Produced by the University of Hawaii's Ethnic Studies Department, Island Connections is a monthly, live call-in show that deals with local and global issues and their impact on Hawaii's people. Island Connections is hosted by Ibrahim Aoude and airs live on the second Tuesday of the month at 8:00pm*.
* Airdates and times are subject to change. Check local tv listings for exact airtimes.
OAHU - Olelo Channel 55
KAUAI - Hoike Channel 55
HAWAII (Big Island) - Na Leo O Hawaii Channel 55
MAUI - MCC TV Channel 55
For more information, contact:
IBRAHIM AOUDE
, Professor
Department of Ethnic Studies, University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822
Email: aoude@hawaii.edu
Phone: (808) 956-4000
Fax: (808) 956-9494
Previous Episodes
May 2008
RACE AND POLITICS:
The importance of race in American politics is highlighted through a discussion of the Democratic Party Primaries with focus on the Obama campaign.
Guests: Noel Kent, Professor of Ethnic Studies, UHM; Elisa White, Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, UHM
April 2008
ISLANDS IN CRISIS:
The political and economic situation in Hawai'i in the context of the national political scene is discussed. Special attention is given to the significance of the Democratic Party Primaries and the difference between the Obama and Clinton campaigns regarding political and economic reforms.
Guests: Bart Dame, Democratic Party Activist, Hawai'i; Ah Quon McElrath, Retired Social Worker, ILWU/Retired Member of UH Board of Regents; John Witeck, Community Labor Activist/UH Lecturer
March 2008
PALESTINE: OCCUPATION, ETHNIC CLEANSING AND RESISTANCE:
A discussion of Israeli settler-colonial practices of ethnic cleansing and repression and the native response to Israeli crimes against humanity.
Guests: Jess Ghannam, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCSF/Member, International Executive Committee of al-Awda (The Palestinian Right of Return)
February 2008
HAWAI'I PEOPLE'S FUND:
A discussion about the Fund's vision and mission and what funding for social change means to the Fund. Information on how to apply for funding and examples of projects that were funded are given. Relations with the community and other funding agencies in Hawai'i and nationally are also discussed.
Guests: Nancy Aleck, Executive Director of the Hawai'i People's Fund; Richard Rodrigues, Grant-Making Coordinator of The Hawai'i People's Fund; Morgan Cooper, Fund Grantee
December 2007
ANNAPOLIS NOW:
A discussion about the Annapolis Conference for Middle East peace and what the conference means to the various participants.
Guests: George Hudes, Jewish Voice for Peace; Ramsis Lutfy, Co-Producer of Holy Land Peace
November 2007
RACIAL SLURS:
A discussion of the use of racial slurs in the media and what their usage says about race relations in the U.S.
Guests: Pensri Ho, Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies at UHM; Jonathan Okamura, Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at UHM; Elisa White, Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies at UHM
October 2007
ISRAEL'S APARTHEID WALL:
An in Depth discussion about the role that the Apartheid Wall plays in the system of apartheid practices to which Israel subjects Palestinian society on the West Bank
Guests: Morgan Cooper, Graduate student in English at The University of Hawaii at Manoa; Reverend Barbara Grace Ripple, Former Superintendent of United Methodist Church; George Hudes, Member, Jewish Voice for Peace
September 2007
A WALL OF OPPRESSION:
A discussion about the separation of the Wall that Israel built in the West Bank and the impacts of the separation on Palestinian society.
Guests: Morgan Cooper, Graduate student in English at The University of Hawaii at Manoa
May 2007
MIDDLE EAST CONVERSATIONS
A discussion of the Middle East, regarding, the political interest of the United States and the recent increase of University students’ interest to re-evaluate the realities portrayed by the media. The program discusses U.S. interests in Iraqi and Iranian hydrocarbon oil as a reason for past and future attacks and their disinterest to ever find a peace process between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Guests: Farideh Farhi, Adjunct Professor of Political Science at The University of Hawaii at Manoa.
April 2007
HOLY LAND REALITIES:
A discussion about the television program, Holy Land Peace, discusses the Palestinian area and militant Zionist Israel’s sadistic regimentation to grab the remaining land given to Palestinians. The program informs American citizens with an educational resource of the Palestinian realities in relations to the Apartheid Wall.
Guests: Robert Stiver, Producer and Ramsis Lufty, Co-producer of Holy Land Peace.
March 2007
CIVIL LIBERTIES: WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?:
A discussion on informing Hawai’i residents about their civil liberties and educating individuals about the Bill of Rights as an owner’s manual for the Nation. The discussion exposes the presence of unlawful actions by law enforcement agencies based on civil liberties of citizens and non-citizens of the United States as well as the blatant disregard of these liberties post 9/11.
Guests: Kit Grant, Outreach Director and Lois Perrin, Legal Director of ACLU Hawaii Chapter.
February 2007
HOMELESSNESS ON THE RISE:
A discussion on the current situation of homelessness in Hawaii: focusing on children and their inability to perform in an academic environment due to the lack of basic needs. The program introduces a panel of speakers discussing food, housing, litigation and basic emotional needs of Hawai’i’s homeless.
Guests: Margo Schrire, Director of Community Relations, Institute for Human Services; Utu Langi, Director of Hawaii Helping the Hungry Have Hope (H-5); Laura Thielen, Executive Director of the state Office of Planning; Charmaine Crocket, Human Rights Advocate, Stephen Laudig, Attorney-at-Law, Kokua Legal Services.
December 2006
MIDDLE EAST ENCOUNTERS:
Students discuss how and why they became interested in Middle East issues and offer analysis of current developments in the context of historical development of war and conflict. The relations of the U.S. to Middle Eastern countries are analyzed.
Guests: Michael Bernardini - Political Science Major, UHM; Steven Catt - Political Science Major, UHM; Adrianna Overdorff - Political Science Major, UHM
November 2006
DEMOCRATIC ROUTE/REPUBLICAN ROUT:
The significance and impact of the 2006 mid-term elections nationally and lcoally are discussed.
Guests: Ah Quon McElrath - Member, Retired UH Board of Regents; Bart Dame - Community Activist
October 2006
IMMIGRATION, NATIONALISM AND GLOBALIZATION:
The relationship of immigration to globalization is discusssed. Xenophobia and its relationship to nationalism is demonstrated through actions of groups and individuals opposed to immigration. The role of national public policy in exacerbating "nativist" tendencies and the struggle against such policies are examined.
Guests: Dean Alegado - Department Chair of Ethnic Studies, UHM; Pensri Ho - Asistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, UHM; Nandita Sharma - Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies and Sociology - UHM
September 2006
IMPERIAL DESIGNS: IRAQ, LEBANON AND BEYOND:
U.S. plans to dominate the Middle East are discussd with special emphasis on Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Syria and Iran.
Guests: Farideh Farhi - Adjunct Professor of Political Science, UHM; Ramsis Lutfy - Professor of Zoology, Retired
MAY 2006
IRAN, THE U.S. AND REGIONAL POLITICS:
The relationship between Iran and the U.S. and the impact of the U.S. role on the Middle East region are discussed. Prospects of war with Iran and a widening of the on-going conflict are debated.
Guests: Farideh Farhi - Adjunct Professor of Political Science, UHM; Ramsis Lutfy - Friends of Sabeel, Hawai’i
April 2006
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS:
The work for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is highlighted. Reverend Ripple speaks about her recent trip to Israel/Palestine and George Hudes discusses his earlier trip there. Violation of human rights under occupation and the plight of the Palestinian population are discussed. The program title is inspired by the lecture given by Jerry and Sis Levin on April 6, 2006 at UHM. Both Jerry and Sis are members of Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT).
Guests: George Hudes - Jewish Voice for Peace, Friends of Sabeel, Hawai'i; Ramsis Lutfy - Friends of Sabeel, Hawai'i; Reverend Barbara Grace Ripple - Retired
March 2006
UARC RELOADED:
Despite the overwhelming opposition from the university community system-wide, UH Interim President David McClain recommended the University Affiliated Research Center to the University’s Board of Regents. The discussants expose McClain’s machinations and how it would be a disservice both to the UH community and the people of Hawai’i.
Guests: Ikaika Hussey - DMZ Hawai’i/Aloha Aina; Beverly Keever - Professor of Journalism, UHM; Miriam Sharma - Professor of Asian Studies, UHM and Save UH/Stop UARC
February 2006
FACE - FAITH AND POLITICS:
The relationship between faith and social activism for justice and equality is highlighted. FACE and its activism in the community, including community organizing, is highlighted. The importance of activism on all levels to effect social change comes into sharp focus.
Guests: Gerry Madison - Chair, Jobs Committee, Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE); Godfrey Maeshiro - Vice-President, Local 5 and Labor Committee, FACE; Michelle Takemoto - Jobs Committee, FACE
December 2005
LOCAL 5 - GLOBAL HOTELS:
Hotel workers and Local 5 members discuss their working conditions and future contract negotiations with the hotels on O’ahu. The transformation of hotel ownership into huge transnational enterprises and the role that this transformation has played in the relationship between workers and owners are also discussed.
Guests: Elaine Hornal - Pantry Cook, Turtle Bay Resorts; Cathy Lowenberg - Law Student, UH Law School and Hotel Employee; Maria Salantes - Housekeeping, Hilton Hawaiian Village
November 2005
I KU'U PONO, 'AOLE PAU (OUR WORK FOR JUSTICE CONTINUES):
The role of educators in society to help bring about justice and equality is discussed. The role of Ethnic Studies in the social movement for change is also discussed. The title of the program is also the title of the inaugural Ah Quon McElrath Distinguished Lecture in Social Change and Justice.
Guests: Dean Alegado - Chair Department of Ethnic Studies, UHM; Monisha Das Gupta - Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies and Women’s Studies, UHM; Jonathan Okamura - Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies, UHM
October 2005
CLASSIFIED RESEARCH, MILITARIZATION AND COMMUNITY:
The push for classified research at the University of Hawai’i and the overwhelming opposition from the university community to the UH leaders’ plans to institute classified research is discussed. Also discussed are the reasons why faculty and students deem this type of research counter-productive to the UH and its mission.
Guests: Ruth Dawson - Professor of Women’s, UHM and Kyle Kajihiro - Program Director, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)—Hawai’i
September 2005
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS - 2005:
Indigenous voices discuss the Akaka Bill, the Kamehameha Schools controversy, Hawaiian rights, Activism, and issues of identity.
Guests: Noelani Goodyear-Ka’opua - Ph. D., Halau Kumana Public Charter School; Ty Tengan - Assistant Professor Ethnic Studies and Anthropology, UHM; ‘Imai Winchester - Graduate Student, UHM/Teacher, Halau Kumana Public Charter School
May 2005
STUDENTS TALK LABOR:
Two graduate students discuss why they actively support labor struggles and unionization and how they arrived to that position.
Guests: Patrick Filner - UHM Student, ES 495 (Hawai’i Labor History); Kristy Ringor- UHM Student, ES 495 (Hawai’i Labor History)
April 2005
THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
Local Labor issues are discussed in the context of globalization and war. Recent developments with the Musicians Union and hotel workers are also discussed.
Guests: Steve Dinion, Musician’s Union-Hawai’i; Eric Gill, Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE)-Local 5; Liana M. Petranek, Ph. D., Flight Attendant
March 2005
CLASSIFIED RESEARCH:
Classified research philosophy and policy are discussed. The latest developments regarding the establishment of University Affiliated Research Center are also discussed.
Guests: Ruth Dawson - Professor of Women Studies, UHM; Gary Fuller - Professor of Geography, UHM
February 2005
POLITICS 'O5: WHAT IS AT ISSUE?:
The state of legislative politics in the state regarding education and labor are highlighted. Critical analysis of both Democrats and Republican policies make for interesting discussion about the 2005 Legislative session and the immediate future that the state faces.
Guests: Ah Quon McElrath - Member, UH Board of Regents (Retired); Roy Takumi - Chair, Education Committee-Hawai´i State House of Representatives; Jonathan Okamura - Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies, UHM
December 2004
PALESTINE: OCCUPATION OR INDEPENDENCE:
Israeli policies and actions in the Palestinian occupied territories are discussed. Mr. Hudes shares aspects of his recent fact-finding trip to Israel/Palestine. Israeli settler activities on the occupied West Bank are highlighted. Maps and graphs depict the deteriorating situation that the Palestinians have been experiencing since 1967.
Guests: George Hudes - Member, Friends of Sabeel-Hawai´i and Professor Ramsis Lutfy - Member, Friends of Sabeel-Hawai´i
November 2004
THE NEXT FOUR YEARS:
The discussion revolves around the re-election of George W. Bush and what it might mean for domestic and international politics. Guests also discuss both Republican and Democratic strategies in the presidential campaign of 2004.
Guests: Bart Dame - Community Activist; Noel J. Kent - Professor of Ethnic Studies-UHM
October 2004
LABOR, WAR AND EMPIRE:
Guests discuss the effects of the wars the US is engaged in on labor and the union movement locally and nationally. The program also discusses the effect of the war in Iraq on the state of the labor movement in that country. The relationship between US wars in the Middle East and the US imperial project is also discussed.
Guests: Steve Dinion - Musicians Union and Coordinator and Co-founder of Hawai´i Labor for Justice and Peace; Liana Petranek - Ph. D Political Science and Member of Flight Attendants Union (Hawaiian Air); John Witeck - President, the People's Fund and Member of Hawai´i Government Employees Association (HGEA)
September 2004
THE PEACE MOVEMENT:
The state of the peace movement in Hawai'i and the U.S. is discussed. Local activists discuss war and peace and the impacts of the war domestically and in the Middle East.
Guests: Bart Dame - Community Activist; Carolyn Hadfield - Not in Our Name (NION); Ruth Hsu - Associate Professor of English, UHM
May 2004
FREDERIC BUSH: ISRAEL IN PALESTINE:
The guests discuss the harsh reality of Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands and the suffering of the Palestinian people. The program was inspired by Professor Frederic Bush's visit to Israel/Palestine.
Guests: Margaret Brown - Friends of Sabeel, Hawai'i; George Hudes - Friends of Sabeel, Hawai'i; Robert Stiver, Friends of Sabeel, Hawai'i
April 2004
ETHNIC RAINBOW: MYTH OR REALITY?:
The discussion revolves around debunking the myth of the "rainbow" and looks at race and ethnic relations in Hawai'i in the contemporary period.
Guests: Rick Baldoz - Assistant Professor of Sociology, UHM; Marion Kelly - Professor of Ethnic Studies, UHM (Retired); Jonathan Okamura, Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies, UHM
March
2004
FACULTY AND THE STATE:
A discussion by faculty about the state of higher education and public policy as revealed through Governor Linda Lingle's offer to the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly (UHPA). The discussion points out the larger strategy contemplated by the state to move the UH system more towards privatization. Faculty also express concerns about the adverse consequences of that strategy for public higher education.
Guests: Naoko Shibusawa – Asst. Professor of History, UHM
and UHPA Board Member; Jeannie Lum - Associate Professor of Educational
Foundations, UHM and UHPA Board Member
February
2004
THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES 2004:
The program discusses the political climate and the positions of the various Democratic candidates while focusing on Howard Dean, John Kerry, Dennis Kucinich, and John Edwards. Lively discussion reveals the unity of the Democrats, despite their fielding of several candidates, in their attempt to defeat George W. Bush in the General elections of 2004.
Guests: Ah Quon McElrath - Member, Board of Regents; Bart Dame
– Representative, Kucinich Campaign; John Witeck – Labor and
Community Activist
December
2003
HOMELESSNESS ON THE RISE:
Discusses the social and political environment that breeds homelessness. It also shows the efforts of the Institute for Human Services (IHS), and Health Care for the Homeless in providing services for the homeless. The program points out what needs to be done for homelessness to be eliminated or reduced.
Guests: Ah Quon Mc Elrath, Member, Board of Regents-UHM; Margot L. Schrire, P. R. and Volunteer Manger, Institute for Human Services; Laura Thielen, Health Care for the Homeless
November
2003
LABOR AT A CROSSROADS:
The condition of labor in Hawaii and the challenges that face it under Republican Administrations both on the national and state levels. The discussion deals with structural problems in the political economy that go beyond Republicans and Democrats. New momentum in the trade union movement is highlighted.
Guests: Ah Quon Mc Elrath, Member, Board of Regents-UHM; Eric Gill,
Financial Secretary/Treasurer-Local 5; Ray Camacho, ILWU Oahu Division
Director
October
2003
EDWARD SAID, 1935 - 2003:
The life and works of the late Edward Said are discussed with a focus on Edward Said as a public intellectual and humanist committed to peace, justice, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Guests: Sanakaran Krishna, Professor of Political Science - UHM;
Monisha Das Gupta, Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies/Women's Studies
- UHM; Paul Lyons, Assistant Professor of English - UHM
September
2003
OCCUPATION: IRAQ AND PALESTINE:
Middle East developments are discussed with focus on developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, especially the Bush "Roadmap" to "peace;" and the situation in Iraq and Iran. The role of the US in the Middle East conflict is also highlighted.
Guests: Farideh Farhi, Dept. of Political Science-UHM; Ramsis Lutfy,
Retired Professor of Zoology, Member, Friends of Sabeel
May
2003
AFTER THE INVASION:
A discussion about the US occupation of Iraq and what it might mean to prospects of peace in the Middle East region, including Iran and Palestine. Impacts of war on the environment are also discussed.
Guests: Farideh Farhi, Dept. of Political Science-UHM; Ramsis Lutfy,
Retired Professor of Zoology, Member, Friends of Sabeel
April
2003
WORKERS TALK TURTLE BAY:
Local-5 workers and organizers discuss the treatment of workers by the management of Turtle Bay Resorts. Management's relations with the community is also discussed.
Guests: Claire Shimabukuro, Community Organizer - Local 5 and Executive
Director - People's Fund; Daniel Kerwin, Organizer & Business Agent,
HERE, Local 5; Jason Ward, Research Analyst, HERE Local 5
March
2003
CONQUEST FOR PEACE?:
A discussion of Israel's conquest of Palestinian Authority territories in the context of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza since 1967.
Guests: Vaughn Beckman, Pastor-First Christian Church and Honolulu
Member, Friends of Sabeel; Norrie Thompson, Retired Attorney at Law and
Honolulu Member, Friends of Sabeel; Ramsis Lutfy, Retired Professor of
Zoology and Member, Friends of Sabeel
February
2003
LABOR AGAINST WAR:
A discussion about why organized labor opposes the war. Economic, political and civil liberties reasons are advanced as arguments against war and for a peaceful option.
Guests: Ah Quon Mc Elrath, Member, Board of Regents-UHM;
Claire Shimabukuro, Organizer, Local 5, Executive Director, People's
Fund; John Witeck, Labor and Community Activist
December
2002
CIVIL LIBERTIES, UNCIVIL ACTS:
A discussion of the impact of the PATRIOT ACT and other post 9-11 federal legislation on civil liberties for all US citizens.
Guests: Vanessa Chong, Executive Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii; Wayson Chow, Attorney, National Lawyers Guild; Chris Iijima, Associate Professor, School of Law-UHM
November
2002
THE DAY AFTER:
A discussion about the Hawaii gubernatorial election and what a GOP victory might mean to Hawaii's people, and the Democratic Party.
Guests: Claire Shimabukuro, Community Organizer - Local 5 and Executive
Director - Peoples Fund; Bart Dame, Community Activist
October
2002
WAR IS NOT THE ANSWER:
A discussion about the follies of the war option with Iraq. How in the long run war option would be devastating to peace in the Middle East and to the interests of the American people.
Guests: Noel J. Kent, Prof. Ethnic Studies-UHM; Farideh Farhi,
The Middle East Institute Washington D.C.
September
2002
MANOA TO OTAGO:
A discussion with exchange students from the University of Otago, New Zealand and the Director of the Office of International Education, Jenny Samaan (UH) about the exchange program between Otago and the UH and the Otago students' experiences in Hawaii. A must see for UH students considering exchange opportunities.
Guests: Rachel Ka'ai Oldman, Exchange student- University
of Otago, New Zealand; Dean Muhata, Exchange student-University
of Otago, New Zealand; Jenny Samaan, Director, Office of International
Affairs-UHM
May
2002
ISRAEL IN PALESTINE:
A new look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with focus on the September 2000 Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation and Israel's invasion of Palestinian Authority-controlled territory. A fresh look at the meaning and practices of terrorism in light of the 9-11 attacks and the killing of civilians on both sides of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Guests: Miriam Sharma, Professor, Asian Studies-UHM; Ramsis
Lutfy, Retired Professor of Zoology ; Bart Dame, Community Activist
April
2002
UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY:
Demonstrates the relationship between university and the grassroots community through interviews with students in Service Learning projects in communities and community members. Focus is on the responsibility of the university to the community and the benefit derived by the university and community from this engagement.
Guests: Dean Alegado, Chair, Department of Ethnic Studies-UHM; Ulla Hasager, Ph.D., Systems of Service Project Director Service Learning
March
2002
HOMELESS:
Presents a fresh outlook on the homeless and homelessness. Includes interviews with homeless and service providers.
Guests: Mike Coleman, Central Union Church; Cindy Collison,
Maili Housing And Catholic Charities; George Harris, Like a Child
February
2002
GAMBLING ON THE ECONOMY:
Discusses Hawaii legislative politics and the way in which both Republican and Democrats pass legislation and devise public policy. Includes a discussion about the effects of these laws and policies on Hawaii's people.
Guests: Noel J. Kent, Professor of Ethnic Studies-UHM; Larry
Meacham, Executive Director of Common Cause-Hawaii
December
2001
AFGHANISTAN: PATRIOT ACTS:
A discussion of the war in Afghanistan including a critique of U. S. policy in the Middle East, South and Central Asia regions two months into the Afghanistan campaign. Discussed also is the erosion of civil liberties in light of the PATRIOT ACT.
Guests: Farideh Farhi, The Middle East Institute Washington
D.C.
November
2001
911: ISLANDS IN CRISIS:
Discusses the impact of the 9-11 events on the Hawaiian economy and the politics associated with that. Includes a discussion on civil rights in view of the 9-11 attacks and their aftermath.
Guests: Miriam Sharma, Professor, Asian Studies-UHM; Kyle
Kajihiro, Program Director, American Friends Service Committee;
Jonathan Okamura, Assistant Professor, Ethnic Studies-UHM
October
2001
HEGEMONY AND POWER:
A discussion of U. S. government reaction to the 9-11 events and a critique of U. S. policy in the Middle East and South Asia.
Guests: Farideh Farhi, Adjunct Scholar Middle East Institute
Washington D.C.; Tamara Albertini, Associate Professor, Philosophy-UHM
September
2001
LABOR: A NEW BEGINNING?:
A discussion of Labor issues in light of the political economy in Hawaii. Emphasis is on labor organizing and tactics and strategies to achieve organizing goals in the context of contemporary local and global politics.
Guests: Ah Quon McElrath, Board of Regents-UHM; Eric Gill,
Financial Secretary/Treasurer-Local 5; Mari Yoshimura, Asst. Professor,
American Studies-UHM
May
2001
GLOBAL IMPACT:
A discussion about globalization and its impacts on local communities. Hawaii's development in the context of the process of globalization is emphasized.
Guests:
April
2001
LABOR AND THE STATE:
A discussion of the UHPA and HSTA strikes and the relationship between the state government and public workers.
Guests:
March
2001
TENANTS ON THE MOVE:
A discussion of conditions in public housing and the social movement of tenants organizing in their own defense.
Guests:
February
2001
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS:
A discussion of Kanaka Maoli rights, including the impact of the Rice versus Cayetano US Supreme Court decision on those rights. The Akaka Bill and its implications on Kanaka Maoli rights are also analyzed.
Guests: