FROM JUDITH'S DESK
My trip to Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands a month ago made me think a lot about culture. I attended the Pacific Education Conference, a regional gathering for the public school system staff in the Pacific Islands and presented two workshops – one on pregnancy prevention in the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System and another about youth involvement in making culturally relevant videos.
The atoll is 30 kilometers long, but not more than 4 blocks wide at the widest point that I saw. Taxis cruise along the only road, picking up passengers when they wave. I shared taxis with elderly men carrying packages from the hardware store, families speaking animatedly in Marshallese, and other conference attendees.
At the registration table, I found out that no debit or credit cards were accepted for payment, only cash or checks. And we were informed of the dress code – shoulders and knees must be covered, and no cleavage should be displayed.
Everywhere I went, I was met with friendliness and kindness. I received a lei at the airport and a shell necklace from a student at the opening ceremony. Small children ran up to me to offer high fives and fist bumps (including those 3 boys in the photo below who took great joy in mugging for my camera). And each school hosted a dinner for the representatives from different islands.
During my workshop on creating culturally relevant videos, I used a picture of a traffic light to illustrate points about adaptation. Green light (minor changes that are okay to do freely); yellow light (think carefully); and red light (changes core content to make program less effective). Halfway through, I realized that I was not being culturally relevant myself – There are no traffic lights on Majuro!
In closing I will share one important insight with you: We can never learn everything about another culture no matter how hard we try, but we can always show that we are willing to learn a little more. Iakwe (hello) and kommol tata (thank you) – my total Marshallese vocabulary. Two of the most useful words in any language that I learn wherever I go.
RESOURCES
HONOLULU LISTENING SESSION WITH THE PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON AAPIs
You are invited to attend a listening session with the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) on Thursday, September 24, 2015 in Honolulu, HI. The Commission is particularly interested in hearing from the public about the following issues: economic development/housing; education, including impact of bullying on youth; civil rights; effects of climate change; immigration; health, including mental health; veteran affairs; and women’s and workers issues.
- Date: Thursday, September 24, 2015
- Time: 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm HST
- Location: Hawaii Convention Center – 1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96815
- RSVP: Individuals who wish to attend must RSVP to WhiteHouseAAPI@ed.gov no later than September 16, 2015 at 3:00 pm EDT. Include the name, title, organization/affiliation, e-mail address, and telephone number of the person RSVPing to the session.
'IMI HALE HPV VACCINE RESOURCES
'Imi Hale learned that parents need more information on the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help them decide to vaccinate their daughters and sons. To meet this need, educational materials with the help of community partners were created. Posters and brochures are provided free of charge. Postage fees may apply.
To order materials, contact Mary Rose Dela Cruz at 526-1700 or email mdelacruz@papaolalokahi.org
AAA OFFERS DARE TO PREPARE
Dare to Prepare is a FREE interactive program for parents and teens that provides information teens need to know before they take the wheel. This workshop, geared toward pre-permit drivers (13-16yrs of age) walks attendees through steps to obtain a permit and driver’s license, offers tools, tips and resources to help families during the learning-to-drive process.
Tuesday, Otober 20 and Thursday October 22
6:00 - 8:15 p.m.
Pomaikai Ballrooms at the Dole Cannery
Wednesday, October 21
6:30 - 8:45 p.m.
Hawaii Okinawa Center, Waipahu
Reservations required at http://aaa.com/safety4teens
HISPANIC CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Sunday, September 20
Hale Halewai in Kailua Kona, Hawaii
11:00a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Presented by West Hawaii Community Health Center and Comunidad Latina de Hawaii
Live music, Entertainment, Authentic Latino Food,Community Resources, Folkloric Dancers
For information call Angela Dean 808-895-2052 or Claudia Hartz 602-826-2725.
LET'S TALK: RUNAWAY PREVENTION CURRICULUM AVAILABLE
Let's Talk is a 14-module curriculum intended to build life skilld, increase knowledge about runaway resources and prevention, educate about alternatives to running away, and encourage youth to access and seek help from trusted community members. Let's Talk is intended for youth in grades 5-12.
For more information contact the National Runaway Safe Line's prevention specialist, Lindsey Shelton at 773-289-1723 or at prevention@1800runaway.org
STOP FLU AT SCHOOL CONSENT FORMS DUE
The Hawai'i Department of Health will again conduct its annual FREE school-located flu vaccination program. All students statewide, kindergarten through eighth grade who attend a participating school can receive their flu vaccination. Consent forms are due Spetember 4.
For more information call 2-1-1 or visit http://www.flu.hawaii.gov
TRAINING
FOURTH ANNUAL PACIFIC REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUMMIT "BRIDGING THE GAPS: MEETING THE NEEDS OF SERVICEMEMBERS, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS"
September 10 -11
Tripler Army MEdical Center (Kyser Auditorium)
The Summit title this year is "Bridging the Gaps: Meeting the Needs of Servicemembers, Veterans, and their Families with Community Partnerships." The Summit is an annual Behavioral Health course designed to address the latest and most significant psychological health themes within the Pacific region. The curriculum is constructed from a confluence of invited presenters and open call for papers addressing the annual theme. Free continuing education units (CEUs) and continuing medical education (CMEs) are provided. Given that the Summit is officially recognized as a DoD hosted educational course, TDY/TAD is authorized from off island at your expense.
Seating is limited however there are still slots available. To help expedite your registration process, please use the link to the Summit page: https://community.apan.org/pac-behavioral-health/default.aspx.
PARENT LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE
Hawaii's second Parent Training Institute (PLTI) civics and democracy training course for up to 25 caring individuals (does not need to be a parent) is being offered.
PLTI offers a stimulating curriculum that will boost leadership skills to address areas of concern such as, accessible child health, the achievement gap, neighborhood safety, and the significance of parental involvement. Together participants will emerge as strong leaders and advocates for all children.
Candidates will be selected from a diverse group of individuals, who are passionate about children‘s issues and policies, and also have an interest in developing their individual leadership skills.
The institute is offered free of charge. Time, commitment, and a community project that reflects the participant's passion is what is asked for in return.
Location: Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center, 46-316 Haiku Road, Kaneohe
Monday evening classes from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. beginning with a Saturday retreat on October 10
Each class begins with a family style dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Classes will start promptly at 5:45 p.m. and end at 8:45 p.m.
Childcare will be provided for ages 5 and up
Applications due by September 11, 2015
For more information and apllication, contact Cynthia Okazaki at 235-7747 or 225 9377 or kcfccokazaki@pacthawaii.org
2015 HAWAII PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE: HEALTH IS EVERYONE'S KULEANA