Essence of MANA

04/03/2026

IF you are free and looking to decompress in community, slide through tonight!!

J2E is welcoming of all with free food, raffles and great company!

In honor of April being Stress Awareness Month, Journey to Empowerment (J2E) is excited to host Pressure and Release: Understanding Stress!

Stress shows up in so many ways—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Often as humans, we move through it without fully understanding what our bodies and minds are trying to tell us.
This space is an invitation to slow down, check in, and get real about the pressures we face in our daily lives.
Together, we’ll break down what stress can feel like, where it comes from, and most importantly, explore healthy and intentional ways to release it.

📅 When: Friday, April 3, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM PST
📍 Where: AARS Office - 1115 Mission Rd., South San Francisco, CA 94080

As always, Journey to Empowerment is a FREE community space with FREE food, raffles, and great company.
All ages and families are welcome! Come one, come all! NO RSVP is required.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Lueni Masina by email or phone at lmasina@aars.org or (415) 243-6328.

03/31/2026

In honor of April being Stress Awareness Month, Journey to Empowerment (J2E) is excited to host Pressure and Release: Understanding Stress!

Stress shows up in so many ways—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Often as humans, we move through it without fully understanding what our bodies and minds are trying to tell us.
This space is an invitation to slow down, check in, and get real about the pressures we face in our daily lives.
Together, we’ll break down what stress can feel like, where it comes from, and most importantly, explore healthy and intentional ways to release it.

📅 When: Friday, April 3, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM PST
📍 Where: AARS Office - 1115 Mission Rd., South San Francisco, CA 94080

As always, Journey to Empowerment is a FREE community space with FREE food, raffles, and great company.
All ages and families are welcome! Come one, come all! NO RSVP is required.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Lueni Masina by email or phone at lmasina@aars.org or (415) 243-6328.

03/25/2026

Check out these upcoming community events and announcements!!

03/25/2026

03/24/2026

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

Every first Thursday, we hold Talanoaga, a program where we come together to talk about mental health, trauma, grief, and loss within our Pasefika communities.

For the month of April, we’ve partnered with and to create a healing space specifically for survivors of sexual harm. A space to be seen, heard, and held in community with others who share similar lived experiences.

Too often, our stories are silenced while shame, guilt, and anger are left to grow in isolation. We are here to reclaim our voices and stand firm in making sure that no story is ever swept under the rug again.

Power, hope, love and peace can be restored when we choose healing our wounds with others who bear these similar scars. If this resonates with you, we invite you into a private space for healing, connection, and collective strength. 

All attendees MUST REGISTER: linktr.ee/allmyusos



“i am loving myself out of the dark” rupi kaur

03/11/2026

🌊✨ Oceania Day at the de Young Museum ✨🌊

Check out this FREE day celebrating the beauty, strength, and creativity of Oceania cultures at the de Young Museum!

Come experience a day filled with film, cultural performances, exhibits, and family art activities that honor the stories, traditions, and artistry of our Pacific Island communities. Bring your family, bring your village, and come celebrate with us.

📅 March 14, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM
📍 de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco

Let’s gather in community and uplift the vibrant cultures of Oceania together. 🌺🌴

03/05/2026

Happy Women's Herstory Month, MANA family & friends!

If you are free and looking for community, join us TOMORROW for Carrying the Weight, Claiming Our Power: Pasifika Women in Conversation as we gather in storytelling and reflection to process what we’ve carried and reimagine what reclaiming our power as Pasifika folx can look like.

🗓 Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
⏰Time: 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
📍Location: the hub - 1530 Sunnydale Ave, San Francisco, CA 94134

Street parking is limited.
Please see map with area and streets neighboring the hub.

If you have questions, or would like more information, contact Lueni Masina: (415) 243-6328 | lmasina@aars.org

We hope to see you there!!

03/04/2026

Join us TODAY for the Pacific Islander Initiative SMC meeting at 6:00 PM.

This month we:
🌺Welcome who will be sharing about their recent career pathways program.
🌺 Welcome the Futures Commission of San Mateo County to share about the commission work & how to get involved.
🌺tMHFA report back

All information on flyer below.

We hope you will join us. Either online or in person.

03/04/2026

‼️COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT & EVENT‼️

Inetnon Pasifika is a cultural celebration and single-session, information-sharing event that brings together Pacific Islander leaders, organizers, artists, and families from across Oceania who reside in the Bay Area. The gathering is rooted in the Chamoru value of inafa’maolek—restoring harmony through right relationship. Guest speakers include Carolyn Kualii, Kanaka Maoli organizer, co-founder and chief creative director of Kua'Āina Associates, Angela Carrier, CHamoru organizer and artist, founder/creator of Pulan Collective, Loa Niumeitolu, Tongan organizer and activist, co-founder of Planting Oceania, Tracy Wihongi Panek, director of Māori Mo Ake Tonu (Māori Forever), a San Francisco Bay Area-based kapa haka group, Michaela Ruiz Chaco, CHamoru educator and executive director of Inafa'maolek, Gaynorann Siataga, Samoan activist, founder of S.A.L.T. and lead organizer for creating San Francisco's Pacific Islander Cultural District. Organized by Lehua Taitano, artist, writer, and founder of Pasifika Moves. Open to the public, all ages. Lunch provided by Minnie Bell's Soul Movement..

RSVP Here: https://events.humanitix.com/inetnon-pasifika