Oceanians from the three regions of Oceania - Melanesia, Micronesia & Polynesia, are the fastest growing communities in the Pacific Northwest due to the forces of colonization, capitalism & racism in the Pacific. Most have settled in Pierce & King counties and more recently in Snohomish county in Western WA.

We experience chronic under-investment due to racist data aggregation practices that invisibilizes us under the problematic AAPI label. When disaggregated as Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NH/PI), we see some of the worst social determinants of health factors outcomes compared to other racial groups.

We are a part of the solution. Oceania Northwest with our mutual aid partners provided critical supports to our communities during the Covid 19 pandemic up until now. These provisions include providing food supports, community health programs, eldercare, youth advocacy, and offering cultural belonging spaces.