UHM Center for Pacific Islands Studies Conference

Micronesian Voices
in Hawai‘i

3–4 April 2008
Imin Conference Center
Honolulu, Hawai‘i

“Micronesian Voices in Hawai‘i” is a unique opportunity to listen to and learn from Micronesian leaders and others in the community about steps they are taking to address some of the challenges faced by new migrants from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Spurred by the Compacts of Free Association between their countries and the United States, many Micronesians have moved to Hawai‘i. Many are serving our community in professional capacities across the economy. Others, however, are facing challenges in their struggle to achieve economic self-sufficiency. In addition to low wages and a high cost of living, they face new cultural expectations, an unfamiliar language, confusing educational and health bureaucracies, and changes in their family structures. State and local agencies and organization are also facing challenges as they attempt to understand and respond to the needs of this new group of migrants.

The conference panels will address four broad areas of need—strengthening communities, increasing effective communication, building programs for health and education, and educating for rights and responsibilities. Panelists will describe promising initiatives, tell us what we can learn from these programs, and describe the resources and infrastructure that are needed to build on these initiatives.

The Center for Pacific Islands Studies, at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, as sponsor of the conference, has had a special relationship with Micronesia over the years, through its many students and faculty with close connections to the region. The center is grateful for the assistance of the conference advisory committee and for support from the UHM School of Pacific and Asian Studies and the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust.

Place cursor over greeting words to hear them spoken

Greeting in Palau