SLIDESHOW: Hawaii and Guam - Honolulu Civil Beat

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Micronesia

SLIDESHOW: Hawaii and Guam

Hawaii and Guam are feeling the effects of thousands of Micronesian immigrants relocating in search of jobs, education and health care. But with the burden on social services comes a rich cultural contribution.
By Mark Edward Harris Cory Lum / October 14, 2015
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  • <p>Young dancers from the Pacific Voices group performed at the “Celebrate Micronesia” event at the Honolulu Museum of Art School in March, which celebrated the broad diversity of Micronesian cultures.</p>

    Young dancers from the Pacific Voices group performed at the “Celebrate Micronesia” event at the Honolulu Museum of Art School in March, which celebrated the broad diversity of Micronesian cultures.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>The event gave Micronesians an opportunity to share their individual cultures. Many older immigrants worry that younger generations will lose touch as they assimilate into American culture.</p>

    The event gave Micronesians an opportunity to share their individual cultures. Many older immigrants worry that younger generations will lose touch as they assimilate into American culture.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>The Lale Dron Dance Group brought an elegant touch to “Celebrate Micronesia.”</p>

    The Lale Dron Dance Group brought an elegant touch to “Celebrate Micronesia.”

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Marshallese women make up the Lale Dron Dance Group.</p>

    Marshallese women make up the Lale Dron Dance Group.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Even rain couldn’t keep away attendees from the event, which also featured handicrafts, music and exhibits.</p>

    Even rain couldn’t keep away attendees from the event, which also featured handicrafts, music and exhibits.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Alice Ehmes leads the Pohnpei Women’s Association of Hawaii in Honolulu.</p>

    Alice Ehmes leads the Pohnpei Women’s Association of Hawaii in Honolulu.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Americans tend to group Micronesian together. In fact, there are thousands of islands over two million square miles in the Pacific. While there are similar backgrounds, language, traditions, beliefs and history are varied and rich.</p>

    Americans tend to group Micronesian together. In fact, there are thousands of islands over two million square miles in the Pacific. While there are similar backgrounds, language, traditions, beliefs and history are varied and rich.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Micronesians and Hawaiians have many things in common, something that could help build relationships between the islanders.</p>

    Micronesians and Hawaiians have many things in common, something that could help build relationships between the islanders.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Many Micronesians attend leave their home islands for college in the U.S. These students attended a conference in March in Honolulu called “Navigating Success: Micronesian College Student Leaders.”</p>

    Many Micronesians attend leave their home islands for college in the U.S. These students attended a conference in March in Honolulu called “Navigating Success: Micronesian College Student Leaders.”

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Vidalino Raatior, left, with Micronesian students and staff at the Pacific Islander Student Center at UH Hilo. Raatior runs the student center and is determined to help fellow Micronesians settle successfully in Hawaii.</p>

    Vidalino Raatior, left, with Micronesian students and staff at the Pacific Islander Student Center at UH Hilo. Raatior runs the student center and is determined to help fellow Micronesians settle successfully in Hawaii.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Robin Miller, a fourth-grade teacher at Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School, in Papaikou, Hawaii, with some of her Micronesian students. Miller and others from the school work with Micronesian parents and church leaders to break down barriers.</p>

    Robin Miller, a fourth-grade teacher at Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School, in Papaikou, Hawaii, with some of her Micronesian students. Miller and others from the school work with Micronesian parents and church leaders to break down barriers.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A Micronesian fourth-grade student at  Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School on the Big Island.</p>

    A Micronesian fourth-grade student at  Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Elementary and Intermediate School on the Big Island.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Emichan and her family are among the hundreds of Micronesian immigrants who have ended up homeless in Hawaii.</p>

    Emichan and her family are among the hundreds of Micronesian immigrants who have ended up homeless in Hawaii.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Members of this Chuukese family were living on the streets in Kakaako. Officials estimated that at least 20 percent of the homeless populations in the camps near downtown Honolulu were Micronesian.</p>

    Members of this Chuukese family were living on the streets in Kakaako. Officials estimated that at least 20 percent of the homeless populations in the camps near downtown Honolulu were Micronesian.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Hundreds of homeless people, including many Micronesians, set up camp in the Kakaako area near downtown Honolulu. The city has worked to clear the area, but homelessness persists.</p>

    Hundreds of homeless people, including many Micronesians, set up camp in the Kakaako area near downtown Honolulu. The city has worked to clear the area, but homelessness persists.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Micronesian women are distinguished from many other homeless by their colorful dress and large extended families.</p>

    Micronesian women are distinguished from many other homeless by their colorful dress and large extended families.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Some Micronesians have moved into homeless shelters, including the Next Step facility near downtown Honolulu.</p>

    Some Micronesians have moved into homeless shelters, including the Next Step facility near downtown Honolulu.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p class=Careless Mathin, left, and Kiana Kasper found shelter for their family at the Next Step homeless shelter in Honolulu. Originally from Chuuk, they came to Hawaii so that Mathin could treat his diabetes.

    " />

    Careless Mathin, left, and Kiana Kasper found shelter for their family at the Next Step homeless shelter in Honolulu. Originally from Chuuk, they came to Hawaii so that Mathin could treat his diabetes.

    Cory Lum/ Civil Beat
  • <p>Micronesian families often have a hard time finding affordable housing in expensive Honolulu.</p>

    Micronesian families often have a hard time finding affordable housing in expensive Honolulu.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>An employee at the Micronesian Mart, which caters to a growing clientele that has moved to Hawaii from Yap, Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and the Marshalls.</p>

    An employee at the Micronesian Mart, which caters to a growing clientele that has moved to Hawaii from Yap, Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and the Marshalls.

  • <p>A Micronesian employee at McKinley Car Wash in Honolulu, which employs many people from the island nations.</p>

    A Micronesian employee at McKinley Car Wash in Honolulu, which employs many people from the island nations.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Jojo Peter, right, and Josie Howard, second from left, are two immigrants from Chuuk who have made new lives for themselves in Honolulu. They now lead organizations that are helping other Micronesians assimilate.</p>

    Jojo Peter, right, and Josie Howard, second from left, are two immigrants from Chuuk who have made new lives for themselves in Honolulu. They now lead organizations that are helping other Micronesians assimilate.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>A number of Micronesian families signed up for the Hawaii Health Connector program at St. Elzabeth’s Epsicopal Church earlier this year which offered care for their children at the same time. But soon the will have to switch to Obamacare.</p>

    A number of Micronesian families signed up for the Hawaii Health Connector program at St. Elzabeth’s Epsicopal Church earlier this year which offered care for their children at the same time. But soon the will have to switch to Obamacare.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Asterio Takesy, right, the ambassador to the U.S. from the Federated States of Micronesia, helped immigrants sign up for health care at the Kalihi church earlier this year.</p>

    Asterio Takesy, right, the ambassador to the U.S. from the Federated States of Micronesia, helped immigrants sign up for health care at the Kalihi church earlier this year.

  • <p>Takesy, who lives in Washington, D.C., said it was important for him to take the time to help immigrants seeking services.</p>

    Takesy, who lives in Washington, D.C., said it was important for him to take the time to help immigrants seeking services.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Dakleen Salla from Chuuk, left, successfully enrolled in the Hawaii Health Connector at the St. Elizabeth’s recruitment drive.</p>

    Dakleen Salla from Chuuk, left, successfully enrolled in the Hawaii Health Connector at the St. Elizabeth’s recruitment drive.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Jonithen Jackson, left, with state Rep. Richard Creagan, at Jackson’s studio and gathering place on the Big Island. Creagan is a former Peace Corps volunteer in the Marshall Islands.</p>

    Jonithen Jackson, left, with state Rep. Richard Creagan, at Jackson’s studio and gathering place on the Big Island. Creagan is a former Peace Corps volunteer in the Marshall Islands.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Jonithen Jackson has lived in Hawaii for almost 25 years, but is running for the mayor of Enewetak. His home atoll has been largely uninhabitable due to nuclear contamination.</p>

    Jonithen Jackson has lived in Hawaii for almost 25 years, but is running for the mayor of Enewetak. His home atoll has been largely uninhabitable due to nuclear contamination.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Jackson has built a small community at Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on the Big Island.</p>

    Jackson has built a small community at Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on the Big Island.

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>Hundreds of Marshallese live in or near Jackson’s compound on the Big Island.</p>
<p> </p>

    Hundreds of Marshallese live in or near Jackson’s compound on the Big Island.

     

    Cory Lum/Civil Beat
  • <p>This statue greets parishioners at the Parish of Santa Barbara on Guam, where Chukeese hold regular services.</p>

    This statue greets parishioners at the Parish of Santa Barbara on Guam, where Chukeese hold regular services.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A Chuukese service begins in Guam.</p>

    A Chuukese service begins in Guam.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>It’s estimated that as many as 20,000 Micronesians now call Guam home. Some attend services at the Parish of Santa Barbara in Dededo.</p>

    It’s estimated that as many as 20,000 Micronesians now call Guam home. Some attend services at the Parish of Santa Barbara in Dededo.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Churches are central to the families and culture of Micronesians who organize services in whatever community they settle.</p>

    Churches are central to the families and culture of Micronesians who organize services in whatever community they settle.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A Chuukese mother and child at the Parish of Santa Barbara.</p>

    A Chuukese mother and child at the Parish of Santa Barbara.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Father Francis X. Hezel, right, takes confession at the Parish of Santa Barbara. Hezel has extensively studied the Micronesian culture and economy and written numerous books and papers on the region.</p>

    Father Francis X. Hezel, right, takes confession at the Parish of Santa Barbara. Hezel has extensively studied the Micronesian culture and economy and written numerous books and papers on the region.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>American sports and culture are popular across the Pacific Ocean. Here, locals on Guam shoot some hoops.</p>

    American sports and culture are popular across the Pacific Ocean. Here, locals on Guam shoot some hoops.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>From left: April, Chaniel, Juddy, Larry and Empo Oneichy, a Chuukese family in Dededo. They say they miss Chuuk, but there are few jobs and no possibility of higher education back home.</p>

    From left: April, Chaniel, Juddy, Larry and Empo Oneichy, a Chuukese family in Dededo. They say they miss Chuuk, but there are few jobs and no possibility of higher education back home.

About the Authors

  • Mark Edward Harris
    Mark Edward Harris
    Mark Edward Harris is a freelance photojournalist based in Los Angeles.
    Use the RSS feed to subscribe to Mark Edward Harris's posts today
  • Cory Lum
    Cory Lum
    Cory Lum was the chief photographer for Civil Beat.
    Use the RSS feed to subscribe to Cory Lum's posts today
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