Micronesians United Big – Island (MU-BI) is a Hilo-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was formed in 2004-2005 to serve as a cultural bridge between Micronesians and the larger Big Island community.
The mission of Micronesians United – Big Island is to empower the local Pacific Islanders from the region of Micronesia for greater self-reliance, cultural pride, and to serve as a bridge to educate the larger community about the respective cultures and our mutual rights and responsibilities.
MU-BI operates with an all-volunteer elected Board of Directors who are all Micronesians and most of the Micronesian Groups are represented on the Board. The Board receives additional advice and support from non-voting supporting members from the larger community.
MU-BI was formed in response to some intercultural misunderstanding issues that arose between Micronesians and the larger community in Ka’u. It has broadened its efforts to encompass the whole Big Island and lends some support to Micronesian based community groups on Oahu. It has received a series of grants from Hawaii Community Foundation, and Hawaii County, and used these in capacity building and community outreach and education. MU-BI has provided cultural expertise for a number of workshops and conferences that served County and State agencies. MU-BI has also provided intercultural training materials. Our current focus is on outreach to schools, and on co-sponsoring and co-coordinating “PACYES” our annual Pacific Islander Youth Empowerment for Success day.