9th Annual Hawaii Conference on Language Access

9th Annual Hawai’i Conference on Language Access

This year marks the 10th year of Hawai’i’s language access law. In recognition of this milestone, the conference theme is 10 Years of Language Access in Hawai’i: Reaching Back, Forging Ahead. The conference objectives are to: (1) review the history of Hawai’i’s language access law; (2) highlight language access efforts in Hawai’i and other states; (3) provide guidelines for language access compliance and monitoring of recipients and sub-recipients of federal and/or state funds; (4) discuss the latest tools and technology in interpretation and translation; (5) provide information on language assistance services; (6) facilitate the sharing and exchange of ideas, expertise and experiences on the basics of language access compliance; and more.

The conference featured an exciting line-up of presentations by language access experts and regulators from across the United States, as well as local experts and practitioners. Also, to hear from various levels of government and the private/non-profit sectors. The conference also featured personal stories from members of our LEP community who have graciously agreed to share their experience and speak on LEP issues from their own perspective.

Gerald Ohta – Affirmative Action Office, Department of Health

Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald – Remarks of Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald

Associate Justice Sabrina Mckenna – Language Access Efforts in Hawai’i (ppt)

Michael Leoz – Office for Civil Rights, Pacific Region, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Paula Couselo-Findikoglu – New Mexico Center for Language Access, New Mexico Judiciary

Tina Takashy – Interpreter / FSM Advocate

Melody Kubo – Office on Equality & Access to the Courts, Hawai’i Judiciary

Kleber Palma – Translation and Interpretation Unit, New York City Department of Education

Elena Safariants – Health Care Authority, Washington State

Christine Stoneman – Federal Coordination & Compliance Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice

Photos by JN Productions, Inc.

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Click on the hyperlinks below to watch video clips.

Day 1

Welcome & Introductions

Emcee: Rebecca (Becky) Gardner – Office of Language Access

  • Oli: Palakiko Yagodich – Kapiolani Community College
  • Introductions: Helena Manzano – Office of Language Access
  • Opening Remarks: Senator Suzanne Chun-Oakland – Hawai‘i State Legislature
  • Special Address: Dr. Amy Agbayani – University of Hawai‘i–Manoa

PANEL: History of Language Access in Hawai‘i

Moderator: William (Bill) Hoshijo – Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission

  • Dominic Inocelda – Susannah Wesley Community Center
  • Gerald Ohta – Affirmative Action Office, Department of Health
  • Dr. Sheila Forman – Community Activist/ Educator/ Retired Administrator
  • Charlene Cuaresma – Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research & Training

Testimonials

  • Qing Wu
  • Xiaopeng Chi
  • Jenny Ziyan Luo
  • Incarnation Hetiback
  • Helen Xiaowen Deng, Interpreter
  • Tina Takashy, Interpreter/FSM Advocate

Guest Speaker: Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald – Hawai‘i Supreme Court

PANEL: Language Access Efforts in Hawai‘i

  • Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna – Hawai‘i Supreme Court
  • Aadel Khandaker – Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
  • Bridget Palmer Holthus – Department of Human Services

PANEL: Language Access Efforts in Other States/Jurisdictions

  • Paula Couselo-Findikoglu – New Mexico Center for Language Access, New Mexico Judiciary
  • Stephanie Franklin – Office of Human Rights, District of Columbia
  • Kleber Palma – Translation & Interpretation Unit, New York City Department of Education
  • Elena Safariants – Health Care Authority, Washington State

Day 2

Language Access Compliance & Monitoring Guidelines for Recipients & Sub-recipients

Moderator: Becky Gardner – Office of Language Access

  • Christine Stoneman – Federal Coordination & Compliance Section, Civil Rights Division, S. Department of Justice (Video conference)
  • Michael Leoz, Danielle Archuleta, & Eric Press – Office for Civil Rights, Pacific Region, S. Department of Health & Human Services
  • Stephanie Franklin – Office of Human Rights, District of Columbia

Language Access Planning & Implementation: Lessons Learned

  • Elena Safariants – Health Care Authority, Washington State
  • Melody Kubo – Office on Equality & Access to the Courts, Hawai‘i Judiciary

Using Technology in Interpretation

  • Suzanne Zeng – Center for Interpretation & Translation Studies, University of Hawai‘i -Manoa
  • Cari Uesugi – Maui Memorial Hospital
  • Kleber Palma – Translation & Interpretation Unit, New York City Department of Education

Translating Vital Documents & Websites

  • Kleber Palma – Translation & Interpretation Unit, New York City Department of Education
  • Melody Kubo – Office onEquality & Access to the Courts, Hawai‘i Judiciary
  • Francois Miller – Translator

Creating a Multilingual Workforce & Language Testing Program

Moderator: Dina Yoshimi – Hawai‘i Language Roadmap Initiative

  • Elena Safariants – Health Care Authority, Washington State
  • PaulaCouselo-Findikoglu – New Mexico Center for Language Access, New Mexico Judiciary

Obtaining Language Assistance Services; Funding & Resources

  • Aphirak (AP) Bamrungruan – Office of the Director, Department of Human Services
  • Melody Kubo – Office on Equality & Access to the Courts, Hawai‘i Judiciary