Our Village Warriors
Anna Kunawave (she, her)
Position: Village Navigator
Anna Kunawave was born and raised in Everett, but her family hails from the beautiful Fiji Islands. She attended Everett High School where she started the first ever Pacific Islander Club. Anna moved to Tennessee to attend Lee University. She began her work with the “Mosaic Council”, which is Lee’s diversity council educating her peers on Pasifika cultures as she worked towards her bachelor in Sociology. Anna wants to see her fellow Pasifika families excel in all that they do in Northwest Washington.
Koa Derouin (he, him)
Position: Food Security Manager
Cedrique Ho’onakoa "Koa" Derouin’s life began in Federal Way, but his roots stretch beyond the seas to the great island of Oahu as Kanaka ‘Oiwi with indigenous roots in the Big Island Hawai'i and Kaua'i. Koa has 3 years of case management experience in working with Pasifika youth who are systems involved carrying out restorative justice initiatives that focuses on the healing of youth and not punishment. His work also included coordinating cultural programming of belonging focused on dance, song and chants in supporting young Pacific Islanders feel belonging.
Joseph Seia (he, him)
Position: Co-Director
Joseph Seia was born in Los Angeles - Tongva Territory, moved with his ‘āiga to Sāmoa in 1987 and emigrated to Coast Salish Territory in 1994. He has 20 years of experience in program development, nonprofit leadership & administration. Joseph champions systems change work that centers the leadership of impacted communities in enacting social change through coalition building, anti-racism organizing, and creating inter-generational learning spaces.
Amelia Bai (she, her)
Position: Co-Director
Amelia was born in the Fiji Islands and is the second of five siblings. She migrated to Everett on April 1998. She currently resides in the city of Marysville. She shares her voice in offering cultural solutions in spaces like the Dept of Health’s (DOH) Community Collaborative, the Providence Institute for a Healthier Community (PIHC) & the Strategic Oversight Council (SOC). Amelia is committed to ensuring full Melanesian inclusion, advancing the wellness of Pasifika communities and advocating for immigrant rights, senior care and social justice issues.
Our Thought Partners
Aseri Kunawave (he, him)
Position: Community Thought Partner
Aseri Kunawave was born and raised in the Fiji Islands and migrated to the United States in the late 90s and has lived in Everett the majority of his time here. He attended All Nations Bible College and COG School of Ministry and is now enrolled in PTS. He is the Lead Pastor at Everett Community Church leading a Fijian congregation providing in-language services. Pastor Aseri very much serves as a lead elder in stewarding the care of our Itaukei family in the Pacific Northwest and ensures Fijians have spaces to celebrate their Indigenous nationhood here in the Diaspora.
Shirley Laulu (she, her)
Position: Community Thought Partner
Shirley fares from the villages of Nu'uli, Tutuila and Sili, Savai'i. Shirley is one of 9 siblings. She graduated from Leone High School and relocated to Coast Salish Territory to seek further education & employment. Shirley is a very proud Samoan and engages in the Samoan community in Tacoma to further the wellness of queer Samoan women or traditionally called fa'atane. Shirley is an active Cricket player in the Feilo'ai Ma Uso Club in Puyallup territory.
Erpin Uaga (he, him)
Position: Community Thought Partner
Erpin Siep Uaga was born and raised in West Papua until his migrant transition in 2017 to further his education in the United States. He is a proud member of the West Papua community. Erpin embodies stability and honesty that reflects the core of our Oceania peoples. He carries with him ancestral wisdom and authentic strength that is both vital and needed to spearhead meaningful work that contributes to the further advancement of our families. He is a trusted liason of our Melanesian communities in Everett.
Franky Erra (he, him)
Position: Community Thought Partner
Franky Erra was born and raised in Majuro in the Republic of the Marshall Islands where he graduated from Assumption High School. Franky has deep ties to the Marshallese community and is deeply committed to the healing of his peoples. He works as a community outreach lead for the King County Tuberculosis program where provides oversight to community navigators that are working to mitigate and prevent the spread of TB in the Marshallese and other Pacific Islander communities.
