HAWAII-FILIPINO NEWS
haWaii emergency Proclamation to addreSS condo inSurance criSiS
FEATURE marie uytingco
WaSnock on finding her dream Job at the Peabody muSeum
AS I SEE IT
Profile: PhiliP Sabado, the filam artiSt from maui
CANDID PERSPECTIVES
harriS’ diverSity coalition reviveS SenSe of identity PoliticS even among filiPinoS
Publisher & Executive Editor
It appears there will be an imminent retaliatory strike by Iran for the recent double assassinations by Israel, one in Lebanon, and more consequentially, the other of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil, which is in violation of national sovereignty and security. Military experts inside and outside Iran say it’s just a matter of time for that retaliation to happen.
While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination of Haniyeh in Iran, it’s understood by most that Israel was behind it and that it was ordered by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The assassination of Haniyah sends two clear messages: first that targeting Haniyah, one of the chief political negotiators in the ongoing ceasefire talks, tells us that Netanyahu is not interested in ending the war; and second, that targeting Haniyah in Iran (of all places) when Haniyah was there for the inauguration of Iran’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian, also tells us that Netanyahu wants to expand the war into a regional conflict. This has been his intention all along as he constantly raises the benchmark of peace negotiations after Hamas agrees to terms, only to bail out of negotiations.
U.S. officials claim the United States was not notified ahead of time of the Iran assassination and is working diplomatic channels to convince Iran not to retaliate. But Iranian academics say the U.S. failed in containing Netanyahu after Iran’s April strike which was in response to an earlier assassination at the Iranian Consulate in Syria. Iranians gave the U.S. advanced notice of that strike to minimize damage. This time, Iranian analysts say, Iran will most likely send a stronger message – possibly using more sophisticated weapons, launch a surprise attack or perhaps hit important strategic targets.
They also emphasize that Iran is not interested in escalation of a wider conflict and only seeks to establish a meaningful deterrence. Ironically, they view violent deterrence, possibly one that could result in casualties, as an act in favor of long-term peace. That’s what deterrence is in strategic warfare.
Netanyahu’s timing for escalation is calculating. He’s considered, perhaps, that there is a short window to get the U.S. mired in direct war as a new U.S. administration loom. If Kamala Harris wins, there’s a likelihood for stronger pressure for a ceasefire and greater aversion for U.S engaging in direct war with Iran, something Netanyahu has been pushing for decades. Netanyahu understands well the art of war – that as soon as a country directly engages, it’s difficult to bail out. In addition, nationalism and newfound fervor quickly follows the outbreak of direct war. The current, prevailing anti-war movement in the U.S. among Americans could dramatically shift once the U.S. engages and American soldiers’ lives are at risk. His probable aim is to get the U.S. involved in direct war before Harris is elected. With a Trump administration, he gets a green light.
Americans should be asking…
The big question, then, is why should the American go-
Could it be the calm before the storm, that the U.S. could be drawn into a regional war to include Iran?
Anxiety is building from coast to coast, our Pacific islands chain and the world over what could take place. Although the U.S. is thousands of miles from the theater of war in the Middle East, what goes on there could have global impact – lives lost, billions more money spent for war, a deep recession, or heaven forbid, the beginning of WWIII.
For our cover story, HFC associate editor and political analyst Edwin Quinabo does a comprehensive reporting on the dramatic events unfolding – what triggered the current escalation, what top leaders are doing to prevent an expanded regional war, what academics and analysts say could play out militarily in an Iran retaliation on Israel, who are all the major nation-actors in this conflict and their global military ranking, and more. Members in our Filipino community share their concerns, perspectives of a possible wider regional war and what could bring about a peaceful resolution.
Also in this issue, HFC columnist Emil Guillermo contributes “Harris’ Diversity Coalition Revives Sense of Identity Politics—Even Among Filipinos.”
Just when you think identity politics like DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) is being pushed out of American mainstream by Republicans making it as part of their cultural war, we see that identity politics is making a strong comeback with Kamala Harris. Find out how in Emil’s article.
Speaking of Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee made her choice for vice president, the Gov of Minnesota Tim Walz. Our second editorial looks into how Walz compares to Donald Trump’s VP pick JD Vance and how these two could enhance or bring down their respective campaigns.
In the news, we have an important article on Gov Josh Green’s emergency proclamation to address Hawaii’s volatile condominium insurance market. Hawaii residents are livid and concerned over the massive rate increase in their property insurance rates that have skyrocketed by 1,000%. Many Hawaii residents living on a fixed income simply cannot afford the jump in rate, so the state has stepped in. Find out how this emergency proclamation could offer some relief.
Also, in this issue we profile two interesting Filipinos from different walks of life. First, HFC contributor Renelaine Bontol Pfister submits “Marie Uytingco Wasnock on Finding Her Dream Job at The Peabody Museum” and HFC columnist Elpidio Estioko contributes “Philip Sabado, the FilAm Artist from Maui.” We hope you enjoy these articles as well as our other interesting columns and news.
Lastly, we’re pleased to announce that traffic on our web page (thefilipinochronicle.com) has been steadily increasing. We’ve revamped our web page to make it more user-friendly to navigate through our current and back issues. Please tell your friends and family that they can access a free digital copy of each issue on our website. Thank you for your support. Until the next issue, Aloha and Mabuhay!
Charlie Y. Sonido, M.D.
Publisher & Managing Editor
Chona A. Montesines-Sonido
Associate Editors
Edwin QuinaboDennis Galolo
Contributing
Editor
Belinda Aquino, Ph.D.
Design
Junggoi Peralta
Photography
Tim Llena
Administrative Assistant
Lilia Capalad
Editorial & Production Assistant
Jim Bea Sampaga
Columnists
Carlota Hufana Ader
Rose Cruz Churma
Elpidio R. Estioko
Willie Espero
Perry Diaz
Emil Guillermo
Gary Hooser
Arcelita Imasa, M.D.
Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
J.P. Orias
Charlie Sonido, M.D.
Emmanuel S. Tipon, Esq.
Contributing Writers
Clement Bautista
Edna Bautista, Ed.D.
Teresita Bernales, Ed.D.
Sheryll Bonilla, Esq.
Dr. Dylan Bothamley
Serafin Colmenares Jr., Ph.D.
Linda Dela Cruz
Carolyn Weygan-Hildebrand
Amelia Jacang, M.D.
Caroline Julian
Max Levin
Raymond Ll. Liongson, Ph.D.
Federico Magdalena, Ph.D.
Matthew Mettias
Maita Millalos
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 LarsonDitas Udani
Kauai
Millicent Wellington
Maui
Christine Sabado
Big Island Distributors
Grace LarsonDitas Udani
Kauai Distributors
Amylou Aguinaldo
Nestor Aguinaldo
Maui Distributors
Cecille PirosRey Piros
Molokai Distributor
Maria Watanabe
Oahu Distributors
Yoshimasa Kaneko
Shalimar / Jonathan Pagulayan
Advertising / Marketing Director
Chona A. Montesines-Sonido
Account Executives
Carlota Hufana Ader
JP Orias
All the right moves
– that’s been Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign to date. Her first major decision of the campaign was to select a VP running mate who would both complement her vision for the country and enhance her viability by bringing in new groups of voters to her side.
Her choice of Gov of Minnesota Tim Walz was a smart choice. With Walz, Kamala broadens the ticket’s appeal. He is from the Midwest. Kamala is from the West Coast. He is from rural America. Kamala is an urbanite from the Bay Area. He is a male Caucasian. Kamala is mixed race African and Asian American. He, of late as a governor, leans progressive-left. Kamala is a centrist much like President Joe Biden.
Kamala also had to find the right candidate to unify the Democratic Party which had experienced deep splintering over the war in Gaza, pitting progressives against establishment Democrats. While Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro (the former frontrunner to VP) checked high marks among establishment Democrats and wealthy donors in the party, there were a few potential landmines in his past that Harris likely felt could have been too divisive and would waste too much time defending.
Walz comes in with a clean slate and is a popular
vernment be putting all our backing in Israel? Why are our leaders sleepwalking us into war that most Americans do not want? Clearly, Americans are being jerked and played. The answer if we are honest: it’s in part because of race and religion (relative to Israel’s neighbors), in part because of Americans’ financial interests in Israel, and more importantly, because AIPAC and powerful and wealthy supporters of Israel in the U.S. want us to.
choice among the moderate-establishment wing of the party and progressive elements. So much so that he received praises from both Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez in the House, as well as Joe Manchin and Bernie Sanders in the Senate – spanning the entire spectrum of the Democratic Party.
During Walz time in the U.S. House, he was known to be a moderate, blue dog.
As Governor of Minnesota, his record of providing free school lunches, protecting abortion rights, investing in affordable housing, supporting universal gun background checks, and instituting clean energy among other measures – earned him progressive credibility.
Democrats were exceedingly amped over Walz’ selection that right after the Governor was announced as VP choice, the progressive fund-raising platform ActBlue recorded an average of $3 million an hour for the first halfday, according to the New York Times. Since the Walz announcement, the Harris campaign has raised $36 million, AP reports.
The Governor of Minnesota isn’t a household name. Walz was chairman of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), a post he just resigned from because of
give into collective amnesia but remember the lessons of the Iraq-Afghanistan wars that cost about eight trillion dollars since 9/11 and an estimated 897,000 to 929,000 deaths (includes U.S. military members, allied fighters, opposition fighters, civilians, journalists and humanitarian aid workers), according to the Costs of War Project at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.
his selection to VP. He’s been the Governor of Minnesota since 2019 and has extensive executive experience leading one of the largest states in the Midwest with close to 6 million residents.
In addition to his executive experience, he has legislative experience having served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2019 where many of his colleagues are still in office which could bolster chances for Harris’ legislative proposals.
Prior to public office, he was a schoolteacher for many years and is a retired U.S. Army non-commissioned officer with the Army National Guard.
His colleagues in Congress describe him as being very smart and always filled with joy. Some say he’s focused, goal-driven and hopeful, which characteristics were perfect during his time as a state champion high school coach.
In a time of radical uncertainty in the U.S. and globally, Walz supporters say he brings a sense of certainty and security like a dad – “America’s dad,” as this moniker of him is sticking as he sweeps the campaign trail. He’s seen as “normal” in a good way, as opposed to his coining of his Republican counterpart JD Vance as just “weird.” A steady, stable normalizing force perhaps is what’s needed in these tumultuous times.
Trump’s VP Vance is unpopular and said to be a drag on Trump. Contrary to Walz’s universal acceptance by his political party, MAGA diehards are calling for Vance to be replaced.
Vance’s attack on adults without children is infantilism. How does alienating this sector of the population boosts the Trump campaign? Indirectly, this attack is clearly meant to resurrect the old GOPs mantra of, “we’re the party of traditional family values.” But that’s rich when considering Trump isn’t exactly the traditional family man being twice divorced, have multiple children from three different woman, and is alleged to have been committing adultery while Melania was pregnant.
Vance’s background transitioning from childhood poverty to U.S. Senator is certainly a remarkable feat and deserving to be applauded. He brings diversity to the GOP with his Asian Indian spouse. His life is inspirational and respectable, absolutely. But Vance’s ideological conservative extremism – especially his stance on abortion, goes against the values of most Americans. For example, he was unclear about whether abortion should be legal exceptions in cases of rape or incest, giving an ambiguous
comment, “Look, I think two wrongs don’t make a right. At the end of day, we are talking about an unborn baby. What kind of society do we want to have? A society that looks at unborn babies as inconveniences to be discarded?” –according to POLITIFACT. Vance’s “populist purity” can also be called to question. He’s a Yale Law School graduate, worked as a corporate lawyer and venture capitalist with billionaire Peter Thiel as his donor-boss – that’s hardly a resume MAGA populists could truly connect with or relate. However, in fairness to Vance, he is somewhat of an economic populist. He’s resisted further reducing of the corporate tax rate (something Trump supports) and supports limiting large corporate mergers. The latter is maverick and bold given that he’s worked as a venture capitalist. These economic populist stances have even been of concern to Wall Street elites that did not support Vance during Trump’s VP deliberation. But ultimately, when comparing Walz’s populist cred to Vance’s – it’s clear Walz has the upper hand. Polls also favor Walz. A YouGov survey shows Walz with a net favorability rating of +11 compared to Vance’s -9. It appears in the last stretch toward the General Election, Walz could be that energy drink to carry the Harris campaign through the finish line, while Vance will be that extra weight burdening an already tired and elderly Trump.
What Americans should remember Americans must not
The study states, “The Pentagon and the U.S. military have now absorbed the great majority of the federal discretionary budget, and
most people don’t know that. Our task, now and in future years, is to educate the public on the ways in which we fund those wars and the scale of that funding.”
What historians and most Americans now know is that the Iraq-Afghanistan war was a monumental failure, not just in cost spent and lives lost, but in its objective. The goal was to defeat terror in the Middle East. That obviously did not happen.
What Americans should also consider is that Iran is far larger and stron(There Must Be ....from page 2)
(continue on page 7)
By Edwin Quinabo
The world is waiting with bated breath in how Iran will retaliate after Israel orchestrated the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and the killing of a Hezbollah military commander in Beirut, Lebanon. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the new Iranian president’s inauguration when he was killed.
Iran’s vow to retaliate threatens to throw the current conflict into a regional war that could draw in the United States.
Following Haniyeh’s killing, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said it was his country’s “duty” to retaliate. “We consider it our duty to avenge his blood in this bitter and difficult incident that happened in the territory of the Islamic Republic.”
Newly installed Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Tehran would “definitely” respond to Israel in retaliation for the assassination. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is in no way seeking to expand the scope of war and crisis in the region, but this regime [Israel] will definitely receive a response for its crimes and insolence.”
Hamas’ military wing said Haniyeh’s killing will “take the battle to new dimensions and have major repercussions.”
President Joe Biden said the U.S. would “support Israel’s defense against threats,” which would include “new defensive U.S. military deployments.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said officials are working “around the clock” to prevent an escalation. The U.S. has been asking countries that have diplomatic relations with Iran to urge the country not to escalate the conflict, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said
“We’re at a critical moment for the region,” Miller told NBC News, “And it’s important that all parties take steps over the coming days to refrain from escalation and calm tensions. Escalation is in no one’s interest,” he said.
U.S. military presence in the Middle East
While talks of diplomacy continues,
the Pentagon said the U.S. was dispatching additional warships capable of intercepting ballistic missiles to the U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command areas. U.S. warships helped shoot down Iranian drones and missiles during Tehran’s massive attack on Israel in April this year in retaliation for another assassination. On April 1, 2024, Israel conducted an airstrike on the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, Syria.
Sent to the region is the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which includes the aircraft carrier, destroyers and other warships. The USS Wasp amphibious assault ship and several other Navy vessels are currently operating in the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt that was on a short-term deployment to the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln is the fourth U.S. carrier sent to respond to ongoing crises in the Middle East since October.
Besides direct conflict between Iran and Israel. An escalated war could include:
• Iran’s main proxies in the Middle East (Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen).
• The U.S. is committed to providing defense for Israel.
• Russia has a Security Mutual Military Aid Agreement with Iran, and both countries have been exchanging military weapons and technology since Russia invaded Ukraine. In a protracted war with Israel, Russia will aid Iran. It may not be immediately, military experts say, but their mutual aid agreement almost guarantees it in a protracted war. The extent of direct or indirect intervention is unclear. Russia’s Secretary of Security Council Sergei Shoigu was in Tehran for strategic talks just days after the Hamas leader’s assassination.
• Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan has raised the possibility numerous times that Turkey could enter Israel in support of Palestine. Recently, he said it was a possibility Turkey would enter an expanded war if Israel attacked Lebanon in a full-scale operation.
• China has not offered military support to Iran like Russia has. It’s unclear what role China would play in the event of an expanded conflict. China is an ally of Iran and Iran provides China with multi-millions of barrels of oil annually. China is Iran’s top oil importer. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi condemned the assassination of Haniyeh. “China supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security and national dignity in accordance with the law, and in its efforts to maintain regional peace and stability, and stands ready to maintain close communication with Iran,” Wang said.
The countries expected to be directly or indirectly involved are among the top military powers globally. Looking at Globalfirepower.com’s power index, ranking the world’s military by strength, here are the ranking of countries mentioned: Iran 14th, Israel 17th (main countries in an expanded conflict), the U.S. 1st, Russia 2nd (will support main countries in conflict), China 3rd, Turkey 8th (countries that could get involved, but less likely directly). The UK (6th) and France (11th) assisted in Iran’s strike on Israel in April this year, but it’s un(continue on page 5)
clear if they would do the same or to what extent in a future attack given both country’s new majorities from last month’s elections that tend to be softer on foreign military adventurism.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu not only acted as the main provocateur to expanding war in the latest two assassinations, but he also threatened to preemptively strike Iran before Iran retaliates for those assassinations. Netanyahu believes Israel is already in an expanded war with Iran through Iran’s proxies in Lebanon and Yemen, calling all three the “Axis of Terror.”
Why does Netanyahu favors escalation?
• Israel cannot defeat Iran and escalation could draw in the U.S. to do the job. During Netanyahu’s recent visit to speak before the U.S. Congress, he repeated Iran is not just Israel’s enemy, but the U.S.’ He said Iran’s conflict with Israel and the U.S. is a clash of “barbarism vs. civilization,” rhetoric aimed at drawing American support for the U.S. to join a fight against Iran, a country that most military experts say Israel cannot defeat alone unless the U.S. joins in an expanded conflict. Netanyahu has been trying to engage the U.S. in a conflict with Iran for years.
• Netanyahu faces corruption charges. Israeli political experts say Netanyahu wants to keep the war in Gaza going and escalate it because he will likely be removed from office as soon as the war ends and be charged with corruption charges that he faced before the war started on October 7 last year. As Prime Minister, Netanyahu currently has immunity from these corruption charges. Seventy percent of Israelis want Netanyahu to step down and Israelis have been demonstrating in the streets in the thousands calling for a snap election.
Professor Nasr Vali of Johns Hopkins University, a former senior advisor at the U.S. State Department, says Israel is goading Iran into a war and we are witnessing a watershed moment in the world: “The international liberal order is truly dead if the upholder of its core values since World War II no longer really believes in those values or applies them extremely selectively.”
Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Commission, said, “Iran’s aerial operations against Israel could last three to four days,” he told the Jerusalem Post.
Military experts said Iran’s historic first-ever strike on Israel in April was carefully sign-posted and choreographed in concert with the U.S. with the deliberate intention of minimizing harm or damage. The understanding was that the U.S. would restrain Israel and ensure Iran was not attacked again. Iran notified the U.S. hours ahead of time before launching slow drones which took hours before reaching Israel.
Professor Mohammad Marandi, a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiations team, said “With hindsight,
that [April] deterrence was not enough, and so this time around, the Iranians are going to have to hit harder. The Europeans and Americans refused to stop the Israelis from carrying out attacks, so Iran cannot depend on sane European leaders or sane American leaders.”
He adds, “Countries across the global south don’t want to see a global economic meltdown – because if there is a regional war, that’s what’s going to happen. If the Americans get involved, let’s say, and strike Iran, all those countries that host American bases in the Persian Gulf region, they will be [viewed as] hostile. All those oil and gas installations, they’ll be gone. In Iraq, the Americans will be overrun. The global economy will collapse,” Marandi told the Jerusalem Post.
Experts say Iran does not want escalation, but to
“The U.S. should support peace and conflict resolution at all costs. If it continues to send money and weapons to defend Israel and deter more terroristic acts, it must also consider proportionate funding and resources to defend and protect innocent lives in Palestine and Gaza, while actively negotiating ceasefire proposals and calling for a release of all hostages. It is not in the best interest for America to engage in a full-military war on behalf of Israel. The U.S. must be committed to gathering Middle East leaders together and negotiating a consensus for immediate cease-fire resolutions while providing humanitarian aid to those suffering in the conflict. Working for peace, (instead of fighting violence with violence) is the only way all countries can win and find common ground.”
– Bernadette Baraquio Honolulu, Media Design & Production
establish future deterrence. It seeks to calculate enough of a retaliation in Israel for deterrence, but not to trigger widespread escalation. But they also say, any strike on Israel could be a risk because that’s what Netanyahu is wanting to further escalate with yet another possible attack on Iran after its retaliation.
Iranian experts also say a controlled retaliation, not all-out attack, is in Iran’s best interest in the war of public opinion. Currently, the world sees Israel as the aggressor and Iran would not want to suddenly make Israel the perceived victims to the world.
There also has been another scenario floated that Iran could forgo a retaliatory strike if Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza.
influence
Americans against fur-
ther escalation has accused Biden of sleepwalking the U.S. into a war that Americans do not want. They accuse AIPAC, the largest American Jewish lobby, of dictating foreign policy in the U.S. by pressuring Biden and Congress. Americans’ public opinion on Israel has vastly changed since the first months of the war from support then to now Israel losing all credibility as civilian deaths in Gaza keep rising.
Anti-war groups also claim there is a hush campaign strategy, saying Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris is not talking much about the war because she doesn’t want to alienate before the elections voters who want a change of course in the Middle East or alienate those who agree with the current course. Political strategists say Biden was hurt by talking too frequently about the war and they don’t want Harris to make the same mistake.
Contrary to a closer consensus that support Ukraine, polls show most Americans favor an end to
the war in Gaza which they see as one-sided. Many view the killings of Gazan civilians with deep revulsion and horror.
Bernadette Baraquio, Honolulu, Media Design & Production, said “The U.S. should support peace and conflict resolution at all costs. If it continues to send money and weapons to defend Israel and deter more terroristic acts, it must also consider proportionate funding and resources to defend and protect innocent lives in Palestine and Gaza, while actively negotiating ceasefire proposals and calling for a release of all hostages.” She adds, “It is not in the best interest for America to engage in a full-military war on behalf of Israel. The U.S. must be committed to gathering Middle East leaders together and negotiating a consensus for immediate cease-fire resolutions while providing humanitarian aid to those suffering in the conflict. Working for peace, (instead of fighting violence with violence) is the only way all countries can win and find common ground.”
Baraquio says she is a strong proponent of (continue on
By Gary Hooser
resident Biden’s decision to step down makes space for the new leadership we so desperately need to step up.
PHawai’i voters must demand our local entrenched political leadership do the same.
Thank you President Joe Biden for doing the right thing.
As we move forward now down this new path, it’s critically important we stay focused on the hope and promise of the future. Let’s work together to build bridges, not walls.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both should have stepped aside a long time ago, shifting their energy to supporting the young emerging leaders of both
parties - of which there is no shortage.
The physical realities of growing old are real and have a tangible impact on performance. But it’s not so much about age as it is about entrenchment in the system.
Here in Hawai’i, Speaker of the House Scott Saiki (District 25) has served in the State House of Representatives for 30 years.
We also have 84-yearold State Senator Lorraine Inouye of Hilo who has served in the legislature for multiple decades.
It’s well past time for them as well as many other state legislators and local councilmembers who’ve been in the system way too long to move on - to step back so others may step forward.
Both Speaker Saiki and Senator Inouye are running
(COVER STORY: The Storm ....from page 5) peace-making activities in part because as a Catholic, she believes in Jesus’ teachings to spread peace, love and joy across the globe. She also said in certain cases of brutal terrorism, gross genocide, mass human rights violations, it is a right and responsible action to stand and defend innocents from horrific war crimes. She cites WWII as an example where war was justified against the atrocities carried out by Nazi fascists and Japanese imperialists. “However, I would not have supported the horrific decision to drop nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing thousands of innocent civilians just to prove global dominance,” Baraquio said.
Roland Casamina, CEO and President of a finance company in Honolulu, believes the U.S. should support Israel by sending weapons only and not financial aid, and “definitely no U.S troops on the ground.” However, he adds, “In the latest news where Iran may retaliate and if Russia and
for reelection against bright up-and-coming new candidates who have the knowledge, experience, and core values required of every candidate seeking to serve.
But more importantly, they have the drive, commitment, and that all-important fire-in-the-belly desperately needed at this particular point in time.
There are at least another dozen examples of next-generation leaders, pushing hard now against the old guard in their quest to serve in public office - in local elections across all islands.
The old guard brought us to where we are today, and it’s time for the old guard to go.
Thousands of our neighbors huddle in tents, under bridges, and in doorways. Our sons and daughters, friends, co-workers, and school-mates from long ago,
China get involved, then the U.S. should definitely send troops and unfortunately it becomes World War III.”
Casamina recognizes that Israel has lost support from most of the world including many in the U.S. because of civilian casualties. But he insists even if Israel does not comply with the U.S. government’s calls for a ceasefire, the U.S. should continue sending weapons to show support for its allies, “Not sending weapons definitely is not a choice,” he said.
In the past, Casamina supported sending U.S. troops to Iraq. Now, he supports Ukraine against Russia.
Fred Magdalena, Ph.D., Honolulu, an academic, believes the U.S. should only supply Israel with money and weapons, but it should seek to influence Israel to stop the war with Hamas, “because the ordinary Palestinians have already suffered the brunt of that deadly war with untold damages.” He explains, “The war
are leaving Hawaii because there’s simply no place affordable for them to live.
Meanwhile the uberrich smile down at us from their multimillion-dollar condominiums, beachfront homes, fake farms, and riverfront mansions.
Our once pristine natural environment grows less so by the day. The mountain streams, the coral reefs, our sandy beaches, all will be gone soon - sold off to the highest bidder.
The old guard brought us here and you can bet whatever meager savings you might have, they will not be the ones who get us to a better place.
The old guard in Hawai’i must go.
They’re entrenched in their power and position, and they will continue to protect themselves and their friends until we show them the door.
Of course, we should be kind and gentle, respectful and polite - but we should and must show them the door nevertheless.
Yes, many are good people who’ve served for many good years, but the grind of time inevitably erodes the once-sharp edge of hope and idealism.
The creep of corruption begins with accepting the status quo, “This is the way things always have been, and I must go along to get along”.
There’s too much at stake to look the other way and act like we don’t see.
We can and must vote out the old guard and vote in new leadership, new energy, and new hope.
GARY HOOSER is a former Hawai’i State Senator and Majority Leader
with Hamas has crossed the line. It’s now considered by pundits as a crime against humanity. It’s not Hamas that is paying the price of unprovoked attack against Israel, the civilians are especially women and children.” He believes Biden can still increase the pressure by threatening Netanyahu to stop the war without losing face.
“Don’t provide Israel with diplomatic support and stop supplying military aid if Netanyahu continues with his intransigence.”
On the possibility of escalation, he said, “It’s not proper to take sides with Israel in a possible war with Iran or another Islamic nation.” Magdalena considers himself a pacifist and believes that war should be fought for defense only. “But defense must have its limit, if the enemy is already down and crippled. A third party with clout, for example, the U.S., should now exert all effort for the warring groups to come to the negotiating table and talk
about the possibility of peace, no matter how temporary. As a Christian, I object to all wars. Violence only begets more violence. Nobody wins, everybody loses,” Magdalena said.
Patricio N. Abinales, Honolulu, Professor at the University of Hawai’i-Manoa, said the U.S government has committed itself to the interest of the Israeli state as far back as its formation. “It will have to respect this long-standing alliance and if you add to that the pressure of influential pro-Israel groups in the United States, then I am 100% sure that if the war in the Middle East escalates with Iran now openly supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, the U.S. will have to increase its presence, even send land troops to fight alongside the Israelis.”
He believes neither China nor Russia would join Iran to fight directly in an escalated war. “Both countries would send military assistance, but not troops. They would wait
for Israel, Iran and the U.S. to weaken themselves and then slowly expand their spheres of influences.”
On justifying U.S. intervention, Abinales said, “Politically the U.S. will have to intervene because ironically, even if its leadership is now ultra-conservative and anti-Arab and despite its long history of oppressing the Palestinians, Israel is one of two liberal states in the region. It is surrounded by brutal autocrats (Assad in Syria, El Sisi of Egypt), monarchs (like Hussein of Jordan), and pro-Iran forces in southern Lebanon. Beyond Lebanon and Jordan are the religious regimes of Saudi Arabia and Iran. So, would you risk the collapse of Israel as a democratic state?”
Abinales believes there are just wars and just conflicts. An example, he said if the Philippines had a sufficient military capability, he would support a Philippines military liberation of the Spratley Islands (continue on page 7)
By Emil Guillermo
Having pride in being a Filipino American and voting shouldn’t be considered anti-American.
But an America divided by MAGA has vilified the idea of identity politics.
It goes hand in hand with the anti-DEI wave that’s trying to snuff out the modern civil rights movement.
So here comes the good news.
If you thought the dismantling of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs in higher ed and corporate America meant diversity as a value in America was dead, think again.
Kamala (as Harris says, “rhymes with mama-la”) just woke America back up using skills we all learned
from the Chinese.
Mark Castro, Makakilo, retiree, who is deeply concerned about war as a devout Catholic, said of a possible escalation with Iran, “Americans do not want to be locked into another costly, drawn-out war in the Middle East like what happened with Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m encouraged that most Americans do not agree with the direction the U.S. government is taking in supporting Israel. We’re already being stretched in our financial support for Israel in Gaza. Imagine how many more billions it would cost American taxpayers and maybe American lives if the U.S. directly engages with Iran.”
He says it’s not just about the money, but he sees Israel as an aggressor in the region. “It [Israel] is a pseudo democracy, meaning it’s a democracy for Israelis, but also an apartheid state in its occupied territories in Gaza and the
from the pandemic.
The Zoom call as a mass fundraising appeal is definitely alive and well.
Asian American Filipinos got their call on July 30.
I’m checking it out only as a reporter, as the call will have Filipino American politicians like California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaking. You don’t have to contribute. But you can see for yourself if the buzz is for real.
The call comes a day after the so-called “white dudes for Kamala” had their call and drew 200,000 participants. It included actor Jeff Bridges, who declared “I’m white, I’m a dude, and I’m for Harris.”
The “white dudes” raised more than $4 million,
West Bank. You cannot be a democracy and practice apartheid at the same time. That’s counterintuitive.”
Castro said, “The U.S. has many allies besides Israel in the region like Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. They’re not democratic states, but allies, nonetheless. For the most part these allies are free market nations, which is more significant as the history of U.S relations with the world shows. The U.S. has supported monarchs – not just democracies -- in the past like Mohammed Reza Pahlav, the Shah, last monarch of Iran in the 1970s and helped to overthrow democratically elected governments in Chile and Nicaragua. Let’s keep it real about democracy as being the reason for our support for Israel.
“This idea of needing to create an ‘Israel’ like what Biden said years ago, alluding that there is a need for an ally in that region -again, we have many there
a slightly greater amount than the call last week with more than 200,000 white women who raised $3.5 million.
Other recent Zoom calls included South Asian women (10,000 attendees/ $285,000 raised) and Latino Women (5,000 attendees/$110,000 raised).
The frenzy began after the two big kickoffs last week—sorority-based Black women (90,000 at-
today. It also would cost the U.S. much less money to cultivate deeper relations with others like Egypt, for example, than Israel.”
Castro said. “It’s not in the
tendees/$1.5 million raised, followed by Black men (232,000 attendees/$1.3 million raised).
It’s all part of a record haul after just one week (over $200 million in all) that shows Grassroots America is falling hard for Kamala Harris.
Not so much for Trump/ Vance. Their big news is the campaign is spending a lot less now on criminal defense lawyers.
interest of Americans, or for the world, that we’re potentially committing to a greater war to support an out-of-control leader in Netanyahu who, frankly, is
(EDITORIAL: There Must Be ....from page 3)
ger than Iraq and is laden with high-tech weaponry (which they did not use in the April -- mostly cheap, dumb drones -- barrage).
U.S military experts are aware of Iran’s military potency which is why the U.S. has been trying to contain Netanyahu from starting a war with Iran.
It is not in the U.S.’s best interest to participate in a major escalation. Rather, the U.S. government should be putting conditional support on Israel, and we should take a hard look at long-term cost-benefits in our relationship with Israel.
Some Middle Eastern academics even make the argument that U.S. enemies in the region are only their enemies because of
Harris’ surge also signals a revival of identity politics too often tamped down by Trump’s divisive MAGA beliefs. We’re all being liberated by the force that is Harris.
In response, the best put-down a GOP commentator on CNN could muster was to decry it all as the “Democrat obsession with racial segregation.”
Typical response. It’s not segregation to bring disparate people together in a coalition. That’s a celebration of diversity’s strength.
The GOP can’t handle diversity
But the GOP remains burdened by the same negative attitude used to diss ethnic studies in the past as “basket weaving” or in our present day as “critical race theory.”
(continue on page 14)
not behaving like an ally. Allies listen to each other, not act independently and take for granted historical ties to save the day, at great cost.”
U.S. backing of Israel. This is a credible argument. Enforce iron-clad conditional support onto Israel and it will have no option but to comply because Israel certainly cannot win a war on its own. Ten months and counting, and Hamas hasn’t been defeated. Their weapons arsenal is depleted. They do not have a large tax base for weapons manufacturing and must constantly rely on the U.S. The IDF is worn down, so much so that Israel is in the process of forcing their religious Orthodox Jews (Haredi) into enlisting in the IDF, reversing an exemption they’ve had since the country’s founding 76 years ago, which clearly is a sign of desperation.
An escalated regional war would hurt everyone and has the potential to trigger a global recession if oil wells are targeted throughout the Persian Gulf, which Iran could resort to doing. Most Americans remain in a 1990s time capsule when the U.S. reigned supreme. Short of using nuclear arsenal which the U.S. will not use, even as the U.S. is the most powerful military in the world – military experts know the U.S. can be challenged in conventional and new-tech weaponry. And the cost to winning a war in that manner could run up into the trillions, money that Americans do not have, nor care to spend their hard-earned money on.
Earlier this month, Governor Josh Green, M.D. signed an emergency proclamation to address Hawaii’s volatile condominium insurance market.
There has been an unprecedented rate increase due to a hardening global insurance industry and a recent increase in catastrophic events around the world.
Hawaii’s property insurance market faces significant challenges due to its small size, high real estate costs, and unique risk profiles. The insurance rates for condos in the state have skyrocketed as much as 1,000%.
With the possibility of similar rate increases for townhouses, the emergency proclamation aims to protect Hawaii
homeowners and maintain market stability.
“The recent surge in condo insurance rates is placing an unbearable burden on homeowners across our state. This emergency proclamation is a critical step to stabilize our insurance market and protect our residents from further financial strain,” Gov. Green emphasized.
“By working closely with industry experts, federal partners, and legislative leaders, we aim to ensure that Hawai‘i remains a viable and secure place to live, even in the face of global insurance challenges. Our commitment is to safeguard the interests of our communities and provide stability for people living and working in Hawaiʻi.”
Through the emergency proclamation, a
Joint Executive and Legislative Task Force was established to monitor the insurance market, implement short-term fixes, and recommend emergency changes or legislative proposals.
According to the press release, the emergency proclamation will lead to additional options for condominium associations to purchase hurricane and property insurance for their buildings including the following:
- Allows loans to be made to the Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund (HHRF) and the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association to facilitate the issuance of hurricane and property insurance policies to condo associations
• Allows HHRF to issue hurricane insurance policies for large
condominium buildings and set its coverage limits
In a recent Task Force meeting, they found the following evaluation as laid out in the press release:
• Examining the insurance marketplace for trouble spots and urgent changes in insurers’ rates, refusals to write policie, or market exits.
• Determining existing legal authority for immediate fixes.
• Identifying statutory changes that can be
waived via emergency proclamation or require legislative action, making recommendations for such actions.
• Engaging with federal stakeholders like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to support these efforts.
“I want to thank the Governor for accepting the recommendation of the Insurance Task Force and recognizing that we are in a state of emergency,” said House Speaker Saiki.
By Renelaine Bontol Pfister
We know it’s not easy to find your dream job, one that perfectly aligns with your skills and background and interests. Marie Uytingco Wasnock, Associate Archivist at Harvard University’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology has done it.
Marie was born in Honolulu and raised in Mililani. When her father served in the U.S. Navy, her parents came from the Philippines and lived in different U.S. states, finally settling in Hawaii. When Marie studied English literature in college and visited the Smith College Rare Book Room, she saw the journals and manuscripts of one of her favor-
ite writers, Sylvia Plath. “These unique materials fascinated me so much that I wondered what educational and professional experience I needed to work in a library, archive, or museum,” Marie says. She acquired her Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She moved to Massachusetts in 2006,
where she worked various part-time jobs in libraries, archives and museums while also taking museum studies courses at Harvard University’s Extension School. That’s when she first learned about Harvard’s Peabody Museum.
During the Covid pandemic, Marie was part of the “Great Resignation”---when an unprecedented number of people chose to leave their jobs.
For Marie, it was a bold move to leave her job amidst the uncertainty. She kept working part-time jobs in libraries and remained immersed in books and reading. Marie says, “Luckily I came across an ad for the Associate Archivist position at the Peabody Museum. I thought it aligned so well with my skills and interests! I am so lucky and grateful that this job came into my life when it did because I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to find a full-time job in archives again.”
Marie provides research access to the archival collections at the museum, serving the Harvard community and answering inquiries from researchers across the globe in various fields: anthropology, history, art, architecture, cultural studies, film studies, and more. “The Peabody’s
archival collections particularly focus on the history of anthropology and archaeology,” Marie says, and include materials such as field notes, manuscripts, photographs, prints, maps, drawings, and audiovisual materials.
This exposure to the archival collections and interaction with researchers around the world has turned Marie into what she calls an “armchair anthropologist.” Her educational background is in Literature and Library Science, but she has learned a lot about anthropology through her job. “Reading archival documents, learning about the museum’s collections and world cultures and histories, answering questions, and interacting with our visitors and hearing about the kinds of research and projects they
(continue on page 11)
By Elpidio R. Estioko
Do you know that a FilAm artist has been providing art lessons to the children of Maui for 20 years now?
And said artist have been helping local artists discover their passion for art and their own unique styles for over 35 years!
Philip Sabado, owner of Sabado Art & Design (School of Art), did all these!
In a telephone interview at his Maui art studio, Philip said he was born and raised in Mauna Loa, Molokai in the plantation villages of Hawaii. His parents are Felix and Severina Sabado, originally from the Ilocos region and he is the youngest of 9 children.
Just like many of the villagers, he spent most of his free time fishing, hunting, and cooking.
He graduated from high school at Molokai High School in 1963. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division, for three
In the interview, Philip shared:
years from 1963 to 1966.
He took an early interest in art after serving in the U.S. Army by enrolling in 1967-1970 at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Major in Design /Illustration.
From 1971 to 1973, he was enrolled at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Major in Fine Arts. Realizing that formal and classical training in his chosen field of art was a necessity, Philip said he continued his studies at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA in 1973 majoring in Illustration/ Design.
Then, from 1979 to 1980, he worked at Otis/ Parson School of Design in Los Angeles by carving out a successful career as an art director and was voted to be one of the top 50 illustrators at that time.
He continued his studies from 1980 to 1981 at Columbia University in Paris, France with a Major in Commercial Illustration. In 1981-1983, he also enrolled in Long Beach State and his field of Study was Anatomy.
From 2010 to 2015, he
was awarded Maui Artist of the Year.
He decided to move back to Hawaii with his wife Christine and his family in 1984 to begin a life with his first love: fine arts. He put up his gallery and studio featuring all his creations and paintings plus allied art products.
Philip confirmed in the interview that over the next 30 years, he has been committed to creating art that is historically accurate that expresses the essence of Hawaiian culture, and depicts his love for nature and the culture of Hawaii.
Philip loves nature and the Hawaiian culture so much that those became his main subjects in his paintings and drawings.
His passion and love for art are deeply rooted in the following quotation: “On every creative project, I strive to create a body of work that is beautiful and connects with the Hawaiian Spirit.”
Destiny is an intriguing word, he said, which means many things to many people.
Philip said during the interview: “When art and history merge, we have a complete picture in focus. Now we can “see” and “understand” the depth and evolution of spirit with a purpose.”
He continued: “My goal and vision are to bring our history, our destiny, into the present; to perpetuate spirit through the mediums of art and to
tell the stories that accompany the artwork. We call this in the Hawaiian language; “Manao” because it not only tells a story but captures the ‘feeling and emotion the artist projects into their art, work, and life in general.
“As an artist born and raised in Molokai, I have always believed that what others consider mythology, I consider history. This has been my ongoing focus in creating quality art from my roots on Molokai. I knew at a very early age I wanted to be an artist.”
As part of giving back to the community, he established Ke’ena Kuakahi Art Studio (First Studio) in the late 80s as an art school for adults and children.
“As a child of the plantation era, the life lessons I have learned are still with me to this day,” Philip said.
“An understanding that has served me in my artistic endeavors: ‘What others term mythology, I consider history.’ My approach is consistent; quality of art (product), research (accuracy of information), and consulting with Kupua, (experts in the field).”
Philip blends art with his personal understanding and love of Hawaiian history where he believes that “Art has a way of speaking to you, no matter how many times you may view a mural; each time you may see something new.”
“My highest hope is to inspire and to remind us of who came before us. As in any project, the priority is quality and a balance of respect, and research, these go hand in hand, especially in Hawaii where the history is multi-layered. In my recent commissions, I have been honored to have the advice and counsel of an elder ‘Kahu’ that provides the additional information that is not always accessible. I immerse myself in additional history of the area that the commission and the location are focused on.”
Philip conducts art lessons for all ages. For children’s art classes, he has been providing art lessons to the children of Maui for 20 years. He prides himself in teaching children the fundamentals of drawing and painting in a variety of mediums. He provided all the tools and supplies for their journey into art!
For adult classes, so many of his adult students have waited for this ‘chance’ in life to begin to do art. He said: “We are here just for that reason.”
His art classes can take the students from drawing and painting to that portrait they always wanted to do. It’s a hands-on instruction style that keeps the students engaged and motivated.
Philp also caters to visitors. They are welcome to join his classes. He said he could help them create that special work for their Mainland or Hawaii homes.
Kudos to you, Philip! Keep it up!
ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran journalist in the Philippines and a multi-awarded journalist here in the US. For feedbacks, comments… please email the author at estiokoelpidio@gmail.com
By Joe Kent
Hawaii has a reputation for being one of the hardest states in the nation to build homes, with the blame quite rightly laid squarely at the feet of too many taxes, fees, and regulations.
The devastation of Lahaina and other parts of Maui a year ago by wildfires has put an even greater spotlight on this predicament, as regulations and fees are now making it more difficult than it should be to find housing and employment for the thousands of people who were displaced by the disaster.
One clear example is the story of the Ohana Hope Village. Just weeks after the August 2023 wildfires, Maui’s Family Life Center partnered with King’s Cathedral to build 88 temporary homes outside of Kahului.
Even after the land was cleared and homes were set up, Ohana Hope Village had to wait months to receive its county approvals.
(FEATURE: Marie ....from page 9)
When approval finally came through to let people live in the village, Family Life Center still had to pay more than $40,000 in permit fees to the county — a hefty, burdensome challenge for a nonprofit that relies on private donations.
Other builders on Maui have run into similar obstacles. One of the first people to get a permit to rebuild in the Lahaina burn zone did not receive it until late May — 10 months after the fires — and had to pay $2,165 in fees.
These fees might not break the bank for everyone, but they do not further the goal of helping people get their lives back on track in a quick and cost-effective manner.
Stories like these are why researchers at the Grassroot of Hawaii have sent to state, federal, and Maui County officials a series of memos proposing practical actions they could take to not only speed up recovery efforts in Lahaina but make it easier to build homes on Maui in general.
Grassroot’s latest poli-
do. I’m often answering questions from people all around the world; Sometimes it feels like I’m mentally traveling the world from the comfort of my desk chair.”
Her job at the Peabody museum has also given her the opportunity to learn more about her Filipino background. Growing up in a diverse community in Hawaii which includes Filipinos, Marie was proud of her background but was also exposed to hearing about stereotypes, which she wished to dispel.
The online exhibit titled Balikbayan/ Homecoming features materials from the Philippine collections at the Peabody Museum and reflections of Filipinos and Filipino Americans on these collections and can be viewed at https://peabody.harvard. edu/balikbayan_homecoming
cy brief, “Six ways to speed up recovery and rebuilding efforts in Lahaina,” was issued earlier this month. It builds on suggestions Grassroot made in January and recommends that lawmakers:
• Waive building permit fees for the rebuilding of destroyed housing or construction of new temporary housing.
• Waive special management area fees and create an expedited process for approving SMA permits.
• Allow nonconforming buildings to be reconstructed and nonconforming uses to be restored.
• Emphasize existing laws that
Marie says about the exhibit, “I focus on the photographic collections from the Philippines in the museum’s archives and my journey to understanding the history of these photos, how they were obtained, and who was photographed. These photographs were taken during the American colonial period (1898-1946) in the Philippines and collected by former Harvard alumnus and U.S. Governor-General to the Philippines, William Cameron Forbes. Many are inadequately identified or not identified at all, but they reveal a unique glimpse into life in early-twentieth century Philippines and the impact of colonial and imperialist influences. I wanted to highlight what information can be found
(continue on page 12)
provide liability protections for the county and builders of temporary housing.
• Grant nonprofit builders exemptions from certain county zoning and building rules through a “Yes, in God’s backyard” law, as urged by the 2024 Legislature’s House Concurrent Resolution 122.
• Allow more dwellings in residential zones.
Among the recommendations suggested in January:
• Exempt from the state and county general excise and transient accommodations taxes any monies landlords are paid by the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross, and the Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement.
• Let private builders
participate in providing emergency housing.
• Conduct an assessment of Hawaii’s skilled trade workforce, especially on Maui, to determine whether it would be appropriate to waive Hawaii licensing laws so workers from the mainland can help with local housing construction.
Several of these recommendations are already under consideration by the Maui County Council, and ideally, the rest will be considered as well.
Together, these reforms would go a long way in helping the residents of Lahaina — and all of Maui — rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities.
JOE KENT is the executive vice president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.
By Rose Cruz Churma
This book review is based on advance copies provided by the publisher—the book is expected to be released on August 27, 2024.
As a bound galley, the reviewed copy is still in the first stage of the printer’s proof and has not been corrected by the author or publisher. Changes are expected to its format and missing artwork (such as the Maghabol family tree) will be included in the final version.
The Maghabol family tree is an important visual of the novel as it traces the family’s history.
It spans four generations—from Francisco Maghabol, the oldest son who sought better economic conditions from the Ilocos region in the Philippines—to Francisco’s great-grandson Enzo, who keeps his mental health issues in check as the 2020 pandemic envelops the world.
This is the latest young adult novel from multi-awarded writer Randy Ribay that spans several periods and four generations of Filipino American males.
Typical of immigrants to the United States, the novel depicts how each generation grapples with identity and assimilation
within the imagined family dynamics of each era.
During the1930s Francisco Maghabol arrived in California at 16 and barely eked out a living.
He spent what little money he earned at dance halls and wondered if he should never have left the Philippines. He and his fellow Filipinos also face violence from white men in town who feel threatened that jobs are being taken away from them.
By 1965, Francisco’s son, Emil refused to follow the path taken by his father, Francisco, who became a farm labor organizer.
Despite the bullying from his white schoolmates, low expectations from teachers, and working at his aunt’s restaurant at night, Emil was determined to make it in the United States regardless of the cost.
Emil’s son, Chris is more interested in football than academics. The setting is Denver in 1983. Chris is determined to prove to his overbearing father, Emil, that he has his own mind.
When Chris missed an assignment on “ancestral history” he was removed from the football team. While doing his research, he realized that he wanted to know more about Filipino history.
As the global pan-
(FEATURE: Marie ....from page 11)
about these photographs in the archival collections at Harvard University libraries.”
In the fall of 2023, former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo visited the Peabody Museum, and Marie was able to show her items from the Philippine collections.
“This exhibit not only brings attention to Philippine cultural items in the Peabody Museum’s col-
demic took root in 2020, Chris’s son, Enzo struggled to keep his anxiety in check.
Because the family was worried that his Lolo Emil may be prone to getting the virus at his retirement home, he is invited to move into Enzo’s bedroom at their home in Philadelphia. Tensions are high between Enzo’s dad, Chris, and his Lolo Emil. Enzo hopes that his daily walks with the dog Thor, accompanied by his dad and Lolo Emil will help bridge their decades-long rift.
The story is told from multiple perspectives over four generations of the Maghabol family. It is a story about father-son relationships. The women in the novel are the supporting cast and are drawn up in support of their roles as mothers, wives, or sisters—which is unfortunate. This is predominantly focused on the male
lections and encourages its audience to discover more about Philippine history and culture, but also highlights Filipino voices and perspectives on these items. When the exhibit was unveiled at the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture’s Filipino Heritage celebration in May, many Filipinos joyfully expressed how they felt seen and heard. This made the project even
perspective, about forging your own path and creating your own future.
The novel is an effective tool to tell our story as Filipino Americans, one that is more accessible to young readers who may not be interested in history in general but will read the book because they can relate to the protagonists (especially the youngest one). Someday, perhaps a novel like this will be written that depicts the Hawai’i-Filipino experience—but hopefully not focused alone on the male perspective, but also explores the role of Filipino women in delineating what we and our families have become.
The author, Randy Ribay, is an American writer of middle school and young adult fiction. He has won the 2019 Freeman Award from the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia and was a finalist for the 2019 National Book Awards for Young People’s Literature category for his book Patron Saints of Nothing. His other works are Project Kawayan, After the Shot Drops, and An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes.
He was born in Manila, Philippines to a Filipino father and American mother, but grew up in the US Midwest. He received his BA in English Litera-
more meaningful to us, and to me as a contributor,” Marie remarks. She attributes her success to her parents’ focus on family, faith and education. Her parents gave her the positive influence to do well in school and pursue a college education. “This is how I eventually ended up on the east coast,” Marie says. Marie recalls her visit to the Philippines when
ture from the University of Colorado at Boulder and Ed.M. in language and literacy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
in an interview on his earlier book Patron Saints of Nothing (revolving around Duterte’s drug war in the Philippines), Randy Ribay notes “First and foremost, I was writing it for Filipino Americans, that was the primary audience in mind — Filipino American teenagers. Because I didn’t have that mirror growing up. I don’t remember reading a single book featuring a Filipino until I got to college.”
Randy Ribay is able to capture the voice of modern-day teens in his books—his 13+ years of teaching high school has given him that advantage, which is evident in this latest young adult novel. As he says— “For better or for worse, the teenage voice is in my ear all day long.”
This novel should be on the reading list of teachers who want their students to know more about the history of Filipino Americans in this country.
ROSE CRUZ CHURMA established Kalamansi Books & Things three decades ago. It has evolved from a mail-order bookstore into an online advocacy with the intent of helping global Pinoys discover their heritage by promoting books of value from the Philippines and those written by Filipinos in the Diaspora. We can be reached at kalamansibooks@gmail.com.
she was seven years old: picking santol from a tree in her aunt’s backyard, riding a cart pulled by a carabao, swimming in a hot spring, and eating too much Magnolia ice cream. She also got to visit a school and attend a class, where she learned how to count to ten in Tagalog. Marie can still count to ten in Tagalog. “I’d like to go back as an adult and hopefully learn more!”
By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan
t’s summertime in Switzerland! Everybody is out and about and many flock to nearby lakes to bathe under the sun and escape the heat.
Just recently, we brought our children to the beautiful lake of Schwarzsee in the Canton of Fribourg and they were so happy playing with water.
But as I looked at my children enjoying and splashing water on each other, I couldn’t help but remember the many who were devastated by the flooding in Manila and nearby provinces.
Water, a beautiful blessing, became a curse to those affected by Typhoon Carina.
“Please help! Please call for rescue on our behalf. The water is rising fast in our house. We have a newborn baby, a senior citizen, and three adults in the house. Help!”
“We are already on the roof of our house. We have a senior citizen with us. The rescuers passed by but they said they needed to rescue a pregnant woman first. Please help!”
Messages like these (written in Filipino) have been shared over and over on social media. Countless people were asking, begging, and crying for help for their families to be rescued.
I wanted to help but I felt helpless. If only I could call the emergency hotlines on their behalf. If only I could send help their way. But I couldn’t.
All I could do was pray for God to have mercy on them and miraculously send rescue their way.
I also had a lot of friends who were so affected that they had to leave their houses to find shelter. They had to walk
on flooded roads to keep their families safe.
It was terrible. I was brokenhearted, I wanted to cry.
But what bothered me more was that this kind of calamity or tragedy happens every year. It’s no surprise.
It has been a perennial problem that encompasses generations. Nothing is happening. Nothing is changing. Instead of improving, things are getting worse.
Just a few days before the monsoon hit the country, President Bongbong Marcos proudly announced in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) that the government has allotted over 225 billion
The Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act aims to strengthen Social Security’s financial state and ensure that seniors continue to benefit from the programs they have paid into throughout their lives.
Introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Representative Jill Tokudo, the bill will make significant progress toward extending the Social Security lifeline.
“Social Security provides crucial support to millions of kupuna, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable communities in Hawaii and across the country,” said Senator Hirono.
“By lifting the cap on Social Security contributions, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act will help ensure Social Security remains solvent for decades to come. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to strengthen the program and help ensure the millions of Americans who rely on it will continue to receive the benefits they deserve.”
pesos for 2024 flood control projects.
But where are those projects? What is the government doing? Are we content with rehabilitation and just distributing relief goods after every calamity?
I was struck by what my friend, Belle Baldoza, 41, said in her Facebook post:
“Born and raised in Marikina, I grew up wading in flooded streets in my bare feet. I grew up scrubbing mud and salvaging what was left of my stuff in the aftermath. Looking back, it’s only a miracle that I never once got leptospirosis or hurt by floating sharp objects. It’s been ages since I lived back home. But it’s been like this then, and it’s still like this now. We shouldn’t even celebrate resilience anymore, because it’s just a glorified excuse for the hard truth that we- the Filipino people- deserve better.”
I couldn’t agree more with her. Though I only experienced walking on flooded streets once, I experienced countless landslides growing up in Baguio City.
The g overnment shouldn’t be content with
just addressing the issue after so many lives have already been wasted. They have to think of ways to protect lives, families, and communities.
As Filipinos, we pride ourselves on our resilience and being joyful in the midst of storms and calamities. There’s nothing wrong with this but we need to demand from our leaders to protect us and serve us better.
It’s been weeks since Typhoon Carina hit and caused destruction in Luzon. So many events have happened like the Paris Olympics and its controversies.
The rest of the world will go on with their lives. But those who have lost loved ones and properties, are still picking up the pieces and trying to get back on their feet. They will have to face life once again, hoping that things will get better. But with the Philippines in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the cycle will continue.
I hope the government does something to prevent major destruction of properties and loss of life. Because just as I always say, Filipinos deserve better. We really do.
As per its press release, the bill aims to do the following:
• Ensures the appropriate weight is given to the real costs in seniors’ budgets by using the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to calculate the relevant costof-living adjustment
(continue on page 15)
By Sheryll Bonilla, Esq.
You’re a parent and you want to take care of things so that your children inherit your property after you die and make it as smooth and easy for them as possible.
The Advance Directive and Durable General Power of Attorney are two basic documents that are very helpful to have and save families expenses and delays when using them.
Families are sometimes caught off guard when sudden illness or accident overtakes a loved one, who loses the ability to authorize treatment he needs.
If the incapacitated person executed (signed in front of a notary) an Advance Directive, then
the family can present it to the doctors and hospital to show they have the authority to make medical decisions for him.
If the person does not have an Advance Directive, the family may likely have to start a guardianship case in court to gain the power to make medical decisions. A conservatorship may also be needed.
A guardianship is an authority over the incapacitated person, while a conservatorship is the authority to manage the incapacitated person’s finances.
Guardianships are handled in Family Court. Conservatorships and joint conservatorship –guardianship is done in the Probate Court.
The Family Court website has forms for the family to file the case themselves. The Probate
(CANDID PERSPECTIVES: Harris’ ....from page 7)
It’s a mindset that exposes how the MAGA GOP is incapable of thinking about an all-inclusive America-- women, people of color, and LGBTQIA.
Clearly, Trump didn’t think he’d need much more than his MAGA white demographic. He ignored the rest of us, figuring that many voters were turned off by an aging Biden. Trump thought he was home free. Or maybe it was his lucky ear bandage that told him to pick as his veep someone who could simply be an ideological MAGA stand-in.
Unfortunately, J.D. Vance will be known for the duration of the campaign as the “childless cat lady” hater. With that one comment from a recycled Fox News show, Vance has alienated all women voters– roughly half the American population–not to mention the growing number of people under 40
Court does not have templates so the family often has to hire a lawyer to take care of the case for them.
Besides identifying the agent (the person authorized to act for the principal / incapacitated person, the AD lists the powers the agent has, which usually includes the ability to discuss treatment with health care providers, view medical and billing records, apply for assistance, and consent to or refuse treatment.
The Advance Directive is for healthcare treatment, including admission to hospice or nursing homes, and endof-life decisions.
These decisions include whether to withhold or provide food, water, and pain relief medicine, even if the medication speeds up the person’s death.
Organ or body dona -
who choose to be childless.
And Trump hasn’t done much better with his ad hominem attacks on the accomplished Harris, calling her “dumb as a rock.”
With less than 100 days to go in the campaign, Trump/Vance and the GOP look like old-fashioned racists, sexists, and misogynists who want to take away all the rights and freedoms we’ve fought for since the 19th century. Add to that, Trump, now cast as the oldest candidate ever to run for president, looks older with each soundbite. And Vance is a heartbeat away?
Meanwhile, since Biden stepped aside, Kamala Harris has surprised everyone. She’s the unifier, sparking a new, youthful coalition that is the antidote to the Trump era and the cloud that has hung over our democracy since Jan. 6, 2021.
With all the Zoom call fundraising, Harris has un-
tion is also an end-of-life decision, but there’s a second consideration.
The incapacitated person has to have indicated this on her or his driver’s license or state ID, or registered with Legacy of Life (either national or state).
If the incapacitated person did not do either, the guardian nor agent under the Advance Directive cannot authorize organ or body donation.
For non-medical matters, a Power of Attorney is needed if a person becomes incapacitated.
This is often called a “Durable General Power of Attorney” because the authority granted continues after the person becomes incapacitated.
For most persons executing a Power of Attorney, the principal chooses to start the agent’s authority when the principal becomes incapacitated.
Sometimes, though, the principal allows the agent to have authority as soon as the document is signed.
For example, a grandparent who has a very hard time getting around may authorize his grandchild – who lives with him and is his caregiver –to do all his banking, etc., for him.
Having the Power of Attorney avoids the need for a court to appoint a conservator when he becomes incapacitated.
The principal can choose which types of tasks he confers authority; usually, the POA is general for all areas.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not to be constructed as offering legal advice. Please consult an attorney for your individual situation. The author is not responsible for a reader’s reliance on the information contained here.
leashed the value of diversity and a modern democracy that reflects it.
Unlike the backward march of Trump and Vance to relive the racist past we’ve overcome, Harris brings excitement and enthusiasm for a New America, which I’ve predicted for a long time.
In the late ‘90s and entering the new millennium, I was part of a consortium of ethnic media organizations led by Sandy Close and the Pacific News Service that chronicled the beginning of that New America.
We started in California where minorities were already a majority, with a television show called “NCM: New California Media.”
I was the host and executive producer of one of the first “Meet the Press””-style panel programs on
television that included top journalists in the ethnic media. Asian, Latino, Black, Indian, LGBTQ–we all covered diversity.
It’s where I met journalists like the Oakland Post’s Tom Berkley and his daughter, Gail Berkley. We also had reporters and commentators like the late Chauncey Bailey.
Even Van Jones, long before he was with CNN, appeared on the program. With a statewide focus, our roundtable featured editors from Los Angeles’ La Opinion.
During my time helming the show, we covered politics for sure. But there was never one politician who could excite and harness the energy of all the various communities at once.
Gov. Pete Wilson? The recalled Gray Davis? Cruz Bustamante? Ah-nuld?
There was no one quite like Kamala Harris. Not back then.
But there is now. The future we anticipated and hoped for nearly 25 years ago has finally arrived. We can all feel the difference.
In two weeks, there’s a sense of unity like there hasn’t been in years. And Trump/Vance-weird?
They just don’t recognize diversity when it hits them in the face.
They’re too used to snuffing it out wherever they see it in favor of the preservation of a dwindling white majority. It’s been like trying to dam up the natural flow of America.
But now Kamala Harris has released that flow of diversity. As the Zoom calls have shown, it is a force.
EMIL GUILLERMO is a journalist and commentator. His talk show is on www.amok. com.
LET’S ZUMBA | Filipino Community Center | Every Monday starting January 8, 2024 at 6:15pm | FilCom Center, Consuelo Courtyard, 94-428 Mokuola Street, Waipahu | Need to unwind in movement and dance after a long workday? Join the community as we Zumba through the evening. Only $5 per class. Proceeds go to support these program-types for FilCom Center.
BOOK TALK: DAUNTLESS | Hawaii State Public Library System, Filipino-American
Historical Society of Hawaii | | August 17, from 10am to 12pm | Waipahu Public Library, 94-275 Mokuola Street, Waipahu | Join this free book talk by Marie Silva Vallejo, author of Dauntless that tells the story of the 1st and 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments and their cover operations to free the Philippines during the World War II. For more information, reach out to fahsoh808@gmail.com.
WAIKIKI STREET JAM | Millwood Ohana Productions, The Four Caterers LLC, Elks Major Project | September 14, from 4pm to 10pm
By Angelica Macalalad
At the tender age of 11, I faced the profound loss of my father to a brain tumor, leaving a void in my life that seemed insurmountable.
Without his guidance and love, I struggled to find my footing, seeking solace in the approval of others.
My journey was marked by a self-centered focus, devoid of empathy for others and consumed by my own pain.
In 2016, a pivotal invitation led me to Elevate Cainta’s “Pag-Ibig” (Love) series at Robinson’s Cainta, despite my initial reluctance due to already attending another church.
Yet, the allure of exploring love as a theme intrigued me, and I found myself immersed in a community marked by warmth and acceptance.
It was during the True Life Retreat later that
year that I experienced a profound encounter with God, accepting Him as my personal Savior and witnessing a transformative shift in my life’s trajectory.
Guided by God’s love, I embarked on a journey of service and purpose, beginning with ministry involvement at Sta. Lucia High School.
There, I discovered a passion for sharing Christ’s love with others, particularly the youth, recognizing their need for salvation and guidance.
Despite the challenges and doubts that plagued my path, God’s reassurance through Matthew 6:33 fortified my resolve to pursue His calling wholeheartedly.
The world population has reached approximately 8.1 billion, with around 1.8 billion young people aged 15 to 24.
Many young people face significant challenges, including teenage pregnancy, social media
(MAINLAND NEWS: Bicameral ....from page 13)
(COLA), rather than the more generic Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners (CPI-W); and
• Requires the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share by phasing out the cap on Social Security contributions over the next seven years and encouraging contributions above the cap in exchange for additional benefits.
Moreover, according to the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Chief Actuary, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act is expected to extend the payment of the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program scheduled benefits in full and on time for an additional 19 years.
“Americans across the country depend on Social Security. It is a commitment
addiction, bullying, depression, self-image, and suicide among others.
As a psychology graduate, I recognized the pervasive mental health struggles among young people in our country fueling my determination to offer both psychological support and spiritual solace.
My vision extends beyond mere assistance to fostering a generation of devoted followers of Christ, shaping future leaders and influencers for His glory.
Currently, I am actively engaged in disciplining young women in various capacities, spreading God’s love and truth wherever I am led.
As I continue this journey, I humbly seek prayers for guidance and faithfulness, trusting in God’s provision and sovereignty.
In my role as a Campus Missionary, I have the privilege of serving at Francisco P. Felix National High School and Di-
we make to the working men and women who keep America moving forward and they are relying on us to keep Social Security solvent so they can retire with dignity. In Hawaiʻi, where the cost of living is so high, we must ensure these hardearned benefits keep pace with rising costs of food, housing, and everyday necessities,” said Representative Tokuda.
“Our bill will provide
| Kalakaua Avenue between the intersections of Seaside and Uluniu, Honolulu | An exciting night of over 140 vendors at this free event for family and friends.
OHANA M EDICAL M ISSION’S MASQUERADE BALL | Saturday, October 26, 5:00-11:00pm | Tapa Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village | A Charity Ball with Grand Parade of Masks, fabulous prizes, sumptuous foods and dancing. For details and reservations, please contact JP Orias at 808-518-8929
reaching the next generation.
These opportunities allow me to connect with students from diverse backgrounds, sharing the message of hope and salvation through Christ.
Additionally, I serve as the ministry head of Saturday Night Service’s Welcome Ministry, extending hospitality and love to newcomers within the community.
Each day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to God’s calling.
Through prayer and reliance on His strength, I navigate the complexities of ministry, trusting that He will lead me to those who share my passion for
a necessary increase to Social Security payments while reducing the national debt by trillions of dol-
As I pour myself into this mission, I am reminded that it is not by my own efforts but by God’s grace that lives are transformed and His kingdom is expanded.
Looking ahead, I am filled with anticipation for what the future holds. With unwavering faith, I continue to pursue God’s purpose for my life, knowing that He who called me is faithful to sustain me.
My heart’s desire is to see a revival among the youth of our nation, as they encounter the life-changing love of Jesus Christ.
ANGELICA MACALALAD is a campus missionary dedicated to impacting the next generation for God’s glory, one life at a time.
lars and strengthening the Trust Funds to support our kupuna and retirees for decades to come.”
