Conference recruits Pacific Islander students

More than 200 students participate in workshops on admission, careers

More than 200 high school and community college students of Pacific Island descent participated in Cal State Long Beach Pacific Islander Club's third Pacific Islander Outreach Conference Tuesday in the University Student Union Multipurpose Rooms.

"Southern California has the largest Polynesian population," said Pacific Island Club sponsor Michael Tuitasi, 27. "There's a larger population here then there is on the islands. So for the numbers to be so high, why aren't these students attending college? Why are we the lowest numbers?"

"The Pacific Islander representation here on campus is less than one percent," said Pacific Islander Club Vice President Val LiHang, 22.

The conference provided the students with workshops on admissions, financial aid, and careers/professions. Students were also given a tour of the campus and provided lunch. "Long Beach Community College is also here," LiHang said. "So we're also doing a transfer program for those students who are interested."

"The number of Pacific Island students enrolled in college campuses is one of the lowest," Tuitasi said. "So we're trying to promote students who go to school to get into higher education. We do that primarily with Cal State Long Beach. We try to show them around and get them motivated. The main purpose is to promote education."

"The turnout was excellent," LiHang said. "We expected about 200, but there's more than we expected."

"The programs has been great. The day has been great. We've had a lot of responsiveness from the kids. They've responded well. They've asked questions, and I'm pretty sure a lot of them are interested in going here."