immigration

The multilingual community has stepped up to provide interpreters and translators in numerous languages. Still, volunteers say they're exhausted. HPR's Cassie Ordonio has more.

UH researchers discuss using sail drones to collect information from nearshore waters off Lahaina; Project Dana shares its connection with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter; we explore dual citizenship for Micronesians; and ʻElepaio Social Services discusses efforts to improve the health of Waiʻanae residents

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.

We are going to the movies for today's hana hou! We shine the spotlight on Ryan Kawamoto, whose documentary highlights the overlooked history of Japanese Americans who were removed by force from their homes and businesses during World War II; Filmmaker Jean Shim talks about what went into making her feature film that screened at the 43rd Hawaiʻi International Film Festival; local resident Henk Rogers, who secured worldwide distribution rights to the Tetris game, shares the backstory as depicted in the new film "Tetris"; and Elliot Lucas talks about the Kauaʻi Film Academy producing its first feature film

A local protester and a local attorney express their opposition to Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; we discuss the recovery experience for Lahaina's immigrant community following the wildfires; a local arborist talks about his work to save a cultural site in Micronesia; and beloved fashion company ʻIolani returns with a new children's line

It's been more than three months since the fire, and many of Lahaina's immigrant communities are facing the dilemma of deciding whether to wait and rebuild or leave their homes forever. Roughly one-third of Lahaina's population is foreign-born, according to U.S. Census figures. HPR's Cassie Ordonio has more.

Liza Ryan-Gill, the coordinator of the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, said many in the community have yet to apply for disaster recovery assistance because of the language barrier and a belief they aren’t eligible due to their immigrant status.

The state-funded program will be based on O‘ahu, Maui and Kaua‘i, providing translation in six languages: Marshallese, Chuukese, Spanish, Tongan, Ilocano and Tagalog.

A potential agreement that was in the works before the Maui fires may give county police the powers of customs officers, though some are concerned about its effect on immigrants — including those affected by the fires. The police department says the agreement focuses on the movement of illegal contraband like fentanyl. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

Among the comedies, documentaries, dramas and even zombie flicks screening at the 43rd Hawaiʻi International Film Festival this month, one feature gaining critical buzz is "A Great Divide" by filmmaker Jean Shim.