NieiRek : Women Upholding a Vision

NieiRek, which can be interpreted to mean “women upholding a vision” in Chuukese, was started by KKV’s Innocenta Sound-Kikku in 2009 to establish a traditional support system and leadership development opportunities for Chuukese women. Pre-COVID-19, a group of 10-15 women between the ages of 13 –80 met once week at a space in Kuhio Park Towers where they would tutulap, meaning “to dive deep” about the goings-on in their families and community.

At least once a month, the NieiRek group held in-depth discussions and presentations about health, social, and legal issues. Several of the Nieirek participants have become community advocates for health, hosting annual events to educate their peers about self-care and engage them in physical activity. Although the COVID-19 pandemic stopped in-person programming, the NieiRek women contine to advocate for their community.

Recently, NieiRek has expanded from a central core of Chuukese women to the wider Micronesian community. Now, NieiRek’s leadership includes six women navigators with connections to the Chuukese, Kosraean, and Pohnpeian communities on Oahu. Their reach even goes as far as the Federated States of Micronesia, where some participants are able to connect with the NieiRek program virtually.

Sound-Kikku is KKV’s Community Liaison/Outreach Coordinator and the Director of Pacific Voices youth program. She is also a gifted writer, certified medical interpreter, and respected Micronesian community leader/organizer in Hawaii.