Daniel Akaka: “In our United States, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are far less likely than the average American to earn…”

“In our United States, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are far less likely than the average American to earn a bachelor's or graduate degree. This makes Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders drastically underrepresented in higher education. Unfortunately, Pacific Islanders are left with fewer opportunities to lift themselves out of underrepresentation because, unlike African Americans, unlike American Indians, unlike Alaska Natives, and unlike Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have been largely excluded from programs such as the McNair Achievement Program based on a determination that they are not an underrepresented group. However, until the underrepresentation of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders is addressed, the promise of the McNair program to help the underrepresented achieve their dreams of higher education will remain only partially fulfilled.”