We paddle together, braving the elements to respond to the dire needs of people on these Pacific islands. Seamless coordination of a team empowered by their relationships with each other, with their island traditions, cultures and values, and the confidence to embrace our shared future.
FA’A SAMOA – Evoking the spirit of Fa’a Sāmoa (living true to Samoan values), we propose living the Red Cross values in a distinctly Polynesian way, which helps guide behavior and responsibilities while providing support and direction to all Red Crossers who come to our islands.
INAFA’MAOLEK – Evoking the traditional Chamorro spirit of working together, helping and taking care of one another. This core value emphasizes understanding the feelings of others and working for the common good.
ALOHA – Evoking the spirit of Aloha, we open our hearts as we offer help. Hawaii’s Queen Lili’uokalani played a key role in the founding of the Hawaii Red Cross and it is her humanitarian spirit and adherence to the value of Aloha that we evoke and emulate.
Spanning the largest ocean in the world, we constitute also the largest geographic region of the American Red Cross. Our islands are the most remote land masses on earth and our offices (on the Hawaiian Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas) are the most dispersed. Our geography dictates very distinctive approaches to disaster planning, recovery and response. Ranking at the second highest national risk level for natural disasters, the region’s disaster variety is also unparalleled – from tsunamis to volcanic eruptions to typhoons.
The Pacific Islands region is also on the front lines of climate change. Low lying coral atolls in the Pacific regularly experience inundation by sea level rise caused by global warming. Hawaii, sadly, constitutes the endangered species capital of the world.
Culturally, the Pacific Islands Region encompasses two of the three Pacific cultural zones – Polynesia and Micronesia. Our region claims four non-English official languages.
For all their diversity, the Pacific islands have a scarcity of natural resources. Hawaii imports almost 96% of its food and has the highest percentage of fuel (oil) imports of any state. Any disruption to air and shipping lines by a disaster carries significant recovery complications.
Home to the largest US military command (US Indo-PACOM), the region’s burgeoning geopolitical significance has been highlighted by China’s attempts to gain Pacific footholds. Hawaii’s large active duty service member presence is well known. Less recognized is that Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians serve in the military at rates three times higher than their demographic representation. Hawaii ranks 7th among all states in the proportion of veteran population.
Our Pacific Islands Region is headquartered in Hawaii, which is often referred to as the “melting pot” for the way the spirit of aloha has brought cultures from east to west together. Hawaii is the only state without a racial majority. Here, we boast the highest percentage of those with a multi-racial background. Almost a quarter of Hawaii’s people, more than eight times the US average, claim more than one race or ethnicity. Over 40% of Hawaii marriages are interracial. Rather than an indistinct “Melting Pot,” we offer an image of a salad or a thriving reef, as these preserve the distinctness of the vibrant flavors, colors and identity of each individual.
Even in this harmonious context, Native Hawaiians fight for appropriate redress of historic wrongs and injustices, not the least of which was the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1898. And, in recent years, Micronesians in Hawaii have become targets of blatant discrimination. Hawai’i has diversity but not always inclusion and equity.
Our Pacific Islands DEI vision starts with the image of a traditional Polynesian double-hulled canoe moving forward steadily even in the face of adversity.
In the late 1970s, the voyage of the Hōkūlea, built with traditional materials, became the symbol of Hawaiian cultural renaissance that continues today. Recovery of the lost art of ancient celestial navigation (without the use of modern instruments) would not have been possible without the knowledge of one of the last masters, a Micronesian man living on a remote island in the northern Pacific. The Hōkūlea since its maiden voyage has crisscrossed the Pacific many times and recently completed a world tour. We embrace the idea that the ocean, rather than being what divides us, is what connects our islands to each other.
In our islands, relationships are paramount and none more so than ‘ohana or family. These relationships outweigh tangible goods and other intangibles, such as time. Relationships are cemented through a strong oral tradition carried on and passed down through generations. Our familial lineage is celebrated in our Pacific oral traditions – via chants and storytelling.
Parallel to the national vision of “One Red Cross,” our vision of “One Canoe” seeks to unify and build inclusivity within our region. Rather than conformity, our goal is to celebrate Pacific Island diversity.
We envision a Red Cross which includes Asian-American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) perspectives in forums and planning. We are determined to be recognized for the historical contributions of people from our region. We envision an inclusive Red Cross where disaster briefings begin with a map not just of the continental United States, but a map showing our region.
We are resolved to have a voice in Red Cross discussions about climate change and sustainability. We imagine a Red Cross which acknowledges our three different time zones and offers meetings at accessible times.
We believe this vision to leverage our diversity will enable new practices in disaster preparation and recovery, volunteer recruitment and fundraising that can serve as a model for other Red Cross Regions.