Our efforts are thanks to our generous donors and the support we receive from the community and our partner organizations.
Thank You!
Mission
Island Liaison connects the Pacific Islander community in Arizona with local educational, health, and government services while spreading awareness of Pacific Island cultures.
Vision
We envision Pacific Islanders in Arizona nurturing lasting relationships that foster a spirit of connectedness and empowerment.
Paying Homage in our Original Logo
Island Liaison's original logo represented us for almost 10 years. Our founder, Claudia Kaercher, created this logo to represent the region of Oceania we served at the beginning - Micronesia.
Thus, the original logo represents 7 different elements of various Micronesian cultures. Coming together in the plumeria flower, with a traditional sailing vessel in the center, shown clockwise are the Bai, Rai/Fei, Love Sticks, Dance Paddles, Navigational Stick Chart, and Latte Stone.
- Bai from the Republic of Palau: a community meeting house in the village center used by governing elders.
- Rai or Fei used in the state of Yap/FSM: stone money used in Yap, brought from a stone quarry in Airai, Palau. Although US currency is used today, culturally the stone money is still used in social transactions such as land transfers, weddings, etc.
- Love Sticks used in the state of Chuuk/FSM: ornately carved pieces of wood traditionally used as a tool for courtship. The fellow would push his carved love stick through the side of a hut and the young lady would either push it away to show disinterest or pull on it, signalling for him to come in the hut.
- Dance Paddles used in the state of Pohnpei/FSM: traditionally used in Pohnpeian dances. Men standing have war paddles and the women sitting with their dokia sticks.
- Navigational Stick Chart used in the Republic of the Marshall Islands: also called rebbelibs, medos, and mattangs. The charts are made of midrib of coconut fronds representing waves and currents. The shells represent atolls and islands, and the coconut fibers tie the chart together. It’s a teaching tool. Navigators memorize the chart before they begin their journey.
- Latte Stone found in the Mariana Archipelago, US Territories Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI): Haligi, a stone base column with Tasa, a bowl-like on top pillars (two parallel rows of four or more) holds the steep pitched thatched roof, poles, and thatch sidings. Could be from 4 to 7 feet in height.
Island Liaison is a non-profit Tax Exempt 501 (c) (3) Charitable Organization located in Phoenix, Arizona