NPIEN In the News
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
Amaris Leiataua, Esq. Attorney, Holland and Hart LLP LINK
Dr. Alfred Flores, Associate Professor, Asian American Studies, Harvey Mudd College LINK
May 2025 National Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Village Builders, Aloha Leadership
This spring, the National Pacific Islander Educator Network (NPIEN) proudly joined several school districts and colleges in honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage through a series of meaningful events celebrating student success and cultural traditions. In Long Beach Unified School District, the AANHPI Graduation Recognition Ceremony featured NPIEN Past President Will Safotu as the emcee. His energy brought the program to life, while Dr. Victor Thompson delivered an inspiring keynote speech that encouraged students to take pride in their roots and reach for their goals.
We also participated in Paramount Unified School District’s very first AANHPI Heritage Day, held at Lincoln Elementary School. It was a fun and educational event where students of all ages had the chance to learn how to play the ukulele, thanks to lessons from NPIEN volunteers. We were excited to be joined by Board President Alicia Anderson, Board Member Yesenia Cuarenta, and Superintendent Dr. Joshua Lightle, who showed strong support for the celebration.
At Orange Coast College (OCC), Dr. Thompson, event staff member QB Keju, and even his dog helped lead ukulele lessons at their AANHPI Heritage Celebration. This marked NPIEN’s third visit to OCC in just two months, showing the college’s strong commitment to celebrating Pacific Islander culture. A highlight of the day was a young child’s Tahitian dance performance — her talent and confidence lit up the entire event.
NPIEN also took the stage as performers during the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s AANHPI Celebration, which welcomed around 200 attendees. The event was full of energy, pride, and appreciation for the many cultures and voices within the AANHPI community. These celebrations remind us of the importance of honoring heritage, uplifting student achievement, and creating space for cultural expression. NPIEN is proud to continue supporting AANHPI students and families through events that bring people together and build community.
| Week | Asian Nations to Celebrate | Pacific Islander Nations to Celebrate | Notes |
| 2 | Southeast Asia | Micronesia | |
| 3 | South Asia | Melanesia | |
| 4 | East Asia | Polynesia | |
| 5 | All | All | Use week 5 to celebrate all the nations |
- Consider using this calendar, to equally recognize all our unique and numerous nations of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
- In 2025, We truly need to be servant/Aloha leaders, help one another, develop relationships and build the Entire Village!!!
- NPIEN members have enjoyed learning about many of the nations through music and dance. We have participated in Asian and Pacific Islander Month assemblies at schools, school districts, and county offices of education, where students and staff learn the music, dance, and language of one another. Our NPIEN Aloha Ukulele Ensemble to date, has learned music in Cambodian, Chamorro, Chinese, Fijian, Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Rarotongan, Samoan, Tagalog, Tahitian, Thai, and Tokelauan, and we look forward to learning more languages and learning about the many cultures and histories.
- By doing this we increase understanding and Aloha for one another as a school community. Involve your entire school village in these activities.
The Geographic Regions and Nations
Countries of East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan
Countries of South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Countries of Southeast Asia: Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Islands of Micronesia: Guam, Kiribati (Gilbert Islands), Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae), Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan, Tinian, Rota), Palau, United States Minor Outlying Islands (Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island)
Islands of Melanesia: Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
Islands of Polynesia: Aotearoa (New Zealand), Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Kiribati (Line Islands, Phoenix Islands), Niue, Samoa, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Tonga, Tokelau, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna