The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) conducts a broad range of activities to enhance the quality of life in the Pacific islands. In 1980, under the visionary leadership of Fiji Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi, a special East-West Center program was formed to specifically address the unique issues island nations face as they emerge from decades of colonization. The founding mission of PIDP is to assist Pacific Islands’ leaders to advance their collective efforts to achieve and sustain equitable social and economic development.