Linaka and NPIEN Luau September 18, 2009

NPIEN is honored to be a co-participant in the Linaka Polynesian School of Dance's Annual Luau on Friday September 18, 2009 at Monte Verde Park in Lakewood, CA. NPIEN Board members and staff will be contacting you soon to purchase tickets for this event. For $25 you will receive an authentic luau and outstanding entertainment. NPIEN will also have some of its loyal vendors on hand. Proceeds will benefit Linaka's dance events, and NPIEN's scholarship and outreach programs. More information will be available soon at www.npien.com

Barnes and Noble Linaka & NPIEN Fundraiser

NPIEN Staff members participated in the recent Barnes and Noble Fundraiser at the Long Beach (CA) Towne Center. The Linaka Polynesian Dancers performed numerous cultural dances for a large, enthusiastic crowd at the popular bookstore. The purpose of the fundraiser was to support the Linaka Polynesian School of Dance and its many functions throughout the year. Chief Dance Director Linda Vaca and Linaka Sales Development Director Ernest Saucedo were scene at this Ohana scene, along with NPIEN Chief of Staff Tino Andres, and staffes David Perez and Femila Ervin. NPIEN thanks Linaka for allowing us to participate. Mahalo nui loa!

VEMMA Scholarship

Mattie Montes of VEMMA presented a $100 check to NPIEN Executive Director Dr. Victor Thompson at the recent TEAM Referral Network Meeting in Whittier, CA. The scholarship will be presented to a deserving student at NPIEN's 8th Annual Education Conference on November 14, 2009 in Paramount, CA. "Mattie and Joe Montes have been faithful supporters of NPIEN's students," commented Dr. Thompson. "This is the second year that Mattie and Joe have contributed to our scholarship fund."

The 2009 scholarship recipients will be announced in August 2009.

VEMMA is quite possibly the most powerful liquid antioxidant
program in the world! Mangosteen, known as the "Queen of All Fruits" has been used for centuries by Asian health practitioners for its nutritional benefits and delicious flavor. The Vemma Nutrition Program provides a powerful liquid formulas that makes it easy to get the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants you need to form a solid nutritional foundation The Vemma Nutrition Program™ is available in four great options:

Family-size 32 oz preservative-free Vemma
On-the-go 2 oz V2 bottles packed in a V2 Fridge Brick®
Eye-catching and refreshing 8 oz Verve Energy Drink
Sleek and portable 3 oz Verve Energy Shot

Read more about VEMMA on NPIEN's website, www.npien.com

Ohana Hawaiian BBQ Fundraiser August 17, 2009

Ohana Hawaiian BBQ will again host an NPIEN fundraiser on Monday August 17, 2009, 5:00-8:00 p.m. 5316 Clark Ave. Lakewood, CA. Check NPIEN's website for a flyer www.npien.com

Uncle Henry Kamae will entertain us starting at 5:00 p.m., so bring your ukulele and join in the music! Lorraine Telles of Cookie Lee will display her exciting jewelry collection! Cookie Lee and Ohana are generous NPIEN sponsors, so please come and support them.

A special performance by Halau NPIEN will take place at 7:00 p.m. There will be special prizes for attendees.

Tafesilafai 2009 Pacific Islander Festival Long Beach, CA

The Songs, Dances, and Food of the Samoan Culture - Fun for the Whole Family!
at the Aquarium of the Pacific • Long Beach, CA

www.Tafesilafai.org
2009 Festival Theme: “Togi Pa Tau ile Ave” – “Recreate and Innovate for Success”

At The Aquarium of the Pacific

Free Admission!
Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific and explore the world’s largest ocean. Touch sharks, feed lorikeet birds, watch divers, and meet 12,500 animals. The Aquarium of the Pacific is pleased to offer this special discount for visitors to Tafesilafa’i: $5 off adult admission and $1 off child (3-11). Please present this coupon at the Aquarium ticket window to receive discount. Full price admission is $23.95 for adults and $11.95 for children. Discount not valid with any other offer. Distribution on Aquarium grounds prohibited. Offer valid July 1 - August 31 ,2009. D-SAM

Tafesilafa’i Special Aquarium Discount: $5.00 OFF Adult - $1 OFF Children
Event: Tafesilafa’i Pacific Islander Festival

When: July 30-August 2nd
Times: Thursday & Friday 3pm - 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 8pm
Food: Authentic Samoan ‘UMU’ Kitchen!
Where: Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way - Long Beach CA
Parking $7.00 all day parking at Aquarium

More Info: www.Tafesilafai.org

Barnes and Noble Fundraiser Benefits Linaka and NPIEN

On July 11-12, 2009, Barnes and Noble at the Long Beach (CA) Towne Center will donate a percentage of its book, music, DV, Blu-ray, and Cafe purchases to the Linaka Polynesian School of Dance and NPIEN. The Linaka Polynesian Dancers will perform from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Saturday July 11, 2009, and from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Sunday July 12, 2009. We encourage all NPIEN friends and members to participate and support the fundraiser. NPIEN would like to thank the Linaka Polynesian School of Dance for your ongoing support of NPIEN's mission.

ACSA Installation in Long Beach, CA

I was installed as the first Pacific Islander to serve as president of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 14 on June 26, 2009 at the Renaissance Hotel in Long Beach, CA. ACSA Region 14 consists of 15 school districts in Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, Torrance, Downey, Paramount, ABC, the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Bellflower, El Segundo, Centinela Valley, Redondo Beach, and others. NPIEN friend and recent conference keynote speaker Saitia Fa'aifo, Dt. Aloha, keynoted at this event, and Falanai Ala, NPIEN President, installed the board officers. The Linaka Polynesian Dancers provided the entertainment, follwed by dancing with DJ the Real Deal McZeal. ACSA State President Chuck Weis keynoted on Saturday morning at this important leadership retreat.

Mayor Villaraigosa's Inauguration

I was invited to represent the Pacific Islander community by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the inauguration ceremony on July 1, 2009. It was quite an adventure through downtown L.A. traffic, to the ceremony on the steps of L.A. City Hall. Protestors marched and chanted, asking for more city services and fewer layoffs. Inaugurated that day, with Los Angeles Laker Derek Fisher as the Master of ceremonies, was Carmen Trutanich, City Attorney, Wendy Greuel, City Controller, the City Council, and the Mayor. This was my first experience attending this event, and I was honored to be a part.

Vista High School Commencement, Lynwood, CA

Dr. Victor Thompson, NPIEN Executive Director, and Uncle Henry Kamae, ukulele extraordinaire, were the commencement speakers at Vista High School, Lynwood Unified School District, in Los Angeles, CA. Ron Grider, Vista Principal, invited Thompson and Kamae to participate. Uncle Henry sang one of the Vista favorites Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and a medley of Hawaiian songs. Thompson, a former Lynwood High School administrator, spoke about hard work and perseverance. He also noted that this was a historic day, in that three Pacific Islanders were seated on the center stage, from Hawaii (Kamae), Samoa (Thompson), and Fiji, Dr. Lal, Lynwood Superintendent of Schools. It was good to see former Lynwood High teachers who are now all at Vista, Clarice Chatmon, Margaret Jackson, and Mike Roddy. Congratulations Vista graduates, Class of 2009!

Uncle Henry and Ala Visit Costa Mesa Students

Uncle Henry Kamae and NPIEN President Falanai Ala recently provided a ukulele instruction class for the Marshallese Students Homework Club at Costa Mesa High School, in the Newport Mesa Unified School District, Orange County, CA. The Costa Mesa/Huntington Beach region is home of the largest concentration of Marshallese Islanders on the US Mainland. QB Keju, long-time NPIEN Staff member, facilitates the club at its meetings, held daily. Uncle Henry kept the attention of the class by his demonstration of each song, follwed by each student working their fingers on several notes and strumming each song. Uncle Henry wowed the crowd with his solo performance. President Ala delivered the grand finale message to the students, of staying in and finishing school in order to bring changes to a better life for each student, their families, and society in general. Most of the student were from Costa Mesa High and Middle School, there were two elementary school students, and one Orange Coast College student.