Over 40 Hawaiʻi County Police officers participated in the first-ever comprehensive training program on Micronesian culture. This inaugural initiative was conducted by the Hawai’i Island Community Health Center’s Health Equity team with the goal of bridging cultural gaps and improving interactions with the Micronesian community on Hawaiʻi Island.

Two days of training, one in East Hawaiʻi and one in West Hawaiʻi, provided police officers with in-depth knowledge about Micronesian history, traditions, and societal norms. Topics covered included the unique cultural practices of various Micronesian subgroups, the challenges faced by Micronesian immigrants, and effective communication strategies to foster trust and cooperation. The half-day training sessions focused on building resource connections, debunking myths and unpacking misperceptions, solutions and possible future collaborations.

Visit HICommunityHealthCenter.org for more information.