JACL-Honolulu issued the following press release in response to statements made by the Charles Djou campaign regarding homelessness and the "Micronesian government." Singling out the Micronesian community in such a way only promotes stereotypes and prejudice around an issue that impacts all communities regardless of ethnicity. We hope Mr. Djou will apologize and rethink how he plans to address this issue of homelessness in our state.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Japanese American Citizens League – Honolulu Chapter Condemns Race Baiting from Djou Campaign

Honolulu – The Honolulu Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) strongly objects to a statement made by Charles Djou’s congressional campaign in an advertisement published in the Star Advertiser on November 2, 2014, entitled ‘Charles Djou’s 30 Day Action Plan’ wherein he states that one action he would take is to “Meet with the Micronesian government to address the rising homeless population in Hawai’i.”

Mr. Djou’s proposed action infers an unfounded, blatantly prejudiced, and highly simplistic assumption that members of the Micronesian community are disproportionately responsible for, or are themselves homeless.

From the Hawai'i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice:

"On November 3, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court denied plaintiffs' petition for certiorari in Korab v. Fink. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear the case, the litigation on the matter is continuing. Because the State has yet to provide adequate assurances that cuts to critical health care benefits targeting COFA residents will not be implemented, we intend to continue our challenge on this life-or-death issue." Click here for more

From Civil Beat:

“Why should the court take this? The answer is very simple,” attorney Paul Alston told Civil Beat at the time. “People are going to die if they implement Basic Health Hawaii. This is not something that we can simply ignore.”

In 2010, the state designed BHH specifically for migrants from Micronesia. Basic Health Hawaii is a form of health coverage that limits the days of inpatient hospital care, outpatient visits and prescriptions. The plan also does not cover organ transplants or surgeries like heart surgery, and it covers dialysis only as an emergency service.

The plaintiffs in Korab v. McManaman argue that BHH is inadequate for the needs of Micronesians. Many suffer from cancer, diabetes and reproductive abnormalities that have been linked to the effects of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands from 1946 to 1958.

On Monday, however, the high court rejected the plaintiffs’ appeal inKorab, leaving intact a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in favor of the state. That decision found the state was not required to provide state-funded medical assistance benefits to noncitizens after the federal Medicaid program excluded them." Click here for more

From Governor Neil Abercrombie, Attorney General David A. Louie and DHS Director Patricia McManaman:

"According to Director McManaman, 'The state’s plan going forward includes a program that provides Medicaid-like coverage to our neediest aged, blind, and disabled noncitizens. Coverage for children and pregnant adults will remain unchanged. The plan also includes a transition period for other non-pregnant adult noncitizens to obtain health insurance through the Hawaii Health Connector, and a state-funded program to help these very low-income noncitizens pay their share of their health insurance premiums. This ensures that needy noncitizens who are ineligible for Medicaid still have access to quality, affordable health insurance.'"  Click here for more

Last Friday, officials and representatives from the federal Department of Justice, Department of Education, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Interior met with members of the COFA community as well as diplomats and leaders from the COFA nations, to discuss issues facing COFA residents in Hawai'i, and how federal agencies may support the community's efforts to address these issues.  Representatives from Hawai'i's Congressional delegation also attended the meeting, which was coordinated with and held at Kokua Kalihi Valley.

Issues discussed included access to federal healthcare safety nets, the need for education and youth empowerment, bullying and discrimination in public schools, and citizenship issues related to military service.

Health justice advocates and community leaders discussed the history of Micronesia and the Pacific, the Compacts of Free Association, and some of the issues and achievements of the many cultural and linguistic groups comprising the Freely Associated States on Rick Hamada's "Community Matters" program this Sunday.  

Featured panelists included Pālolo Pipeline coordinator Kat Lobendahn, along with community leaders Joakim "Jojo" Peter of COFACAN and Dr. Sheldon Riklon of the Micronesian Health Advisory Coalition

The informative and thought-provoking discussion included details regarding the online petition that sought to curtail a pattern of derogatory jokes and commentary against "Micronesians" by the Wake Up Crew on Island 98.5 FM of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.

Since the petition began, a formal apology has been read on-air by the Wake Up Crew; some listeners subsequently expressed concern that the on-air apology lacked sincerity, and that Wake Up Crew members appeared to "make light" of the apology through subsequent jokes and the "mocking" admonishment of radio callers.  A number of derogatory comments in response to the petition were also posted on the radio station's social media platforms, which were apparently removed by account owners.  

The Community Matters panelists sought to promote greater education and awareness of the accomplishments and challenges of the diverse peoples of Micronesia, including the cultural contributions of "Papa Mau" Piailug and the healthcare issues currently facing many U.S. residents present under the Compacts of Free Association.  

Panelist and petition creator Kat Lobendahn closed the hour-long session with a quote from Epeli Hau'ofa: "Oceania is vast, Oceania is expanding, Oceania is hospitable and generous, Oceania is humanity rising from the depths of brine and regions of fire deeper still, Oceania is us." 

Listen to the Community Matters broadcast below, or download an audio file of the broadcast by clicking here.

After extensive circulation over social media and through local news coverage, the petition addressing a pattern of derogatory and racist commentary on Island 98.5 FM has garnered enough attention to persuade Clear Channel Media and Entertainment to host a "Community Matters" session featuring petition writer Kat Lobendahn, along with community leaders Joakim "Jojo" Peter of COFACAN and Dr. Sheldon Riklon of the Micronesian Health Advisory Coalition.  

The session will be recorded on Thursday, June 5 at the Clear Channel Headquarters in Iwilei at 10:30 a.m., and will be broadcast on all seven Honolulu Clear Channel stations at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 8.  

COFA community members and allies can show their support and solidarity with the panel speakers by going to Clear Channel Headquarters, 650 Iwilei Road, Honolulu, HI 96817, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.  A peaceful sit-in will help to illustrate the importance of addressing this issue to a major media entity in Hawai'i.

What:  Peaceful Sit-in for Solidarity
Where: Clear Channel Headquarters at 650 Iwilei Road, Honolulu, HI 96817
When:  Thursday, June 5, 2014 at 10:30 a.m.
Why:  To support ending derogatory and dehumanizing attitudes on the airwaves

Also: Tune in at 7 a.m. on Sunday, June 8 to any Clear Channel Hawai'i station (92.3 FM KSSK, 93.9 FM KHJZ, 98.5 FM KDNN, 99.1 HD KDNN, 101.9 FM KUCD, 830 AM KHVH, and 990 AM KIKI) to hear the "Community Matters" session featuring Kat Lobendahn, Joakim Peter and Dr. Sheldon Riklon.

Additional media coverage on the petition can be found on The Fourth Branch and the Hawai'i Independent websites.  The petition can be viewed and signed here.

A petition calling for an end to what commenters have described as the regular targeting of "Micronesians" on Hawai'i morning radio has reached over 1,000 signatures in just two days, on the petition website www.change.org.  https://www.change.org/petitions/island-98-5-radio-station-honolulu-hi-stop-the-derogatory-racist-jokes-and-comments-against-the-people-of-micronesia