In the summer of 1974, newly married and a recent college graduate, I arrived in Chuuk, in the Federated States of Micronesia, to begin a two-year stint as a Peace Corps volunteer. My island of Tonowas had no running water, electricity, or paved roads. We caught water off the corrugated roof of our small plywood house and used kerosene to fuel our single-burner stove and lantern.

Several weeks ago, I returned to Chuuk for the first time in 32 years, as a member of an election observation mission coordinated by the East-West Center. On the surface, I found that very little has changed — a lot of basic infrastructure is still lacking even though many millions of U.S. dollars have flowed to the FSM under America's Compact of Free Association with this young democracy, which has only been independent since 1986.

There were some positive changes. Water catchment systems had improved considerably, and investment in modern telecommunication services, such as the wide use of cell phones, now provides valuable communication links between the islands. But as an island nation dealing with issues of self-sufficiency, FSM still faces many challenges.

Growing economic concerns and limited opportunities at home have resulted in FSM citizens, predominantly from Chuuk State, migrating in increasing numbers to Guam, Hawai'i and the U.S. Mainland. As with any new migrant population, assimilation has presented challenges for both the migrants and the host communities. In 2007, for example, Hawai'i's state agencies spent more than $100 million on health, education and social services for people from the Compact nations in Micronesia.

As Americans, we have a national obligation to the people of Micronesia since our relationship with the region is rooted in our history of benefiting from its strategic importance to us. My recent trip to Chuuk, as well as my experience as a member of the Hawai'i Board of Education and a participant on a recent state task force examining local issues related to the Compact states, brings me to believe that we could certainly do a better job of fulfilling that obligation. Based on my discussions with knowledgeable people "on the ground," here are a few ideas:

• On the national level, a frank discussion should be initiated regarding the administration of the Compact of Free Association, which is currently housed in the U.S. Department of the Interior. As sovereign nations, should the Compact countries continue to deal primarily with a federal department that is mainly focused on domestic issues?

• The U.S. should also look at partnering with FSM officials to develop better preventive healthcare systems in the islands. This could reduce the number of Micronesians who are now forced to seek serious medical treatment in Hawai'i and elsewhere. Programs to target diabetes, obesity and various communicable diseases would greatly reduce healthcare costs in the long run.

• Locally, Hawai'i's government needs to aggressively seek federal funding to support the state's effort to provide services for migrants from Compact states. Currently, a resolution is pending in the state Legislature requesting federal funding to offset the state's expenditures.

• We should also establish stronger ties between education officials in Hawai'i and the Compact countries. This is especially important because students migrating to Hawai'i are expected to meet federal No Child Left Behind requirements. There are some structures currently in place, but these efforts need to be strengthened.

• Finally, we should make better use of established and respected channels of communication within the community, such as local churches with large Micronesian congregations and traditional Micronesian cultural leaders living in Hawai'i.

While the people of the Federated States of Micronesia work to build their young country, the U.S. and Hawai'i should work to be supportive partners, including doing our best to welcome Micronesian migrant families into our classrooms and neighborhoods when they choose to make a new life in our communities. There is no doubt that we will be continuing our close relationship with the Compact countries of Micronesia for many years to come, so it's in everybody's best interest to build the strongest partnership we can.

Karen Knudsen, director of external affairs at the East-West Center and vice chairwoman of the state Board of Education, wrote this commentary for The Advertiser. Reach her at knudsenk@eastwestcenter.org.