AnnDionne Selestin, a housekeeper at The Westin in West Maui, had an unusual experience on August 8. Due to a hurricane passing by, she left work early with her husband and three aunts who also worked at the hotel. While driving through Lāhainā in the mid-afternoon, they found themselves stuck in gridlocked traffic as a wildfire approached. Despite the chaos and fear around them, they prayed silently in English and Pohnpeian, their native language. Their prayers were answered as they survived the deadly Lāhainā wildfire, which claimed many lives.
Selestin, a member of the COFA community, later learned that due to a drafting error in a law 28 years ago, they were ineligible for federal aid, including FEMA assistance. However, a recent law passed by Congress corrected this error, restoring access to FEMA and other crucial federal programs for COFA citizens. This change comes after nearly three decades of being cut off from governmental safety-net programs.
Despite facing discrimination and feeling unwelcome in Hawai’i for most of her life, Selestin is grateful for the support shown to the COFA community. The COFA citizens, hailing from Pacific island nations, have played a vital role in the U.S. economy and deserve access to the same federal programs as other residents. The new law not only provides aid to wildfire survivors like Selestin but also extends veterans’ health benefits to COFA citizens serving in the U.S. military.
As climate change continues to impact Pacific island nations, the need for federal disaster assistance will only grow. The recent changes in the law ensure that members of the Micronesian diaspora will receive the help they need in times of crisis. For Selestin and others in the COFA community, this is a significant step towards a more inclusive and supportive future.
