Pacific Islands Institute

13/03/2021

It is the weekend!

Check out this amazing opportunity, as shared by our friends at Hawaii Green Growth:

Hanalei River Heritage Foundation is pleased to share their free online education course, Project Ho'kama'āina - Becoming Familiar with Hawai'i from an Indigenous and Modern Perspective.

This course is meant for Hawaii's students, visitors, and anyone else interested in the intersection between indigenous knowledge and modern science.

In this course, students and visitors will explore Hawaii’s marine life and its historic connection to Hawaiian culture. They will learn about the fascinating biology of marine animals, discover traditional Hawaiian proverbs (ʻŌlelo Noʻeau) and stories (Mo’olelo) surrounding them, and read about their history in the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation chant. Additionally, they are able to explore the Hawaiian Lunar Calendar (Kaulana Mahina) and its importance in fishing practices, as well as the causes, threats, and solutions to climate change in Hawai’i. This course features Hawaiian language, videos, quizzes, and activities, including a coral matching game, a coral reef rap, and a lunar observation exercise.

Course: https://hanaleiriverheritagefoundation.org/courses/kupaa-kamawaelualani/

PROJECT HO’OKAMA’ĀINA November 9, 2020 Becoming familiar with Hawai’i from Indigenous and Western Scientific perspectives   Audio introduction Aloha! Welcome to Project Ho’okama’āina. “Ho’o” means “to become” and “kama’āina” means “child of the land.” When the words...

01/01/2021

Happy New Year from your PII ʻohana!

17/08/2020

Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) kicks off their Pacific Heartbeat Summer Film Fest this Wednesday, August 19!

PIC will share four unique films that explore the arts and culture of Hawai’i, New Zealand, Samoa, and beyond: One Voice, Black Grace, Holo Mai Pele, and Skin Stories.

“In this time of pandemic when nearly everyone is avoiding travel and unnecessary exposure, we are thrilled to offer our Pacific Heartbeat Summer Film Fest on YouTube, where everyone can join a cultural and cinematic exploration of the Pacific Islands right from their homes—or even their phones,” -Leanne Ferrer, Executive Director of Pacific Islanders in Communications.

Click on the link below for more information!

(Honolulu, Hawai‘i) - Pacific Islanders in Communications (PIC) announced today a line-up of films for their Pacific Heartbeat...

19/05/2020

mālama. (Hawaiian) v. to care for; to protect

Community Spotlight: Karen Lockwood, General Manager of PII

Why Pacific Islands Institute?

“After many years in retail and later in tourism with a local attraction company, it was time for me to put my effort and energy into the family business. I have been with PII for over fifteen years now. Authentic, sustainable tourism is core to PII's philosophy and is personally fulfilling. I enjoy working with a dedicated team to create impactful travel programming in our destinations.”

Why “mālama”?

“It is integral to my values and those of PII's... To take care of our team, our community, our clients and our partners. Finding ways to share and benefit all involved.”

02/05/2020

lei. (Hawaiian) n. [everyone knows what this word means!]

🎵”May Day is Lei Day in Hawaiʻi” 🎵

🌼🌸🌺🌸🌼🌸🌺🌸🌼

For many, lei have come to represent Hawaiʻi and the spirit of aloha, but did you know that there are many different types of lei? Lei are made using a variety of different techniques and materials. Not all lei are made with flowers! Swipe right for a photo of one of our groups twisting ti leaves into lei! @ Honolulu, Hawaii

27/04/2020

baravi. (Fijian) n. coast; shore; beach.

To ensure our programs are as relevant, genuine, and high quality as possible, we regularly visit our pacific island neighbors. This beautiful photo of a Fijian baravi was taken by Leslie during her inspection trip to Fiji in 2018. 🌅

19/04/2020

mahalo. (Hawaiian) nvt. thanks, gratitude; to thank; thank you.

Community Spotlight: June Matsumoto, VP Sales, Pacific Islands Institute

Why Pacific Islands Institute?

“I love that PII is a mission driven company that has not changed its focus on community benefit and responsible tourism since it was founded 30 years ago. Our programs help highlight the work of amazing work of people and organizations helping to make the world a better place.”

Why “mahalo”?

“It's not just a word, but a value that reminds us to appreciate and be grateful for all that we receive, and are able to contribute.”

What is your favorite PII memory?

“My favorite memory is my trip to American Samoa with the National Park Conservation Association () in 2018.” (pictured above)

12/04/2020

haumana. (Hawaiian) n. student

“Experience, travel – these are as education in themselves”- Euripides.

At PII, we recognize the value in using travel as a vehicle for furthering education. Mahalo nui and for allowing us to help facilitate your students’ learning for the last decade through service trips in Hawaii and Tahiti.

First photo by

04/04/2020

ānuenue. (Hawaiian) n. rainbow

Happy National Find A Rainbow Day!

28/03/2020

kuleana. (Hawaiian) n. responsibility; privilege

Community Spotlight: Andrew Lockwood, President & CEO of Pacific Islands Institute

Why Pacific Islands Institute?

“I’ve always been interested in exploring different places and learning about their people and environments. When I was graduating college, my mother was founding Pacific Islands Institute and it seemed like a great opportunity for me to return home to Hawaiʻi, explore my passion for travel, and to deepen my connection with Hawai’i and our Pacific ʻohana.”

Why “kuleana”?

“The word, kuleana, speaks to me because it is a reminder that we have responsibilities to people and to places—but that these [responsibilities] are also privileges that we are lucky to have. Our kuleana are not burdens, they are blessings.”

21/03/2020

cordillera. (Spanish) n. mountain range.

Our general manager, Karen, returned home from Chile today after being out in the field for two weeks with a group! One of the amazing places they visited— Cordillera de la Sal!

Interested in this program? Follow the link below to learn more!

www.roadscholar.org/3892

14/03/2020

pono. (Hawaiian) nvs. righteous, proper, beneficial, moral, principled; righteousness, properness, morality.

“Through our educational programs, Pacific Islands Institute is dedicated to providing positive cultural interactions; to ensuring our programs are culturally and environmentally sensitive; to involving local people in decision making; and to protecting, sustaining and respecting indigenous cultures and environments.”- Pacific Islands Institute Mission Statement @ Oahu, Hawaii

07/03/2020

ʻohana. (Hawaiian) n. family, kin, relative

Happy Aloha Friday from your Pacific Islands Institute ʻohana! We are excited to announce that beginning today, we will post to our social media accounts on a regular basis. We look forward to providing you all with a window into what we do and introducing you to members of our PII community!

Not Pictured: Michele & Moani

15/02/2020

Mahalo Elsei! When Andrew saw the last name, Tellei, in the agenda for the Nia Tero Northern Pacific Peoples Forum, he immediately thought of your sketch, which has been displayed on his desk for the last 16 years. Palau did such a great job hosting the Festival of Pacific Arts and you were such a talented young artist-- it really was our pleasure to support your journey as an artist in a small (very small) way. Glad to see that you are still creating amazing pieces of art. We are looking forward to reconnecting with you at FestPac Hawaii this June!

If your children love expressing themselves creatively, if they love drawing or painting or singing, you should not only encourage them but also invest in them - here’s why:

I am here in Honolulu, Hawai'i attending a conference with Nia Tero. I made friends with one of the organizers, Ms. Sara Lockwood, and I was telling her a little bit about the art I make. The next day of the conference, she asks me if I attended the Festival of Pacific Arts in Palau in 2004. I told her yes, I did, but I was very young - about 11 years young. So she pulls out her phone and asks me, does this look familiar?

It was a picture of a drawing that I had made at 11 years old! Apparently, her dad had been attending the Festival with his company, Pacific Islands Institute, and he had decided to buy this young girl’s artwork (“I can’t believe someone paid money for this,” I said - years later I’ve improved a lot). The next day he showed up in person and he still had the original drawing! Thank you Andrew Lockwood for believing in a young artist, and not only believing but VALUING my art by paying for it!

Invest in the youth, invest in artists, invest in young artists - you literally never know what will happen and how it will affect them into the future! Ke kmal mesulang, Andrew and Sara, for reminding me of this all the way across the Pacific Ocean!

18/08/2016

Here's a clip of our intergenerational girls learning how to dance a hula taught by Aunty Audrey. Hana Hou!

12/08/2016

During our last intergenerational program of this summer, grandparents and their grandchildren learned about life beneath the beautiful rolling waves of Hawaii. Through various field trips and interactive activities, participants were able to explore Hawaii's undersea world and gain a deeper understanding of Polynesian culture.

We hope you enjoyed your time with us! ALOHA!

**If you or any family/friends are interested in enrolling in great programs like this in the future, you can visit our website at www.explorethepacific.com or go to Road Scholar's webpage to learn more!

During this intergenerational program, grandparents and their grandchildren learned about life beneath the beautiful rolling waves of Hawaii. Through various field trips and interactive activities, participants were able to explore Hawaii's undersea world and gain a deeper understanding of Polynesian culture.

We hope you enjoyed your time with us! ALOHA!

22/07/2016

During this intergenerational program, grandparents and their grandchildren learned about life beneath the beautiful rolling waves of Hawaii. Through various field trips and interactive activities, participants were able to explore Hawaii's undersea world and gain a deeper understanding of Polynesian culture.

We hope you enjoyed your time with us! ALOHA!

28/06/2016

During this intergenerational program, grandparents and their grandchildren learned about life beneath the beautiful rolling waves of Hawaii. Through various field trips and interactive activities, participants were able to explore Hawaii's undersea world and gain a deeper understanding of Polynesian culture.

15/10/2015

We're excited to celebrate Lifelong Learning Day with Road Scholar! Watch this short video and visit www.roadscholar.org/LLDay to learn more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUk4mG38sxE

27/08/2015

Join us on our Road Scholar programs for views like these! These sunsets were taken on our cruise to the Society Islands and the Tuamotus!

27/08/2015

One of our groups enjoying all the beauty Tahiti has to offer!

22/06/2015

Our extravagant and onolicious luncheon site we designed for the hardworking Student Travel Planners at Disney!

22/06/2015

Make your Tahiti dreams come true like this happy participant on our Road Scholar Paul Gauguin cruise!

16/06/2015

Take a look at the outcome of our amazing event with the hard working folks at Disney! PII designed a unique day tour to allow them to truly experience Hawai'i. This group was able to hear stories of the different O'ahu districts through story telling and music, learn how to paddle in a canoe and play 'ukulele & 'ohe hanu ihu (or nose flute)! And of course we can't forget about the ono Hawaiian style lunch!

05/05/2015

Meet the PII Staff behind all of that program planning! Taking a break from work to take a ride down ka'a'awa valley side!

04/05/2015

PII staff were able to experience the lush valley of ka'a'awa while riding on ATV's! Such a fun experience!!!

23/04/2015

PII teamed up with Manoa Cliff Native Forest Restoration Project for Earth Day 2015! We got to learn all about invasive species that took over Hawaii's native forests. We were able to uproot invasive species and even plant some native Hawaiian plants! It was a gorgeous day to get out of the office and take care of our Mother Earth!

21/04/2015

Another fantastic program finished with a wonderful group! Thanks to our Group Leader, Frank Lau for the pictures!