In an effort to encourage cross-cultural solidarity and fostering new connections, students from a variety of Filipino and Pacific Islander clubs and organizations at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa were invited to a special event to ring in the new semester. The UH Mānoa TIDES program, which provides services to students who identify as Filipino or Pacific Islander, hosted Spring Roll Call featuring music, spring rolls and giveaways to help emphasize the significance of creating intentional spaces for students.
“It was great to be in a space that was intentional towards building community and to welcome students to the spring semester,” said Breanna Agas, a program coordinator at TIDES. “I think it’s important for our students, especially those underrepresented [at UH] to be aware of support systems and know who they can ask for help or for any questions they may have.”
Seven Filipino and Pacific Islander groups gathered at UH Mānoa such as Timpuyog Organization, ʻIlima SACNAS Chapter, Pasifika Allies Association, Pan Pacific Association, Moʻui Maʻa Tonga Club, Fealofani O Samoa, and Katipunan Club.
“As a senior, it was heartwarming to see the Fil-PI (Filipino and Pacific Islander) community come together and just have fun before I graduate,” said Misimatoka Unutoa, a UH mechanical engineering undergraduate who serves as student fellow with TIDES. “Especially as underserved populations here at UH, it is nice to have had a space where we can connect and be together as the semester starts.”
More on TIDES
TIDES, housed under the UH Mānoa Office of Student Equity, Excellence, and Diversity, was established in 2021 through an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) grant. The AANAPISI program, initiated by Congress in 2007, designates UH Mānoa as one of eight federally recognized Minority-Serving Institutions.
