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.
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.
"My daughter came home and told me she no longer wanted to go to school, because someone said she was ugly because she was Micronesian," related one parent. "I told her to go back to school, and to tell the person who told her those things that that she loves them -- and that she is proud to be Micronesian."
Esther Kia'aina, Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the Department of the Interior, urged attendees to be flexible and practical in addressing concerns, particularly given the austere climate and high levels of conflict in Washington, D.C. With respect to Medicaid access, Kiaʻaina noted that these political circumstances may inhibit the passage of laws expanding federal entitlement programs or increasing "Compact Impact" aid to states. Kia'aina identified existing federal grant opportunities and suggested that grant monies might be applied towards a centralized COFA resource center or services directory, as a practical first step for the immediate future.
Cathy Wasem, Senior Program Management Officer with the Office of Pacific Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, also urged attendees with healthcare concerns to continue exploring subsidy opportunities under the Affordable Care Act, although she noted that Hawai'i's health exchange has continued to encounter difficulties in implementation.
Cathy Wasem, Senior Program Management Officer with the Office of Pacific Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, also urged attendees with healthcare concerns to continue exploring subsidy opportunities under the Affordable Care Act, although she noted that Hawai'i's health exchange has continued to encounter difficulties in implementation.
Audience members emphasized discrimination issues facing COFA children in the educational system, and the need to provide COFA youth with a safe and welcoming learning environment that allows them to appreciate their cultural heritage.
"My daughter came home and told me she no longer wanted to go to school, because someone said she was ugly because she was Micronesian," related one parent. "I told her to go back to school, and to tell the person who told her those things that that she loves them -- and that she is proud to be Micronesian."
Other attendees remarked at the prevalence of such bullying incidents throughout public schools in the state.
Department of Education officials emphasized the need for parents to speak to school administration about any incidents of bullying or discriminatory behavior, and to file a complaint with the federal Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights if necessary. Engaging with the Department of Education's "proactive" review of Title IX issues in the Hawai'i public school system was also suggested, particularly since doing so would allow parents and students to discuss their experiences with anonymity. Department of Education representatives committed to following up regarding this latter suggestion.
Before the close of the exchange, federal officials also committed to coordinate between agencies to address some of the issues raised, and to continue their dialogue with the local COFA community in subsequent visits to Hawai'i and elsewhere.
Special thanks to Esther Kia'aina, Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the Department of the Interior, for her initiative in convening the exchange and for her lifelong commitment to the people of the former Pacific Trust Territories, now known as the Freely Associated States or COFA nations.
"My daughter came home and told me she no longer wanted to go to school, because someone said she was ugly because she was Micronesian," related one parent. "I told her to go back to school, and to tell the person who told her those things that that she loves them -- and that she is proud to be Micronesian."
Other attendees remarked at the prevalence of such bullying incidents throughout public schools in the state.
Department of Education officials emphasized the need for parents to speak to school administration about any incidents of bullying or discriminatory behavior, and to file a complaint with the federal Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights if necessary. Engaging with the Department of Education's "proactive" review of Title IX issues in the Hawai'i public school system was also suggested, particularly since doing so would allow parents and students to discuss their experiences with anonymity. Department of Education representatives committed to following up regarding this latter suggestion.
Before the close of the exchange, federal officials also committed to coordinate between agencies to address some of the issues raised, and to continue their dialogue with the local COFA community in subsequent visits to Hawai'i and elsewhere.
Special thanks to Esther Kia'aina, Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the Department of the Interior, for her initiative in convening the exchange and for her lifelong commitment to the people of the former Pacific Trust Territories, now known as the Freely Associated States or COFA nations.
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