Michael Tony Futi was born at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center, Pago Pago, American Samoa on Jan. 25. (Those born in American Samoa are automatically American nationals, but not citizens) It became apparent that Michael had a heart defect, and arrangements were made by LBJ physicians for Michael to be treated at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, in Honolulu.
With appropriate treatment, Michael was expected to live a normal lifespan.
On February 8, 2008, the baby travelled to Honolulu on a regularly scheduled Hawaiian Airlines flight, accompanied by his mother, Luaipou Futi, and a traveling nurse, Arizona Veavea. Mrs. Futi (a native of Western Samoa) had appropriate travel documents, and Ms. Veavea is a naturalized U.S. citizen and carries a U.S. passport. Upon arrival in Honolulu, the plan was for the women and the infant to go directly to the Kapi'olani Medical Center. It should have only taken 10 to 15 minutes from the time the group cleared customs.
However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials escorted the group to a locked room and left them there.
Before being locked up, Veavea (who speaks fluent English), explained to Homeland Security officials that Michael needed to get medical treatment, and suggested that she and Michael be released while whatever problem Futi may have was resolved. The officials refused.
The room was overheated and stuffy, and Michael began developing breathing problems.
Futi and Veavea beat on the locked door, begging for assistance, while officials shouted through the door to "stay calm, relax".
Honolulu's paramedics were summmoned at 6:10 am, and transported Michael to Kaiser Permanente's Moana-lua Medical Center. He was in critical condition when the ambulance arrived. Michael died later that morning.
Do you feel safer now?
My husband read it out loud to me the other day when he was reading Honolulu Advertiser. He knew I would react passionately on that one. I was horrified and angry at the same time! Golly, what were those people thinking! (actually they were not thinking!) Grrr!!!!
Posted by: Liza's Eyeview | Monday, February 18, 2008 at 12:38 AM