Our Mission

To empower Micronesians for greater Self-Reliance, and to Educate Micronesians and the Larger Community about their Respective Cultures, Rights, and Responsibilities.

Our History

Micronesians United-Big Island was formed as an organization in 2004-2005 to serve as a cultural bridge between Micronesians and the larger Big Island Community. MUBI started out with a small “Mo Bettah” Grant from Hawaii Community Foundation, and also was awarded the capacity building grant from Hawaii County Department of Research and Development. MU-BI has Federal Nonprofit 501 c 3 tax-exempt status.

Our Leadership

MU-BI operates with a volunteer elected board who are representatives of the diverse Micronesian community on the Big Island. MU-BI strives to have all the major cultural groups represented on the board. MU-BI also operates with the help of volunteer supporters who are not Micronesian but who have an interest in supporting the efforts of the organization. Supporters may provide information and guidance, but do not vote at board meetings. Read more>>

Our Services

MU-BI provides cultural education to the state, county, and private agencies so they have a better understanding of our local Micronesian community and our diverse cultures. MU-BI organizes educational youth events such as the Annual Pacific Youth Empowerment for Success (PacYES) to help navigate success for a better future for our youth, provide access to health care such as the MU-BI Health fest that allows the opportunity for the community to sign up for healthcare insurance and receiving screening and other care on site. MU-BI provides awareness by participating in a community outreach event to promote and celebrate Micronesian cultures such as taking part in the Hawaii Ulu and Coconut Festival where we have represented our Micronesian community and provided demonstrations on preparing and cooking breadfruit and coconut.  MU-BI has intervened in cases where there were communication difficulties and cultural misunderstanding at school campuses. MU-BI has provided expertise and worked with pastors and others in conflict resolution with the schools, housing, and other social services. MU-BI is documenting some of these cultural miscommunication and discrimination cases in ways that confidentiality is protected in order to develop intercultural training tools. MU-BI has provided limited translation services through some members, but those services should be compensated as required by state law. Read more>

Programs

• Education/Youth-
  1. Represented on the advisory board of DOE’s Multilingualism
  2. Annual Navigating Success Conference: Pacific Youth Empowerment for Success (PacYES)- To empower and inspire our high school students for community, college, and career readiness. Visit navigatingsuccess.org to learn more.
  3. School Outreach- The goal here is to connect and share knowledge and information with the school, teachers, and students to improve students’ success.
  4. Ramathau Community Graduation: Video-Remathau Graduation 2014
  5. Teachers’ cultural training-provider cultural training and information to teachers so they can better teach students
  6. Participated in DOE P20 conferences to represent our Micronesian community and be the voice of our students
• Healthcare Outreach 
  1. Annual Micronesian Health Fest- In Partnership with state and county agencies and other Health care providers, we enrolled thousands of people to the HealthCare system and continue to as part of our annual Health Fest event for our Micronesian community. The community is also receiving free health screening, important health care information, and resources for healthy leaving.
  2. Monthly Health Screening with UHH College of Pharmacy
• Immigration Resources
  1. Immigration Information outreach–Provide updated immigration information to the community, work with COFA Consulate offices to facilitate community outreach events to educate COFA citizens about their rights and responsibilities and to inform the community of changes that may impact that their immigration status.
  2. For the Federated States of Micronesia: Visit FSM Embassy,
  3. For the Republic of Marshal Islands: Visit RMI Embassy
  4. For the Republic of Palau: Visit ROP Embassy
• Promote Micronesian Cultures 
  1. Participated in Ulu festival- Showcasing traditional ways of preparing breadfruit in the Pacific.
  2. Carrying Culture-Micronesian Cultures; Check out the Video
     

     Carrying Culture: Navigating Anew (What’s Our Story?)

  3. Participate in Cultural Community Outreach
  4. Sponsor and Facilitate Cultural events to educate the public and bring community awareness.
  5. Facilitate Youth Cultural events to Perpetuate culture and instill cultural pride and identity and common family values.
• Research Studies Projects
  1. UHH, Manoa-Education Research Project-Feasibility of a Micronesian Focus Charter School.
  2. Participates in conducting community need assessment research.
  3. Supports and will facilitate research studies that support the improving quality of life
  4. Crime Bias Study UHM-School of Social Service

Read more>>

Membership

Formal membership is open to all Micronesians interested in supporting MUBI and costs $20.00 per year. Monthly Board Meetings are on the First Saturday of the month and are open to the public.