Micronesia — to the max
By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer
A government can't survive without its people.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
That statement, one of the focal points of yesterday's Micronesian Cultural Festival at McCoy Pavilion, sounded so much better, so much more than a platitude, the way Kition Soda put it.
Kition Soda, originally from Oneop island of Chuuk state in the Federated States of Micronesia, accentuated the music of the Mortlock-On' Op Group with hand gestures at yesterday's Micronesian Cultural Festival.
More precisely, it was the way his Chuukese choir sang it, with Soda turning away from his duties as conductor long enough to grin broadly at the audience and dramatize the lyrics with bouncy little hand gestures.
Soda, director of Mortlock-On 'Op Group, does not speak English well, so he cheerfully directs inquiries to a member, Sinbad Michael, who said the song uses the symbol of an empty sack to represent a government trying to function without its people. That explained Soda's motions, a finger pointing inside the rolled-up sheaf of papers he used as a baton.
"One bag of rice cannot stand unless there's something in it," Michael said.
Micronesians turned out to celebrate 24 years of their government, founded in a federation of four states: Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap. A party atmosphere prevailed — punctuated by ethnic food, music, games and dances — but there were serious aspects as well.
Information tables ringed the food court and pavilion stage, staffed by workers from social-service agencies who want to reach the growing Micronesian community, which is about 4,000 strong. Pacific Gateway Center, Kalihi-Palama Health Center, Catholic Charities, Planned Parenthood — all familiar names to kama'aina but uncharted territory for new arrivals.
"Because they're new to Hawai'i, we want to extend our hand and let them know we're here," said Tammy Nakamatsu, volunteer coordinator for the Susannah Wesley Community Center.
Many immigrant families aren't aware of programs that tug at some of the knottier problems of life here. Hawai'i Covering Kids, medical coverage for youths through age 19, was extended to children of legal immigrants only three years ago, said Barbara Luksch, its project director.
Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser
Most of the tables offered a lure — a ring-toss game at Luksch's table, a candy dish at many others, a toothbrush at the Health Department's dental section booth. The kids lunge at these, Luksch said, and the staffers then can chit-chat with parents. The oral interaction seems important: Few of the tables offered written material in languages other than English.
Connie Charley, 13, and Brigid Mauricio, 17, both originally from Pohnpei, offer an example of ethnic dance to the crowd.
A lot of money has been channeled from the state to the Micronesian federation and the Marshall Islands, both of which have just renegotiated compacts of free association with the United States, accords still awaiting congressional approval. In the past four years, Hawai'i has spent about $100 million providing education and health and social services for Micronesians and the roughly 7,000 Marshallese here.
The federation is aware that some critics regard the arrangement as a burden on the economy, here and elsewhere in the United States where Micronesians settle, said Peter Christian, the senator from Pohnpei who now serves as speaker of Micronesia's congress.
"If we have been a burden to the people of Hawai'i, we want to assure them that it's in our best interest that we ask Micronesians here to be a part of the community that adds to, not detracts from, Hawai'i," said Christian, delivering the keynote address.
"It's the intent of the compact that the mutual relationship continue for the next 20 years. We ask you as citizens to enjoy the privileges of that compact and never forget that they're privileges, not rights. They're privileges that can be easily taken away."
Outside the auditorium, the stage was being set for music, dance and other aspects of Micronesian cultures. The exhibition is aimed at Hawai'i residents unfamiliar with the community, said Kasio Mida, the consul general in Hawai'i for the Federated States of Micronesia.
But some Micronesians, particularly the young ones, also appreciate the chance to revel in their heritage.
"The festival is to strengthen the bonds of friendship in Hawai'i," he said. "And it's especially for the kids who are born here and don't know the culture. We want to show them, too."
Reach Vicki Viotti at 525-8053 or vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Correction: A song performed by the Mortlock-On 'Op Group at the Micronesian Cultural Festival uses the symbol of an empty sack to represent a government trying to function without its people. A previous version of this story gave an incorrect translation of the meaning of the song.
