The Pacific Chapter is open to any of the Islands in the Pacific and as your Chapter grow you can become an independent chapter, example Hawaii, Kauai.
Palau Chapter
The Asido Family in Palau has been very active in supporting NPIEN, and two members of the family, Zion and Zelornette, received the Christina Diaz Scholar Award. Zelornette is attending school in the Philippines and is an NPIEN Intern.
The Hawaii Kaua'i Chapter was created by the NPIEN Board on June 17, 2023.
The Chapter has been busy raising funds for student scholarships and has worked closely with Waimea High School. https://www.waimeahigh.org/
Contact: Silvina Rubinstein
CHAPTER REPORT: HAWAII KAUAI CHAPTER
Silvina Rubinstein, Chapter President, did a presentation about NPIEN at the Kauai Retired Teachers Association meeting on 9/18/23. The KRTA President followed up with an informational piece in the November newsletter.
Silvina participated in the ACE Craft Fair on 10/28/23 and brought NPIEN Thank You cards to fundraise for the Kauai Christina Diaz scholarships. At the fair she also shared information about NPIEN with Denis Fugimoto, photographer and column writer from The Garden Island.
On November 3, 2023, she participated in the Saint Michel’s Church Craft Fair and also brought NPIEN Thank You cards to fundraise for Kauai Christina Diaz scholarships and shared information about NPIEN.
Mahalo.
Silvina Rubinstein
Dora Mamea was a postal worker at the Redlands, California Post Office. She was active in the Soroptimist Club International of Moreno Valley and earned the Laurel Society Award as a major contributor to Women and Girls. Dora helped found the NPIEN Inland Empire Chapter and served as Chapter Secretary. Dora and her brother Leatapo raised funds to support the Chapter’s scholarship fund. The Board sends its sympathy to the family.
Alexander (Alex) Niuatoa in the Northern California Chapter President.
An Oakland and Hayward, California native, he is also known as Coach Alex, and he is a Physical Education, Strength and Conditioning instructor at Hayward High School in the Hayward Unified School District and also is a Football Coach. He is a Hayward High School alumni and earned a BA degree in Sports and Exercise Science at Kansas Wesleyan University. He also holds an MS degree from California State University East Bay in Kinesiology and has been teaching at Hayward High School since 2019. In addition to his hobbies of sports and fitness he also enjoys Polynesian Dancing and is the Hayward High School Poly Club advisor.
Utah Chapter Co-Presidents Nele Ofisa (standing) and Lita Sagato
The Utah Chapter was created by the NPIEN Board on May 19, 2021 at its regular board meeting, and Wayne Manu was appointed as the first Chapter Liaison. Wayne is a former teacher in Oregon and a current football coach at Alta High School in Sandy, Utah.
The Chapter looks forward to supporting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students in meeting their higher educational goals. The Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community is 1.6% of the total population, about 50,000, in the State of Utah.
Ways to Support the Utah Chapter presented at Ohana Night (Flyer)
Contacts: Nele Ofisa and Lita Sagato
Alta High School Pacific Islander Parent Night
NPIEN’s Alta High School Chapter met on December 8, 2022 with students and parents to introduce the Alta High School Pacific Islander Club and upcoming activities for the year. NPIEN Vice President Wayne Manu and Chapter Presidents Nele Ofisa and Lita Sagato were present at the meeting spoke to parents and counselors about how to best support the students. They also spoke about NPIEN membership.