NPIEN In the News

2024 Christina Diaz Scholars Awards! The following students are recipients of the Christina Diaz Scholars Medallion for their outstanding academic achievement! Some students will also be recognized with a scholarship. Join us at the 23rd Annual NPIEN Education Conference on October 26, 2024, at Hayward High School, Hayward, California for our awards ceremony.

Apalila Levi		Ilene Wong		Kasey Hammons

The following are the 2024 NPIEN Educator and Community Awards recipients and will be recognized at the 23rd Annual NPIEN Education Conference on October 26, 2024, at Hayward High School, Hayward, California. 

This section will introduce you to educators and others in the school community who are leading with Aloha and making a difference in
combating Hate and Bullying.

Dr. Charlene Shimada, Principal, Alameda Elementary School, Downey Unified School District in California LINK
Verna Castro, Retired Administrator and Teacher, San Francisco Unified School and Executive Director, Inafa'maolek LINK
Francine Blacksher, Pacific Islander Equity Specialist, San Bernardino City Unified School District and IslandGrad Executive Director LINK
Dr. Wendell Fuimaono, Associate Principal, Blue Springs High School, Blue Springs School District in Missouri. LINK
Seuli To Meni Trood, Teacher and Specialist, Del Amo Elementary School, Los Angeles USD LINK

National Pacific Islander Education Network (NPIEN)

Student, Educator, Community Award Winners with NPIEN Board

The Northern California Chapter of the National Pacific Islander Education Network hosted the
23rd Annual NPIEN Conference in the heart of the Bay Area!
Attendees 25 Virtual and 175 in-person at Hayward High School’s STEAM Building.

Visit here for the Official 23rd Annual Conference Program (PDF)

We thank NPIEN Board Director Anjani Varma, Conference Chair:

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors for their generous contributions to our event. Your support plays a crucial role in making our initiatives possible. A special thank you goes out to the organizations that joined us for the Career, College, and Resource Fair; your presence and support mean so much to our community, helping us create valuable opportunities for attendees. We also want to recognize everyone who hosted and participated in our workshops. Your expertise and enthusiasm made these sessions engaging and impactful for all participants. A special shoutout to our key panel speakers and fantastic performers- your insights and talents enriched our event and inspired everyone in attendance. Additionally, we thank the Northern California Chapter of NPIEN for their dedication to organizing the 23rd annual conference. We are grateful to Alexander Niuatoa and Hayward High School for graciously hosting this year’s event and providing a welcoming environment for all attendees. We look forward to continuing this journey together and are excited to see you all in San Diego, CA, on October 25, 2025, for NPIEN’s 24th Annual Education Conference! Your ongoing support is vital to our mission, and we can’t wait to share another enriching experience with you.

MAJOR SPONSORS: Talanoa Consultancy Pty Ltd, Kim Apana, Scott Wallace, Soledad Santos. Spool Me Rotten Spa, Pay Pal, Charity Works, Dr. Joseph DeTorres, Ray Vincent, Terry Faleono, Adobe Express, Leatapo Fesili, Teachers Association of Long Beach, Sikka Tikka Tacos, Cliff Kusaba, SAVERS

COLLEGE, CAREER and RESOURCE FAIR EXHIBITORS: Unity Council, Ohlone College, Kumu Hula Association of Northern California, De Anza College, Northeastern University Oakland, Skyline College, Samoan Solutions, Grand Canyon University, University of California, Los Angeles, M.A.N.A. Pasefika, Delphine's Notary Public Services, Spool Me Rotten Spa, Bay Area Army Recruiting, Chabot College, Sikka Tikka Tacos, California State University, East Bay, San Jose State University, Asian American Curriculum Project (AACP), Peace Corps, YAYA Outdoor Education, Delphine’s Notary Public Services, Plus, University of California, Davis. 

PRIZE SPONSORS: Thanks to our Prize Sponsors! Over 50 prizes were awarded at the conference plus there were gift certificates from Travel Set Go and Charity Works for discounts on travel for everyone. Gift Card and Gift Basket Sponsors: Amazon, Product Teacher, Charity Works, Travel Set Go, LBCEI, Legacy of the Pacific, Amy’s Trophies, The Happy CannaBus, East West Discovery Press LLC, Khmer Parents Association, Dr. Tino Andres, NPIEN Northern California Chapter.

AWARDS SPONSOR: Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez, Assemblymember Tina McKInnor, Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers, Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus Toni G. Atkins, Assemblymember Gregg Hart, Amy’s Trophies, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, City of Santa Maria, Assemblymember Liz Ortega

DINNER SPONSORS: Talanoa Consultancy, Kim Apana, Scott Wallace, Dr. Joseph DeTorres, Terry Faleono, Ray Vincent, Leatapo Fesili, Teachers Association of Long Beach

The Conference Hotel: HAMPTON INN OAKLAND-HAYWARD

On Friday October 25, 2024, a Dinner was held at the Buon Appetito Restaurant in Hayward, CA with Dinner Sponsor and Keynote Speaker Dr. David Lakisa, from Talanoa Consultancy in Australia via Zoom. Special Guests included Dr. Jason Reimann, Superintendent, Hayward Unified School District and Board President Peter Bufete. Thirty attended the event. Dr. Lakisa spoke on his efforts to support school districts in understanding Pacific Islander cultures and the importance of the Ocean in our cultures. Visit Dr. Lakisa for further information at https://talanoaconsultancy.com.au/

7:00-9:00 p.m. Hayward High vs. John F. Kennedy Football Game w/ Associate Head Coach: Alex Niuatoa at Hayward High School. Congratulation Hayward High School Farmers on your victory!

Saturday October 26, 2024, at Hayward High School STEAM Building

• 8:30-9:30 a.m. Registration, Continental Breakfast, College, Career, and Resource Fair
• 9:30-10:30 a.m. Opening General Session: Welcome by Hayward Unified School District President, Board of Education, Peter Bufete, and Superintendent Dr. Jason Reimann and Student performance by Heritage High School, Emcee Showtime A.J.
• Keynote Panel: “Empowering Pacific Islander Students,” San Francisco Unified School District, Meritiana Veavea and Verna Castro, Moderators, Panel members Ursula Siataga and Herbert Ilalio aka Coach Wylie.
• 10:30 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions: College, Career and Resource Fair
  • Ukulele Class, “Strumming for Harmony” with Inafa’maolek’s, Meritiana Veavea and Glenn Castro.
  • Diverse Trajectories in Higher Education: Moderator Patricia Springer, Panelists Alex Niuatoa, Lou Sian and Salote Tenisi
  • Samoan Solutions Workshop with Epi Aumavae, The Ta’iala Youth Exchange Program.
• 11:15-11:30 a.m. Break and College, Career and Resource Fair
• 11:30 a.m.-12:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions: College, Career and Resource Fair
  • Diverse Trajectories in Higher Education: Moderators: Tonga Victoria Afuha’amango, Panelists: Josh Lee, Lauleva Lua’iufi Aiono, Kaitlyn Richardson
  • Short Film: The Ocean is the School: Pacific Islanders Transforming Higher Education.
  • Student performance: Jazmine Campbell, “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana, Itliong-Vera Cruz Middle School, Union City,
  • Kumu Hula Association of Northern California
  • The Ukulele Duo: Wendy Ukulele and Owen
• Lunch Menu: Shredded Chicken and Pork, Mac Salad, Potato Salad, Hawaiian Rolls and toppings, sauces for sliders by Sikka Tikka Tacos
• 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Closing General Session
  • Student performance by Hayward High School
  • Christina Diaz Scholars Awards
  • Educator and Community Awards
  • Closing Remarks by the NPIEN Board and Prize Give Away!

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