COFA

President-elect Donald Trump’s promised federal budget cuts have created an uncertain future for Medicaid funding. Half of Hawaiʻi’s children and roughly a third of residents rely on Medicaid for health coverage.

A group of Hawaiʻi Island police officers recently attended their first Micronesian culture training to learn about common misconceptions. Advocates want the training to be held statewide and annually. HPR's Cassie Ordonio has more.

The guidance came after the Compact Impact Fairness Act was signed into law this year, allowing Micronesians to access benefits including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program, also known as SNAP or food stamps.

The U.S. Department of Interior has given more than $232 million to the Federated States of Micronesia's trust fund under its new agreement, according to a Wednesday news release.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Monday that Pacific Islander migrants impacted by the Maui wildfires can now apply for disaster relief. Applications are open from April 1 to May 31.

Citizens from the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau are now eligible for federal benefits. But when they can access them remains unclear. HPR's Cassie Ordonio has more.

The Hawai‘i Coalition for Immigrant Rights hosted a virtual news conference on Tuesday, during which Micronesian community leaders and state and federal officials discussed how Micronesians can access federal benefits.

In a response letter to Hawai‘i delegates, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that it is reopening enrollment for the Individuals and Households Program for citizens of the Compacts of Free Association.

The United States has restored federal benefits for tens of thousands of Micronesian migrants legally living in the U.S. under the Compacts of Free Association. The announcement came at a critical time as the country's influence in the Pacific is contested by China. HPR's Cassie Ordonio has the latest.

The Federated States of Micronesia president recently signed an executive order allowing dual citizenship for Micronesians with parental ties to the island nation. Just weeks after the change in law, Micronesians living in the U.S. started applying for their passports. HPR's Cassie Ordonio reports.