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MALO

Motivating Action Leadership Opportunity

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Category: Vision

Tongans celebrate their culture and are included, valued, and connected in their communities.

Posted onAugust 10, 2026Vision

Housing and Health: How Shelter Shapes Well-Being in the Tongan Community

by MALOLeave a comment on Housing and Health: How Shelter Shapes Well-Being in the Tongan Community

Housing as the Foundation of Health “[Housing is] almost like the baseline of health …you can’t talk about anything without having a safe place to…

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Posted onAugust 7, 2026Vision

Barriers in the Healthcare System

by MALOLeave a comment on Barriers in the Healthcare System

“We’re definitely not used to that in our culture, in our community, all these types of good resources aren’t really shared with us… So we’re…

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Posted onAugust 7, 2026Vision

Wellness and Self-Care for MALO CHWs

by MALOLeave a comment on Wellness and Self-Care for MALO CHWs

The Motivating Action Leadership Opportunity (MALO) Community Health Workers (CHWs) are a small but mighty group of leaders serving the Tongan American community in the…

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Posted onSeptember 26, 2025September 26, 2025Vision

Mental Health

by MALOLeave a comment on Mental Health

“Mental health is a big issue in our culture, but it’s not addressed. It’s kind of just swept under the rug, and you’re told: Oh,…

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Posted onSeptember 26, 2025September 26, 2025Vision

Food and Community

by MALOLeave a comment on Food and Community

Tākanga ‘enau fohé Mates at their oars; perhaps, their oars are mates Tākanga ‘enau fohé describes the rowing of kalia (double-hulled canoe), in which the…

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Posted onSeptember 18, 2024September 26, 2025Vision

Care, Connection, and Community Health Workers at MALO

by MALOLeave a comment on Care, Connection, and Community Health Workers at MALO

As the only all-Tongan-speaking community health worker (CHW) team in California, the 10 MALO CHWs have promoted the health and wellbeing of their community with…

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Posted onSeptember 18, 2024September 26, 2025Vision

Talanoa Dialogue Series

by MALOLeave a comment on Talanoa Dialogue Series

Introduction In 2020, Health Bridges, a student-led organization at the Claremont Colleges, partnered with MALO to support its health programming. Throughout the last three years,…

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MALO Facebook Group

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MALO is with Annie Vave and 3 others in Kaluanui Ahupua`a, Hauula.
3 days ago
MALO

🏝️DAY ONE | Kaha’u Youth in Hawaiʻi Day one is in the books! MALO Kaha’u Youth has officially touched down in Hawaiʻi not simply for a trip, but the unique chance to revisit our deep histories that draw back to ancestral roots to Tangaloa/Kanaloa. Our approach of aina/fonua-based pedagogy focused on land stewardship, land as relative, and waters as lifeblood of the Pacific Island nations. Our first day brought us to Kaluanui and Kaliuwaʻa, where our young people started with protocol for opening ceremony with traditional speeches, gifts, and songs. This was followed by stories and teachings that connect culture, ʻāina/fonua (land), kaiāulu/kainga (community or extended kin), kuleana/fatongia (responsibility), and the importance of building a foundation that honors the past while looking to the future. From learning how to prepare an ʻumu, participating in a kava ceremony and receiving ceremony, learning the importance of building pohaku, to making lu, toʻo kutu, and siaine, every experience offered a lesson beyond the activity itself. These are the kinds of experiences that help our youth understand that environmental justice is not just about what we see in front of us, but a shifting of worldviews to remember and understand our relationship to all things living and our place as protectors and stewards wherever we find ourselves. The work MALO Kaha’u Youth has been doing continues here in Hawaiʻi: listening to every story, learning from community, honoring elder knowledge, asking questions, thinking critically, and bringing those gems and lessons back or toli ‘aikona. A huge MALO AUPITO to Huli Ka Lima (Ka’imi), Hale Mua - Koolauloa (Nakia), Tēvita O. Ka'ili (Dr.Tevita Ka’ili), Ulise Funaki (Dr.Ulise Funaki) and Sinamoni Funaki for sharing your time, knowledge, stories and teachings with our youth. Day one reminded us that when we invest in young people, create safe spaces for learning, and connect them to culture, community, and aina, we’re helping shape a future that is unapologetically indigenous and grounded in our shared power as people of the Moana. Day one down. A whole lot more learning ahead. #malotongaie #SeventhGeneration #EnvironmentalJustice ... See MoreSee Less

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MALO is with Annie Vave and 3 others in California.
7 days ago
MALO

We’re so proud to celebrate MALO’s very own founder and Executive Director, Lolofi Soakai (Lolofi Soakai), as she took the stage as a panelist at this year’s Inland Empire Community Foundation Policy and Philanthropy Summit. Witnessing her share her voice, lived experience, and heart for our people is a powerful reminder that Pacific Islander leadership belongs in every Inland Empire conversation.

MALO couldn’t be happier to see Lolofi speak to so many people. She is making history and serves as a significant example for our MALO team and the Tongan and Pacific Islander community we serve. Her presence reflects what we believe in: honoring culture, building community power, creating opportunities for youth and families, and ensuring our voices are included in shaping a stronger, more equitable Inland Empire. Mālō ‘aupito (thank you so much) to partners like Inland Empire Community Foundation for helping uplift community rooted leadership. #MaloTongaIE #InlandEmpire #PacificIslander #TonganCommunity #CommunityLeadership
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We’re so proud to celebrate MALO’s very own founder and Executive Director, Lolofi Soakai (Lolofi Soakai), as she took the stage as a panelist at this year’s Inland Empire Community Foundation Policy and Philanthropy Summit. Witnessing her share her voice, lived experience, and heart for our people is a powerful reminder that Pacific Islander leadership belongs in every Inland Empire conversation.

MALO couldn’t be happier to see Lolofi speak to so many people. She is making history and serves as a significant example for our MALO team and the Tongan and Pacific Islander community we serve. Her presence reflects what we believe in: honoring culture, building community power, creating opportunities for youth and families, and ensuring our voices are included in shaping a stronger, more equitable Inland Empire. Mālō ‘aupito (thank you so much) to partners like Inland Empire Community Foundation for helping uplift community rooted leadership. #MaloTongaIE #InlandEmpire #PacificIslander #TonganCommunity #CommunityLeadershipImage attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment
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MALO is with Annie Vave and 3 others in California.
1 week ago
MALO

What an AMAZING few days at the MALO YES Youth Empowerment Summit! 🎉🌺🙌

Our Kaha’u youth showed up ready to learn, create, think critically, grow, and HAVE FUN! We are proud as this year our Youth Leads led a peer workshop on public policy, how it impacts us as Pacific Islanders, followed by an activity that asked our young people to identify the issues in their backyard. Vocalizing the issues and making plans to address some of the root causes is what our MALO Kaha'u Youth is invested in. Stay tuned to see how MALO Kaha'u youth takes on the next part of this collective effort. Interested in learning more or how you can help? Reach out to us!

From leadership development to teamwork, creativity, and meaningful conversations, these young leaders put in the hard work and dedication to make this experience truly unforgettable. 💪🏽✨

A HUGE fakafeta’i and thank you to our incredible MALO staff, parents, community, partners, and everyone who helped make this impactful experience possible. Your support, encouragement, and dedication helped create a space where our youth could learn, lead, dream BIG, and enjoy the journey. 🙏🏽🌱

Stay tuned as the youth put their ideas into action! 👀🔥💯

YES 2026, WE ARE DOING IT! 🥳🌺

#MaloTongaIE #OntarioIE #InlandEmpire #YES2026 #KahauYouthIE
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MALO is with Annie Vave and 3 others in California.
3 weeks ago
MALO

Take control of your health and transform your life with the Hypertension Immersion Program (HIP). This evidence-based program offers practical strategies, education, and support to help you prevent, manage, and reverse hypertension. Save now with 100% off HIP registration using code FALL26 offer valid through 8/9/2026. Learn more and enroll today: drbatiste.teachable.com/p/august26
#malotongaie #inlandempire #ontarioie #HealthyLiving #hearthealth
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MALO is with Annie Vave and 3 others in California.
1 month ago
MALO

🎉 Registration is now OPEN! 🎉
Join MALO for the 9th Ikuna Backpack Distribution Carnival on Saturday, July 25th, from 10AM–2PM at First United Methodist Church, 918 N. Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA 91764 🎒✨
This family-friendly community celebration will include carnival fun, games, and support for local families as we get ready for the school year 🎡🍿📚
✅ 300 free backpacks available
✅ Child must be present to receive backpack and school supplies
✅ Register now while supplies last
📝 Register here: Register here (Link in IG Bio “IKUNA Backpack 2026”)
Questions? Contact MALO2016ONT@gmail.com
A welcoming, uplifting event for the whole community 💛🌟 #MaloTongaIE #InlandEmpire #OntarioIE #IKUNA #MALOBackpack2026
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🎉 Registration is now OPEN! 🎉  
Join MALO for the 9th Ikuna Backpack Distribution Carnival on Saturday, July 25th, from 10AM–2PM at First United Methodist Church, 918 N. Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA 91764 🎒✨
This family-friendly community celebration will include carnival fun, games, and support for local families as we get ready for the school year 🎡🍿📚
✅ 300 free backpacks available  
✅ Child must be present to receive backpack and school supplies  
✅ Register now while supplies last
📝 Register here: Register here (Link in IG Bio “IKUNA Backpack 2026”)
Questions? Contact MALO2016ONT@gmail.com
A welcoming, uplifting event for the whole community 💛🌟 #MaloTongaIE #InlandEmpire #OntarioIE #IKUNA #MALOBackpack2026
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Address
936 N La Paloma Ave.
Ontario, CA 91764

Hours
Monday—Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM
Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM–3:00PM

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