Over the spring break, Zoe Fernandez along with 42 students from different public schools from all over the island embarked on international adventures. PAAC, Pacific Arts and Asian Affairs Council was created to prepare future generations of leaders on international affairs and to promote citizen diplomacy by having students learn about the world and its connection to our unique home here in Hawaiʻi. Read Zoeʻs interview here and how it has inspired her to create a PAAC club here at Kaiser.
1) What is PAAC?
PAAC stands for Pacific and Asian Affairs Council. It is an organization that is working to prepare a future generation of leaders who are aware of international affairs, while also promoting citizen diplomacy by having students learn more about our world and its connection to our unique home here in Hawaii. They offer many opportunities for students to participate in Competitions, Sumits, Study-Tours and much more to expand their knowledge of the world so that we can use it to spark new ideas and bring it to our communities here in Hawaii.
2) How many students were selected?
In total of our 2026 Sister-State Study Tour Cohort, there were 42 students from 42 different public schools from all over the islands. For the Jeju Island, Korea delegation there were 14 students. For the Okinawa, Japan delegation there were 15 students. And for my delegation, the Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, Philippines delegation there were 13 students. There was only one student from each school.
3) Where did you visit? And why was this place chosen? purpose?
I visited Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. This was one of our places that we traveled to because of how important of a role it plays in our history here in Hawai’i. Many of the immigrants from the Philippines who came here to work on the sugar plantations were Ilocano. For example the Sakada. Many of the Filipinos here in Hawai’i are Ilocano. Not to mention, both the Philippines and Hawai’i share many similarities with cultural aspects and history. Visiting the Philippines was a way to connect our two homes, while also exchanging history, culture, education and ideas that we will pass on to our communities and schools. PAAC has these trips so that we can build international relationships while educating us students to be global citizens who take this wonderful experience to grow into leaders that will make a difference in our community.
4) What was the highlight of your trip?
The highlight of my trip was the family that I made. Myself, as well as the 12 other students and chaperones bonded so much. In the short time that we were together we laughed our hardest and cried the most when separating.
If any of you are interested in learning more about PAAC, and what it’s about, I am hoping to start a PAAC club next school year (2026-2027). So if you are interested, please look out for us next year!