Program Highlights
8:30 am – Arrival & Check-in
Registration Team, Hospitality Team – welcome & check-in participants while DJ Team teach participants the new theme song for Pacific Island youth. Room: Campus Center Plaza | Facilitators: Registration Team
9:00 am – Opening Session
All conference participants will assemble at UCB 100 to listen to opening remarks and the keynote address.
Welcoming Remarks
Jermy Uowolo (President, MU-BI)
Special Performance
The Pacific Students Media Team & the MC Team will debut the anthem for Pacific Islander youth.
Keynote Address
Wilfred Alik, MD (Kaiser Permanente Hilo Clinic)
10:00 AM – BREAK
10:10 am – Concurrent Sessions 1
What’s Our Story?
YOU CAN DO IT: Ever wonder if you can have a career in the United States? What kind of careers are possible for Pacific Islanders in Hawaii? Come listen to a diverse panel of Pacific Island professionals from Micronesians United – Big Island (MU-BI) who will share about their jobs and the paths they’ve taken to get to where they are today.
Room: Campus Center 301 | Facilitator: Jermy Uowolo (Micronesians United – Big Island)
Staying Out & Free
YOUTH: Panelists from the Prosecutor’s Office, Police Department, and/or incarcerated Pacific Island youths talk about ways that youth can avoid getting into the criminal justice system.
Room: Campus Center 306 | Facilitator: Tim Hansen (Office of the Prosecuting Attorney)
To Serve or Not to Serve: Is the Military Career For You?
MILITARY: Learn about the pros and cons of a career in the US Armed Forces. A panel of Pacific Islander veterans and currently serving personnel will discuss their experiences in the US military service to help you determine whether the US military is the right career path for you or not.
Room: Campus Center 307 | Facilitator: Thomas Raffipiy (US Army)
11:00 AM – BREAK
11:10 am – Concurrent Sessions 2
Serving Our Community
SOCIAL SERVICES: Do you want a job that help our Pacific Island community in Hawaii or back in the Pacific? Come and listen to UH Hilo Pacific Islander students who worked in these areas as part of the Highly Engaged Learning Positions (HELP) at UH Hilo. They will share their experiences in jobs and internships in the social service agencies that support the needs of our Pacific Island communities.
Room: Campus Center 301 | Facilitator: Fenny Seklii
Impacting Our Education
COLLEGE: Are you interested in knowing how college students are impacting their education by working in businesses, agencies, projects related to their majors in college? This session will introduce you to UH Hilo Pacific Islander students who worked in areas that impact their academic majors as part of the Highly Engaged Learning Positions (HELP).
Room: Campus Center 306 | Facilitator: Jonathan Chugen
Dream Big & Take Action
GOAL SETTING: Be inspired to accomplish your dreams through an interactive workshop facilitated by current UH Hilo Pacific Islander students. Participants will reflect on themselves, share their dreams, and discuss ways to accomplish personal and career goals.
Room: Campus Center 307 | Facilitators: Zaq Tman
11: 50 AM – BREAK
12:00 pm – Lunch Resource Fair
The following organizations, schools, and programs are confirmed to be part of the lunch time Resource Fair. We are still accepting clubs, offices, organizations to support Register Online.
Student Clubs:
Chuukese Student Association, Kosrae Hilo Organization, International Student Association, Ngelekel Belau Club, Marshallese Iakwe Club, Pohnpei Kasalehlia Club, Tupulaga O Samoa mo a Taeao, Waab Student Organization,
Campus Resources:
Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Support Services Program (SSSP), Upward Bound, Pacific Islander Student Center (PISC), English Language Institute, Pacific Islands Studies Certificate, International Students Services & Intercultural Education (ISS & IE), Minority Access & Achievement Program (MAAP), Peer Assistance & Linkages Support (PALS), Pacific Islands Program for Exploring Science (PIPES)
Community Resources:
Micronesians United – Big Island, Immigrant Resource Center, Gongfulball Academy of Athletic Development, HELP Racial Tension Community Research Team, Pacific Islands Mobile Screening Clinic (PIMSC), Kalalau: Rediscovering the Ahupua’a Life System, Nerie Padamada Realtor, Hawaii County Division of Conservation & Resource Enforcement, Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
College Row:
University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hawaii Community College
1:00 pm – Campus Tour
The Campus Tour team will lead brief walking tours of the Student Life Center, Library, Residence Halls, and other key locations on campus.
1:45 pm – General Session
Participants will gather in Campus Center 301 for the final two sessions.
COLLEGE READINESS: How to Choose, Apply, and Fund a College Education
A college education is totally possible for Pacific Islanders if you plan properly. Come and learn how to choose, apply, and fund a college education.
Facilitator: Workshop Team
JOB READINESS: How to Search, Apply, and Interview for Jobs
Wondering what jobs are available for youth? Come and learn some practical tips from Pacific Islander youth who are working on and off campus.
Facilitator: Workshop Team
2:45 PM BREAK
3:00 pm – Closing Ceremony
Conference participants will gather in UCB 100 for the closing remarks before transitioning to Campus Center for the cultural performances by the Tupulaga O’ Samoa dancers.
Closing Remarks: Mitch Roth, Hawaii County Prosecutor
Closing Presentation: Media Team to present a short highlight video of the day’s activities
Cultural Performance: Tupulaga O’ Samoa mo a Taeao