Task force explores future f'SM airline service KOLONIA, Ponape (Congress Release) Committee met with airlines which may of Aloha Airlines, South Pacific Island — "Air Mike has provided excellent ser- be interested in providing air services Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Mid vice but we have reached the point that as to the Federated States of Micronesia. Pacific Air, along with Chuck Wolf who a nation we must make a decision on air Present at the Nov. 26 to Dec. 8 proposed to form a feeder line to serve transportation," said Senator Pedro meetings were Senators Sasao Gouland, the outer islands. Although the group Harris, chairman of the Joint Task Force Truk, chairman of the R&D Committee, did not meet with their representatives, on Air Transportation. Tony Otto, Truk, also a member of the Japan Airlines also has expressed interest Harris made this comment following task force, Raymond Setik, Truk, and in providing air service to die FSM. a trip to Honolulu where two members Elias Thomas, Ponape, along with Staff During its First Regular Session the of the task force along with members of Counsel Maketo Robert. Third Congress called for such an inves- the Congress Resources and Development The members met with representatives (Continued on page 4) The National Union AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE STATES OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA Volume 5 Kolonia, Ponape, January 15, 1984 Number 1 Kosrae State Constitution Takes effect LELU, Kosrae - The Kosrae State Constitution went into effect Jan. 11, with the swearing in of Gov. Yosiwo George. Lt. Gov. Moses Mackwelung and members of the State Legislature by FSM Supreme Court Chief Justice Edward King, according to State Information Of- ficer Alex Phillip. The brief ceremony took place at noon in the Kosrae State Legislature Building with Constitution Transition LEGISLATURE SWORN IN - Presiding District Judge Carl Kohler, at podium, Coordinator Hirosi Ismael presiding as is administering the oath of office to 19 members of the Third Ponape State Legis- master of ceremonies. Ismael was president of the Jan. 11- lature, during a Jan. 11 ceremony in the Legislature Chamber. Temporary Speaker April 1, 1983, Kosrae State Constitution- Alter Paul is left of the judge. One seat, for Pingelap, was vacant. al Convention and coordinator of the public information program leading up to the Oct. 14 referendum when 74 per Etse reelected Ponape Speaker (Continued on page 7) KOLONIA, Ponape - State Senator The legislature was convened after it Inside.... I Salter Etse of Madolenihmw was reelec- ended abruptly Jan. 10 when eight ted Speaker by the Third Ponape State members walked out in opposition to Legislature during its third day, Jan. 11, a Credentials Committee recommenda- Stomp agents reviewed of its first regular meeting shortly after tion against seating a new senator be- 19 members were sworn-in by Presiding cause he had been convicted of a felony. j(See page 3) District Judge Carl Kohler. The Credentials Committee submitted Also elected as Vice Speaker and Floor another report stating that "all creden- Ringlen goes to D.C. Leader were Joanes Edmund of Nett and (See page 6) Relio Yamada of Kolonia respectively. (Continued on page 5) I s Seminar studies sociaf needs MOEN, Truk - The Micronesian Semi- an article which has not been published nar, the Catholic pastoral and social updating the study he began in 1976 research institution headquartered here, on the suicide problem in Truk. will soon turn its attention to the econo- mic aspects of the Compact of Free "The rate here, especially among Association with the United States, young men, is astronomically high" at z o according to its director, the Rev. Francis 200 a year per 10,000 people, or 10 X. Bezel, S.J. to 15 times the U.S. rate, he said. Noting that Brother Henry Schwal- He said that Dr. Don Rubenstein, an benberg, S.J., assistant director of the Seminar, participated last year in the antropologist staying on Uman Island in I the Truk Lagoon, is doing most of the o public information programs for the XAVIER CAMPUS - The inner grounds Compact before the plebiscites in Palau, current research on suicides, and that the of the Xavier High School campus, Moen, 1the FSM and the Marshall Islands, Father social characteristics and high suicide Truk, is viewed from the roof of the main Hezel said, "This year, it's the economic rate are to be found throughout Micro- dormitory, administration gymnasium aspects." building. At left is a classroom building; "We hope to have a three-day confer- nesia and Western Samoa. Another area of social research which center, the chapel, and right, the library ence in May (possibly in Ponape) to dis- wing of the main building. cuss how tiie money should be spent," the Seminar "is just starting to crank he said, indicating that the purpose of the up" is mental disorders, especially among problem. program is to make the public aware of young people in Micronesia, in relation "This is a social laboratory, in a what the development funds are intended for and how they can participate in deter- to alcohol and marijuana abuse, Father sense," Father Hezel said, "that the mining how they are used. Hezel said, adding that he is trying to people working here ought to provide The FSM is scheduled to receive get the East-West Center and University remedies in Micronesia, but they could a base grant of $60 million a year during of Hawaii to assist in conducting a sur- have a wider impact in helping the rest the first five years of the 15-year vey to get basic data on the extent of the of the world." Compact with 40 per cent of that to go to economic development and capital improvement projects. Xavier doubles fund drive goal "What we are working toward is get- ting people to reflect, to think," Father MOEN, Truk - The goal for the third the school short of operating funds Hezel said, adding that "the people need annual Xavier High School fund drive for this year. to control their own destiny." was doubled from $8,000 sought last The school has 135 students, includ- Father Hezel has been director of the year to $16,000 to cover unanticipated ing 41 coeds who are living with spon- Micronesian Seminar since it was found- cholera-related costs, according to the sor families during the 1983-84 school ed in 1971 to provide socio-theological Jesuit school's development director year, he said. reflections on the problems of the area Norman W. McComb. and to assist the parishes in designing Xavier had a $9,000 shortage during Anticipated expenditures for the programs and obtaining training for their the previous school year, because of school year are $162,000 and anticipated members. having to feed and house 27 female receipts were $156,000 at the time the Father Hezel doubled as director of students due to the cholera epidemic St. Francis Xavier Fund Drive began on St. Xavier High School here until 1981 which hit Truk in August, 1982, McComb Dec. 1, according to McComb. when he returned to Hawaii and the U.S. said, adding that paying those bills left Xavier was founded in 1952 as a mainland for a sabbatical year of re- boarding school for boys and became search, consultation and theological coeducation in 1976. It has become the study. 753 named to Honor Roll premier academic high school in Micro- "We got into all sorts of things since nesia, presently serving students from we started," he said. throughout the FSM, Marshall Islands, Father Hezel said that the articles and LELU, Kosrae - 153 High School Palau and Kiribati (Gilberts). books which he has written and edited students out of an enrollment of 428 and which have gained him a reputation made the honor roll list at the close of It is supported by Jesuit foundations, as one of the foremost scholars on the First Quarter grading period, according to government funding and the U.S. food history and social aspects of Micronesia a Kosrae State Release. service program, and depends largely are "an outgrowth of what we have been Of the 153, twelve students garnered on gifts and donations from alumni and trying to do at the Micronesian Seminar." the GPA of 3.9 on a possible 4.0 grading other Micronesian and expatriates in system with 10 others on probation, the the area, McComb said. His most famous work is "Winds of release said. The school is seeking gifts of Change," a compilation of oral history Included among the 3.9 GPA pointers $10-$100, or more during the current and tales of Micronesia co-edited with were: Seniors - Lelean Ittu of Malem and drive and seeks scholarship sponsors Mark Berg. His latest book is "The Norson Nena of Utwe; Juniors — Alokoa throughout the year, he said, noting that First Taint of Civilization," published Sigrah of Lelu, Kersina Ned of Tafunsak it costs about $1,250 a year for each by the University of Hawaii Press late and Yoslin George of Malem; Sopho- student who is charged $200 in tuition last year. mores - Grossley Kinere and Johnson and $125 in boarding fees, if he or she Father Hezel said he recently renewed Asher of Tafunsak, Rochella Zintua and lives on campus. his interest in the "astronomically high" Thompson Siba of Lelu; Freshmen — Contributions may be addressed to suicide rate in Micronesia. Linda Kephas and Surleigh Tara of Malem McComb, Xavier High School, Box Father Hezel said he recently wrote and Moria Nena of Utwe.