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.
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[@ks9678]

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.

[@tavioka6243]

U are a Micronesian

[@sirij8784]

people make fun of everybody in Hawaii. You missed the frank delima days in the 90s

[@user-2c5Goi0fr8id-m]

@@sirij8784 Andy Bumatai was even more brash.

[@takakuuz2794]

@@sirij8784 only you people

[@sirij8784]

@@user-2c5Goi0fr8id-m yup hawaiians got made fun of, japanese, portuguese, haoles...it was a way for all of us to bond

[@matthewmann8969]

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

[@stuckinperth]

🤣☠️🤣☠️🤣☠️

[@paulvon2378]

can't we all get along? I hope we can also see more asylum seekers from Africa to Hawaii.

[@Martin-117]

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.

[@greenmantis2158]

Thank you for your service young man.... you must be from Yap

[@walterdannis3640]

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

[@sagittariusone2753]

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.

[@granta3044]

I think micronesians should need to respect the culture of the place where they travel too. Not go there and try to take over neighborhoods.

[@sagittariusone2753]

@@granta3044 ....So true when someone moves to another island or visits,you need to Respect the People,Land,Culture of the island your in.

[@securitasguam9110]

@@granta3044 we do respect the culture and island. But what can we do when racist act upon us? When people treated us like we are not human?

[@granta3044]

@@securitasguam9110 haha If you respect the culture and island then why are your youngsters out in the streets at night not acting human? It's a double edged sword my friend.

[@granta3044]

@@securitasguam9110 and sir, as a resident of Hawaii, 5 generations deep, we are the most unrasict place on the planet. Everyone has something to be ashamed of culturally, we are all fuxked up equally. When you understand this it may seem cooler.

[@jeffkai5996]

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

[@pablobrown8745]

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

[@ilikepokeyotutu3467]

Den stay there if you guys get your own resources

[@pablobrown8745]

​@@ilikepokeyotutu3467 😂😂😂 never, we'll keep coming

[@kingmalu39]

@@ilikepokeyotutu3467 don't blame the micronesians. blame the government that nuked there homes and made them uninhabited

[@takakuuz2794]

S​@@ilikepokeyotutu3467said that to your parents

[@takakuuz2794]

​@@kingmalu39😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@vp3970]

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.

[@pro-non9887]

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!!!!

[@pro-non9887]

@MrChuuk Micronesia we must absolutely preserve our culture we must always remember who we are and where we came from but what does that have to do with the discrimination our people are facing??

[@macfarlane7493]

@@pro-non9887 I heard micronesian men have sex (rape) women they see walking by themselves on the slum islands of Micronesia. Your culture is a mess

[@minnieee123]

@@pro-non9887 Where are your stats claiming “majority” of us are not hard working and minding our business? There are around 13,000 of us in Hawai’i so would like to know how you think it’s justified that all of us and our children are subjected to the same old nasty jokes and typical stereotypes. Crime (or disrespect) has nothing to do with our culture but more with effects of poverty (environment) perpetuated by capitalism.

[@tammyque1506]

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.

[@DonaldJohnson-lj9xk]

Chamorros and Hawaiians are too funny man cuz they are racist towards us Micoronesians but USA owned their Land,USA don't own us Micronesians.

[@b_moneygo4515]

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

[@brendatenorio5721]

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.

[@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!

[@edwinamugunbay5156]

I completely agree with you. I'm micronesian and I feel the intent of the interview got lost somewhere. Dude was asked what were some of the stereotype micronesians face and he starts talking about having an interpreter. A better panel should have been put together for the interview.

[@Iam_adventurer]

What are the different between people from Micronesia and those who came from other countries who are now a citizen of Hawaii withou anyt discriminations on them? It must be something causes these issues.

[@its_just_marvlus]

American born micros are raised differently than locals and immigrants

[@SasukeUchiha-pr9qx]

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.

[@Keliiyamashita]

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!

[@TheFlyingFish692]

Of course, we will continue learn your colonizers’ way of life and assimilate lol. That usually takes time though obviously

[@tavioka6243]

Learn ur way or the colonizers way????

[@ignoranceisachoice6045]

@@TheFlyingFish692 Continuing to divide and use terms like 'colonizers' is what will lead to no change in the future. There are some things of your culture which are negative and not modern. Has nothing to do with colonization.

[@stuckinperth]

🤣🤣🤣a cultural thing 🤣🤣🤣 I’m sorry Hawaii lost its way as an island. Hawaii is a monkey who dances for Asians and mainlanders

[@Isaiah_123codm]

On Micronesian, but I’m nice and I move here to work

[@toltoliban2260]

It's funny cus the 1st thing that came into view was FSM geography😂. That's what they think of when they see or hear micronesian, as fsm'er

[@toltoliban2260]

The c.o.f.a was supposed to impact the marshallese but than greedy n needy people decided they wanted piggy back without saying thanks for the big help

[@brendatenorio5721]

Not a well-balanced panel. Physician didn't cover the Trust funds paid to island government leaders for nuclear explosions. Cultural differences will be significant. What triggered negativity?

[@anonymousanonymous4465]

Its interesting cause when I was in Hawaii the Hawaiians look like they are Micronesian themselves 😂 I mean it make sense cause they are the same pasifika peoples micro-poly.

[@cripgang1569]

😂😂😂💯

[@user-kj2pl5vy6f]

It's cuz when the white people came they divided oceania with lines and labeled us differently.

[@lohengrin4009]

There’s no mention of the healthcare entitlements costs of 100 million per year for Cofa treaty members who immigrate to Hawaii, you think maybe people might feel that’s a burden on state resources?

[@santospaul8103]

Where is your proof of this? Can I get any link or credible sources ?

[@vp3970]

The US should foot the bill for their health issues as they are the ones that tested their bombs in their front yard.

[@lohengrin4009]

@@vp3970 the comment referenced the state of Hawaii, not the US federal government. Had you read the report, you’d know the federal government funds only a fraction of the costs of healthcare of Cofa members.

[@5StarAlcatraz]

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

[@ClarkKent-bi7oq]

Must've been All of That Stolen Land.😁

[@ClarkKent-bi7oq]

Must've been All of that Stolen Land.😁

[@SiwRat-ly9pl]

Who chose that guy from chuuk to representing us. That's not the right person to be there for us.

[@johnnyprimo6520]

Micronesian are Pacific Islanders . One people

[@granta3044]

All people came from the same tribe (proof is in your mitochondrial genetics). We are all homo sapiens. Culturally, the two peoples are very different, and the cultural clashes are what's being debated here.

[@sunshinealoha30]

Talk about violence ! Ha look at court documents !

[@usaimon]

If PBS ever want to get real insights about Micronesians. Fly to Micronesia. Dont be afraid. You will be welcomed, fed, and sheltered for free. Oh and theres a lot of combat veterans in Micronesia. We see your brainwashed mindsets. Yet we don't say anything because we feel sorry your people are lost and out of touch with humanity.

[@SiwRat-ly9pl]

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.

[@RodReklai]

Hawaii is good for if you Micronesian Be safe ….. and stay together I had to leave because am the bad guy in the newspaper it is what it is

[@Jessen2204]

Welcome to Hawaii 🤣🤣🤣

[@192OOIDJJ3]

It's actually America, white man rules Hawaii.

[@ignoranceisachoice6045]

55 minutes of whining and crying. This is the problem with these types of conversations. This video is called "Hawai'is Micronesian community". Yet there is nothing but complaining and crying. Nothing positive mentioned at all. Perhaps you should rename it "Discussion and complaints about USA, western world and crime in Polynesian society" because that is what this conversation was.

[@vp3970]

I get your complaints. Anything positive from you?

[@devonmunn5728]

Well to be fair it does say "Discrimination and Bias" so I think that should have been clear that is what the video is about

[@ClarkKent-bi7oq]

55 sentences just complaining.😂