Political Reviews

Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 michael lujan bevacqua, elizabeth ua ceallaigh bowman, monica c labriola, clement yow mulalap

Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017 peter clegg, lorenz gonschor, margaret mutu, chris nobbs, ‘umi perkins, steven ratuva, forrest wade young

125 144 the contemporary pacific • 30:1 (2018) away on 1 August 2016 at the age Crux, Catholic News Agency. Crux of 75. Alfred Curie Ysrael, a million- Catholic Media Inc. https://cruxnow.com aire real estate developer, business- gdp, Guam Daily Post. Tamuning, Guam. man, owner of several tourist hotels http://www.postguam.com on island, and brother-in-law of the Guam Sports Network. Honorable Madeleine Z Bordallo, http://www.guamsportsnetwork.com received a state funeral on Guam when he passed away on 10 March Kaselehlie Press. Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. http://www.kpress.info 2017 at the age of 86. Looking to the future, Guam kuam, kuam.com: Guam’s News Net- continues in an atmosphere of work. Dededo. http://www.kuam.com/ political anxiety, especially as inter- Los Angeles Times. national relations across the Asia- http://www.latimes.com Pacific region may shift under the Marianas Variety. Monday–Friday Trump administration. In 2016, newspaper, Guam edition. Harmon, China developed new missiles dubbed Guam: Younis Art Studio Inc. “Guam Killers,” capable of striking http://www.mvariety.com/ Guam (Washington Post, 11 May Office of the Attorney General of Guam. 2016). Throughout 2017, North 2017. ag on the Plebiscite Case and the Korea conducted well-publicized doj’s Letter to Chamorro Land Trust. missile tests, which, while unlikely Press release, 21 March. http://www to cause much damage directly to .guamag.org/press%20releases/2017/ the continental United States, are AG%20on%20Plebiscite%20& capable of wrecking much havoc on %20CLTC%20Letter%2003.2017.pdf the Korean peninsula and surrounding [accessed 13 Sept 2017] gdp areas ( , 9 June 2017). pdn, Pacific Daily News. Hagåtña, Guam. michael lujan bevacqua and http://www.guampdn.com elizabeth ua ceallaigh bowman Pacific Islands Report. East-West Center online news. Honolulu. http://www .pireport.org References The Stream. Al Jazeera English online Bennett, Jesi Lujan. 2017. Review of news. Washington, dc. http://stream Guam Museum/Guam and Chamorro .aljazeera.com Education Facility. The Contemporary Washington Post. Daily newspaper. Pacific 29 (1): 195–197. Washington, dc. http://www Bevacqua, Michael Lujan. 2017. .washingtonpost.com Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016: Guam. The Contemporary Pacific 29 (1): 104–111. Marshall Islands cia World Factbook. 2017. For the Republic of the Marshall http://www.ciaworldfactbook.us Islands (RMI), the period under CounterPunch. Online news. Petolia, review saw the passing of several California. http://www.counterpunch.org distinguished community mem- political reviews • micronesia 145 bers. Most notable were the deaths proponent of education and a sup- of two customary leaders from the porter of the national women’s group Rālik (western) islands. Iroojḷapḷap Women United Together Marshall (Paramount Chief) Anjua Loeak Islands (mij, 27 Jan 2017). died in early September 2016 and The Marshall Islands lost another was laid to rest at Aelōñḷapḷap Atoll leader and teacher in January 2017 later that month. Loeak was the with the passing of Captain Korent senior landowner for the domains of Joel, one the country’s last surviving Iroojḷapḷap Litokwa and Iroojḷapḷap ri-meto (traditional navigators). Cap- Loeak, which include approximately tain Korent had been instrumental in one-third of Kuwajleen (Kwajalein) the recent movement to revive tradi- Atoll and twelve wāto (land parcels) tional Marshallese meto (navigation). on Kuwajleen Island (pir, 1 June He worked with the nonprofit organi- 2000). Kuwajleen Atoll is the site of zation Waan Aelōñ in Ṃajeḷ (Canoes the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile of the Marshall Islands) and Dr Joseph Defense Test Site, where the US Army Genz of the University of Hawai‘i at develops, tests, and tracks intercon- Hilo to document, preserve, and pass tinental ballistic missiles and missile on traditional navigational knowl- interceptors. In 2001, former Presi- edge. In his youth on Roñḷap Atoll, dent Kessai Note named Loeak to the Captain Korent learned a system of Compact Advisory Committee to help wave piloting in which navigators guide the Compact Negotiation Com- detect how islands disrupt the flow of mission in talks with the United States ocean swells and currents. In 2006, he on the renewed Compact of Free used the system to earn the status of Association, which went into effect ri-meto by sailing between Kuwajleen in 2003. Loeak was also a member and Ujae atolls. In 2010, Captain of the Kwajalein Negotiating Com- Korent helped guide a canoe led by mittee, which represented Kuwajleen Waan Aelōñ in Ṃajeḷ Director Alson landowner interests in the negotia- Kelen on a successful voyage between tions (pir, 31 Dec 2001). Following Mājro and Aur atolls using only the an eight-year standoff with the United wave patterns to guide them, and in States, Loeak joined Iroojḷapḷap Imata 2015 he prepared Kelen on land for a Kabua and Iroojḷapḷap and then successful repeat voyage from Mājro President Jurelang Zedkaia in sign- to Aur (mij, 12 Jan 2017). ing an agreement that extended US Several prominent political and use of the Kuwajleen test site through community leaders also passed away 2066 (pir, 12 May 2011). In Janu- during this period. Among them was ary 2017, the Rālik islands also lost former Senator Rellong Lemari, who customary leader Lerooj (Chieftess) represented Lae Atoll in the Nitijeḷā Seagull Kabua James, younger sister (Parliament) for nineteen years until of Iroojḷapḷap Imata Kabua. Lerooj his retirement in 2011 (mij, 3 March Seagull resided on Ebjā (Ebeye) Island 2017). Former Mile Atoll Senator and in Honolulu and was known Tadashi Lometo, who was elected the for upholding Marshallese culture first mayor of Mile in 1982 and served and traditions. She was also a strong in the Nitijeḷā from 1996 to 2008 (mij, 146 the contemporary pacific • 30:1 (2018)

26 Aug 2016), also died during this the outer islands, and health services. period. Lometo served as a member of Priority reform areas include fiscal the Public Accounts Committee, which management, social security, infra- investigated the sale of RMI passports structure planning and development, to citizens of the People’s Republic of management of cultural and historical China and other nations in the 1980s resources, nuclear accountability and and 1990s (pir, 12 Jan 1998), and justice, and amending the RMI Consti- as minister of health and minister-in- tution. Between August and December assistance to former President Kessai 2016, the Nitijeḷā passed nineteen Note in the early 2000s. Other deaths pieces of legislation that address include Clyde Heine, a cofounder these issues, and President Heine has and longtime general manager of the introduced several initiatives since Majuro (Mājro) Stevedore & Terminal January 2017 to help push her agenda Company and brother of President forward. The Constitutional Conven- Hilda Heine; Morean Ellen Kabua, tion also got underway in April 2017 wife of Council of Irooj (Council of and remains in session at the time of Chiefs) member Jimata Kabua; Salome this writing. Lanwi, who served as chief nurse at In terms of legislative action, the the Mājro hospital for several decades; Nitijeḷā enacted several laws focused and Deaconess Krojel Jabnil Wase. on environmental and community The period under review has been health and wellness. The Styrofoam productive for the RMI government. and Plastic Products Prohibition Act In what has been called “one of the 2016 bans disposable Styrofoam, most significant legislative sessions plastic bags, and plastic cups and for the Nitijeḷā since it was estab- plates, and establishes a ten-cent bev- lished in 1979,” the governing body erage container fee, an environmental enacted several important, and in fund, and a recycling program (RMI some cases controversial, laws that Nitijeḷā 2016g). The Import Duties will have lasting impacts on commu- (Funding Supplement Amendment) nities in the Marshall Islands and in Act 2016 addresses skyrocketing rates the diaspora (mij, 7 Oct 2016). The of type 2 diabetes and other health legislation was largely in response concerns by increasing import taxes to the plan introduced by President on alcohol and tobacco products and Heine in August 2016 and subse- instituting a new import tax on sweet- quently adopted by the cabinet as ened and sugar-added beverages (RMI “Agenda 2020: A Framework for Nitijeḷā 2016d). The Minimum Wage Progress” (RMI Office of the President (Amendment) Act 2016 raises the min- 2016). The plan identifies ten national imum wage to us$2.50 per hour and challenges and ten priority govern- an additional fifty cents per hour per ment reforms to be adopted over the year until it reaches $4.00 per hour next three years. Challenges include (RMI Nitijeḷā 2016e). The minimum economic growth and employment, wage in Marshall Islands had been education, climate change and disas- stagnant at $2.00 per hour since 1999 ter risk mitigation, water and food (mij, 19 Aug 2016). These three laws security, quality of life on Ebjā and and amendments have the potential to political reviews • micronesia 147 improve the quality of life of Marshall to eighteen years. The amendment Islanders across the country. to the Births, Deaths and Marriage In addition to legislation focused on Registration Act brings the Marshall enhancing the physical and environ- Islands into compliance with the mental health of Marshallese com- United Nations Convention on the munities, several laws were enacted to Rights of the Child (crc), which the protect children and families. Among RMI ratified in 1993. It also bridges these was the Adoptions (Amendment) the “disparity between the minimum Act 2016, which strengthens over- legal age for the marriage of boys and sight of international adoptions and that of girls as recommended by the protects “the best interests of children crc” (RMI Nitijeḷā 2016b, 8). and prevent[s] the abduction, sale, and The Nitijeḷā passed two acts during trafficking of children” (RMI Nitijeḷā this period that have been the subject 2016a, 11). The amendment was a of intense discussion across the Mar- response to renewed concerns about shallese community. The Social Secu- unethical adoption practices involving rity (Amendment) Act 2016 prompted Marshallese children in the Marshall months of confusion, debate, and Islands, in Hawai‘i, and on the US pushback by employers, commu- continent. The concern also prompted nity leaders, and the general public. amendment sponsor and Minister of The amendment aimed to reform Internal Affairs Amenta Matthew to the Marshall Islands Social Security request help from the Hawai‘i Family Administration (missa) and stabilize Court to ensure that any adoptions the RMI retirement fund by “remov- of Marshallese children in Hawai‘i ing loopholes, increasing contributions comply with RMI law. Over the past and decreasing benefits” (RMI Nitijeḷā several years, Hawai‘i hospitals have 2016f, 11). The original amendment seen an increasing number of women included an increase in the required from the Marshall Islands seeking to employer/employee tax contribu- surrender their babies for adoption tion from 7 percent to 8 percent, the immediately after giving birth. Accord- elimination of the $5,000 per month ing to hospital staff, some women cap on taxable income, a 5 percent appear to have been coached with reduction in monthly payments for answers to questions that will help beneficiaries receiving between $200 circumvent RMI and State of Hawai‘i and $1,000 per month, a $1,000 adoption regulations (Perez 2017). A maximum monthly benefit limit, and similar trend occurred in Hawai‘i in a prohibition on the payment of social the 1990s and early 2000s but was security benefits to any person who is largely curtailed through restrictions still employed. The reform was needed imposed by the RMI Adoptions Act to address missa’s $7 million annual of 2002. The new amendment aims shortfall and the likelihood that the to toughen those restrictions. Another fund will go bankrupt by 2023 (pir, law passed during this period will 2 May 2016). On its passage, the protect Marshallese girls and young amendment prompted an outpour- women by raising the minimum legal ing of dissent from business owners, age for marriage of girls from sixteen community leaders, and retirees, 148 the contemporary pacific • 30:1 (2018) who broadly opposed changes to the those citizens who pay taxes and are retirement system that they consid- residents of the country to choose ered harmful to retirees, low-income their national and local representa- individuals, and small business owners tives and to improve the efficiency, (mij, 30 Sept 2016). President Heine cost, and accuracy of the voting responded by announcing in her state process. Following its approval by a of the nation address in January 2017 slim vote in the Nitijeḷā (13 to 12), that implementation of the amended the amendment sparked dissent on the law would be delayed and that the part of off-island Marshall Islanders cabinet would propose modifications and others who used social media to (Heine 2017). The revised amend- voice their disapproval. Opposition ment addresses many of the concerns was so intense that it prompted the expressed by increasing caps on Council of Irooj to submit a letter of monthly benefits and quarterly taxable concern to the Nitijeḷā. In October income; shifting to a graduated cut 2016, council members met with in benefits based on the amount of Speaker of the Nitijeḷā Kenneth Kedi monthly benefits received, with no and other government representatives one who receives less than $400 per to request that the Nitijeḷā draft a month being subjected to a cut; and new amendment allowing off-island authorizing tax exemptions on various Marshall Islanders to continue to vote forms of income, including per diems, in elections. Despite this rare move housing allowances, and others. To by the Council of Irooj to become offset some of the financial impacts directly involved in political matters— of these changes, the revised amend- although the RMI Constitution grants ment includes a graduated increase the twelve-member body the authority in the retirement age from sixty to to do so—Speaker Kedi stated that the sixty-five by 2025 and eliminates council’s expression of concern had early and deferred retirement (mij, not followed “the Constitutionally 10 March 2017). The new version of prescribed format” and signed the bill the amended law went into effect in into law (mij, 28 Oct 2016). Moving March 2017 (RMI Nitijeḷā 2016f). forward, Marshall Islanders living In late September 2016, the Nitijeḷā outside the country will no longer cast passed another controversial law absentee ballots by mail as they have “eliminating the postal voting system done since the adoption of the Elec- for persons residing outside of the tion and Referenda Act of 1980. With Republic” (RMI Nitijeḷā 2016c, 5). In an estimated 30 percent of Marshall elections since that time, only eligible Islanders living abroad, the change voters who currently live in the Mar- will likely have a dramatic impact on shall Islands can vote. Postal absentee the outcomes of future elections. ballots will be made available only to In addition to legislative actions eligible voters who are temporarily taken during the 2016 session of the out of the country on Election Day Nitijeḷā, the republic’s fourth Consti- or who are unable to vote in person tutional Convention (Con-Con) was due to illness or disability. The aims convened in April 2017 to consider of the amendment are to allow only more than twenty proposed amend- political reviews • micronesia 149 ments to the RMI Constitution. Fol- percent on Mājro and other atolls (mij, lowing article XII, section 4—which 3 March 2017). Following months outlines the rules for amending the of preparation, the Constitutional constitution by constitutional conven- Convention got underway on 13 April tion and referendum—the path to the 2017 with an opening ceremony at Con-Con began in September 2015 the International Convention Center with the Nitijeḷā’s adoption of the on Mājro. The first order of busi- Constitutional Convention Act 2015 ness was the election of convention (RMI Nitijeḷā 2015), thereby setting officers. Senator and former President forth the proposals to be considered Kessai Note of Jebat was elected as amendments. In August 2016, the president, beating out Senator and RMI Electoral Administration issued former President Christopher Loeak a timetable for activities leading up of Aelōñḷapḷap by just one vote (22 to the convention special election on to 21). Senator and former President 21 February 2017. These included Casten Nemra prevailed over former a month of voter education events, Senator Phillip Muller for the vice nominations for convention repre- presidency (25 to 18), and Yolanda sentatives, the official announcement Lodge-Ned won the uncontested of candidates, preparation of ballots, secretarial seat with forty-one votes and elections personnel training. By (mij, 21 April 2017). Delegates met December 2016, 143 candidates had on 17 April 2017 for the convention’s registered to run for forty-five conven- first business session, at which time tion seats. Among the candidates were discussion and debate on the consti- twenty-four irooj, including several tutional amendments put forth by the senators, contending for twelve irooj Nitijeḷā began. seats, and a host of senators and Perhaps the highest-profile and members of the general population most controversial of the constitu- vying for island delegate seats. Sena- tional amendments up for consid- tors Michael Kabua of Kuwajleen, eration is Proposal 4, which would Christopher Loeak of Aelōñḷapḷap, amend RMI Constitution article V, Wilbur Heine of Mile, and Bruce section 3 to allow for the direct elec- Bilimon of Ṃaḷoeḷap ran for irooj tion of the president by the people seats, leaving their island delegate rather than by the Nitijeḷā. Under the seats open to other candidates (mij, RMI’s current system, the Nitijeḷā 23 Dec 2016). Senator Kessai Note of elects the president from among Jebat, First Gentleman Tommy Kijiner current senators (RMI Constitution Jr of Likiep, and Senator David Kabua 1979). The proposed amendment aims of Wōtto ran unopposed for delegate to give more voice to the electorate by seats (mij, 3 Feb 2017). Following the granting voters the right to elect their Election and Referenda (Amendment) own president and to create politi- (1) Act of 2016, Marshall Islanders cal stability in the republic, which living overseas were not eligible to has experienced numerous votes of cast absentee postal ballots. Despite no confidence by the Nitijeḷā against a range of publicity and educational sitting presidents over the past several efforts, voter turnout was as low as 20 years. If approved, the amendment 150 the contemporary pacific • 30:1 (2018) would dramatically alter election response to the controversy that arose procedures, the functioning of the during the 2015 election cycle, when Nitijeḷā, and, potentially, the outcomes naturalized citizen Jack Niedenthal of future elections. Proposal 5 seeks ran for a seat in the Nitijeḷā for Mājro to further amend article V by creat- Atoll. In late 2014, the RMI Electoral ing a position of vice president, who Administration barred Niedenthal would also be elected directly by the from running on the grounds that he people. Both proposals include the did not have a Marshallese parent or provision that the president and vice a traditional jowi (matriclan), and the president be natural-born citizens of attorney general upheld the decision. the Marshall Islands. Niedenthal brought the matter to the Several other proposed amendments RMI High Court, which ruled that seek to remedy perceived inequities the RMI Constitution authorizes any and issues of concern in the execution qualified voter over the age of twenty- and outcomes of national-level elec- one to run for office (RMI High Court tions. Proposal 9 would amend article 2015). Although the ruling cleared IV, section 1 to reserve 6 of the 33 the path for Niedenthal to stand for current Nitijeḷā seats for women, with election, he lost by a significant mar- 2 seats from Mājro Atoll and 1 each gin (mij, 27 Nov 2015). If approved, from Kuwajleen, Aelōñḷapḷap, and Proposal 19 would disqualify Nie- Jālwōj atolls to be contested exclu- denthal and others in similar circum- sively by women. The current Nitijeḷā stances from standing for election in has three woman senators—the most the future. to sit on the Nitijeḷā at any one time Several proposed amendments since the nation’s first election in seek to address issues related to RMI 1979—including President Hilda citizenship and land rights and tenure. Heine of Aur, Senator Daisy Alik- Proposal 22 would amend article Momotaro of Jālwōj, and Senator XI, section 2(b), which entitles any Amenta Matthew of Utrōk. Previ- eligible foreign national who has been ous woman senators include Evelyn a resident of the RMI for at least three Konou of Jālwōj and Abacca Anjain- years and is the parent of a child who Maddison of Roñḷap. The goal of the is an RMI citizen to apply for RMI amendment is to increase the repre- citizenship. The change would make it sentation of women in the Nitijeḷā. more difficult for foreign nationals to Proposal 19 would further reform the obtain RMI citizenship by increasing electoral process by altering eligibil- the residency requirement from three ity requirements for Nitijeḷā candi- to ten years. Proposal 1 would further dates. The amendment would revise amend the same article and section article IV, section 4 to require that any by requiring that any person applying Nitijeḷā candidate have land rights for citizenship based on parentage of by birth and be a natural-born RMI a Marshallese child also be married citizen. The goal of the amendment to the Marshallese parent of the child is to require that Nitijeḷā candidates who is the basis of the claim. Regard- be Marshallese not just by citizenship ing land rights and tenure, Proposal 8 but also by descent. The proposal is a would amend article X to restrict the political reviews • micronesia 151 sale and ownership of land to RMI the customary law or any traditional citizens and the RMI government. practice” (RMI Constitution 1979). Currently, article X, section 1[2] of While the proposal appears on its face the constitution stipulates only that to be about elections, it in fact repre- a person cannot lawfully alienate sents an assertion of RMI jurisdiction any piece of land by sale, mortgage, over Ānen-kio Atoll. The United States lease, license or otherwise without the has claimed Ānen-kio since 1898— approval of the iroojḷapḷap (para- the same year it occupied Hawai‘i mount chief), irooj-iddik (child of a and took possession of Guam and chief) where applicable, aḷap (lineage the Philippines following the Span- head), and the senior ri-jerbal (senior ish American War—and has operated worker/commoner) of the land in several US military installations on the question, “who shall be deemed to atoll since 1941. The Marshall Islands represent all persons having an inter- maintains that Ānen-kio lies within est in that land” (RMI Constitution its borders, and Marshallese tradition 1979). The proposed amendment identifies the atoll as an ancient ḷārooj would eliminate the possibility of (mij, 26 Aug 2016)—a mostly unin- making such a transfer to a for- habited island or atoll reserved for eign national, nation, corporation, food gathering, usually for a chief and or other entity. Proposal 20 would his immediate family. In April 2016, further amend article X to include a the RMI government submitted “450 new section providing for traditional pages of geographical coordinates, dispute resolution in land tenure cases. treaty agreements and 25 charts that As the RMI Constitution includes no together officially declare the baselines such provision, people have relied on and the outer limits of all maritime the RMI courts to address and resolve zones under the national jurisdiction land disputes, leading to a spiraling of the Marshall Islands—and included occurrence of litigation. If approved, in this declaration is Wake Island” the amendment would shift the (Johnson 2016). Amending article supervision of land disputes from the IV, section 2(1) of the RMI Consti- court system to a customary body and tution to include Ānen-kio as part process. of the RMI electoral district would Proposal 21 would amend article strengthen this claim. IV, section 2(1) of the constitution to Although the Constitutional Con- include Ānen-kio Atoll (Wake Island) vention is still in session at the time of as part of the RMI electoral district this writing and the outcome of these that currently includes Jemọ Island and other proposals is not yet known, and Ṇadikdik, Ādkup, Tōkā, Pikaar, President Heine, the Nitijeḷā, and Bokaak, Roñdik, and Aelōñin Ae local institutions and agencies took atolls, which are all presently unin- additional steps during this period habited. Article IV, section 2(1) of the to advance President Heine’s Agenda RMI Constitution states that each of 2020 and, in turn, improve the health these atolls and islands is “included in and well-being of Marshallese com- the electoral district with which it is munities. For example, several projects most closely associated, pursuant to were undertaken to improve quality 152 the contemporary pacific • 30:1 (2018) of life on Ebjā Island. In March 2017, underway, and the Ministry of Health the Kwajalein Atoll Development and the Republic of China (Taiwan) Authority, which oversees social, agreed to allow Marshall Islands economic, and cultural development patients with orthopedic conditions, projects on the atoll, approved fund- cancer, and heart-related illnesses ing for various development projects to be referred to Shuang Ho Hospi- on Ebjā. These included the replace- tal in Taiwan for treatment (mij, 21 ment of power plant generators, April 2017). In December 2016, the reconstruction of basketball and tennis Marshall Islands Red Cross Soci- courts, disaster relief funds for dam- ety (mircs) received an infusion of age incurred by Typhoon Nangka in funds from the Nitijeḷā for disaster July 2015, and funding for housing preparedness efforts and administra- construction (mij, 31 March 2017). By tive functions. Following this boost June 2017, several construction proj- to its budget, the fledgling society ects were underway or near comple- took several of the steps required tion, including a refurbished dock, to become a member of the Inter- a new classroom building for Ebeye national Federation of the Red (Ebjā) Public Elementary School, wells Cross. These include hiring its first for the power plant’s forthcoming secretary-general in April 2017, who reverse osmosis system, and a new quickly launched volunteer recruit- boat ramp (mij, 16 June 2017). Also ment efforts across the country. At during this period, Kuwajleen Atoll its first General Assembly in June leaders and RMI government officials 2017, the mircs elected a board of engaged in talks with the US Army governors and announced that it had about the possibility of enhancing recruited more than 340 volunteers, benefits for Marshallese workers on all of whom will receive training in Kuwajleen (mij, 21 Oct 2016), and the first aid and conduct drought surveys, US Army has invited the RMI private disaster preparation, and relief work sector to bid for technical services and around the islands. Also in April other contracts on Kuwajleen for the 2017, the Marshall Islands Marine first time in the United States’ seven- Resources Authority hosted the first decade history on the atoll (mij, 24 National Oceans Symposium, bring- Feb 2016). In an effort to improve ing together hundreds of elected and educational outcomes in Kuwajleen community leaders, teachers, students, Atoll schools, teachers and educa- and nongovernmental organizations tion leaders gathered on Ebjā in April to discuss climate change, ocean 2017 for the first-ever Kwajalein Atoll conservation, and sustainability. In Education Summit. June 2017, RMI leaders brought Key developments in the areas of these issues to the international UN nuclear justice, health services, disaster Ocean Conference in New York City. preparedness, and the environment In the area of nuclear accountability, also pushed the president’s agenda President Heine announced legisla- forward during this period. Construc- tion that would establish a Nuclear tion of the first phase of Mājro’s Commission to develop a strategy new hospital and surgical ward got for achieving nuclear justice for political reviews • micronesia 153

Marshall Islanders. She also convened References the “Nuclear Legacy Conference: Charting a Journey Toward Justice” Heine, Hilda C. 2017. State of the Nation Address, 2 Jan. https://www.dropbox to commemorate the seventy-first .com/s/b6i6lg3dk1lkep2/President%27s anniversary of the 1 March 1954 %202017%20Nitijela%20Opening Castle Bravo thermonuclear test on %20%28English%29%20TK.pdf?dl=0 Pikinni (Bikini) Atoll and to chart a [accessed 31 July 2017] course for the future of nuclear justice. Johnson, Giff. . Marshall Islands The conference featured a keynote 2016 Pushes Claim for Wake Island. Marianas address by Climate Change Ambas- Business Journal, 16 May. https:// sador Tony deBrum and brought mbjguam.com/2016/05/16/marshall together nuclear survivors, experts, -islands-pushes-claim-for-wake-island/ and “media representatives to inform [accessed 3 Aug 2017] and create awareness among the mij, Marshall Islands Journal. Mājro. people of the Marshall Islands, the Weekly. United States, and the world at large, and to develop a detailed strategy for Perez, Rob. 2017. Marshallese action and engagement both with the Adoptions Raise Some Suspicions. United States and with the interna- Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 5 July. http:// tional community” (RMI Office of the www.staradvertiser.com/2017/07/05/ hawaii-news/marshallese-adoptions-raise President 2017). -some-suspicions/ [accessed 1 Aug 2017] Despite the tremendous strides taken by President Heine, the Nitijeḷā, pir, Pacific Islands Report. Honolulu. and many others to improve the lives Daily Internet news. http://www.pireport of Marshall Islanders during this .org/ period, many challenges remain. RMI Constitution. 1979. Available on the These include high rates of poverty, Republic of the Marshall Islands Nitijeḷā domestic abuse, out-migration, and (Parliament) website: http://rmiparliament epidemic disease. If President Heine’s .org/cms/constitution.html [accessed 1 Aug Agenda 2020, the 2016 legislative 2017] agenda, and the amendments up for RMI High Court. 2015. Civil Action consideration by the Constitutional 2014-263: Niedenthal v Chief Electoral Convention are any indication, the Officer. Summary Judgment, 25 Feb. Marshall Islands will continue to chart http://rmicourts.org/wp-content/uploads/ the course and make headway toward Niedenthal-v-CEO-CA-2014-263.pdf a more positive, healthy, and secure [accessed 8 Aug 2017] future for its citizens in the years to RMI Nitijeḷā. 2015. Constitutional Con- come. vention Act 2015. http://rmiparliament .org/cms/images/LEGISLATION/ The author thanks Joseph Genz, PRINCIPAL/2015/2015-0046/ Terry Hazzard, Tamera Heine, and ConstitutionalConventionAct2015_1.pdf James Plasman for comments on [accessed 8 Aug 2017] sections of this review. ———. 2016a. Adoptions (Amendment) Act . https://rmiparliament.org/cms/ monica c labriola 2016 images/LEGISLATION/BILLS/2016/2016 154 the contemporary pacific • 30:1 (2018)

-0035/AdoptionsAmendmentAct2016.pdf ———. 2016f. Social Security (Amend- [accessed 27 July 2017] ment) Act 2016. https://rmiparliament.org/ cms/images/LEGISLATION/BILLS/2016/ ———. 2016b. Births, Deaths and Mar- 2016-0047/SocialSecurityAmendment riage Registration (Amendment) Act 2016. Act .pdf [accessed Sept ] https://rmiparliament.org/cms/images/ 2016 7 2017 LEGISLATION/BILLS/2016/2016-0026/ ———. 2016g. Styrofoam and Plastic BirthsDeathsandMarriageRegistration Products Prohibition Act 2016. https:// AmendmentAct2016.pdf [accessed rmiparliament.org/cms/images/ 27 July 2017] LEGISLATION/BILLS/2016/2016-0028/ StyrofoamandPlasticProductsProhibition ———. 2016c. Election and Referenda Act2016.pdf [accessed 27 July 2017] (Amendment)(1) Act 2016. https://rmiparliament.org/cms/images/ RMI Office of the President. 2016. LEGISLATION/BILLS/20/2016-06/ Agenda 2020. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ ElectionandReferendaAmendment1Act ugd/23908d_4b72280d42e64c80a34d25 2016.pdf [accessed 27 July 2017] fa17860866.pdf [accessed 31 July 2017] ———. 2016d. Import Duties (Funding ———. Marshall Islands Nuclear Legacy Supplement Amendment) Act 2016. Conference: “Charting a Journey Toward https://rmiparliament.org/cms/images/ Justice.” 2017. Kikid Kwōjkwō, 24 Feb, 2. LEGISLATION/BILLS/2016/2016-0032/ https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/23908d ImportDutiesFundingSupplement _0a9c8d3e7def471a930a6b278fedd734 AmendmentAct2016.pdf [accessed .pdf [accessed 6 Sept 2017] 27 July 2017] ———. 2016e. Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2016. https:// rmiparliament.org/cms/images/ LEGISLATION/BILLS/20/2016-16/ MinimumWageAmendmentAct2016.pdf [accessed 27 July 2017]