WAILUKU, Maui — Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo will travel to Washington, D.C., this week to be honored as one of 20 Outstanding Filipinos Abroad.

The honor comes from Filipino Image magazine, which for 16 years has been giving recognition to Filipinos for inspirational, dynamic leadership and promoting a positive Filipino-American image.

Mateo is the first council member of Filipino descent to be elected as Maui County Council chairman.

Mateo was nominated for the honor by 96-year-old Richard Caldito, a former Maui County Council member and county supervisor.

Mateo, 57, said he never dreamed about elected office as he grew up in a plantation camp in Pu'unene. The son of a laborer, Mateo said he focused, as did many citizens of Filipino ancestry, on community service.

"Filipinos, we're always trying to avail ourselves, to make that difference in other people's lives," he said.

Mateo said his success was due, in part, to his former boss, the late Council Chairman Pat Kawano, who encouraged him to run for office.

"He was the driving force," Mateo recalled.

"He was the tough, crusty individual who always encouraged us to do better."