February 22, 2025
8:00 am – 4:30 pm, Hawai’i Convention Center
WAO’s 7th Annual Micronesian Youth Summit (MYS) brings together youth of Micronesian descent in Hawai’i and the U.S (Marshallese, Palauan, Pohnpeian, Chuukese, Kosraean, Yapese, Remathau, Chamorro, Refaluwasch, Gilbertese, Nauruans, etc.) regardless of their citizenship to engage in activities aimed preparing them for college success, career development, community engagement, and solidarity readiness. We invite you to scroll down below to check out 4 pillars of MYS, the history of our movement, program schedule, meet the speakers, view our sessions, and celebrations.
OUR FOUR PILLARS OF NAVIGATING SUCCESS
College readiness means having the dream and the belief that you can succeed and belong in college as much as anyone else. It means preparing yourself with core academic, critical thinking, and time management skills. It also means believing in the strength of our ancestors who have courageously navigated the Pacific with indigenous knowledge to reach their goals. It means knowing that if you believe it, you can achieve it!
Sessions are designed to equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to successfully transition from high school to college and beyond.
Career readiness is about making informed career choices, developing the necessary skills, and successfully transitioning into the workforce. It is about being in tuned with the activities that you love doing. It means strengthening your belief in yourself and reaching for your dreams. It means dreaming big and taking action.
Sessions aim to answer the question: “What does it take to navigate success in today’s modern workplace for Micronesians in America?” Come and learn from successful Micronesians in a variety of jobs, their journeys, tips to becoming successful in their chosen fields.
Community readiness means doing everything in your power to be a positive role model to others as a productive member of society. It means doing your part in ensuring that you are representing yourself, your family, your clan, your island, and your heritage with humility and pride. It means being grounded in our cultural values of respect for self, others, and the environment. It means holding yourself accountable to self and to the good of our global community.
Sessions focus on our collective ability as the Micronesian community to tackle shared challenges, resources, and ways to help our community to succeed together in Hawaii by becoming effective and contributing members of the the Hawai’i ohana.
Solidarity readiness for a Micronesian youth means actively engaging in ways that support and uplift the Micronesian community while also building bridges with other communities in Hawaii. It involves understanding the unique challenges and strengths of being Micronesian in a new environment and working together to overcome obstacles and create a better future.
Sessions help inspired our capacity as a community to act in solidarity with each other, particularly in the face of challenges, injustice, or shared goals. Together, we will emphasize developing the necessary skills, understanding, and structures to foster strong relationships, collective action, and mutual support.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
OUR HISTORY
The 7th Annual Micronesian Youth Summit (MYS) as a part of the Hawaii-based Navigating Success movement to empower Pacific Islander youth in local high schools in Hawaii facilitated by WAO, Micronesian Connections at UH Manoa, CPIS, and other community partners. It was held at the UH Manoa Ballroom for 3 years before the sheer number of participants was too many for the venue. With generous funding from community partners, MYS was moved to its current location of the Hawai’i Convention Center. The goal is to support the success of Micronesian youth in high school to navigate success through college, career, community, and solidarity readiness.
The We Are Oceania unity song was composed by UH Hilo students dedicated to the tradition of our oceanic unity as one Pacific People. Read more
We Are Oceania
We are one people, many cultures
We are one ocean, many islands
We wish no other home than ours.
Our differences enrich us,
Our islands sustain us,
Our ocean binds us together.
Having displaced no one, we welcome you,
Having been divided, we seek unity,
Having been ruled, we seek freedom.
Together, we renew,
Our hearts with love,
Together, we renew,
Our minds and soul,
To be ourselves,
To live in harmony.
SCHEDULE
Schedule subject to change
8 AM – Sign-In
Registration: Please arrive early to sign in or register before being seated in the hall.
9:00 AM – Opening Protocol
Hawaiian Oli: The summit will open with a Hawaiian oli followed by Pohnpeian response.
Prayer: A Micronesian pastor will open the gathering with a prayer.
9:15 AM – Welcoming Remarks
Welcoming: Mrs. Josie Howard (CEO, We Are Oceania).
Unity Song: We Are Oceania
Dignitaries: Other invited dignitaries will be recognized and will be invited to give brief remarks.
10:15 AM – Stroll Our Micronesia
Enjoy a cultural march and demonstration of traditional songs & attires representing the language groups of the Marianas (Guam/CNMI), Palau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and others. Learn more
11:15 AM – Keynote Speaker
Dr. Vidalino Raatior a Chuukese international educator at San Jose State University, cofounder of WAO, Program Director of the Dr. Joakim Peter Memorial Scholarship. His talk will focus on the keys to REACH Your Goals. Learn more
11:25 AM – Lunch
Meet and greet other participants, volunteers, community leaders, speakers, and members of the MYS planning committee while enjoying lunch.
12:55 PM – Resource Fair
Stop by the resource fair to pick up some swags, resources, sign up for volunteer opportunities, or speak to some of the program representatives tabling. Learn more
1:45 AM – Breakout Sessions
Participants will choose the session they wish to attend from the list of sessions listed below.
3:00 PM – Keynote Speaker
Katchen Betiru will share some inspiring words about his journey from college to advocacy work among youth. Learn more
3:10 PM – Cultural Performances
Enjoy some cultural performances from our own cultures. Learn more
4:10 PM – Closing
The summit will close with a prayer and a group photo before departure.
PHOTO GALLERY
STROLLING THROUGH MICRONESIA
During this fun session you will be introduced to some aspects of our various island nations and states in the region known as Micronesia represented through a cultural attire fashion show.
Click on each flag to visit a website of that island state’s Visitor’s Bureau for more information.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
YOUTH BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Click on each session title to view more detail about each breakout sessions.
Dream BIG and Take Action!
Explore how fellow Micronesians turned their dreams into reality through decisive action and unwavering determination.
Best for: 9th grade & up
Facilitator: Meeyoung Tawerilmal (Educator, Entrepreneur, Advocate)
Speakers:
- Hedsey Rowa (Kosraean & Marshallese, entrepreneur)
- Shania Tamagyongfal (Yapese, Graduate Student Research Assistant, UH Hilo)
- Dr. Asinech Hellan-Pangelinan, O.D (Chuukese, Optometrist, Arizona)
- Dr. Sheldon Riklon, M.D (Marshallese, Family Physician, Associate Professor & Family Physician, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences)
- Nelyn Phillip (Chuukese, Artist/Storyteller)
Sponsored by: TBD
College Wayfinding
Looking to make your way to college? Join this session for an opportunity to connect with Micronesian college students and learn from their experiences, including how they got to college and funded their education.
Best for: 9th grade & up
Facilitator: Miki Crutchfield, MSCP (Counselor, KCC)
Speakers:
- Carma-Mary Robert (Chuuk, Nursing, KCC)
- Kimo Welly (Kosraean, Social Work & Engineering, KCC)
- Sancheryn Betiru (Chuukese, Sociology, UH Hilo)
- Mercedes Olter (Pohnpeian, A+JOJO Scholar, UH Manoa)
- Carol Ann Carl (Pohnpeian, Biochemistry, Pacific Islands Studies, UH Manoa)
- Dave Rehuher (Palauan, PhD Public Health, UH Manoa)
Sponsored by: TBD
Representing Micronesia in High School
Hear from club leaders about how they bring Micronesian culture and pride to their school, using their clubs to unite and support one another and their community.
Best for: Middle – 9th grade
Facilitator: James Enne (Business Admin, UH-West Oahu)
Speakers:
- Reana Deleon-Guerrero (Mauhana – Moanalua HS)
- Tivanjen Sirauo (MiCulture – Kaimuki HS,
- Jay-Z Lewi (Mic4Peace – Farrington HS)
- TBD (P.A.P.I – Waipahu HS)
- TBD (4Oceania (McKinley HS)
Sponsored by: TBD
Career Voyaging
Voyage into new careers and pathways by attending this session to meet different Micronesian professionals in the workforce.
Best for: 9th grade & up
Facilitator: Marquina Hofschneider (Program Coordinator, TIDES Program, UH Manoa)
Speakers:
- Tabidrik (Tam) Reed (Marshallese, Veterans Alliance)
- Typrina “Ty” Kasimiro (Chuukese, Officer, US Army)
- Katchen Betiru (Chuukese)
- Magellan Deguzman (Chuukese, Barber)
- Dr. Derek Alik (Marshallese, Medical Doctor)
Sponsored by: TBD
Civic Engagement
Learn how you, as a Micronesian youth, can make a real impact by getting involved in your community. Our speakers will discuss the importance of youth participation in addressing issues affecting our community here in Hawaii. Join us to understand how you can play a key role in creating positive change and making your voice heard!
Best for: 9th grade & up
Facilitator: WAO staff
Speakers:
- Austin Haleyalpiy (Palau/Remathau/Chuukes, Hawai’i Coalition of Immigrant Rights) – pending
- Casity Matthew (Marshallese)
- Kathy Joel Mathew (Pohnpeian)
- Mike Pangelinan (Pohnpeian, Saipanese, COFA Alliance National Network – Arizona)
- Cassie Ordonio (Guam, Culture and Arts Reporter / Blogger) – pending
Sponsored by: TBD
Community Empowerment
Come explore with us, the best practices in working with our Micronesian Community.
Best for: Ages 15 & up
Facilitator: TBD
Speakers:
- Lerinda George (Kosraean, Ohana Memorial Support Manager, WAO) – pending
- Leah Milne (Marshallese / Kiribati, Executive Assistant, WAO) – pending
- Renatte Edgar (Pohnpeian, Social Services Manager, WAO) – pending
- Aritae Epiluk (Chuukese, Community Healthcare Outreach Manager, WAO) –pending
- Brandi Money (Community Leader, Tennessee) – pending
Sponsored by: TBD
Weaving the Future
Connecting the youth to their traditional roots through weaving.
Best for: 8th grade & below
Facilitator: Jolyn Horiuchi (WAO staff)
Speakers:
- Alissa Takesy (Chuukese, Palauan, PhD student, UCSC)
Sponsored by: TBD
PARENTS, TEACHERS, COMMUNITY SESSION
Be part of the dialogue with community members, teachers, and parents as we share the challenges facing our youth and discuss ways we can better support them within our respective roles.
Best for: parents, EL teachers, BBHSA, and community members
Facilitator: Sylvia Henry (WAO staff)
Speakers:
- Brandy Chang (9-12 EL/Multilingualism Teacher, Micronesian Club Advisor, Moanalua HS)
- T’fangeleen Mori (BBSHA, Palolo Elementary School) – pending
- Lilian Seagal (COFA Communities Assistance and Resources for Education (CARE) Navigator)
- Ina Miller-Cabasug (HonCC Retention Specialist & Club Advisor for Micronesian Wayfinder)
- Mari-Rose Deproza (Waipahu HS & PAPI Club Advisor)
- Eola Lokebol (BBSHA, Waipahu HS) – pending
Sponsored by: TBD
Video by Island Life Live. IG@islandlifehi, FB: @islandlifeTV
RESOURCE FAIR
Please check back later for a list of the participating resources for you.
CULTURAL PERFORMANCES
Please come back soon for information about the performances.
GET INVOLVED
VOLUNTEER
We depend on our amazing volunteers to help with all kinds of needs including workshop facilitators, hospitality, media, etc. Register Now
DONATE
Use our secure online donation form to give a tax-deductible donation to support the Micronesian Youth Summit or any of WAO’s greatest needs. Donate Now
PARTNER
We welcome any and all level of partnership of our programs and services for the Micronesian community in Hawai’i. Contact Us