Hawaiʻi's Micronesian Community | INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAIʻI

There are an estimated 15,000 Micronesians in Hawaiʻi, many of whom migrated here for employment opportunities and access to better health care. While Micronesians comprise only 1% of the state’s total population, many have encountered bias, discrimination and a general lack of respect.

#hawaii #pbs #race

[ks]

I’m Hawaiian and Okinawan. Also my great-grandma was Chamorro.

I was in middle school in 2009, and I remember the radio stations saying extremely racist remarks and jokes about Micronesians. I, as a kid, realized how these jokes permeated into everyday conversations at school. I never once understood why. Every Micronesian classmate I had were sweet and kind. Of course, there were troublemakers, but those kine students are not specific to Micronesians. I completely agree that Micronesians are always the ethnic group that is treated the worst and their bad deeds always magnified by social media and the news stations. I see three brilliant Micronesians that I’ve never heard of until this PBS broadcast. These are the voices that should be brought to light, because they inspire young Micronesians that they have as much potential as anyone else, and that they won’t just amount to a criminal. I attended UH Hilo and had many more brilliant classmates. I support you all.

[matthewmann]

Micronesians, Polynesians, Melanesians, Australian Aboriginals, And Papuans all need to have a avengers movement yeah

[tammyque]

As a resident of Hawaii, I have a lot of respect for the Micronesian for what they had sacrificed for the hope of world peace. They gave up their homes for USA to practice their nuclear war games. I'm so sorry that USA took advantage of them.

[walterdannis]

Really sorry for who or what may have caused this.Not all of us are the same.Me a disable Army veteran and more who have served this country through military or civil worked hard too.This is racism and should be dealt with immediately.We didnt come for the beaches or the site, we came for jobs .We came for the US benefits we were entitled to.Reminder Hawaii is US

[pro-non]

Imo and this is from my own views on the situation of discrimination in hawaii, to be honest we as micronesians need to adjust and abide more to western society and their laws we are immigrants in this state and should have respect. Hate and discrimination towards us isn't because were micronesians, it is because we act stupid our youths are troubled and misled there is no sense of family planning and stability, there is a reason why stereotypes are both funny and offensive at the same time because to some degree it is true, now I'm not saying all micronesians are lazy and troublemakers who lives off welfare I've seen hardworking micronesians disciplined and focus on providing a better future for their families but unfortunately they do not represent the majority of us. Come on micronesians we can do BETTER!!!!

[jeffkai]

And they came to Micronesia to beg for the knowledge of celestial navigation.

[Martin-]

I've consider Hawai'i my second home for the longest time having living here for over a decade, but since completing my service with the USMC in the mainland, I'm already in the process of moving back over there. I felt more part of the civilian and military community from all colors and races in 4 years than I have being here for 12.

[pablobrown]

Micronesian is a very small country comparing to our neighboring countries we are poor and small in numbers but we have strong hearts no matter what we do not give up. We own our lands, we have our own natural resources to live on and we will never stop proving ourselves. Fear is not in our blood we are warriors

[sagittariusone]

Islanders whether they are from Micronesia, Polynesia or Melanesia need to all have love for one another, because Pacific Islanders are a very small minority in this World we live in.

[jordankapeliela]

The real root of the issue is that the U.S. freely use these pacific islands as test subjects at their disposal.

[gilbertahsam]

The federal government needs to take care of these people that lost there land from nuclear testing. Hawaii needs to treat these people with respect and support them .prior then taking care of migrants coming across our southern boarders.

[brendatenorio]

Haven't addressed crime element and social welfare enrollment and costs. Micronesia leaders have a big responsibility to explain western expectations in school n society at large, it's a two-way street.

[vp]

I minamina the cruel jokes and enmity toward Micronesians. Hawaiians are beholden to a Micronesian for the restoration of ocean way finding and the accomplishments of the Hokule’a and its crew. My daughter who teaches 5th grade reminds her Micronesian students of this relationship in hopes of restoring their personal pride. Please discontinue the beat - down of these people who through no fault of their own are in this situation.

[b_moneygo]

We just keep pushing and focus Micronesians. Ain’t nothing stopping us 10/4 on that💨💨💨

[LehuaLovesLaakea]

I feel like this interview could have been conducted so much better. Unfortunately the moderator and those interviewed missed the mark is creating a better lens of the colorism, culturism, discrimination and misperceptions islanders have of one another. This issue is SO complexed, and they hardly spoke about the imperialistic goals the U.S.government perpetuators and jeopardizes indigenous nations as a whole!

[spartasown]

Totally its a cultural thing. And a lifestyle. Until Micronesians assimilate, at least some, things will never change for them. I’ve traveled and I’ve had to assimilate to other cultures. If I didn’t, I would be left alone. The next generation coming up may do it as technology and social media has bridged communities. They just need to step out of the their comfort zone and go for it! Great program!

[SiwRat-lypl]

Us Micronesian came because Hawaii was a state in United States, and more closer to our home Island. Only few people they were real Hawaiian but most people over there were just same with us COFA . Even you. You're not real Hawaiian you just knew to speak English.

[gilbertahsam]

Hawaii's senators needs to start looking for grants from congress and more aid for these people. They have been kicking the can down the road for decades and this needs to be addressed ASAP .

[SasukeUchiha-prqx]

There are so many different kinds of us Micronesians, when u only see some of us like that, you judge the whole group. You don’t know that there are other ethnic groups in Micronesia that are already out of their “zones”, working hard…. It’s just that people only get to see the uncivilized ones and it’s sad because they’re everywhere… ruining our picture of how we look as Micronesians.

[StarAlcatraz]

When I grew up in Hawaii, I found that some of the rudest, racist and violent bullies in school were the kanakas.