Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, faculty and staff came together on August 31 for an afternoon of community and connections at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Kamakakūokalani Center of Hawaiian Studies’ Hālau o Haumea.
In addition to giveaways, performances, Jeramiah’s Island Fusion’s Chamorro-fusion bentos and Mini Pasifika Games, the event also hosted tables of five Pacific Islander student groups; nine Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander-serving programs; as well as campus partners such as the Career Center, LGBTQ+ Center, the KOKUA Program, Office of Veteran Student Services and the Department of Ethnic Studies.
This event was envisioned and coordinated by Pasifika Unity, a group of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students and staff on campus, including:
- The Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander Serving Institution Program, also known as TIDES
- GEAR UP Mānoa
- The Center for Pacific Island Studies/The Department of Pacific Island Studies
- The Pathways for the Advancement of Pacific Islanders
- The Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office
- The Pan Pacific Association
- The Pasifika Allies Association
- Fealofani O Samoa
- Native Hawaiian Student Services
- ʻIlima SACNAS Chapter of UHM
- The Hui ʻĀina Pilipili Program
- The Pacific Islands Development Program
Other partners that helped make the event successful were Bruce Kaʻimi Watson, Kim Yamauchi of the ʻImi Hoʻōla Post Baccalaureate Program and Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence,Theresa Krief of the Micronesians Advancing in Health Professions program, Ka Malu a Waʻahila and Tina Tauasosi-Posiulai of Atamai E Tautua.
For more information on future events, visit the Pasifika Unity Instagram or email tides@hawaii.edu.
