Founded in 1998 by Aitaoto “Ace” Salu, the Pacific Island Community of Oregon (PICO) was built on a simple but powerful belief: sports have the ability to change lives. As a former athlete, Ace envisioned a program that would use athletics as a vehicle to educate, mentor, and inspire young people while strengthening their connection to their Pacific Island heritage.
That vision came to life with PICO’s first annual sports camp in 1999. What began as a summer athletic program quickly grew into something far greater—a place where youth could build confidence, develop leadership skills, foster lifelong friendships, and learn the values of discipline, teamwork, and service in a safe, supportive environment.
Over the years, PICO expanded its impact beyond the playing field. Through partnerships with organizations including the International Refugee Center of Oregon (IRCO), PICO established learning centers that provided after-school tutoring, homework assistance, computer access, arts programming, and mentorship for more than 100 Asian and Pacific Islander students, helping countless young people thrive both academically and personally.
Today, PICO enters a new chapter as the next generation of the Salu family carries the mission forward. Drawing from their experience as NCAA Division I football players, Timothy, Malakai, and Nate Salu are bringing fresh energy and perspective to the camp while remaining deeply rooted in the values on which it was founded. Their commitment is to continue empowering young athletes—not only to excel in sports, but to become confident leaders in their families, schools, and communities.
At PICO, sports may bring young people through the doors, but they leave with something much greater: lifelong lessons in leadership, character, resilience, and pride in who they are.
PICO prohibits discrimination based on age, color, creed, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.