Who We Serve — Pacific Islander Community
Helping all Pacific Islanders thrive.
In 1993, David E.K. Cooper (a founding partner of The Hana Group) created the Pacific American Foundation (PAF). The PAF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to improve the lives of Pacific Americans through education, mentorship and leadership training, employment, research and development, and community partnership. The organization has developed over a dozen different programs, created a variety of culturally based curricula for public schools, and has touched the lives of thousands of Pacific Americans.
Who are Pacific Islanders?
Citizens of the United States who can trace their ancestry to the indigenous settlers of the State of Hawai’i, Territory of American Samoa, Territory of Guam, and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Tahiti, and Tonga.
Herb Lee, Jr.
A champion of change.
Herb Lee, Jr. has served as PAF’s first and only Executive Director. It is through his leadership and vision that PAF is recognized as one of the leading non-profits in the development and training of rigorous culture-based education programs for both Native Hawai’ians and non-Hawaiian students.
On March 13, 2014, Herb Lee and PAF attained a pinnacle when, at a ceremony conducted at the White House, President Obama honored Herb Lee with the Cesar Chavez Champions of Change Award. The Award is bestowed upon those few individuals in this country who have committed themselves to improving the lives of others in their communities and across the country.