NPIEN In the News
White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI)
The WHIAANHPI holds regional meetings throughout the nation with community leaders and organizations. NPIEN members participated in meetings in Utah and Irvine, California. Great to see Ben Raju of the Small Business Administration (SBA), an NPIEN member and student mentor, David Brown of LA Island Radio and many others. Visit site.
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 |
“Home of The Original Karate Kid Movie”
10555 E. Firestone Blvd. Norwalk, CA 90650 www.golfnstuff.com (562) 864-7706
Miniature Golf Tournament Benefiting
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NPIEN’s Miniature Golf Tournament August 9th, 2024
at Golf ‘N Stuff in Norwalk, California, 12 teams!
Virtual Teams in Missouri (4), Ventura, CA and Kauai, Hawaii!
2024 Henry Kamae Student Attendance Awards were awarded at the tournament for outstanding school attendance.
Student Name and Grade (2023-2024)
| Student Name and Grade (2023-2024) | School | School District |
| Paulwin David (04) | Koloa Elementary School | Kauai Complex Area, Hawaii |
| Donavan Gamow (K) | Koloa Elementary School | Kauai Complex Area, Hawaii |
| Niannalyn Helgen (7) | Waimea Canyon Middle School | Kauai Complex Area, Hawaii |
| Alinta Erakdrik (2) | Kalaheo Elementary School | Kauai Complex Area, Hawaii |
| Kasty Simina (06) | Kamakahelei Middle School | Kauai Complex Area, Hawaii |
| Terina Faleono (12) | Jordan High School | Long Beach Unified School District, CA |
Major Sponsors: Kim Apana, Soledad Santos, PayPal, Charity Works, Leatapo Fesili, Cliff Kusaba
Tee Sign Sponsors: Hazel Martinez, Silvina Rubinstein, Ray Vincent, Albert Wilmovsky
Prize Sponsors: Emerald Isle Golf Course, Boulevard Florist, Outback, All About Word Art, On the Boardwalk, The Funnel House, Soledad Santos, Thompson Family Gift Baskets, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, Cliff Kusaba
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