When you think of Hawaii, what do you picture most: the blue waves of the Pacific Ocean and ancient, lush volcanic mountains rising above its urban centers and countryside? It’s a paradise of beautiful land and a colorful diversity of people and cultures! Our island is rich in aloha, heritage, history, and the multicultural population that calls Oahu, the gathering place, home. But did you know that one out of every five people living on Oahu was not born in Hawaii?
During Be The Neighbor’s trip to Oahu, you will learn about the culture of Hawaii, the impact of colonialism on the Hawaiian islands, and the ways immigrants, specifically those from Micronesia, experience racism and discrimination, as they have been the latest immigrant culture to arrive and make their home in Hawaii, along with environmental concerns and more. You’ll learn about the island of Chuuk, where many of our immigrants call home, their journey to Hawaii, and some of the struggles the Chuukese face in this new land. Through speakers, creative experiences, and hands-on faith in action, you’ll learn more about Hawaiian culture and Micronesian culture, specifically Chuukese culture. You’ll help facilitate Chuukese families as they share their sacred stories through art, music, and videography, so their culture is better understood in Hawaii and across the USA. Talking story in Hawaii is sacred and is expressed through community. You will be an integral part of Chuukese culture and of families experiencing racism and discrimination as you listen to their stories, share your own, celebrate diversity, and help bring their stories to life through videos shared with media and news.
Learn more here: https://www.betheneighbor.org/oahu
