Narrative Change
EPIC works to center Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities through all of our efforts. As we continue to grow, we hope to create a dynamic platform for NH/PI stories to drive advocacy, research, policy, and leadership development across our communities. Our narratives will drive change by:
Sharing our origin & migration stories
Reshaping present narratives
Amplifying communities’ lived experiences
Developing programming for NH/PI youth, leaders, and creatives
Constellations
In partnership with the Pacific Islander Ethnic Art Museum, we invite the community to participate in Constellations.
More details coming soon on how you can participate & share your story.
Pasifika Art Gallery
Affirmative Action Works
Testimonials by PILOT alumni
Danny, PILOT alumn, Cohort 14
“I knew that sports was the best way for me to be in college. I worked hard to be a good player and decided I wanted to play for Mira Costa collegeʻs rugby team, so I was helped by the rugby coach in enrolling as a student to the college. When filling out the form of my ethnicity he contacted me to see if I was interested in being a part of the MANA program. I was honest with him and told him how I didn’t feel Samoan enough, because I didn’t grow up with that side and I didn’t feel worthy enough to learn with other students. He educated me and told me how the MANA program has classes that revolve around Pacific Islander literature and history. I felt like a part of me was being enlightened that hasn’t been before and it pushed me to feel as a whole person who understands who they are. The MANA program wasn’t only an environment that taught me about my culture. It taught me about my family also.
Programs like MANA are pivotal to Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders who want to be in higher education and want to have a smoother transition from high school to college, since it’s deeply rooted in the culture to not pursue a degree and go straight into the work force after high school. There’s a stigma that there’s no place for people like us in higher education. Being part of the MANA program at Mira Costa College allowed me to be more determined to pursue higher education and feel like I belonged in college.
As a first-generation student who identifies as Samoan and Mexican, I felt detached from my culture due to past negative experiences that diminished my hard work, such as being told I was good at sports because I was Samoan or peers commenting how I was "smart for being Mexican" and questioning why I was in Honors for Calculus when I had prior said that Mathematics was my major. I thought I had to detach a part of my identity to be in the STEM field, but I was proven wrong by the MANA Program.
Even though we have a small percentage of representation in higher education, we can become the generation that can be the role models for newer generations that want to become teachers, engineers, and professionals.”
George Stevenson, PILOT alumn, Cohort 14
“I remember very distinctly when my high school counselor told me my only options were credit recovery school or drop out and attend adult school. I remember the pit that opened up in my stomach having to deal with the forced ultimatum I was being presented. I remember that pit getting bigger when, despite working very hard to fully catch up in one summer, I would still be getting sent to credit recovery school. I realized that I was not the only one facing this. At this new school, so many of my Pasifika peoples that were in this district had also been sent here without another option presented by their counselor. I clawed my way back to my school through nothing but angry emails and sheer determination, but by then my energy had been spent and after receiving my diploma. I had grown apathetic towards my education, and decided not to pursue college.
That is, until I discovered the MANA program at College of San Mateo. I had found a true rarity at both community colleges and universities; a place for our people to truly prosper and lift each other up so that we can achieve our dreams in solidarity with one another. MANA brought the best traits out of me and made them better. I found so many educated Pasifika peoples encouragement to take that fire I felt during high school and put it towards advocacy for our people. Without MANA, I would not even dream to attend Cal Berkeley, where I will be transferring to this fall.
Every Pasifika kid needs a program like MANA, a program that won’t tell them how hopeless it all is or how we weren’t meant to be in these higher education spaces, and instead make these bigger than life goals attainable by finding their best traits and honing them to make them stronger. Most importantly, [affirmative action] programs like MANA gives students solidarity, knowing they’re not alone on this journey, and reaffirmation that they deserve a great education and ample opportunity just like everyone else.”