| Registration, Breakfast + Resources | Emcees: Shu-Han Lim & Ratu Orisi Lalabalavu | Outdoors. Registration opens at 10:00am and closes at 10:45am. During this time, participants will collect their conference materials, choose their workshops for the day, and have the opportunity to connect with admissions staff and other resources available to current and prospective PI students. Please note that workshop spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. | All |
| Keynote Speaker | Sha Merirei Ongelungel | Indoors. Sha's keynote explores what it meant to grow up as a Palauan millennial in the US diaspora, navigating identity, survival, and solidarity beyond transactional relationships. It calls out colonization’s roots in exploitation and examines the digital community as a tool for connection and resistance in the face of disappearing resources. | All |
| Workshop 1a | Anelauiokalani Akiona: Roots and Routes: Navigating the College Journey as Pacific Islander Youth | Indoors. Attendees will be guided on a voyage to help them confidently navigate the college application process. By the end of their journey, they will have a step by step understanding of navigating this daunting process, strategies for writing a powerful personal statement, knowledge of financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and a sense of cultural pride and confidence. Through storytelling, activities, and real world examples, participants will create connections, craft compelling personal statements, and introduce the world of scholarships and financial aid. | High School Students |
| Workshop 1b | Jada Lee: Constellations of Our Stories: A Collaborative Art Workshop | Indoors. This workshop draws inspiration from our unique life experiences while on our personal and professional journeys while recognizing the deep cultural connection Pacific Islanders have to the stars. We will be creating a collaborative art piece, with each individual contributing a star with words of wisdom (our own and those gifted by others) to create a rich constellation to guide our communities just as the stars guided our ancestors. | All |
| Workshop 1c | Roy Tongilava: Education as Liberation | Indoors. This workshop will explore the critical pathways to college access, transfer, retention, and degree attainment for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) students across the diaspora through data visualizations, collaborative discussions, and storytelling. By identifying and addressing the challenges and opportunities in higher education, this workshop aims to uplift our communities and create strategies to advocate for NHPI students at every stage of their educational journey. Participants will engage in co-creating solutions, highlighting the diverse experiences of NHPIs across the U.S., and developing actionable plans for local and collective power. | All |
| Lunch + Raffle | | Outdoors. Catering provided by Crave Subs. | All |
| Workshop 2a | Amelia Sete, Arasi Hamilton, and Maya Toluk Ito: Standin’ on Business, with Radical Love | Indoors. Who would’ve thought that 4 complete strangers would create the first Pasifika Student Success Program at Chabot College?! Just like our ancestors - master navigators of the ocean - these first-generation college students ran with a vision that they had, navigating un/familiar territories, and returned to empower the upcoming generations. Through all of this, they found a deep love not only for their community, but as well as other communities of color. | All |
| Workshop 2b | Josiah Mulitauopele and Salote Lutui: Navigating Transitions with Cultural Resilience | Indoors. This workshop will explore how cultural identity serves as an anchor during life’s transitions, whether they involve personal growth, community shifts, or systemic change. We will discuss the impact of cultural disconnection on mental health and uplift indigenous practices, storytelling, and intergenerational wisdom as tools for resilience. Through reflection and dialogue, participants will gain strategies to honor their roots while navigating new waves of change with strength and confidence. | Community College Students |
| Workshop 2c | Roquin-Jon Quichocho Siongco and Terisa Siagatonu: Weaving Words & Worlds | Outdoors. Led by CHamoru multidisciplinary artist Roquin-Jon Quichocho Siongco and Samoan poet/author Terisa Siagatonu, this dynamic workshop blends the art of weaving and writing that invites participants to engage with intentional creative play, freewriting, storytelling, and self-expression. As climates and cultures change, and as this current political climate continues to censor and silence our truths, this workshop asks: how do we innovate and adapt? What power do our stories hold, and can weaving and writing help us discover that? No prior weaving/writing experience necessary: all are welcome! | All |
| Dinner + Raffle | | Outdoors. Catering provided by Carolyn's Creole Kitchen and Cupcakin' Bake Shop. | All |
