2023 PILOT Cohort
Please meet the wonderful young people who made up our 2023 cohort!
Alfred Tora
Alfred Tora is of proud iTaukei and Rotuman heritage. He is an advocate for the fusion of indigenous cultural knowledge and modern business practices. He believes that information dissemination holds the key to strengthening disadvantaged communities. He is currently completing his MSc Organizational Psychology at the University of London and is an executive board member of the Global Organization for Humanitarian Work Psychology. His research interests include creating work satisfaction through a stronger sense of purpose in work and life; wage inequality in the Pacific; team dynamics; and decolonizing business psychology.
Bianca Blanco
Chamorro & Marshallese daughter born and raised in the Marianas on the island of Saipan. Currently, residing in Portland, OR. I enjoy learning from others, talking story, and eating good food. I am passionate about uplifting others and being in community with fellow Pacific Islanders.
Fine Tuitupou
Malo e leilei my name is Fine Tuitupou (she/her). I am the eldest daughter of two Tongan immigrants as well as the eldest granddaughter. My parents are from the villages of Kolomotua and Nukunuku. I am a rising senior at UC Berkeley majoring in Ethnic Studies and just completed my first year after transferring. I currently reside in LA where I primarily grew up. I'm passionate about different issues such as higher education access and advocating against mass incarceration of both Pacific Islanders and other minoritized communities.
Lavau Nalu
Dr Lavau Nalu is a Blak multi-disciplinary storyteller and Humanitarian with a keen interest in Global Health, Policy and Indigenous Affairs.
Recognized as a leader in the Pacific, Lavau has been involved in innumerable health projects, selflessly devoting his time to improve health outcomes, previously working with YWAM Australia Medical Ships, the PNG Health Project and Bush Dokta Project Yumi to improve health literacy and access in his home country of Papua New Guinea.
His interests in Global Health and exploring other cultures has seen him accepted for medical training in Australia, Vietnam and PNG - gaining a greater understanding of his fellow international health workers and affording him opportunities to join global panel discussions, as a delegate to the Australian National University, Asia Pacific Week and awarded the Leading the Pacific Scholarship to One Young World 2021 in Munich, Germany.
He was awarded a 2021 Kokoda Track Foundation Archers Leadership Award for his work in public health in Papua New Guinea.
Beyond the realms of Medicine, Nalu co-founded and curates archiveples - a digital media project that renegotiates the visual narrative and external perception of Papua New Guinea, by documenting stories of PNG shared by Papua New Guineans themselves, thereby taking control of the gaze, navigating colonial histories and false assumptions about PNG and the larger Melanesian community.
Marina Aina
Marina Aina is a mixed-race Sāmoan woman from Southern California. She recently graduated from Pomona College with her B.A. in American Studies and will be at UCLA pursuing her M.A. in Asian American Studies in the fall. She’s passionate about health and education equity for Pasifika folks.
Onosai Fonoti
Hey! My name is Onosai Fonoti and I am of Samoan descent. I am a fourth-year premed student at UC Davis, majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior. I aspire to one day have the opportunity to serve my Pacific Islander community through medicine. I am excited to learn about the ways in which I can develop myself as a leader for the PI community in the future!
Tāne Te’i
How we doin family! I’m Tāne Te’i & I’m super grateful to EPIC for selecting me for Cohort #15. Fa’afetai , fa’afetai , fa’afetai lava. Representing Oceanside, CA – I’m in my last year at Mira Costa College planning on transferring to UH Mānoa or CSU Long Beach in the Fall of ‘24. This past year, I served as Mana Club President & was able to lead my team in executing some events that tackled some of the local issues our Polynesian community deals with (such as climate change, health issues & lack of access to higher education). I plan on taking what I learn in the PILOT Institute & bringing it back to Oceanside so I can be the best leader I can be for my Polynesian people & my city. I’m beyond grateful to be here & I look forward to building a network with like-minded Polynesian scholars & activists. Oside Stand Up! More work to be done! Mālo lava & Mo Life!
Andy Viernes
Hi, my name is Andres Viernes but I like to go by Andy. I am half Tongan and half Chamorro and from Hayward CA . I’m currently a first year at Chabot College studying Kinesiology but I plan to possibly switch majors to work more with mental health. I am excited to learn about how I can improve/help my PI community within mental health.
Elana Pula
Hello! My name is Elana Pula and I am a rising third year at UC Davis. I am a 19 year old, first generation Samoan child who was raised in the city of Compton, California. I came to Davis for the hopes of higher education and new opportunities that thankfully I've been given. I will soon be a chief in the UC Davis's PISA, and I also am the Treasurer for Na keiki O Hawai'i. My major is Linguistics and I hope to pursue a successful future within this field. I look forward to meeting more P.I. that also have hopes and dreams within higher education, and I hope that I gain a new reasoning to help drive my passions in life.
Jayda Mauga
Talofa lava! My name is Jayda Mauga and I am full Sāmoan. I am an undergraduate transfer entering my fourth-year at CSU Sacramento to receive my Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies. I aspire to become a Teacher, Leader and a well representative within our Pasifika community.
Lesieli Netane
Malo e lelei! My name is Lesieli Netane. I was born and raised in San Bruno, CA. I am a first-generation college student currently attending a local community college in Sacramento with hopes to transfer to a four year. I'm majoring in Film and one of my career goals is to amplify Pasifika stories and voices. I work as a mentor on campus working hand and hand with other Asian Pasifika Desi American students in hopes to help our communities reach academic success. Some of my favorite hobbies are sleeping, annoying my siblings, and anything art related.
Michael Niu
Chur, I’m Michael Niu (he/him) and I’m from South Sacramento, California. Parents hail from Nukunuku and Lakepa in Tonga so I’m puttin’ on for my T’z. A recent graduate of Sacramento State where I got my BS in Criminal Justice and minored in Psychology, continuing onto my masters at the same institution, I hope to uplift our PI’s in everything I do.
Supiesi Tiueti
Mālō e lelei, my name is Supiesi Tiueti and I am Tongan born Australian. I moved to Oakland, California a few years ago and have been here ever since. I am currently studying Sociology at San Jose State University in hopes of graduating in the Spring of 2024. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this year's PILOT Summer Institute, and excited to see what's in store.
Wileen Mongami
Hafa Adai/ Alii, my name is Wileen Mongami and I am a senior majoring in Environmental Science and Management at Portland State University (PSU). Before transferring to PSU, I had received my Associate in Science in Natural Resource Management from the Northern Marianas College in 2019. I am a first-generation college student coming from the ethnic background of Chamorro/Palauan. I became passionate about serving the community through the land and sea through research on sustainability and agriculture to implement more sustainable actions towards future generation of natural resources that still could be replenished and not depleted. I was given the opportunity to continue my education through the BUILD EXITO program and the McNair Scholar Program. Growing up all my life on an island and then moving out here to the United States, was something new for but I really do believe that if we take care of the environment, it will take care of us. So I have a passion of the outdoors and being to be in touch with nature and learn and experiences opportunities out here that I could take back home and implement it, so that all the islands have a chance of still carry out the culture from the land and sea but as well go back to using medicinal herbs.
Asupa Mila
Malo e lelei, I am Asupa Mila! Currently, I'm a rising third year at Sacramento State University studying sociology and communications. I am also full Tongan and from East Palo Alto, CA. I am looking forward to being a part of this years' PILOT program and excited to learn from other Pasifika leaders.
Erin Mata’afa
My name is Erin Mata’afa, I am 20 years old and I use she/they pronouns. I am of Samoan heritage and was born and raised in Long Beach, CA. Currently I am at Long Beach City College studying Kinesiology and Digital Media Arts (Graphic Design to be exact) and hopefully transfer out soon with my AA in both fields. I am currently the President for our Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA) and a part of the Asian Pacific Islander & Desi Club here at LBCC. I also work on campus as a student assistance/peer mentor for our MANA Learning Community. Within these spaces I strive to hold accountable for those who have authority and that continuously excludes Pacific Islander heritage and history while also uplifting our voices through educating others and spreading awareness both out and in our community.
Kelela Ma’u
Hi all, my name is Kelela Ma’u! I have roots stemming from the beautiful Kingdom of Tonga and was born and raised in the Bay Area. In the fall, I will be entering my second year at UC Berkeley, where I am studying Landscape Architecture. I will also be joining the PI Initiative at Cal as an intern! I am extremely excited to be part of the PILOT program and to expand my knowledge on ways to further serve and uplift my community!
Marcina Langrine
Marcina was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved to Springdale, AR back in 2011. Marcina Langrine is the Program's Manager for the Marshallese Educational Initiative. In addition to assisting with administration and program coordination, Marcina has developed training and workshops to raise awareness of violence against women, and works with Marshallese youth to promote enrollment in higher education. In 2022 she was a featured youth speaker at a United Nations' Conference in Vienna, Austria, as part of MEI's work to raise awareness of the nuclear testing legacy. She is a climate and nuclear justice advocate who has also formulated a research study about cancer rates and impediments to healthcare. Aside from her professional work, she is a band Manager to a Marshallese boy band called MARK Harmony. She is an avid reader, a lifelong learner, loves to bake and travel all around the world. Marcina loves spending time with her family & friends and meeting new people across the globe.
Michayla Stanley-Maluia
Talofa everyone, my name is Michayla Stanley-Maluia and I am a proud tama’ita’i Sāmoa. I was born and raised in Northern California, but am blessed to consider the Sāmoan islands as both my ancestral and personal “homeland”. I am entering my third year as an International Relations student at UC Davis and am aspiring to work in the realm of politics in the Pasifika so as to someday serve the needs of our beloved people and nations
Tammalivis Salanoa
Tammalivis Salanoa is a first-generation college graduate, a local independent Samoan artist, a community leader, and an advocate for civic engagement. Born in the beautiful U.S. island territory of American Samoa, then became rooted in Anchorage Alaska. Her presence in the community has granted her opportunities to travel on behalf of her university, city, and state. Advocating for the AANHPI community on the national level with programs such as APIA (Asian Pacific Islander Association) Scholars, APAICS (Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies), and EPIC (Empowering Pacific Islander Communities). She is currently working with Connect AK and the Rasmuson Foundation to provide digital equity to the state of Alaska. The most memorable moment in her career so far is being the recipient of the PAOA (Polynesian Association of Alaska) Volunteerism Award which was presented to her by the mayor of Anchorage Dave Bronson for her dedicated work in serving the community.