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The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is a group of atolls and islands located about 2,400 miles west-southwest of Hawai'i. The population of the RMI is about 60,000 people and there are approximately 100 Marshallese students at Waipahu High School. Geographically, the Marshall Islands are located in Micronesia, but people from the RMI identify primarily as Marshallese, not Micronesian.
Click on the images below to explore the culture of the Marshall Islands.
Overview of Marshallese Culture
Overview of Marshallese Culture
The Marshall Islands Story Project site has an introduction to Marshallese culture, a collection of traditional tales, elders' life stories, accounts of nuclear survivors, and a photo archive dating back to 1900.
ABC News- America's forgotten nuclear migration
ABC News- America's forgotten nuclear migration
ABC News story filmed in Hawai'i in May 2023 that includes interviews with Waipahu alumni and community members. Also includes footage from a Marshallese graduation party at Waipahu High School.
REL_PA_Getting_to_Know_Pacific_Island_Students.pdfGetting to Know Pacific Island Students
Getting to Know Pacific Island Students
Overview of Compact of Free Association (COFA), the education systems in the Freely Associated States (FAS), and the migration flows from the FAS to the United States.
Marshall Islands: A THird of the Nation has left for the US
Marshall Islands: A THird of the Nation has left for the US
A third of the Marshall Islands’ population has moved to the U.S., leaving a country reeling from high unemployment and the looming effects of climate change.
civil Beat's "The Micronesians" archive
civil Beat's "The Micronesians" archive
Series of articles on the experiences of Marshallese and Micronesian migrants and their communities in the islands, Hawai'i, and the continental US. Includes photo slideshows and podcasts.
RELPA_WhatAretheFreelyAssociatedStates_508 (1).pdfFreely Associated STates Infographic
Freely Associated STates Infographic
Overview of the Compact of Freely Associated States (COFA), the treaty agreement between the US and the Freely Associated States. Includes demographic information and suggestions for culturally responsive classroom practices.
Micronesians in Hawaii: The Marshallese
Micronesians in Hawaii: The Marshallese
Video introduction to the Marshallese community in Hawai'i featuring an interview with Marshallese Community Organization of Hawai'i president Jendrikdrik Paul.
REL_PA_Why_Do_Student_Names_Matter (1).pdfWhat's in a name?
What's in a name?
Overview of naming conventions in COFA nations, the importance of names, and suggestions for culturally responsive classroom practices.
Anointed by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
Anointed by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
Poem by Marshallese poet, activist, and educator Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner about the legacy of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. You can find more of her work, addressing the topics of climate change and her experiences living in Hawai'i, at her website.
UH's Micronesians in Hawai'i research guide
Recently updated UH Mānoa library research guide with links to resources on the topics of health, education, social issues, and immigration.
Helpful Marshallese Phrases
Helpful Marshallese Phrases
List of greetings and polite expressions compiled by the Leeward District Bilingual School-Home Assistants.
Local organization with the mission of "empowering our Micronesian community to navigate success while honoring the integrity of our diverse heritage." WAO organizes the annual Micronesian Youth Summit and recently opened a Youth Empowerment Center in Liliha.
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