Connect with us

Hawaii

Advocates empower migrants from Micronesia states, Marshall Islands and Palau in Hawaii

Published

on

Advocates empower migrants from Micronesia states, Marshall Islands and Palau in Hawaii


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – For nearly 40 decades, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau have been free to live and work legally in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA). In exchange, the U.S. military has unlimited access to the 2-million square-mile region.

COFA migrants were initially given federal benefits as reparations for nuclear testing, but a law in 1996 stripped them of their eligibility for programs like Medicaid, SNAP and financial assistance — even though they pay taxes.

“When they come to Hawaii they’re often seeking medical care because the amount of trauma that has been inflicted, not only on their their communities, but on their environment and their ability to survive in a healthy way in their environment, by the United States, is severe,” said immigrant advocate Rebecca Soon.

The state and nonprofits stepped up to fill the gap. About 25,000 COFA migrants live in Hawaii — the most of any state. Many work in the hospitality industry and drive Hawaii’s tourism economy.

Advertisement

Waipahu Safe Haven began as a computer lab for youth and now helps immigrants of all backgrounds access resources from legal advice to healthcare, critical during the pandemic and after the Maui fires.

“They wouldn’t go to the doctor because they didn’t want to make a bill. They didn’t. They would end up in the emergency room and want to know, how can we pay the bill when we didn’t have enough coverage,” said Barbara Tom, a public health nurse and founder-director of Waipahu Safe Haven.

This year, a new law makes COFA migrants eligible for federal services again — and Tom and other advocates are reaching out and enrolling them, though it’ll take time to rebuild trust and systems for enrollment.

On Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Waipahu Safe Haven is hosting a COFA Fair at Waipahu Intermediate School with language access services. Volunteers will provide information on SNAP, health enrollment, COFA veterans information. free phone program, consulate offices to address passport and I-94 issues. Those who were initially denied federal aid services after March 9, 2024, can appeal.

Meltina Kibby is a language interpreter and works to empower COFA migrants.

Advertisement

She fights for those who experience discrimination in the workplace, housing or any situation — something she felt when she left Kosrae in 2013.

“My son was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. I got him over to Hawaii, and he’s still under group care, and he’s now at Kulana Malama,” Kibby said. “I was homesick, I was shut in my door, and I was like crying out.”

“We were called cockroaches, and what I said, we’re not cockroaches. We’re human beings,” she recalled. “I see a lot of change, and I don’t hear that word anymore.”

Soon says she too has seen racism against COFA migrants and urges people to remember what all Pacific islanders have in common.

“There is a lot of shared experience that we have, in discrimination, in colonization, in historical trauma, and those those systems are all really good at pitting people who are struggling with identity within those systems against one another, instead of seeing that the overall issue is the system,” Soon said.

Advertisement

“If every single person were to just pause, and we were to do a little bit of a like mo’oku’auhau of our own ohana, we would be reminded of our own immigrant roots.”

Watch more episodes of HNN’s series “Immigration in Hawaii.”



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hawaii

Hawaii surfing competition 'The Eddie' braces for 50-foot waves Sunday | Latest Weather Clips | FOX Weather

Published

on

Hawaii surfing competition 'The Eddie' braces for 50-foot waves Sunday | Latest Weather Clips | FOX Weather


Hawaii surfing competition ‘The Eddie’ braces for 50-foot waves Sunday

The forecast for massive 50-foot waves in Hawaii prompted the organizers of The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, the premier surfing event in the world, to schedule the event for Sunday. “The Eddie” competition requires consistent 40-foot or higher surf. If Sunday’s event goes on as planned, it’ll be only the 11th time it has happened since 1984.



Source link

Continue Reading

Hawaii

This Popular Hawaii Resort Has A New 3-Story Penthouse And Renovated Pools With Local Amenities

Published

on

This Popular Hawaii Resort Has A New 3-Story Penthouse And Renovated Pools With Local Amenities


When it comes to Waikiki’s luxury hotels, the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, is one of the most beloved properties for frequent visitors to this popular corner of Hawaii. With all its spacious rooms boasting balconies with ocean views and kitchens to ensure a comfortable stay no matter how long your trip may be, it’s a true home away from home, with the added magic that comes with the brand’s phenomenal customer service. To make things better, the resort recently unveiled a collection of new suites and reimagined pools, providing guests an even more elevated experience than before.

Dubbed the Sky Suites, these sumptuous, multi-bedroom accommodations have become the pinnacle of luxury living in Waikiki. Encased in floor-to-ceiling windows, delivering sweeping panoramas of the neighborhood’s namesake beach and the beautiful blue Pacific at every turn, the vistas alone are worth every penny. But once you add in the modern furnishings, full kitchens with Miele appliances, the formal dining spaces, and pristine white marble bathrooms, you’ll never want to look back. To top it all off, they also come with exclusive perks, including roundtrip airport transfers, a dedicated VIP concierge, and a pre-stocked refrigerator with preferred beverages and snacks.

Advertisement

Guests have the option between three- or four-bedroom Sky Suites. The former is a coveted corner unit that features what is arguably the resort’s best view of Diamond Head, along with a sleek, marble kitchen island that’s great for entertaining. The latter is the property’s largest, spanning nearly 3,000 square feet across two floors, and is the only four-bedroom suite in all of Waikiki. It also sports the resort’s biggest kitchen, making it particularly great for private chef dinners, and the double-height living room allows for plenty of natural light to filter in.

But the Ritz-Carlton’s crowning jewel, quite literally, is the Sky Penthouse. Occupying the top floors of the resort’s Diamond Head Tower, this three-story, two-bedroom suite soars 350 feet above Waikiki. The first level houses the living spaces, a kitchen with a wine fridge, one bedroom, and a small media room that also doubles as a great private reading nook. The second floor is entirely dedicated to the master bedroom, but it’s the rooftop that’s the real selling point. Touting one of the neighborhood’s highest infinity plunge pools, the furnished deck also features a hot tub and grill, and is particularly ideal for sundowners.

Advertisement

You won’t need to book the Sky Penthouse for an incredible pool experience, though. The property offers its guests two infinity pools, one of which is an adults-only oasis. Both offer private cabanas, with the options at the family-friendly pool being larger, that come with a mini refrigerator stocked with local beverages and snacks. All guests can also expect a variety of thoughtful pool amenities, including sunscreen service and hourly snacks that pay homage to local favorites, like fresh pineapple dipped in li hing mui. The resort’s popular daily afternoon ritual of complimentary ice cream and sorbet is still available, and now includes an adult version with the addition of sparkling wine float. Quite frankly, there’s enough to keep you at the pool that you may never want to leave.



Source link

Continue Reading

Hawaii

Last minute shopping at Hawaii Holiday Craft & Gift Fair

Published

on

Last minute shopping at Hawaii Holiday Craft & Gift Fair


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – It’s down to the wire for holiday shoppers, with just a few days until Christmas.

For those looking for last minute gifts, the Hawaii Holiday Craft & Gift Fair is happening this weekend at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.

More than 250 vendors are selling a variety of locally-made products, from clothing and jewelry to food and crafts.

Fair spokesperson Yasmin Dar joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about the event organized by Sunshine Productions and showcase some of the available products, including scarves from Beads & Things by Kori and candies from the Hawaii Candy Factory, which produces NOMs in local flavors like Banana Lumpia Chocolate Bark, Campfire S’Mores, Peppermint Chocolate Crunch Bark, Li Hing & Lemon Peel Covered Gummies and more.

Advertisement

The fair opens at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Buy tickets at the Blaisdell Box Office for $7 per person. Military families and children under 7 years of age are free.

More information and a $2 off coupon can be found at HawaiiHolidayFair.com.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending