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President Mori Visited FSM Citizens on Maui and Hilo

Honolulu, Hawai'i (FSM Consulate Office in Honolulu): September 30, 2009 - His Excellency, President Emanuel Mori visited the islands of Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii on September 29 to October 1, 2009, to meet with FSM citizens living in these communities. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin Robert, Consul General Akillino H. Susaia, and Mr. David Wolphagen, Deputy Chief of the FSM Immigration accompanied President Mori on his visits to Maui and Hilo.

In Kahului, Maui, President Mori discussed with the citizens the current developments in the FSM National Government and also briefed them on his statement presented to the UN General Assembly as well as the side meetings he had with the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton and the leaders of the American Jewish Organization in New York.

During the question and answer session, the citizens raised their concern about the proposed scaling back of the Hawaii Med Quest insurance program which will affect most of the FSM citizens living in Hawaii. President Mori re-assured the citizens that his administration is working cooperatively with the State of Hawaii Congressional Delegation to find a long-term solution to this problem. President Mori informed the citizens that there is a proposed amendment pending in the United States Congress, sponsored by Hawaii Congressman Neil Abercrombie, which will provide FAS citizens eligibility for Medicaid and other federally funded social services programs. The FSM Embassy in Washington D.C. is working hard to ensure the passage of this amendment which could be included in the overall health reform bill awaiting approval by the U.S. Congress.

In Hilo, Hawaii, President Mori and his delegation met with citizens at the University of Hawaii, Hilo Campus. Most of the citizens attending this meeting were students. Understandably, one of the main issues discussed was the timely processing and awarding of scholarships to eligible students. President Mori explained to the students that the FSM National Government is providing scholarships to mostly graduate students with the exception of those students who are enrolled in the field of aviation. This is a requirement of the law establishing the scholarship program of the FSM National Government.

Generally, the other concerns raised were similar to the ones raised by the citizens living in Maui, which were mostly related to the proposed changes to the Hawaii Med Quest insurance program and the need to improve the processing and issuance of passports to citizens living abroad. Again, President Mori assured the citizens that their concerns were noted and that his administration is committed to implementing the new passport program within the next few months. As for the medical insurance issue, President Mori wanted the citizens to know that it will cost a lot of money to continue providing services to those citizens receiving hemodialysis and chemotherapy treatments in hospitals within the State of Hawaii. No matter what the cost maybe, he is fully committed to finding a long-term solution which will benefit them, and also be acceptable to Hawaii State and the FSM Government.

President Mori concluded his short visit to Hawaii by meeting with the Consulate Counselor Group at the East West Center. The group is comprised of prominent Hawaii residents who had once lived and worked in the FSM in the past. The purpose of this group is to assist in the citizens outreach program by serving as counselors to the Hawaii business community, the Hawaii State Government and the City and County of Honolulu.