Hawaii Filipino Chronicle - March 5, 2022

MARCH 5, 2022  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  1

MARCH 5, 2022

WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?

Concealing Illegitimate Child at Immigration Interview and Its Effect on Immigration Status AS I SEE IT

Zelenskyy’s Courage, Patriotism, Resilience Rallies International Support

NEWS FEATURE

Filipino Artists Featured at Hawaii Triennial 2022

BOOK REVIEW

Thirty Years Later – Catching Up with the Marcos-Era Crimes

2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 5, 2022

EDITORIAL

Look to Creativity and Balance in Solving Our Runaway Housing Sales and Rent Costs

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hen people think of NYC – they think of Wall Street, Broadway and the shockingly high cost of rent. For San Francisco -- people associate it with the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and whopping-priced real estate. As another one of the United States’ world-class cities, Honolulu is also easily identifiable. Paradise. A tourism mecca. And the exceptionally high cost of living are what comes to mind of Hawaii.

For a handful of highly desirable cities – through recession or economic boon, no matter – living there comes at a hefty price.

Hawaii’s natural beauty, white sandy beaches, verdant green mountains and kind, aloha-spirited people will always be a special place people from all around the world would want to visit, make as home temporarily or permanently. This ultimately means, given our state’s limited land and limited inventory of properties for sale or rent, housing prices will consistently be higher than most places on the mainland and world.

This is not to say that there aren’t steps our government can take to provide affordable housing, or stimulate economic activity and job growth with higher paying, quality employment and industries that would enable our local residents to afford market value properties for sale and rent.

Improving education and supporting small businesses indirectly make Hawaii’s housing more affordable

Take education as an example. We may not think it could directly relate to our high real estate market. But a better educated citizenry would make us more competitive with other highly skilled and professional workers moving to Hawaii and be able to pay for high real estate. Doing all we can to support education is being proactive in improving access for more locals to our pricey real estate.

The same goes with supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship. Same concept. It’s not directly related to real estate. But having more successful business entrepreneurs means more of our locals having the means to buy real estate and stay home, should they desire.

Hawaii does not have rent control. But briefly during the pandemic during Gov. David Ige’s Emergency Proclamation, there was a temporary order that restricted landlords from raising rent prices.

But that was an extraordinary situation in extraordinary times.

What seems to benefit access to home ownership and alleviate rent actually have some built-in deficiencies There are actual both pros and cons to policies that on the surface appear to improve access to homeownership and rent.

For example, let’s look at when government mandates affordable housing on a small percentage of units in a new real estate development. The pro is that those who qualify for the few affordable housing units, often by lottery, they will in fact get a better deal than market price. But the con (which most people are unaware of) is that developers simply pass on the cost (reduced difference) of the affordable units onto other residents. That means those paying market value are actually paying higher than market value (the difference of those affordable units, plus the actual market value). So what’s happening in the big picture is this drives up housing sale prices and rent altogether.

In another example, let’s look at Section 8 and whatever federal assistance extended to low-income earners. The obvious pros are that Section 8 helps to keep those on the margins, at the cusp of homelessness from becoming homeless. Great. Section 8 is also beneficial in allowing those who qualify to seek a rental property of their choosing, anywhere.

What this does is it works well to integrate low-income earners to live with other brackets of income earners. It helps with commu-

FROM THE PUBLISHER

H

awaii and the rest of the nation are well underway toward pre-pandemic life and economy.

But we’re seeing that the aftermath of the pandemic, for example, reestablishing (or finding new) supply chain bottlenecks, will take time.

In the meantime, supply is low and demand high, which economists say is why the cost of everything from food to utilities are skyrocketing.

In our cover story this issue, associate editor Edwin Quinabo reports this same supply-demand imbalance is responsible for Hawaii’s escalating housing prices (in sales and rent). The current low rental inventory has been driving rental prices up. How high? Quite significantly. In the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) Dec. 17, 2021 21Q4 Update, the report cites median rent rising one-bedroom units have increased by 14% over the past year, while advertised rents for two-bedroom units rose by 35%. The spiked rental rates are exacerbating hardship among many of our 190,420 renter households in Hawaii. Quinabo also reports that pandemic lifestyles are contributing to the rising rent by adding new demand in local markets. For example, more wealthy workers are doing work from home, which now, could be anywhere where there is internet connection. This is causing more migration. And Hawaii, for its natural beauty and allyear round stable weather, is one of the migration destinations for the wealthy, who on average makes at least 10% more in income than local Hawaii residents. So new migration is adding on to the already investor-rich population that has been targeting Hawaii for decades. Our Filipino community share their opinions on the rent situation. There is so much more to this very comprehensive cover story, including in the end valuable resources for struggling renters to tap.

Also in this issue, HFC columnist Emil Guillermo contributes “Filipinos’ Memory of Marcos Foretells the Lesson for Putin; Plus, What Biden’s SCOTUS Pick Tells Us About America.” The article mentions how a Washington, DC-based group US Filipinos for Good Governance is showing its solidarity with the Ukraine government by remembering the anniversary of the fall of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

To commemorate that 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolt, HFC contributor Rose Cruz Churma reviews “THIRTY YEARS LATER – Catching Up with the Marcos-Era Crimes” authored by Myles A. Garcia.

HFC columnist Atty. Emmanuel Tipon contributes “Concealing Illegitimate Child at Immigration Interview and Its Effect on Immigration Status.” HFC columnist Seneca Moraleda-Puguan advocates for peace in Ukraine while HFC columnist Elpidio Estioko elaborates on the support it is receiving from the international community. Be sure to read our other interesting columns and informative news.

Lastly, in our News Feature HFC contributor Renelaine Pfister writes about Filipino artists featured in the Hawaii Triennial 2022 (HT2022) that celebrates the unique cultures in Hawaii through contemporary art. One of the Filipino artists featured is the multiaward winning Leeroy New, a multidisciplinary artist, whose work intersects mythmaking and socio-political themes.

Thank you for supporting the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle, Hawaii’s most respected and most read Filipino newspaper. Please visit our website. Until next issue, warmest Aloha and Mabuhay!

nity diversity and avoids the pitfalls of the 1970s and 1980s when projects for low-income earners were built in what essentially became the government building blocks of ghettos.

Now the con of Section 8 and other rent assistance project is that they could take up a huge percentage of the overall housing stock. In other words, if Section 8 is not minimized to an extent (which it actually is) it could cut too deeply into a real estate market’s supply and thus, raise the price for everyone else, similar in the way mandated affordable housing does in a more micro scale.

We must work to find solutions

So we see there are both pros and cons to many policies already out there. Finding a correct balance (like the current limitations of Section 8) is perhaps the ideal situation. (continue on page 3)

Publisher & Executive Editor Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.

Publisher & Managing Editor

Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Associate Editors

Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo

Contributing Editor

Belinda Aquino, Ph.D.

Design

Junggoi Peralta

Photography Tim Llena

Administrative Assistant Lilia Capalad Shalimar Pagulayan

Editorial Assistant Jim Bea Sampaga

Columnists

Carlota Hufana Ader Elpidio R. Estioko Perry Diaz Emil Guillermo Melissa Martin, Ph.D. Seneca Moraleda-Puguan J.P. Orias Pacita Saludes Reuben S. Seguritan, Esq. Charlie Sonido, M.D. Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.

Contributing Writers

Clement Bautista Edna Bautista, Ed.D. Teresita Bernales, Ed.D. Sheryll Bonilla, Esq. Rose Churma Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D. Linda Dela Cruz Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand Amelia Jacang, M.D. Caroline Julian Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D. Federico Magdalena, Ph.D. Matthew Mettias Maita Milallos Paul Melvin Palalay, M.D. Renelaine Bontol-Pfister Seneca Moraleda-Puguan Mark Lester Ranchez Jay Valdez, Psy.D. Glenn Wakai Amado Yoro

Philippine Correspondent: Greg Garcia

Neighbor Island Correspondents: Big Island (Hilo and Kona) Grace LarsonDitas Udani Kauai Millicent Wellington Maui Christine Sabado Big Island Distributors Grace LarsonDitas Udani Kauai Distributors Amylou Aguinaldo Nestor Aguinaldo Maui Distributors

Cecille PirosRey Piros Molokai Distributor Maria Watanabe Oahu Distributors Yoshimasa Kaneko Jonathan Pagulayan

Advertising / Marketing Director Chona A. Montesines-Sonido

Account Executives Carlota Hufana Ader JP Orias

MARCH 5, 2022  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  3

EDITORIAL

Putin’s Invasion of Ukraine: A War With Zero Legitimacy and Built Upon Lies

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ussian President Vladimir Putin has shown the world how dangerous he can be.

For the most part before his invasion of Ukraine – Putin’s public persona had been one of a highly calculating, logical, reasonable politician; as someone who managed to hold on to power in Russia for decades because of his charisma and economic policies that have lifted Russia from economic abyss.

While politicos and high level politicians already knew of Putin’s shadow side, this “second” invasion of Ukraine last week exposed Putin as a liar, thug, and megalomanic obsessed with power.

In Putin’s invasion of Crimea in 2014, some thought that perhaps Crimea’s annexation could be overlooked.

With Crimea’s historical ties with Russia and its residents being pro-Russian, Ukraine, Europe and the world let that invasion go without a single shot fired. Perhaps more importantly, the conventional wisdom then was the 2014 incident was to be Russia’s one-and-done invasion of Ukraine.

We were all fooled. Even Chinese historians (who saw Putin as an ally of China misunderstood by the West) are say(Look to Creativity....from page 2)

But make no mistake, we must strive harder to find solutions to the complexities of balancing free market investment, providing access and affordability. Why? Because essential to community diversity is actually having diversity. If we do not have certain segments of society unable to afford to live in communities strictly accessible to the wealthy, that would do away with a whole gamut of industries, services and benefits we all enjoy as a mixed society. Because lower paid workers would simply move away.

Creative thinking is important to this process of finding solutions. Above the examples of education and entrepreneurship are fresh ways to look at improving housing affordability and access. Both are actually

ing they were fooled by Putin.

Reasons for invasion

IMMORTALIZED IN HISTORY. Putin having been one of the most powerful figures in the world for over two decades, someone completely unchallenged in Russia, and a wealthy man beyond imagination – it’s plausible to think of Putin’s invasion as that storied restless emperor who only seeks one last goal, to be immortalized in history.

Russians have already been comparing Putin to the Russian czars and that country’s greatest leaders of the past, a few of whom initiated conquest or fought to retake Russian territory from foreign invaders.

Whether conquest for historical glory was a personal goal of Putin’s in this situation, that remains debatable for historians to argue. But his timing is certainly off as the age of conquest has long gone by.

NAZIS AND DONBAS ABUSES. Putin’s excuses to sell to the world to justify his occupation were 1) that he is saving Ukraine from neo Nazis; and 2) that he is stopping abuses in the Donbas (pro-Russian, eastern part of Ukraine) from Ukraine’s central government. In just hours after Russia’s initial phase of invasion, he declared the Donbas as an investments in people. Another example, and another form of investing in people which will go a long way in helping diverse income earners have access to home ownership and high rent is paying workers livable wages. Again, this is the opposite of forcing control over a real estate market. It’s raising ability for people to partake in access to the real estate market. This is creative thinking.

One last point of existing policy that on surface appears to be entirely beneficial but is also detrimental. On Honolulu’s property taxes. It’s the lowest in the nation. A pro is Honolulu property owners are spared from additional thousands of dollars that other mainland property owners (whose actual value of property is on average lower) with higher rates must pay.

The con is lower property

independent region that Russians would move in to protect from Ukraine. So fantastical both selling points are that no one outside of his orbit is taking them seriously.

REGIME CHANGE. US intelligence and the Pentagon have cited that Putin’s real goal is to decapitate Ukraine’s current pro-western leadership in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and to replace him with a Moscow-friendly president. While that most likely is only partially true, it doesn’t explain urgency.

REVIVE SOVIET EMPIRE. President Joe Biden’s explanation could also be a partial explanation with some truth.

Biden said Putin is disconnected from the rest of the world and wants to revive the former Soviet. Biden didn’t elaborate if he had U.S. intelligence to support his explanation.

Biden and NATO underestimated, Ukraine Resilience underestimated

As authoritarians are typically blinded by their own egos, Putin underestimated both the US-NATO alliance and Ukraine.

U.S. and NATO’s resolve and support for Ukraine came rapidly due in part to U.S. Intelligence which rendered the west time to prepare. NATO’S expediency and pin-point accuracy must have surprised Putin.

Putin perhaps underestimated NATO thinking that it

taxes is the primary mechanism that allows for mainland and international investors to come in and buy up loads of Hawaii property at high prices and essentially leave some of those properties vacant. If the property tax rate in Honolulu was anywhere near some other cities on the mainland, investment as it is right now would likely drop because returns on those investments would take too long to turn a healthy profit.

Wealthy investors buying (by bulk for some) keeps raising real estate market value higher and out of reach to a growing segment of the local population. Most people do not see this link between low property taxes and investment, and ultimately the overall real estate market.

Again, perhaps, finding balance in policy could be better suited going forward.

was on a downslide after Trump dragged it on dirt over the four years he was president. Germany has a new Chancellor (Olaf Scholz) who as a newbie and from that country’s liberal party, Putin perhaps didn’t think of much of him. President Joe Biden was vice president at the time when Putin got away with invading Ukraine and annexing Crimea. Putin must have assumed Biden’s reaction to another Ukraine invasion would be a repeat of President Barack Obama’s.

Olaf, it turns out, is far bolder than Angela Merkel ever was.

Germany imports 50% of its gas and crude oil from Russia, but that hasn’t stopped Olaf from giving Ukraine massive supplies of arms and sending fighter jets to the region.

As for Biden, his supercharged sanctions amounts to in essence economic warfare. The initial sanctions might not have been enough to force a Russian retreat. But the sanctions added since the first few days have serious consequences (i.e. U.S. sanctions on Russia’s central bank that effectively prohibits Americans from doing any business with the bank as well as freezes its assets within the United States). These later sanctions will hurt Russia dramatically by the day and eventually force Putin to seek conflict resolutions.

The biggest miscalculation

that will follow Putin to his grave perhaps is the resolve of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people. In David vs Goliath fashion, the Ukrainian military is outperforming (at least up to this reporting) the mighty Russian military; and it has defended Ukraine territory far longer than military experts thought possible.

As for the Ukrainian people’s bravery, an example of this was highlighted in a member of the Supreme Council of Ukraine. In her interview with western media, she talked about never owning or even having touched a gun, is a non-violent person, but is prepared to use the rifle given to her by the Ukraine government to help defend her family and country from Russian invaders. She is typical of millions of Ukraine citizens willing to fight and face death if forced to do so.

As clear as night and day

In the course of history there have been many “gray” wars where it wasn’t clearcut who was right and who was wrong. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not one of them.

Russia is the clear aggressor, unprovoked and have no legitimacy for their invasion. We hope, the world hopes, Putin will come to his senses and order a complete military withdrawal immediately.

4 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 5, 2022

COVER STORY

Hawaii’s Rent Reach Shockingly High Levels, Demand Far Exceeding Supply

by Edwin Quinabo

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truggling to make ends meet financially in Hawaii just got tougher in the COVID-19 era. The cost of rent is up in Hawaii, along with consumer prices of most goods, food, utilities, and gas.

Hawaii’s housing, both rentals and properties for sale – which always has been the single biggest household expense in Hawaii, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – soared higher at a time after Federal and Hawaii State moratoriums, as well as other pandemic-related tenant protections like prohibiting landlords from raising rent, have all come to an end.

“It’s like a double, triple whammy,” Roland Salvador, Salt Lake renter said, who had his rent go from $1,850 in 2019 to $2,200 per month starting March this year for a 2-bedroom apartment. “Gas prices are so high. And when I shop for groceries, I pay about 25% more for just about the same amount of food.”

The current inflation in the U.S. is 7.5%, the highest since February 1982, according to the U.S. Department of HERO’s findings on rising Hawaii rent In the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) Dec. 17, 2021 21Q4 Update, researchers found home and apartment rents have increased significantly over the past year.

“Zillow estimates that the median rent for Honolulu in September was 9% higher than a year ago. Statewide, advertised rents on Craigslist for one-bedroom units have increased by 14% over the past year, while advertised rents for two-bedroom units rose by 35%. The continued increase in rents is exacerbating the hardship for renters struggling to make payments or facing possible eviction.

“In October, 20% of Hawai‘i residents had missed their

Commerce’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Another measure of inflation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a 7.5% increase over the last 12 months.

Economists say the rise in consumer prices is partially attributed to the supply chains that broke down during the start of the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. Supply chains have not yet caught up to pre-pandemic levels to meet the surge in demand that started as soon as most states reopened their economies.

And there’s no telling how long higher prices will last. Some economists predict inflation should correct itself as soon as supply chain bottlenecks return to pre-pandemic form.

Like the price of consumer goods, experts say the rise in rent is also a low supply-high demand issue where there is a shortage in total rental units available relative to a higher number of people scrambling to find rentals.

Michael Yoshino, Realtor-Associate, Locations Real Estate Brokerage, Esq., told the Filipino Chronicle, “When the rental eviction moratorium was in effect, rental prices were

most recent mortgage or rent payment, or they expected to miss their next payment,” the report stated.

HERO’S look into apartment prices on Craigslist found dramatic results. “The median asking rent on Oahu has climbed to $2,100, up from $1,700 a year ago,” UHERO reports.

Median Rental Prices * Oahu: 1-Bed $1,700; 2-Bed $2,195; 3-Bed $2,800 * Maui: 1-Bed $1,700; 2-Bed $2,150 * Kauai: 1-Bed $1,500 $1,800; 2-Bed $1,800 to $2,100; 3-Bed $2,100 to $2,500 * Hawaii (Big Island) 1-Bed $1,000; 2-Bed $1,400; 3-Bed $1,800 to $2,500 *Source: KHON

Cost of Hawaii single-family homes up, contributes to high rent Economists say Hawaii’s high price in single-family homes contribute to the state’s high rent. When residents cannot afford to buy a home, that leaves them in the rental market, increasing local demand.

“A surge in the price of single-family homes had the median price topping $1 million by the third quarter of 2021 in all counties except the Big Island. On Oahu, single-family home prices have increased 20% over the past year, exceeding the national rate of 14%.

Condominium prices have risen a less dramatic 8% over the past year,” UHERO researchers reported.

They said home prices have surged this year, mirroring

down because everyone was staying in place to stay safe. Once it was lifted, the renters quickly consumed the rental inventory and it’s been trending in this direction ever since.

“So we have low rental inventory which has been driving rental prices up over the last half year or so. Many of the renters are local and a good portion have been displaced by owners selling their home in this hot market but we also have many renters from out-of-state who are moving to Hawaii due to the rise in the work from home trend,” Yoshino said.

There are 190,420 renter households in Hawaii.

a national trend. Together with According to a new report high rents and higher consum- by the National Low Income er price inflation, this is posing Housing Coalition (NLIchallenges for families.

HC), Hawaii has the highest Housing Wage (housing cost Working two jobs to build up vs wage) in the U.S. In NLIrent reserves HC’s “Out of Reach” report B l a n d e n a B u e n a f e , researchers analyzed rent pricWaipahu, renter, called the cur- es in all 50 states to determine rent rental market “ridiculous” how much was needed to rent – and says up to 25% of her a two-bedroom apartment take-home income each month at fair market value without spending more than 30% of goes to paying her rent.

“I have been working two one’s income. Hawaii came in jobs just to make sure I have at No.1 with a housing wage sufficient savings reserved for of $38.76 an hour.

Researchers also found that at least six months. So if something should happen, I have those getting paid minimum enough,” Buenafe told the Fil- wage in Hawaii would need to work approximately 153 hours ipino Chronicle.

She is worried that rent will a week to afford a two-bedroom apartment, which costs continue to rise. about $2,015 per month to rent.

Hawaii’s current minimum Hawaii has highest Housing (continue on page 5) Wage in nation

MARCH 5, 2022  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  5

COVER STORY (Hawaii’s Rent....from page 4)

wage has been at $10.10 for that could factor into raising her tenants rent. four years.

“Landlords are most conRising prices versus Hawaii cerned about property value and hoping they don’t plumwages On Hawaii’s wage vs ris- met,” Delos Santos said. ing prices, UHERO said before COVID-19, wages were out- Mainland, international stripping inflation by 1%. But investors and the future of whatever gains were made had increased migration changed as inflation has spiked.

Since the late 1980s And UHERO forecasts Ha- as housing costs began rapidly waii’s cost of living will again ascending, a common criticism rise faster than wages. among Hawaii’s locals have been to blame the outsiders, Other drivers of rising rent U.S. mainland and international Nancy Caasi Hata of West investors particularly from Asia Oahu Realty told the Filipino for sweeping in, paying for loChronicle a lack of affordable cal real estate at overvalued housing keeps home ownership prices, in effect raising overall low. “And in a desired location housing market prices well bein Hawaii, residents will want yond locals’ financial means. to stay even if it means renting.

Realtors both nationally This contributes to growing de- and locally say migration flow mand and higher rent.” will only increase as the panHata said millennials, now demic’s stay-at-home working older and financially stronger, environment is looking to be a is a population adding to the more permanent trend among rental market. “Millennials the wealthy. With online workhave a desire to avoid living in ing possible from just about clusters with family and want anywhere, Hawaii and other demore flexibility.” She has no- sirable, weather-friendly states ticed this trend developing at all-year round are expected to the onset of the pandemic. see higher numbers of wealthy Hata says there is low in- migrants entering their housing ventory in the middle-to-low- market as buyers and renters. er end price points. And at the Based on the second quarhigher home prices, fees, and ter of 2021, Hawaii is already rising interest rates -- renting drawing in Americans from is preferred, more feasible or states with high professional in many cases the only option and high-income populations. available to Hawaii residents. Out-of-state renters to Hawaii Again, this increases demand most frequently came from which can only lead to higher Los Angeles, New York or San rent prices.

Francisco.

“This migration flow is putRental property owner: ting pressure on local rent pricrising repair and maintenance es because these movers have cost budgets that are 10% higher Venus Delos Santos, rental than the existing residents who property owner, said her con- are also searching for a new cerns have always been about apartment,” according to an onsafety, repair costs, tenant re- line survey by a rental-finding sponsibility and accountability. company.

She said the high cost of repair and maintenance would How locals get by with high influence her to raise rental housing costs prices. She attributes rising Salvador says his share of repair and maintenance costs the rent is about 25% of his “to the decrease in the produc- monthly income. But he gets tion of construction materials help from his girlfriend who and other supplies, as the pan- contributes about one-third of demic causes staff shortages the total rent. “To be honest, I nationwide.” wouldn’t be able to come up As a landlord, there are with rent on my own and pay other costly considerations. for everything else. Hawaii is She cites property clean up, too expensive. pest control services, replac“It’s the same at my paring major and small applianc- ents’ house. They own a house es, even efforts to evict and in Aliamanu but receive help find a new tenant as expenses from my sister and her daughter

to pay for their mortgage. This is the Hawaii style. We have multi-family members living under one roof.

“People used to stereotype Filipinos as living with too many people. But as housing, grocery, insurance and the price of all the things we need go up in our state, it’s more common.

All the ethnicities do the same now, multi-generational living,” said Salvador.

Sources of rental assistance Renters having a hard time making rent are encouraged to look into rental assistance programs. *Oahu Rental & Utility Relief Program-One Oahu, is a special pandemic assistance program that has already sent over $120 million to households. There are also counterpart rental programs for Maui (https://www.mauicounty.gov/ MauiRentHelp), Kauai (https:// kauairenthelp.com) and Hawaii (www.HawaiiCountyERAP.org.) counties.

A household can qualify for the Rental and Utility Relief Program (RURP), which is federally funded and administered by Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement when: the household can show financial harm during the pandemic and at least one member is at risk of losing their housing, and the household is at 80% annual median income or lower.

For a household of four, that is $96,650 a year or less.

For more information, call Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi: 808-521-4357, option 1, then 1 again or the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement: 808-596-8155, option 1.

“When the rental eviction moratorium was in effect, rental prices were down because everyone was staying in place to stay safe. Once it was lifted, the renters quickly consumed the rental inventory and it’s been trending in this direction ever since. So we have low rental inventory which has been driving rental prices up over the last half year or so. Many of the renters are local and a good portion have been displaced by owners selling their home in this hot market but we also have many renters from out-of-state who are moving to Hawaii due to the rise in the work from home trend.”

— Michael Yoshino, Realtor-Associate, Locations Real Estate Brokerage, Esq Both call centers are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To apply for rental assistance online, visit http://www. oneoahu.org/renthelp

*Section 8 is a housing choice voucher program, meaning that approved applicants can find their own apartment, townhouse or house to rent and (continue on page 15)

6 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 5, 2022

CANDID PERSPECTIVES

By Emil Guillermo

T

he State of the World and the State of our Union both came into view for what was an historic coincidence on February 25, 2022.

From Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the War in Ukraine, and how it all relates to being Filipino in America. This is a snapshot of where we are in 2022.

The world woke up last week to the invasion of Ukraine that has swiftly escalated into a real war of resistance. The Ukrainians, outnumbered and outgunned, are standing tall in defense of their nation, roughly the size of Texas, with a population greater than California.

And this is where we as Filipino Americans and all AAPIs come in.

For this is the one story in the world right now. And whether you know it or not, you’re in it.

The Ukrainians are the underdogs in this fight against Russia, which has used lies and misinformation to invade a sovereign and free nation.

Here was Russia’s justification: Ukraine is run by “neo-Nazi, Russophobes” intent on “genocide.” It’s just pure lies that defy logic. The move by Russia is no less than the attempt to resume the colonial dreams of the Soviet Empire.

But Ukraine is strength-

Filipinos’ Memory of Marcos Foretells the Lesson for Putin; Plus, What Biden’s SCOTUS Pick Tells Us About America ened by all those in the free world who recognize that their battle for freedom and sovereignty is also ours.

This is the global fight between countries of democracy versus those of autocracy.

And all Asian America Filipinos must let others know we stand in solidarity.

Recalling Marcos’ fall to people power Few among us know the will of a people yearning to be free better than Asian American Filipinos, more than 4 million in the US, many of whom are part of the Filipino Diaspora and live in the US as dual citizens.

To this day, we struggle with the lasting effects of being America’s first colony. But Filipinos have also beaten a dictator and have successfully sought freedom and opportunity in this country.

We now know what’s at stake.

If Putin can overtake Ukraine on a whim as the world watches, what’s to stop an autocrat anywhere in the world? FilAm leaders fear that Russian success over Ukraine “will embolden other world despots like China’s Xi Jinping to invade their small democratic neighbors like Taiwan and extend its hegemonic power over the Philippines and other smaller nations,” said a statement from

US Filipinos for Good Governance.

Last week, that group of Filipinos in Washington, D.C. joined Filipinos the world over to show their solidarity with Ukraine by remembering the anniversary of the fall of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

In another historical coincidence, it was on Feb. 25, 1986, that President Reagan withdrew his longtime support for Marcos, forcing the dictator and his wife Imelda to flee the Philippines and seek exile in Honolulu.

The toppling of a dictator was due to the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos who came to EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) calling for the end of the Marcos regime.

It has come to be known by the phrase “People Power.”

They didn’t have guns.

They didn’t have sanctions. Indeed, the US had propped up Marcos, until Reagan realized he was backing a losing proposition. It’s because Filipinos just showed up on the streets and stood their ground as a free nation.

It may take more firepower than that in Ukraine. It already has. Rifles are being passed out to every able-bodied man ages 18-60.

Armed citizens are taking the fight to the streets.

But as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said on his Post-it vid-

eos: “Our weapon is truth.”

Heroism is catching. On Snake Island, a verified recording shows a Russian warship telling 13 Ukranian guards to acknowledge. But the guards stood their ground: “Russian warship. Go f*ck yourself.”

Russia is learning that taking away the freedom from a fledgling democracy is a whole lot harder than it thought. More like trying to pin and diaper an angry infant. The Ukrainians are kicking and screaming, ready to give up their lives for their country.

Russia will be dirtied.

The coincidence of Putin’s invasion and Marcos’ fall is worth savoring because it can happen again. A former KGB agent turned plundering president/thug/dictator can learn the same lesson Marcos did 36 years ago.

But only if a united world stands up to his aggressive lunacy.

The State of the Union? Diverse, but we got next Can you say Ketanji? President Joe Biden has. And it shows just how much our country is changing.

It’s taken awhile.

Biden took a brief respite from Ukraine to give the nation a competing headline, countering the historic invasion with the historic SCOTUS nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

After more than 230 years, the nation is ready for the first African American woman to be named a justice on the highest court in the land.

Here’s my prediction: In 25 years, we will come to know Judge Jackson as KBJ, and her name will be synonymous with bending that arc of social justice our way, especially if two others join the three liberals on the Supreme Court.

Am I getting ahead of myself?

That’s the level of excitement after seeing Jackson speak

on Friday. She required a step for the podium. And her voice indicated her relative youth at age 51.

But Jackson spoke with humility and grace. She thanked God and her family for her good fortune in having been born “in this great country”: “The United States of America is the greatest beacon of hope and democracy the world has ever known.”

All Asian Americans can relate. Our ancestors have followed the light.

Jackson may have gone to Harvard, but she had a public-school life. Her father was a high school history teacher who later attended law school.

Jackson was a child when she saw her father do his job and his legal studies, eventually becoming a lawyer for the school district. He was Jackson’s first role model.

A sense of service to community may have led to her work as a public defender. But she’s had success in all realms of law. Jackson is not just a corporate clone or judicial scholar.

That diversity of experience makes her an asset to the court.

She’s a judge with a broad sense of empathy.

Indeed, I heard her story and can hear some of my Filipino American story.

Except for the robe part.

Originally when the nomination process began after Justice Stephen Breyer announced his retirement, my first reaction was to remind everyone that there has never been an Asian American on the Supreme Court ever. Black, yes. Hispanic, yes. Female, yes. Asian American, nyet.

Our turn?

I made some suggestions. But given the politics of Biden’s promise to nominate a Black woman, Jackson makes sense.

And now after seeing Jackson take the podium, all I can say for potential Asian Ameri(continue on page 10)

MARCH 5, 2022  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  7

WHAT’S UP, ATTORNEY?

By Atty. Emmanuel S. Tipon

T

here are men and women who do not tell a visa interviewer, such as a consul or immigration officer, that they have an illegitimate child. Illegitimacy is considered shameful. But the truth can never be hidden.

“Truth will out” as Shakespeare said in Merchant of Venice.

If an alien conceals an illegitimate child, USCIS will find out about it, sooner or later.

Somebody might squeal on the liar. The liar might apply for an immigration benefit. Sometimes the liar brings it out himself. And sometimes the illegitimate child discloses it and seeks out the father like a well-known nonagenarian from Cagayan whom the late President Marcos trusted but who betrayed him. As they say in Ilocoslovakia, “Saan mo nga fifiaren ti bastardo.” (Do not trust a bastard). To which I add a caveat: “Fuera de los buenos”.

So what should the liar do when confronted by an immigration officer? It depends.

In one case, the woman liar denied it. When confronted with birth certificates of the illegitimate children, she said that they were fake.

In another case, an alien was being interviewed for a naturalization application. The immigration officer said that he had lied about his illegitimate children to the consular officer at the U.S. consulate in Manila and to the immigration officer at the airport when he arrived and in his naturalization application.

Three times he lied, the officer said. He would be placed in removal proceedings. I represented him at the interview but I did not prepare his naturalization application. I asked the officer: “If the applicant were to withdraw his naturalization application would the officer still recommend his removal?” The officer said that she would consider it but would not make any promises. I told the alien to fight but he said he would accept a deal and withdraw his application.

Concealing Illegitimate Child at Immigration Interview and Its Effect on Immigration Status Here’s a good case. An alien was interviewed for a naturalization application. In his application, he listed an illegitimate child in the Philippines with the expectation that he would be able to petition for him. The interviewer told him that they had obtained his consular file and that he did not disclose that he had an illegitimate child in the Philippines when he applied for an immigrant visa. He did not have a lawyer and did not know how to make a deal.

He was placed in removal proceedings. The Notice to Appear alleged that he was admitted to the U.S. as a child of a U.S. citizen (IR2) but procured his visa by fraud or by willfully misrepresenting a material fact, by failing to disclose that he had a child born out of wedlock in the Philippines.

Therefore, he was removable under Section 237(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) because he was inadmissible as an alien who had sought to procure or had procured his admission or visa by fraud or by willfully misrepresenting a material fact, under INA Section 212(a)(6)(C)(i) and under Section 237(a)(1)(A) because he was inadmissible as an alien immigrant who was not in possession of a valid unexpired immigrant visa or other valid entry document required

by INA. MOTION TO DISMISS AND/OR TERMINATE He retained our services. I moved to dismiss the charges in the Notice to Appear and/or terminate the removal proceedings. I argued that: 1. The DHS has the burden of proof to establish by clear and convincing evidence the allegations in the Notice to Appear and that the alien is deportable, but the DHS had not met its burden of proving that the alien committed fraud or willfully misrepresented a material fact to procure a visa or admission to the United States.

2. The fact that alien had a child born out of wedlock is not material and relevant to his eli-

gibility for an IR2 visa. An IR2 visa is awarded to children of a United States citizen under INA Sec. 201(b). The requirement for an IR2 visa is the existence of a parent-child relationship between the petitioner and the beneficiary. Whether or not such children of a U.S. citizen petitioner have a child of their own, legitimate or illegitimate, is not a qualification for the issuance of an IR2 visa. Therefore, failure to disclose an immaterial and irrelevant fact does not constitute fraud or willful misrepresentation of a material fact. Failure to disclose that he had a child born out of wedlock is not material because it did not have a “natural tendency to influence or was capable of influencing the decisions of the decision-making body” and it did not lead to the alien “gaining some advantage or benefit to which he or she may not have been entitled under the true facts.”

3. The DHS had not established that if the alien had disclosed that he had a child out of wedlock it would have justified denial of an IR2 visa. DHS had not established that not disclosing the fact that the alien had child out of wedlock was willful and with intent to deceive the government.

The DHS had neither alleged nor established that not disclosing the fact that the alien had a child out of wedlock was intended to induce the consular officer to issue a visa.

The DHS had neither alleged nor established that not disclosing the fact that the alien had child out of wedlock was believed and acted upon by the con-

sular officer to the disadvantage of the government.

4. The alien’s immigrant visa IR2 was validly issued.

5. The alien was not deportable and the Notice to Appear was improvidently issued and should have been cancelled by the Field Office Director who issued it. Since he did not, the Immigration Judge should cancel it.

DHS FILES OWN MOTION TO DISMISS To our surprise, the DHS filed its own Motion to Dismiss.

It must have found our arguments were convincing and did not want to lose. But its motion was “without prejudice” meaning that it could re-file the case at any time. Before I could oppose the DHS motion, the Immigration Judge ordered the case dismissed. There was no coletilla “without prejudice” at the end of his order. 

ATTY. TIPON was a Fulbright and Smith-Mundt scholar to Yale Law School where he obtained a Master of Laws degree specializing in Constitutional Law. He has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines.

He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, New York, and the Philippines. He practices federal law, with emphasis on immigration law and appellate federal criminal defense. He was the Dean and a Professor of Law of the College of Law, Northwestern University, Philippines. He has written law books and legal articles for the world’s most prestigious legal publisher and writes columns for newspapers. He wrote the best-seller “Winning by Knowing Your Election Laws.” Listen to The Tipon Report which he cohosts with his son Attorney Emmanuel “Noel” Tipon. They talk about immigration law, criminal law, court-martial defense, and current events. It is considered the most witty, interesting, and useful radio show in Hawaii. KNDI 1270 AM band every Thursday at 8:00 a.m. Atty. Tipon was born in Laoag City, Philippines. Cell Phone (808) 225-2645. E-Mail: filamlaw@yahoo.com. Website: https://www.tiponlaw.com.

8 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  MARCH 5, 2022

NEWS FEATURE

Filipino Artists Featured at Hawaii Triennial 2022

By Renelaine Pfister

I

n the middle of Vineyard Boulevard’s Foster Botanical Garden, there is a lounging giant clam-looking igloo made from bamboo and broken surfboards. The clam’s base connects to a fixed trellis in the garden which is ornamented with plastic bottles.

Looking closely at the installation, the plastic bottles suggest bubbly waves of the ocean that are in harmony with the giant clam.

This art installation is called Taklabo, a Tagalog word for large clams, created

by Filipino Artist Leeroy New. Taklobo is an extension and part of the Balete art series he started years ago.

Leeroy is one of the Filipino artists featured in Hawaii Triennial 2022 (HT2022), an

eleven-week event from February 8 to May 8, 2022 that celebrates the unique cultures in Hawaii through contemporary art.

As a Honolulu-based nonprofit organization, Hawaii Contemporary is committed to celebrating and cultivating art through HT22.

The concept of this year’s triennial is E Ho‘omau no Moananuiākea (Pacific Century) which weaves together multiple themes framed in Hawaii’s diverse cultural landscape.

They assembled 43 artists and collectives from Asia Pacific, Hawaii and beyond.

HT22 will be presented in seven venues across Oahu, including Hawaii State Art Museum, Bishop Museum and Foster Botanical Garden.

For example, Beijing artist Ai Weiwei’s trilogy of Tree sculptures – broken, disparate trees bolted together – stand amid

Foster Botanical Garden.

Taklobo is featured on another part of the garden. Manila-based Leeroy is known for utilizing local materials – cheap, discarded, recyclables – to create his art.

In Bendigo, Australia, he produced his Balete series from discarded irrigation hoses, which he found in local recycling centers. At his solo show in New York’s 2019 Pinto International, he utilized items from dollar stores and recycling centers to build wearable alien sculptures to extend his Aliens of Manila project.

A multidisciplinary artist, Leeroy’s art intersects mythmaking and socio-political themes and has traveled far from home and traversed the globe with his craft. He was born in General Santos City and educated at Philippine High School for the Arts and University of the Philippines

Taklobo by Leeroy New

College of Fine Arts.

With exhibits at PDNE at the NoMad Hotel in Los Angeles, California and Palais de Tokyo in Paris France, among his many notable works is a silicon bustier he created for popstar Lady Gaga’s “Marry The Night” music video in 2011.

Leeroy has amassed numerous honors such as Selected Artist for 2020 Black Rock City Honoraria, Art In-

stallation Grant for Burning Man 2020, recipient of British Council Connections Through Culture SEA Grant, recipient of the CCP 13 Artist Award in 2012, Ateneo Art Awards in 2008, Asian Cultural Residency in New York in 2015.

2022 is a busy year for Leeroy. As an artist, Leeroy is exploding like a supernova on the global stage.

In March, he will be part (continue on page 13)

MARCH 5, 2022  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  9

FEATURE

Stay Vigilant: Beware of Online Scams

By Orville White

W

ithin the first three weeks of January 2022, Hawaii KHON2 news reported that online scams are happening more often. It consists of online shopping purchases, and even cases using the city Department of Motor vehicle as bait.

The Honolulu Police Department Crime Stoppers Unit has advised the public to use caution when making purchases online.

The fact that the internet is an essential part of our professional and private life has opened opportunities for the bad actors to take advantage of you. These online scams can come at you in numerous forms.

With so much online activities, it’s easy to get distracted and become a victim of clickbait – a term that means to attract attention and entice users to click a specific link – that sends you to a fake online website to scam you.

At a glance, mobile devices account for more than half of online usage. Despite the small screens, smartphones are estimated to be used by 8 out of 10 users to conduct business and personal online transactions.

Smartphones have be-

come the driving force behind the term M-commerce (mobile) growth. The US M-commerce growth volume is poised to increase from $100 billion in 2019 to $400 billion through 2024, according to industry experts.

With its popularity and accessibility, mobile devices are also high risk to scams that enables an attacker to inject malicious content, modify the user’s online experience and obtain unauthorized information.

To avoid becoming a victim of online scams, it’s important to stay aware of messages that you receive online. Here are some pointers to look for to help defend yourself against common online scams: • Avoid opening junk text messages and emails. account and change them • Learn how to distinguish regularly. phishing text messages and emails then delete Most importantly, do not them immediately. click on links in uninvited • Choose different pass- or doubtful text messages words for each online and emails which most like-

ly will point to malicious sites. ORVILLE WHITE is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional who aims to bring information security awareness and education through his blogs.

10 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE MARCH 5, 2022

AS I SEE IT

Zelenskyy’s Courage, Patriotism, Resilience Rallies International Support

By Elpidio R. Estioko

U

nlike other international leaders who go on exile when their country is under siege, president Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to leave Ukraine.

He stayed to fight side by side with his wife and the rest of his countrymen in defending their country from Russia’s invasion.

This is a rare show of courage and patriotism on the part of Zelenskyy who is receiving global support, along with his military units and countrymen who organized a citizens army.

Except for China and India, the rest of the world are supporting Ukraine in any way they can from pressuring Russia to end the war to extending military aid to exerting economic sanctions. Many countries including neutral nonaligned Sweden have started to send military aid.

According to Ukraine’s health ministry, the conflict has killed more than 350 civilians since the beginning of Russia’s invasion. The UN’s refugee agency also believes at least 368,000 people have fled

Ukraine to neighboring countries, mostly to Poland.

United States President Joe Biden instructed the State Department to release up to an additional $350 million worth of weapons from US stocks to Ukraine, contained in a memorandum to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Over the past year, the US has committed more than $1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.

In January, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said the United Kingdom had “taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light anti-armor defensive weapon systems.”

“In light of the increasingly aggressive behavior from Russia and in line with our previous support, the UK will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament.

“This will include lethal aid in the form of defensive weapons and non-lethal aid.”

For France, which has already sent help, is dispatching more military equipment as well as fuel. Paris said it has acted on earlier Ukrainian requests for defensive anti-aircraft and digital weapons.

The Netherlands will supply air defense rockets and

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

anti-tank systems to Ukraine, the Dutch government said in letters to parliament.

The Dutch government agreed to a Ukrainian request to rapidly ship 200 Stinger air defense rockets and 50 “Panzerfaust 3” anti-tank weapons with 400 rockets, the letters said. It is also jointly considering sending a Patriot air defense system alongside Germany to a NATO battle group in Slovakia.

Germany will supply Ukraine with 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles from Bundeswehr stocks for defense against Russia. It is a major shift from Berlin’s longstanding policy of banning weapon exports to a conflict zone.

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point.

It is our duty to do our best to support Ukraine in defending itself against Putin’s invading army,” German Chancellor

Olaf Scholz said.

For Canada, Ottawa is sending lethal military weaponry to Ukraine and loaning Kyiv half a billion Canadian dollars (US$394 million) to help it defend itself.

As to Sweden, Stockholm is also breaking its historic neutral stance to send 5,000 anti-tank rockets to Ukraine as well as field rations and body armor. It is the first time Sweden has sent weapons to a country in armed conflict since the Soviet Union invaded neighboring Finland in 1939.

Belgium says it will supply Ukraine with 3,000 more automatic rifles and 200 anti-tank weapons, as well as 3,800 tons of fuel. Portugal is giving Ukraine night-vision goggles, bulletproof vests, helmets, grenades, ammunition and automatic G3 rifles.

Greece, which has a large diaspora community in Ukraine – 10 of whom have been killed – is sending “defense equipment” as well as humanitarian aid. Romania – which shares a border with Ukraine – is offering to treat wounded people from the crisis zones in its 11 military hospitals as well as sending fuel, bulletproof vests, helmets and other “military material” worth $3.3 million.

The Spanish government

has promised to send 20 tons of aid to Ukraine, mostly medical and defensive equipment such as bulletproof vests.

The Czech Republic, Prague said they are sending Ukraine 4,000 mortars as well as an arsenal of 30,000 pistols, 7,000 assault rifles, 3,000 machine guns, many sniper rifles and a million bullets. The Czechs had already promised Kyiv 4,000 mortars worth $1.6 million which have yet to be delivered.

Here in the US, Hawaii’s congressional delegation consider Russia’s unprovoked attack of Ukraine a threat to all democracies and they said they supported strong sanctions against Russia.

“This is totally unwarranted,” said US Senator Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii. “He’s waging war on another country and acting like it’s his country. We all need to stand up to this tyrant.”

For US Representative Ed Case, D-Hawaii, he said that Russia has ongoing territorial disputes with countries with other allies, like Japan.

“What’s to prevent Russia if we allow this to stand firm doing the same thing anywhere else in the world, including our backyard?” he asked.

US Senator Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said he supports (continue on page 14)

(CANDID PERSPECTIVES: Filipinos Memory....from page 6)

cans to the high court, “we got next.”

We’d better.

But for now, Judge Jackson showed why she was a good selection for the moment.

Who else has been vetted by the Senate three times already for federal appointments? Who else can thread the straits of partisan nonsense as well as Jackson?

Jackson is more qualified than some of the recent SCOTUS appointees. And yet conservatives are ready to use anti-elitist, anti-intellectual arguments against a distinguished graduate of both Harvard College and Harvard Law. Jackson is so qualified, her resume is a definition of the

kind of democratic merit that can be produced by an affirmative action that works.

As she spoke, I was struck by how Jackson was so human and personal. Legal opinions are important. But we also need to know the stuff that goes beyond the law.

She talked about all the police officers in her family, as well as one relative who was on the wrong side of the law in the drug trade. She introduced her husband, Patrick, whom she met in college, and how her marriage has produced two biracial children. By marriage, she is also related to former Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

She’s all-American and all

connected. It’s what a diverse modern society has become.

It’s the real state of the union.

And it’s why Jackson is a good historic addition to the high court.

It will be close in the Senate, but she should be confirmed by Easter.

Just don’t forget. It’s time to get the president–and anyone else who wants to be–on the record.

An Asian American, maybe even a Filipino, must be next. EMIL​ GUILLERMO​ is a veteran journalist and commentator. He was a member of the Honolulu Advertiser editorial board. Listen to him on Apple Podcasts. Twitter @ emilamok.

MARCH 5, 2022  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  11

PERRYSCOPE

Putin Resorts to Nuclear Blackmail

By Perry Diaz

I

n April 2013, I wrote a column titled “Nuclear Blackmail,” where I talked about North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un’s saber rattling, threatening to send nuclear ballistic missiles to the United States and Guam.

Although nothing came out of Kim’s threat to send nuclear missiles to the US, it brought to the forefront of geopolitics the notion that a nuclear power no matter how small, poses the danger of nuclear holocaust by threatening to use nuclear missiles against another nuclear power.

And once North Korea uses their nuclear weapons, the U.S. will respond by unleashing a torrent of nuclear missiles against North Korea.

Conceivably, this could lead to World War III and could, ultimately, end in a Mutually Assured Destruction or MAD, as is commonly used to depict what would result in such an exchange of nuclear missiles.

Putin’s nuclear threat Nine years later, the same situation happened but on a bigger scale as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threat to use nuclear weapons if the US and their allies would invade Ukraine has caused concern in Washington DC. Indeed, with the US arsenal of 5,500 nuclear warheads and Russia’s 6,000, it clearly raises the specter of a nuclear war that would destroy the entire civilization, which raises the question: What kind of a man is he who threatens to destroy mankind? Does the war in Ukraine warrant MAD? Only a mad man could think of such destruction, which makes one wonder: Is Putin crazy to risk nuclear war

over some civil disturbances in Ukraine?

I don’t think Putin is crazy. His problem goes far beyond the current situation in Ukraine. One has to go back to December 25, 1991 when the Soviet Empire disintegrated.

Vladimir Putin, then a KGB spy, was out of a job. He ended working as a taxi driver to survive.

But he lucked out when he found himself working for then-President Boris Yeltsen.

One thing led to another. Pretty soon Yeltsin appointed him Prime Minister. But Yeltsin was very sick, which forced him to resign.

He appointed Putin – a virtual unknown – as Acting President. Three months later, Putin was elected President of Russia. He’s been in power ever since.

Geopolitical catastrophe In 2005, Putin told the Russian nation: “The demise of the Soviet Union was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.”

He lamented, saying, “It became a genuine tragedy for the Russian people. Tens of millions of our fellow citizens and countrymen found themselves beyond the fringes of Russian territory.”

Since then, he became obsessed with reviving the Soviet Empire when Russia ruled over Eastern Europe, from the three Baltic States down to Poland, Romania, and nine other former Soviet satellite countries.

By 1997, all of them had joined NATO, except Ukraine who chose to remain neutral.

It was a tragic mistake because Ukraine did not avail of the protection of NATO, whose Article 5 states that “an attack on one member will be an attack on all members.”

Putin, who cannot touch any NATO country, took aim at Ukraine.

He encouraged two separatist regions of Ukraine – Donetsk and Luhansk – to declare independence from Ukraine, which Putin readily recognized as independent countries and declared them as allies.

Once again, Putin’s evil genius was at play.

But Biden made a strategic blunder when he vowed never to invade or enter Ukraine. It emboldened Putin, which gave him the wrong message; which in effect was like saying, “Go ahead and invade Ukraine, I’ll stay out of it.”

Biden’s reason was that once the US forces entered Ukraine, it would trigger World War III. My God, didn’t Biden remember history?

What he did was appease Putin just like when Neville Chamberlain appeased Hitler in 1939 when he declared “Peace for our time” and signed a peace treaty with Hitler.

Eight months later, Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia, which ignited World War II. Appeasing Putin Eighty-four years later, Putin invaded Ukraine. Appeasement failed to work again.

With Russian troops and tanks battling their way inside Ukraine, missiles raining on Kyiv, and thousands of Ukrainians fleeing to Poland and Romania, Biden offered help to evacuate the Ukrainian refugees.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declined, saying, “We need ammunition, not a ride.”

In an attempt to show that American forces are ready to help, Biden sent 800 US troops to the Balkan States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, former Soviet republics that are on the border with Russia.

Once again, it shows the tokenism that has characterized the Biden administration.

On February 26, the US, the UK, Canada, and Europe committed to remove some Russian banks from

the SWIFT system – Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication – deploying what the French Finance Minister called a “financial nuclear weapon” because of the damage it would cause to Russia.

At first, Biden was hesitant in supporting the expulsion of Russia from SWIFT. Arguably, it is one measure that appears to strike fear at the heart of the Kremlin, which is to cut Russia from the global banking system.

It is interesting to note that in 2014, Iran was blocked from the SWIFT system because of its nuclear program.

In 2019, then-Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said losing access to SWIFT would be akin to a declaration of war against Russia, which demonstrates how vulnerable – and dangerous – Russia is to such action. I guess that’s what scared Biden.

Deterrent move Indeed, SWIFT would be one deterrence that would stop Russia from further invading Ukraine, simply because it would cause severe economic dislocation in Russia.

It might even bankrupt – and implode – the Russian economy. That’s like dropping a nuclear bomb without the radioactive effect. We might wit-

ness the second disintegration of the former Soviet Empire.

But after Putin broke his word that he’ll never invade Ukraine, Biden was still optimistic that “peace can be achieved for our time.”

“There’s still time to avert the worst-case scenario that will bring untold suffering to millions of people if they move as suggested,” Biden said.

“The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy, if it is serious when all is said and done.

We’re gonna judge Russia by its actions, not its words.”

But Putin’s actions say it all: Ukraine has been invaded and thousands of Ukrainians are running to Poland, Romania, and Hungary. For all intents and purposes, World War III has begun!

But if Biden wants to achieve peace, all he has to do is appease Putin by accepting his demands; to wit: (1) Ukraine promises never to join NATO; (2) Recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea; and (3) Demilitarize Ukraine’s armed forces.

However, Ukraine has stood firm in its resolve to join NATO and the European Union in the future, which was enshrined in Ukraine’s constitution of 2019. Zelensky, ever defiant, said, “We are not (continue on page 12)

12 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE MARCH 5, 2022

BOOK REVIEW

THIRTY YEARS LATER

– Catching Up with the Marcos-Era Crimes

By Rose Cruz Churma

F

ebruary 25, 2022 is the thirty-sixth anniversary of the EDSA People Power revolt that ousted the Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos and sent him and his family into exile in Hawaii.

It is just appropriate to write about this book that “will try to reveal the dirty linen and many scandals previously unknown to the general population.”

In his introduction, author Myles A. Garcia notes that the biggest obstacle he faced in writing this book is the sheer volume of material and its multi-layered nature.

He credits this fact as to why the prosecutors in New York failed to present a focused picture to the jury of the many shell games Marcos planned to cloud the common man’s understanding of the fraud he created.

Garcia wrote that “Marcos made the US embezzler Bernie Madoff look like a rank amateur.”

It is probably one reason why some regard the 1986

uprising, the fraud and human rights violations perpetuated during the Marcos era as “fraudulent information.”

On the other hand, the Marcos family has used that loot to create disinformation, which this book tries to expose. The book was published in 2016 to coincide with the May 2016 elections.

There could have been more information provided, but due to time, space and logistics, the book had to be released but cautions that there may more revelations and updates since then.

Regardless of its date of publication, the book is still relevant as the Philippines is once more faced with another elections with the dictator’s son now running for president.

After a lengthy introduction, the book has ten chapters. The first chapter “The Oldie-garchs v. the Crony-garchs” lists all the wealthiest and politically influential families of the Philippines before martial law.

This chapter describes the socio-economic setting that the Marcoses stepped in as new rulers in 1965-66 and how they created their own bloc of multi-millionaires from the “cronies” – also

listed in detail and how their loyalties were rewarded.

Chapter 2’s “Travels with my Aunt” chronicles Imelda Marcos’s trips abroad and her legendary shopping sprees. Chapter 3, “Babysitting the Dictators in Paradise” is a first-hand account of the extraction of the Marcoses from Manila from US Embassy officials. The fourth chapter, “Art, Gold… and Other Blings” is a documentation of the major purchases of the Marcoses and how they avoided New York City taxes.

Chapter 5, “I’ll Take the Fifth” chronicles the depositions the couple had to face as lawyers from the Philippines and abroad questioned them on their unexplained wealth and on human rights abuses during the Marcos era.

Chapter 6, “Recovering the Stolen Loot” documents the efforts of various entities in recovering the estimated $10.5 billion loot, updated

until 2016 when the book was released.

In Chapter 7, “More Scams, Schemes and Shenanigans” the author lists the fake war records, the Dovie Beams affair including the resume-inflating schemes of the Marcos children.

Chapter 8, “Where are They Now?” is a list of the major characters during the whole Marcos saga and what has become of them. An example is Fabian Ver, one of Marcoses closest people.

The chapter notes as “Marcos Chief of Staff and primary hatchet man, the most loyal of all the henchmen…on live TV coverage in 1986, Ver was seen urging him to order the bombing of rebellious soldiers.” Ver has since died in Bangkok, Thailand in November 1998, and the Marcoses never expressed remorse nore apologized for his misplaced loyalty.

Chapter 9’s “The Climb Back to Power” details the initiatives of the Marcoses even in exile in Hawaii to return to power and describes Marcos’ offer to return $5 billion back in return for his family’s return to the Philippines and not be criminally prosecuted.

With the elder Marcos’ death on September 1989, the rest of the family trickled back to the Philippines and started their well-funded campaigns for political

power. The “Tallano Gold Claim” is also included in this chapter.

Finally in Chapter 10, “What Now, Philippines?” describes the scenario of the 2016 election campaign and ends with the triumph of Rodrigo Duterte as the 12th president, and of Leni Robredo—the widow from Bicol who won “by some 260,000 votes,” a narrow margin—against Bongbong Marcos, who contested it all the way to the Supreme Court.

Garcia left the Philippines in 1972, a month before martial law was declared. He went to high school at the Ateneo de Manila and received his degree in broadcast communications from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. After college, he worked in various advertising agencies in Manila before moving to the US. He is a correspondent for positvelyfilipino.com where two of his articles have won awards. He has written another book titled Secrets of the Olympic Ceremonies and a full-length play called 23 Renoirs, 12 Picassos…

One Domenica. This book is available at Amazon.com. ROSE CRUZ CHURMA established a career in architecture 40 years ago, specializing in judicial facilities planning. As a retired architect, she now has the time to do the things she always wanted to do: read books and write about them, as well as encourage others to write.

(PERRYSCOPE: Putin Resorts....from page 11)

afraid of anyone or anything.”

Meanwhile, the Trump cult has gotten behind Putin.

Following Trump who said that Putin is a “genius,” cult member Mike Pompeo parroted Trump’s praise, saying Putin is “very shrewd, very capable. I have enormous respect for him.”

Tucker Carlson, a FOX News host, had nothing but praises for Putin. But after Putin invaded Ukraine, Carlson changed his tune, which just

shows if he truly means what he says on FOX News.

At the end of the day, while I wish Biden would show more resolve in fighting for the Ukrainians’ independence, I hope that Putin would realize that threatening to use nuclear weapons against the US is nothing more like when children fight, threatening each other but hardly throwing a punch.

In Putin’s case, his threat was nothing more than nuclear

blackmail – mark of a coward – that threatens to use nuclear weapons against the US but doesn’t have the guts to press the First Strike button knowing too well that the US would respond with a devastating Second Strike that could wipe out Moscow off the face of the Earth. PERRY DIAZ is a writer, columnist and journalist who has been published in more than a dozen Filipino newspapers in five countries.

MARCH 5, 2022  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  13

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

Let Peace Reign

By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan

I

was watching the news one morning when my 6-year-old daughter, Callie asked me, “Mom, why is Russia invading Ukraine?” I didn’t realize she was there as I was updating myself of the current events happening around the world.

I couldn’t find the words to tell my daughter. How can I answer her when I myself was trying to understand the situation? All I knew was I felt anxious and heartbroken when I saw the news.

I was overwhelmed with sadness. We are still dealing with a pandemic and then this? There were a lot of questions running in my head.

Could this be the start of a world war? How will this conflict affect my family and my children? What will happen to the civilians in Ukraine?

What future awaits us?

To be able to find the an-

swers to my unending questions, I spent the following days understanding the conflict between the two nations.

I watched different documentaries and news reports to keep myself updated of the events happening in Europe.

I have a big heart for Europe. It was the first continent that welcomed me. And I see myself going back there in the near future. I couldn’t help but be affected by what is happening there. And I should be. Whatever is happening there surely affects everyone in the world, in one way or another.

As I watched videos of bombs falling all over Ukraine, of families getting displaced, of people trying to flee, of dads leaving their children to fight and protect their nation, tears rolled down my eyes.

I haven’t experienced being in a war. I’ve read stories of wars from the Bible, histo-

ry books, movies and the news but I haven’t been caught in one. And I can only imagine the terror it brings, the fear it creates, the pain it inflicts, and the casualty it causes.

At night, as I lay my young children to sleep, I couldn’t help but remember the Ukrainian children who couldn’t sleep well as they hear the deafening sound of missiles as they lie down on cold subway floors to take cover.

Thoughts of moms and dads protecting their children, uncertain of what the future holds haunt me. Images of families fleeing, looking for

places of refuge fill my mind.

My heart goes out to them. My prayers are with them at this difficult time. I urge you to do the same.

Let us stand with the people of Ukraine as they defend their nation. Let us pray for a peaceful resolution. Let us intercede for all the world leaders that they will respond in wisdom. Let us believe for safety and protection for the civilians and innocent people caught in the conflict.

Ultimately, let us declare God’s divine intervention.

May He bring forth healing, comfort and peace upon the people of Ukraine. May light pierce through darkness and love conquer hate.

“Mom, why is Russia invading Ukraine?” asked my daughter. It is a very difficult question to answer.

As a response, I retold the story of David and Goliath. A giant taunting and threatening a young boy. It’s a very simplistic reply to a very complicated dispute.

I don’t know if Ukraine will be able to fight Russia

the way David fought Goliath, but I pray for the schemes of the enemy to be thwarted and for peace to reign between the two nations – neighbors that share borders, language and culture and a long history together. Let us pray for unity to prevail among the nations of the European region and the whole world.

Ukraine is just one of several countries that face constant threats of war. More powerful countries seem to bully smaller ones. We live in a world where greed for power exists.

We live in a world where self seems to be more important than the life of another. We live in a world where love and unity are to be fought for.

But there is hope. Hope can be found in the One who fights our daily battles for us. He still reigns over all.

“He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. ‘Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.’” (Psalm 46:9–10 NLT)

line that they are driven artists.

HT22 is available in seven venues: Bishop Museum, Foster Botanical Garden, Hawaii Theatre Center, Hawaii State Art Museum, Iolani Palace, Honolulu Museum of Art, and

Royal Hawaiian Center.

Admission fees and hours vary by venue. List of hours of operation is available on hawaiicontemporary.org. Entry to Hawaii Theatre Center, Hawaii State Art Museum, and Royal Hawaiian Center is free.

(NEWS FEATURE: Filipino Artists....from page 8)

of the 23rd Biennale of Sydney in Australia. In April, his work will be featured in the courtyard of London’s Somerset House with a fleet of three ships which he calls The Arks of Gimokudan.

It is a commentary on single-use plastics in time for Earth Day on April 22nd. This will be his first large-scale installation in United Kingdom.

Meanwhile at the botanical garden’s orchid observatory, co-founders of Filipino fashion brand Toqa are doing a press conference to talk about their collaboration with fellow artists.

Co-founders Isabel Sicat and Aiala Rickard are wearing their own brand of clothing.

Isabel is in a halter top, mini skirt and a bucket hat while Aiala is wearing a mini dress with a jacket. Their face maska are also from Toqa.

In collaboration with RenkoFloral, Patrick Parsons and Hiraya, their floral installation inside the conservatory is combined with the showing of their Midnight Smoothie video,

which features their clothing collection from the same name.

There is plenty of movement in this short film. “We like running,” Aiala remarks, alluding not only to the physical act of running. Toqa embodies movement, energy and boldness.

The orchid conservatory is adorned with natural materials foraged and found in the garden and elsewhere, painted with splashes of bold colors: cyan and seafoam green, cobalt and bright orange.

It is the Toqa touch, and is evident in their fashion creations. Isabel says Toqa aims to build a world that is louder, more fun and energetic.

The pair said the pandemic impelled them to bring brightness, levity and fun to the world through their clothes and art.

Toqa is not just a clothing company. It encompasses and merges fashion, film, music, and lifestyle.

Their first runway collection, Season One, debuted in the inaugural Manila Biennial

in 2018. Their second collection, Moodyisle, was presented via video instead of live runway to offer everyone a front row seat. Midnight Smoothie is their third collection.

The pair met in Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Isabel graduated with a dual degree in political science from Brown University and fashion design from RISD. Toqa is a 2018 Bench Design Awards Winner and describes their creations as sport-resort fashion with an island girl aesthetic. They aim to promote sustainable high fashion while reducing impact on the environment by using deadstock fabric.

For HT22, the duo comments, “Toqa’s artistic practice is an unabashed embrace of the apparatus of amusement.” They don’t take themselves too seriously and can readily laugh at themselves, but it is apparent in their installation at the orchid conservatory and their clothing

14 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE MARCH 5, 2022

PHILIPPINE LANGUAGE

Siak Ken Ti Panawen Ti Uniberso Ken Ti Sirkumstansia Iti Sidong Ti Nakaparsuaan ILOKO By Amado I. Yoro

Siak ti nakatudo a pluma Adda agkuna natay Dagiti manuskrito A nawingiwingan ti nakatugaw Iti poder ken titulo.

Siak, wen Siak ti daga Inarkosan ti lasag Siak ti dara iti urat Dagiti panaginaw Ken panagluom Sikogen ti nalaus nga ayat Iti sab-ok Inawit ti ina Siak ti rurog Saan a bambanti ngem Inasawa ti kararua Iti panagtignay ken Panagserbi.

Siak ti rikna Impasngay ti utek Masaktan ngem makaibtur Iti awanan nagan a pannakasubok

Siak ti tapok, wen, Ti tapok mailimog iti angin Dalepdepen ti lua ken Ling-et Daytoy ti daga Ti daga a namagaan Kiddit ti pannakaawat Natikagan a kararua.

Kinasiak met daytoy Awitko ti krus Ken padeppa A pakailansaak Iti bitay ti pannakigasanggasat [Saan a siak ti :An Old Man in the Bridge” Ni mannurat a Ernest

Hemingway] Siak: anak ti talon A tiniltil ti rigat ngem kinayawan ti parmata Siak, wen, toy kinanumok isu met ti Kaipapanak a rangtay ti henerasion da Apong Ikko Sakada, Simeon Dagiti nagkallautang iti kaunasan Sirok ti init ken tudo iti Oahu: The Gathering Place.

Iti “Crossroad of the Pacific” ken Iti “Melting Pot of the Pacific” Iti “Land of Joy and Happiness” ni Mannurat a Mark Twain wenno Samuel Clement…

Urbonnak ni apong dapan Juan, da managdakiwas Apong Timot iti Benecia California iti sidiran

Ti Southampton ken Panorama Court Iti Vallejo California Iti kasalmonan iti “Land of the Midnight Sun” Kapadana a mangngalap iti agkatangkatang Iti awanan ridep a tataaw iti Alaska.

Kasilponak ti tugot ni Tata Tosong kunada a quack doctor…

Kasilponak ti henerasion dagiti agpagpagna Dagiti ambisioso ken managbariw-as Dagiti panagtawataw ken panagbirok Ti kaibatogan a langit…

Mayarig iti kunada a Cartapillus Dagiti managtawataw a Judio.

Ngem siak ni napeklan nga Ilokano Managsida iti saluyot ken rabong Patis ken bugguong; naimas latta Ti pinakbet ken kilawen a overnor David Ige an- ment travel requirements. will not be going away anytime napapaitan. nounced March 1 that “The program put in place soon. Ige stressed the important

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Hawaii To End Travel Quarantine, Safe Travels Hawaii Program on March 25

G

travel quarantine and the Safe Travels Hawaii program will end on March 25.

Passengers arriving from domestic flights starting March 26 at 12:01am will no longer have to show their COVID-19 vaccination proof or a pre-travel negative test results as a requirement.

Those who are arriving from international flights are still subject to follow federal govern-

safety protocols that included a multi-layered screening and testing approach that kept our communities safe during the COVID-19 surges that endangered the most vulnerable of our citizens,” said Ige in a release.

“Right now, we are seeing lower case counts, and hospitalizations are coming down.”

While many states have dropped the need to wear masks, Hawaii’s mask mandate

(AS I SEE IT: Zelenskyy’s....from page 10)

Biden’s new economic sanctions on Russia.

“Russia’s unprovoked attack against Ukraine’s national sovereignty and independence is the greatest breach of peace in Europe since World War II and a threat to democracies around the world. It cannot stand,” he said, in a statement.

Congressman Kai Kahele tweeted that the US must hold Putin accountable. “We must hold Putin accountable for the unjustified violation of Ukrainian sovereignty,” he

tweeted.

The impacts of the attack on Ukraine can be felt all the way to Hawaii. Honolulu-resident Valeriya Kamphaus told KITV4 that she feels helpless watching what’s happening to her home country of Ukraine.

“Some of [my family] are safe, very scared though, other ones I haven’t heard from in the last 24 hours,” Kamphaus told KITV4. “I am not sure it is safe to contact them considering where exactly they are located.”

role of masks in keeping low COVID-19 cases in the state, especially during the surge. “[Mask wearing] is also one of the reasons Hawaiʻi has the second lowest death rate in the country,” explained Ige. “We are watching disease activity closely across the state, the country, and globally, and we will adjust accordingly to keep our entire community healthy – from keiki to kupuna.” 

The fighting continues but Ukraine’s military and its citizens army are determined to defend their country even when it will cost their lives.

There is an overwhelming support for Ukraine from the international community which may deter continuation of the war initiated by Russia. ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist in the US. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author @ estiokoelpidio@gmail.com.

Kasilponak met ti sakada Dagiti kayumanggi a gurong Dagiti mangmangged iti sirok ti init Daytoy ti rangtay: siak Daytoy a rangtay a namagkamang Dua nga ungto ti bullalayaw Dagiti ar-araraw: Kunada: Love begets Love.

Ti kari, ti ayat Ti ayat, ti kari Ti strong family ties Ngem anian, anian, anansata, Daytoy a kinapiman ken kinanumo, Apayen a kastoy, kastoy metten Ti aplat ti biag Saan amin a dawa ket namsek Adda bukaw, adda eppes Saan a maikari iti sarusar Dagiti kaimbagan a kaarruba Saanda a masarakan ti ridaw

Ken ti nagdissuan ti umok Dagiti napessaan a piek Kalpasan a makatayabdan Agpatangatang iti kunada Kinatangig.

Ngem nalagda ti pondasion Ti adigi ken panuli Simmalput iti punnuot Ti kaunggan a ramut A saan a kabaelan a Rebbaen dagiti nagballasiw a saka Ken dapandapan dagiti naggapu Iti talon ken kabingkolan Idiay Santa Narcisa Ken iti Quil-quiling Dagiti agbakbaklay ginantong A danum, angot- bawang, lasona ken Tabako iti bangkag ken kainaran.

Siak met ti pannakasubok Ti sabali a panagbangon Ti panagbalbaliw ken panagdaliasat Dagiti adu a nagkurosan ti dalan Adda dagiti agintutuleng, kas met Dagiti agimbubulsek Kalpasan ti panagsagrap Iti ganas ken sam-it ti diro Ken imnas ti mansanas a nagganasanda A kinirabkirab Dagiti nabisinan Dagiti pammedped ti waw Ti bisin, ti apas Ti apal Iti awan nagana A panangumsi ken Panangtallikud ta naibusen Ti anag ti asin a nakipagsepsepanda Iti rekado ti biag…

Nawatiwat ken awan ti sigurado Ti riniwriw a pannubok Ngem adtoyak: bakruyek dagitoy A pannubok…

No ania ti patinggana Umayto ti uged ti panawen…

Siak ken ti pakasaritaak Ikuyogto ti pakaikarianna A kaibatogan.

MARCH 5, 2022  HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE  15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR DR. JOSE RIZAL AWARD GALA| Knights of Rizal - Aloha Chapter | March 6, 2022, at 6:00 p.m | Filipino Community Center | For details, email: juncolme@yahoo.com or rliongson@gmail.com HAWAII TRIENNIAL 2022 | Hawaii Contemporary | Open until May 8, 2022.

Hours vary per venue | Bishop Museum, Foster Botanical Garden, Hawaii Theatre Center, Hawaii State Art Museum, Iolani Palace, Honolulu Museum of Art and Royal Hawaiian Center | HT22 celebrates the unique

SBA RESOURCE DAY | U.S. Small Business Administration | March 30 at 9am–2:30pm | First Hawaiian Bank, 1580 Kapiolani Boulevard | SBA continues to empower small business owners with its free resource day. Small business owners can ask SBA about loans for working capital, long-term financing options for business renovations and government contracting certifications and assistance. In addition, 30-minute confidential consultations will be available for free. Appointments are required while walk-ins may be accepted if time allows. To attend, contact FHB’s Douglas Okamura at sdokamura@fhb.com.

cultures in Hawaii through contemporary art.

Visit multiple art galleries and installations from 43 artists and collectives from Asia Pacific, Hawaii and beyond, including Filipino artist Leeroy New’s Taklobo art installation at Foster Botanical Garden.

RETIREMENT SAVINGS PROGRAM WEBINAR | AARP | March 8 at 12–12:30pm, March 9 at 7:30–8am and 3–3:30pm | Do you have enough money to retire? Learn how to jumpstart your retirement fund in this free webinar. Register at aarp.cventevents. com/HIsaves3-8.

HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS

Wahiawa District Park Gym Has Reopened

A

fter years of renovation, the Wahiawa District Park Gym is now welcoming residents back.

The park was under improvement projects in the last few years including electrical rewiring, swimming pool renovation, skate park redevelopment, outdoor courts resurfacing and Hale Koa room reroofing.

“Through this dedicated work, Wahiawā District Park has

been revitalized and can once again be more fully enjoyed by community members of all ages ̶ and serve as a focal point in our

community,” said District 2 Councilmember Heidi Tsuneyoshi in a press release.

“I look forward to seeing the park full of life where many, many wonderful memories will be made for years to come!”

The park gym’s reopening and blessing ceremony was on

February 18. The event consisted of Councilmember Tsuneyoshi, Senior Advisor Mike Sakata, Community Liaison Kelly Anaya, Department of Parks and Recreation Director Laura Thielen, Senator Donovan Dela Cruz’s representative David Cho, Representative Amy Perruso, New Hope Wahiawā Pastor Lori Shimabukuro and Native Practitioner Lilette Subedi. Wahiawa Police Station’s Captain Paul Okamoto, Wahiawa Community

Policing Team’s Corporal Nicholas Shane Muna and Officer Tim Iinuma were also present.

Community members also attended the ceremony such as Wahiawā Lions Club, Rotary Club of Wahiawā-Waialua, Leilehua Alumni and Community Association and Wahiawā-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board.

Wahiawa District Park is located at 1129 Kilani Avenue, Wahiawa, HI.

(COVER STORY: Hawaii’s Rent....from page 5)

Section 8 will pay landlords directly on their behalf.

Section 8 is a federally funded program designed to assist very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.

Eligible families at or be-

low the very low (50% of the median income for Honolulu) income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

For a household of two, applicants must be making below $48,350 or a household of 4, below $60,400.

For more information

on Section 8 eligibility, visit https://www.honolulu.gov/ cms-dcs-menu/site-dcs-sitearticles/1339-cad-section-8-eligibility.html * Informational resources: • State Landlord-Tenant Hotline (808-586-2634) • Legal Aid Society of

Hawaii (808-536-4302) The Emergency Broad• The Legal Aid Society of band Benefit can help eligible Hawaii has additional re- households with internet bills sources for rent and mort- and in some cases, buy lapgage assistance statewide. tops, desktops, and tablet com• h t t p s : / / w w w . l e - puters: https://www.fcc.gov/broadg a l a i d h a w a i i . o rg / i bandbenefit cant-pay-my-rent-mortgage.

(Sagot sa Krosword Blg. 16 | February 19 2021) html

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MARCH 5, 2022