Who are pacific islanders?
Pacific Islanders encompass the indigenous people of Oceania and it’s three ethnographic regions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
“…Representing approximately 30 Pacific nations and more than 20,000 islands. NHPIs are deeply rooted in [our] shared languages, traditions, and heritage of Oceanic voyaging.” - Kekoa Taparra
The term PI is unique to the Western world, and it may not necessarily reflect the way individuals identify culturally, racially, or ethnically. OPIC utilizes the term PI as an organizing call to address the colonial history and political statuses that drive our peoples’ access to resources and power on Turtle Island.
MEMBERS
Ka’Aha Lahui O ʻOlekona Hawaiian Civic Club of Oregon and SW Washington is a member of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs founded in 1918 by Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaʻole. Our purpose is to elevate the voices of the Native Hawaiian community living in the diaspora and build the strong foundations that connects our entire Pacific nations. Prince Kuhio believed that our voices deserve a place in decision making for our community and we will continue this to uplift his legacy through civic engagement both here in the Pacific Northwest and in Hawaiʻi.
Living Islands is a Cultural and Educational Network Organization supporting strong Micronesian communities everywhere, by celebrating and advocating for the diverse and unique cultures of the Micronesian people.
Le’o ‘o e ‘OFA’s (translated from the Tongan Language is “Voice of Love”) mission is to create a resounding VOICE for Pacific Islanders through: Outreach Projects Fostering Community Partnerships and Advocacy for underserved at-risk youth, elder elites, and family networks.
Micronesian Islander Community (MIC)’s mission is to organize social justice programs, preserve our cultures, and enhance leadership by unifying our communities. MIC’s three priority areas are health, housing, and workforce development/education. MIC’s work is centered on utilizing an equity lens to provide the best culturally and language-appropriate service for our Micronesian communities.
The Oregon Marshallese Community Association, established in April 2019, is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 registered public charity and community advocacy organization for citizens from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and their descendants, residing in the State of Oregon. Our mission is to Assist our community in terms of Education, Health, and Social Services. Promote the Cultural Values, traditions, and history of the Marshallese People to facilitate intercultural dialogue to foster positive social change.
Samoa Pacific Development Corporation serves the community through educational and economic resources and cultural empowerment. SPDC supports an inclusive community that celebrates Samoan culture, increases equitable access to opportunities, and empowers members to contribute to a vibrant, healthy and just society.
United Territories of Pacific Islanders Alliance - Portland chapter is a non profit run by and for queer and trans Pacific Islanders (QTPIs) established in 2017. We organize to heal through the love for our culture and the love of our people.
staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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[Native Hawaiian]
[she/her/hers]Alyshia is a nationally recognized public health practitioner, community organizer, and the founding Executive Director of the Oregon Pacific Islander Coalition. Her body of work includes systems-shifting initiatives focused on life-affirming justice and decolonized public health practices.
She has led historic initiatives including the City of Portland’s Smart City PDX Community Leads Program, Oregon Public Health Division’s Pacific Islander Data Modernization project, and the Oregon Resource Allocation Advisory Committee.
Her community organizing roots include her time at the Berkeley Free Clinic, San Francisco Dyke March, UTOPIA PDX, and GABRIELA Portland. She currently holds a governor-appointed seat on the Pacific Islander Student Success Advisory Committee, and a university presidential appointment to Portland State University’s Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program.
Alyshia holds honors as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader, and a Distinguished Alumni of UC Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare.
AFFILIATES
Data Lead
Aileen Alfonso Duldulao, PhD
MEMBERSHIP & PROGRAMS ASSOCIATE
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[Marshallese, Chamorro]
[she/her]Bianca is a proud Micronesian daughter hailing from the island of Saipan in the Marianas. Prior to joining OPIC, Bianca held roles in the technology sector and at UTOPIA PDX, an OPIC member organization that advances healing for Queer and Trans Pacific Islanders. In her current role Bianca leads community building with the coalition’s 7 organizational members and individual leaders, and the Shared Waters Program, a leadership development and capacity building hub for Pacific Islanders. With her past life experiences and deep love for our communities, Bianca hopes to uplift and strengthen Pacific Islander led movements with OPIC.
Research Lead
Kevin Lujan Lee, PhD
[Chamorro]
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
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[Yapese]
[she/her]
Destiny is from the mighty island of Yap. As a Pacific Islander born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she continuously finds ways to stay rooted while living in the diaspora. Her work as the Operations Coordinator at OPIC keeps her grounded, and she is further motivated by the desire to support her fellow PI community members living abroad. Previously, Destiny served in nonprofit spaces and university settings, focusing on doing work that empowered specific groups. She is thankful to be one of the first college graduates in her family. When not in the office, Destiny can be found happily eating pho and watching movies.
Social Media Lead
Coming Soon
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES MANAGER
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[Native Hawaiian, Samoan]
[she/her]
Ku'ulei is a project management professional. Prior to joining OPIC as the Strategic Initiatives Manager, Ku’ulei provided administrative and project management support for philanthropic strategic planning and grantmaking processes. This includes her time at Meyer Memorial Trust, where she supported efforts to convene Pacific Islander leaders across Oregon to steer the direction of Meyer’s future grantmaking priorities. Additionally, Ku’ulei served on the Ocean Speaks campaign, a narrative change campaign championing Pacific Islander self-determination and the dismantling of “Asian Pacific Islander” as an aggregate data and community engagement category. Through her leadership on the campaign Ocean Speaks hosted the first Pacific Islander focused funders convening. The convening brought together Pacific Islander community-based organizations and Oregon funders through conversations on how understanding colonial history, indigenous values, data justice, and funding justice were critical to the Pacific Islander movement for self determination in Oregon.
Evaluation Lead
Coming Soon
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Micronesian Islander Community
Jackie Leung, PhD, JD, MS
VOTING REPRESENTATIVES
WORK COMMITTEES
Living Islands
Kianna Angelo
[Marshallese]
KALO HCC
living island
LE’O ‘O E OFA
MIC
OMCA
SPDC
UTOPIA PDX
EDUCATION
HEALTH
HOUSING
Ka ʻAha Lāhui O ʻOlekona Hawaiian Civic Club
Leialoha Ka’ula, Kumu Hula
[Native Hawaiian]