Chloe Delos Santos, Building Pacific Islander Presence in the Medical Field
Chloe Delos Santos, student at Colorado State University, discusses the resilience and passion needed to pursue a path in the medical field.
Malia Camero, Building Pasifika Representation in the Nursing Field at Azusa Pacific University
Malia Camero, born in O’ahu and raised on the Big Island, shares how she chose her career path in nursing at Azusa Pacific University
Samoan STEM student, Elzira Noga's Path to Civil Engineering at University of Southern California
Elzira Noga shares how Pasefika representation in STEM and family support led her towards Civil Engineering and Building Science at the University of Southern California.
University of Hawai‘i at Hilo student Kailena Akau, on the path to becoming a Hawaiian language and studies teacher
Kailena Akau, born in Waimea and raised in Kawaihae, shares how her family and Hawaiian culture have brought her on a path to becoming a Hawaiian language and studies teacher.
Student-Athlete Braeden Samura, From Kamuela to Pacific Lutheran University
Discover student-athlete Braeden Samura’s journey from Kamuela to Pacific Lutheran University.
Ka'iulani Bento, a Native Hawaiian from the Big Island's Journey to USC
Meet rising USC sophomore, Ka’iulani Bento, and discover what it took for her to navigate her way to higher education.
Te Aue Addison-Valaau, Principal Advisor for Plant & Food Research, Advocates for Māori and Pasifika Science Innovators in Aotearoa
In Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika only make up 2.5% of staff positions in science institutions. Te Aue Addison-Valaau through her organisation Plant & Food, is leading the launch of a new annual Māori and Pasifika internship programme for 25 young scientists and business scholars to impact the future of New Zealand’s science system.
Reina Kapiolani Pahulu, Producer of The Mo’unga Project and Manava Circle | “I’m a First-Gen American, Queer, Tongan, Brown Diaspora Kid Learning to Navigate Those Identities”
Poet and Pasifika community advocate, Reina Kapiolani Pahulu, shares why she created The Manava Circle and The Mo’unga Project — community projects that empower Pasifika communities.
Oakland-Raised Tongan PhD Candidate, Marlena Wolfgramm, Researches Pacific Islander Retention and Persistence in STEM
Learn about Marlena Wolfgramm’s journey to researching Persistence and Retention of Pacific Islanders in STEM.
Asena Tolungamaka, Director at Navigators of Success | “We need more Māori and Pacific people in leadership and policy roles”
TupuToa alum and 2018 winner of the Prime Minister’s Leadership and Inspiration Award, Asena Tolungamaka shares the reason for helping to lead Navigators of Success and why we need more Pacific representation in policy.
Kanaka Maoli - M.S. in Counseling Psychology, Michael Tui | “Remember the aloha that has been passed down from generation to generation”
Michael Tui, born and raised on Oahu, shares his experience navigating undergrad and grad school as a first generation student. Driven by his desire to uplift his community, he’s served in the mental health field by providing trauma-informed care and the law enforcement field as a police officer for the Honolulu Police Department. He now works on an award winning program in North Carolina as a Behavioral Health Specialist helping emergency medical personnel cope with physical and mental health conditions.
Founder of Save PNG and the Healthy Pacific Campaign, Jennifer Baing-Waiko | “We need to hold on to traditional knowledge”
Papua New Guinean non-profit founder, tv-series host, mother of 5, and health advocate, Jennifer Baing-Waiko, shares her journey creating Save PNG and the Healthy Pacific Campaign. She encourages Pacific communities to trust their Pacific ancestors and go back to a more traditional diet.
Lorna-Lei Sua'ava, Samoan Biochemistry Pre-Med Student, Urges U.S. Pasifika STEM Scholars to Apply for National Science Foundation Internships
Lorna-Lei Sua'ava, Samoan undergraduate scholar at Southern Virginia University, shares her transformative experience as a recipient of a National Science Foundation-funded Biochemistry internship at Brigham Young University, Provo. She hopes to see an improved American Samoan healthcare system empowering traditional medicinal practices.
Tongan Graduate from Southern New Hampshire University, Iesina Tupouniua, Calls for More Pasifika Women in Math and Finance
Iesina shares her experience as the only Tongan at Southern New Hampshire University. There, she served as the President of the Student Government Association and received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Mathematics with a Minor in Statistical Modeling. She hopes to pursue a graduate degree and eventually work in the field of financial engineering.
Youth Worker at Le Mana Pasifika, Patricia Leilua | “If you feel strong enough, challenge the systems that you are in”
Patricia “Patty” Leilua is a Samoan woman born and raised in Melbourne. Patty shares her educational journey, her experience working at Le Mana Pasifika, and why she’s pursuing a Masters in Teaching.
Founder of Tonga Youth Leaders, Elizabeth V Kite, launches Oceanic Leaders Alliance and Pacific Lead
Elizabeth V. Kite shares her educational path and journey to founding Tonga’s only youth-led NGO, Tonga Youth Leaders. She is now embarking on two new initiatives: Oceanic Leaders Alliance and Pacific Lead.
Activist and Founder of Brown Girl Woke, Doris Tulifau | “With consistency, resilience, and the right team, the impact of your hard work will come through”
Doris Tulifau, founder of Brown Girl Woke, shares her story of resilience, tenacious advocacy and love for her community as she navigated higher education before pursuing her community advocacy work around gender equity in Samoa and American Samoa. She gives advice to people interested in becoming community organizers and working in the nonprofit field.
Director of financial aid empowering scholars to reach financial freedom, Eli Jennings: “You are in control of your financial destiny”
Eli Jennings shares his path from homelessness to Director of Financial Aid at Pacific Rim University in Hawai’i. He now provides students with the resources they need to find financial freedom.
Tongan healer, writer and entrepreneur, Elizabeth Kaloumaira : “If you’re following your passion, it will never feel like work”
Tongan healer, writer, and entrepreneur, Elizabeth Kaloumaira, talks about dropping out of university to follow her passion. She believes that university is not the only pathway for Pacific youth and that it's okay to forge your own path.