Hafa Adai & Aloha!
Oceania is a broad term that represents a diverse group of Pacific Island people. We're often caricaturized in media or marginalized in Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) spaces, so we're passionate speakers and educators dedicated to changing the narrative.
We're honored you've found your way here.
We are Oceania Connects
K.L. Parker
Pronouns: They/Them
Born and raised in Hawai’i with mixed heritage (Kanaka Maoli, Nikkei, Polonia), I am an anthropologist from UC Berkeley with a multi-cultural, intersectional perspective focused on diversity, equity & inclusion.
I've been a Pacific Islander Liaison and community organizer in UC Berkeley's API Student Development center, and was appointed to the AAPI Standing Committee advising the Chancellor's Cabinet at UC Berkeley. I am also an active board member of the South Pacific Islander Organization, am a proud parent of 2 amazing kids, work in philanthropy at UC Berkeley, and am working on a book on PI culture & identity.
In my 40 years on this earth, I’ve worn many hats and have done many things, but my kuleana is always rooted in my maternal grandmother's mandate to "be a blessing."
Thomas Mangloña II
Pronouns: He/Him or They/Them
I am a native Chamorro born and raised on the island of Rota, Northern Mariana Islands. I am a Gates Millennium Scholar and Truman Scholar currently at UC Berkeley studying Media and Journalism.
I started writing news reports for my island on my blog when I was in middle school and my passion for journalism has since flourished. It has led me to work for several print publications, Pacific Islanders in Communications, the regional Pacific News Center and, most recently, at KUAM news as an on-camera correspondent covering government, education, and community.
I am also the executive director of Berkeley’s online television station and a former news intern at ABC7 News in San Francisco, CA. I am passionate about diversity and representation in the media.