AAPI Nexus: Policy, Practice and Community

This essay examines the importance of disaggregating Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander data, issues currently faced by NHPI communities, and where NHPI communities could be in 2040. Projected demographic trends may exacerbate challenges faced by NHPIs in areas such as health, education, income, incarceration, housing, and immigration. The impact of climate change, technological innovations, and the United States’ shift towards a majority-minority status on NHPI communities are also analyzed. Three recommendations for improving the position of NHPIs in 2040 are provided: (1) Address the needs of an increasingly diverse NHPI community; (2) develop community capacity for civic engagement; and (3) invest in leadership development and NHPI youth.