The Pacific Islander struggle for success is not one we often hear about.
Obscured by the focus on Asian American achievement in academics is the struggles of Pacific Islanders even to get into college.
The Long Beach Post reports Pacific Islanders are less than half as likely as the general population to hold bachelor degrees and five times less than Asian Americans to hold post graduate degrees.
Their issues in education are similar to those in the African American and Latino communities.
“As communities of color, we’re faced with a lot of the same issues,” said Joey Quenga, who hosts his own radio program on Pacific Islanders out of Long Beach. “You’re talking about impoverished communities and you’re talking about gangs.”
In cities like Long Beach, Pacific Islanders have the highest drop out rate of any ethnic group.
You can watch interview with several Pacific Islanders about their struggles in the Long Beach Post