Presentation on Micronesian Culture

Church of the Holy Apostles in Hilo will be hosting a free talk presented by Micronesian cultural expert Josie Howard.  The Pacific Islander Ministry Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i and the Micronesian Cultural Awareness Program (MCAP) is sponsoring the event on Saturday, August 31 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon at the church’s campus on 1407 Kapi‘olani Street.  Light refreshments will be served.

Howard came to Hawai‘i from Chuuk in 1988 under the Compact of Free Association Treaty between the Federated States of Micronesia and the U.S., to attend the University of Hawai‘i.  Her initial plan was to get a degree and return to her home country, but after finding both a job and a husband she has stayed on in Hawai‘i and now helps coordinate job training programs for new immigrants.  Howard, with a background in anthropology, is able to explain Micronesian thought patterns to Westerners and vice versa.  She designed the acculturation course for newcomers from Micronesia and trains service providers on how to acculturate and work with Micronesian immigrants.  She will speak on various aspects of Micronesian culture as well as the many cultural challenges Micronesian immigrants face settling into life in Hawai‘i.

The Micronesian immigrant population, the newest immigrant population in Hawai‘i, has been on the rise because of environmental changes, medical issues and poverty that necessitate that many Micronesians seek out a better life elsewhere.  In the 1990s the estimate was around 3,800.  Today the estimates are 12,000 to 13,000.

“The culture of Micronesia is becoming a vital and vibrant part of life in the Hawaiian Islands and Church of the Holy Apostles is grateful for the opportunity to share this presentation with the Hilo community,” said Reverend Moki Hino, Rector of Church of The Holy Apostles.

For more information about the presentation call Church of The Holy Apostles at (808) 935-5545.

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Ten Rescued After 60-Foot Voyaging Canoe Sinks Near Palau

The Coast Guard, in coordination with the Republic of Palau Division of Maritime Law Enforcement and the Royal Australian Navy Maritime Surveillance Advisor, partnered to provide assistance to the Republic of Palau in the rescue of 10 mariners from the Philippine Sea, approximately 103 miles northeast of Palau, Monday.

Coast Guardsmen aboard a small boat from the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Washington assist in transferring 10 canoeists, who were saved by the cargo vessel Hyundai Unity, March 4, 2013, approximately 103 miles off the coast of Palau. The Coast Guard, in coordination with the Republic of Palau Division of Maritime Law Enforcement and the Royal Australian Navy Maritime Surveillance Adviser, partnered to provide assistance to the Republic of Palau in the rescue of the 10 mariners from the Philippine Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Using a satellite telephone, a crewmember aboard a 60-foot voyaging canoe contacted officials at the Palau Community College and indicated the vessel was breaking apart and sinking, at 6:30 a.m. Chamorro Standard Time, Monday.

After receiving the call, the college officials contacted the appropriate Palauan Agencies in accordance with their National Search and Rescue Plan, who requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard in accordance with a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding under the Compact of Free Association.

The mariners in distress began their trip aboard the 60-foot traditional sailing canoe, traveling from Palau to the outer islands of Yap State, in the Federated States of Micronesia. The vessel had 10 crewmembers aboard, including students from the Palau Community College. Aboard the canoe were two Americans, seven Palauans and one Japanese citizen.

Coast Guardsmen aboard a small boat from the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Washington assist in transferring 10 canoeists, who were saved by the cargo vessel Hyundai Unity, March 4, 2013, off the coast of Palau. The Coast Guard, in coordination with the Republic of Palau Division of Maritime Law Enforcement and the Royal Australian Navy Maritime Surveillance Adviser, partnered to provide assistance to the Republic of Palau in the rescue of the 10 mariners from the Philippine Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

The Coast Guard launched the 110-foot Cuter Washington to assist in the rescue and requested long range aircraft support from the U.S. Navy’s Combined Task Force 72, located in Kadena, Japan. The Coast Guard also contacted the crew aboard the Panamanian-flagged vessel Hyundai Unity, who was in the vicinity of the distress location. The vessel crew diverted from their course toward the distress position.

The crew of the Hyundai Unity spotted the individuals at 11:32 a.m. and began the process of rescuing the crew members. The Washington’s crew met up with the Hyundai Unity crew to safely transfer the 10 canoeists and take them to Palau.

This successful response was greatly assisted by the foresight and planning of the vessel crew, who filed a detailed float plan prior to departing, and maintained a full suite of lifesaving equipment, including a satellite telephone and personal flotation devices for each person aboard.

For more information contact Lt. Justin Valentino, at Coast Guard Sector Guam, at 671-355-4824.