Gov. Arnold I. Palacios recently spoke at the inaugural White House Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander or NHPI Convening that brought together key NHPI leaders, private sector leaders, federal and state elected officials, federal appointees and staff. His remarks at the White House NHPI Convening were part of his visit to the nation’s capital that included separate meetings with Kurt M. Campbell, U.S. deputy secretary of State, senior officials at the U.S. Department of Interior, and other federal partners. He also met with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, a cabinet-level administration official who leads the country’s trade discussions with other nations. In photo with Governor Palacios are Department of the Interior Deb Haaland, left, and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, right.
(Office of the Governor) — Gov. Arnold I. Palacios recently spoke at the first White House Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander or NHPI Convening that brought together key NHPI leaders, private sector leaders, federal and state elected officials, federal appointees and staff.
The governor’s remarks at the White House NHPI Convening was part of his visit to the nation’s capital, which also included separate meetings with Kurt M. Campbell, the U.S. deputy secretary of State, senior officials at the U.S. Department of Interior, and other federal partners. He also met with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, a cabinet-level administration official who leads the country’s trade discussions with other nations.
Palacios addressed the convening immediately after U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland gave opening remarks. After delivering his remarks, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell also gave remarks.
“Although this is the inaugural White House Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island Convening, I want to express our deepest appreciation to you, Secretary Haaland, and the Biden-Harris administration for the high-level engagements we have had and the strategic partnerships that the administration has continued to cultivate with island communities,” Palacios said.
“From improving infrastructure, supporting workforce development efforts, addressing natural disasters, and increasing the number of federal personnel dedicated to working with the U.S. territories, the Administration’s willingness to collaborate — across the vast Pacific and even across party lines — with island territories and nations has not gone unnoticed.
“Today’s convening advances those ongoing efforts to raise the collective voices of islanders, which have sometimes been diminished or drowned out by conflicting narratives, misunderstood context, or incorrect assumptions about the indigenous communities.
“And although we’ve come a long way in strengthening the relationships and the lines of communication between the federal government and Pacific Island governments, we still have much more to accomplish.
“Along with other Pacific islands, the CNMI is on the front lines of the climate crisis. Our islands, though small in size, are disproportionately affected by global warming and climate change caused by larger countries. We face rising sea levels, stronger and more frequent typhoons, and other destructive impacts to our natural ecosystems, food security, and ways of life.
“The Northern Marianas and other Micronesian islands are also facing significant challenges in air passenger service. Limited competition, infrequent flights, and exorbitant ticket prices are hindering economic development, access to essential services, and overall quality of life for residents.
“The tyranny of distance and isolation of the islands have also led to an incredibly high cost of living by creating barriers to access affordable healthcare, employment opportunities, and basic goods and services,” Palacios said.
Background
NHPIs continue to be among the most underrepresented subgroups within the AANHPI constituency and remain some of the most underserved communities in the Nation. Before this Convening, the White House had not hosted an NHPI-specific event.
The event aimed to achieve two goals: recognize the cultures and achievements of NHPI communities and cement the Administration’s legacy of celebrating the diversity of AANHPI communities and leaving no community — no matter how small — behind.
