THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2021 INSIGHTS 7:30 - 8:30 PM >>Lara: FOR THE PAST FEW DECADES, MICRONESIANS HAVE BEEN ON THE MOVE.

THOUSANDS HAVE MIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES IN SEARCH OF BETTER EDUCATION, JOBS AND HEALTH CARE.

BUT THE TRANSITION IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.

WE'LL DISCUSS THE VARIOUS CHALLENGES FROM LANGUAGE BARRIERS TO DISCRIMINATION.

THAT'S NEXT ON INSIGHTS.

>> HAWAI'I IS KNOWN TO BE A MELTING POT OF CULTURES STEMMING FROM THE PLANTATION DAYS.

IN RECENT YEARS, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM MICRONESIA HAVE MIGRATED TO HAWAI'I UNDER THE COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION WITH THE UNITED STATES.

MANY IN THE MICRONESIAN COMMUNITY SAY THEY MOVED TO OUR ISLANDS FOR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES, BUT INSTEAD THEY ARE FACED WITH BIAS AND DISCRIMINATION.

SO WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RESOLVE THE ETHNIC TENSION?

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I START NOW.

¶ ¶ >>Lara: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.

I'M LARA YAMADA.

MICRONESIANS ARE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING GROUPS OF PEOPLE SETTLING IN HAWAI'I.

THEY ARE OFTEN LUMPED AS ONE, BUT THE REGION IS COMPRISED OF THOUSANDS OF SMALL ISLANDS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN.

IT'S ESTIMATED THAT 15 TO 17,000 MICRONESIANS ARE LIVING ACROSS HAWAI'I.

THEY'VE COME HERE THROUGH THE COMPACTS OF FREE ASSOCIATION OR COFA.

THE AGREEMENT ALLOWS CITIZENS FROM THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS AND THE REPUBLIC OF PALAU TO LIVE AND WORK FREELY IN THE UNITED STATES, IN EXCHANGE FOR U.S. MILITARY CONTROL OF STRATEGIC LANDS AND WATERS IN THE REGION.

WHILE MICRONESIANS COMPRISE ONLY ONE PERCENT OF THE STATE'S TOTAL POPULATION, MANY HAVE ENCOUNTERED BIAS, DISCRIMINATION AND A GENERAL LACK OF RESPECT.

OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL DISCUSS HOW WE CAN CHANGE THE STEREOTYPE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL, CALL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

SHANTY SIGRAH ASHER IS THE PACIFIC ISLANDER LIAISON OFFICER AT THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

SHE EARNED A MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE FROM CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY AND A LAW DEGREE IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE CURRENTLY SITS ON THE HAWAII BOARD OF EDUCATION.

PHILIOS URUMAN IS FROM FANANU ISLAND IN CHUUK.

AT AGE 11, HE AND HIS FAMILY SETTLED IN WAI'ANAE.

HE IS A PROJECT MANAGER AND PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETER OF THE CHUUKESE LANGUAGE WITH LANGUAGE SERVICES HAWAI'I.

HE IS ALSO THE CO-FOUNDER OF NOHNO, A PRIVATE VIRTUAL ORGANIZATION TO HELP MIGRANTS TRANSITION WHEN THEY MOVE ABROAD.

AND DR. WILFRED ALIK IS A FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN WHO SERVES AS CLINIC CHIEF FOR THE KAISER PERMANENTE MEDICAL CENTER IN HILO.

BORN AND RAISED IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, HE ATTENDED COLLEGE ON THE MAINLAND AND EARNED HIS MEDICAL DEGREE FROM THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT U.H.

MANOA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON A COMPLICATED AND IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR US.

FIRST, DR. ALIK, I'LL START WITH YOU.

I WANT TO SET THE STAGE A LITTLE BIT TO GIVE PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT AS TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND SORT OF WHAT HAPPENED.

MANY PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE HISTORY BETWEEN THE MICRONESIAN AND UNITED STATES.

ABOUT 1946 TO 1958, USA HAD BEEN CONDUCTING NUCLEAR TESTS.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS.

MARSHALL ISLANDS, BIKINI ATOLL.

CAN YOU EXPAND, AND WHY THE U.S. WAS DOING NUCLEAR TEST AT THE TIME?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, FIRST OF ALL.

THANK YOU FOR THE INVITE AND FOR THIS FORUM TO ADDRESS THIS, REALLY AFFECTING THE MICRONESIAN COMMUNITY.

YEAH, IT'S A GOOD PLACE TO START.

BEFORE THE COMPACT, THESE MICRONESIAN ISLANDS WITH DECADES OF RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES.

AFTER WORLD WAR II, I BELIEVE 1945, THE UNITED STATES ASSUMED ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT OF THESE ISLANDS UNDER THE U.N.

AGREEMENTS AT THE TIME.

MAIN OBJECTIVE WAS TO MAKE THESE ISLANDS MORE ECONOMIC RELIANT.

AT THE SAME TIME, IN THE MIDST OF THE WORLD WAR, THEY STARTED CONDUCTING NUCLEAR WEAPON TESTING ON THE ISLAND OF BIKINI AND MARSHALL ISLANDS.

THERE WERE 86 TESTINGS CONDUCTED.

INCLUDING THE MOST -- IT'S THE BOMB, FIRST ERA.

FIRST BY MANKIND.

STRONGEST EVER.

EQUIVALENT TO ONE THOUSAND HIROSHIMA BOMBS, THAT WAS THE STRENGTH OF TESTS.

AS A RESULT OF THE TESTING PEOPLE OF BIKINI ISLANDS MOVED FROM THE ISLAND.

THIS ISLAND IS NO LONGER HABITABLE.

THESE GUYS ARE -- IN THEIR OWN ISLANDS.

THERE WERE SEVERAL ISLANDS IMPACTED BY THE FALLOUT.

WE BELIEVE THIS DAMAGE WENT BEYOND THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, MAYBE ALL THE WAY TO THE REST OF MICRONESIA.

THE STRENGTH OF THE TESTING.

NOW, RIGHT AT THE END OF THE ADMINISTRATION, UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THESE ISLANDS WERE GIVEN POLITICAL STATUS.

AT ONE POINT THERE WAS ONE MICRONESIA, INCLUDING MARIANAS.

IN THEIR CHOICE, THEY WERE SPLIT INTO FOUR ENTITIES.

MARIANAS BECAME COMMONWEALTH.

PALAU BECAME PAL -- AND THE REST BECAME THE FEDERAL STATES OF MICRONESIA.

COMPACT IS THE TREATIES BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT ENTITIES WITH THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S VERY SIMPLE.

THESE ISLANDS ARE GIVEN TO THE UNITED STATES SO THEY HOLD THE STRATEGIC NEEDLE POWERS.

NO OTHER NATIONS CAN ENTER MILITARY WITHOUT CONTEMPT.

IN EXCHANGE FOR ISLAND PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO MIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT VISA TO LIVE AND WORK.

IT'S NOT REALLY COMPENSATION.

IT'S A TREATY BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO ISLANDS.

IN EXCHANGE, ALONG WITH THE RIGHTS TO MIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE RELATIONSHIP.

NEUTRAL BENEFITS TO BOTH SOVEREIGN NATIONS.

AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE HERE.

COMING HERE FOR MEDICAL REASONS SEEKING BETTER HEALTH, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

AND IT CAN BE FOR OTHER PEOPLE, IF THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE, THE HISTORY, I CAN SEE WHY THEY COULD BE VITRIOLIC.

>>Lara: I DEFINITELY WANT TO GET INTO SOME OF THESE DIFFERENT AREAS THAT I THINK ARE REALLY IMPORTANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW INCREDIBLY TRAUMATIZING THIS HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS, AND RECENT YEARS.

MAYBE SHANTY, I THINK I READ SOME OF THE ARTICLES THAT YOU PUT OUT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE, EXPLAINING WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH AND GIVING PEOPLE A SENSE, ALL OF YOU REALLY, GIVING PEOPLE A SENSE OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE AND WHAT IT'S BEEN LIKE AND WHAT IT CONTINUES TO BE LIKE FOR PEOPLE COMING HERE AND DISPLACED IN THAT WAY.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE, AND WHAT YOU RECALL THAT WAS LIKE TRYING TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION AND COMING HERE AND DEALING WITH ALL THE CHALLENGES HERE IN THE ISLANDS OR ELSEWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M GOING TO RESPOND, BUT CAN I PLEASE, I WANT TO ECHO DR. ALIK, THANKING ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING THIS PLATFORM POSSIBLE AND FOR THE INVITATION.

AND FOR THE VIEWERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FOLLOWING US.

THIS IS, LIKE LARA SAID EARLIER, IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR MANY OF US, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR CHILDREN.

AND FOR MYSELF, I WANT TO SAY THAT UNLIKE MANY OF OUR KIDS WHO CALL HAWAI'I THEIR HOME, FOR MANY OF THEM, THEY WERE BORN AND RAISED HERE.

THIS IS THEIR HOME.

FOR ME, I WAS ONE OF THE 14 -- ESPECIALLY IN LOOKING AT THE EXPERIENCES THAT OUR FELLOW PACIFIC ISLANDERS ARE GOING THROUGH.

I CAME HERE GROUNDED.

I AM PROUD TO BE MICRONESIAN BECAUSE I WAS BORN, AND I WAS GROWN INTO THE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES THAT WE KNOW DEFINES US.

SO WHEN I CAME HERE WAY BACK IN 1999, I CAN SAY I WAS ONE OF THE FORTUNATE ONES BECAUSE THERE WERE FEW MICRONESIANS HERE.

WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY BEING MICRONESIAN BECAUSE NO ONE REALLY KNOWS ABOUT THIS POPULATION.

SO WE ENJOYED JUST GOING OUT TO THE BEACH.

GOING TO THE AIRPORT.

THERE IS NOTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT BEING MICRONESIAN BACK THEN.

AND THEN FAST FORWARD.

ACTUALLY FAST FORWARD TO 2010.

THAT'S WHEN THERE WAS AN UPRISE IN DISCRIMINATION.

WE STARTED MAKING IT TO THE FRONT PAGE OF THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER.

STAR ADVERTISER BECAUSE OF NEGATIVE COVERAGE.

AND I REMEMBER I WAS DOING MY MASTERS AT THAT TIME, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THAT KIND OF TRIGGERED MY INTEREST AND CURIOSITY.

WHY?

WHY IS IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WE STARTED MAKING IT TO THE FRONT PAGE?

AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE GOOD PEOPLE AT THAT TIME BUT WHY?

I CALLED THE POLICE STATION AND SPOKE TO ONE OF THE CHIEFS TO SEE IF I CAN DO MY PAPER ON VIOLENCE.

AND HE SAID, IT'S ACTUALLY IF YOU WANT TO DO MORE RESEARCH AND DATA STATISTICS ON THIS ISSUE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET GOOD DATA BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY HAVE ENOUGH, AND YOU'RE STILL UNDER PACIFIC ISLANDER SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY TOUGH FOR YOU TO HAVE DATA.

FROM THERE ON, I STARTED WONDERING ABOUT THIS INCREASE IN NEGATIVE, THIS HATE.

IT STARTED GOING ON THE STATIONS.

I STARTED NOT WANTING TO TURN ON THE RADIO IN THE MORNING BECAUSE THEY STARTED MAKING ALL THESE JOKES THAT ARE VERY OFFENSIVE.

AND THEN I THOUGHT THAT WAS BAD.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY.

OVER A DECADE FROM TODAY, FROM 2010 UNTIL NOW, I DID NOT -- TO BE HONEST, ALL THAT WAS GOING ON, IT DID NOT GET EASIER.

IT GOT WORSE.

WE LEFT IN 2010 BACK TO MICRONESIA.

I DID NOT WANT TO RAISE MY KIDS IN THIS CLIMATE.

ONE THING I WANT FOR THEM TO HAVE IS PRIDE.

PRIDE OF WHO THEY ARE, AND THEY'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET THAT IF THEY CONTINUED TO LIVE IN THIS CLIMATE.

>>Lara: SHANTY, DO YOU FEEL -- MANY YEARS HAVE GONE BY.

DO YOU FEEL YOU BETTER IDENTIFY?

YOU IDENTIFY THE PERIOD OF TIME AROUND 2010 WHEN YOU FELT THERE WAS AN UPRISING, NEGATIVITY.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND IT NOW?

WHAT WAS HAPPENING AT THE TIME?

>> THERE ARE MANY FACTORS CAUSING THIS.

MANY PEOPLE COVERED IT IN DIFFERENT TALKS.

ONE THING THAT -- ONE ANSWER THAT MANY PEOPLE SAY, OH, EVERY ETHNICITY, EVERY RACE THAT COMES HERE GO THROUGH THAT.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE ABOUT OUR GROUP, THERE IS SOCIAL MEDIA.

WITH ONE CLICK, ONE UPDATE ON A STATUS, IT GOES VIRAL.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT I FEEL EXACERBATED ALL THE NEGATIVITIES THAT USED TO BE COVERED ON A NEWSPAPER.

TODAY IT'S EASY TO JUST SEND IT OUT, AND WITH PEOPLE THAT DON'T NEED THAT JUSTIFICATION, IT'S EASIER TO RECRUIT.

I'M GOING TO SAY IT'S EASIER -- SO BESIDES THE NUMBERS, INFLUX OF MIGRATION, COUPLED WITH SOCIAL MEDIA AND HOW EASY IT IS TO GET OUT INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY NEGATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS POPULATION, IT IS VERY DISTURBING.

>>Lara: I WANT TO GET TO MORE OF THAT AS FAR AS WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.

WHY?

PHILIOS, I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH TO MAKE THE TRANSITION HERE AND YOUR FAMILY, AS WELL.

YOU'VE DONE AN AWFUL LOT TO HELP YOUR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

BUT TALKING TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN MAKING THAT TRANSITION OVER THE YEARS AND TRYING TO DO THAT FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FOR YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALONG WITH SHANTY AND DR. ALIK, I ALSO WANTED TO THANK YOU.

I MOVED TO HAWAI'I WHEN I WAS 11 YEARS OLD, AND IT WAS DURING THE TIME WHEN MANY MICRONESIANS STARTED TO MIGRATE FROM HOME TO HAWAI'I.

VERY LARGE NUMBER OF MICRONESIANS LIVED OUT HERE.

AFTER MOVING TO HAWAI'I, I HAD TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE.

TODAY I'M VERY FLUENT, BUT I HAD TO LEARN IT AT AGE 11.

AS A YOUNG MICRONESIAN, I GET TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE EASIER THAN THE OLDER FOLKS.

SO WHILE LIVING HERE, I HAD TO ABILITY AS THE INTERPRETER FOR MY FAMILY.

FOR MY MOM, AUNTY, COUSINS, UNCLE.

WHEN APPLYING FOR CIVIL SERVICES FOR JOBS AND WHEN THEY GO TO DO THINGS.

I REMEMBER ONE TIME, I HAD TO SKIP SCHOOL BECAUSE MY COUSIN WAS TAKING HER SON, MY NEPHEW, TO THE HOSPITAL WAS AFRAID TO GO TO HERSELF BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS BEING SAID TO HER.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO SPEAK FOR HERSELF OR ASK QUESTIONS.

IT'S HARDER FOR HER TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.

I HAD TO SKIP SCHOOL AND WENT WITH HER TO HER APPOINTMENT.

>>Lara: PHILIOS, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES IN TRYING TO ASSIMILATE AND TO FIND A PLACE HERE TO BE COMFORTABLE AND FIND SUCCESS, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH JOB OR WORK OR FINANCES?

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF STEREOTYPES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT STICKS OUT THE MOST, BUT WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO ADDRESS?

AND HOW WOULD YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO SOME OF THOSE STEREOTYPES?

>> I THINK IT'S GOOD WHEN PEOPLE COME HERE, AND ALSO KNOWS HOW THINGS WORK IN THE WESTERN WORLD.

LIKE IN HAWAI'I.

ONE, PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW IT'S A LAW THAT EVERY AGENCY WHO GOT FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO PROVIDE AN INTERPRETER.

AS AN IMMIGRANT TO HAWAI'I, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REQUEST FOR AN INTERPRETER.

IF YOU GO TO THE HOSPITAL, ASK FOR AN INTERPRETER.

IF YOU GO TO COURT, IT'S A VERY HARD LANGUAGE.

SOMEONE WHO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE IS LOST IN COURT.

ASK FOR AN INTERPRETER.

>>Lara: THIS REALLY IS A QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU.

DR. ALIK, I WANT TO GET BACK TO YOU AND TALK ABOUT THE COFA AGREEMENT AND HOW THAT BREAKS DOWN AND WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND.

SHANTY, LET ME GET BACK TO YOU ABOUT THE STEREOTYPES AND WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU, AS WELL?

AND WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE?

WHAT DO YOU FEEL THAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND OR JUST BE AWARE OF WITH SOME OF THESE STEREOTYPES THAT SEEMS TO BE LINGERING, BEING SPREAD MORE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND OTHER ENTITIES?

>> THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE FROM MICRONESIA THAT ARE DOING GREAT WORK.

DEFINITELY BEHIND THE SCENES.

ONE THING I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT A LOT OF OUR CHILDREN ARE GETTING BULLIED IN SCHOOL, AND THEY JUST WANT TO HAVE THAT SENSE OF BELONGING.

THAT'S WHY MY BEING A BOARD MEMBER OF HAWAI'I STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME AS A MICRONESIAN BECAUSE THAT CREATES THAT BRIDGE.

HOPEFULLY, THERE IS MORE COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP AS WE MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE ONE THING I WANT TO SHARE, LARA, IS HAWAI'I IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME AND MANY MICRONESIANS BECAUSE THIS IS THE PLACE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ATTAIN EDUCATION TO GET WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY.

WITHOUT THE COMPACT AGREEMENT AND THE BENEFITS THAT IT OFFERED, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO HAWAI'I TO FURTHER MY EDUCATION.

SO IT'S VERY DEAR TO ALL OF US.

WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE WANT TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND WE WANT TO FIX WHATEVER ARE THE PROBLEMS.

IF THERE ARE MISUNDERSTANDINGS, WE WANT TO ADDRESS OR ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS BECAUSE IT HAS TO START HAPPENING SO THAT OUR KIDS CAN HAVE EQUITY AND ACCESS TO BRIGHTER FUTURE JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

AND SO WE'RE HERE REALLY TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE AND ALSO OUR GRATITUDE.

WE UNDERSTAND THERE ARE CHALLENGES, BUT WE ARE HERE GRATEFUL, AND WE WANT TO GET BETTER IN BUILDING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

>>Lara: SHANTY, WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE BIGGEST STEREOTYPES AND DAMAGING MISCONCEPTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED OR BE DEBUNKED?

>> THAT WE DO NOT VALUE EDUCATION.

OUR PARENTS DO NOT VALUE EDUCATION BECAUSE THERE'S CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.

I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON SCHOOL BECAUSE THAT IS THE KEY TO CAPACITY BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT.

AND MAYBE PROVIDING THE ACCESS FOR OUR KIDS TO THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN DROPPED OUT AND LOST IN WHATEVER VENTURES THEY'RE GOING THROUGH.

IT'S HAVING THOSE MISCONCEPTIONS THAT WE DON'T VALUE EDUCATION WHEN OUR KIDS DO NOT SHOW UP TO SCHOOL.

IT DOES NOT MEAN PARENTS DON'T VALUE EDUCATION.

MANY CAN'T AFFORD A BABY-SITTER.

WE GAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AT AN EARLIER AGE.

SOME MAY FEEL INTIMIDATED TO GO BACK TO A SCHOOL THAT MAY HAVE SAID SOMETHING TO THEM THAT WAS HURTFUL.

REALLY, THE GOALS ARE I KNOW THAT THE D.O.E.

HOPES OF PROVIDING EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE TO ALL.

THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO BUILD.

FIRST IS TO PROVIDE A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR NOT JUST OUR STUDENTS BUT FOR OUR PARENTS.

>>Lara: DR. ALIK, AS A FAMILY MEDICINE DOCTOR, YOU HEAR THEIR STORIES AND DEAL WITH THEIR STRUGGLES.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING THAT REALLY STANDS OUT?

AND WE'LL GET TO THE MEDICAL ASPECT MORE IN A LITTLE BIT, BUT AS YOU WORK AND TREAT AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE FAMILIES THAT COME IN TO SEE YOU, WHAT STANDS OUT AS FAR AS MISCONCEPTIONS THAT ARE DAMAGING AND MOST DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO OVERCOME?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST CULTURAL MISCONCEPTIONS, THEY DON'T SHOW UP FOR THEIR APPOINTMENTS.

PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN BIG FAMILY UNITS, FAMILY COMES FIRST.

FAMILY NEEDS COME FIRST.

EVEN IF THEY HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY, BUT IT'S MY DAUGHTER'S BIRTHDAY TODAY, I'M GOING TO ATTEND HER BIRTHDAY.

WHEN THEY DON'T SHOW UP FOR THEIR APPOINTMENT, THEY'RE LABELED NONCOMPLIANT.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO -- ALL THESE CULTURAL NUANCES THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND.

LIKE MANY PACIFIC ISLAND CULTURES, FAMILY COMES FIRST.

>>Lara: PHILIOS, I KNOW WITH A LOT OF HOSPITAL SYSTEMS HERE, NOT ONLY A NEED FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN SPEAK THE LANGUAGE BUT WHO UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE AND CAN INTERPRET THE CULTURE WHETHER IT BE TREATMENT OR SERVICES NEEDED.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT STAND OUT TO YOU AS FAR AS MISCONCEPTIONS, STEREOTYPES AND/OR THINGS THAT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED WITHIN THE CULTURE THAT NEED TO BE INTERPRET AND THE SHARED?

PHILIOS, THAT'S TO YOU AS AN INTERPRETER.

>> OH.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

>>Lara: THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IS WHEN PEOPLE ASSUMING THAT OTHERS SPEAK ENGLISH BECAUSE WHEN THEY CHECK IN AT THE FRONT DESK, THEY ANSWER A YES OR NO QUESTION, WHAT'S YOUR NAME QUESTION, THEY WERE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE.

WHEN THEY CHECK THEM, THEY ALREADY CHECK IT OFF THAT ENGLISH IS A PRIMARY LANGUAGE.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT MANY PLACES HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY NEED TO ASK, WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY LANGUAGE SO THAT THEY KNOW WHAT LANGUAGE THESE PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING.

>>Lara: WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE?

I SAW YOU ABOUT TO RAISE YOUR HAND, DOCTOR, AND I'LL GET TO YOU IN A SECOND.

WHAT IS NOT BEING PROVIDED DESPITE YOUR EFFORTS OR INCLUDED IN THE INTERPRETATION OR TYPES OF SERVICES TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE BEING TRULY UNDERSTOOD, NOT JUST THROUGH WORDS BUT AS FAR AS THE CULTURE OR OTHER ASPECTS OF THE FAMILY THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THAT INTERPRETATION.

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN INTERPRETING SERVICE.

IN LANGUAGE ACCESS.

ONE IS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE TRAINING AVAILABLE FOR INTERPRETERS.

AND ALSO FOR THE STATE OF HAWAI'I, ACTUALLY I DON'T THINK SO THERE'S A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR ANY OF THE LANGUAGES.

AND WITH THE JUDICIARY, WE DO NOT HAVE THE LANGUAGE TEST FOR THE MARSHALLESE AND CHUUKESE.

ALL THE MICRONESIAN LANGUAGE THAT WE HAVE IN HAWAI'I, SO INTERPRETERS ARE NOT -- THEY'RE STARTING AT ENTRY LEVEL.

INTERPRETERS HAVE TO BRANCH OUT AND FIND JOBS BECAUSE OF THAT REASON.

EITHER THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH HOURS OR THERE IS -- THEY GO AND WORK AT A FULL-TIME JOB WITH BENEFITS.

ONE THING IS THE STATE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE MAINLAND COMPANY, AND OFTENTIMES WHEN OUR DEPARTMENTS CALL THE AGENCY, THEY ARE NOT ANSWERING THEIR PHONE.

THEY'RE SLEEPING OR IT'S AFTER WORK HOURS.

THEY WOULD TELL THE OTHER PERSON, I'M SORRY, THERE'S NO INTERPRETER AVAILABLE.

YOU HAVE TO CALL BACK LATER.

AND I SEE IT AS A VERY PROBLEMATIC SYSTEM FOR OUR PEOPLE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE, THERE WERE VERY LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE, AND IT OPENS FOR SUCH A SHORT TIME.

IN THAT SHORT TIME, PEOPLE FEEL ALL THE [INAUDIBLE] FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

IF THEY WERE TO CALL AND THERE WAS NO INTERPRETER AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO LOSE THAT SPOT.

I WANT TO SAY THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD INTERPRETERS OUT THERE, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS IN THE STATE OF HAWAI'I, AND WE HAD A NUMBER OF AGENCIES WHO ARE REALLY, REALLY GOOD.

>>Lara: WE DEFINITELY WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR AGENCY AS WELL BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I WANT TO GET TO, TO ADDRESS WHAT YOU'RE DOING WHEN YOU STARTED WITH NOHNO.

HOLD ON THAT FOR A LITTLE BIT.

DR. ALIK, I SAW YOU RAISED YOUR HAND THERE AND YOU HAD COMMENTS?

>> YES.

THANK YOU.

WHAT PHILIOS WAS SAYING ABOUT THE LANGUAGE ACCESS.

THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

LANGUAGE IS THE KEY.

HAS TO BE NOT JUST CULTURALLY CONFIDENT BUT VERY SENSITIVE.

THAT NEEDS TO BE ALMOST LIKE A MANDATE.

A LOT OF TIMES, YOU'LL SEE PATIENTS, AND THEY DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF ACCESS.

SO THAT NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT'S TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

AND MEDICAL CARE.

>>Lara: WE ALL KNOW IT'S 8:00.

CHECK.

LET'S GET BACK TO DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BIG AREAS, WHICH IS COFA.

COMPACTS OF FREE ASSOCIATION.

MAYBE GIVE US A SUMMARY AS TO WHAT EXACTLY THE COFA AGREEMENT IS FOR PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND.

WHAT IT'S THERE FOR.

A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS TO THIS DAY ABOUT THIS BEING FREE MONEY FOR PEOPLE IN MICRONESIA.

AND THEY'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THIS IS A SPECIFIC AGREEMENT FOR SPECIFIC REASONS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF DEADLINES COMING UP THAT COULD IMPACT THIS.

WHO WANTS TO EXPLAIN THIS TO FOLKS?

SHANTY MAYBE OR DR. ALIK.

>> MAYBE I CAN.

IN 1986, THE REPUBLIC OF MARSHALL ISLANDS ENTERED INTO A TREATY WITH THE UNITED STATES.

SAME WITH THE FEDERAL STATE OF MICRONESIA AND YEAR BEFORE THAT WAS PALAU.

THAT WAS THE FIRST CONTACT, 1986 TO 2003, I BELIEVE.

AND THERE WAS A SECOND FROM 2004 UNTIL I THINK END IN 2024.

AND THEY'RE IN THE PROGRESS OF NEGOTIATIONS.

IT'S BASICALLY AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THESE ISLAND NATIONS AND THE UNITED STATES.

UNITED STATES HAS THE VETO TO POWER OVER THE ISLANDS.

AS FAR AS SECURITY AND MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THE MICRONESIANS TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT VISA TO LIVE AND WORK.

AND ONE OF THE -- IN 1996, THERE WAS A ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES THAT IMPACTED THE MICRONESIAN COMMUNITY, WAS THE CHANGE TO BENEFITS TO THE MICRONESIANS.

1996 REFORM LAW, WHICH MADE THE ISLAND PEOPLE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAID.

>>Lara: NOT ELIGIBLE?

>> MEDICAID.

IT'S BEEN RESTORED RECENTLY, BUT IT TOOK ABOUT 25 YEARS.

IT WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT WHERE THE STATUS OF THE MICRONESIANS WERE CONSIDERED NONQUALIFIED, NONCITIZENS.

WAS CHANGED FROM QUALIFIED TO NONQUALIFIED, MADE THEM INELIGIBLE.

THAT MADE IT HARD.

>>Lara: AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME IN, PLENTY OF SUPPORTIVE QUESTIONS WHICH I'LL GET TO.

THIS LEADS TO SOME STEREOTYPES IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN MORE, THIS COMMENT FROM ONE SOMEONE IN KAIMUKI.

I SEE COUPLES WITH CHILDREN, UNEMPLOYED.

THEY'RE HERE TO COLLECT WELFARE AND OUR COMMUNITY SUFFERS.

IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE MONIES FROM THIS COFA AGREEMENT.

WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO FOR AND WHY IT'S BEEN FAR MORE CHALLENGING THAN PEOPLE MIGHT THINK.

MAYBE DR. ALIK, IF YOU COULD EXPAND ON THAT.

>> YES.

PART OF THE AGREEMENT IS TO BUILD THE ECONOMY OF THESE ISLAND NATIONS.

NATION BUILDING.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS, I THINK, WHEN THE COMPACT WAS NEGOTIATED, ASSESSMENT AS TO WHAT DO WE REALLY NEED?

ONE OF THE ISSUES.

AND THERE WAS NO TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO MAKE SURE MONEY WAS USED FOR THE RIGHT PURPOSE.

THAT'S ONE OF ISSUES.

>> THEY WEREN'T GETTING THE MONEY OR THEY WEREN'T GETTING WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO?

>> THEY WERE GETTING THE MONEY.

THERE WAS NO ASSESSMENT.

AND THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE TO HELP THEM BUILD THIS ECONOMY.

THERE WAS MONEY.

QUESTION WAS, WAS IT ENOUGH?

NUMBER TWO, WAS IT USED THE RIGHT WAY?

THAT'S ONE ISSUE.

AND THAT'S THE HEALTH SERVICES, WHICH IS ANOTHER ISSUE.

NOW IF WE WERE TO TAKE THE PEOPLE OF BIKINI, WHICH WERE AFFECTED BY THE RADIATIONS.

THINK ABOUT IT.

THERE IS NO -- YOU WOULD THINK THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME KIND OF CANCER CENTER TO TAKE CARE OF THESE FOLKS.

NONE IS DONE.

>>Lara: THIS IS A SEVERE HIGH, HIGH LEVELS OF RADIATION THEY WERE EXPOSED TO.

>> ALL THERE WAS WAS A CLINIC.

RESULT, A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME HERE TO TAKE CARE.

THAT'S THE ISSUE THAT DROVE A LOT OF PEOPLE UP TO GET MEDICAL CARE.

>>Lara: IT WAS DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THEM TO GET THE CARE THEY NEEDED BECAUSE THEY WERE SO DEEPLY, MEDICALLY WOUNDED BY WHAT HAPPENED.

>> EXACTLY.

AND THEY NEED SPECIAL CARE.

LIKE ONCOLOGY, CT SCAN AND MRI.

NONE WAS BUILT IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS UP TO TODAY.

THAT IMPACTED A LOT OF FOLKS, TO RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>>Lara: SHANTY, I SAW YOU RAISE YOUR HAND.

ANOTHER STEREOTYPE IS THE HEALTH PROBLEMS WHERE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY'RE SEEING WITH SOME OF THESE CULTURES IS GENETIC.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY UNDERSTAND TO WHAT EXTENT HOW THIS RADIATION IMPACTED GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES.

>> CORRECT.

PEOPLE WEREN'T ABLE TO EAT FROM THE LANDS.

ONCE YOU DESTROY THE LAND, PEOPLE DEPEND ON FISH.

WE'RE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PTSD.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT.

>> THESE GUYS WERE TRAUMATIZED.

ABOUT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL.

NUCLEAR.

THESE ARE LONG LASTING.

>>Lara: SHANTY, GO AHEAD.

>> I WANTED TO ADD ON, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING WHY ARE WE GIVING THEM MONEY, AND THEY'RE STILL COMING?

FOR A DEVELOPING COUNTRY, THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS TO BUILD ECONOMY.

I'M GOING TO START WITH ONE.

TOURISM.

WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS FOR SOMEONE TO VISIT THE ISLANDS?

THE ONLY AIRLINE THAT SERVES THE MICRONESIAN ISLANDS IS UNITED.

AND IT'S GOING TO COST ONE PERSON FOR A ROUND TRIP TICKET, NO HOTEL, NO RENTAL.

IT'S GOING TO COST ONE PERSON $1,100 TO GO AND COME BACK.

IF WE WANT TO BUILD A GOOD, SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, IT IS NOT APPEALING FOR TOURISTS TO GO THERE BECAUSE OF COST.

IF WE WANT TO CREATE FISHERIES OR OTHER MECHANISMS TO BUILD THE ECONOMY AS FAR AS TRADE AND WHATNOT, PART OF THAT AGREEMENT IS TO GET APPROVAL FROM THE UNITED STATES TO ENTER INTO OTHERS REGIONAL AGREEMENTS.

SO WITH TRADE, THERE ARE MANY CHALLENGES TO COST.

HOW MUCH DOES IT TAKE FOR YOU TO TRADE IDENTITY?

IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, THERE ARE A LOT OF ROOT CAUSES THAT REALLY, WHEN YOU TAKE IN A DEVELOPING NATION TO BUILD IT, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAS TO BE STRUCTURED AT THE BEGINNING.

RIGHT NOW, I DO NOT THINK THERE IS INCREASE OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE ISLANDS.

IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE THAT STARTED WORKING THERE.

THEY'RE STILL THERE, MOST OF THEM.

WHEN WE HAVE KIDS THAT GRADUATED AND NEED JOBS, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH JOBS.

THIS IS ACTUALLY SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, BUT I CAN SPEAK TO MOST OF IT.

THERE ARE CHALLENGES TO BUILDING THAT ECONOMY.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER.

WHEN WE SPOKE ABOUT WHAT DID WE BRING INTO THIS TREATY?

NATIONAL SECURITY.

THAT IS ONE THING THAT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT A DOLLAR AMOUNT IN, AND ONE OF MY VISITS TO KONA, THERE WERE A LOT IN THAT HIGH SCHOOL.

AND I KNOW THAT BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM IS A CHALLENGE FOR THIS GROUP OF KIDS BECAUSE THERE'S JUST SO MANY NEGATIVITY THAT DEFINES THEM.

SO I WANTED TO JUST GIVE THEM A SENSE OF WHY WE ARE IMPORTANT TO THE UNITED STATES, AND WHAT WE BRING TO THE STAGE IS NATIONAL SECURITY.

MILLIONS OF SQUARE MILES OF WATER THAT IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THAT IS, TO ME, OF VALUE.

AND SO MANY PEOPLE THAT CAME HERE, SOME OF THEM DON'T HAVE A CHOICE.

THEY NEED TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR MANY OF THEIR FAMILIES, AND THAT'S NOT AN OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY GET AT HOME SO THEY COME HERE.

IT'S MORE DIFFICULT THAN EVER WHEN THERE IS STEREOTYPES AND DISCRIMINATION WHERE YOU GO AND YOU LOOK MICRONESIAN, IT'S NOT AN APPEALING AND ATTRACTIVE CHOICE, BUT PEOPLE COME KNOWING THAT BECAUSE THEY NEED TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>>Lara: YOU GOT TO BILL IN KAILUA'S QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST NEED FOR MICRONESIANS MOVING TO HAWAI'I?

WE TALKED ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP.

BEING IN THIS AREA IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN, THAT WE ALL NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE HOW THIS RELATIONSHIP IS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.

I SEE YOU THERE, DR. ALIK.

I WANTED TO MENTION A COUPLE COMMENTS.

ALBERT SAYS, SMOKING AND DRINKING ON BUS IS WHAT POPPED INTO MIND.

SOME CHALLENGES MIGHT MAKE IT APPEAR.

SUSAN HERE, FORMER NURSE.

I LIVED IN HAWAI'I 52 YEARS.

WAS IN THE PEACE CORPS.

THEY ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, WELCOMING, WARM PEOPLE.

I DON'T WHY THEY'RE MET WITH SO MUCH NEGATIVITY.

I THINK IT GOES BACK TO PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING THE LAYERS OF COMPLEXITY AND CHALLENGE.

AND HOW ANY HUMAN BEING MIGHT REACT TO THAT.

DR. ALIK, I SAW YOU RAISE YOUR HAND.

>> I THINK THE COMPACT NEGOTIATORS, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO BUILD THIS ECONOMY.

THEY MADE THAT CLAUSE THAT PEOPLE CAN COME HERE TO THE UNITED STATES.

VISA-FREE AND TO FIND JOBS.

THIS IMPACT IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.

>>Lara: SO LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE COFA AGREEMENT.

THERE ARE TIME LINES.

RIGHT NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE SET TO EXPIRE IN TWO YEARS.

SEPARATE AGREEMENT WITH REPUBLIC OF PALAU EXPIRING IN 2024.

HOW CRITICAL IS IT TO RENEW THESE TREATIES?

IS THAT MAYBE TO YOU, DR. ALIK?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING, THE ECONOMIC PORTION OF THE COMPACT WILL EXPIRE BUT NOT THE SECURITY PORTION.

SPEAKING OF SECURITY, A LOT OF INDOCHINESE ARE TRYING TO MAKE A PLAY IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

CHINA IS MOVING THERE.

A LOT OF OTHER NATIONS ARE MOVING INTO THE BIG ZONE.

IF YOU LOOK IN THE OLD MICRONESIA MAP OF THE UNITED STATES, THREE MILLION SQUARE MILES BETWEEN MICRONESIA AND ASIAN COUNTRIES.

I THINK IT'S VERY CRITICAL.

I'VE READ NEWS REPORTS THAT UNITED STATES RECOGNIZE THAT I READ RECENTLY THAT CONGRESSMAN CASE, I BELIEVE, HAS A PLAN, TRYING TO RECOGNIZE THE ISLANDS AND MAKING SURE OF THE RELATIONSHIP.

I THINK IT'S VERY CRITICAL TO MAINTAIN THAT RELATIONSHIP.

>>Lara: WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING AT THIS POINT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE GOING TO BE EXTENDED?

AS TO WHERE THE DISCUSSION STANDS AND WHAT'S THE LIKELIHOOD OF THESE AGREEMENTS BEING EXTENDED?

>> THERE'S ACTUALLY ONGOING DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW BETWEEN THE TWO NATIONS.

>>Lara: SHANTY, IF YOU'RE PART OF THESE DISCUSSIONS AS FAR AS WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN OR WHAT MAY BE HAPPENING WITH THESE COFA AGREEMENTS AS THE SUNSET DATES START TO CLOSE IN.

>> LIKE DR. ALIK ALLUDED TO, THERE ARE CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS ON THOSE AREAS.

ONE THING THAT I KNOW TO BE TRUE AND NONNEGOTIABLE AND IMMIGRATION STATUS.

THAT IS NONNEGOTIABLE.

VISA-FREE ENTRY IS STILL THERE.

WHAT IS NEGOTIABLE IS ECONOMIC STATUS.

>>Lara: ARE THEY ONLY ALLOWED TO COME TO HAWAI'I?

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> MANY ARE ASKING WHY HAWAI'I?

IF YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOUR HOME, THAT IS ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO DO.

WHERE DO YOU GO TO?

SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO HOME.

A PACIFIC NEIGHBOR.

THAT'S WHY MANY OF US COME HERE.

BUT THERE HAS BEEN INCREASED MOVEMENT OUT TO THE MAINLAND BECAUSE OF ALL THAT'S GOING ON.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING VERY, VERY GOOD SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING INCLUDED IN WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

OREGON, WASHINGTON, ALL THE STATES ARE WELCOMING THE CITIZENS AND ALLOWING THEM TO BE A PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

SO MANY PEOPLE ASK WHY HERE?

THIS IS WHERE MANY OF US FEEL CLOSE TO HOME.

BUT THEN IT MAY CHANGE BECAUSE AT THE COST OF GETTING ALL THOSE COMMENTS, IT'S NOW DIFFERENT FROM WHEN MANY PEOPLE CAME TO WHERE THEY ARE NOW TO GO.

WORD OF MOUTH TRAVELS, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT WANTING TO GO THROUGH THAT LIFE.

>>Lara: I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS.

PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE TRANSITION TO A NEW CULTURE.

MIKE FROM MAKIKI.

TO PREPARE THEM WHAT TO EXTENT?

AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS FOR BETTER ACCLIMATION IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SHARE?

WHAT KIND OF HELP IS NEEDED?

AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH YOUR PROGRAM, WHICH YOU SAID STARTED QUITE RECENTLY.

TELL EVERYBODY ABOUT NOHNO.

>> I ACTUALLY LIKE THAT LAST QUESTION WHERE SOMEONE ASKED ABOUT PROGRAMS THAT NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE KIDS AND THE PARENTS.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE NEED MORE MICRONESIAN REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GOVERNMENT, AND IN PLACES THAT ARE REGIONAL TO MICRONESIANS.

DIFFERENT AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS.

I THINK THE PROBLEM WILL BE ADDRESSED IF WE HAVE MICRONESIAN REPRESENTATIVES.

FOR EXAMPLE, SHANTY, WHO'S A MICRONESIAN LIAISON.

MORE AND MORE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE MICRONESIANS, AND THE DEPARTMENT IS REACHING OUT TO THE MICRONESIAN COMMUNITY.

THEY KNOW WHO TO TALK TO TO GET THE HELP OUT THERE.

WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE, THEY WERE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT TO THE PEOPLE WHO SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE.

THAT IS BY HIRING OTHER AGENCIES THAT HAVE MICRONESIAN WORKERS WHO SPEAK THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES THAT WE HAVE.

KUDOS TO THE CITY AND COUNTY.

>>Lara: SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

GOES TO LINDA'S COMMENT ABOUT GREATER INVOLVEMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, AS WELL AS SOCIAL WORKERS AND MORE ADVOCATES TO COMBAT NEGATIVITY.

WHAT IS NOHNO?

WHAT DO YOU DO, AND HOW DOES IT HELP?

>> NOHNO IS A NEW ORGANIZATION.

IT STARTED IN APRIL.

AND ACTUALLY APRIL IS WHEN WE OFFICIALLY STARTED, BUT BEFORE APRIL, WE WERE AN ORGANIZATION THAT VOLUNTEER OUR TIME AFTER OUR WORK HOURS.

IN OUR FREE TIME.

IN MARCH OF 2019 -- I'M SORRY, 2020, I FIRST HELPED WITH UNEMPLOYMENT.

AFTER THAT PHONE CALL, WE STARTED TO REALIZE THAT THERE WERE MORE MICRONESIANS WHO NEEDED HELP OR WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH APPLYING FOR THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT AND FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

FOR THEM, A NUMBER OF US VOLUNTEERED OUR TIME TO HELP OUR FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO ONE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS POSTED ON FACEBOOK THAT SHE WANTED TO DO COMMUNITY WORK, AND SHE'S PLANNING TO HELP WHOEVER NEED HELP WITH THESE SERVICES.

SO I REACHED OUT TO THEM, AND SHE HAD THE PASSION TO START NOHNO.

AN MICRONESIAN ORGANIZATION TO HELP MICRONESIANS.

THE ORGANIZATION'S MOTTO IS MICRONESIAN EMPOWERING MICRONESIAN.

FROM THEN ON, WE STARTED HELPING PEOPLE, AND WE FEEL THAT THE ORGANIZATION MUST CONTINUE WHAT IT'S DOING.

WE AGREED TO FILE OUR LICENSE IN APRIL, AND OUR HOPE IS TO BE MOTHER TO MANY MICRONESIANS.

HELP THEM TRANSITION AND NAVIGATE SUCCESSFULLY IN THE WESTERN WORLD.

>>Lara: NO DOUBT THIS IS NEEDED.

WE HAVE A FEW MINUTE LEFT.

A FEW MORE QUESTIONS -- DR. ALIK, FROM A HEALTHCARE PERSPECTIVE, YOU TOUCHED ON SOME HEALTH ISSUES.

AND YOU PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE TO MARSHALLESE RESIDENTS EXPOSED TO NUCLEAR TESTING.

THAT WAS DECADES AGO.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE AS FAR AS WHAT YOU'RE STILL SEEING TO THIS DAY, IMPACTS OF THAT?

>> YES.

SO I WAS ON A TEAM THAT PROVIDED CARE TO THE FOLKS WHO WERE EXPOSED TO RADIATION FALLOUT.

MOSTLY PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND DOWN WIND FROM BIKINI PART OF THE TESTING.

AND A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE CANCER.

WE'RE SEEING STOMACH CANCER.

EVEN AS YOUNG AS IN TEENS.

WE'RE SEEING LIVE CANCER.

WOMEN HAVING MISCARRIAGES.

THIS POPULATION THAT WERE EXPOSED TO FALLOUT.

A LOT OF FOLKS SEEKING CARING.

THE TESTING WAS DONE IN 1954.

MOST ARE PRETTY OLD NOW.

THAT POPULATION IS ALMOST EXTINGUISHED.

>> THEY'RE SEEING RESIDUAL CANCERS THAT WERE NOT EXPOSED TO THE DOWNWIND FALLOUT.

THERE'S BELIEVE THAT THE WHOLE MARSHALL ISLANDS ARE EXPOSED.

THIS IS AN ISSUE OF CONTENTION.

UNITED STATES REFUSED TO BELIEVE THAT.

SO THERE IS BACK AND FORTH WITH THIS ISSUE.

I REMEMBER SHANTY WAS SAYING INITIALLY IN 2010, WHEN THIS WHOLE NEGATIVE NARRATIVE AGAINST MICRONESIANS START GROWING.

AND THAT'S WHEN THE STATES WAS TRYING TO PURGE MICRONESIANS OFF MED-QUEST AND PUT THEM ON MINIMUM PLAN.

CANCER TREATMENT.

THAT WAS AN EXAMPLE AND NOT PART OF THIS TREATY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

WE HAVE THE 1996 WHERE THE MEDICALLY ELIGIBLE.

SYSTEMIC ISSUES.

>>Lara: AND NO DOUBT THAT'S ONGOING.

WE HAVE A MINUTE LIFT.

SHANTY, I DID WANT TO END WITH YOU.

TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT MOVING FORWARD.

WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHETHER IT'S THE COFA AGREEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE -- AND SUPPORT THAT NEEDS TO GROW.

I WOULD IMAGINE THE POPULATION OF MICRONESIANS IS GROWING.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO CLOSE WITH AND SHARE WITH AS FAR AS PEOPLE MOVING FORWARD?

WE'VE GOT ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

>> YOU WERE REFERRING TO PROGRAMS EARLIER.

I WANT TO, BESIDES THIS AWESOME PROGRAM, THEY STARTED MARSHALLESE ORGANIZATION, COMMUNITY OF HAWAI'I.

THEY'RE WORKING WITH -- THEY STARTED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOLS THIS SUMMER TO PROVIDE CULTURAL ENRICHMENT.

WITH THE OVERALL STUDENT POPULATION.

THERE ARE TALKS ABOUT PROVIDING ORIENTATION.

WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW BEFORE THEY COME TO THE UNITED STATES.

AND THESE ARE PENDING APPROVAL AND EXECUTION FROM CONGRESS FUNDING, AND THOSE ARE TRYING TO BE -- >>Lara: THERE'S MORE TO TALK ABOUT.

I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE SO PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU AND IDENTIFY SOME HELP OUT THERE.

MAHALO TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS -- SHANTY SIGRAH ASHER, CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU PACIFIC ISLANDER LIAISON OFFICER, CHUUKESE LANGUAGE INTERPRETER PHILIOS URUMAN, AND FAMILY PHYSICIAN, DR. WILFRED ALIK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, THEY ARE THE TOP ELECTED OFFICIALS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTIES.

WE'LL BE SPEAKING WITH HAWAI'I'S FOUR MAYORS TO FIND OUT THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING EACH OF THEM.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I'M LARA YAMADA FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.

A HUI HOU.