NPIEN In the News
The NPIEN Utah Chapter Chapter reported that Verona Sagato-Mauga was elected to the Utah House of Representatives. They also stated that Representative Sagato-Mauga is the first Pacific Islander/Samoan female ever elected to a State legislative office. Other than Representatives for the United States Territories, the only other State Legislator other than Hawaii that we are aware of was Idaho State Senator Edgar Malepeai. Representative Jake Fitisemanu was also elected to the Utah State Legislature. Was Jake also one of the first in Utah? David Tangipa (Tongan) was elected as a California State Assemblymember, a first. In the State of Hawaii, there were three Pacific Islander US Congressmembers, Daniel Akaka (Hawaiian), Tulsi Gabbard (Samoan), and Kai Kahele (Hawaiian), also a State Senator. His father Gil Kahele was also a Hawaii State Senator. A historic time!
NPIEN board member Dr. Loriann Leota and Dr. Thompson participated in the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Community Engagement Event, hosted by our WHIAANHPI Regional Network 9 Southwest, at Emerson College in Los Angeles on December 11, 2024. We met many of the federal agencies including the Small Business Administration led by Director Ben Raju. who also emceed one of the keynote panels and asked Dr. Thompson to speak. Great to see many of our NHPI leaders.
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.
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| Apalila Levi | Ilene Wong | Kasey Hammons |
| Name, Grade (2023-2024) |
School, School District |
| Mercy Tulifau (12) | Lakewood HS, Long Beach Unified School District (USD) |
| Kasey Marie Hammons (12) | Odyssey STEM Academy, Paramount USD |
| Isabel Tupe (12) | Cajon High School, San Bernardino City USD |
| Jai Garg (11) | West Windsor - Plainsboro High School North, Plainsboro Regional School District (New Jersey) |
| Sela Haukinima (06) | Will Rogers Middle School, Lawndale ESD (Elementary School District) |
| Evangelina Kaho (06) | Will Rogers Middle School, Lawndale ESD (Elementary School District) |
| Kelsie Wong (10) | Trabuco Hills High School, Saddleback Valley USD |
| Terina Faleono (12) | Jordan High School, Long Beach USAD |
| Ta’iuta Uiagalelei (Graduate) | Concordia University, Irvine |
| Kaleolani Ilac (12) | Pioneer Valley High School, Santa Maria USD |
| Ethan Concepcion (Senior) | San Diego State University |
| Caren Dingoasen (12, 2024-2025) | Morse High School, San Diego USD |
| Apalila Levi (1st Year) | San Diego State University |
| Micah Grey (12) | St. Pius X - St. Matthias Academy |
| Natalie Erin Tacto (12) | Sweetwater High School, Sweetwater Union High School District (UHSD) |
| Elijah Sega (12, 2024-2025) | Hayward High School, Hayward Unified School District |
| Akiera Aipoalani (12) | Heritage High School, Liberty UHSD |
| Johnny Jamerson (11, 2024-2025) | Balboa High School, San Francisco USD |
| Christina Narayan, Graduate Student | National University |
| Roy Tongilava, Graduate Student | UC Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy |
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.
| Name of Award | Recipient |
| Sala Auelua Counselor Award | Ursula Siataga, Counselor. San Francisco Unified School District |
| Seva Ma’ae Educator Award | Glenn Castro, San Francisco USD Student Advisor, Harvey Milk Civil Rights Elementary School, San Francisco Unified School District |
| Dr. Alofa Tanuvasa Community Award | Sophia Perez, UC Berkeley's Pacific Islander Initiative and Critical Pacific Island Studies Collective |
| Dr. Alofa Tanuvasa Community Award | Essence of Mana |
| Dr. Alofa Tanuvasa Community Award | Heritage High School, Polynesian Culture Club |
| Dr. Alofa Tanuvasa Community Award | Meritiana Veavea, Project Coordinator for PIVOT (Pacific Islander Outreach Transformation), Vice President, Inafamaolek.us |
| Dr. Alofa Tanuvasa Community Award |
Carolyn Aflague Arroyo, Associate Director of Admission, Communication, and Outreach, School of Education, University of San Francisco |
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