Pacific Islanders at GC 2019: Something to Celebrate

Here are the Pacific Islander delegates to the 2019 special called session of General Conference:

Mele Maka: Lay delegate from California-Pacific Annual Conference – Mele has been a leader on all levels of the denomination. Currently she is a district lay leader, and is a member of the United Methodist Standing Committee on Central Conference Matter. Mele was also a delegate to the 2008, 2012, and 2016 General Conferences.

Havea Hikule`o “Harvey” Tukutau: Lay delegate from Rocky Mountain Annual Conference – Harvey was the youngest delegate at the 2016 General Conference when he was 18 years old. Three years later, he is still one of the youngest delegates to the special called session. Harvey is the son of Rev. Sione Tukutau and Pastor Olympia Tukutau, who are both serving in ministry in the Mountain Sky Annual Conference. In 2016, Harvey and his father, Rev. Sione, shared the rare honor of both being on the plenary floor as a pair of father-son delegates, as Sione was a reserve clergy delegate.

Mele Faiva Blagojevich: Llay delegate from the California-Pacific Annual Conference – Mele Faiva has held numerous leadership positions within the connection, including a term as United Methodist Women conference president. She is currently on the board of directors of the General Board of Global Ministries. She served as reserve delegate to General Conference in 2016.

Rev. Siosifa Hingano: Clergy delegate from the California-Nevada Annual Conference – Sifa has been involved in many committees, including serving as a co-chair for the Conference Order of Elders, chair of the Ethnic Committee, and a board member of the General Commission on Religion and Race. He is the pastor of Laurel UMC in Oakland, CA. He served as delegate reserve delegate to the General Conference in 2016.