1 1 SCHOOL OF HAWAIIAN, ASIAN AND PACIFIC STUDIES 2 CENTER FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS STUDIES 3 UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I AT MANOA 4 5 In re: ) VOLUME I ) (Pages 1 - 190) 6 ) ) 7 MICRONESIAN VOICES IN ) ) 8 HAWAI`I ) ) 9 ) ) 10 11 12 13 CONFERENCE 14 15 April 3, 2008 16 Thursday 8:37 a.m. 17 18 EWC Imin Center 1980 East-West Road 19 Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 20 21 22 23 Reporter: JOY C. TAHARA, RPR, CSR 408 Notary Public, State of Hawai'i 24 25 RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

2 1 I N D E X 2 PAGE 3 Opening Prayers 4 Hawaiian pule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5 Micronesian Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 Welcoming Remarks 7 UH Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw . . . . . . . 4 UHM CPIS Director David Hanlon . . . . . . . . . . 7 8 Micronesians' Contributions and Challenges in Hawai`i 9 Introduction 10 (Canisius Filibert, PREL) . . . . . . . . . . 11 Presentation (Dr. Hilda Heine, PREL) . . . . . . . 13 11 12 Topic 1: Strengthening Community 13 Introduction (Joakim Peter). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 14 Goodwill Industries Imi Loa Program 15 (Jocelyn Howard). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 16 Marshallese Education Day (Justin Lani) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 17 Micronesian Cultural Awareness Project 18 (Joanna Jacob). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 19 Boys and Girls Club Pilot Programs (Dionisialynn Bernard). . . . . . . . . . . . 65 20 Micronesian Community Network 21 (Canisius Filibert) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 22 Topic 2: Increasing Effective Communication 23 Introduction 24 (Richard Salvador). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 25 RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

3 1 I N D E X (Continued) 2 PAGE 3 Yokwe.net 4 (Aenet Rowa). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 5 Community Radio Programs KNDI 1270 AM (Robert Lorin). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 6 Small Island Networks 7 (Dr. Hilda Heine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 8 UH Center for Disability Studies and Pacific Voices (Lillian Segal). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 9 10 Topic 3: Building Programs in Education and Health 11 Introduction (Jocelyn Howard). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 12 DOE School/Home Assistants with ESL 13 (Joanna Jacob). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 14 Bilingual Coordinators at Central Middle School (Mary Milne). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 15 Ala Moana Health Center 16 (John Ishoda) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 17 Pacific Diabetes Education Program (Nia Aitaoto) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 18 McKinley Community School 19 (Richard Salvador). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 20 21 22 23 24 25 RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

4 1 BUILDING PROGRAMS, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY, AND INCREASING COMMUNICATION -- 2 CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS 3 PROCEEDINGS 4 OPENING PRAYERS 5 Hawaiian pule 6 EMCEE FILIBERT: Good morning. Aloha. My name is 7 Canisius Filibert. And I'll be your emcee till today, only for 8 today. One day. I'd like to call on Reverend Akendo to come 9 and give the opening prayer. 10 Micronesian prayer 11 BY REVEREND AKENDO: 12 (Speaking in foreign language.) Our Heavenly Father, 13 we call upon your holy name to grace you and to thank you for 14 all the blessings you have given each and every one of us. We 15 thank you for this historic place you have given us to interact 16 and work together for the betterment of the Micronesian people 17 here in Hawai`i and all of humanity for that matter. 18 We ask for your guidance and wisdom for these two days 19 ahead of us. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we 20 ask. Amen. 21 EMCEE FILIBERT: And now I'd like to call Virginia 22 Hinshaw, chancellor of University of Hawai`i at Manoa to give 23 her welcoming remarks. 24 WELCOMING REMARKS 25 BY UH MANOA CHANCELLOR VIRGINIA HINSHAW: RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

5 1 Aloha. I am truly delighted to welcome y'all to this 2 conference and to the University of Hawai`i at Manoa. For some 3 of y'all, this is a homecoming. (Indiscernible) many of 4 Micronesia's neighbors, including such professionals as 5 teachers, social workers, public health officers, and 6 politicians have been educated here at UH Manoa through our 7 programs designed and taught by our faculty. 8 We are very proud of y'all here, our alumni. We 9 really and true are. You are our greatest success. 10 (Indiscernible) positions of responsibility in your home island 11 communities. And we'd like to think that your experiences here 12 at the university are serving you well as you work to improve 13 opportunities for the citizens of each and every state 14 represented here -- and our federated states. 15 Let me assure you that we are committed to maintaining 16 our leadership and expertise in Pacific Island matters. We are 17 partners. And it does take partnership. It takes all of us 18 working together. And we're here to help support your 19 communities, not only in the islands of the Western Pacific, but 20 also here in Hawai`i. 21 That's the goal of this gathering, as growing numbers 22 of Micronesian (indiscernible), make their homes in these 23 islands. This is people from elsewhere in the Asia and the 24 Pacific during the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of our new 25 arrivals sometimes struggle with a new reality that they are far RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

6 1 from home in the 21st century. 2 This is a great opportunity to talk about those 3 challenges and also devise solutions to deal with them most 4 effectively. I'm so pleased the university is hosting this 5 conference to facilitate that process. 6 (Indiscernible) Pacific Island Studies is a great 7 resource. Representatives from the mayor's office and from the 8 legislature plan to attend. And policy leaders from our 9 governor's office will be here tomorrow to learn about your 10 findings and recommendations. 11 Your voice is being heard and respected. So y'all 12 know we are taking these responsibilities seriously and this 13 opportunity with great goals in sight. This is a good beginning 14 to an important dialogue about significant issues, not only for 15 the Micronesians in our community, but for all the people of our 16 community. We truly are one `ohana. 17 So I say mahalo for your participation and your 18 passion as we move together to new solutions to the situations. 19 Mahalo and welcome. 20 * * * * * 21 (Applause.) 22 EMCEE FILIBERT: There's a box here. I don't know if 23 I should stand on it or not. Maybe I'll stand on it. 24 I forgot to let everyone know, I am Micronesian 25 from Palau, by the way, so. Now I'd like to ask David Hanlon, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

7 1 the director of the Center of Pacific Island Studies, to give 2 his welcome remarks as well. 3 * * * * * 4 BY CPIS DIRECTOR DAVID HANLON: 5 Aloha kakou. (Speaking in foreign language.) Thank 6 you (indiscernible) for your inspiring chant. Thank you, 7 Reverend Akendo, for your opening prayer. And thank you, 8 Chancellor Hinshaw, for your welcoming remarks. 9 The Center for Pacific Island Studies is honored to 10 sponsor the conference, Micronesia Voices in Hawai`i. 11 As a result of the Compact of Free Association between 12 the United States and the Federated States of Micronesia, the 13 Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, 14 citizens of these freely associated countries are migrating to 15 Hawai`i and to other parts of the United States in increasing 16 numbers. 17 The number of Micronesians here in Hawai`i, which 18 includes Chuukese, Kosraean, Marshallese, Palauans, Pohnpeians, 19 and Yapese, is currently estimated to be between 12,000 and 20 20,000, and increasing. Micronesia is no longer a place, a 21 group of islands out there. Micronesia and Micronesians are 22 here in Hawai`i with us. 23 Many of these recently arrived peoples confront a host 24 of challenges in the areas of education, employment, health, and 25 housing -- challenges that are made all the more difficult in a RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

8 1 land where the language is unfamiliar; where cultural 2 expectations are different; where family organization and 3 responsibilities are unlike home; and where laws, regulations, 4 requirements, procedures, and the bureaucracies that administer 5 them are all so bewildering. 6 This conference does not seek to deny or dismiss these 7 problems and the way they impact all of us. We choose, however, 8 to feature the constructive approaches that Micronesians -- 9 professionals, community representatives, and church leaders -- 10 are taking to address these challenges. 11 Over the course of the next two days, you will hear 12 from Micronesian community leaders about educational and 13 community-building initiatives that are working and that are 14 considered as models for further and future ethics. We will 15 learn from our Micronesian panels and speakers about 16 (indiscernible) initiatives in the areas of job training, 17 healthcare, education, housing, parenting, legal representation, 18 and domestic abuse prevention. 19 We think that this is a rare and precious opportunity 20 for all of us -- service providers, public officials, 21 policymakers, academics, concerned citizens, Micronesians and 22 non-Micronesians -- to learn what Micronesians themselves are 23 doing to address the issues and challenges of (audience 24 interruption) appointing them here in Hawai`i. 25 There is a larger history against which our conference RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

9 1 is set. Movement and migration have been longstanding and 2 prominent features of Micronesian history and of Hawaiian, 3 Pacific, and American history too. 4 There is, too, the centuries-old historical 5 relationship between the islands called Micronesia and the 6 United States, a relationship solidified with the Compact of 7 Free Association and with reciprocal rights and responsibilities 8 for all parties. Former Compact negotiator Andon Amaraich will 9 speak to these issues in Friday morning's session, first 10 session. 11 We should not forget, too, the (indiscernible) 12 cultural and historical connections between Hawai`i and 13 Micronesia of which the Hokulea's most recent voyage to the 14 island is a reminder. And the timing of Dr. Hilda Heine's 15 keynote address this morning reminds us that we need to be aware 16 of Micronesian contributions as well as the challenges they 17 face. 18 The Center for Pacific Island Studies also enjoys a 19 special relationship with Micronesia. All of the center's 20 founders and regular directors have had deep personal and 21 professional ties with the region. We have benefitted, too, 22 from those Micronesian students who earned their degrees from 23 the center. Indeed, a number of recent graduates and current 24 students are here with us this morning. 25 The conference also represents our (indiscernible) RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

10 1 efforts to reach out and to be even more responsive and 2 accountable to the Pacific region and its people, and in ways 3 that are more immediately relevant and (voice fades off). 4 We at the center realize that this conference is but 5 part of a larger ongoing effort that involves individuals, local 6 community groups, and state agencies, organizations, and 7 institutions staffed by competent and committed and 8 (indiscernible) people. Your numbers are well represented at 9 this conference this morning. We are pleased that you are here, 10 and we hope that you will find this conference supportive of 11 your considerable local and community efforts. 12 This conference also possesses a strong commitment to 13 cross-cultural communication, collaboration, and initiative. To 14 that end, I wish to call your attention to Friday afternoon's 15 breakout sessions that will afford all of us the opportunity to 16 make recommendations to our public officials on future policies 17 affecting Micronesian residents in Hawai`i and (indiscernible) 18 of Hawai`i. 19 Governor Linda Lingle was originally scheduled to be 20 with us on Friday afternoon. Governor Lingle's attendance is no 21 longer possible, however, because of the passing of her mother 22 earlier this week. We take this opportunity to express our 23 condolences to the governor and her family, and to welcome as 24 her representative on Friday, Linda Smith, her senior policy 25 advisor, and Henry Oliva, the deputy director of the Department RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

11 1 of Human Services. 2 This conference has been almost two years in the 3 making. It owes so much to so many people. And I will be more 4 specific with my thank-you's at the end of this conference 5 tomorrow. But for now, I want to thank the UH Manoa School of 6 Pacific and Asian Studies and the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust 7 for their generous support. 8 I need to cite as well the invaluable contributions of 9 our conference steering committee drawn from the different 10 Micronesian communities on the island. And they are my two 11 co-convenors: Tisha Hickson, the center's outreach coordinator; 12 and Julie (indiscernible) a center staff member and cofounder of 13 the Small Islands Network or SINET. They have worked especially 14 hard on the planning, organization, and preparations for this 15 conference. 16 So mahalo nui for all of you for joining us for this 17 most important gathering on the Gathering Island of O'ahu. On 18 behalf of all of us at the Center for Pacific Island Studies, I 19 wish you an enriching, encouraging, inspirational two days. 20 Thank you very much. 21 * * * * * 22 (Applause.) 23 MICRONESIANS' CONTRIBUTIONS 24 AND CHALLENGES IN HAWAI`I 25 Introduction by Canisius Filibert, PREL RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

12 1 BY EMCEE FILIBERT: 2 By my watch, I think we are ahead of time by about 3 eight minutes. But I'm not going to give an eight-minute 4 introduction for our next speaker. That will probably just add 5 on her time so she have more time and not rush through. 6 Our next speaker is keynote, keynote for this morning. 7 And the first time that I met her was actually at an interview 8 for a job at PREL, Pacific Resources for Education and Learning. 9 And prior to that, I hadn't met any Heine before. So I thought 10 that this person was haole. So I dressed up really nice and 11 thought that I was going to be grilled at the table. 12 But when I went in, I saw her sitting there. I 13 immediately knew that she was Micronesian and that really put me 14 at ease. And so I had -- it was a really pleasurable experience 15 to know that there was another Micronesian in a position to have 16 interviewed me for a job and that it meant, it was very 17 meaningful for me. And I guess that was sort of the motivation 18 for me to keep going and improve my professional development in 19 the workplace. 20 And so I had worked with her. That was back in 1998 21 where she had been at PREL for, I think, two years prior to my 22 arrival. And she's still with PREL, but she has also branched 23 out and started doing other meaningful things for Micronesians 24 and also for the people, Marshall Islanders. 25 So without further ado, I'd like to introduce our RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

13 1 keynote speaker, Dr. Hilda Heine. 2 Presentation by Dr. Hilda Heine, PREL 3 BY MS. HEINE: 4 Please bear with us on technology. (Break in 5 proceedings.) While we're fixing the technology here -- I hope 6 it does come up. 7 (Speaking in foreign language.) I would like to take 8 the opportunity to thank Dr. Hanlon and Tisha, Julie, and the 9 Micronesian team that put this conference on. Also I would like 10 to acknowledge chancellor as well as all the elders from the 11 Micronesian groups that have gathered this morning to share with 12 us and all of you who are here today. 13 This is indeed a very special conference, first of its 14 kind and first to put Micronesian issues at the forefront. And 15 so this is a very good opportunity and I might say that I am 16 very happy to be part of it. 17 I want to say I'm not an expert on anything; and as I 18 look at everybody who is an expert, and so it's hard to think 19 about what to say to the group that already knows what the 20 issues are. But I'll try to do my best and share what I know my 21 own perspectives on things. 22 Before I start, I wanted to share a song. I let Julie 23 work on this one. But this is a simple song and I was hoping 24 that my colleagues from the Marshall Islands would be here. 25 (Song starts.) RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

14 1 So that's the song I wanted to play. This is the 2 original national anthem for the Marshall Islands. But more 3 importantly, it conveys the strong connection and deep feelings 4 that Marshallese have for their ancestral lands. And so no 5 matter where they live or their situation, the longing to return 6 home never goes away. 7 And again, as we gather here, there are lots of us 8 immigrants or migrants, whether or not, you know, we lived here 9 for many, many years, there is still that longing to go home. 10 So I'm sure similar song exists for other cultural groups, but I 11 wanted to share that with you this morning. 12 I chose not to kind of give you a speech, but to have 13 a conversation. So this is more of a presentation, rather than 14 a keynote kind of speech. So hopefully, there will be some time 15 for Q and A at the end of the presentation. 16 And this is the outline. I will be talking a little 17 bit about background and we're not gonna be going over too much 18 of that. Yesterday, Ben's presentation was quite extensive and 19 covered a lot of important information. So I hope that those of 20 you who were there benefitted from that introduction yesterday. 21 I'll be talking a little bit about the migration 22 trends, a little bit of a story. Challenges, that is the title 23 of my presentation. I chose to put challenges first and then 24 talk about contributions later because I don't want us to be in 25 this place, being kind of, uh, down. And we'll be talking about RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

15 1 some questions or putting up some questions for reflections, 2 talk about some long-term impacts of Micronesians and then offer 3 some general recommendations. 4 Micronesians have always been voyagers. I think we 5 heard that yesterday. This is evident in their navigational 6 skills. They are one of the most talented navigators in the 7 Pacific. Ben discussed some of the bigger picture about 8 Micronesians in his presentation yesterday so I will not go into 9 that. 10 But the trip was also made in search of new lands. So 11 within Micronesia, within the Pacific itself, people voyage and 12 go from one place to another. And the long voyages between 13 islands were made also to visit and strengthen the relationships 14 with relatives. 15 I remember my own grandmother. She was, you know, 16 from the Marshalls, but she went to Pohnpei for a long period of 17 time and she ended up -- this is my great grandmother -- she 18 ended up pregnant with my grandmother from a gentleman in 19 Pohnpei. And so I have ancestral roots as well from Pohnpei. 20 But this is an example of even way back then before 21 Continental. People were traveling the region, the vast region 22 that is Micronesia. And this is, as we all know and most of you 23 are familiar with this map, these are the three Compact nations, 24 and I will be talking about or referring to COFA, Compact of 25 Free Association nations. And we have the Republic of Palau, as RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

16 1 you know, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic 2 of the Marshall Islands. 3 The infusion of trends in the trust territory time and 4 the development of the wage economy in Micronesia, in a way, 5 undermined the subsistence economy, as well as the policy of 6 universal education began to bring people to the centers in the 7 Marshall Islands or in Micronesia during the trust territory 8 period. 9 And so people began to move from their communities in 10 search of employment as well as education. And that migration 11 is still continuing on today, even from rural communities to the 12 earlier settlors and beyond to outside of Micronesia. 13 And the Compact's indeed open up opportunities to meet 14 these creative needs for wage employment. You know, all of a 15 sudden we needed to have money. We needed to have, uh, we have 16 so many needs that need to be purchased. And so we moved for 17 that reason. 18 U.S. policies in Micronesia, including the nuclear 19 legacy in the Marshall Islands, that displaced many islanders 20 integral to the story of COFA migration. And Ben talked a 21 little bit about that yesterday. But I think it's important for 22 us to remember that migration is not an issue in isolation by 23 itself. It's part and parcel of a lot of policies that have 24 been ongoing since the trust territory time in Micronesia. 25 Yesterday Ben talked about some of the migration RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

17 1 trends that parallel major economic trends at home. People left 2 the country some years back due to certain economic situations 3 that were taking place back home. So there was a reduction in 4 force that he talked about. And people, lots of people, left 5 during that year, 1997. Again in 2000 and 2002, many people 6 left. 7 So when you talk about all this military buildup which 8 is anticipated for Guam in the coming year, it is soon to be 9 another policy that we encourage Micronesian, out of communities 10 in Micronesia. 11 In terms of the number of people that have left -- and 12 that was well-covered yesterday -- but, you know, just a brief 13 look at it. We see 25 percent increase for Marshallese people 14 migrating out between 1997 and 2003, a 36 percent increase in 15 that five-year period for FSM. Interesting for Palau, too, is 16 that during those periods, the number actually went down. 17 Right now, people are talking about between 12,000 to 18 15,000 migrants here in Hawai`i. Some studies have come out 19 recently are putting those numbers out. Most of the 20 Micronesians are in Honolulu county, for example, 73 percent; 21 15 percent on the Big Island; and 11 percent, Maui; and a small 22 1 percent in Kaua`i. 23 We also see more families are moving out from urban 24 Honolulu into rural areas. A lot of them are moving to `Ewa, 25 for example, and we know that the factors, such as housing cost, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

18 1 is major player in that movement. 2 Reason for migration is reported in 2003 census. 3 Employment was more or less the highest. And then dependents of 4 employed people who also moved with the head of the household, 5 medical reasons; and other at 46 percent, I think that includes 6 education. So although employment is way up there, I think 7 education is also one of the reasons that people are leaving. 8 This is a common story, and I guess this is my story 9 of migration. I migrated to Honolulu in 1995 with two children 10 and a family member. I think there were about 509 people that 11 migrated that year, according to statistics that Ben shared the 12 other day. And we were among those 500 people that left. That 13 was about 12 years ago. 14 I have a job security before we left so that was a 15 little bit different. A lot of other people are leaving without 16 job security before they left their countries. And I viewed my 17 migration, I guess, as a temporary move for me and my family. I 18 never thought of it as permanent. And I think there are many 19 people who are in that situation; they see their migration, how 20 their move here as temporary. 21 Some are able to make it back; some aren't. In my 22 case, I was able to move back. I moved back to Majuro in 2006. 23 But in the 11 years that I lived here, I sponsored six nieces 24 and nephews during -- not all at once because our apartment 25 could not, we could not allow to have more than five people in RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

19 1 the house. So we were mindful of that. But nevertheless, I 2 sponsor, my family sponsored six nieces and nephews, that all of 3 them graduated from high school, some from the university. 4 And we hosted numerous relatives on medical care and 5 treatment. I mean, family members that were transient, they 6 came here on their way to the United States or they're going 7 back home on their way from the Mainland. 8 So it was very common for us to have, you know, people 9 in our living room almost every month. And I think this is the 10 story that is common for almost all of Micronesians living in 11 Hawai`i. And you try to work around the requirements for your 12 rental unit, you know, what is allowed and what is not allowed. 13 Sometimes you sneak people in. 14 But in my case, it was very hard because the landlord 15 was right next door. So it was really hard. But I used to have 16 the landlord come and count and look at the number of zoris 17 outside my door. And, you know, she was always concerned that 18 there were so many zoris. But the zoris, you know, like a lot 19 of us have zoris. You just keep them outside. One person might 20 have maybe three or so pair. And so she was always worried that 21 we have so many people in the house. 22 It was here that I was introduced to the so-called 23 Micronesian problem. I didn't know that there was such a thing 24 as a Micronesian problem until I got to Honolulu and began to 25 hear about the problem and read about the problem in the paper. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

20 1 I think our staying here was made successful because 2 we have a strong network of family members, families and friends 3 who help us through the initial stages of settling in. And I 4 think most of our migrant colleagues would agree to that, that 5 without the strong social network, it would be very difficult to 6 make it here in Honolulu. 7 And as I said, I returned to the Marshall Islands in 8 2006. And now I'm at a disadvantage because I'm supposed to be 9 talking about challenges and contributions here in Hawai`i and 10 I'm kind of out of touch. So you will have to forgive me, but 11 I'll do my best. 12 And there are other stories that maybe we could tell 13 about other migrant families. But for the most part, I think 14 all of us encounter challenges that are individual in nature. 15 And a lot of the individual challenges are or have to do with 16 what we bring with us, how healthy we are, how educated we are, 17 what size of family we bring with us, social network that we 18 might have. All of these determine level and type of challenge 19 that we face in the new land. 20 At the same time, there are also societal challenges. 21 Societal response to migrants many times is based upon media 22 coverage. And I have to say that many time the coverage is not 23 that positive. 24 And so we see ourself in this mirror that is the 25 society. We're being described by the media and by reactions of RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

21 1 people by questions that are being asked. And a lot of it is 2 often distorted. And we see a person that is not the same as 3 what we know or it's a totally different person that we see in 4 the reactions or in the mirror that we see. Needless to say, 5 descriptions and stereotypes are far more difficult as far as 6 challenges to deal with. 7 There are other challenges, and some of these came up 8 in Ben Graham's discussion yesterday -- the fact that Hawai`i's 9 cost of living is getting out of reach for most migrants. The 10 self-sufficiency standard for Hawai`i is much higher than other 11 locations where COFA migrants have settled, for example, in 12 Arkansas or Washington state. 13 A family of four needs at least 45,000 to live 14 comfortably here in Hawai`i. And I think when we go and look at 15 the median salaries for Micronesians, it is half of that. And 16 so you can imagine the challenge that people have to face. It's 17 a challenge. And so families are forced to supplement income 18 with welfare, food stamps, and the rest we all know. 19 These are economic challenges. I think things that we 20 talk about, we read about in the papers: education; affordable 21 housing or homelessness; economic and employment challenges; 22 healthcare; legal issues; acculturation; as well as the level of 23 awareness of the public at large about issues and about what 24 Micronesia is all about. These are some of the challenges, and 25 I will be talking about these in more detail. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

22 1 Education is at the top of the list of COFA 2 challenges. While there are compulsory education laws in 3 Micronesia, in all of Micronesia, enforcement is often loose and 4 attendance is not strictly enforced. 5 And so we come here and we find that the situation is 6 completely different. Expectations are different. There is 7 cultural mismatch between home and school curriculum and values 8 that we come with. They're different. 9 Similarly, school system expectation can sometimes 10 cost the family their child. Some people, you know, they did 11 not realize that when they send their children to school, not 12 bathed or not fed, that somebody will report them to the 13 authorities. 14 These are things that are new to people. And although 15 they are important considerations, they also bring to home the 16 realization that this is a society that is run by regulations 17 and by laws, which is totally different from what most migrants 18 experience at home. We have laws, but they don't necessarily 19 run people's lives. But it's different here, and this is not to 20 say that this is bad, but that's the way things are. 21 Anyway, we see English language skills as limiting 22 success in other areas, at least that's what some people 23 believe. I don't necessarily believe that that is the case. I 24 think success in school is probably attributed to other issues, 25 not necessarily level of English, although that helps. It's not RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

23 1 the only reason that makes a child successful. 2 But we see here that English spoken at home, according 3 to the census, an analysis done by Levin and other 4 statisticians, we see English only at home as reduced for 5 Marshall Islands to 7 percent in 2003, from 70 percent in 1997. 6 And same thing for FSM. In the case of Palau, this is about the 7 only place that you see English spoken at home increased in that 8 five-year period. 9 We also see that high school and college completion 10 rates of migrants is below. I had a chance to look at a list of 11 scholarship students from the Marshall Islands, for example, and 12 noticed that many of the scholarship students are only those 13 that are, are mostly those that graduate from the islands. Very 14 few students who graduated from high schools in the Mainland, 15 although they know that they're eligible, and part of it might 16 be that they don't get information about application. 17 But in my own experiences of going around and when I 18 was doing my study, I noticed that very, very few Marshallese 19 were going to higher education in communities that I visited. 20 The percentage was quite low compared to the number that are 21 going from schools back in Micronesia. So this is an issue, 22 especially when most of us come here for education. 23 And so how do we make students successful going 24 through the high school successfully and then on to college? We 25 found that many of the students didn't know where to go for RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

24 1 financial aid. They were graduating from high school without 2 having seen counselors and so they have no clue where to go or 3 how to access college information. 4 And so in this place that is large, it's easier for 5 kids not to be able to find those resources. Back home I think 6 you know who the counselors are, so you can go directly to them 7 and seek information. But the story's different here. And so 8 these are some of the challenges I think that Micronesians face 9 in going through the education systems here. 10 But not only that, but level of education of migrants, 11 we see in the graph here, especially for Marshallese people, 12 they have the lowest number of, at least people with high school 13 diploma living here, or the migrant groups that are here we have 14 the lowest number of people that are high school graduates. 15 Then we go to affordable housing. I think all of you 16 are familiar with that issue. It's been in the paper a long 17 time and many times and maybe more than enough. But 18 overcrowding is a challenge. There is certainly mismatch 19 between cultural obligations of taking care of family members 20 and housing regulations. 21 You know, what do you do when you have a family that 22 just showed up on your door and you're supposed to take care of 23 them and you cannot because you're only allowed three or four 24 people in your home? So those are some of the issues and people 25 have actually got kicked out from their homes because of doing RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

25 1 their cultural obligation. 2 But it also means that when we have larger families, 3 we harder time finding homes. Most people don't want to rent to 4 families with many children. And as you know, composition of 5 Micronesian families, there are many children. It's hardly a 6 family without children. You're kind of a rare species if 7 you're there and you don't have any kids. 8 So you have to take that into consideration, and this 9 is one of the things we are finding to be challenging. Families 10 with children, how do you get affordable housing? 11 So according to the statistics, most of us live in 12 rentals. And actually, the number of people who own homes has 13 declined since, you know, over the five-year period that the 14 census has studied. And this is true for both FSM and all three 15 Compact nations. 16 In terms of employment, migrants from the Compact 17 nations face a collection of labor market disadvantages here in 18 Hawai`i. There is low labor (indiscernible) rates. There is 19 overrepresentation in lower skilled jobs and underrepresentation 20 in white collar jobs. We are also far behind in vocational 21 training and higher education. 22 So this collection of labor market disadvantages give 23 rise to personal income level of, you know, migrants from the 24 Freely Associated States that are only half of the median income 25 of households in Hawai`i. And so larger families, smaller RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

26 1 income, spell problem in Hawai`i. 2 Again, we talk about income level. This is the median 3 income level for FSM and RMI and ROP citizens. And RMI and 4 Republic of Palau citizens make slightly less than FSM citizens, 5 according to this information from the census. 6 So because of the income level, we see many of our 7 people, about 40 percent, are covered by med-QUEST. We have 8 10 percent that participate in temporary assistance for needy 9 families. We have 16 percent in food stamps, and we have also 10 60 percent that reported they did not receive public assistance. 11 So I think it's, given the situation, the picture of Micronesian 12 migrants and the economic picture, we can understand why these 13 statistics are there. 14 Then there is the healthcare. The issues -- many of 15 them. And I think we talked about them before. There is 16 certainly the issue of medical insurance and finding sources for 17 care. This is still a problematic area. Even though we 18 understand there is 10.5 million, according to the Med-QUEST 19 program to assist Micronesian migrants, it's still not enough to 20 cover the needs in this area. 21 There are also attitudes and cultural barriers to 22 effective healthcare. Things like routine checkups are not 23 necessarily what we're used to. So by the time we find the 24 health situation, it's already past the place where it can be 25 taken care of. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

27 1 There are some increase use of medical facilities. So 2 there are some improvement in terms of people going out to get 3 medical care, as you can see from the 400 percent increase in 4 use of one of the medical facility that migrants frequently use. 5 So I think there is similarly a greater familiarity with 6 services that are afforded here and people are making use of 7 those services. 8 But there are also other issues, like communicable 9 diseases as we seen in the reports. Such diseases as TB and 10 Hansen's diseases, I think they're higher. We have higher rates 11 for these than the national average. 12 Then there is also what the unnatural causes, the PBS 13 presentation show us the other -- I think it was last week. 14 They talk about living with more stressors; and when you look at 15 Micronesian situations in Hawai`i, not necessarily in other 16 places, but in Hawai`i, we're living under so many stress -- 17 unfamiliar environment, unpaid bills. But all of these stress 18 don't add up to good health. 19 And when you talk about opportunities for good health, 20 we're talking about things like housing policies as well. That 21 affects how healthy people are. And so we have to take a look 22 at, you know, issues around policies in housing or affordable 23 housing and how that contributes to our healthy or unhealthy 24 community. 25 There are legal issues, and we're all familiar with RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

28 1 those. There is, I think, for the most part, we still have 2 conflicting information on lack of uniformity about eligibility 3 of migrants to various U.S. programs. And when you go from one 4 state to another, the differences are here. And you are not 5 sure whether here you're qualified for health; you go to another 6 state and you're not qualified for health. And in many cases, 7 these are state interpretation of state services. 8 But then there are others. There is the legal maze 9 that people have to go through when it's about state laws and 10 legal requirements, rights and responsibilities. 11 We have a case currently going of a family, a young 12 family, Marshallese family that is going through court. They 13 lost their two children. Because in talking to them, the social 14 service person thought that the parents were mentally sick. And 15 in actuality, they're not mental. They are not mentally sick at 16 all. But this is found out after the kids have been taken from 17 them. So they are going through court and trying to see what 18 can be done. 19 But this is talking about translation issues, what 20 happens when you don't know where to go for translation support 21 and services and help. People end up in court because of that. 22 Then there is good news about eligibility for legal 23 aid. That was just recently being reinstated or allowed so 24 Micronesians can now get legal aid assistance, from what I 25 understand. Then there is the whole host of acculturation RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

29 1 issues that we all know about. 2 Let's look at Hawai`i's response to these issues. 3 Actually, there have been some positive response. Service 4 providers and insurers increasingly take initiatives to learn 5 more about Micronesian cultures. And they're hiring more 6 Micronesian speakers. 7 So there are some improvement in this. More could be 8 done, but I think we're seeing steps in the right direction. 9 There was no service providers when we started out in '95. So 10 there's big improvement. When Julie and I started a Small 11 Island Networks, there was hardly any out there ready to help 12 Micronesian issues. 13 There is the governor's COFA task force, bills in the 14 Hawai`i legislature. Even though many of them are killed, there 15 is still the effort to try to see what can be done. There are 16 advocacy groups like Micronesian United and other groups that 17 are organized and are lobbying for increased service to 18 Micronesians. And we have Micronesian groups also that are 19 organized to assist themselves and fellow newcomers. 20 So these are some positive steps that we are seeing 21 even though the picture is not that great. 22 Now, to look at the contribution, we have to -- I'm 23 starting with the big picture, not just to State of Hawai`i, but 24 globally. These are some contributions that Micronesians have 25 made. Of course, we've been a nuclear testing ground for the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

30 1 United States for many, many years, and everyone is familiar 2 with that. 3 In Micronesia, we have what they call strategically 4 now rights, which come under the Compact, and basically deny 5 other countries from coming to the region so that United States 6 has full rights. And I'm sure judge will talk more about that 7 when he talks later on today or tomorrow. Then there are the 8 young people serve in the military. I think we cannot discount 9 that contribution. 10 Just some statistics, and these are estimates. There 11 are no hard figures out there to share with you. But I believe 12 that Micronesians do contribute to the economy here in Hawai`i. 13 There are, from the 2003 census, of 1,518 households at an 14 average income of 26,000. We bring in or brought in around that 15 time, 41 million. And I'm sure there is more now with the 16 increased number of Micronesians that work in the economy here. 17 And we pay taxes, of course. Ir's not as much, but there is 18 taxes coming in to the state as well for services that we use. 19 And according to the statistics, our expenditures were 20 higher than income, about 1.46 for every dollar of income. And 21 according to the economists, this is either purchase on credit, 22 but it's also relatives that have contact from FSM nations. 23 Many families send money for their family members here. There 24 is land payments from the Kwajalein land rental. There is 25 nuclear payments. So a lot of the families who receive these RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

31 1 kind of assistance do live here in Hawai`i, and they bring that 2 with them and spend it in Hawai`i. 3 Of course, there is the Compact impact system that 4 Hawai`i is getting; and hopefully, the amount will be increasing 5 in the coming years. But it's a federalized system that comes 6 to the state because of the migrants. When we look at amount of 7 income or percentage of income that we spend in Hawai`i, almost 8 all of the income we earn, it go back into the economy. So 9 there is that contribution. 10 There is also laborers. People are recruited from the 11 islands as laborers in the coffee fields and as macadamia 12 pickers, jobs that people here don't want to do. And so that's 13 a contribution too. 14 Then there is the trade, you know, between COFA 15 nations and Hawai`i. A lot of supplies that we get back home is 16 purchased in Hawai`i and brought over there. So there is that 17 contribution as well. 18 In terms of relatives that is being sent from here, 19 there are some figures here. And so migrants here also 20 contribute back home to the economies back home, not just to the 21 state. 22 Then we talk about cultural values. I know that's not 23 hard to quantify -- that is hard to quantify. But they are 24 contribution, cultural contributions that we bring with our 25 different cultures and different way of looking at life, looking RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

32 1 at things. And some of these are shared here. 2 There is the different languages that are brought into 3 the mix of many, many other languages in Hawai`i. That is a 4 contribution. 5 So having said all of that, I have, you know, wanted 6 to pose some questions for reflection, just as we think ahead 7 today and tomorrow, some questions for us as COFA migrants, as 8 well as those who feel that the issue, that is something that we 9 work, those that are our partners in working on these issues. 10 We should be held accountable for the COFA migrants so-called 11 problem. 12 Are there alternatives to open migration? Right now, 13 everybody come in and that's in the Compact. Are there 14 alternatives or should we consider alternatives for this open 15 migration? 16 What happens to the way of life, as we know it, to be 17 a Marshallese, to be Kosraen, Yapese, or Pohnpeian? Could these 18 cultures or way of life survive without stories? And I'm 19 talking about us leaving our own cultures and way of life. 20 Could we be satisfied with symbolic homelands, ones we re-create 21 in our imagination or through rituals that we perform as 22 overseas residents? 23 And who is responsible for nation building when we 24 talking about nation building? Who is responsible for nation 25 building? And I'm putting my hat on as someone who lives now in RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

33 1 the Marshall Islands and these questions come from that 2 perspective. 3 There are certainly long-term impacts of migration 4 that we know and we cannot discount. On the second generation, 5 we can be sure of culture and language loss. We can be sure of 6 traditional loss of traditional skills that we know of. And we 7 can be sure of changes in outlooks, in values, because we've 8 learned new ones and mixed with our own. Or we had to learn our 9 own values. 10 There are economic effects on migration also on 11 sending countries. We are losing lots of productive citizens. 12 There is so-called bravery; I don't know what that is for sure 13 right now, but that's being discussed. And then there is the 14 fear of Asian takeover. I don't know if that is true, but it's 15 there and people talk about it. 16 So as we go forward, think about those questions. And 17 I'm offering also in closing some recommendations, suggested 18 recommendations, especially for those of us who continue to want 19 to here. 20 There is this idea of migrant kids as military kids 21 as, you know, to be qualified or considered as military kids for 22 federal assistance purposes. And this idea was serviced by late 23 Patsy Mink long time ago, and the problem was some of issues. 24 She started talking about that. Why didn't we qualify all the 25 Micronesian kids in the schools as military kids? Then the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

34 1 state will get extra assistance for the schools. So that's 2 something to look at, maybe for the senators and policymakers to 3 look at. 4 What about a form of managed migration? I don't know 5 what that means, but think about that. Maybe some of the people 6 with economic backgrounds and policy skills could come with 7 something that is workable for everyone. 8 And we've heard about orientation programs in sending 9 countries. I think the responsibility is to also be placed that 10 in the sending countries. It cannot just be the responsibility 11 here or having the receiving states or territories be 12 responsible for the so-called Micronesian migrant problem. We 13 have our own responsibilities and we should be accountable. 14 So starting with orientation program, there is the 15 idea of one-stop centers for migrants here in Hawai`i and other 16 places where all the assistance will be located in one place, so 17 migrants would not have to go through the maze of looking or 18 going to different place to find out assistance that are needed 19 for them to survive here. 20 There is the idea also of consulates, Marshall 21 Islands, and if they can afford the consulates in Hawai`i. 22 There is a need to perhaps restructure the priorities and look 23 at migrants here as our responsibilities, government 24 responsibilities, government office responsibilities. 25 Right now the consulates focus mainly on assisting RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

35 1 visitors from the government back home and sick people -- and 2 not so much on the people here who live here and need services 3 too. Maybe calling; we need to call on our governments to look 4 at the consulate roles and how they can assist migrants. 5 Also along with the consulate, I would say that 6 churches are very influential with Micronesians. What is their 7 role? Can their role be expanded to include assisting other 8 migrants who live here and who need assistance, translation, 9 transportation, housing? All of these, I think the church -- 10 and I am talking about the local churches, Micronesian churches 11 mainly. We have organized churches here. What are we doing for 12 the Micronesians, so-called Micronesian problems? 13 Then there is the need to have consistent message and 14 implementations of Compact provisions. As I said, this is 15 different from state to state, and this is driving people crazy 16 because you're never sure what you -- you know, what support you 17 can have. 18 And people are talking about census count, if it's 19 separately from other Pacific island groups as a way to start 20 getting accurate census, accurate information about who the 21 associated states' residents, where they are, what they're 22 doing, what's happening to them. 23 Thank you. That's my presentation this morning. I 24 hope I didn't bore you to death. 25 * * * * * RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

36 1 (Audience applause.) 2 MS. HEINE: I think, according to Canisius, we have 3 time for questions. So I will be glad take some. Don't know 4 that I will not provide all the answers, but there are other 5 experts in the audience. I hope they can help. 6 EMCEE FILIBERT: (Speaking without microphone; 7 indiscernible.) 8 UNIDENTIFIED MALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: There is a part 9 that covers cultural challenges. And you seem to have skipped 10 that part, so I was wondering if you could cover that? Or did 11 you cover it earlier in your presentation? 12 MS. HEINE: (Flipping through PowerPoint 13 presentation.) Here? 14 UNIDENTIFIED MALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: Yes. 15 MS. HEINE: Well, I guess I didn't want to spend too 16 much time on that, but this is very important. Acculturation is 17 a process that all of us go through as migrants. 18 And I remember one time I was doing a 19 presentation in Maui, and one teacher asked me why aren't these 20 migrants assimilate? And that question really threw me off. 21 Because it was like telling me your culture is probably not -- 22 you need to change and become like us. 23 And acculturation is a little bit different, but 24 it's part of adjusting to the life here. And it has to do with 25 not just with language, but there's different expectations. We RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

37 1 come with -- as we said, this is a new environment, and we 2 talked a little bit about all the laws that make life a little 3 bit complex. 4 And social networks assist with that 5 acculturation by taking us around. They help migrants about 6 knowing what's acceptable, what are the do's and don'ts. 7 Because in every culture, as you know, when you go to a new 8 place, there are certainly cultural do's and don'ts. So what 9 are those and how do you get to know what these are? And the 10 social network help with some of that. 11 For example, I guess to give an example, just 12 recently a friend of mine was telling me that a man is in jail 13 because he thought that he could go and drink beer next to a 14 school. It was an empty lot. And this happens a lot at home, 15 you know, empty place, there is really no strict enforcement of 16 where you can drink or not drink alcohol. 17 So as a result of that, he was arrested and put 18 in jail. And then after he got out, he was told that he 19 couldn't go near the area where the school is. And, of course, 20 that's next to where the family is living. So he went there 21 anyway to visit his family, and he got arrested again and he's 22 back in jail. 23 And so it's those do's and don'ts that are -- and 24 this is not cultural, but it's part of things that people have 25 to be acculturated to. You know, what are you allowed to do and RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

38 1 what aren't you allowed to do. 2 Spanking of kids is another one. Disciplining 3 kids is another, that that has gotten a lot of Micronesians in 4 trouble. Because back home, you know, the parents are the 5 rulers and they lay down the rule, and part of it is spanking if 6 you have to. And it's something that is acceptable there, but 7 it's not acceptable here, and parents have been reported for 8 spanking their kids. 9 So I guess those are some of the issues about 10 getting acculturated into acceptable way of life here. 11 In terms of the final point, I guess what I was 12 trying to say there is that the social network really helps with 13 acculturation, but it also slow down the acculturation process. 14 Because we tend to spend more time with our own people, you keep 15 to your own group and you continue to live the way you did back 16 home, except you live here. You eat the same food; you talk to 17 the same people; and you don't necessarily learn new things. 18 So there is, I suppose, positive and negative, 19 depending on how you look at it in terms of a strong network and 20 how that is helping or hindering acculturation. (Indiscernible) 21 and then Barbara. 22 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: I wanted people 23 to know that, in general, most Micronesian families who need 24 food stamps cannot qualify for food stamps because only the 25 children who are born here are qualified for food stamps. So I RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

39 1 didn't want people to think that the families in general who 2 have older children not grown here are not qualified for food 3 stamps. 4 And also one of the questions that we get asked 5 in Micronesians United by service workers is why don't 6 Micronesians get green cards? And the answer is it's almost 7 impossible for Micronesians in Hawai`i to get green cards 8 because a group went to, I guess, the place where you can apply, 9 and they said that Micronesians cannot even get the form to 10 become immigrants unless they go back home. So it's not a 11 simple thing that is being asked. 12 A lot of people say why don't, you know, the 13 people in Hawai`i who are Micronesian go and get green cards. 14 It's almost impossible, if not impossible, right now. 15 MS. HEINE: Thank you, Julia. 16 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: My question is 17 you talked about things that needed to happen back in Micronesia 18 as well as in Hawai`i. And I wanted to know from your 19 perspective, since you're living on Marshall Islands, what is 20 currently happening in the Marshall Islands to prepare people to 21 come to Hawai`i? 22 MS. HEINE: Thank you. That was a very good question. 23 As far as I know, there is really nothing. We're in the talking 24 stage about this. We're talking about it. I think the issue is 25 being discussed at high level at the moment, and I'm hoping that RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

40 1 something will happen. And a conference like this, I'm sure 2 will help make things happen. So I'm hopeful. Thank you. 3 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: First of all, 4 thank you very much for the information. I went through three 5 cultures. I'm born Asian, but I went through European and 6 American cultures, so I understand about acculturation. 7 My contribution could be in helping people with 8 psychiatric care since I'm a psychiatrist at the state hospital. 9 And I wonder what is the network of psychiatric care in the 10 Marshall Islands or Micronesia? And what is the understanding 11 of mental illness for the population at large? Thank you. 12 MS. HEINE: That's a very good question. I'm going to 13 see if anyone is interested or willing to answer that question. 14 I'll just add a few words, but I hope others will jump in and 15 help with the question. 16 We actually don't, most of the places don't have 17 psychiatric doctors. Or if they do have one in the hospital, 18 there is only one person. So to speak of a network, I think 19 that's kind of asking a bit than what we are currently have. 20 In terms of mental illness, I don't know. I 21 guess in terms of in the Marshall Islands, we look at the person 22 as mentally sick when they just kind of roam around. And the 23 word that we use is, like, for a mental patient is (speaking in 24 foreign language), which means, you know, crazy. But the term 25 "mental illness" itself really doesn't -- we don't have a RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

41 1 Marshallese equivalent word for describing that. 2 That might be different in other places. We look 3 forward to anyone from SFM or from Palau to talk to that issue. 4 Ben? 5 UNIDENTIFIED MALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: I'll just add on 6 to what Hilda said. So the Marshall islands, just like the SFM, 7 Palau, have mental health programs under the ministries of 8 health; and we do receive assistance from SAMHSA, Substance 9 Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, that provide 10 grants to provide some services. 11 But I think the biggest capacity weakness is in 12 professionals on-island who could provide these types of --. I 13 don't think there's any trained qualified psychiatrists or any 14 related type of expertise on my island, Majuro. So that's one 15 of the weaknesses that, back home, we need to strengthen in 16 order to improve the situation. 17 MS. HEINE: Thank you. There is one question over 18 there. 19 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: Just an 20 announcement. It has nothing do with mental health. 21 You mentioned in your presentation the unnatural 22 causes. PBS documentary, it's a four-hour piece that's being 23 played actually throughout the Mainland right now. The last 24 segment was played on last Saturday. 25 The segment has seven parts, and No. 6 is all RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

42 1 about the Marshall Islands. We can view it Saturday, April 5th, 2 at about 1:30 in the morning. I called -- (audience 3 interruption) -- and explained, and they said they are gonna put 4 the whole series on prime-time later in May. 5 And the nonprofit groups can come get a free copy 6 of the whole series. So if you need one, trying to get a 7 freebie, contact myself or Barbara Tom -- (voice fades away). 8 It's called Unnatural Causes -- (indiscernible). 9 It's all about health issues for various groups throughout the 10 U.S., including the Marshall Islands. I thought they was gonna 11 do SFM, but they just decided to do the Marshalls. And it's 12 pretty good. I've seen it. 13 MS. HEINE: Thank you. Yes? 14 AUDIENCE MEMBER COLLEEN: Hi, my name is Colleen, and 15 I work for Institute of Human Services which, currently, we have 16 25 families. And of the 25 families, 23 are from Micronesia. 17 One of the things I wanted to share is almost 18 all the issues you brought up here is what we are trying to 19 learn from them and also trying to educate them about some of 20 the rules that we have here when they come. And one of the 21 things that you mentioned was orienting them back home, and I 22 think that's what we feel is really, really important. 23 Because one of the issues we've been working on 24 is talking to them about taking care of their children. And the 25 reason for that is many times we find that, you know, they -- I RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

43 1 guess I tried to tell them that I know back home it's very safe. 2 But when you come away from home, there's a lot of people that 3 would like to have your children. 4 But almost all of the issues that you shared here 5 is what we are working with the families here. And I think it's 6 really, really good that we have this conference because we have 7 found that the more knowledge that people have, the more power 8 that we have. And the more power we have, the more change we 9 can make in the islands. And we all know that many of us are 10 migrants from, you know, other countries, and we know how 11 difficult it is. 12 But I think for a lot of the homeless shelters 13 here, we have quite a bit of Micronesian families. So we are 14 really trying to educate ourselves about the culture and even 15 asking the families to teach us about, you know, their cultural 16 ways so that we don't take, you know, that away from them -- 17 because we all actually come from some culture and we want to 18 keep those values. 19 So I just wanted to thank you for sharing and 20 especially for talking about the contributions -- because a lot 21 of times I think we tend to think of problems. But I think by 22 you sharing the contributions and also talking about, you know, 23 just to hear that when you got up and knowing that you got an 24 education -- I mean, I think, for me, that gave me a lot of 25 hope. Because a lot of the families, they come here because of RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

44 1 two reasons: It's health and education for their children. 2 And I think by seeing you and knowing that you 3 got your education, it makes me feel more empowered to go back 4 and tell the children that you can do it. So I just want to 5 thank you. 6 MS. HEINE: Thank you. I'm not sure we can take -- 7 can we take one more question or that's it? 8 Thank you for your comment. And, you know, I 9 might add that, you know, government bureaucracies are slow in 10 moving things. So I'm hoping that through this conference, 11 nongovernmental organizations here and back in the sending 12 countries will work together to put together information on, you 13 know, cultural orientation information, videos, and so on 14 because I think you're most familiar with the laws, the 15 requirements here. So it would make sense for us to work 16 together in terms of putting together these information. 17 So I'm really glad about this opportunity to meet 18 different people and to be able to share, and hope that we can 19 work together on some important contribution later on. 20 There was one more person, but I'm not sure if we 21 have time. I'll leave it to Canisius to, uh -- one more. Go 22 ahead. 23 AUDIENCE MEMBER CARRIE: Thank you. My name's Carrie, 24 and I work with Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies. We work with 25 the providers who work with this population and others as well. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

45 1 And it was really interesting. In one of your 2 slides, you gave us statistics that the Micronesian population 3 is using an increased use in medical services, such as 4 Kalihi-Palama, by about 400 percent which I thought was amazing. 5 And what I would like to know -- and this is more 6 of a networking question, but also if you folks can provide any 7 type of insight on that, that would be great -- how can we as 8 providers work to support the Micronesian population better, 9 such as with our pregnant and parenting women? 10 How can we do that? Especially the woman who 11 made that comment on the food stamps, I would very much like to 12 talk to you because this is something that we really need to, I 13 think, continue to educate our providers about so that they can 14 reach out and better service this population. 15 MS. HEINE: Thank you. Thank you all. 16 (Applause.) 17 EMCEE FILIBERT: Thank you, Hilda. That was very 18 informative, and I'm sure there are still some other questions 19 and comments and you can probably catch Hilda during the break. 20 We are coming up on our break; but before we do 21 that, just housekeeping announcements. In your conference 22 folder contains important information on the breakout sessions 23 so please read them carefully. There are signup sheets for each 24 of the five breakout sessions, and they are posted on the 25 divider wall right there near the makai entrance of the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

46 1 auditorium. So please be sure to sign up for one. 2 We also ask that you take the time to fill out 3 the evaluation sheets for each of the conference's two days. 4 You will find those in your -- well, on different tables in this 5 auditorium. 6 And also please place your completed form in the 7 specially designated box on the table near to the door to the 8 left. That's -- I think, that's the table over there. 9 We also ask that during the question-and-answer 10 periods which follow the talks and panels, that at least you 11 come to the microphone and keep your questions brief and direct. 12 No speeches or statements, please. We're just trying to be on 13 time -- not Micronesian time, but the conference time. 14 During the breaks, refreshments will be served 15 outside. A bell will be used to call conferees back from break 16 and for the start of the next panel or activity. And if Tisha, 17 we could demonstrate, please. Oh, she forgot her bell. (Bell 18 ringing.) 19 Lunch will be served both days on the lower 20 garden level of this conference center. You must be registered 21 and have a name tag to receive a bento lunch. There may be 22 extra lunches available, so those interested should see -- 23 (voice fades). 24 And a reminder to everyone that `Olelo is taping 25 the entire conference, so please smile for the camera. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

47 1 You will find rest rooms at both ends of the 2 upper and lower floors of the conference center. 3 I think that's all the housekeeping 4 announcements, so we are at break for now. Thank you. Oh, one 5 more. 6 MS. HICKSON: We're happy to see so many people here 7 today, and I know that many of you were not able to register and 8 came today in hopes of registering. We think, now, that we can 9 accommodate more people than we thought. 10 So if you'd like to, if you would like to stay 11 with us for the rest of the conference, I hope you'll check in 12 at the registration desk in front, and we'll get you registered 13 and get your name tag so you can get a bento lunch too. So 14 thank you very much. 15 (Recess taken, 10:04 a.m. to 10:27 a.m.) 16 EMCEE FILIBERT: Welcome back. And before we do that, 17 maybe just a reminder, if you have on yourself a cell phone, you 18 could please put that on shock mode. Not vibrate, but shock 19 mode. I don't like the word "vibrate mode," so just shock mode, 20 and so we -- at least we can have a smooth conference and no 21 interruptions. 22 We'll begin now with the panel on strengthening 23 communities. For this panel, it'd be moderated by Joe Peter. 24 And Joe Peter is director of the SOM-FSM Chuuk campus. 25 And with that, I'll turn it over to Jo Jo. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

48 1 Topic 1: Strengthening Community 2 Introduction 3 BY MR. JOAKIM PETER: 4 Thank you very much, Canisius. 5 It was a good start this morning with Dr. Hilda Heine. 6 And I think she has brought those issues that we are going to be 7 dealing with for the next two days at the forefront in her 8 presentation this morning. 9 So with that, we have a panel this morning talking 10 about strengthening communities. And like Canisius said, my 11 name is Jo Jo Peter. I have the easy job of moderating this 12 panel. It is easy because we have on this panel a group of 13 young Micronesians who are working in the communities here and 14 in Hawai`i, dealing with Micronesians and people here in 15 Hawai`i, in the government and the nongovernment organizations. 16 What I would like to do is ask each and every one of 17 'em do a presentation at one time. They'll all be screaming at 18 once. So you all gonna try (indiscernible) what they're saying. 19 No. One by one, I'd like them to be talking about, 20 briefly, talk about their group and the organizations that they 21 represent and they work in and the service that they provide to 22 the different Micronesian communities here in Hawai`i or 23 Micronesians in Hawai`i and Micronesians in Micronesia, if 24 that's the case. 25 And also, give some examples on how your group or RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

49 1 organization help strengthening the communities, the Micronesian 2 communities here in Hawai`i; what particular needs or issues 3 does your group or organization address; and also what proves to 4 be successful; and some ideas as to why those practice work and 5 don't work; and also what other needs are there to be done for 6 you to work and you see out there as the needs of the 7 communities. 8 There are ways in which -- if there are ways in which 9 the government and other organization can help, I'd like you to 10 also address that or bring to the conversation here this 11 morning. And it will also help very much if you have particular 12 stories that you want to tell to highlight this points and 13 special concerns that you would like to share, as well as 14 particular requests that you would like to make. 15 Let me introduce the panel members first before we ask 16 each and every one -- each of 'em to do a 10- to 12-minute 17 presentation. And I would like to ask the audience to hold 18 until all of them are done, and then we will have about a half 19 hour for questions. 20 And again, like the overall housekeeper for this 21 conference, as mentioned earlier, please keep your questions 22 precise and directly addressing the particular concerns that you 23 may have for the panel members. If you are not sure as to who 24 you should address the questions that you have in mind, just go 25 ahead and ask it, and we'll try to figure out who among them RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

50 1 will address those questions. 2 But let me introduce the panel members for this 3 morning. For our strengthening communities panel, we have, 4 first of all, Jocelyn "Josie" Howard. And she's the program 5 coordinator for Imi Loa program, the immigrant employee -- 6 (audience interruption) -- Goodwill Industries in Hawai`i. 7 Please welcome Josie. 8 (Applause.) 9 CONTINUED BY MR. PETER: 10 And the man who heed any request not to say anything 11 bad about me so I don't say anything bad about him, Canisius 12 Filibert. And he is the president of Micronesian Community 13 Network and program director for Pacific Resource and Education 14 and Learning, otherwise known as PREL. Filibert. 15 (Applause.) 16 For the Marshall Islands (indiscernible) and of course 17 a member of the Marshallese education committee, we have 18 Mr. Justin Lani. 19 (Applause.) 20 Joanna Jacob works for the Department of Education as 21 a bilingual school and home assistant here in Hawai`i; the 22 Honolulu District English Language Learners Program; and a 23 member of the Micronesian Cultural Awareness Program. Joanna. 24 (Applause.) 25 And (indiscernable) for Dionisialynn Bernard is RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

51 1 Hawai`i Department of Education. She works at Hawai`i's 2 Department of Education Behavioral Counseling Research Center 3 and former leader of Boys and Girls Club pilot program. Dion. 4 (Applause.) 5 So I think I'll just go from my left to, from my 6 immediate left, this person. We'll start with Josie. So if you 7 can just do a 10- to 12-minutes talk, tell us about your 8 programs that you do and those over there -- (voice fades). 9 MS. BERNARD: Good morning, everyone. 10 AUDIENCE: Good morning. 11 Goodwill Industries Imi Loa Program 12 BY MS. JOCELYN HOWARD: 13 I may be sitting up here, but I'm still a Micronesian. 14 So before I proceed, I would like to do an appropriate cultural, 15 in opening. (Speaking in foreign language.) 16 You know, when people ask me where do you work, I say 17 Goodwill. And they ask me, "What store?" (Laughter.) Yeah, 18 Goodwill has a lot of stores. 19 But Goodwill also has human services programs that are 20 many. We have a waiver program. We have a first-to-work 21 program. We have a C program. We have, you know, people who 22 are receiving food stamp program. Many other programs. 23 And one of our newest programs is the immigrant 24 program for the COFA nation. Actually, no longer a new program 25 because now we have the newest program which is for the Hawaiian RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

52 1 Homeland program. 2 Before I talk of Goodwill, Goodwill is already doing a 3 lot of things for the Micronesians, and that's because of the 4 many Micronesians who are working for Goodwill and also the many 5 Micronesians who are receiving services from this Goodwill 6 program. 7 And so with that, I would like to also acknowledge the 8 other Micronesians who were here before me and also came after 9 me who are in this audience. Please stand up when I call your 10 name. And in doing that, just to show that Goodwill is working 11 for Micronesians on different levels. 12 So sitting in the audience right there, Felys Suvai 13 [phonetic]. Please stand up. Felys is from Chuuk. Kawa 14 (indiscernible) from the Marshall Islands. Earlier we had 15 Reverend, Mr. Onamwar, who said the opening prayers. 16 And then I don't see the others, but we also have 17 employers from Pohnpei. One of them is actually the daughter of 18 the former governor, (indiscernible). And we also have 19 (indiscernible) from Pohnpei. And we also have Dan 20 (indiscernible) from Palau, Republic of Palau. 21 So just in saying that, you can already know that 22 Goodwill is already taking care of the problem. And as I was 23 sitting listening to Dr. Hilda Heine, she's stating, you know, 24 lots of the needs and things like that. And I reflect on the 25 Goodwill mission, which is that Goodwill helps people with RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

53 1 employment barriers to reach their full potential and become 2 self-sufficient. I feel very proud that I feel like we're 3 already taking care of one of the needs, which is employment. 4 So in saying that -- the microphone went off. There 5 you go. July 2007, the immigrant program was formed. And I was 6 asked to name it a Micronesian name. And I said cannot because 7 Micronesians have lots of languages. So to show our respect for 8 the host culture, I ask for Hawaiian name. 9 So that's why our program is called Imi Loa. And the 10 meaning is to seek knowledge and explore new horizon. And I 11 thought it just fits the purposes of why we Micronesians migrate 12 and, you know, we sacrifice so much to travel this long -- 13 (microphone problems) -- not only here in Hawai`i, but we go all 14 the way to the Mainland and all the way to the different parts 15 of the world. 16 So our immigrant program is focused mainly on the 17 people, the population from the COFA nation. And some of the 18 needs that we address, of course, aside from work, we also help 19 each individual with their individual goals, which are including 20 housing needs, childcare, continuing their education, either GED 21 or, you know, obtaining a college degree. So that's a lot of 22 challenges, a lot of work to do. 23 Like I said, the program had only started in July. So 24 like, as of today, how many months so far? Like eight months? 25 Our last quarter, we had serviced more than 50 people, and we're RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

54 1 able to help 12. And as of today, I can say we have helped 20 2 people find jobs. 3 And aside from that, we also have people, you know, 4 enrolled in college. We also help people enroll in GED 5 programs. And one of the biggest challenge that we have is, and 6 we try to provide, is the information. And like one of the 7 person who asked the question said knowledge is power, and that 8 is very true. 9 We see our program as a place for Micronesians to come 10 to, to get the informations that they need, aside from just 11 employment, to be able to make it here in Hawai`i. And I see 12 that as the most need for Micronesians. 13 We talk about acculturation. We try to provide the 14 informations on acculturation so that people can, you know, be 15 able to go to work and know that they have to call when, you 16 know, they cannot make it to work or, you know, to know that 17 it's okay to talk to their bosses, not to be scared. 18 You know, it's so typical of us to be afraid of the 19 people of power and, you know, just to give them the assurance. 20 I think that's really, really important. And like Canisius 21 said, when he went to his interview with Dr. Hilda, he was so 22 scared. But when he went in there and saw that she was 23 Micronesian, he was at ease. 24 And I think that's what makes our program also 25 successful, the fact that it is built by Micronesians and it's RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

55 1 also run by Micronesians. 'Cause when our people walk through 2 that door, they come in with -- you know, like you get to see 3 that they're so comfortable. 4 And, in fact, like some people come in and scold me. 5 Like, I didn't know your daughter's working in here. If I knew 6 you were the one, I would have come long time ago. So, I mean, 7 like -- and then my supervisor will, like, what are they talking 8 about 'cause that's not appropriate here in Hawai`i, but so 9 appropriate in Micronesia. And that's how we, you know, we 10 provide services in our office. 11 I will stop here and I'll be open to questions later 12 on and allow my colleagues to also say what they need to say 13 about their programs. Thank you. 14 (Applause.) 15 * * * * * 16 Marshallese Education Day 17 BY MR. JUSTIN LANI: 18 (Speaking in foreign language.) As Julia said, my 19 name is Justin, and I'm here on behalf of the Marshallese 20 Education Day Committee. This committee was established by the 21 Hawai'i (indiscernable) who work for the Leeward, Honolulu, and 22 Central school district and member of the community. 23 The Marshallese education event is planned for 24 April 26th at McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Park from 10:00 a.m. 25 to 4:00 p.m. And the motto of the event is -- (speaking in RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

56 1 foreign language) -- which means educating mind for the future. 2 Basically the purpose of this event is to bring Marshallese 3 community and families together to celebrate education. 4 The committee also recognize the challenges the 5 Marshallese students and parents face when they move to Hawai`i. 6 And as a member of the community, this community, the community, 7 we want to be proactive, to have a little bit challenge. And 8 so, therefore, our goal or the goal of the event, the 9 Marshallese Education Day, is to help families to learn about 10 different expectations in Hawai`i schools from those back home, 11 to increase parental involvement and participation in their 12 children education -- and inform student on how to pass, achieve 13 their educational and career goals. 14 We have a short program that will be done during the 15 day, and we're hoping to have the speeches from the regional 16 leaders from the government. Hopefully, we'll try to get 17 somebody from the ministry, Marshall Island minister of 18 education. And we just got the information that Mayor Mufi 19 Hannemann will be there as well. 20 Following the speeches, we'll have traditional musics 21 and dance, followed by presentation of award to Marshallese 22 student that are doing good in the school around the island. So 23 member of the community, the community is gathering all the name 24 of the students that are achieving good academic standing so 25 they can be recognized at that time. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

57 1 We will also have a breakout session for parents and 2 students in the afternoon, and we're hoping that this breakout 3 session will, the parents and the students will have a chance to 4 hear and interact with speakers from the panel and learn about 5 services that are offered here in Hawai`i. 6 Right now we have about 20 service provider who have 7 or are willing to participate in the event. And we're so 8 grateful that, you know, they will be there to talk about their 9 services and programs. And we're hoping that the parents and 10 the student or the community will have a chance to learn what 11 kind of services' out there. 12 With a few more days to go, the committee is carrying 13 out the planning and making progresses. And we've been 14 receiving a lot of contributions and help from individuals or 15 organizations, gearing up our preparation for the event. And 16 we're very grateful for all the help that we've been getting 17 from everybody. 18 It's a challenge to do something this big. And I just 19 wanted to express our appreciation for all the help that we've 20 been getting from the community, individual organization, and 21 especially the member of the committee that have been meeting 22 twice a week on their own time, you know, try to come up with 23 plans, coordinate this event that will be beneficial to the 24 Marshallese student here in Hawai`i. 25 They know and realize the challenges the family face RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

58 1 in the school and wanted to help or come up with something that 2 we'll be able to give them some -- or help the families face the 3 challenges they do when they first come to Hawai`i. And the 4 target group are student and parents. 5 So our committee has been going out to the community, 6 informing the community leaders that this event is coming up 7 and, you know, they should be able, they should come to the 8 event to learn and get information out of it. We're hoping that 9 when people leave this event, they will have some better 10 understanding of their role and responsibility as parents and 11 students. 12 I'm privileged to be here and I wanted to thank my 13 colleague here in front, Beverly, the UH Center for Pacific 14 Studies for giving us this opportunity to speak on -- (audience 15 interruption). Thank you. (Speaking in foreign language.) 16 * * * * * 17 (Applause.) 18 MR. PETER: Thank you very much, Justin. (Microphone 19 problems.) In 1986, I was still a student at the University of 20 Guam, and that's when the Compact, to start kicking in. Back 21 then, education was a major reason for Micronesians to travel 22 abroad to Guam and Hawai`i. 23 And then right at the beginning of the Compact, 24 we see education has also continues to be a major force and 25 reason, as presented earlier by Dr. Hilda Heine and yesterday by RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

59 1 Ben and also by the last two speakers. So education continues 2 to be a major reason for people to be moving from the islands to 3 Guam and here in Hawai`i. 4 When I came up here in 2001, that's when the 5 Micronesian population just started increasing here. And again, 6 we see new migrants, students, start appearing here in Hawai`i. 7 And until today, the issue of education continues to be a major 8 issue in discussing migrating population, especially the 9 Micronesians here in Hawai`i. 10 Joanna is going to talk about some of the 11 programs or the work that she does with the Department of 12 Education, and I think (indiscernible) will be talking about 13 that also afterwards. So if we Can have Joanna talk about some 14 of the issues and programs that they're doing with the 15 Department of Education. 16 Micronesian Cultural Awareness 17 BY MS. JOANNA JACOB: 18 (Speaking foreign language.) Today I will be talking 19 about a project that we just started. It came out of the 20 Micronesian Community Network education committee. And we are 21 fortunate to have partnership with the Department of Labor, 22 their office of community services. And I really would like to 23 acknowledge them for funding the program, making it possible for 24 this program to take place. It is a pilot project that we're 25 doing to provide workshops on Micronesian cultures to the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

60 1 Hawai`i public schoolteachers, school administrators, and staff. 2 Many of our members are currently, or have something, 3 or have in the past, worked for the Department of Education. 4 And we have recognized many of the needs for the department in 5 terms of working with Micronesian families and students. 6 To talk about Micronesian culture, it's not a singular 7 culture. It's a lot of cultures make up Micronesia. So with 8 that in mind, we have representatives from each of the different 9 entities in Micronesia. We have a representative from 10 (indiscernible) Lillian Segal. Canisius Filibert and Bruce -- 11 (audience interruption) -- from Palau. Mary Milne and Gloria 12 (indiscernible) from the Marshall Islands. Myself and Jocelyn 13 Howard from Chuuk. And we have a new member, Saundra -- (not 14 speaking in microphone) -- from Yap. 15 So issues that we work with, as I already mentioned, 16 this was established to provide a workshop for teachers training 17 on how we can work effectively with the Micronesian families and 18 students in the schools. 19 Education, I guess other than health and maybe social 20 service, too, is one of the areas where Micronesian or 21 Micronesian impact is felt the most. And we realize that 22 educators -- this includes administrators, staff, and everybody 23 that works for the Department of Education -- still did not know 24 too much about Micronesia. Sometimes they ask questions, like 25 do you speak Micronesian? No, I don't speak Micronesian; I RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

61 1 speak Chuukese. 2 So little things like that, they're not aware of. And 3 there is not too many resources out there to help teachers. 4 Teachers are very important to our kids who are out here, and we 5 move out here for education. And the teachers are the ones who 6 educate our kids. And it is important for teachers to also 7 understand the background of these children and their families. 8 So with that in mind, our ultimate purpose in doing 9 this is for student achievement -- Micronesians to be successful 10 in school. 11 What we provide. Workshops. These workshops, we've 12 been presenting to individual schools who have requested that we 13 come and talk with their teachers. And complexes 14 (undiscernible) complex areas or accommodation of schools and, 15 you know, to different schools or the whole, say, McKinley, 16 Roosevelt complex areas. It can be as small as one school or as 17 big as two or three complexes together. 18 What we cover is basic information on Micronesia: 19 geography, history, culture. And additional information that we 20 provide is, um, includes some of the (indiscernible) practices 21 in classroom management, effective teaching techniques that they 22 work with this population, and parental involvement strategies. 23 With this project, it's very interesting because 24 initially we started out as working for the schools. Well, we 25 were supposed to have like about 10, maybe 8 or 10 workshops to RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

62 1 conduct, uh, this many workshops. 2 Well, with, um, at request from non-DOE places, the 3 life foundation, the child welfare agencies, what you call, 4 agencies in Kona --. And it's been very interesting because we 5 can see and we can understand the need to understand. There is 6 a gap in understanding the culture. There are people out there 7 who are willing to help, but they need to understand more about 8 the Micronesian cultures and how they can effectively work with 9 the cultures. 10 How (indiscernible) strengthen communications? Well, 11 by doing this, we've learned the many concerns, the many issues 12 in education that maybe we overlooked at Micronesians in 13 education. There are other things that we've learned from other 14 departments. So that kind of help us tailor our training or 15 workshops towards the many concerns that have been raised by 16 other places. 17 I can say that going to Kona to do a presentations 18 there was my first time to go to Kona, to go to that side of the 19 Big Island. And I did not know what the challenges are over 20 there. I thought it would be just like Honolulu. 21 Well, by talking to the people there after the 22 workshop, I've learned that there are not a lot of Chuukese in 23 Kona. So they're not asking about Chuukese culture, in 24 particular. But they want to know more about the Marshallese 25 culture and the Kosraean culture. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

63 1 So this kind of dialogue with the department, or 2 whoever the service providers are that we are talking to, really 3 allow us to know what the needs are so that we can help, we can 4 find out ways to help them. 5 And what we want to do is to also find avenues in 6 which we can make this, um, this resources on Micronesia 7 available to them. We even provide some books for the teachers 8 when we do the presentation. And we also make ourselves 9 available as resources for Micronesians and any questions that 10 will pertain to Micronesian here in Hawai`i or in education. 11 There are a lot of things that still need to be done 12 because this is just the beginning of our project and we hope to 13 continue it because we have big dreams about this. And our 14 Phase 2 for this project, we hope to reach our own Micronesian 15 communities and our families, to educate them about the American 16 culture, to talk to them about what to expect in the schools and 17 how they can better assist us in helping the kids succeed in 18 school. 19 We also would like to create resource materials for 20 teachers or even for parents, videos that they can watch at home 21 that explain all the procedures for filling out, let's say, 22 registration forms for that matter. 23 Some of these things that we take for granted, many of 24 our new arrivals, new parents to the schools don't know about. 25 They don't know. Requirements; they don't know that. Many of RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

64 1 them don't know that you need papers, like guardianship papers, 2 to have your cousin's kid stay with you. 3 So these are the things that we would like to put in a 4 Phase 2 of our project. And we would also like to continue with 5 this workshop because, you know, the state -- (indiscernible) -- 6 the schools are spread out and we can only do so many things. 7 We were given, since April of 2007 to September of this year, to 8 do as many as we can. 9 But it was only here in Honolulu or maybe a couple 10 from the Central or Leeward district. But we haven't gone to 11 Kona, let's say. 'Cause, um, we haven't gone to Hilo. And Big 12 Island also has a lot of Micronesians students. At one other 13 presentation that we did, we had teachers from Kaua`i come out 14 to us to ask for questions about how we -- how they can service 15 the Micronesians. 16 So yes, we still have a lot to do. And with this, I 17 would like to ask the government --. The state government here, 18 I really appreciate their efforts for supporting the initiatives 19 that Micronesians are taking or to help our people here. 20 And I want to ask the churches, Micronesian Community 21 Network, Micronesians United, to help as well for Phase 2 of the 22 project, which is like outreach to the community, because they 23 can be a challenge when you're dealing with, you know, 24 Micronesian communities where they don't live in one particular 25 area. And we will need more people to kind of -- or in RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

65 1 spreading the word or talking to people about what we're trying 2 to --. 3 Yes, we respond to our people very well. I should say 4 better. So that's why --. And the churches, because churches 5 are very important in our communities and I really would like to 6 ask all our church leaders if they can have -- (voice fades). 7 As far as governments back home, the Hawai`i 8 government has done a lot for us. And our governments back home 9 would like your support as well. Maybe the orientation process, 10 it will be good to have because sometimes the parents would come 11 in and they don't understand that they have to have the 12 guardianship papers. Then it becomes a problem because then 13 they will have to try to figure out how to get papers to prove 14 that this child actually belongs to that family. 15 And another thing is if we have our get-togethers, I 16 would like to see the presence of the consulate offices just to 17 show support for our efforts here to help -- (voice fades). 18 Thank you. 19 * * * * * 20 (Applause.) 21 MR. PETER: (Indiscernible.) All right, I am the 22 moderator. I should have a microphone that works. Also next we 23 have Dionisialynn or Dion Bernard. She works also for the 24 Department of Education. Dion. 25 Boys and Girls Club Pilot Programs RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

66 1 BY MS. DIONISIALYNN BERNARD: 2 Hello, everybody. We go all the way -- (voice fades). 3 Just to make a clarification, I do not work for DOE. I was a 4 previous employer at a Boys and Girls Club, and I worked on a 5 Pacific grant that was called the Micronesian Needs Assessment, 6 and that is what I'm here to talk about, my experience working 7 with that project. 8 It started during the summer of 2006 and then just 9 ended early this year (voice fades). What it was was a group of 10 teachers expressed to the state legislatures (indiscernable) a 11 flood of immigrant Micronesian students, you know, flooding our 12 education systems (indiscernible) overworked, overwhelmed 13 and (indiscernible) help these students. 14 So what this -- grant is actually written by Sharon 15 Miyashiro and was possible because of her. And the Boys and 16 Girls Club received that grant to do after school, to do the 17 study, and to provide after-school resources to Micronesian 18 students. 19 We were lucky to get students from Washington Middle 20 School, of mostly McKinley complex, to take surveys. 21 (Indiscernible) needs assessment was taken at the schools -- 22 Kaimuki, McKinley High School, Washington Middle School, and 23 Ka`ahumanu Elementary, all in the same complex. 24 And we are able to (indiscernible) 171 students 25 surveyed and about 68 of parents surveyed, and gotten more RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

67 1 information (indiscernible) both of them. From this 2 (indiscernible), we were able to find out that most of the needs 3 were expressed with language, the language, the English language 4 barrier. Students were having difficulty because they do not 5 speak English. 6 (Indiscernible) they wanted more help with computers 7 and with homework. They were allowed (indiscernible) because 8 they didn't have (indiscernible) both parents either work or did 9 not have the education or did not graduate from high school at 10 all. 11 So among this were also recreational needs that they 12 expressed. From parents, they expressed that a lot of 13 the (indiscernible) work and did not have time or 14 (indiscernible) the language skills to communicate with 15 teachers (indiscernible). 16 And lot of it was that they were intimidated going to 17 PTA meetings because teachers (indiscernible) of problems that 18 their students have (indiscernible). Understandably a lot of 19 (indiscernible). 20 I'm not gonna spend a lot of time on the needs 21 assessment because (indiscernible). And from the assessments, 22 we borrowed and also designed (indiscernible) pilot programs to 23 see what works. 24 And we have all this information (indiscernible) news 25 media in meetings like this that we have so many Micronesians, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

68 1 so many of our people from Chuuk overwhelming our education 2 system, and our state has spent so much money on them. But why 3 aren't the students graduating? This was my personal question 4 that I, that led me to be involved in this project. 5 So many students are taking (indiscernible) in the 6 classroom, why aren't they graduating? Why aren't they going to 7 high school, to college? And sort of that was (indiscernible) 8 passion that I wanted to get involved and to find out the 9 question, the answer to that question. 10 And we ran a separate program, thanks to (audience 11 interruption). We were to use one of their programs available 12 on their web site called my story, a media program where 13 students were able to do their own -- take their own pictures, 14 videotape their own -- and put together according to where 15 they're coming from their experience here in Hawai`i. And that 16 was a collaboration with `Olelo. 17 And another program was the basic life skills, and 18 that's where I was able to meet Dr. Hanlon and Tisha. The basic 19 life skills was mainly to orient students coming, new students 20 coming from Micronesia about schools that they were going into. 21 A lot of times most kids have a (indiscernible) program where 22 they say, you know, here's the bathroom, here's the classroom, 23 this is your schedule. 24 A lot of times they don't understand what is being 25 said at those orientations because they don't speak English. So RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

69 1 what we did or was -- the program was with McKinley High School 2 students. And we went through the basic life skills and it 3 focussed mainly on orienting and acculturation, from etiquette 4 to classroom goals, things that were (voice trailing). 5 And then another one was a collaboration with 6 (indiscernible). It was a chance to have -- to get students, 7 Micronesian students, involved with art with the (indiscernible) 8 something that, you know, is not mainly considered from our 9 community as something important or education. 10 So a lot of what we concentrated on was the feeling of 11 belonging (indiscernible) was that either they experienced 12 discrimination (indiscernible) from other students and from 13 teachers. And (indiscernible) like they belong. 14 And I just want to point out that Dr. Heine said a lot 15 of these immigrant families that come here, they say it's 16 temporary -- which they're just here to get schools -- get 17 medical help -- and we're going back home. 18 And a lot of times we forget that we're here five, ten 19 years, fifteen years, and our children are being raised here. 20 And not only by you, but by the teachers in schools, by the 21 students they meet (indiscernible) whether it be positive or 22 negative influence. They're being raised in Hawai`i. 23 And a lot of times we don't know what's going on 24 because they get involved with drugs. And what we did at Boys 25 and Girls Club is provide a space and resources where they can RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

70 1 look and say: I belong here; I can play basketball here; I can 2 do my homework here. 3 And that's mainly what we did at Boys and Girls Club. 4 And I would like to thank Boys and Girls Club, Sharon Miyashiro, 5 and all the churches where we did pass out surveys, and the 6 consulates to help (indiscernible) pass out brochures to the 7 families. 8 We're getting this project done. It is completed. 9 But the final form of the report is still under (indiscernible). 10 But I just wanted to share that my experience here at 11 Boys and Girls Club, working with these children -- there were 12 13 of them -- and they completed all three programs and they 13 actually showed up, which I was surprised because it took place 14 during the summer. 15 And personally, when I was a kid, I didn't want to go 16 and listen to some people talking about (indiscernible). 17 But (indiscernible). And surprisingly, they did show up and it 18 appealed to me because there is that need. They want to belong. 19 And so much through this process of immigration through 20 acculturation, we forget that our children are here with us and 21 they're lost and so many of them express that. 22 So on the list of questions, there's -- we have things 23 to ask the government, from organizations, and to invest in our 24 children because they are our future. The problems of welfare, 25 of employment, I believe will be solved if we invest more in the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

71 1 education of our children because we can do it. We are here on 2 this panel because we made it; and if we invested in our 3 children (indiscernible ). Thank you. 4 * * * * * 5 (Applause.) 6 MR. PETER: Thank you very much, Dion. And last, but 7 certainly not least, from the Pacific Resource and Education 8 Learning, and Micronesian United Network, Mr. Filibert. 9 MR. FILBERT: Thank you, Jo Jo. Correction. 10 Micronesian Community Network. Micronesians United is another 11 one. 12 MR. PETER: And I know they're sitting in their seat. 13 That's not the guy. 14 MR. FILIBERT: Yeah. But I'll be speaking more of 15 MCN, Micronesian Community Network, and I'll let Hilda be the 16 proud representative -- (audience interruption). 17 Micronesian Community Network 18 BY MR. CANISIUS FILIBERT: 19 So yeah, Dion talked about the feeling of belonging to 20 something (indiscernible). And Micronesian Community Network 21 also serves that purpose because, as Hilda was saying, one of 22 the good things that have come about because of all of this 23 discussion and issues coming up is the Micronesians themselves 24 organizing and getting together. 25 And MCN was really sort of --. The idea for it came RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

72 1 from Mary Matayoshi, who is the executive director for the 2 Volunteer Resource Center of Hawai`i, because a grant from the 3 Hawai`i Community Foundation, one of the (indiscernible) grant 4 was made available for the purpose of creating community 5 leadership among the Micronesians. 6 And so she formed a group, kind of the current 7 Micronesian (indiscernible) back in 2004. That was towards the 8 end of 2004. And so convened the group and organized it, got 9 the grant, originally for 25,000, I think, but only got 9,000 10 awarded. And that seed money actually began the organization of 11 MCN. 12 Since then, there have been a lot of other 13 collaborations, other agencies, groups, persons, who have been 14 very supportive of MCN or efforts for Micronesians in general. 15 And one of the persons who's been very involved with MCN is 16 Mrs. Barbara Tom with the -- I know I'm gonna get this wrong -- 17 Parkinson's Disease or some program of that type. But 18 (indiscernible) not that she has Parkinson's but, uh. 19 And so in the beginning of 2005, a group came together 20 that included Richard Salvador, who is sitting right there. And 21 actually, Richard became the first president of the Micronesian 22 Community Network. And he took on that role for about two 23 years. And then just recently, last year, I took over for 24 Richard. 25 And so Richard was really sort of the -- originally, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

73 1 we were supposed to have officers, but we never got to that 2 point. We kept talking about our by-laws and never elected 3 officers. 4 But when I came onboard, I thought that we needed to 5 have other Micronesians in the leading roles for MCN. So other 6 Micronesians who are officers are Ms. Callista Mar-bo [Phonetic] 7 who is with Pact Hawai`i, and she's our treasurer. And Richard 8 Alex from Pohnpei; he's our vice president. And Ms. Grace 9 Isaac -- I don't know if she's here, but she's our secretary. 10 Then we also have Ms. Adeline Foo-lee-yar-tee [Phonetic] from 11 Palau, and she's the coordinator. 12 Our office are mainly located with the McKinley 13 Community School for Adults. And for MCSH, through the 14 generosity of Ms. Helen Satay, [Phonetic] the principal of 15 McKinley Community School, has really helped us. 16 She also gave us, MCN, a portable up at Stevenson 17 Middle School, upper Makiki. That's been the location where we 18 have our computers, donated by other agencies and groups. And 19 we meet there every -- well, right now we're sort of 20 transitioning and trying to decide which is the better time. 21 But prior to this month, we kept meeting at every third Friday 22 of the month. 23 And so in the beginning, MCN has been sort of like a 24 conduit for other organizations in the community to come; and if 25 they need it, to provide services to Micronesians because they RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

74 1 were sort of mandated to then be, sort of provided that outlet 2 for them, that we collaborate with them. 3 So we've done -- (indiscernible). That was back in 4 2005. We have the state capitol. Then we also helped with the 5 Hepatitis B or Hep B nonprofit organization for Hawai`i, 6 organized health fairs, mainly here in Honolulu. And I think 7 once we went out to Waipahu, other places. 8 So the Micronesian Community Network has really 9 been -- it began with that 9,000, or however small amount it 10 was. That ended a long time ago, but we're still going. We're 11 still running, and I think simply because we see for ourselves 12 the need to come together and talk amongst ourselves. Even 13 though we do get into some differences and we get very heated in 14 our discussions, but we do agree to disagree. 15 We do have committees that address certain issues, 16 like an education committee, which has probably been the most 17 active in the Micronesian Community Network. Actually, 18 because -- they had committed the (indiscernible) or what Joanna 19 was talking about. That sort of came about. 20 Because as we kept meeting, I found out that I was 21 doing some things for (indiscernible). I was doing 22 presentations in the school. (Indiscernible) is doing other 23 presentations. Joanna did some as well and other Micronesians. 24 And we thought why are we doing the same thing in different 25 places? And then it's sort of like a duplication of efforts. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

75 1 So we decided let's get together and form a group and 2 do presentations, which is probably more effective than one 3 person going out and doing it by themselves. And because of 4 that effort, the Office of Community Services approached us 5 because they saw us doing it and they said, well, are you being 6 compensated by the Hawai`i DOE? I said no, we're just doing it 7 because we see the need; and of course, it's really for the 8 children. And so he said, well, you should. Well, do we? 9 I guess because it never came to mind; we're doing it 10 because we need to do it for our own children and our own 11 families. And I guess it was a good thing that that came around 12 because we needed to, I guess, sort of set a standard that, as 13 we go along, some of these things, we're doing it, we have our 14 own other jobs and we're not being compensated. So it's sort of 15 like an unfair thing, if you really look at it that way. 16 And so yeah, I think we are setting standards. But 17 we're very accommodating. Micronesians are very accommodating, 18 by the way. We'll talk (indiscernible). 19 Let's see. What other things for MCN? How we doing 20 on time? I hope I'm not going over. 21 MR. PETER: You still have a few minutes. 22 CONTINUED BY MR. FILIBERT: 23 Maybe just one more thing. So maybe my last point was 24 really juggling the roles. Because sometimes it gets to be a 25 little bit hectic when you're trying to do your own real job RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

76 1 duties. Not that MCN is not real, but -- I don't know how to 2 say it. It's the other real one, another reality show. 3 But we see the need to come together amongst ourselves 4 and talk and move along some of the issues. And really, some of 5 the bills that have come across the state legislature has been 6 also addressed at Micronesia Community Network. 7 And we've gone to the legislature. We provided oral 8 testimonies there. And some of it has helped. Other times it 9 sort of just fell on deaf ears, and maybe it's a juggle also 10 there at the legislature. You do your thing, but they take it 11 or not. But we're there. We're still there and we continue to 12 provide the support and the belongingness for Micronesians. 13 And so just to add. The numbers for Micronesian 14 Community Network members has really not been definite. We 15 don't really know. I mean, if you come, you're a member. If 16 you don't come, fine. But come back again; you're still a 17 member. So it becomes a problem for our treasurer Callista 18 because we try and get dues for members, but it never really 19 materializes. 20 But that's really not the driving force for MCN. It's 21 really the dedication of the Micronesians and for us coming 22 together. Thank you. 23 * * * * * 24 (Applause.) 25 MR. PETER: Thank you very much, Canisius. And on RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

77 1 that note, maybe a few things we can point out before we open up 2 for questioning. We have actually finished. Surprisingly, it's 3 a Micronesian conference. We finished a little bit ahead of 4 time in terms of presentations. So we have more time for 5 questions. 6 But I think there's some things we need to 7 provide, just some overview, a little bit in summarizing the 8 presentations. It is very evident from the five presenters 9 today, that there are these five people, who are involved in 10 their own efforts to provide the services to Micronesian 11 communities and helping strengthen the communities, are really 12 stuff, things they are doing. Some of them on their own, 13 independent of any connection. It is evident in the Micronesian 14 efforts and the -- (indiscernible) -- connection to the 15 governments back home. 16 In fact, there is a lot of need, an articulated 17 need for some kind of organization among the groups, as 18 presented earlier. And also, of course, the overwhelming, you 19 know, need for the Micronesian communities here, by the state 20 and the local governments, to have the general understanding and 21 good understanding of the cultural differences among the group. 22 It's also quite evident. 23 And along that note, I would like to open up, for 24 the general conference here, to ask questions, specific 25 questions. And again, if you're not really sure as to who RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

78 1 should answer it, go ahead and ask and we'll try to -- that 2 question on to one of the presenters. 3 Again, there are Micronesians in the aisles and 4 we are being televised. We are on TV, so I ask that you keep 5 that in mind. Before that -- (audience interruption). 6 MS. HOWARD: Hi, again. I just wanted to add four 7 things to my presentation earlier. One is the acknowledgment of 8 the State of Hawai`i allowing us to have a voice here in 9 Hawai`i. 10 And again, like Joanna, I would like to thank, 11 especially the Office of Community Services 'cause I feel like 12 they're the ones that really give us the voice and the many 13 other service providers out there that are, you know, giving 14 voices to us, the Micronesians here in Hawai`i. 15 The second thing I want to acknowledge that, yes, 16 there's five of us up here, you know, under the title 17 strengthening communities. But each individual Micronesian out 18 there who are sitting in the audience are also contributing to 19 that. And on that -- you know, when you go back into the homes 20 of the Micronesians, in each family they are working hard trying 21 to contribute to strengthening communities here in Hawai`i. 22 The church groups, you know, other 23 organizations -- church group, like, you know, Daniel -- 24 (indiscernible) -- with the Catholic, I want to acknowledge 25 Sunset. They're working really hard, you know, working with RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

79 1 this community, trying to make life better here for us 2 Micronesians in Hawai`i. Rev. Akendo from Pohnpei. I'm sorry, 3 David. 4 And the third thing is I want to ask the 5 government back home now, even though we've been away and being 6 gone from our islands, to give us a voice back home so that, you 7 know, you can hear what our recommendations are here and 8 hopefully then give us a voice back home to be heard. Then we 9 can make things happen here. 10 Then the fourth and most important thing is to be 11 open as, you know, service providers and even us up here on a 12 daily basis, always open to effective ways of communicating with 13 Micronesians. And each every one of us has a unique way. You 14 know, just turn to the next person and -- (indiscernible) -- 15 help you make things happen. And I think if we do that, we can 16 make things happen, you know, and achieve goals. Thank you. 17 MR. PETER: Thank you, Jocelyn. And you should know 18 that Jim -- (indiscernible) -- is taking notes. 19 Let's open up for question. 20 AUDIENCE MEMBER JENNIE BETHEL: (Speaking in foreign 21 language.) Mahalo. Thank you so much for all the wonderful 22 gifts and all the sharing of your knowledge and tools to improve 23 with the lives of our community, including my community. 24 My name is Jennie Bethel. I'm coming from Maui 25 District Health Office, Department of Health, Family Health RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

80 1 Services Section. And we are tasked in public health to 2 collaborate and to really partner with all of our communities 3 around the state. 4 And on Maui -- I know you said no statements and 5 keep your questions short -- but do you have plans or dreams to 6 come to Maui and share your knowledge and expertise? 7 UNIDENTIFIED MALE PANEL MEMBER: Sure. We always have 8 dreams of coming to Maui. We do -- or we have to do -- we have 9 been told by the Office of Community Services, OCS, that they 10 can still help us or give funds to support the same workshops 11 provided through the Micronesian Cultural Awareness Project to 12 the neighboring islands. It's just that it needs us to provide 13 them with a proposal. 14 And so, as I talked about juggling roles, that's 15 one of the things that I have on my to-do list. So yeah, we 16 will be coming to the neighboring islands. I cannot tell you or 17 give you a guaranteed date, but we'll be there. We'll come to 18 Maui (indiscernible). 19 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: Yeah, I think one of 20 the -- also, perhaps an important thing to do is to have a list 21 of the groups that the Micronesian community and the other ones 22 that can help provide this kind of awareness and cultural 23 awareness for the state government and other agencies that are 24 interested, so that at least there is some -- you know, that we 25 have that information for our people to tap into. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

81 1 Let me ask that gentleman (indiscernible). 2 AUDIENCE MEMBER EARL NAKAU: My name is Earl Nakau. 3 I'm a minster of the pentacle church. In my ministry, we do a 4 lot of children's activities, children's sleepovers, and 5 children's camps. 6 And in some of my visits, I notice a lot of kids 7 are home even though school is in session. And they would say 8 they're sick or -- um, so I think it seems like they're sick 9 often because they're home often. But in actuality, they don't 10 seem to be sick. So I believe there's some -- it might be 11 particular to this family, but they seem to be very laxed about 12 education. 13 And also, some of the children, they say, oh, 14 they're trying to get their papers. I suppose it's the 15 guardianship papers; and for at least one child, it's been over 16 a year. What is the normal process in time to get those 17 guardianship papers? 18 MR. PETER: Before I ask one of them to address that, 19 that has been an issue -- people leaving the islands and 20 bringing children with them who are not their immediate child, 21 for example. And then later on, they would write or call back 22 for some kind of power of attorney for those that, the legal 23 form that they usually need for the Department of Education 24 here. 25 And the process of processing those back home, it RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

82 1 takes -- you know, it takes some time to get it through. But in 2 that case where it's, like, one year, then maybe some other 3 factors are, you know, at lay here. 4 But, I mean, the statement about being relaxed 5 about, uh, those kind of barriers, and I think those are the 6 barriers that we need to identify so that we, you know, on this, 7 like, group, among this group here and other organizations here 8 that can find ways to address this. So let me ask anybody else 9 on the panel to comment on that. 10 (Break in proceedings.) 11 MR. PETER: No? Once again, let me also remind you 12 that we have the breakout sessions. If you can sign up for them 13 in the breakout session, we will be discussing those kinds of 14 things more in-depth and actually bring these things in more of 15 an organized way to present it to our governments and 16 policymakers. So I encourage you to sign up for the breakout 17 sessions. 18 Go ahead. 19 AUDIENCE MEMBER MICHELLE PARK: Hi. Thank you very 20 much for your presentations and the resources that are available 21 to the population out there. My name is Michelle Park and I 22 work at the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawai`i. I intend to take 23 a prevention standpoint of providing services, but just the 24 same, you know, we have to work with intervention and treatment 25 as well. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

83 1 I'm curious. Does anybody on the panel have 2 plans to work with law enforcement and the judiciary system 3 around some of the issues that are going to cause them getting 4 caught up in the legal issues with the Micronesian population? 5 Or are there plans to begin that effort? 6 EMCEE FILIBERT: Are you asking if we are planning to 7 be active in law enforcement? Is that the --? 8 AUDIENCE MEMBER MICHELLE PARK: Not specifically law 9 enforcement, but just supporting law enforcement and the 10 issues -- 11 UNIDENTIFIED MALE PANEL MEMBER: -- support -- 12 (Audience member and panel member cutting into each 13 other.) 14 AUDIENCE MEMBER MICHELLE PARK: -- dealing with around 15 some of the issues with youth and the variety of issues. 16 Because in part -- I'm not only asking from the viewpoint of 17 prevention. But going back to Dr. Hilda's presentation this 18 morning, that's the presentation that the state gets about the 19 Micronesian population. It's really, uh, it's all negative. 20 And I don't like that, personally. And hearing 21 the presentations today and Dr. Hilda speak this morning is just 22 a whole different representation of the Micronesian population. 23 And with respect that we do, we deserve to them just as equally 24 as they deserve to the state and United States in coming here 25 and trying to integrate into our populations here. So. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

84 1 EMCEE FILIBERT: I echo your (indiscernible) you come 2 from a preventive approach. And one of the things that the 3 Micronesian groups are doing now is being represented in a task 4 force that would address --. 5 One of the things is the sexual violence 6 prevention. Because the issue has come up in the schools and in 7 the community, and part of it is cultural, but the other part is 8 more on the legal side of it. And we want to address that, get 9 Micronesians involved. So we are developing and working with 10 other groups to develop a plan and put it in place so that, if 11 something comes up, then at least we can deal with. 12 Other ways that we sort of go on that direction 13 is really working with the courts -- the Office of Language 14 Access -- and getting a number of Micronesians to be trained to 15 become interpreters and translators. Because a year ago, the 16 need for interpreters in the courts, I believe, was the highest. 17 I know topping the list was Tagalog. And the beginning of this 18 year, Chuukese being the number one need. 19 And so the good news is that last month, there 20 were a number of Micronesians -- Chuukese -- that attended an 21 orientation workshop to become what we call Tier One 22 interpreters to the courts. 23 And as we go along -- I mean, there has to be 24 some oral test and written test that we have to take. But for 25 the moment, at least, those who attended the workshops have now RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

85 1 have their names listed in the state listing of interpreters and 2 translators. In terms of real law enforcement, I'm not sure if 3 we have crime fighters among ourselves. 4 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PANELIST: I'm gonna answer your 5 question. Yes, for my program, my program is involved in that 6 for our acculturation purpose or orientation purpose. 7 In fact, right now, I am currently working with a 8 group of people, a family from the attorney general's office, 9 and Pat in the Office of Community Services. We're working on a 10 booklet, orientation booklet for immigrants. Thank you. 11 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PANELIST: Just very quickly, just 12 to address the issue of drug-free prevention, I did work at Boys 13 and Girls Club with the (audience interruption) program, with 14 the (audience interruption) public safety. 15 And so far, out there, there isn't 16 (indiscernible) other program for Micronesians, addressing the 17 prevention for (indiscernible) Micronesians youth and adults. 18 And I think that's a need and (voice fades). And I think that's 19 a need, and good thing you brought it up. 20 UNIDENTIFIED MALE PANELIST: Let me ask the lady 21 standing with us. 22 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: Thank you. My 23 question is geared towards Joanna and Dion. And with regards to 24 your education programs and the needs assessment that you have 25 conducted, do you address pregnant and parenting of Micronesian RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

86 1 teens differently than you would within your education program, 2 Joanna? 3 Or is it all the same? I mean, do you just 4 incorporate that population in with your general education 5 programs? Or is there anything different, I mean, that you 6 would do with your pregnant and parenting Micronesian teenagers? 7 MS. JACOB: Actually, right now, because this is a 8 pilot project that we started, we started with the teachers 9 (indiscernible) on culture and (indiscernible) with the 10 families. I would say that that would be something to consider, 11 as far as when we go into Phase 2 of our project, which is to 12 work with the families. And so, I guess, to answer your 13 questions right now, we don't have anything -- 14 (Audience member and panelist cutting into each 15 other.) 16 MS. JACOB: -- incorporated. But, yeah. 17 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: And then my 18 other question is how can we get contact information for the 19 panel members? We just come up afterwards, or is there gonna be 20 a signup sheet -- great. 21 UNIDENTIFIED MALE PANELIST: Yeah, you can ask them 22 individually. But I think the Center for Pacific Island Studies 23 has the contact information for all the participants on this 24 panel and I think everybody else participating one way or 25 another on the conference. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

87 1 Richard? 2 MR. SALVADOR: I wanted to respond (indiscernible) 3 information to the previous question that had been asked. 4 (Indiscernible). The Hawai`i Youth Services Network received 5 FAPE-based grants which were given to -- some of it was given to 6 the Volunteer Resource Center of Hawai`i, community 7 (indiscernible) programs, (Indiscernible) prevention of teenage 8 pregnancies and child abuse and trying to prevent teenage 9 violence. And actually, I'm involved with those kinds of 10 education. 11 The director of the Volunteer Resource Center of 12 Hawai`i, Mary Matayoshi, which is one of our Micronesian at work 13 advisors, heads those programs under Hawai`i Youth Services 14 Network and identifying the (indiscernible) to work with. 15 With regards to efforts made through other 16 neighbor islands, the Compact task force (indiscernible) as was 17 called for by the state legislature, they talked about the 18 desire (indiscernible) statewide Compact of Free Association 19 (indiscernible) which would be responsible for the State of 20 Hawai`i (indiscernible) addressing the needs of the Compact of 21 Free Association citizens. (Hammer pounding throughout.) 22 A resolution was made when the state legislature 23 was still in session. Unfortunately, I think it died. And so 24 (indiscernible) made. People or persons who addressing those. 25 And in the Micronesian Community Network RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

88 1 (indiscernible), perhaps Canisius Filibert will also say 2 something. 3 But we had previous conversations. And one of 4 the things that came up was the, uh, some Marshallese 5 communities on the Big Island (indiscernible) who are existing 6 in really bare necessities of life. And I suggested to the 7 group that we form our own group and go visit them so then we 8 are able to effectively (indiscernible) legislature. (Hammer 9 pounding continues.) 10 And the resolution (indiscernible) also died in 11 the state legislature. And as previously in the last two years, 12 there has been at least two major bills to provide. 13 The first one was to provide 4.7 million Compact 14 work force development funding under some federal program, that 15 the moneys was to be given to the poor countries, including 16 Micronesian citizens here. But since there was not a 17 (indiscernible) identified separately from the counties as a 18 group --. 19 But the bill passed; went to the governor. But 20 the attorney general decided that it had some language contained 21 regarding funding for the counties (indiscernible) support for 22 the Micronesian funding was pretty strong. That it 23 was (indiscernible) as far as the governor releasing the funds. 24 As mentioned, the other one was (indiscernible) 25 Hawai`i funding for a program was set up at Leeward Community RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

89 1 College. A Micronesian program to provide other assistance and, 2 uh -- the program was created, but without funding. So for over 3 a year, the (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) back to the state 4 legislature to ask for $1 million, and they turned it down. 5 So there's efforts in the state legislature to ry 6 to get funding to support. But it's the legislature that were 7 the greatest (indiscernible). So as far as the assistance with 8 it, people here who are friends of Micronesians (indiscernible) 9 to help influence the (indiscernible) passing through. 10 And the other issue is with -- (indiscernible) 11 Micronesian and (indiscernible) the Hawai`i symposium 12 (indiscernible) came and talked about his efforts to try to work 13 with Micronesian youth get in trouble. 14 In March, I think, was 2006, we had a conference 15 with Ed Kubo. That's one of the main speakers. And Ed Kubo and 16 the Hawai`i (indiscernible) program was trying to also involve 17 us in some efforts to address legal issues to the Micronesians. 18 Fortunately, we have the Legal Aid Society just 19 hired a Palauan woman to be one of their members. And so the 20 Legal Aid Society will continue to provide those kinds of legal 21 services. 22 But the Micronesian community will address needs 23 as they surface (indiscernible) identify them. So please 24 contact Canisius Filibert for your collaboration in the future. 25 MR. PETER: Thank you very much, Richard. Richard RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

90 1 will be participating on other panels in this conference. He's 2 a strong advocate of Micronesians here in, uh --. 3 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: First of all, 4 let me comment on (indiscernible) one of the contributions 5 (indiscernible) here. 6 One of the -- the question I wanted to ask -- 7 there seems to be a lot of programs, a lot of services that you 8 guys have provided for Micronesians and people that probably 9 would need information. Is there any future plans on possibly 10 making what Dr. Heine said, a one-shop center where people can 11 come in and get resources and informations on what they need to 12 know? 13 The other thing I want to say is education. The 14 education program that Justin Lani's conducting this month, I 15 think it would be good to see all participants from Micronesia 16 take part and take his program through the schools. Maybe 17 one-day program so that teachers and families that need to know 18 more about Micronesia, you guys can take it out there and do a 19 program. Thank you. 20 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PANELIST: I want to answer the 21 question about the idea of that one stop center that Dr. Hilda 22 Heine talked about. The answer is yes, Goodwill Industries of 23 Hawai`i has already put in a (indiscernible). I guess (audience 24 interruption) about three weeks ago we went down, we were 25 invited to come down and give support (indiscernible) at the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

91 1 capitol. It looks good. We're gonna need everybody's support. 2 But I want to say, yes, there is an effort to put 3 that. 4 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: Again, just 5 refreshing what everyone said. Thank you so much for you folks 6 and everyone here that's putting on this conference to help 7 learn more about Micronesian community. 8 My name is (indiscernible). I'm from Catholic 9 Charity and head of Healthy Start. We have a contract with 10 Child Welfare Services to go into people's homes to teach 11 parents and children from birth to age three about development 12 and how to be better parents. 13 My question is what is the most effective and 14 respectful way to build trust with these families, especially 15 since one of our job requirements is we have to see the 16 children? And sometimes they're not there or the babies are 17 really bundled up, and we don't know if it's okay to ask them, 18 can we see your kids. You know -- that that will offend 19 somebody or they'll be frightened or what. Again, it's not 20 to -- if you don't -- or if you have resource that we can go to 21 to have questions like that answered. Thank you. 22 MR. PETER: I was going to turn it over to our 23 cultural expert Canisius Filibert. But just a couple of 24 comments on that. Maybe there are, for example, church groups 25 here, and I know there is a strong Catholic church group here, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

92 1 as well as the other denominations. That is one avenue that you 2 may want to explore. 3 The other groups, Micronesian Community, the one 4 that our cultural expert Canisius represents, that is another 5 one. And they are various organizations there, and I think that 6 would be a good way to start. Canisius? 7 EMCEE FILIBERT: One thing you may want to do is 8 determine which island group they're from. And then when you 9 find that out, find out also what is the greeting in their 10 language because you want to approach them and you want to say 11 the proper greeting. Because if you get it wrong the first 12 time, you're wrong all the way. 13 The other thing you want to do is there's -- and 14 Micronesians are very sensitive to the age thing. If you're a 15 younger person coming in and addressing an elderly man or 16 parent, there's a little bit of a mismatch in the dynamic. One 17 parent may not be able to listen as effectively as you want them 18 to do what you are saying. 19 The other thing is to be consistent. If you're 20 going to be doing visits to the home over a number of times, try 21 and have the same person doing it. Because if you keep 22 changing, that sort of gives the message to Micronesians, well, 23 that person came and now it's changed, they probably not really 24 care. And of course, you as the service provider want to -- 25 because you're trying establish trust, that one person should be RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

93 1 the key contact for the family or the home. 2 And of course, there's -- you know, go visiting 3 parents and you're staying, get a snack and food as a courtesy 4 of peace offering. 5 MR. PETER: Spoken like a real cultural expert. 6 AUDIENCE MEMBER REBECCA DELAFIELD: Hello, my name is 7 Rebecca Delafield. I'm from Kokua Kalihi Valley. I think he 8 question would be for Joanna or Dion. 9 I was wondering -- it's two parts. First, when 10 your did your workshops with the schools and you work with the 11 different programs, what was some of the biggest challenges that 12 were identified, specifically in the Department of Education 13 complexes or (indiscernible) in terms of their working with some 14 of the Micronesian students they have? 15 And secondly, I think more importantly, what has 16 happened within the schools and complexes you worked with after 17 they participated in the workshops and got some better 18 understanding of some of the cultural issues and circumstances 19 that the Micronesian students face, especially with new 20 immigrants. 21 MR. PETER: If I can have Joanna and Dion answer the 22 question. 23 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PANELIST: (Indiscernible; not 24 using microphone.) 25 (Indiscernible) to form a stronger Micronesian RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

94 1 club at McKinley High School, and what happened after 2 (indiscernible) the type of students went through the program 3 was that they learned to teach the program and went to Kaahumanu 4 Elementary School and (audience interruption) actually do the 5 program with the younger children. 6 So what we are sort of (indiscernible). This is 7 what you need to do or someone else needs to do this. You do 8 this. It's our problem. We need (indiscernible). 9 Afterwards -- 'cause they were pilot programs -- 10 what we're doing now is in staying there (indiscernible) the 11 data has been collected. What we need now that I forgot the 12 mention in my presentation is that fellow Micronesians educators 13 who didn't want to take part in it, to come forward because 14 (indiscernible). There is the data. What we need to do is 15 actually move and do something about it. And that's sort of -- 16 yeah. 17 MR. PETER: And Joanna, you only have less than two 18 minutes. 19 MS. JACOB: I guess to answer the first part of your 20 question which was what kind of issues came out as, like, the 21 most pressing, we have the language barrier is definitely one; 22 and cultural, just misunderstanding between the two cultures, 23 the school culture because there is, like, more than one 24 culture, or more than two, I should say, because there's your 25 school culture, your American culture, and your Hawaiian RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

95 1 (indiscernible). 2 But anyway, language, just (lawn mower 3 interruption) involvement, something that is not really -- the 4 school, home, and schools at home is separate. So to try to get 5 parents to be more involved is kind of like a challenge. 6 But slowly, because we have -- I cannot say that 7 it's a direct result from the impact or Micronesian Cultural 8 Awareness project, but the efforts of the school/home liaisons 9 to go out in the community and establish relationship with the 10 families, slowly we've been getting parents, more parents to 11 come to (indiscernible). 12 Before, it was kind of discouraging, for me as a 13 brand-new person in DOE, because we called parent meetings. 14 It's only maybe -- you'd be lucky if you get one. But slowly, 15 we've managed to have, like, up to ten Micronesian parents to 16 come to meetings. It's not consistent, but it's a start. So 17 that's that. 18 And so with that -- with them coming, we can talk 19 to them about the school's procedures and rules that need to be 20 communicated to them, and we've done also translated materials 21 for parents to take away. 22 This also -- or our efforts' impact is also 23 opened up more -- it's kinda like it opened communication 24 between us and the schools that I guess need more of this help 25 (voice fades away). RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

96 1 So the dialogue that we've been talking -- and I 2 think many of them still want us to come into their -- I think 3 that's the Royal school, one time they want us to do a cultural 4 fair where we invite Micronesians to do something in this 5 community. 6 I'm not sure if it's only for the Royal school or 7 they were working with -- what is that senator's name? Tam? 8 Rod Tam? -- to put together something within the McKinley 9 complex. So that's a possibility that they --. 10 It's a combination of a lot of efforts, ours and 11 the schools, to work together. 12 MR. PETER:. Thank you very much, and I think we are 13 out of time. I want to thank our panelists. There are some 14 issues that are brought up. We would like, again, once again, 15 invite everybody to sign up for breakout sessions; and I think 16 those will be the important areas and avenues to engage this 17 issues at a more in-depth conversation. Thank you very much all 18 of you. It's been very wonderful. 19 EMCEE FILIBERT: And how about a hand for our 20 moderator, Jo Jo Peter. Thank you, Jo Jo. 21 We are now at the lunch hour. And again, lunch 22 will be served in the lower garden level downstairs. And if we 23 could, half of the room go down that direction and half this way 24 so that we don't tilt the boat if we all go this way. And 25 please, if you could return at 1:15 before the start of the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

97 1 afternoon session. 2 And here's another thing. Look on your name tag. 3 If you have a star, that means you're a vegetarian, if you 4 didn't know that. See you after lunch. 5 (Lunch recess, 12:00 noon to 1:12 p.m.) 6 EMCEE FILIBERT: Good afternoon, everyone. I guess we 7 might as well start so we can end early. And I'm sure everyone 8 had a great lunch. I saw the food downstairs. It was great, 9 and that there's some of you who were lucky to take an extra 10 one. So please share. 11 We're going to go ahead and move into the next 12 panel for this afternoon which is increasing effective 13 communication. And this will be moderated by none other than 14 Mr. Richard Salvador. 15 (Audience applause; break in proceedings.) 16 Topic 2: Increasing Effective Communication 17 Introduction 18 BY MR. RICHARD SALVADOR: 19 Thank you for coming to this panel. I think we should 20 start. 21 First of all, my name is Richard Salvador. I'm 22 originally from Republic of Palau, and I have lived in Honolulu 23 for a number of years. I first came here to do my graduate 24 studies and decided to stay for a while. 25 As Canisius Filibert was saying in the previous panel, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

98 1 I served as the first president of the Micronesian Community 2 Network. And now I currently serve as the chairperson of the 3 Micronesian Community Network education committee. So we try to 4 find, identify opportunities for open access to education for 5 many Micronesians who are living in Hawai`i. 6 I think this is a very important panel because 7 underlying all of the programs that we are hearing about this 8 morning is the success of how people have been communicating 9 through the years and seeing and sensing and identifying some 10 need to coalesce together and put their efforts together. They 11 come through effective communication. 12 And first of all, I want to thank the UH Center for 13 Pacific Island Studies, when, approximately six months ago, we 14 got an invitation by Dr. Hanlon to engage in the planning 15 process. I (audience interruption) to him and to Tisha Hickson 16 and (indiscernible) was to say thank you for taking a chance on 17 us, to allow us to participate in this kind of historic 18 conference to articulate our voices in Hawai`i. 19 So I was very impressed with the fact that, while the 20 Compact trustors and this conference came out to a similar 21 process requests by the State of Hawai`i legislature, that 22 instead of going to the task force route, Dr. Hanlon and the 23 people at CPIS decided to hold the conference to allow more 24 inputs from the community. (Indiscernible) you know, many task 25 forces tend to leave out voices of the communities and put forth RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

99 1 voices in people of the community. So thank you very much, 2 Dr. Hanlon and Tisha and Judy. 3 I'm going to quickly introduce everyone 4 (indiscernible). Dr. Hilda Heine -- many of you know she spoke 5 in morning, doesn't need introduction. I start with -- I'll 6 quickly go this through and allow them to speak. 7 First, Aenet Rowa. Many of you know of the existence 8 of yokwe.net, very successful web site, allows for dissemination 9 of Marshallese news. And yokwe online web site was created in 10 April of 1998 and continues to serve as -- and Aenet Rowa 11 continues -- he founded the web site and continues to serve as a 12 master of a successful web site information network. 13 Aenet Rowa is Marshallese. He was born on Ebeye in 14 Kwajalein, but he was raised on Majuro. He was an American 15 foreign exchange student in 1979 and 1980; graduated from 16 Woodland High School in Washington state. He moved to the U.S. 17 with his wife in 1983 and currently resides in Lake Elsinore, 18 California, where he said to me that it's about 70 miles 19 northeast of San Diego, 70 or 80 miles southeast of Los Angeles. 20 He has three children: Jessica, (indiscernible). And 21 by the way, Lake Elsinore, as you know, is in the Riverside 22 County of California. 23 He studied photojournalism and graphic arts at 24 Riverside Community College in California. He was awarded 25 photography student of the year and attended California Baptist RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

100 1 University for a (audience interruption) years, majored in 2 computer science and business administration. 3 He has a few employment information -- business 4 services; shop owner; and manager; photojournalist for three 5 California newspapers; and IP tech support for internet service 6 providers; self-employed in graphic and photo services. 7 And his interests include: Karate, he's a black belt 8 candidate for (audience interruption) and cycling. On and off 9 cycling is one of these interests. 10 Well, I'll let him speak, and I'll continue on after 11 his speech. Okay? Aenet. 12 Yokwe.net 13 BY MR. AENET ROWA: 14 Some of you might wonder why a Marshallese living in 15 California. Please understand, in the conference, Micronesian, 16 focus of Micronesians in Hawai`i. (Indiscernible) when Dr. 17 Hanson invited me. 18 Let me read to you something that former and late 19 senator (indiscernible) posted on the web site. It was what 20 (indiscernible). He called it -- I'm sorry. I'll just go to 21 this message. 22 We Marshallese are no longer bound by the traditional 23 boundaries (indiscernible) Marshall Islands. That's 24 (indiscernible) because of wonders like the internet, 25 telecommunications and technology. This is the link, the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

101 1 (indiscernible) force that hopefully will tie to keep up 2 together as (indiscernible) scattered around the globe. This is 3 a new waters (indiscernible) tomorrow. 4 These prophetic words answer the question why I'm here 5 today. (Speaking in foreign language) April 1998 continues to 6 serve Marshallese in Hawai`i, the Mainland, all over the world, 7 including (indiscernible) back in the islands. 8 (Indiscernible) our resources. We are not limited by 9 state or national boundary, only by our owning willingness for 10 change. 11 Today, I'd like to talk previously from my experience 12 about things that have helped us to make communication, make it 13 available to the people. There are four things that I'd like to 14 talk about: Maintain, retain, sustain, and transform. 15 Maintain (indiscernible), the main factor for success. 16 In our case, focusing on small and narrow audience has provided 17 us comfort zone for Marshallese and for Marshallese people 18 (indiscernible) on the internet. Call it their home. These 19 have made Marshallese very comfortable in sharing information 20 with us and for us to keep up the information that we get from 21 them. 22 What is the (indiscernible). Such as (audience 23 interruption), labor abuse, immigration problems, 24 (indiscernible) or about why the nature such as (indiscernible). 25 The Marshallese perspective for home. We have to keep the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

102 1 Marshallese perspective the foremost because (indiscernible) 2 otherwise we won't get their trust. 3 And when we get the (indiscernible), we need to share. 4 We give (indiscernible) share. That's not only from the people 5 (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) nongovernmental organizations. 6 We need the funds to ask. We need the funds to post the 7 information. Let the people know. 8 It's our responsibility to share that information. 9 (Indiscernible) I like the power of a web-based community. 10 During, before, and after the elections, I maintain a form. 11 (Indiscernible) legislation block with breaking news as it was 12 happening in the islands. As the news was happening, our 13 spokesman and people were coming in with the news. And that's 14 the point. We want to get the information out. 15 There were (indiscernible) posted on our 16 (indiscernible). (Indiscernible). And at the same time, the 17 people were keeping information for research. There was a 18 (indiscernible), picture. We like to post pictures. We 19 encourage people (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) help some 20 service provider. People like to help if you ask them for help. 21 And something I learned from this morning -- and I 22 never heard of this -- (indiscernible) service provider, how to 23 try to get the information from the people. Well, we could 24 usually (indiscernible). It's really cheap. It's available. 25 And really the younger people go for that kind of stuff. So we RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

103 1 encourage people to do that. 2 Even the younger audience, because this is your place, 3 you (indiscernible) come for yourself as you want it, the way 4 you want it. (Indiscernible) We try to do it as much we can. 5 And we also need the help from the -- me, myself as a web 6 master, I always ask for permission from people to go online. 7 If you were not here yesterday, you missed a great 8 presentation that was given by Ben Graham. It's already on our 9 web site. You can download p-t-t-p-t-s-f-t-p. And 10 (indiscernible). Already, we have posted last night or couple 11 nights ago. I'm sorry, (indiscernible). 12 So the information web moves fast. We have to move 13 really fast. We wait longer, and it (indiscernible). I found 14 that out. By (indiscernible) that same night, I missed the 15 opportunity. 16 So that's why I always say if you have the 17 information, give it to me right now and I'll post it. And 18 people (indiscernible) they'll do that. And that might help 19 some of you folks, uh, providers today as you try to 20 (indiscernible). You can go through the internet connection. 21 (Indiscernible) for the web site. That's number two. 22 Earlier on, I decided on noncommercial advertisement format. In 23 doing so, we just (indiscernible) concern. Making money is 24 not -- although I like money, just like everybody else. 25 I (indiscernible) information out, laid out with the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

104 1 people (indiscernible), whoever (indiscernible). All 2 (indiscernible) on our web site are accessible to the general 3 public. But only thing (indiscernible) people to do is post 4 (indiscernible). That's because (indiscernible) I open it up. 5 You'll get all those crazies from all over the world 6 (indiscernible), and that's not what we want. And also by doing 7 that, we also make it comfortable for people. They know that we 8 trust them; they can trust us. 9 What material we put on the web site is 10 (indiscernible). It's very important (indiscernible) the front 11 page. Go down a little bit, it's all about news. Nothing is 12 posted by anybody else, but me. And by doing that, 13 (indiscernible) that goes on the web site, I double-check to 14 make sure it's factual. 15 And that is (indiscernible). And that is what we're 16 doing. We're trying to (indiscernible) the information. 17 (Indiscernible) do that, we're successful. Even if we don't get 18 money, we're successful. 19 If you look at the (indiscernible) of our web site, it 20 says everything Marshall Islands. But (indiscernible) narrow. 21 We want everything Marshall Islands. We have narrowed it down. 22 So many people have asked me, if this is a Marshall 23 islands web site, why is it in English? (Indiscernible). Two 24 reasons why, what I call -- (speaking in foreign language). 25 Everything that is put on the web site, since five years now, is RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

105 1 because (indiscernible) as news, as a source for Marshallese. 2 (Indiscernible) and Marshall Islands, you'll see all 3 our news. (Indiscernible). We put the news on. That's why 4 it's in English. If it was in Marshallese only, only 5 Marshallese would understand. But the Marshallese have friends 6 and (indiscernible) as well. And the Micronesians are your 7 friends as well. 8 Number 3. (Indiscernible). Like I said earlier, we 9 welcome material from government offices, NGOs, and community 10 groups. We (indiscernible) that information without charge. 11 This month we posted a story from (indiscernible) society, a 12 (Indiscernible) traditional Marshallese music. 13 And an American teacher in Washington state 14 (indiscernible) web site and saw the information. She's working 15 with some kindergarten kids, and she mailed and asked me for 16 information. I was able to give her some contacts. That is a 17 success story. (Indiscernible). Same thing. 18 And No. 4, and it's the last one, it's transforming 19 the coconut wire. I have found that because the digital 20 providers (indiscernible) resources, but the lack of commitment 21 to change the way of doing things. 22 The problem is there. (Indiscernible) no longer 23 there. The days of coconut wire are over, are almost over. 24 Internet communication technology is here. We need to accept 25 it. We need to learn to live with it. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

106 1 (Indiscernible), in September of 2005, as the fire was 2 going on, somebody e-mailed me pictures of the fire. I put the 3 pictures up just while the fire was still hot and people were 4 able to access (indiscernible) read the information. 5 (Indiscernible) an attorney from Chicago was 6 (indiscernible) he wanted to know something about 7 (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) about (indiscernible). He 8 ended up (indiscernible) vacation and told me (indiscernible) 9 the hospital fire. That's a success story. 10 We (indiscernible) communities in Hawai`i lies as 11 close as dot com, dot net. (Speaking in foreign language). 12 We're happy to help you. Thank you. 13 * * * * * 14 (Audience applause.) 15 MR. SALVADOR: Thank you very much, Aenet. Again, 16 please keep your questions for (voice trailing). 17 The next speaker is Pastor Robert Lorin. He is 18 case manager and housing specialist at the Catholic Charities 19 Hawai`i and host of the Chuukese language program on KNDI. KNDI 20 radio is very supportive of putting on a Marshallese show and a 21 Chuukese show. 22 I think there was some attempts to create a Palau 23 show, but no one was interested in doing that, or nobody stepped 24 forward to work on creating a show (voice fades) people were 25 willing to help. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

107 1 I asked the Pastor Lorin for a written bio. He 2 said, oh, it's okay; just tell 'em my name and move on. But I 3 think that's a very cultural of him, and I want to thank him 4 also for his participation. He's been very helpful in 5 Micronesian (audience interruption) efforts to assist other 6 Micronesian members, members of the Micronesian community. So 7 Robert. 8 Community Radio Programs KNDI 1270 AM 9 BY ROBERT LORIN: 10 Mahalo. Let me say something to my fellow Chuukese 11 before I go on what I planned to say. (Speaking in foreign 12 language.) 13 I (indiscernible) work at Catholic Charities Hawai`i 14 as a case manager/housing specialist. And while over there, I 15 exposed to a lot of challenges with our populations. 16 But I think the reason why I am sitting over here 17 is -- the title of this panel is to strengthen communications in 18 Micronesian community. And because I am the voice of Chuuk on 19 the KNDI radio station 1270 AM, Honolulu, that's the only reason 20 I'm up here. 21 I also acknowledge the owner and the CEO of the radio 22 station (indiscernible). Richard is right in stating that 23 they're very lenient and very nice to us, giving us time on the 24 radio station in order to disseminate information that is 25 important to us, from home and from the State of Hawai`i. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

108 1 On Saturday, we have (indiscernible) radio station 2 comes on at 2 o'clock. They finish at 3:00. I come on at 3:00 3 as the voice of Chuuk, all the way to 4:00. And John Ishoda is 4 somewhere out there -- I don't know -- I think he comes on on 5 Wednesday. Oh, he comes on Wednesday? He comes on Wednesday as 6 the voice of Marshallese. 7 Strengthening communications in our communities. 8 Right now we are still in the building stage. So what I'm going 9 to talk to you about is those areas that I think works. 10 First of all, is the FAPE-based organization. You 11 want your program to be known faster than you blink your eyes, 12 you let the ministers know. In the church, I know before we 13 close, they always say it's time for announcement. That's when 14 we do announcement. 15 Second of all, it's the radio station. And Barbara 16 Tom, where you at? She's very good at whenever she wants 17 something, she e-mails me and say, can you put on the radio? 18 (Indiscernible) and a lot of this announcement we do is 19 concerning the public health. Either it be (indiscernible), or 20 the flu. Just about anything. 21 We're starting a partnership with the Pact. I think 22 (indiscernible). They're coming down to us, yeah. They have a 23 program that they want us to put on the radio; at the same time 24 they want us to put it to the churches, let the churches also 25 announce it. Eight weeks' preparation for students when they RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

109 1 come into (indiscernible) start class. Those are the kind of 2 things. 3 I think I can safely say that we can announce anything 4 as long as it's cleared by the boss. If she say it's a go, it's 5 a go. And the good thing about it, if it comes in English, we 6 say it in our language, which is most of the announcement that 7 they come to us. They (indiscernible) and then I will do it in 8 Chuukese, (indiscernible), Marshallese, or John Peterson would 9 say in Pohnpeian. He's a translator right there. 10 Now, does it cost money to do it? I think so. It 11 takes money to run this stuff, this station. But sometimes, 12 just out of her goodness, she let it slide. 13 We've been working with the Hawai`i Civil Service 14 department getting the (Indiscernible) ready for the satellite 15 debris that they coming down from somewhere way up there. And I 16 think the civil department is ready and it's because of 17 (indiscernible) that we're able to ask in our own language. 18 So when it happens, they just push a button on, the 19 siren would go on, the civil defense siren would go on. At the 20 same time, you turn on your TV -- might not be on -- but the 21 radio's gonna be on. 22 And if you're from Chuuk, you're gonna hear my voice. 23 If you're from Marshall, you're gonna hear Johnny 24 (indiscernible) -- just like our guys. Those are the kind of 25 things that we're trying to do to get the informations out. We RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

110 1 do it at home and Hawai`i. It's a challenge. 2 The information I'll get is from the web site at the 3 FSM Pohnpei. From Chuuk, they're still working on it. They're 4 still working on it. But from FSM, they have people that handle 5 the post, the news on the internet, and we pull it from there. 6 Now, if it's something very, very important, they 7 probably call because that's what we always say on the radio. 8 We want this to be a point of contact between us. If you have 9 anything that is important that you want us the people to know, 10 call us, 946-2845 or 2844. 11 If you want it in all languages -- we can also tell 12 you if you want it in all languages. Or if you just want it in 13 Chuuk, you wait at 3 o'clock when I come on and you call. Can I 14 just announce happy birthday to my auntie? Or could you say 15 that we're gonna have a Catholic get-together this coming 16 Sunday? Stuff like that I think (indiscernible). 17 But if you have two-three pages that I have to 18 translate, then (voice fading). Basically, that's where we at 19 on this island. 20 We don't have newspaper yet. (Voice fading away.) 21 Still working on it. They're still working on it. Don't worry; 22 still working on it. But this are some of the ways to 23 disseminate information that -- I'm not finished yet -- what 24 State of Hawai`i -- where is State of Hawai`i's -- what's their 25 part in this whole shish-kebob. I don't know. Where is that? RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

111 1 Maybe we can work together, yeah, try to ask for some 2 funds so we get a newspaper going for the Chuukese. Or if you 3 like these guys -- my hat's off to the Marshallese. They're on 4 the internet, and we're talking about nationwide, continental 5 United States, all (indiscernible). 6 Maybe one of the wizard, maybe one of the wizard can 7 get together and create something like this. (Indiscernible). 8 That's the only one that I know that we also have to 9 (indiscernible) pick whatever information they get on Father 10 (indiscernible) web site. Beside that, we're in trouble. 11 Again, my name is Robert Lorin. I come through here 12 about 20, going on 30 years ago, on my way to Oregon as a 13 student at Western Oregon College. I didn't finish the school. 14 Three years, I lost my scholarship. 15 I joined the marine corps. Twelve years I served in 16 the marine corps, two years inactive. So a total of 14 years. 17 I came out. I work at Catholic Charity. That's where 18 I am right now. I think I'm in a position where I could see 19 clearly some of the challenges that we still have from maybe 20 25 years ago. And I hope you guys out there can help us hurdle 21 some of the barriers that we still have. Thank you. 22 * * * * * 23 (Audience applause.) 24 MR. SALVADOR: Thank you very much (indiscernible). 25 Appreciate it very much. Actually, Gloria (indiscernible) had RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

112 1 wanted to publish a regular newsletter. She had some problems. 2 I think she might continue to produce that for the Micronesian 3 community (indiscernible) possible (indiscernible) to publish 4 information. 5 The next panelist is a person you all know, 6 Dr. Hilda Heine. I was very disturbed by a presentation she had 7 made in the college of -- no -- the Marshall Islands High School 8 some years ago. It was supposed to go on the Pacific Islands 9 Report. 10 She was speaking to high school graduates. And 11 she said for the last seven years, there had been, like, just a 12 few college graduates from the whole Marshall Islands as a 13 nation. So the efforts of the community and the government is 14 very slow in terms of producing Marshall Islands students who 15 actually finish school and university. 16 So I'm grateful that she distinguished herself 17 and now serves as an example for many of us, and also that she 18 was (audience interruption) continues to work with us in various 19 ways to encourage Marshallese and other Micronesians to proceed 20 in college and finish their education. 21 So I think without further ado, let's hear from 22 Dr. Hilda Heine. 23 Small Island Networks 24 BY DR. HILDA HEINE: 25 Thank you. Good morning, Richard. Thank you for that RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

113 1 piece. 2 I, in thinking about my role in talking about 3 increasing effective communication, and I look at the program, I 4 (indiscernible) it under school orientation. So I guess I'll 5 start out by talking about PREL. 6 Most of you know about Pacific Resources Education -- 7 that's where I officially work. And I unofficial work for SINET 8 on my own time. But PREL, as you all know, is an educational 9 organization that serves what is known as the 10 American-affiliated Pacific. So that includes all the 11 territories and the Freely Associated States. 12 And in terms of increasing effective communication, we 13 do a number of things to increase communication, primarily in 14 the area of education. And in working with Micro communities 15 here in Hawai`i, we created a web site called Team -- I think 16 it's still on the web site. 17 This is really (indiscernible) others at PREL, we work 18 together to put out information about cultures of Micronesia 19 online as a means to improve understanding and awareness of the 20 cultural groups and (indiscernible) in Micronesia. 21 This was about maybe six or seven years ago that we 22 did this Team web site. And it's still there, and we get a 23 number of requests from different educators about educational 24 materials and about culture information. And that's been very 25 helpful for teachers, and that was the purpose of that, our web RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

114 1 site. So it's increasing and providing information for 2 teachers. 3 Also over the years, PREL has also worked on various 4 materials that are in different languages. We created 5 audiotapes, stories that are in different languages that are on 6 audiotapes and share them with the education systems here. 7 These are stories from the islands. They're in both 8 English and, you know, one of the native languages. And they 9 have been used by teachers of (indiscernible) as a way of 10 increasing understanding in the sense of knowing what the 11 information is all about and understanding it. 12 We've also done a number of CD's with -- again, with 13 the stories from the different island groups. Way back we did 14 the palm CD, and I think it's still out there. But it's all 15 kinds of stories in different languages from the different 16 cultural groups that have been burned on to a CD and it's made 17 available again for teachers and as a means of insuring that 18 kids in school from the different island groups get to see their 19 languages and also get to hear it in materials that are 20 available to them. 21 So those are just some of the things that we try to -- 22 of course, PREL has a web site that's available for educators 23 and other professionals interested in getting information about 24 various issues in education, from teacher quality to reading, 25 you know, and so on and so forth -- that they're all on the web RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

115 1 site. It's www.prel.org. So that information is there for to 2 increase not only understanding, but communication. 3 I will now move on to a Small Island Networks. This 4 is a small nonprofit organization that we started about around 5 2000. This was when there was hardly any nonprofit organization 6 that was working with Micronesians, helping service providers 7 understand the different cultures. And we saw the need after 8 working at PREL and helping schools to -- you know, with 9 translations as well as doing cultural awareness and increasing 10 the understanding of the different cultures. 11 Through my work at PREL, it wasn't enough. So we said 12 we -- you know, there was a need to start a nonprofit 13 organization. Julie (indiscernible) and I cofounded the 14 organization. And since 2005, I think we've done close to 100 15 or so workshops. And this not just through educators, but also 16 to help nurses and doctors and to Hawai`i public safety 17 department, state of (indiscernible) programs social services, 18 courts and judges. 19 And as I said, this was in the early days before -- it 20 was preceding Micronesian Community Network and all the other 21 organizations that are currently taking on, you know, what is -- 22 I mean, the -- the word of helping to increase understanding and 23 communication across the state and the service providers. 24 We tried to put together a web site, and we do have a 25 web site, and it's still there, www. SINET dot -- or RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

116 1 smallislandnetworks.org. And there are some information that 2 we're trying to put up there, again for increasing understanding 3 and communication. 4 In the future, we're looking to put more or to focus 5 on training for interpreters, working in the area of trying to 6 help with translations, also working on (indiscernible) 7 materials for service providers as well as for Micronesians. So 8 we've seen our role as kind of an intersection between island 9 people as well as service providers so that we would connect the 10 two as a (indiscernible) of seeking information. 11 So we're still working on doing that. Unfortunately, 12 I am now back in the Marshall Islands and Julie's here. And I 13 think we're trying to see how we could move things forward. But 14 it's still a very viable organization. And it's -- as I said, 15 we're looking to focus on print and web resources, to put up on 16 the line, translated, and also doing training for interpreter 17 and for people working in that area. 18 So I guess one final piece about Small Island 19 Networks. We try to build capacities. At this time, a number 20 of training for tutors that have worked in schools, some of the 21 tutors have gone on to become educators in the schools, working 22 with Micronesian kids. 23 So these are some of the things we tried to focus on, 24 again, building capacities of Micronesians here to do more of 25 the work that is needed, realizing that a familiar face, you RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

117 1 know, makes it all easier to communicate and to get things done. 2 So with those, I will stop here. Those are the 3 information I wanted to share about the two organizations that I 4 work with currently. Thank you. 5 * * * * * 6 (Audience applause.) 7 MR. SALVADOR: Thank you very much, Hilda. 8 I wanted to say something about the inclusiveness 9 of Micronesians on the panel. We were supposed to have the 10 representative of the Micronesians United. 11 For those of you who don't know, here we have two 12 main organizations that are Micronesian organizations. 13 Micronesians United was formed much earlier in 1997, responding 14 to issues of housing and healthcare and other stuff. And they 15 saw their role as now more addressing those (indiscernible). 16 And so they've been in existence for some time. 17 And then, of course, as you heard earlier, in 18 2005, Micronesian Community Network was created. And then ever 19 since, there's been a number of different women's groups and 20 others created by various individuals who are working in their 21 own communities. 22 So if you hear Micronesian Community Network and 23 Micronesians United, Pastor Segal is a Chuukese pastor, pastor 24 of the Mililani Baptist Church, Chuuk congregation, is the 25 president of the Micronesians United. They are supposed to be RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

118 1 on this panel but for some reason was unable to participate. 2 So it's not an issue of noninclusiveness. We 3 have somebody all the way from California who came here to join 4 us. And so we want them here. It's just a matter of something 5 falling through and not working out for Pastor Segal. 6 The last panelist is Lillian Segal. She holds an 7 M.Ed., master of education in education technology from the 8 University of Hawai'i Manoa, College of Education, where she 9 works as an educational technology specialist. Her experiences 10 have led her to work with educators and students of the Pacific, 11 including Hawai`i and her native Micronesia, in developing 12 curriculum that integrate technology and culture into island 13 classrooms. 14 As a Pacific educator, she values the opportunity 15 to bring the richness of local cultures into the classroom, both 16 as a motivating learning tool and as a method of cultural and 17 environmental awareness and preservation. As a teacher trained 18 in technology integration, especially as it supports children 19 who are English language learners, including children with 20 learning disabilities, Lillian supports (indiscernible) 21 technology give voice to children and families who support 22 literacy. 23 Lillian is currently working at the Center on 24 Disability Studies on a project to determine the effects of 25 text-to-speech software on children's unaided reading. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

119 1 (Indiscernible) text-to-speech software. She works directly 2 with school personnel and students to insure they are 3 comfortable with using the software and that it remains 4 functional and that (indiscernible) practices are being 5 implemented consistently (indiscernible). 6 Lillian is currently work on a doctorate degree 7 at the University of Hawai'i special education and hopes to 8 continue working in Pacific education in the years to come. 9 Her father, (indiscernible) Segal, long-time 10 teacher educator at the College of Micronesia in Pohnpei, comes 11 from Massachusetts; and her mother Abigail, from the island of 12 Kosrae. She was, however, born and raised in Pohnpei is married 13 to (indiscernible) Harper of Chuuk. 14 UH Center for Disability Studies and Pacific Voices 15 BY MS. LILLIAN SEGAL: 16 (Indiscernible). (Speaking in foreign language.) 17 I'm just thanking you for this opportunity to share a 18 little bit about what I do. Micronesians (indiscernible) and 19 Hawai`i and (indiscernible). And Pastor Robert Lorin, I must 20 say, if you're the voice of Chuuk, I must be the voice of the 21 Pacific. 22 So to kind of give you an idea of the direction I'd 23 like to take us in right now, Pacific Voices, we work to try to 24 bring attention to matters that we think are important in the 25 Pacific, which are (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) diabetes, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

120 1 in the area of health and nutrition and the environment. 2 These are very real matters for our small Micronesian 3 islands. When we talk about things like global warming, it's 4 quite serious and probably a lot more in the near future for our 5 small islands. 6 We also work to connect people and cultures to 7 sharing. And that's not just in connecting, for example, people 8 of Hawai`i with Micronesia. That's also in trying to fill in 9 the generational gaps between our elders and our young people. 10 So with that, we think of our elders as our first teachers. And 11 we work to try to engage our youth in meaningful learning 12 experiences, and we do that through that (indiscernible) 13 educators (voice fades). 14 Pacific Voices was a government-funded organization 15 when it first started, and we actually got our funding from 16 PREL. And because the source of the funding, we were limited to 17 work in the U.S. affiliated islands. And so that's where we 18 concentrated on. 19 Today we no longer have our funding. As you heard, 20 I've seen lot of many different things -- like I have another 21 job. (Indiscernible.) It adds volunteer time. But maybe that 22 will change some day. 23 And so my adventure with Pacific Voices started when I 24 came to Hawai`i to study educational technology. And I was 25 really fortunate that I was allowed an opportunity to see RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

121 1 (indiscernible) that meant a lot to me and I could connect with 2 home, with Micronesia. 3 And my grandmother was a traditional healer, and so I 4 grew up around medicine and massage. And I wanted to somehow 5 connect this with my master's project. And so what I did is I 6 created a computer-based module about six different medicinal 7 plants. I got to travel to Kosrae and interview an elder who we 8 will see in a second, (Indiscernible). He's talking about 9 different (indiscernible) medicines. 10 (Playing video clip; audio is in foreign language.) 11 So around this time, I met another young Kosraean 12 girl. Her name is (indiscernible), and she was a student here 13 studying ethnobotany and shared with me -- she was one of the 14 participants (Indiscernible) collect data -- and shared with me 15 that she was really interested in medicine as well. 16 So a few years later, we had an opportunity to work in 17 Kailua-Kona in a Hawaiian village known as the last fishing 18 village called Milolii. And in Milolii, we got to meet Uncle 19 (indiscernible). And he was just so full of love and aloha and 20 so open to us. He reminded us -- we were just so amazed as how 21 willing he was to share what he knew, very knowledgeable about 22 Hawaiian medicine. And I felt like he was just like our elders 23 back in Micronesia. 24 And so we would travel to Kona when we had a chance 25 and we thought we could bring our media here and we could work RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

122 1 with the Hawaiian children there. And this is in Uncle 2 (indiscernible) backyard and we're learning about the plants. 3 And so I think around this time, as soon as 4 (indiscernible) looking at me sort of as a role model -- and I 5 don't try -- (indiscernible) imply anything. I'm not advocating 6 for myself here. But one of the ideas of Pacific Voices is to 7 have role models for young Micronesians. And that sort of 8 happened naturally here. 9 And so the plan was that we wanted to take Uncle 10 (indiscernible) to Kosrae to show him our appreciation, but then 11 also to have a chance to share Kosrae with him. But, you know, 12 it was really sad and unexpected that he passed away very 13 suddenly, actually just months before we were planning our trip. 14 And it was a huge loss, but it was also a good wake-up 15 call for us because it was a reminder to us that our elders -- 16 we don't have very much elders, very many elders left. And 17 their time with us was a few -- you know, are not -- maybe 18 they're not -- so (indiscernible) to those of us who are here 19 now to think about what we might do to learn of their knowledge. 20 And so for Pacific Voices, what we try to do is we use 21 media and we use technologies to try to bring back into the 22 classroom and create culturally responsive, culturally sensitive 23 curriculum. 24 And so Uncle (indiscernible) couldn't come with us to 25 Kosrae anymore. We brought his granddaughter Lei. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

123 1 (Playing video clip; music and singing.) 2 The person who first -- our first director, the person 3 who dreamed up Pacific Voices was Dr. (Indiscernible). He's a 4 professor here at the special education department. And Jim is 5 the most amazing teacher I've ever known. And I know that if it 6 weren't for him, I wouldn't be -- I wouldn't be as far as I am 7 in my work and in my education. 8 I was learning -- I worked for Pacific Voices as a 9 graduate assistant, and I was learning just as much from him, if 10 not more, than I was in the classroom. So it totally enhanced 11 my experience. And then we had this younger Kosraean girl 12 (indiscernible). So we were really happy that, you know, more 13 people were interested in this kind of work. 14 And so kind of like how I learned to be a mentor or I 15 was mentor and role model by (indiscernible) and (indiscernible) 16 I was able to then be empowered and start passing it on to the 17 youth that I work with. 18 And you know, it's a lot of work. We carry this heavy 19 gear. It's expensive. But, you know, it's not that expensive 20 here in Hawai`i. It's here in Hawai`i in your classroom, if 21 you're an educator. 22 And here are some creative ways I'm trying to show you 23 of how things you could be using with the ESL children or 24 (indiscernible) who think might be able to respond to this. And 25 I think it's all just who doesn't like media today? RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

124 1 (Indiscernible) we got to travel to Kosrae and we 2 brought Lei with us. And we met Stacy, a young girl who's now a 3 senior in high school. And she has cerebral palsy. She uses a 4 wheelchair. So for Stacy, her life is really at home and in 5 high school because the only wheelchair-accessible vehicle is 6 the government, the DOE van that picked her up and take her to 7 school and bring her home. And that was about it. 8 So we met Stacy, and we had a blast for one week. 9 We took her everywhere. We were there to create this -- like a 10 healthy living kind of video -- still thinking of nutrition and 11 health and (indiscernible). 12 She, for the first time -- we took out her wheelchair 13 and put her in a boat. We went on a boat trip. We went 14 fishing. We (indiscernible) up. We have a little apartment on 15 top of my (indiscernible). We had a wheelchair up there. She 16 was (indiscernible) for us and the parents took pictures and it 17 was great. Here you can see for yourself a little of that. 18 (Video playing; voices heard.) 19 We also worked with the health nutritionist at the 20 College of Micronesia at the Kosrae campus. And they tell us 21 how a lot of their work, they do house visits, and they're going 22 from house to house trying to teach the women how to cook using 23 the local resources -- you know, use the taros and the bananas, 24 the breadfruit, and not the rice so much. 25 And so I actually met Julie, the woman on my right, in RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

125 1 Palau at the Pacific Arts Festival. And we met (indiscernible) 2 what's happening today at this conference. We thought, great, I 3 can bring video (indiscernible) help your work and we're 4 interested in that kind of topic anyway. 5 So about a summer later (indiscernible) and after we 6 had done our work at the school, we headed over to the college. 7 And we did three cooking shows. The third one we had a Hawaiian 8 dance, and the Kosraeans learned for the first time that it's 9 possible to eat taro and that you can wrap food with ti leaf and 10 it gives a nice flavor. 11 We had commercial. We had a (indiscernible) come in 12 in-between breaks and did reading, and we had musicians and 13 here's a little sample. 14 (Playing video; voices heard.) 15 (The speaker talking at the same time the video clip 16 is playing; indiscernible.) 17 (Indiscernible) good food, delicious. That's what we 18 have in (indiscernible) in the SFM. 19 Another project we did was the University of Hawai`i 20 college students (indiscernible) not necessarily at UH, but most 21 of them came from UH, who we thought would be (indiscernible) 22 role models, you know, and not in the sense that role models, 23 they're here and they're trying to make it. 24 And some people actually need to take time off because 25 it was so expensive and they're having to work. But that's the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

126 1 reality for many of our students. It's a struggle to get that 2 degree. 3 And so we did focus groups and interviews, and we're 4 also trying to share these with Micronesians because our work 5 that we produce here, (indiscernible) in Micronesia, it's seen 6 in both places. We do things, like (indiscernible) periodicals 7 and such. 8 (Playing video; voices speaking. The speaker and the 9 video speaker talking at the same time; indiscernible). 10 Another project going on right now is we are working 11 with a group of (indiscernible) Marshallese teachers who are in 12 Majuro where the capital of the Marshall Islands is. And so 13 there's some teachers trying to earn a bachelor's degree, and 14 they're doing this through (indiscernible) City and I'm one of 15 the instructors and the other one is Dr. James (indiscernible). 16 And we meet once a week through the internet. 17 (Indiscernible.) And so tomorrow at lunch time, I'm going to be 18 sneaking out in another room so I connect to the internet and 19 meet with them because that's the normal time that we meet. 20 So these pictures were just taken last week because 21 (indiscernible) as her dissertation project. She was there to 22 get the consent forms and stuff. And this is a class, an 23 introductory class for general ed teachers about special 24 education. 25 This is (indiscernible) still in the making here in RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

127 1 Hawai`i, and it's being done for the Kalihi-Palama Health 2 Clinic. (Indiscernible) brochures. (Indiscernible) really 3 figured out what we're calling it yet. But I think it's like a 4 talking brochure. 5 (Playing video.) 6 I'm almost done, I'm sorry. The direction we 7 (indiscernible) taking right now (indiscernible) As you can 8 see, I'm trying to show you (indiscernible) native language, in 9 the vernacular. We're trying to create culturally responsive, 10 culturally sensitive (indiscernible). 11 When I was a student in Micronesia, I was there until 12 I was 18. I didn't have a chance to learn about my own history 13 until a senior in high school (indiscernible) only as an option. 14 So everyone else's history and not my own. And we're trying to 15 change that for our (indiscernible) students. So we're creating 16 books and we're working with the teachers in Micronesia 17 (indiscernible). 18 (Video playing. The speaker talking while the video 19 is on; indiscernible.) 20 We've delivered the resources to let them keep on 21 producing books. And what we hope to do is now record the 22 language where a child can sit, maybe in front of their living 23 room TV, and read these looks and hear it in the native language 24 and also learn English (indiscernible) bilingual. But maybe 25 even add sign language. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

128 1 And the final thing I wanted to share is Pacific 2 Voices is the new editor on this thing. This is actually quite 3 huge. Indigenous (indiscernible) was a global project that was 4 created by indigenous people for indigenous. And it developed 5 from the world (indiscernible) information society. 6 And I would like to really invite you -- or I think 7 that's also what you've been hearing from other people -- this 8 is a resource. We could put (indiscernible) dot net here. We 9 could put announcements from the radio here. 10 This dream is that this is going to be the place where 11 all indigenous peoples go to find all sorts of information. And 12 so Pacific is one of the region. It's all the regions of the 13 world. And they're trying to have the information available in 14 French, Spanish, and English, all the (indiscernible) spoken 15 languages. 16 So with that, I'd like to thank you for your time and 17 also invite people, if you're interested in collaborating, if 18 you have grants -- as I said, we're operating without funds. I 19 have no shame to say that we like money because technology costs 20 a lot of money, and this is a lot of work. And we're doing this 21 mostly -- I'm doing this all on my volunteer time, which is not 22 much right now, not much of (indiscernible) anyway. 23 But we're interested in continuing with this work. Or 24 if you can find (indiscernible), that would be great as well. 25 With that, thank you so much. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

129 1 * * * * * 2 (Audience applause.) 3 MR. SALVADOR: Thank you very much for the panel and 4 their presentations. We're making good time. We have about 5 30 minutes for question-and-answer. 6 I just wanted to thank Lillian for a very 7 interesting presentation (indiscernible). 8 You have been listening this morning to Dr. Hilda 9 Heine and the previous panels feature various formats to 10 increase effective communications. And I think you see in the 11 success of these programs how the use of -- the creative use of 12 various technology allows us to become successful in terms of 13 spreading information out. 14 And I think at one level, at a very fundamental 15 level, early last year before Nainoa Thompson set sail to 16 Micronesia and Japan, he came to Micronesia Community Network to 17 recruit young people to go with him, as well as to communicate 18 with us on various ways of learning protocols (indiscernible) 19 and stuff. 20 And I remember making the comment. I said, this 21 is very important for us (indiscernible) features a lot of very 22 important things in terms of cultural (indiscernible) knowledge 23 to circulate across the Pacific. And that here we are in 24 Hawai`i using the generosity and the assistance of Hawaiians to 25 (indiscernible) some of them to learn the celestial navigation. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

130 1 And many of our Micronesian migrants are here seeking out 2 extensive services to employ themselves. 3 And so we see once again a circulation of ideas 4 and wisdom and things like that. I think at a very fundamental 5 level, this is how we ought to view the ethical use of 6 communication so that we ourselves ask not people from 7 (indiscernible) Samoa, but Micronesia, but Pacific `ohana. 8 Hawaiians have a word for the whole Pacific 9 (indiscernible), one Pacific family. And I tried to feature 10 that in all of my teaching at the school by looking at the 11 waters, Pacific Ocean, not as a separating us, but it's actually 12 uniting us in many ways. 13 (Indiscernible) at the university ought to look 14 at, if you haven't done so, (indiscernible), conceptualize 15 (indiscernible) ohana in (indiscernible). 16 So thank you for the panels once again for your 17 interesting insights, and we have 30 minutes to have questions. 18 (Indiscernible) sideways. Questions and to the point. Mahalo. 19 (Break in proceedings.) 20 UNIDENTIFIED MALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: You can't run a 21 meaningful long-term program on volunteer. What I didn't hear 22 was -- and this is going to sound terribly capitalistic -- but I 23 was wondering has anybody approached the Dish Network as a way 24 of hitting every single island who wants to participate and sell 25 something to them, both as product, but also things you might RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

131 1 make -- like some of the things in here, and have them sell them 2 internationally. 3 And what you end up doing is setting up a network 4 that they're subsidizing and you're benefitting from. 5 Otherwise, it seems you have a lot of volunteers standing in 6 line waiting to say their half an hour of the same thing. 7 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE PANELIST: (Indiscernible) a 8 little bit. Very good point and point well taken. Thank you. 9 Pacific Voices just recently -- because we're now 10 the (indiscernible) on the (indiscernible) we get a small 11 stipend for that service, which we're hoping to use to help 12 students, you know, with pocket money, but for inputting work. 13 And so in order to receive that money, we had to organize 14 ourselves as a business so that we could open up a bank account. 15 This has happened in the last week or two. 16 So maybe we're in the right direction. But we 17 need money. 18 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: I guess what you're saying 19 exactly right. We need the money to operate. But if you're 20 looking at it from a culture perspective, you need the people's 21 trust. (Indiscernible) to sell them something, you 22 (indiscernible). In fact, we also (indiscernible). That's 23 true. We need the money. 24 For myself, I decided that very long time ago. I 25 mean, trying to do something, even if I'm far away from the RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

132 1 islands, trying to think to do something. That itself, that 2 means something. It may not be monetary, but it's something. 3 As a point of information, you know the Hawai`i 4 Alliance For Community-Based Economic Development? They provide 5 training for (indiscernible) organize themselves as businesses. 6 And they provide a training to Micronesians (indiscernible) 7 before with the community connections programs. And what they 8 do is they teach you how to envision a business model and create 9 one using what --. 10 They do something very interesting the way that 11 the U.S. Census doesn't do which is they call it drilling down 12 or something, where the U.S. Census tracks a number of important 13 information, but they fail to capture information that may 14 relate to various ethnicities or their spending habits. 15 And they brought this person from North Carolina 16 to teach us about how to drill down, get information about who, 17 what ethnicities live in what district of Honolulu and how to 18 conceptualize their spending habits and so that we can use 19 whatever the expertise in terms of (indiscernible) in terms to 20 support, you know, sustaining low income. 21 That and many, I think -- and Pacific Business 22 Gateway -- Pacific Gateway? Pacific Gateway also provides a 23 number of things, like (indiscernible) we need for business 24 credits, businesses. And we also look for other supports. 25 Anybody? Any other questions, please? RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

133 1 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: I work for the 2 Department of Health under (indiscernible) for prevention. The 3 things that we deal with are very, very sensitive culturally -- 4 not just for the Pacific islands, but even more so, I think, 5 than in our American population. 6 And I'm trying to gather some materials, printed 7 materials. So I reached out to some of our colleagues in the 8 Pacific Rim especially, and have given me some translated 9 materials. One of the things that I'm trying to grapple with is 10 how do I know that those translated materials are good enough, 11 sensitive enough, reach out the vast majority of the population, 12 given that it will be translated, say, in Chuukese, Pohnpeian, 13 and Marshallese? 14 So I guess I'm seeking for guidelines as to how 15 or what could I say would be a good printed translation of the 16 materials. 17 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: Thank you for the 18 question. Right now, we don't have a pool of translators or 19 interpreters that could help you out. What the other 20 departments, I know that they're doing, is rely on who they 21 know. Sometimes Barbara calling me up and say can you get me 22 this brochure or can you translate this brochure out? And she 23 will put it side by side with what she get and see if the 24 translations match. 25 You could probably call on (indiscernible) at RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

134 1 (indiscernible) and see if they can help you out on the public 2 brochures. I know there are some Chuukese down at Kalihi-Palama 3 that could also help you out in looking at the translation, what 4 you got, in English or in whatever language you get. 5 They also have some interpreters up at 6 (indiscernible) that could also help you out. Of course, I know 7 it's gonna cost some money. It seems like that's the trend 8 nowadays. (Indiscernible) cost you money. But that's the best 9 thing we got right now. 10 We don't have any interpreters at Catholic 11 Charity that could tell you to come and see us. But if you 12 could -- if it's not in a rush, we could probably help you out 13 to look at what brochure you got and make sure it's translated 14 correctly. Does that answer your question? Thank you. 15 MR. SALVADOR: Another thing is a woman from Chuuk 16 actually has a translation business here in. (Indiscernible). 17 I don't know if she's here, but she's created her own Chuukese 18 translation service. I don't know for Marshallese. But you'd 19 also contact the leaders of these two groups. 20 Knowing and hearing that a lot of us are already 21 stressed out and spreading ourselves with many activities, I 22 think we can redirect it to others in the community who may be 23 the -- the opportunity. So please contact the leaders of the 24 two groups. Anybody else? 25 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: I think that's a very RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

135 1 important question. When I was working here, we did get a lot 2 of requests for translations as well as (indiscernible) 3 translations. And at the time, I think there wasn't any 4 training that was being conducted to help with translation. 5 Right now, I think there are more people being 6 organized. I know there's a group of Marshallese women that are 7 trying to work together to translate concepts in a consistent 8 manner because there are different interpretations of words and 9 concepts sometimes. And so your question about verifying 10 whether the translation is correct is really important. 11 And we see ones that are not necessarily good 12 because they send them out. And there are (indiscernible) 13 materials, they send it out on the internet and then anybody 14 can, you know, respond to that (indiscernible) and translate the 15 materials. 16 So you need to be making sure that what you're 17 getting is the correct translation. And I know I 18 (indiscernible) a number of these translations, especially 19 education materials. We have to send these materials back to 20 the education specialists in the different language groups to 21 verify translations (voice fades) make sure that the translation 22 is correct. 23 And (indiscernible) has taken place. But I think 24 here it needs to be organized. I hope that from this 25 conference, more of this organized strategies approaching these RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

136 1 kinds of what issues would come as result. We really need to 2 have good translated materials and insuring that there is this 3 (indiscernible) go out there. But (indiscernible) of translated 4 materials. That was an important question, thank you. 5 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: I have a 6 question. One of things you brought up was about the churches. 7 And I wanted to find out because I know here we've had a lot of 8 networking with churches and made a lot of impact here. Like 9 when we had the huge ice epidemic, a lot of churches on the 10 Windward side got together and really started, you know, doing 11 sign waving and all that. We started to see a lot of change on 12 that side of the island. 13 I wanted to find out, like, the pastors here that 14 are Chuukese, like do they network together and do they come 15 together? Because you guys mentioned about the churches coming 16 and maybe being a part of making changes. 17 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: (Indiscernible) going to 18 talk on it. Reverend (indiscernible) is the vice president in 19 our Chuukese Pastoral Congregation in Hawai`i, consists of 20 12l congregations. We met quarterly and just about sometimes 21 every month. 22 To answer your questions, yes, we do. We could 23 help you out whatever information you want to put it out there. 24 Like earlier, before I come on -- (indiscernible). Oh, I'm 25 sorry, the boss is here. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

137 1 They're working with Pact. Right now Pact is 2 working with the pastors from Chuuk. We're trying to get an 3 eight weeks' program to be announced in the churches. I haven't 4 really looked at the program. I'm sorry. 5 But it has something to do on how to get the kids 6 ready for their school. I know the first Sundays, they need the 7 paperworks all done and all that, yeah? Because back home, you 8 know, when you go to school, they don't (indiscernible) your 9 supplies and make sure. You just come and sit (indiscernible). 10 Over here, when you come over here, you got the 11 shock of your life. (Audience interruption) long list and tells 12 you exactly how many pieces of notebooks you gonna have, how 13 many pencils you gonna have. You gotta write your name on it. 14 How many folders you gonna have -- and I think you're in college 15 already. 16 (Indiscernible) the stuff, thank you. 17 (Indiscernible) getting the things together. We haven't get on 18 it yet, but very soon. Very, very soon. 'Cause on the 7th, the 19 (indiscernible) gonna meet again and analyze, make sure the 20 papers is right and the wording is right. And we're aiming 21 for -- what are we aiming? At the end of this month, yeah? We 22 want it on the radio and to the pastors. There you go. Thank 23 you for the question. Appreciate it. 24 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: I want to share something 25 really quickly. One initiative that the Micronesian church RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

138 1 ministers have been doing was to organize and meet on the issue 2 of violence to Micronesian youth and Samoan youth. You know, 3 you heard about the deaths that happened on the public housing. 4 And I attended a couple of their meetings, but I wasn't able to 5 continue. I don't know if they're still active. 6 But they were meeting, getting the church 7 ministers to work with their youth to create positive, I guess, 8 in working with other cultures instead of engaging in violence. 9 (Indiscernible) and others from the Micronesians United may know 10 more about those. Next question. 11 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: Aloha. I'm from 12 the Department of the Attorney General (indiscernible) 13 prevention. And I just have a question. 14 I'm interested in learning about Micronesian 15 (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) share (voice fades.) I'm 16 interested in learning about Micronesian artwork or handwork or 17 just be able to get a feel of it. I was wondering if you guys 18 could provide some resources where I can (voice fading). 19 My second question also is voyaging or 20 navigation, like, values? Is that the common thing throughout 21 all the islands? 22 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: I think the airlines is 23 faster. Yes, we do. Yes, we do. Navigation is our very 24 important -- one of the most important areas (indiscernible) 25 studies as far as I'm talking about Chuuk especially. We have a RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

139 1 lot of people that, they have that knowledge. 2 And to answer your question, ma'am, when Hilda 3 was talking early today, I really appreciate what she was saying 4 because those are some of the places or areas of knowledge that 5 we got to worry about that is fading out. These generations 6 nowadays, all they think about is driving an SUV and all that 7 (audience interruption) a motorboat. And they forget about the 8 stars and the celestials that our ancestors knows about. 9 Maybe -- I don't know if you probably want to 10 hook up with some of the people. I know a guy over here. He's 11 the one that do the chanting before we led the (indiscernible) 12 His name is (indiscernible). He's a very (indiscernible) guy in 13 that kind of area. You might want to hook up with him and see 14 (indiscernible) tell you about resources who you could contact. 15 And I think (indiscernible), she probably knows some because I 16 know the area of the islands of Chuuks are very first in that 17 kind of stuff. 18 I hope that answer your question. I'm just 19 trying to --. 20 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: I only speak for the 21 Marshall Islands in terms of navigation. It's an area of high 22 interest, especially lately we've had kind of a revival of 23 navigation. 24 We have a new project called (indiscernible), WAM 25 for short. And they're doing training for other school youth in RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

140 1 navigational skills, building canoes traditional-style, and also 2 sailing. 3 And then over the past several years, we've had 4 races, what you call those, outrigger races held in the islands. 5 And that is where a lot of interest on folks or young men and 6 older men who build their own canoes and to learn to sail. So 7 that is -- I think we're seeing a revival of navigational skills 8 and interest, at least in the Marshall Islands. 9 With respect to your other question about art, I 10 guess art for us would be crafts because that's kind of the -- I 11 mean, we have, I guess, everything that's a purpose in our 12 culture. And so there's more utility in the art than anything 13 else. 14 Marshallese are well known for their crafts, well 15 known around the Pacific. And I think there are web sites that 16 you can actually go and see. I don't have that right here with 17 me. But I can look for web sites to share with you so you can 18 go there and look for that. I hope that answer your question. 19 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: (Not speaking in 20 microphone.) I think (indiscernible) to add. I believe the 21 Bishop Museum has a small (indiscernible) Handcrafts. 22 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: We have about five 23 minutes. I wanted to say something -- also be fast. 24 Especially, I think we ought to summarize in terms of what we've 25 learned and the usefulness of what we gained from here. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

141 1 We know that there's two Micronesian 2 organizations, and there's a lot of expressions of need in terms 3 of working with Micronesian students and others in the 4 Micronesian community. So perhaps (indiscernible) happen is for 5 us to know the contact information of these two organizations 6 and to go (indiscernible) leaders and to suggest ways in 7 which -- I think the follow up to this, which is maybe a bunch 8 of smaller groups where we get down and work on creating 9 programs or creating collaborations. So (indiscernible) the 10 future. 11 I appreciated the fact that the purpose of this 12 conference was to gather information that might be of use to the 13 leaders of the State of Hawai`i. But I think we ought to use 14 those in ways that really help local groups. 15 So we have, I think, (indiscernible) there. He 16 represents Micronesians United. So talk to him about getting 17 the address. And of course, you know, Canisius Filibert have 18 information for Micronesians United. 19 We have a person, James Naich. Do you have any 20 to say? 21 MR. NAICH: Yes. Thank you. (Indiscernible) 22 Washington, D.C. If I may, again, just -- if I can just add on 23 what Lillian said in regards to the use of ICT or information 24 technology in education as well as in the use of indigenous 25 language (indiscernible) in terms of (indiscernible). RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

142 1 I remember in 2004 when we met in Geneva. There 2 is a growing awareness of the need to preserve the indigenous 3 lands. Under the UN sponsorship, there has been a series of 4 meetings, and I was very pleased to see Lillian and a group of 5 students from the University of Hawai'i represented at that 6 meeting. So UNESCO is very much involved in that effort. So 7 maybe your group can also get in touch with UNESCO in terms of 8 assistance. 9 So the reason, I think, in participating in this 10 series of meetings, why it's most relevant to this conference is 11 that at one level we're talking about (indiscernible), moving 12 away from our culture, our place of birth. And at the same 13 time, there is also sense of attachment, for us attached onto 14 something. So the need to preserve our indigenous land, our 15 cultures, is important. And ICT or information technology is 16 one way of doing it as Lillian pointed out. 17 So the second point I wanted to make -- there was 18 a question about navigation. Yes, it is an important part of 19 our culture. It's not just the substance of navigation. But it 20 is a discipline. It's the way we are trained to take, to 21 behave, to conduct ourselves, and to preserve our existence as 22 an island people, as a seafaring people. So to me, navigation 23 is still important, not just because of the substance 24 (indiscernible) how to sail from one island to the other, but 25 it's a way of thinking. It's a discipline. Thank you. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

143 1 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: (Indiscernible.) Thank 2 very much everyone for participating. You have a break, and I 3 think the next one will be starting in about 15 minutes. 4 Mahalo. 5 (Recess taken, 2:45 p.m. to 3:01 p.m.) 6 EMCEE FILIBERT: I'm so determined that we're going to 7 be following the time on the schedule. We're not gonna do 8 Micronesian time 'cause really, Micronesian time, if you think 9 about it, then they ahead. So really, you cannot be late on 10 Micronesian time. 11 We're gonna go and start in the next session. 12 This is the final session for the day, "Building Programs in 13 Education and Health." And the moderator for this needs no 14 introduction because I wouldn't want to make an introduction for 15 her. If I get it wrong, she might just do something to me. But 16 her name is Jocelyn Howard. 17 Topic 3: Building Programs in Education and Health 18 Introduction 19 BY MS. JOCELYN HOWARD: 20 All right. Good afternoon and aloha again. I know 21 you already know me, Josie Howard. 22 One thing you don't know about me yet is that I'm from 23 Chuuk, and I'm from a very small island about half a mile in 24 width and 3 mimes long and 6 feet above sea level. So 25 (indiscernible) atoll, like a small island. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

144 1 I came to Hawai`i in 1989 to pursue my education at 2 the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. 3 On my left is Joanna Jacob, and you already have met 4 her this morning. She worked so many different programs. But 5 right now she's gonna represent or she's gonna talk about a 6 program. Sorry; I'm looking at the wrong paper. Moderators 7 make mistakes too. Oh, the bilingual school home assistant. 8 And then we have Mary Milne from Central Middle School 9 with the project with the McKinley complex. We also have John 10 Ishoda from the DOH (indiscernible). We have Nia Aitaoto, 11 program coordinator. And then we also have Richard Salvador. 12 And I have to admit; I'm really sorry that I don't 13 have all those extensive introductions. But when it's your 14 turn, you can also elaborate on the other projects that you 15 folks do. 16 I was informed to keep on time, and, you know, it's 17 really unfortunate because growing up on the island, we didn't 18 have clocks to look at. So I developed a skill of looking at 19 time by using the sun. And then again, unfortunately, there's 20 no sun in this room. So I'm gonna rely on Julie to give us 21 the -- you know. So panelists, please pay attention to Julie. 22 She'll let us know when your time is up. 23 Without further ado, let us start. I know that 24 everybody -- it's at the end of the day. I was also informed 25 that my panelists are fully charged. We Micronesians, we do our RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

145 1 work in the morning; we also do our work in the evening because 2 that's the coolest time of the day. So I know that these guys 3 are fully charged to talk to you this afternoon. Joanna. 4 DOE School/Home Assistants with ESL 5 BY MS. JOANNA JACOB: 6 (Indiscernible, not speaking in microphone.) As a 7 bilingual home/school assistant with the Department of 8 Education, I'm going to speak from my own personal perspective 9 that doesn't reflect the Department of Education at all or the 10 ESL program, ELL program. (Indiscernible.) 11 What I wanted to talk to you about is the kind of work 12 that we do and what we're being able to accomplish as far as 13 working with Micronesian families. Currently, there are about 14 five school/home assistants on O`ahu. Four of them are from the 15 Marshall Islands. And you can guess the other one; that's me, 16 from Chuuk. 17 Our roles, as program assistants, basically to 18 facilitate communications between the school, the homes, and the 19 community -- also to help with the development of programs that 20 would be affected in working with families -- to also conduct -- 21 well, I guess part of the presentation of communication is to 22 conduct workshops with parents; to talk to them about the 23 school's rules, policies, and just to cover, like, basic things 24 that is needed for the parents to understand. 25 We also -- some of us have developed what we call a RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

146 1 parents learning center. Not all of us do. And I know the 2 Marshallese school/home assistant at Royal School, Mrs. Lani, is 3 doing something there at the Royal School. 4 I can't go into details on what she does; but just one 5 of the things that she do is make herself available for parents 6 to come and see her, if they need questions answered, or if they 7 have pressing concerns that they want the school to know. Go to 8 her, and she will then communicate back with the school, and 9 then, I guess, the other way around too. 10 Sometimes we do home visits -- not all the time. 11 Because in Micronesia, it's not a problem to knock on people's 12 door. Like if you want to go, you just go. Here we also 13 learned that there is something called liability. We don't want 14 to be liable for any accidents or any attacks if you go to the 15 house. 16 So with that said, the home visits are done when there 17 is an administrator, a school personnel, to come with us. That 18 person is gonna be the one, the main person to go to the homes 19 and talk to the families. And we are just there to, you know, 20 sort of guide them on what kind of cultural things, procedures 21 or things that they need to know when approaching families of 22 Micronesian ancestry or from Micronesia. 23 So basically that's what we do. And issues that we 24 work with, of course, language, culture, home versus here 25 culture. School culture is different; social skills for RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

147 1 children; how to conduct themselves in school. 2 And also parental involvement. These parental 3 involvement is a little bit of a challenge because we -- coming 4 from Micronesia, we know that it's not something that is done 5 back home. So we really have to figure out ways to bring the 6 parents to the school for have them take part in school 7 activities because that's very important. 8 I can say -- and I'm going to say it here because I 9 want the parents, the Micronesian parents who will be watching 10 this, to also hear me say it -- you are your children's best 11 advocates. And the cost of your time in the schools is much 12 more valuable than ignorance, and we do want to understand what 13 rights we have in the schools so that our children can also 14 succeed. We can support them in whatever, education or 15 whatever -- in life, actually. 16 What has been successful for many of us who work as 17 bilingual school/home liaison -- I can't even pronounce my own 18 title. I was supposed to be fired from this panel -- well, no, 19 not fired. But for some reason there were some errors, and then 20 I thought I wasn't gonna be here on the panel. And forgive me 21 if sometime I refer back to the Micronesian Cultural Awareness 22 thing because I wear so many hats. I get confused between them, 23 and it's all to do with education. 24 Okay. So collaborating with other programs like MCN, 25 NU, and this Cultural Awareness project. It's proven to be very RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

148 1 helpful in working with families. 2 Like I said, I'm the only Chuukese in there. And 3 sometimes, you know, for me to approach parents, it's a 4 challenge even in the Chuukese community because we think that 5 just because I'm Chuukese, I can connect with every Chuukese 6 there is out there. 7 We have our own differences, and sometimes we don't 8 like each other. And I have to learn to, you know, work with 9 them, like, try to find ways to address those differences and to 10 find a common ground where we can start from. 11 Also, having all these programs and connecting with 12 people -- like these guys here from different entities, like 13 Micronesian entities or even Chuukese, from different islands in 14 Chuuk -- has proven to be very helpful because I come in to talk 15 to a person from Lagoon, Chuuk, I'm a foreigner to them. So to 16 have somebody from their place to work with me in connecting 17 with them, that seems to be very helpful. 18 One other thing is that the schools do -- I've seen 19 only two schools that did this. But they have, like, many 20 cultural festivals. And it seems, like, parents are very 21 interested. Sometimes it's the language barrier that kind of 22 keeps them away from participating in the school. 23 But this festival is a mini festival, really bring out 24 some or, if not, a lot of parents. And it's proven at Linapuni 25 Elementary School where there's a lot of Chuukese parents over RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

149 1 there. They all come. A lot of them come just to see their 2 kids perform. That's also a way that you can engage parents in 3 planning those mini festivals. 4 Sometimes we tend to think of people with limited 5 language skills as a liability. (Indiscernible) a liability. 6 But actually, if we learn to work with these parents, they can 7 actually be an asset to the school and they can enrich the 8 educational experience of our children. 9 Okay. What needs to be done still? There's a lot. 10 There's a lot to be done. And I would be working with this 11 (indiscernible) what government can do, I think I would like to 12 see another, maybe another Chuukese person to help me. 'Cause 13 sometimes I cannot cover all the schools. And right now, we 14 just had a change in policy where now I'm gonna be servicing, if 15 requested, from the neighbor islands. Then I will have to do 16 that. That's kind of a big responsibility to do. I need to 17 share it with somebody. 18 Okay. So anyways, I just want -- I was gonna close 19 with this earlier, but I think I got (indiscernible) that I 20 forgot to say. But what I'd like to say is that we, as 21 Micronesians, also need to educate ourselves about this culture 22 and how to succeed in this culture. 23 And it goes with the other service providers to also 24 learn to understand. And we will help you to learn to 25 understand our families and our kids. Because, like, as said by RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

150 1 somebody, in every child there is a brilliant student 2 (indiscernible) there somewhere. They just need to be nurtured. 3 And with no public education on Micronesian cultures 4 and if we don't educate ourselves, then our (indiscernible) 5 language, attitudes, ignorance, frustration, (indiscernible), 6 and those are (indiscernible) added on to the social problems 7 that are already here. It's no win-win situation for anybody. 8 Thank you. 9 * * * * * 10 (Applause.) 11 MS. HOWARD: Thank you so much, Joanna. And so what I 12 have learned from you is that the success that your program has 13 done to help Micronesians students here in Hawai`i 14 (indiscernible) involvement (indiscernible) establishing 15 partnership and parenting (indiscernible). Did I say that 16 already? 17 Very good. All right. So let's hear from Mary 18 tell about her program and what her program does, some of the 19 (indiscernible) of her program, challenges, what still needs to 20 be done (indiscernible). 21 Bilingual Coordinators at Central Middle School 22 BY MS. MARY MILNE: 23 Thank you, Josie. I'm here on behalf of the 24 (indiscernible) ELL project. And what is that is a pilot 25 program about the principals from the McKinley came together to RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

151 1 wrote out a grant. And they got funded from Title 3, and they 2 wanted to hire bilingual speakers to be part-time teachers, and 3 I'm one of eight bilingual speakers in the project. 4 What it is is that they wanted to -- they wanted to 5 help the students meet standards. And with that, they 6 (indiscernible) trying to address -- it's different for each 7 school. And I'm gonna talk on (indiscernible) Central Middle 8 School because that's where I'm currently working at. 9 At Central Middle School (indiscernible) supervisor 10 and we talk about what are the issues that we need to address in 11 the school within the Micronesian population. It's student 12 attendance, student achievement, parental involvement. These 13 are the three areas that we're trying to address. 14 And how we are going about doing that is that poor 15 student attendance, it's because it's a -- (indiscernible) 16 middle school. It's harder for students to come to school 17 because they are at that age where it's hard to come to school, 18 peer pressure, and things like that. 19 And how we are trying to address that is, you know, 20 we're trying to build a relationship for the student. And by 21 doing that, I think it really helps 'cause -- and also with the 22 families. Because if the student's not coming to school, we do 23 home visits, phone calls. And it can be very challenging. 24 And for student achievement, we work one-on-one with 25 the student. I have a group of students that I'm monitoring and RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

152 1 I monitor how they're doing in class. If they're not doing 2 well, then, you know, (indiscernible). I work with the teachers 3 and (indiscernible) the parents and figure out how we can help 4 the students (indiscernible). 5 And for parental involvement, we've been doing 6 workshops for parents. We've been -- for this year we did 7 parent orientation. We did that last year too. And in the 8 orientation (indiscernible), we try to educate them about the 9 American system, education system, and also what to expect here, 10 and what to expect (indiscernible), and what's different from 11 here, the education system here, what's different in the 12 (indiscernible) and trying to get them acculturated to the 13 education system here. 14 And another thing that we did was homework workshops 15 that I think it was very successful. We have a lot of parents 16 that came too. And one of the parents said, "Oh, how can I help 17 my child? I don't know how to speak English." So what we try 18 to teach them or, you know, tell them is, like, you don't have 19 to know how to speak English to help your child. You know. 20 My parents (indiscernible). I don't even remember 21 them helping me doing my homework. But, you know, they set 22 rules at home. And if I don't do my homework, I cannot watch TV 23 or go outside. And they can also do that, (indiscernible) set 24 rules (indiscernible) so they can do their homework, things like 25 that. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

153 1 What are the success of the project? Well, it was a 2 one-year project that (indiscernible). They funded it for 3 another year. It's because there was a significant increase of 4 parental involvement. They show that the parents were more 5 receptive to hear from someone that could speak their own 6 language. I think that's very (indiscernible). 7 What are the needs? I think, because I work in the 8 middle school, many of the students are starting to drop out in 9 middle school and high school. And I think there is a need for, 10 you know, to build a newcomers' center for students that come 11 here so they can have that support. As Dion said, that sense of 12 belonging, so they can succeed in high school and graduate and 13 get a high school diploma. 14 What can the government do to help? I think the 15 government in Micronesia should have classes for students and 16 parents to, you know, learn about the culture here and 17 expectations here before coming to Hawai`i 'cause it's very 18 important. And I think if we have more (indiscernible) you 19 know, programs like this, I think it would be easier for 20 students, the Micronesian students, to succeed in school. 21 I think this conference is very -- I thank everybody 22 for coming to the conference. I think it's very educational 23 (indiscernible) opportunity for (indiscernible) and people to 24 come together and share ideas. 25 * * * * * RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

154 1 (Applause.) 2 MS. HOWARD: Thank you so much. (Indiscernible) two 3 things (indiscernible). One thing is that the Department of 4 Education is doing something to help our children and that they 5 are -- another thing that I did hear you throughout the whole 6 thing, the need for Micronesians working for Micronesians, that 7 acculturation (indiscernible) that really help our people to 8 succeed for this program successful. Thank you, Mary. 9 And let's hear from John, and he'll talk about 10 his program in the Department of Health. 11 Ala Moana Health Center 12 BY MR. JOHN ISHODA: 13 Aloha. (Indiscernible; not speaking in microphone.) 14 I'm so used to talking without a mike. 15 Anyway, yesterday I was trying to decide whether I 16 should write down what I have to say. And I hear my daughter's 17 voice. One day she told me, "Dad, you're getting forgetful. 18 You're getting old." There goes my honesty -- teaching her 19 honesty is the best policy. 20 Before I proceed, I would like to acknowledge a lady 21 that's been very active in (indiscernible) throughout the 22 communities here on O'ahu. I'm talking about you, Barbara Tom. 23 MS. HOWARD: Stand up, Barbara. She needs to be 24 recognized. 25 (Audience applause.) RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

155 1 CONTINUED BY MR. ISHODA: 2 I was born and raised in (indiscernible), but I spend 3 most of my adult life here in these beautiful islands. I am 4 currently employed by the state Department of Health as 5 (Indiscernible), commonly referred to as the bilingual health 6 (indiscernible). And we are at the Ala Moana Health Center. 7 You want my number, my number is 587-5425. I should remind you; 8 I am happily married. 9 We go (audience interruption) reason (indiscernible) 10 target population is the Marshallese group. (Indiscernible) 11 bilingual staff as well. We have Filipino, Chinese, Samoans, 12 and Vietnamese. 13 So what do we actually do? Speaking for myself, one 14 of my assigned tasks is to assist these Marshallese people, 15 especially the newcomers, to make sure that they have health 16 coverage, help them apply for Quest health plan. 17 So every Wednesday, every Wednesday morning, I'm at 18 the Lanakila Health Center assisting the (indiscernible) who are 19 doing immunization for the students so that they can start going 20 to school. (Indiscernible) orientation, explaining our program, 21 for the families, especially, making sure they know where to go 22 for the affordable health services. 23 (Indiscernible) clinics to make sure the doctor and 24 his patient (indiscernible) health treatment. My daughter still 25 don't like her doctor. Sometimes you can be really RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

156 1 (indiscernible) between the patient and the doctor. 2 But what I like most is doing home visit with the 3 (indiscernible) nurse, chance to touch base with the Marshallese 4 (indiscernible) and also talk stories and probably eat some 5 Marshallese food. 6 I also have the (indiscernible) where I promote 7 healthy lifestyle. 'Cause when we do our home visits, it is 8 obvious that one of the problems is unhealthy lifestyle among 9 the Marshallese. 10 We also can see there are a lot of problems with 11 diabetes, health-related illness. Also cancers. For obvious 12 reasons. If I might mention, a lot of the Marshallese don't eat 13 much of what you folks eat that you consider healthy, like 14 vegetables. The Marshallese like to eat rice and canned food. 15 These are something that they're used to from back home. 16 Throughout this conference, I've been hearing 17 (indiscernible) health needs or health-related needs. And that 18 is language access. There was a conference last week. It was 19 on language access. Obviously, that is one of the barriers. It 20 is very noticeable everywhere I go: Hospitals, clinics, even 21 schools. Mary mentioned that. 22 And it's very sad when you go to the hospital and you 23 see some old folks, old Marshallese sitting over there. And 24 it's obvious they're not sure what they are supposed to do, but 25 they don't know how to speak English. I witnessed that. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

157 1 So that is certainly the issue. It is a barrier to 2 access a lot of the health services. 3 One of the barrier, of course, is cultural 4 sensitivity. You cannot discuss sex with both male and female 5 member of the family being present. You have to talk to them 6 separately. These are just one aspect of the cultural problems 7 or difficulties. 8 One of the other barriers that I've noticed is lack of 9 proper documentation. You might have the same persons, 10 especially with the kids, that have different last name on 11 different documents. That is very common. 12 Lack of transportation too. We take it for granted 13 that we can get to where we are. (Indiscernible) on Majuro, 14 there's only one main road. You can see where you're going 15 because the island is flat. Well, if you tell one Marshallese 16 family to get on the bus and go to Kapi`olani hospital, for 17 example, from Waipahu, and you tell them they have to transfer, 18 maybe three times before they get to Kapi`olani hospital, you 19 can be sure they're not gonna go. 20 A lot of us, we take it for granted that, hey, I'll go 21 to my appointment. No problem. 22 And another problem when they apply for Med-QUEST, 23 they don't know that they're supposed to select the health plan 24 that they would be under. And also they have to select their 25 own doctor. That is a problem. And naturally, because on RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

158 1 Majuro, there is only one hospital. You go to the hospital and 2 wait until they call your name. Whoever is the doctor that day 3 is gonna be your doctor. 4 And I believe the solution to all of these problems is 5 we need more interpreters, (indiscernible) school and hospital. 6 Whatever the setting is, we need more interpreters. Of course, 7 we need more training programs to make sure these interpreters 8 are well trained and qualified. 9 Unfortunately, there's barrier, and I'm sure we all 10 know what the barrier is: The lack of funding. Well, 11 (indiscernible) one of those that voted for Mr. Bush, you're 12 part of the barrier. 13 Mahalo. 14 * * * * * 15 MS. HOWARD: Thank you so much, John. Two things I 16 learned from you -- one is, you know touch base, working at 17 grassroots level, working with the people, you know, your home 18 visits. And I heard that throughout the whole panel. 19 The second thing that -- oh, what? First thing 20 is that you're happily married. 21 And then the third thing is acculturation. And, 22 you know, I can't help but remembering that commercial that 23 goes, "That's my bank. That's my bank. That's my bank." 24 Because it's almost, like, everywhere you go, there is that 25 acculturation. It pops up. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

159 1 Anyways, I'm sorry to take you away from this 2 conference. But let me bring you back to Nia, and she will tell 3 you about her program. Thank you. 4 Pacific Diabetes Education Program 5 BY MS. NIA AITAOTO: 6 (Speaking in foreign language.) Welcome from the 7 beautiful island of Yap. Many of you never seen Yapese before. 8 As you can see, we're very gorgeous and beautiful people. 9 (Audience interruption) honor my culture by saying 10 "kuro." [Phonetic.] Kuro is a word that when we're talking to 11 another elder, we bend down and talk. That's (indiscernible) of 12 respect. 13 With that spirit and in that note, I would like to say 14 kuro to our traditional leaders who are here. I would like to 15 say kuro to our FAPE-based leaders who are here. I would like 16 to say kuro to our elders who are here, and I would like to say 17 kuro to all the women who prosper and nourish (indiscernible). 18 So thank you very much. 19 Now on to my presentation. The word (indiscernible). 20 So the word (indiscernible) describes -- to many people, the 21 word -- you know, words that you use have a conceptual framework 22 for your Ph.D. dissertation -- the word that we use as a buzz 23 word so you can get money to serve Micronesians. 24 But ask Micronesians, the word is very tangible. I 25 wake up in the morning (indiscernible). And we go to bed RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

160 1 (indiscernible). So I'm gonna cry. People never see me cry. 2 All people know me; they know I'm tough. 3 But anyway, (indiscernible) talking about my people, 4 it's very tough to talk about my people because, you know, we 5 use that word, but it's real. It's real to me and it's real to 6 all of us here. 7 In that note, what can you do about it as 8 Micronesians? What I can say right now, I'm here as a provider, 9 you know, as a health professional. But I'm not gonna sit -- 10 stay on this (indiscernible). I'm gonna sit on a different 11 (indiscernible). I'm gonna (indiscernible). 12 My words come from my voice as a Micronesian. So 13 please excuse me if you invited me as a professional, but I'm 14 gonna talk about my issues as a Micronesian woman and 15 Micronesian (indiscernible). 16 I only have 15 minutes. Or is it half an hour? 17 MS. HOWARD: 12 minutes. 18 (Talking over each other.) 19 CONTINUED BY MS. AITAOTO: 20 (Indiscernible). So if you want to know the 21 statistics, I (indiscernible) Department of Health. You can 22 talk to her about statistics. 23 What I'm here, I'm talking about health service 24 providers who are serving Micronesians here. And my message to 25 you is that, you know, all the barriers and all the things you RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

161 1 hear up here, the solution is in the community. You go to your 2 communities (indiscernible). 3 I only have a few minutes, but I have a great example 4 for you. I am part of a great group called Micronesians United. 5 And I think all the alpha females are here. Gina? 6 (Indiscernible). Give them a hand. 7 (Applause.) 8 (Indiscernible). We spend millions and millions of 9 dollars trying to get Micronesian women to go in and get a 10 mammogram. But, you know -- so we have Ph.D.'s. We have 11 M.D.'s. We have nurses. Everyone. With all these resources 12 and money in, and guess what? Our rates -- mammography rates is 13 very low. One, two a year. 14 So we decided -- Micronesian women -- that we gonna 15 take action. We didn't get a (indiscernible) from anyone. 16 There is a saying in Micronesia: A bird sings, not because he 17 has the answer but because he has a song. We didn't have the 18 answer, but we do have a song, a song that our maker gave in our 19 heart to help our people. 20 So we're not gonna wait until the paper is published, 21 (indiscernible) is published. We're gonna do it because it is a 22 song that we need to do it for our people. 23 So what we did is we take all the (indiscernible). 24 All of you said, oh, best practice. You know what? We took 25 best and appropriate practice. A lot of people giving us RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

162 1 practice from Arkansas and Kentucky, and it doesn't apply over 2 here. 3 So what we did is we also followed the science. There 4 is a science in there. We look at five curriculums, and we took 5 the best curriculum. I think (indiscernible) all five 6 (indiscernible) to make it appropriate or us. 7 Now, what does that mean? That doesn't mean you put a 8 flower over the brochure and you pass it around and that's 9 appropriate. No. We translated. 10 I think that somebody over here asked a question about 11 translation, on how you know that's right. What we did is we 12 also paid our translator. A lot of you think that, oh, 13 Micronesians, they'll work for free. They gonna translate this 14 whole five-page paper and it's free. (Indiscernible) hello? 15 (Audience interruption). 16 And a lot of people, you know, talk about, you know, 17 (indiscernible) (audience interruption). The point is that 18 (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) multilingual. Not all of us 19 can speak four, five languages and English and pidgin. 20 And what we trying to (indiscernible). It's 21 (indiscernible) there's a cultural concept. My program is 22 actually develop educational material for the Pacific, not only 23 diabetes, -- also diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. 24 We have all these materials (indiscernible). 25 If you think that's not culturally appropriate, we RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

163 1 actually work with all the doctors and nurses. (Indiscernible) 2 health professionals to (indiscernible) because there's a lot of 3 terms in there. There is a difference between putting medicine 4 in your ear and put 'em in the other part of your body. 5 But if you get the wrong translator, (indiscernible) 6 (audience interruption). 7 (Indiscernible) participatory. You know a lot of 8 people (indiscernible) oh, it's a nice word (indiscernible). 9 (Indiscernible) the recommendation. That's another part of this 10 disparity. 11 But anyway (audience interruption). These group of 12 women -- you know, high school graduates, 15 of them. We 13 actually outreach to 550 Micronesian women in the State of 14 Hawai`i. That is more than half of women over the age of 40. 15 We sent 180 women to get a mammo in six months. 16 (Indiscernible). 17 All the money that went into the other program, they 18 couldn't get one or two in. We got 108. That's the power of 19 Micronesian women. That's the power of Micronesian people, and 20 that's the power of Micronesian communities in Hawai`i. 21 So we need to really figure out whatever program 22 you're in, you need to go and touch base with your community. 23 (Indiscernible). If you don't know who they are, then just look 24 around you, all the beautiful people around here. They're 25 Micronesians. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

164 1 (Audience interruption) in that curriculum. 2 (Indiscernible). We cover that. We have too much discussion on 3 how to translate (indiscernible) in Marshallese. (Yelling while 4 talking.) Come on. Look around you. We're not only beautiful; 5 we're very, very intelligent. 6 (Indiscernible; audience interruption.) 7 * * * * * 8 MS. HOWARD: Oh, my gosh. I told you. My panelists 9 are fully charged. When I notice the people who are gonna be on 10 my, you know, panel, I was really worried. I'm, like, oh, my 11 gosh. But you know what? I think they should sitting in my 12 place. 13 Anyways, let me see the time. Richard, you have 14 approximately 15 minutes before questioning. It's your turn. 15 McKinley Community School 16 BY MR. RICHARD SALVADOR: 17 I don't know if I can top that. 18 Anyway, I want to let you know that I'm teaching at 19 McKinley Community School. I have a lot of Micronesian students 20 in my class. Unfortunately, a lot of them either drop out for 21 various reasons. 22 I think it was last Christmas I saw one of my students 23 came in and (indiscernible). Then I found out that 24 (indiscernible) Christmastime, Lokahi tree giving, that they 25 were one of the families who were looking for beds. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

165 1 And any time you take the class, there's always 2 something (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) concerned about him. 3 And so I know that he was suffering at home. And he was 4 struggling in school. And the problems (indiscernible) said 5 (indiscernible) struggling with issues here and struggling 6 (voice fading). 7 When I began to be involved -- I used to be involved 8 with Micronesians United before I created Micronesian Community 9 Network. 10 And I thought that (indiscernible) provide mentoring 11 and tutoring programs. So I began to create -- to begin to 12 create the Micronesian professionals mentoring and tutoring 13 program where we sort of identifying (indiscernible) 14 Micronesians here in Hawai`i and putting them with younger 15 students who provide (indiscernible) -- not just student 16 (indiscernible) to be successful in education, role models. And 17 so we work with -- we try to work with teachers. 18 (Indiscernible) have a lot of funding to continue. We 19 had, for one semester, (indiscernible) in school. We got 20 funding from that Even Start program. I think it was 21 (indiscernible) only one semester. Like I say, we don't have 22 any money so we couldn't continue. 23 Anyway, that's one of the things. I'm currently -- as 24 I told you before, I currently serve as the chairperson of the 25 Micronesian Community Network education committee. So we try to RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

166 1 (indiscernible) things that we (indiscernible) accessing 2 educational opportunities and then provide them to our people. 3 Briefly, I (indiscernible) all of the education I had 4 to get, I had to really struggle (indiscernible) didn't have a 5 lot of funding from (indiscernible), didn't have a lot of money. 6 I went to (indiscernible). Before I came to Hawai`i, 7 I spent about two years in a church mission in Louisiana, 8 Mississippi, and Alabama. And I began to work with a lot of 9 African-American communities, and I learned a lot of things that 10 they were struggling with in terms of racial issues in the 11 United States, you know, accessing (indiscernible) stuff. I 12 began to, uh, more sensitized to the needs of (indiscernible) 13 nonwhite communities. 14 When I came to the University of Hawai`i, 15 (indiscernible) American (indiscernible) committee, with 16 (indiscernible) anti-nuclear war. So I had a chance to work 17 around the Pacific and other parts of world. 18 I served once in the international (indiscernible). 19 It's the oldest (indiscernible) world, in doing a lot of 20 important work. And for one-third (indiscernible), two 21 (indiscernible) male and male representative (indiscernible). 22 And then I currently serve as the Pacific rep for that 23 new network called the International Network (indiscernible), 24 International Network to eliminate nuclear weapons. And my 25 initial interest (indiscernible), I grew up in the time RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

167 1 (indiscernible) fighting (indiscernible) to preserve the 2 (indiscernible). 3 And then I came and I began to learn about the 4 (indiscernible) of the Marshallese. That gravitated me towards 5 activism with the (indiscernible) committee. I began to 6 question the basis of democracy. When we voted so many times to 7 say no, we don't want nuclear weapons, and the United States 8 kept insisting. (Indiscernible.) 9 And so I began to question why. The (indiscernible) 10 supported democracy was against democracy (indiscernible). And 11 that's how I (indiscernible) community work. 12 And after completing my master's, I went to BYU. 13 (Indiscernible; trucks passing.) So before coming to the 14 University of Hawai'i, I was molded out of my bachelor years, 15 undergraduate years (indiscernible) conservative thinking person 16 working within the confines of (indiscernible) institutions. 17 And when I came to the University of Hawai'i, I began 18 to see a lot of the (indiscernible), under the surface. I 19 rebelled against a lot of the things I saw happening, the things 20 that I had buried within the American educational system, and 21 began to question why. So I spent a lot of years trying to 22 (indiscernible). 23 Anyway, (indiscernible) I think it was a good thing 24 that I decided to get involved with the Micronesian Community 25 Network because it allowed me to now take an interest that was RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

168 1 (indiscernible) around the Pacific (indiscernible) do something 2 that is (indiscernible) Micronesians themselves. So I was happy 3 (indiscernible) leader of the Micronesian Community Network and 4 (indiscernible), get a chance to (indiscernible) Office of 5 Community Services. 6 (Indiscernible) but the Office of Community Services 7 is within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. 8 They had had some extra money in 2006 and wanted to look around 9 and work with (indiscernible) community groups. And him and 10 Robert (indiscernible) no, we gotta work with Micronesians. 11 So they came to us and said that we're interested in 12 collaborating (indiscernible) issues Micronesians are facing in 13 Hawai`i. So we came up with the idea of a Micronesian cultural 14 exchange festival -- many of you attended in 2006. And 15 (indiscernible) $65,000. And Office of Community Services 16 provided that money. So we (indiscernible) appreciated that 17 they gave us the chance to (indiscernible) Micronesian cultures 18 and talk with service providers and Micronesian community 19 leaders. 20 Then that led to other things. I wanted to say 21 something that I think some -- maybe the -- controversial, in 22 terms what we've been discussing previously this morning and 23 this afternoon. Senator Akaka proposed a bill in the U.S. 24 Senate to expand the med-QUEST and food stamps services to 25 Micronesians in the United States. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

169 1 And the whole Hawai`i delegation is actually 2 supporting -- the government of the Republic of Palau is against 3 it, strongly oppose this idea. 4 And the reason is this: They said that 30 years ago, 5 Micronesian (indiscernible). We have to be faithful to these 6 ideas. And 20 years after independence, we have to address 7 (indiscernible) and not asking for crumbs from American tables. 8 This is how I feel about (indiscernible). I agree 9 with my government (indiscernible). But at the same time, 10 working to create the (indiscernible) opportunities for 11 Micronesians -- not create a new underclass of citizens in the 12 United States -- but create opportunities for us to get student 13 education, jobs, and the students (indiscernible) from struggles 14 that we go through. 15 I hope that 20 years from now, you're gonna look at 16 the struggles we're facing today saying it was for nothing. We 17 have to do something. We have to teach our young. We cannot 18 continue to come to Hawai`i with so many opportunities open to 19 us and not take advantage of it. 20 So we have a school, McKinley Community School that is 21 very supportive of Micronesians. (Indiscernible) has provided a 22 lot of facilities for free. He gives us a portable for 23 (indiscernible) meetings and sold us computers to help us learn 24 computers and classes and even creates two classes, a 25 Marshallese class and a Chuukese class. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

170 1 Unfortunately, students were (indiscernible). So my 2 concern is we may not be taking full advantages of the 3 opportunities we're getting. And of all the niceties that we 4 make as well as collaborating with people in Hawai`i, we have to 5 show that we have the initiative to (indiscernible) ourselves. 6 This is what the Palauans believe in, and I think that I have 7 shown to some extent their economic development. 8 We have a very bad reputation of being very aggressive 9 (indiscernible) is not working. Even (indiscernible) their own 10 (indiscernible). So I think it's the experience to some extent 11 how I feel about working aggressively to create a program, but 12 not creating a new underclass and not allowing the United States 13 to say, oh, yeah, we gave you so much, you still screwed up, and 14 here you are right now asking for more (indiscernible) crumbs 15 off the table. 16 So I think that the important thing we Micronesians 17 should get from this conference is to (indiscernible). The 18 reason we're here, I know that I agree with -- I respect 19 Ambassador Naich, justifying the presence of our people outside 20 of our nations. 21 But nation building does not justify 15 or 20 or 22 30,000 people moving away. We have to address our 23 (indiscernible) association just allow us to move back and 24 forth. But traditional conceptions of nation building 25 (indiscernible) and creates opportunities for people who develop RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

171 1 their full potential within their territories. 2 So I hope that the Compact of Free Association that 3 have created opportunities for us to come here, theoretically, 4 the resources that we did not have there, we have here. And so 5 let's resolve to take full advantage of those things. Mahalo. 6 * * * * * 7 MS. HOWARD: Thank you very much, Richard, for your 8 frank and insightful opinions. We know it's -- that's why this 9 is very important 'cause (indiscernible) are sharing and through 10 learning of our differences that we come up with ways to make 11 lives better. 12 And I can assure that this event right now is 13 building -- you know, building, strengthening our communities 14 and building towards a better future. And I trust each and 15 every one of the Micronesians who are here in the crowd, that 16 they are making good judgment to lead our people to a better 17 future. 18 Thank you, and right now we are open up for 19 questions. 20 FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER TUSI: (Speaking foreign 21 language.) Aloha, my name is Tusi (phonetic; indiscernible). 22 I'm a nurse and I am the program coordinator for a very special 23 program, and it's called Cancer Treatment and Education Program 24 at Hawai`i Medical Center, formerly St. Francis Medical Center. 25 And I have several grants. I have the BCCP RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

172 1 grant, which is the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, 2 as well as a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation, to screen 3 women, to offer women medically, underserved women, to target 4 the Pacific Islanders, Native Hawaiians. That is our population 5 target. Of course, it is open to all women that -- from, uh, in 6 our guidelines. 7 And I really don't have a question, but I do have 8 a comment. And I wanted, you know, this special lady; she's 9 also Samoan, by the way. So I'm Samoan. She's my sister. 10 And we worked together. I've met this incredible 11 person, and we have worked together in getting Micronesian 12 women -- Pacific Island women -- in to get mammograms 13 (indiscernible). 14 And one of the things that, when I worked with 15 this -- started this program, I was working -- I recall it now. 16 I was working in an area (indiscernible) looking down. 17 Now that I'm actually in the trenches, and I love 18 it. I enjoy what I'm doing, but I want to say that, Nia, you're 19 absolutely right. Being out in the community, touching bases 20 and touching a woman, one-on-one, is most important because the 21 trust that you develop with this women is absolutely incredible. 22 And I just want to say thank you, Nia, for 23 opening my eyes to all this wonderful talent that we have. And 24 (indiscernible) work with a lot of Micronesian women, and I tell 25 you they are awesome -- incredible Micronesian women. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

173 1 And don't wait for them to come to you. You 2 gotta go to the source. You gotta get down to the trenches. 3 And that's what I've done, and it has been quite rewarding. 4 (Indiscernible.) (Speaking in foreign language.) 5 MS. AITAOTO: (Indiscernible) magic. You marry 6 someone, the magic is gone. I got no magic, so (indiscernible) 7 after that. (Indiscernible.) And that's another thing too. We 8 want to go to women providers that look just like us, talk just 9 like us, walk slow just like us. (Indiscernible; yelling voice) 10 that kind of stuff. And (indiscernible). 11 And that's another thing too. (Indiscernible) 12 community-based. But you have to (indiscernible) a provider 13 that is competent. That means very (indiscernible), and you 14 know, accommodating to us Micronesians. So thank you 15 (indiscernible) for that. And I do have a commercial. 16 Anyway, one of (indiscernible) is diabetes 17 education. We have this grant. You know. It's kind of a 18 stupid grant. We take up all these materials. You know. And 19 it's great. (Indiscernible) translate it into 20 different 20 languages. (Indiscernible) translation. (Indiscernible.) 21 Actually about 5,000 Micronesians actually see the brochure and 22 (indiscernible). 23 But anyway, at the end of the day, we do 24 (indiscernible) food care. It's offered by (indiscernible). So 25 at the end of the day, the brochure was wonderful, translated, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

174 1 everything. At the end of the day, (indiscernible). You know, 2 (indiscernible) to go look and (indiscernible). We don't have 3 any of that. 4 So I decided. You know what? If we're not gonna 5 have the resources to do what the brochures, don't pass it out. 6 So until (indiscernible). So if you're a service provider here 7 looking for diabetes educational materials in language and 8 school --. 9 Another thing is that they keep on telling us 10 measure your food and portion it and everything else. In 11 Micronesia, a cup is anything that holds water. So guess what? 12 (Indiscernible; yelling voice.) Actually, not only developing 13 educational materials and translating them to this language, we 14 also provide tools, like the foot care kit and then measuring 15 cup, measuring spoon. (Indiscernible.) 16 But then, you know (indiscernible.) Stuff like 17 that. But I'm (indiscernible) they don't do stuff like that for 18 us, that they never asked us what we like. 19 So that's the end of the commercial. 20 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: Any more questions out 21 there? 22 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Indiscernible; 23 speaking without microphone.) What is the Micronesian view of 24 confidentiality (indiscernible). (Indiscernible) we don't have 25 to disclose to your parents (indiscernible). (Indiscernible.) RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

175 1 MS. AITAOTO: What's that? We don't know what that 2 is. (Indiscernible) compliance with medical services and all 3 that kind of thing. Well, here in Hawai`i, you know, we do 4 sometimes our own (indiscernible). 5 For example, (indiscernible) in hospitals and 6 things like that. (Indiscernible). (Indiscernible) talk to 7 this one person because the want the information go out. 8 But you know Micronesian culture, we talk to a 9 whole family. You know? (Indiscernible) the decision is 10 (indiscernible) group or something like that. So, you know, so 11 our (indiscernible) hold us back, you know, that kind of thing. 12 But we have such close families that, you know, they're gonna 13 share information anyway. 14 So -- and I don't know if that answer your 15 question. But the concept in itself -- it is a community thing. 16 You know. And it's hard to keep information 'cause we have the 17 coconut wireless (indiscernible) stronger than any in the 18 (indiscernible) anywhere. You know. But, so that's it. 19 One of those lines between policies and what 20 actually happened in the community and health care (voice 21 fades.) 22 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Indiscernible.) 23 My question is aside from the DOE that has the health standards 24 (indiscernible) curriculum, do any of your programs do 25 assessments of youth and adult smokers? And if you do, do you RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

176 1 provide education or counseling? If you don't, who do you refer 2 smokers to? 3 MS. HOWARD: Mary or Joanna? 4 MS. AITAOTO: Actually, we do have -- um -- 5 (indiscernible) resources here. And the reason why is because 6 of the Department of Health. But we ask for you to do a 7 (indiscernible) sample, Pacific Islanders? Oh, that's too 8 expensive. 9 You know what? We can do it, so they haven't 10 prioritized up on the top. There is resources. It's just 11 (indiscernible) we're important enough to (indiscernible). But 12 we do. You know, we need to do stuff like that. We do have 13 smoking cessation (indiscernible). 14 We're actually much more ahead than the State of 15 Hawai`i. Do you know in April 30th, the last day of this month, 16 we're gonna have an integrated Pacific Island tobacco, diabetes, 17 cancer, and cardiovascular. All the members -- anyone from 18 Micronesia -- I think about 20 people (indiscernible) will be 19 on-island looking at all those issues. 20 So we have a problem with data because we have 21 such a small population. That's why if you separate Pacific 22 Islander from Native Hawaiians or other populations, we do have 23 that data, but the (indiscernible) is very huge. You know. So 24 things like that. But (indiscernible). But anyway. 25 (Indiscernible) Micronesian inside. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

177 1 But, uh, so it comes up, you know, and things 2 like that too. So, but we do have a smoking cessation program 3 for Pacific Islanders here. (Indiscernible) Native Hawaiian 4 culture. But we do have a policy. If you come in, it doesn't 5 matter (indiscernible) -- birth control, broken leg, you know, 6 headache or whatever -- we still gonna ask you if you smoke and 7 then we (indiscernible) you up to a smoking cessation counselor. 8 And if you have a chronic disease like diabetes, 9 cardiovascular, or cancer, we are gonna give you a special talk 10 on why you really, really, really need to stop smoking right, 11 right, now. So that's (indiscernible). And if they don't 12 listen, then I come and talk to you. 13 But anyway, so talk to -- what's that? -- Julian. 14 Right. Tell Julian (indiscernible) sample Micronesians. 15 MS. HOWARD: Next question? 16 UNIDENTIFIED MALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Indiscernible) to 17 the panel for all their contributions. I'm still disturbed by 18 John's example of the Micronesian couple sitting in a hospital 19 waiting for care because there was no way to communicate with 20 them. 21 Since I want to take Nia's point of view, why 22 don't we make a communication system for them? And what we're 23 really talking about is that the medical profession demands 24 special attention, rather than coming out and asking what needs 25 to be done. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

178 1 So what I would suggest doing is if we can get 2 something like the earlier panel on communication 3 (indiscernible), if we can get some sort of way of color-coding 4 your symptoms in the different languages, let the person 5 (indiscernible) paint selection (indiscernible), hand that 6 (indiscernible) to the admissions nurse or doctor. You might 7 have the doctors coming over and seeing what's wrong with the 8 patient, trying to see what the colors meant. 9 Something like that might trigger a more positive 10 response from the people who said I can't do anything (voice 11 fades.) 12 MS. AITAOTO: That's a great idea. So for all you 13 Department of Health departments that your end of the year is 14 like the end of April and you're gonna have a lot of extra 15 funds, that's a nice idea for you to put that in, right? Hint, 16 hint, hint? 17 MS. HOWARD: Let's move along. The lady over there 18 has been waiting. So I need to give her a chance. 19 AUDIENCE MEMBER TINA: (Indiscernible). I can't 20 remember actually who it was. (Indiscernible) talked about just 21 the proper ways to enter someone's home. 22 And my name is Tina. I work at Weinberg Village 23 Waimanalo. And so it's part of our program. We do home visits 24 and we do go into people's homes and actually we're there to 25 make sure that the home is clean (indiscernible). So it's kind RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

179 1 of an invasive process anyway. But could you maybe talk more 2 about how to kind of use that. 3 MS. HOWARD: I believe it was Joanna and John that 4 talked about the home visits. So I would ask any of them to 5 answer that question. 6 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: First of all, 7 (indiscernible) in response to the gentleman's question about 8 the color code, ID, or something? Currently, right now, I 9 believe there is a multiple language ID card that is in the 10 process of being produced. I don't know (indiscernible) status 11 of that card now. 12 But we're hoping that every -- especially the 13 older people that don't know how to speak English -- would have 14 a card that would say that they're Marshallese, they don't know 15 how to speak English. And they would meet (indiscernible) sort 16 of help provide an interpreter. That's what I have heard, that 17 there is a language card. I hope I've answered your question. 18 For the home visit question from that lady, 19 nobody, I believe, (indiscernible). Normally, you would have to 20 call beforehand and let the people know that you're gonna be 21 interviewing them. 22 'Cause a lot of times the reason why they 23 hesitate to have you go in, it's because -- like most of us, we 24 have our dirty laundry all over the place. So you want to let 25 them know you're coming so they can prepare, clean a little bit, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

180 1 make things tidy inside the house. I hope that answer your 2 question. 3 MS. HOWARD: Anybody wants to add to that? Richard? 4 MR. SALVADOR: I apologize. I was supposed to talk 5 about the -- one thing I was supposed to was (indiscernible) 6 language assessment. I know that (indiscernible). She is 7 working at the Department of Health and she had extra money from 8 the CDC. So she used it to create a Micronesian family health 9 and language assessment (indiscernible) what the needs are in 10 terms of language. 11 Again, to access healthcare systems and 12 (indiscernible). Some others were participating in the 13 interview of about 430 or 450 families representing about 14 approximately 2,000 people. But that's just Micronesians living 15 in public housing, mostly. 16 We went, some instances, to beaches and parks 17 where they're holding the events. But it's -- Palolo, you know, 18 (indiscernible) and other (indiscernible), major public housing 19 areas. Around 2,000 people. And what it was was asking for a 20 list of current health problems for each member of the family -- 21 what were the initial reasons for migrating to Hawai`i and 22 whether they were health related and whether they have the 23 language ability to access relevant health care. 24 I think there were some other non-health 25 information (indiscernible) we gathered in terms of how many RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

181 1 people are actually working and not working. So they were 2 actually contributing (indiscernible). And Dr. (Indiscernible) 3 the families of the assessment. 4 But a lot of the families, (indiscernible) 5 language problems. There needs to be a number of efforts made 6 to bridge the gap in terms of providing translation services and 7 other things. Mahalo. 8 MS. HOWARD: You know, just to, in general, let me 9 invite -- for any of you who has ideas and who have comments, 10 you know, the nation of Micronesia holds a meeting monthly on 11 every second Thursday. Those ideas like, you know, the 12 color-coded thing -- it's the language access. The court is 13 working on interpreting services. That's where you can go and 14 input all those other great ideas. 15 But anyway, let's move on. And Lillian, you have 16 a question? 17 MS. SEGAL: Actually, I think Elfriede was in line 18 first. 19 MS. HOWARD: Oh, I'm so sorry, Elfriede. I wasn't 20 looking. I'm sorry. 21 MS. SUDA: I'm Elfriede Suda. I (indiscernible) 22 parents and children together. My daughter is two months old; 23 and in regards to the comments earlier about home visits, 24 sometimes we gotta be aware of whose home because home is 25 comprised of a lot of people. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

182 1 So during the day when it's convenient for you, 2 service providers, it may be inconvenient for us, the ones who 3 work at night. So even though your visit may be announced, it 4 may be an intrusion of privacy for the people that are resting 5 during the day. Thank you. 6 MS. SEGAL: Actually, what I have to say is very 7 connected to what Elfriede was just saying. So to give you 8 non-Micronesians a little more insight about making home visits 9 with Micronesian families, you know, we talked a little bit 10 about concepts. 11 And it's so true. Like every action that is 12 taken with a Micronesian, there is a lot involved. It was hard 13 to answer the question earlier about Micronesian art because 14 that's a whole 'nother conference. We'll not go there right 15 now. 16 But with the home visits, (indiscernible) 17 Kosraean culture, hospitality is a really big thing. And so 18 when you're approaching somebody and asking them --. 19 You know, first of all, Micronesians have a hard 20 time saying no. It's our way. And then bringing yourself to 21 someone's home, you're putting it on the family and they're 22 gonna get all stressed out. Like, oh, my house is not good 23 enough. Oh, we don't have enough good dishes to serve them. We 24 have to serve those people, something to serve them in. 25 And then also -- you know, we do community work, RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

183 1 and it took years to establish the relationship that we have. 2 So I could show you those projects. And I'm Micronesian, and I 3 have to think about that. 4 It is more difficult for me to think about -- to 5 work with Micronesians than it is to work with non-Micronesians 6 because there's all this unknown cultural stuff that we just 7 know as Micronesians and you're slowly finding out and maybe 8 some day there will be a book. 9 So please be aware of that. And what I suggest 10 is before trying to establish the home visit, go --. Well, 11 first of all, work on establishing a relationship and trust, 12 number one, before you bring yourself to the home. But think of 13 a neutral place and offer to maybe pick up somebody. Take them 14 to Zippy's. Offer them lunch. Something like that. So I 15 suggest more neutral grounds before coming into their home. 16 I don't disregard your work. You're trying to do 17 important work, and I value that you're trying to come into the 18 home. That's probably your personal time as well. Just to 19 share a little insight on (indiscernible) Micronesian things. 20 MS. HOWARD: There you go. (Indiscernible) 21 acculturation. The fear of not knowing what they're gonna talk 22 to you about, the fear of thinking that you're not gonna 23 understand what they're talking about is very true. And that's 24 what, you know, create all these barriers about home visits. 25 And I know how important (indiscernible). You RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

184 1 are trying to get your work done. But you know, one thing I 2 learned from Mike Mattos -- I don't know (indiscernible) you 3 know him. He's a great social worker. But after how many years 4 of studies, he said I didn't learn anything, but now I come to 5 realize that the best way to find out what is the most effective 6 ways to talk to your client. 7 So talk to them. Ask them. If they cannot tell 8 you today, ask them again tomorrow. Find another way to find 9 out from them. Just that peace of mind. 10 MS. MILNE: Another thing they keep -- something to 11 keep in mind when you're trying to do home visits. Like me and 12 my friend had to do a home visit at one of the public housing. 13 And safety is an issue and so -- because even though we're 14 Micronesians, we are not from that area. 15 So it's important that you get a person that can 16 speak that language and is from that community because even 17 Micronesians tell us, you know, we're not part of the community 18 and it's hard -- you know -- even harder on us to go inside a 19 person's house, a stranger's house, and tell them 20 (indiscernible) the service providers are telling us. Because 21 (voice fades). 22 MS. HOWARD: Thank you, Mary. Next question. 23 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Indiscernible) 24 babies from birth to three who have development delays. So one 25 family that we worked with that was from Chuuk, the child was RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

185 1 hard of hearing and it was suggested that she have hearing aids 2 placed. The parents didn't want to have hearing aids placed 3 because they were gonna go back home, and they said that their 4 child would be shunned by their community for the hearing aids. 5 So I tried to know if that's factual or is that 6 across the board. She said that individuals with developmental 7 delays -- it looked different than the rest of the community. 8 People within the community talk about that there is curses put 9 on their family or they did something wrong. So I just wanted 10 to know if that was factual or that's common. 11 MS. HOWARD: Anyone wants to comment on that question? 12 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: With that kind of 13 question, it's very hard to generalize culture. As you can see, 14 Chuuk -- I don't know which island in Chuuk, you know, that they 15 are from and things like that, too. 16 But I think (indiscernible) educating them on how 17 the hearing aids gonna help the kids. So actually that kind 18 of -- you need to spend a lot more time on the education of that 19 (indiscernible) too. 20 But when it comes to the cultural beliefs and 21 (indiscernible), it's very hard for us to generalize it 22 because -- you know, (indiscernible) Chuuk, it's not just one 23 Chuuk but hundred islands and that things like that. 24 And it is, you know. Kids are tough. You know, 25 (indiscernible) everywhere. (Indiscernible), whatever. So you RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

186 1 have to really work on that communication with (indiscernible) 2 explaining the material itself versus the cultural aspects of 3 it. 4 MS. HOWARD: Any more questions? Oh, Jo Jo has a 5 question. Sorry. 6 MR. PETER: I don't have a question. I was just going 7 to add a little bit to the answer to the lady's question. 8 (Indiscernible) a little bit (indiscernible) disability and the 9 cultural response to disability. 10 And I think what may have happened is they 11 brought the child in, with already, with the disability, that 12 they had already (indiscernible) of functioning. 13 (Indiscernible) dealing with child at home. 14 What they may have hard time getting, you know, 15 to understand what you're trying to get through is the function 16 of the hearing aid, you know, beyond the home. (Indiscernible) 17 hearing aid is (indiscernible) the child can go to school, then 18 maybe they still have a hard time with the idea that their child 19 has the disability should go the school. And so that's where 20 there's that tension. 21 It's not that they don't want the child to have 22 the hearing aid. They may just not see the function. If 23 they're keeping the child at home in Chuuk because of the 24 disability, then they probably (indiscernible) point of putting 25 the hearing aid in the child's ear when he's at home. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

187 1 So I think it has to do with disability and 2 culture, that way that they're still (indiscernible) and deal 3 with disability in a (indiscernible) culture of (voice fading). 4 MS. HOWARD: Did everybody hear that? Okay, we have 5 five more minutes for questions. Go ahead. 6 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: I just wanted to 7 ask real quickly, (indiscernible) couple of organizations that 8 was represented here. I just wanted to find out we could just 9 (indiscernible) real quick get the contact information so us, as 10 providers, if we want to contact somebody who would we contact. 11 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: Basically you can contact 12 Micronesian Community Network through Canisius. I think 13 (indiscernible) is SMCM@gmail.com or (indiscernible) McKinley 14 Community School (indiscernible) liaison there. 15 (Indiscernible), can you please stand, please. She is our 16 Micronesian Community Network liaison at the McKinley Community 17 School. 18 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: For Micronesians United, 19 you can contact (indiscernible). (Indiscernible), please stand 20 up. So they can actually can -- you can give them your phone 21 number and whatever else information you want to, you know, 22 (indiscernible). 23 UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE SPEAKER: Okay, Micronesians 24 United phone number is 842-1532, and we have a cell phone 25 number, 223-2812 and 223-2619. RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

188 1 MS. AITAOTO: And also (indiscernible) Native Hawaiian 2 healthcare system, but we also do work in the Pacific. 3 Actually, my work is actually in the Pacific region. I also do 4 (indiscernible) in the South Pacific. So I do the whole Pacific 5 area. But, you know, I do lot work here because this is where I 6 live. And you can contact me at Nia, N-i-a, at Hawai`i dot 7 (indiscernible). If you are sending money, it's P.O. Box -- 8 (audience interruption). 9 MS. HOWARD: John, you have something to say? No? 10 UNIDENTIFIED MALE SPEAKER: Just adding to what Nia 11 was saying about the money. I'm happy to share the money 12 (indiscernible). 13 MS. HOWARD: Any more questions? You can call me at 14 Goodwill. My phone number is 792-8595 (indiscernible). 15 Okay, I guess there's no more questions. Like my 16 one-year-old barely trying to learn to speak say, "Aw why." I 17 guess he meant, "All right." 18 We have come to the end. Thank you so much, 19 panelists. 20 EMCEE FILIBERT: Wow, we're five minutes ahead. I'm 21 shocked. Thank you, Josie, for that very arousing 22 end-of-the-day panel. I bet you never thought we can have this 23 (indiscernible) a conference where you heard the word "nipple." 24 Thank you, Nia. 25 Before we leave for the day, I'd like to remind RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

189 1 everyone about the evaluation for today, and that's the blue 2 one. I think tomorrow's is green. So make sure it's the blue 3 one you fill out and turn it in today. There's a box over 4 there, or just put it on the table at the end there on that 5 side. 6 And I invite you, again, all of you to come back 7 tomorrow. And I think -- are there any other announcements? 8 Oh, that's right. And we begin tomorrow at 9 8:30 a.m. with the opening remarks from Senator J. Kalani 10 English. 11 And that's it for today. I see you tomorrow. 12 Thank you. 13 (The conference recessed at 4:28 p.m.) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090

190 1 C E R T I F I C A T E 2 STATE OF HAWAI'I ) 3 ) ss. 4 CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU ) 5 I, JOY C. TAHARA, RPR, CSR 408, Notary Public, State 6 of Hawai'i, hereby certify: 7 That I am neither counsel for any of the parties 8 herein nor interested in any way in the outcome of this action; 9 That the conference herein was by me taken down in 10 machine shorthand and thereafter reduced to print via 11 computer-aided transcription; that the foregoing represents, to 12 the best of my ability, a complete and accurate transcript of 13 said proceeding. 14 DATED: Honolulu, Hawai'i, May 22, 2008. 15 16 17 Notary Public, State of Hawai'i 18 My commission expires: 10/11/10 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 RALPH ROSENBERG COURT REPORTERS, INC. Honolulu, Hawaii (808) 524-2090