an issue, Sergio would find other ways to serve. Having to navigate immigration law and the legal system on his own would open his interests in the law and its power to help people.
Sergio would go on to graduate from the University of Florida with a double major in political science and economics just as 9/11 happened. Sergio would dedicate the next several years working towards a more peaceful world. He volunteered his time for youth non-profit organizations and worked with local churches and sports programs to develop peace centered community service programs in high conflict areas. From the streets of Oakland, CA to the refugee camps in Palestine and Israel, to the beaches of Estonia; Sergio worked to bring people together. Because of these life-changing experiences, Sergio was inspired to complete seminary school at the Unification Theological Seminary with a focus on inter-faith and inter-religious peace building.
His unique journey and travels have provided greater clarity in his vision of serving the public interest. Sergio would go on to graduate from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii. He has remained true to answering the call of service to the community ever since.
Sergio would go on to graduate from the University of Florida with a double major in political science and economics just as 9/11 happened. Sergio would dedicate the next several years working towards a more peaceful world. He volunteered his time for youth non-profit organizations and worked with local churches and sports programs to develop peace centered community service programs in high conflict areas. From the streets of Oakland, CA to the refugee camps in Palestine and Israel, to the beaches of Estonia; Sergio worked to bring people together. Because of these life-changing experiences, Sergio was inspired to complete seminary school at the Unification Theological Seminary with a focus on inter-faith and inter-religious peace building.
His unique journey and travels have provided greater clarity in his vision of serving the public interest. Sergio would go on to graduate from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii. He has remained true to answering the call of service to the community ever since.
