Softball, Weightlifting History at Games Pionship Games

$1 on Financial The The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 201Majuro4 1 records lost in hospital fire ISSN: 0892 2096 See page 6 Friday, August 1, 2014 • Volume 45, Number 31

The ecstatic RMI’s women’s softball team shortly after winning gold in Pohnpei. Photo: Deborah Shoniber. Right, RMI’s weightlifting team members display their medals at Majuro’s City Hall. Photo: Hilary Hosia. RMI gold miners Marshall Islands athletes delivered their best ever finish at the Micronesian Games Tuesday, with four teams playing in cham- Softball, weightlifting history at Games pionship games. Men’s and women’s basketball and softball teams made history by slaught invoked the 10-run rule, halting RMI has done in team events at this every- Guam in the same Micronesian Games. all qualifying for the gold medal games the game after five innings to give the RMI four-year regional competition. Guam showed its basketball prowess by that were played on the last day of the Mi- women the gold medal. RMI men’s fastpitch softball team lost going undefeated in basketball. Guam de- cro Games in Pohnpei this week. The three other RMI teams lost their to Pohnpei in the finals, 11-4. But on the feated the RMI men’s team 88-50 and the The RMI women’s fastpitch softball matches, achieving the silver medal in each way, Team RMI men eliminated Guam to RMI women’s team 77-31 in the gold med- team won its first-ever gold medal by de- event. Despite these losses in the champi- get to the championship with Pohnpei. It is al games Tuesday, sending the RMI teams feating Guam 14-4 behind Alysia Mad- onship games, the three silver medal fin- the first time that RMI softball teams have home with silver medals. This marked the dison’s grandslam homerun. The run on- ishes and one gold medal was the best the beaten both men and women’s teams from Continued page 2 Talk to us at [email protected] • Subscribe to the Journal Online at www.marshallislandsjournal.com 2 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal Worth their weight in gold! Marshall Islands weightlifters put on a show at the Games results: P19 Pohnpei Micro Games last It’s a wrap: week, winning 29 medals — mostly golds — in a per- formance reminiscent of the Nauru weightlifting team’s Our wrestlers dominance in the 1990s. The 29 medals accounted for 35 percent of the total 83 medals RMI athletes put win 15 medals on the board in competi- RMI weightlifter tions through last Saturday, Chanity ‘Matiti’ True to form, RMI wrestlers amassed a large number placing the RMI second in Lare in action. of medals, putting in a strong effort at last week’s three- total medals behind host Photo: Joseph Satur. day wrestling competition at the Micronesian Games. Pohnpei (103). Ilania Keju was the standout RMI wrestler, winning The young women were all four of her matches for a total of four gold medals. particularly dominant, win- They came, they saw, fully recovered from the pelle brought home three She competed in both the senior and regular freestyle divisions, and in two beach wrestling divisions, knock- ning nine gold medals and they conquered — injury, she easily won three bronze medals for RMI in three silver medals as they ing off all her challengers. One other female wrestler, RMI weightlifters gold medals in Pohnpei by the 94kg (207lb), hefting took command of three lifting in the clean and jerk a total of 215kg (473lb) in Piolani Tartius, collected two bronze medals in beach weight classes. The men demolish the compe- and snatch competitions clean and jerk and snatch and freestyle wrestling competitions. won 11 gold medals, one tition. Report, GIFF a total of 165kg (363lb). competitions. Youthful lift- None of the men’s team was able to win gold, but silver and five bronze med- JOHNSON The silver medal winner er Switon Batin, Jr. picked seven wrestlers brought home medals. als. from Yap wasn’t even in the up three bronze medals in Carthney Laukon won two silvers in the Greco-Ro- The 20 gold medals, and Nauru. In the clean and same ballpark, with a total the 62kg (136lb) compe- man and freestyle competitions, while Fredrick Hesa 29 overall medals, is the jerk and snatch categories, lift of “only” 95kg (209lb). tition by lifting a total of (freestyle), Ring Clarence (Greco), Dallas Milne (free- largest medal haul ever for Lomina hefted a total of Marine Burns and Cha- 175kg (385lb) in the two style) and Siaumau Filoitofi (freestyle) each won a sil- RMI weightlifters com- 140kg (308lb) to win three nity Lare were a one-two competitions. ver medal. peting at a Micronesian gold medals. Her nearest knock out punch in the The 10 RMI weightlifters Solomon Tohejal picked up two bronze medals in the Games. competitor managed to lift women’s 53kg (138lb) each won three medals in beach and freestyle competitions. The men who won gold “only” 84kg (185lb). weight division, with Ma- the team’s stunning display Multi-gold winner Waylon Muller competed in his — Patterson River (3), Pe- Mathlynn (Mattie) Sasser rine winning three gold in Pohnpei. “The weight sixth Micro Games competition since 1994. But it was ter Enoch (3), Loir Tamare was even more impressive medals and Chanity taking classes in which RMI did his first time to lose a match: in the previous five Games (2), and Kabuati Bob (3) in the 63kg (138lb) weight three silvers. Marine’s lifts not medal did not have he had won gold in every competition he entered. In — won their competitions division. Mattie has ex- total 118kg (260lb), while RMI lifters in them,” said Pohnpei, despite being one of the oldest wrestlers on for the most part with ease, celled in regional competi- Chanity’s totaled 93kg National Olympic Com- the mat at 42, he still medaled, collecting a bronze in defeating opponents by as tion, defeating weightlifters (205lb) — easily defeating mittee official Amy Sasser. the freestyle competition. much as 11kg (24lb) per lift. from bigger countries in the a Yap lifter who managed “We went in with high ex- The women, however, were South Pacific, but recently 82kg (180lb) for a bronze pectations, but those were simply in a class by them- had injured her hand. medal. certainly exceeded by our selves. Lomina Tibon, who Showing that she was Veteran lifter Mack Ca- lifters’ performances!” Swimmers grab won multiple gold medals at the Oceania Champion- ships in New Caledonia More medals from Pohnpei 40 percent of in May, set the pace in the women’s 48kg division. From page 1 did RMI tennis player Verney Budda Wase. First, in the clean and jerk, first time for the RMI men to achieve a sil- Overall, the RMI set a total medals re- she lifted nearly double her cord for a Micronesian Games by com- RMI medals ver medal finish, and the second time for weight at 80kg (176lb). But the women’s basketball team (that won ing in third place with 90 medals behind Marshall Islands swimmers accounted for over 40 per- what is astounding is that silver at the 2002 Games, also in Pohnpei, Pohnpei (117) and Palau (103). Guam was cent of RMI medals won during the first week of the Mi- her 80kg lift was fully 32kg when they defeated Guam). fourth with 81. Overall, RMI netted 34 cronesian Games in Pohnpei. (70lb) heavier than the sil- In addition to these team events, the RMI gold, 23 silver and 33 bronze medals in The Ebeye/Kwajalein-based swimmers took out 25 in- ver medal winner from table tennis team won a bronze medal as Pohnpei for its best-ever finish. dividual medals and nine team relay competitions, winning six gold medals, 12 silver medals and 16 bronze during the three-day competition. The swim team continued a long-standing tradition of competitiveness in the Micronesian region that began with the 1994 Micro Games in Guam. Swimmer Troy Kojenlang was the highest medal winner on the RMI swim team, garnering eight medals from individual competitions, including a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly race. He added three silvers and four bronze to his individual medal haul. He also picked up five additional medals by participating in winning relay teams, so overall he amassed 13 medals. In team competition, he added three silvers and two bronzes. Veteran swimmer Giordan Harris won four bronze medals in individual races, and added another five as a member of winning relay teams. On the women’s side, Ann-Marie Hepler was the standout, winning six medals, including two golds, in individual races. She also added a gold, a silver and two bronze medals for team relay events. Molly Premo, Angela Kendrick, Colleen Furgeson and Ann-Marie combined for the RMI’s only gold medal in a relay event, winning the 200m freestyle relay. The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 3 Lujar gets life for ’12 murder Marshall Islander Lujar Philippo was sentenced to life in prison Oregon last The 45th Pacific Islands Forum officially this Wednesday with leaders meeting at week for stabbing his girl- the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center in Koror, Palau. Pictured with Small Island friend to death over two State Leaders is President Christopher Loeak, who is the outgoing Forum chair. years ago. A jury found him guilty of murdering Kiorin- ta Edmond, who he stabbed repeatedly in a drunken rage outside his Tualatin, Oregon apartment. Philippo will be eligible for parole in 25 Sea Bounty pays $125K years. Philippo killed his girl- friend in June 2012 follow- A US fishing vessel has paid a $125,000 Nathan Brech- ing an argument that en- fine to the Marshall Islands Marine Resourc- sued when Edmond wanted tefeld is now the es Authority (MIMRA) to settle alleged fish- Philippo and his friend Cas- new Attorney ing violations it was cited for June this year. ton Robert to stop drinking. General. Public MIMRA fined the US fishing vessel Sea The two were drinking in Service Commis- Bounty for fishing violations that reportedly the couple’s apartment. occurred within the Marshall Islands exclu- sion’s Deputy In his testimony, Rob- sive economic zone. Commissioner ert said when the argument According to MIMRA legal advisor Tion Ken Anitok started he left, but by the Nabau, the Sea Bounty was repeatedly spot- reports that time he reached his car, Ed- ted in Majuro lagoon using a towboat to set Brechtefeld took mond called his cell and he its long net and catch fish including silky over the post last heard her scream. Return- sharks, which reportedly were finned. The month. ing, Robert struggled with June 16 and June 21 incidents were reported Philippo but said he finally to MIMRA. relaxed so he released him. Nabau said that upon interviewing wit- At that pont, Philippo ran to nesses and the observer on the incidents, the kitchen and grabbed a more violations by the vessel were revealed knife and chased after Ed- including a June 5 incident whereby a whale mond. Philippo caught up shark was caught within RMI waters. with her outside and pro- “After setting, the whale shark was kept ceeded to stab her repeat- Silk pleads not guilty edly. Neighbors dialed 911. inside the net while the crew kept on brail- ing,” Nabau said. “This is a violation of RMI At his sentencing, Philip- regulations but it was not reported by the Francis Silk pled ‘not guilty’ on Wednesday equipment from Genesis Pharmacy. po said he disagreed with vessel.” and has waived his preliminary hearing and re- A pre-trial status conference to set a trial date, prosecutors’ arguments that A notice of the alleged violations was sent quested a jury trial. jury questionnaire and jury selection procedures the killing was intentional. “When you’re drinking,” to the owner of Sea Bounty and on June 27 a Silk is charged with 18 counts each for brib- and instructions has been scheduled for Decem- he said, “you have no clue search warrant was executed and the vessel ery, misconduct in a public office, theft by de- ber 17. what you’re doing.” was searched. ception, securing execution of documents by Attorney John Masek represents silk. Pros- Edmond is survived by 11 “The vessel operator denied allegations, deception and criminal conspiracy all related to ecuting attorneys representing the government siblings and a nine-year old however the matter was settled in lieu of fraudulent bids awarded through the Ministry are Assistant Attorney Generals Johnathan of Health for purchases of medical supplies and Kawakami and Yolanda Lodge-Ned. son who is living with one criminal and civil prosecution,” said Nabau. of his aunts. Captain fined $10K over coral and clams A civilian captain of a US Navy tugboat But other crew members informed officials was fined $10,000 for attempting to bring in the US, who alerted US Customs and Bor- coral and giant clams into Hawaii from the der Patrol and US Fish and Wildlife Service, Marshall Islands, reported the Honolulu Star- which searched the vessel on its arrival back Advertiser last week. in Honolulu in late 2012. John Barrett Travers said he collected the They seized 21 giant clams and 56 pieces EPA folks thank Harrington live coral and giant clams in 2012 to send of coral from the vessel. to his home in Florida and give to friends in He claimed he didn’t know he was break- RMI Environmental Protection Au- his years of service for EPA and present California. ing any laws when he took the marine life. thority’s Ebeye Senior Environmental him with a retirement plaque were Act- Travers said he and three crewmen used US District Judge Leslie Kobayashi told Specialist Harrington Dribo (above, sec- ing President Wilbur Heine and RMIE- an inflatable dinghy to go to a small island Travers that ignorance of the law is not a de- ond from left) was honored with a retire- PA Board Chairman Reginald White. in Kwajalein where they broke off pieces of fense. Speaking about the marine items he ment celebration at Mon-LaMike on Eb- Pictured: Wilbur Heine, Harrington Dr- live coral and collected giant clams, the Ho- took from Kwajalein Atoll, Kobayashi said: eye last month. Dribo worked for EPA ibo with his plaque, Anjojo Kabua and nolulu newspaper reported. “These are precious, protected animals.” since 1992. On hand to thank Dribo for Regional White. 4 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 5 6 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal Bill 43 will fix MISSA

Nitijela’s Public accounts committee has been holding hearings over the past two weeks under the chairmanship of Rongelap Senator Ken Kedi. On Tuesday this week the group met with the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration, which has presented, yet again, for the 12th year in a row, an unqualified audit — that means no problems. Despite glowing commendation from the committee for MISSA’s management of its finances, the fact remains that MISSA is accumulating an annual cash deficit — with beneficiary payments surpassing what the administration is collecting from the local economy. As a result, MISSA has had to dip into its trust fund to cover the deficits. “At present the system is operating with a $4.5 million cash deficit and we project a $5.5 million deficit for 2015,” said MISSA Administrator Saane Aho, adding that the only quick fix for the system will be for Nitijela to pass Bill 43. In summary Nitijela Bill 43 proposes to: • increase the tax rate by two percent • reduce benefit payments by 22 percent • increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 and • increase the early retirement age from 55 to 60. “Bill 43 is the solution for now,” stressed Aho. “If the Bill is passed the deficit will be gone and the trust fund will be safe for another 15 to 20 years.” Picture top: Delap residents watch as the flames engulf the Ministry of Health storage facility. Photo: David Applebaum. Above, the MALGov bulldozer rolls in to contain the fire from Quest cancellation spreading. Below, a team gathered to help with the hose. Photos: Hilary Hosia. notices incorrect More than 4500 members of the Quest medical program in Hawaii received erroneous notification that their participation in the program had been cancelled. The late June notification of cancellation should not have been sent to Records the affected members due to an error made by the vendor charged with mailing notices for the Quest program. The vendor, according to an unnamed employee of the Hawaii Department of Health Services, failed to send out letters to Quest members in May that their participation would be cancelled in Quest if they did not fill out an enclosed go up in application. That notice was to have been sent in the May mailing, but the May mailing, through a vendor mistake, was never mailed. As a result of the misunderstanding, a new date, in Au- gust, has been set as the time before which reapplication flames would be accepted. Fire broke out at a storage building located in the Ministry of Health compound on Monday night. The fire took out the former Department of Energy clinic, which ministry officials say was used for storing financial records. According to Julia Alfred, staff at the ministry’s finance office confirmed that all financial records from fiscal year 2011 back were stored in the building. Hospital maintenance became aware of the fire just after 5pm and they immediately alerted the fire department. However once fire crews arrived the building was already engulfed in flames. The National Fire department with its 380-gallon fire truck proved insufficient to tackle the blaze but rein- forcements by means of a bulldozer from the Majuro Atoll Local Government and two 2,000-gallon water trucks from Majuro Water and Sewer Company worked to contain the fire from spreading to other facilities within the Ministry of Health compound. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, however there is suspicion that vandalism from neighbor- hood children may be a factor as health officials report repeated vandalism — broken windows, doors — are a common occurrence at this storage facility. It is not clear at this time if evidence needed for prosecution of criminal cases before the court was destroyed in the fire. The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 7 Mudge Nuclear Savage shows in Hiroshima praises Adam Horowitz’s (pic- to high-level nuclear fallout. tured) documentary “Nucle- Hajime Matsukubo of the NTA ar Savage: Islands of the Se- Citizens’ Nuclear Informa- cret Project 4.1” will show tion Center confirmed that next month in Hiroshima the films will be shown as team and Nagasaki during me- part of the Japan Congress morial ceremonies for the Against A- and H-Bombs Majuro Mayor atomic bombings. international conference Mudge Samuel gave a The film focuses on the that is marking the 69th big thumbs up to NTA Bravo hydrogen bomb test anniversary of the atomic at the Marshall Islands in the Marshall Islands and bomb attacks on the two Mayors Association the situation of Rongelap cities in Japan at the end of meeting last week. people who were exposed World War II. In a session that featured NTA management answering questions of mayors and talking about plans for the outer islands, Sam- USP campus for Kiribati uel said he had recently been in Palau. He pointed out that Work on the new University of South Pacific Asian Development Bank (ADB) for agreeing future decisions and to participate meaningfully Palau is ranked as one (USP) Kiribati Campus has begun following a to provide a soft loan to finance the work. The in the development process of their country,” he of the top countries groundbreaking ceremony at the site last week. new campus development in Kiribati is the first said. “Our fast growing youth population has in the region in many Officiating the event was Kiribati President tranche — about $3.6 million of a total Multi- been a challenge to our development. Every respects. But after en- Anote Tong, USP Pro-Chancellor Ikbal Jannif tranche of $19m that USP had raised from ADB year about 2000 school leavers exit the educa- during slow Internet and USP Vice-Chancellor and President, Profes- in June. In his remarks during the event Presi- tion system. Only 500 get scholarships and jobs speeds there, he said sor Rajesh Chandra. dent Tong said the move to expand USP Kiri- and the rest remain jobless so every year 1500 NTA’s service gets an According to Chandra: “USP’s decision to bati Campus has been on the planning board for youths join the pool of unemployed people. “A+” by comparison. invest in the expansion of our campus here in some time and he is encouraging to learn that This number accumulates as the years go by and Samuel acknowl- Kiribati was not a hasty decision but one of this plan is set to take shape. Government being the biggest employer is pres- edged that obviously careful consideration, and you could say, neces- “It is a move that corresponds with the Gov- sured further to provide jobs.” there are problems sity, as we noted the rapidly increasing number ernment’s development priority to build human In related news, in May this year the Marshall from time to time, but of students over the years which, for us, was a resource and in line with the Government’s em- Islands government purchased the Long Island that overall he praised reflection that youths in Kiribati continue to be phasis on capacity building and education so that Hotel for $3.8 million to convert this former ho- NTA’s operation. motivated to participate in higher education.” our young people are equipped with skills and tel into a new campus for USP’s Majuro cam- Chandra expressed his sincere gratitude to the knowledge that will help them make informed pus. 8 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal

The RMI Riddle No. 515: Sponsored by CopyMasters

ACROSS 1. Elected body. 4. Stifled. 7. Stationery store. 9. Gauze strip. 10. Importance. 11. Turn down the light. 13. Colorful activity! 15. Didn’t move. Participants in the 16. ‘Net note. new mentorship 17. Union, crunch, or program at MOH. card. 19. Fever, River, or Sub- marine. 22. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev said: “If MOH trials buddy one cannot catch a bird of paradise, better take a wet ---.” 24. Island knife. 7. Meetings. Answers to Riddle No. 514 system with students 25. Rapid rise. 8. Pharmacist. (5,6) W C B A K E R C E T A R A W A A I S L A N D 26. Tiny place? (5,6) 12. Angry. S L K I T E S A G The Ministry of Health is increasing its for trainee program at Majuro or Ebeye P A L M E H E M A I N 27. Politician. 14. Acquire. B C R A Y O N S N efforts to encourage young Marshallese to hospitals. P I N H O A C H I E F 28. Perspired. 15. Cunning. U I B A R R I E R D U pursue medical careers through a mentor- Current medical students the ministry is M A C A W M E D I T S ship program between prospective students reaching out to under this program include DOWN 17. Navigation aid. P E E Y E B R O W O S S C R U B R E N T R Y and practicing local doctors. David Alfred, who is currently attending 1. Ascended. 18. Imprecise. A S E C U R E D E O M I T A S N R O S E Last week doctors Kennar Briand, Aina I-Shou University in Taiwan. Alfred is 2. Skipper. 20. Trap. P A R A T E D E I B U C K E T E E N E R G Y Garstang and Prahlad Patil met with stu- soon to be joined by Cody Jack and Ethel 3. Hobbled. 21. Coming up tomor- S A H I R E D L N dents interested in pursuing medicine and Briand. The program is also extended to 4. Alele. row! Note: (abb.) = abbreviation discussed strategies to increase the number nursing students including as University of 5. Cargo. 22. Doctor. (3,4) = indicates the number of Marshallese doctors. Main Fort Kent nursing graduates Kyle Le- 6. Postponed. 23. MOH employees. of letters in words. By assigning a student to a doctor, the mari and two College of Marshall Islands Ministry envisions continued communica- nursing graduates all of whom are plan- tions between students and their mentor ning to pursue higher medical studies. The Need a pen to do the puzzle? will provide support wile student under go ministry is encouraging those interested to their studies and opportunities for the stu- contact the human resource department on Buy your stationery needs at: dent to return home during school breaks 625-5660. The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 9 10 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal AROUND TOWN

Kirtake’s back! Boat The fabulous sports fish- imers relaunched his boat ing boat Kirtake (a.k.a. from the reclaimed area in launching Arno Ferry) has been front of the old Taka Lager ... rain or missing from the blue brewery. The splash down lagoon for quite a few went well and the vessel shine! months while it was being is expected to compete in given a large dose of TLC. this weekend’s Marshalls Last Friday, despite the Billfish Tournament. Photo: rain, Captain Ronnie Re- Isaac Marty.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: All that is needed for a FAIR tax system which will double government revenues without an increase in anyone’s tax rate is for the Ministry of Finance to simply enforce the current easy to enforce tax laws (with a few tweaks here and there). What is so difficult about that? These MOF employees and tax consultants are making mountains out of molehills. What foreign organization or country is behind this? — David M Strauss Traditional tables Furniture designing is probably their mouth. They don’t use a ta- bending over, and if they dropped not the first item of production you ble. food on the floor, it’s easy to reach would choose to have as a class “It’s not exactly a table, the legs down and clean it up,” he said. competition for your average Mar- are only half the height, maybe He added that many eating huts shallese but a conversation held 18”, that’s all,” said the older man. featured tables covered with carv- recently in a town bus stop proved “Reason I say it’s so practical is ings. “Some carved a whale, some up to be a surprising revelation. you don’t need chairs — most eat- a shark. It was just to make the A younger guy, perhaps 22 years ing rooms are pretty small and you tabletop interesting. You just don’t of growth, sporting a light goatee don’t want chairs cluttering the see any of these old tables around was talking to an older gentleman space.” anymore.” and surprisingly, both were chat- I was curious as to what the Well sometimes you hear stories ting away in English. two men were talking about and that are true, sometimes they’re “I just don’t agree, sure what when I asked, the older man re- not so true. I told the old man he you say sounds possible, but from plied, “we’re talking about tradi- was probably watching too many what I’ve ever seen, Marshallese tional Marshallese eating tables. Korean movies on TV lately and either sit on a chair at a table or They were built to be close to the was confused. He looked at me they sit on a floor and pick up the ground so you could reach the questioningly. He caught the next food from a plate on the floor to food and scoop mouthfuls without taxi and was smiling as he left. Death on the 1-5 ... the sequel LaJimma and Kam- to rest on the two Mar- “Reason I’m asking,” said keep quiet. Alone, mo sat in their booth by shallese who seemed said the uniform, “is we with Kammo, LaJimma the large glass window to be putting effort into received a report that explained: “There’s two of Krystal Café, the eat- keeping their eyes fixed a white Honda was in- cops, the other one was ery they found when on each other. volved in a shooting just standing by our rental. they took the Krystal City “Hello, gentlemen,” north of here. We’d ap- Lucky I swallowed that exit off I-5. Their reason- said the cop as he ap- preciate it if you’d let us casing,” he said. Then ing was simple: hunker proached the lolap ro, “I examine your vehicle.” he added, “Remember down in plain sight and wonder if I could ask if “For what?” said La- this: we thought we saw hope to be invisible. For- the white Honda out front Jimma. two cars on the road as tunately, their reasoning is yours.” “That we don’t know we drove by. That’s all. proved faulty, for as they LaJimma looked the yet. It’s just a routine re- One was white like ours, sat enjoying nice beefy cop in the face and an- quest.” the other was dark blue, breakfasts, an emblem swered, “It’s ours. Why? “Here,” said LaJimma maybe green. Now, just bedecked local sheriff Is there a problem?” as he picked up the key keep eating and acting entered the restaurant “Did you two just arrive from the table, “help your- natural.” and assumed a legs- here heading south.” self.” The cop nodded Outside, through the spread stance as he Again, LaJimma said, and turned to leave while large plate glass window, took stock of the café’s “Yes.” He sensed no rea- LaJimma gave Kammo a LaJimma and Kammo patrons. His gaze came son to lie. knowing look, a look that caught glimpses of the The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 11 AROUND TOWN A real curve ball As Majuro continues to evolve the design of the road in that area propriate designations prevailed there appears to be a number of approved. but death of both name sources unresolved issues facing the com- In other locations, controversy resulted in a retreat from the munity of such a serious nature seems to simmer regarding des- original allocations: Joba’s Curve that the addressing of at least one ignation, such as is the case with morphed into “Rubar Curve” and of these matters be brought to the former “Joba’s Curve”, so named Lanwi’s Curve transubstantiated forefront of communal awareness. because Iroij Joba requested that into “David Paul Curve”, a transi- Take for example, the highly politi- the road be designed to skirt his tion which, while not yet universal- cal act of naming certain locations. area because there was too much ly recognized, has all the earmarks There is, really, no official nam- noise from traffic on the road as of a designation in progress. ing authority. This doesn’t mean, originally positioned. Location designations often are however that locations don’t get Subsequently as the road pav- unappreciated for their signifi- named. ing rolled further towards Laura, cance but somehow signify a sub- For example, the dual road in Dr. Isaac Lanwi requested that a conscious view of items such as Delap with the numerous traffic reposition of the road similar to the history, reality, and shame to say, islands is generally referred to as one Joba received be visited in the animosity. Amata Kabua Boulevard, a des- area where he resided. Thus we For example, is it complimentary ignation indicating awareness that have “Lanwi’s Curve”. when you agree to meet at Devil’s Amata was instrumental in getting For a number of years the ap- Curve? Oooooo! Who wants $25 for Diaka info? Story we heard last week Orlando’s quality Diaka while driving to the had the kindness Bank of Guam. to replace the “Those Ailuk stolen one people really with a cheap, like PII,” said worn, skinny- Nicky DeBrum, wheeled Diaka. son of Orlando And just to rub it in, DeBrum , a Likiep Atoll the thief took the time to resident. Orlando recently purchased a write “O. DeBrum” on the exchange Dia- Diaka manufactured by PII. Needing the ka. Orlando was obviously not too hap- Diaka in the outer island, Orlando, who, py to have an old Diaka when he paid until retirement, was manager of Mobil’s for a new one, so if you have any friends bulk plant in Majuro, took his new Diaka in Ailuk, it might be a good idea to ask to Marshall Islands Shipping Corpora- around to see if anyone has noticed a tion on Uliga dock and logged his new nice, new Diaka on island. The Journal vehicle for shipment to Likiep. Unfortu- will give a reward of $25 to the first per- nately, the ship going to Likiep made a son to give information which leads to stop at Ailuk Atoll where, more unfor- the return of Orlando’s Diaka. In a small tunately, the Diaka was stolen from on community like Ailuk, we’d bet someone board the ship. Still, the incident wasn’t on the island would be happy to rat-out perfectly bad because whoever stole a crook just for the fun of it. Death on the 1-5 ... the sequel two officers rummag- ers. But it looks like you carjack us. I swallowed ing through their Honda. had nothing to do with the casing because I After checking the pas- the shooting.” was afraid we’d get in senger area they went “Say what?” said La- trouble,” he said. to the trunk and carefully Jimma, fast on the pick When LaJimma and inspected. Finding noth- up. Kammo finally arrived in ing either in the trunk or “$500,000 for either Costa Mesa a few days in the luggage, the cop one, dead or alive.” Re- later, they were enthu- came back in the restau- peated the cop. siastically welcomed by rant to return the rental “You know officer,” the Marshallese commu- keys to LaJimma. said LaJimma, “I just re- nity. “Too bad guys, we membered something. If There was a week of found nothing. Sorry, I you’d take us into cus- constant partying as the thought we’d find some- tody and hold us for a relatives of LaJimma and thing to tie you into the while I think I could help Kammo celebrated get- shooting. The reward for you locate the shell case ting the reward money. these guys dead or alive that killed the one guy, “Not bad for two kids is $500,000. If you two the one with a tank top from Ailinglaplap,” said were responsible you’d and tattoos. We shot him LaJimma to his friend be a rich pair of travel- because he was trying to Kammo, “not bad at all!” 12 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal

Opinion page Send letters to PO Box 14, Majuro, MH 96960 or email [email protected] Free up cars for government workers! Every so often we get a complaint letter from a reader to let us know how upset he or she is because “I saw so and so driving a government vehicle dropping her kids off at COOP,” or dropping her kids off and shopping at K&K or jamboing to Laura. Point is, we make a problem or a criminal act out of driving a government vehicle for private purposes. But if we think about it, this is stupid. Why should YOU care if a government employee uses a government vehicle after hours or for delivering kitchen trash to the dump? What if you (Mr. or Mrs. Complainer) were a gov- “Let’s see… cut fishing days to save fish… increase cost of fishing days to make more ernment worker and used a government car? Wouldn’t be money… install more FADS to attract fish… make FAD fishing illegal… so bad then, eh? have meeting… serve yellowfin sashimi at meeting… raise fishing day cost to save…” Given the above, the Journal would like to advance the following thinking: make it a policy that if a government worker is good enough to have a vehicle assigned to him or her, it should be a full assignment free of criminality. Consider the vehicle as a perk, an accepted benefit of being a government employee. PACER the real push Not only is this wise use of the vehicle before it rusts out, there is a simple requirement foisted on the employee when he or she is assigned a car or pick-up: the employee has to pay for registration, for insurance, for repairs, behind VAT for RMI? for gas, for oil changes, for getting flats fixed, etc. In other words, the employee pays everything related to the In the 18 July 2014 edition under the article “VAT still a the first step in the trade liberalization process, which I pre- vehicle and can even buy the vehicle at a special discount good choice for RMI,” Secretary Alfred made a statement sume will heavily favor large countries in the Pacific, like if he or she leaves government employment. HAVE YOU which I found curious: Enacting a VAT system will allow Australia and New Zealand, at the expense of the smaller EVER SEEN A GOVERNMENT WORKER PAYING the Marshall Islands to satisfy compliance with free trade island economies. What, then, is the incentive for a small WITH A GOVERNMENT CHIT WHEN BUYING agreements, I was wondering what free trade agreements economy like the RMI to enter into the Consumption Tax GAS? That chit money comes out of taxes, your taxes, it have to do with enacting a Consumption Tax system. The system? Is it just to have the right to enter into a free trade means you are paying for his or her driving around. This answer is found in Jerry Kramer’s response to the attack by agreement favoring Australia and New Zealand? wouldn’t be the case if we simply adjusted vehicle use the Secretary of Finance on Jerry, in the 25 July 2014 edi- Do not get me wrong, I am grateful to Australia and New policy and gave the employee unfettered use of his as- tion. According to the IMF article cited by Jerry, for small Zealand for their financial assistance, but at what price? economies such as ours, the benefit of enacting a VAT sys- Would we be giving more than we will be receiving if we signed vehicle, and make the employee 100% responsible tem of taxation coupled with entry into free trade agree- enact the Consumption Tax followed by entry into the trade for all costs involved in operating the vehicle, including ment, such as the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic liberalization agreement (PACER)? paying for a license. Relations (PACER) will result in the loss of 30% of the I find it coincidental that Australia is funding MOF’s So, employee wins, guys who sell gas win, govern- revenue that the RMI is receiving under its current system Consumption Tax advisor, David Piper. So it appears that ment wins, taxpayers win, and no body has to go around of taxation. According to the International Monetary Fund, there may be more than meets the eye on the issue of pas- complaining because they can’t contain their jealousy. in the article quoted by Jerry, that will be the result of the sage of the Consumption Tax. Perhaps MOF can explain to Maybe RMI employees could even make a little money enactment of the Consumption Tax and entry of the RMI the assessment of the International Monetary Fund, which after work if they buy a taxi light. What do you think? into the PACER Agreement. will actually hurt an economy like that in the Marshall Is- [email protected] The passage of the Consumption Tax then, appears to be lands. Has there been a study of the benefits or disadvantage to the RMI if we enter into a free trade or trade liberalization agreement such as PACER? Without telling the public the The Marshall Islands Journal real reason why MOF is insisting on passing the Consump- Phone: (692) 625-8143/6 • Fax: (692) 625-3136 • email: [email protected] • www.marshallislandsjournal.com tion Tax, can the public assume that passage of the Con- sumption Tax is just the first step in a larger plan leading to Editor...... Giff Johnson received after deadline are subject to trade liberalization with Australia and New Zealand? If the Production/Advertising...... Brett Schellhase late charges. Letters to the editor may be edited or cut. 30% potential loss in tariff revenue will be lost as the Inter- Advertising Manager...... Suzanne Chutaro Please mail your letters to the above address, fax them to (692) national Monetary Fund states, if the RMI passes the Con- Advertising Assistant...... Darren Lanki 625-3136, or email them to [email protected]. sumption Tax and enters into PACER, what would really Assistant Production Specialist...... Joelee Anni The Marshall Islands Journal is a dual language, once a be the net gain to the RMI? Why doesn’t MOF just tell the Reporter/Photographer...... Isaac Marty week publication of the Micronitor News & Printing Company. people why it is so insistent on passage of the Consumption Reporter/Photographer...... Hilary Hosia It has been the newspaper of record for the Marshall Islands Tax and be transparent about it? What is the ultimate agen- Gadget Girl...... Karen Earnshaw since 1970. Subscription Rates are $87.00 per year for the da of MOF and what will MOF or RMI really get out of the print edition sent U.S. first class mail to U.S. domestic mail efforts of MOF? What does the RMI stand to gain from en- Basic Advertising Rates are for display ads, camera ready zones ($50.00/6 months) and $227.00 per year for international actment of the Consumption Tax? Until these questions are copy: $5.85 per column inch. All material must be received by airmail. The digital (pdf) version sent by email is $52.00 per answered, perhaps passage of the Consumption Tax and/ 12:00 noon Monday for that Friday’s paper. (5:00 pm Friday year. Please make checks payable to: MARSHALL ISLANDS or entry into the PACER Agreement should be thoroughly the week prior to publication for full page ads). All ads JOURNAL, P.O. Box 14, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960. studied before action is taken? Isn’t that reasonable? Mayor Mudge Samuel The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 1 3

Region’s VIPs clean up our island Following a series of productive the association, called for a clean ing before the group took off for a APIL sessions Rongelap Senator up exercise from Marshall Islands picnic at Enemanit Island. Photo: Kenneth Kedi, as the new helm of Resort area to the Capital build- Hilary Hosia. Kenneth takes over from Guam’s Judith Rongelap Senator Ken- neth Kedi has been elected the new President for the Association of Pacific Is- land Legislatures (APIL). Kedi takes over from Guam Speaker Judith Won Pat. According to a release from the organization the a total of 16 resolutions passed at the recently concluded general assembly of APIL on Majuro which focused on the theme of Re- gional Transportation and Delegates discuss issues at the recent Communications. APIL meeting. Photo: Hilary Hosia. Presentations and dis- cussions were made on the theme, with most discus- sions highlighted the chal- lenges that the APIL coun- munication sector. The community service, picking cluding Hawaii, Guam and tries are facing especially organization praised the up trash from the MIR to the American Samoa. Repre- with high cost of transporta- Marshall Islands hosting of Nitijela Building. sentatives from the North- tion, the inability to main- the conference and once the The APIL is comprised ern Marianas, the FSM tain facilities and equip- meetings was completed the of legislative representa- States of Chuuk, Kosrae, ments, financial resources visiting legislators took part tives from 12 island gov- Pohnpei, and Yap, Guam, as well as capacity to build in a good will softball game ernments, mostly from the Palau, Kiribati and the Mar- the transportation and com- at the Laura ball field and Northern Pacific region in- shall Islands. Church group endorses N-suits

The World Council of Churches wide-ranging resolution on nuclear- nuclear accidents and nuclear tests in- central committee endorsed the Mar- related concerns. Among many points, cluding survivors of the Fukushima di- shall Islands lawsuits against nuclear the resolution calls on member church- saster in Japan and victims of nuclear nations at the International Court of es and related ministries and networks tests in the Pacific; similarly, support Justice. to “support rehabilitation, pastoral ac- the lawsuit filed by the Marshall Is- WCC leaders met in early July in companiment, legal action and com- lands against the nuclear-armed states Geneva, Switzerland, approving a pensation of losses for the victims of at the International Court of Justice.” 14 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal

Young members of the Enewetak community pose with EULG Mayor Jack- son Ading and Japa- nese Ambassador Kazuhiko Anzai and the new water truck. The truck was being stored temporarily at the Enewetak Com- munity Center in The Stardom 4 Batkan. Wisdom winners Photos: Hilary Hosia The ‘Diplomat’s bride’ was Kathy Armbruster, the ‘Atoll and former fabulous brew’ was Taka, and the ‘Bikini bomb’ was Baker. Four Majuro residents knew those answers and the rest in the Mixing fire and water RMI Riddle No. 514, so the names Helber Nam- na, Team MIISA, Bonny Taggart, and Dante Dela HILARY HOSIA Ading highlighted the common ground be- Vega are included in this week’s draw for the July Enewetak/Ujelang Local Government tween EULGov and the government of Ja- pizza at Flame Tree. The other names in the July Mayor Jackson Ading received the keys to pan: both of which have suffered from nucle- pizza hat are: Diane Myazoe, Mickey John, Bego a new water delivery/fire truck from Japan ar bombs. Alik, Kubaak Mayne, The Lab Team, Team Jiem, Ambassador Kazuhiko Anzai last week. “Its been 56 years since US nuclear testing Sharla deBrum, Becky Lathrop, Herman Lee- The vehicle, valued at $78,282 will help was conducted on our atoll and our islands Enos, Team Western Union, Team MISSA, and distribute water from the reverse-osmosis are still recovering,” he said, adding that the Team Jibikien. unit to the community and plant nurseries on atoll’s water lens is contaminated as a result The usual ceremony was performed and the Enewetak. The vehicle, emblazoned with Ja- of 46 nuclear tests conducted on the atoll July winner is — ta-da — Diane Myazoe, who pan and Marshall Islands flags, has a built-in coupled with the current droughts that have can collect her gift certificate at Micronitor. siren to be used during emergency situations impacted the northern islands of the Marshall And, by the way, you should note that if a per- like fire and evacuation. Islands, the Japan-donated water vehicle will son or team has a perfect puzzle multiple times, Ambassador Anzai said he is hopeful the “serve our community well.” that’s how many pieces of paper are created. This community of Enewetak will benefit from the A large number of visiting Enewetakese means there’s extraordinary value in entering the Ambassador donation, which comes under Japan’s grass- in Majuro for the United Church of Christ RMI Riddle every week by turning in your puzzle Kazuhiko Anzai roots grant program. Board meetings were on hand to witness the at the Journal by 5pm Tuesday. Good luck. In thanking Japan for the donation, Mayor handover of Japan’s gift. Ebon replanting a bonus for locals ISAAC MARTY groups received a lump sum of $500 per Ebon Local Government was praised group.” at last month’s Mayor’s conference as While ADB provided the bulk of the the only atoll to submit an annual report. funds for the project which funded 40 of The report, delivered by Ebon Mayor the workers, the Ebon Atoll Local Gov- Ione deBrum highlighted many com- ernment stepped in to cooperate on the Break time at the climate change workshop. munity activities including the recently project and sponsored five additional completed coconut-replanting project, workers along with some seedlings to which was funded under the Japan’s help speed up the progress.” Fund For Poverty Reduction through the The project was extended to 115 Asian Development Bank in cooperation “weto” (land parcels) on the atoll and with the Ministry of Resources and De- each weto received 70 coconut seedlings Teachers attend IOM velopment. — which were purchased locally from According to deBrum, Ebon is the first residents. According to Ione, the seed- atoll in the ADB pilot project, which lings were bought from within Ebon for launched in the fall of 2012, to complete 50¢ each. climate workshop the work. “It was another way of circulating DeBrum explains that it took 45 money from the project and helping resi- Over 50 science teachers from throughout and climate. Following the weeklong train- workers, 10 supervisors and 6 women’s dents earn some income,” she said. the Marshall Islands completed a week-long ing, science teachers had the opportunity to groups — in total, the project supported A total of five atolls — Ebon, Ail- course on climate change and disaster risk re- apply their new knowledge by teaching stu- an estimate of over 200 young men and inglaplap, Arno, Namdrik and Mili — duction held in Majuro last month. dents who were taking part in a science sum- women on the island by using a rotation were selected for the pilot coconut tree- Responding to requests from local teach- mer camp at Delap Elementary School. scheme over the course of 14 weeks to replanting project. ers, and in coordination with The Interna- Each participating teacher received a full get the job done. As to the fate of the senile coconut tional Organization for Migration (IOM) set of IOM CADRE materials for classroom The first eight weeks she said were trees that were chopped down on Ebon, Australian-funded Climate Adaptation, Di- instruction. Some lucky teachers even won a spent chopping trees — a total of 789 deBrum reports they currently serve no saster Risk Reduction, and Education (CAD- glow in the dark Earth ball. were cut down. The remaining weeks purpose and have been left to decom- RE) team and Pacific Resources for Educa- According to to a release from the IOM, were spent replanting about 8,050 new pose. Meanwhile, deBrum said she is tion and Learning (PREL), the Ministry of in the evaluation form following the train- seedlings. pleased with the success of the coco- Education convened the special training. ing 96 percent of the educators participating “We provided short-term jobs with nut replanting project and she now has According to a release from the IOM, top- strongly agreed that the lessons and training the aim trying to accommodate as many her eyes set on other projects on going ics covered included alignment of RMI na- are useful to them in their work. One partici- people on Ebon to work on the project,” on the atoll such as the development of tional standards and benchmarks for climate pant shared, “There are things that I never said deBrum. “The men received $80 a home and school gardens to promote change education, and the relationship be- understood about climate change, but now I day and the women who worked in six food security and healthy eating. tween low island eco-systems, mangroves, understand.” The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 1 5 What’s for lunch? Long-time Tide Table server Meritha Tartios was spotted Tuesday serving lunch to Esther Andrike-Lanwi, Paul Ralpho, and Sandy Milne Harry. Esther’s choice of the day was the Tide Table Special No. 1, a tasty chicken filet served with a creamy mushroom sauce, Ralpho was dipping into a seafood yakisoba, while Sandy munched on buffalo wings with rice and potato salad. Photo: Hilary Hosia.

Fresh fish always a winner at TT Arguably the finest eating establishment ble to the fresh fish side of the menu where on Majuro, the long established Tide Table it is reliable to see the option of fresh yel- Restaurant is located above the Ace Hard- lowfin sashimi accompanied with wasabi ware store in downtown, conveniently lo- and shuyu and (pleasing to every customer cated and outfitted with ample parking. with a challenged wallet) very affordable Originally intended to be called Black prices. Servings of fresh sashimi that in Tom’s in reference to a black American Honolulu would go for $40 to $50 a serv- who resided in Arno Atoll during the ing can be had at times for below $20 in 1800s, the more plastic name of Tide Ta- Majuro. ble was finally chosen as the nom de jour, Originally the Tide Table location was a neutral name which included a hint of an outdoor verandah when the RRE Hotel shoreline location and acknowledgment opened, but after several years the owners that, because customers had to go up and saw that the location was ideal for an en- down the steps leading to the restaurant, closed high quality bar and restaurant. the restaurant was somewhat like the tide, Calling on the skill of local carpenter/ up and down. craftsman Noel Bigler, the restaurant was What doesn’t go down at Tide Table, as built and has been a keen feature of Maju- customers are readily willing to note, is the ro since then. Our special delight: Tuesday quality of the fare served at this well de- night Mexican – every week, very recom- signed eatery: a fact that is doubly applica- mended! 16 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal

Opinion page Send letters to PO Box 14, Majuro, MH 96960 or email [email protected] Company helps RMI As one of the biggest businesses operating in ‘If PII prevails the Micronesian region, PII of Majuro is credited in its controversy as being a large part of the reputation we have achieved in being considered a forward thinking with Chuuk, we and acting entity. If PII prevails in its controversy will further en- with Chuuk, we will further enhance RMI in hance RMI in re- regional thinking: “RMI winners, we like win- gional thinking.’ ners,” and so forth. In years gone by, the Northern Marianas with its plethora of garment factories and money flows dominated the reputation high A section of the PII ground. Now people say, “Marianas? where’s zat? project in Chuuk. Answer, “Marianas nearby RMI.” PII geared for win against FSM When news circulated around RMI officials adopted when unavoidable prob- concluded PII to be blameless and placed contract, currently under question, is widely several years ago that locally-owned Pacific lems were identified such as mistakes in the faults in executing the project squarely held to be invalid due to a number of legal International Inc. had been awarded a $25 design drawings provided to the contractor on the desk of FSM’s Project Management issues affecting the situation. million project for road and sewer improve- which resulted in progress payment delay. Unit. Subsequently, FSM hired a former The latest development in the project is a ments in Chuuk’s capital Weno, there was a With a substantial portion of the project Yap-based lawyer named Dana Smith to help call for some form of agreement to be forged substantial aura of anticipation that such a completed, and facing numerous incidents of mount a challenge to the independent find- between FSM and PII. The options for the development would translate not only into violence and theft being wrought upon the ings which exonerated Pacific International. proposed litigants are arbitration, mediation, benefits for the people of Chuuk, but also, to firm’s workers, difficulties for PII evolved to The effort, however, simply evaporated in a or court. PII maintains it is comfortable with a degree, benefits for RMI workers already the point where Chuuk authorities ordered slurry of mis-steps and fruitless filings of po- all of these options, including mandatory employed by the contractor. It is instruc- the contractor to stop work. To counter PII’s sition statements advanced by the PMU. The arbitration. The firm states simply, “PII is tional to note that at the time there had been submission for progress payments, FSM of- result of Smith’s work was the convening of confident we will prevail.” The downside of speculation regarding the fact that PII was ficials lawyered up and concocted demands a second independent evaluation of the situ- the situation is that while PII looks certain sole bidder for the project, an indication for payment of penalties and interest charges ation and a second exoneration of PII. to win the battle, there could be considerable that other contractors were wary of Chuuk’s from PII for what the PMU claimed were The FSM management’s unit, meantime, delay determining the award and getting reputation for being an extremely difficult delays in the contract. Fortunately for PII, entered into a contract with a Saipan based FSM to finally provide payment for services place to work in terms of the attitude local independent evaluation of the situation firm to complete the project. The new rendered. Need for ‘much more Kora ej notaik thought’ on tax change mwilin driver eo Majuro Atoll Local Government was MalGov’s strong opposition an effort to be used for consider- Leta in ej non Mayor Mudge ro im US Government ar maron in (MalGov) wishes to clarify its posi- to any language in the Communi- ation by the Nitijela in arriving at Samuel im ej konan eo an rijeje deport e ekar nan leen jerbal im tion on the matters considered at the que that was being considered (and a budget for the next year, is not eo bwe en walok ilo Journal. koman ko an enin ij lo ke ej won- National Leadership Meeting and upon which the Journal based its accurate. MalGov believed that Dear Mayor Mudge Samuel, manlok wot ilo eja jekjek ko wot the Journal article which appeared story in large part) by participants, this meeting was only an exercise Ikonan bok ien in lewaj kautiej ejanin wor oktak. Likao in ebed in the 11 July 2014 edition, which that implied that those in atten- to see how “proposed” cuts to ad- wot nan office ne am ilo am lol- ikotaan year keein 20+ ne ejimwe reported the results of that meet- dance agreed to tax reform. For dress declining Compact funding orjake jerbal kein relab im rebin ao antoonelok, ilo an kar jirontok ing. First of all, MalGov thanks the the record, MalGov does not agree could affect the financial outlook wot nan emanlok eo nan jukjuk in io nan in kamijak elab tata nan ko National Government for provid- to the tax reform measures pres- for the RMI, rather than to be used bed in ion aelon in elab tata ikijen im reutiej im rejeb nan in loblej. ing MalGov an invitation to attend ently before the Nitijela, which as a forum validating information Public Transportation, ako Taxi Juon wewen eo einwot ao ba elab the meeting (although MalGov had (we are told) will be considered in that would be used for formation of im Bus Services ko ilo aer leto an kamijak, im kauatata ilo an to ask to be invited). As Majuro is this coming August Nitijela ses- the upcoming budget. Perhaps that letak ial nan armij rein elab tata juon eo im watoke rilolorjake ial home to over 52% of the popula- sion. Despite MalGov’s objections was why Senator Kedi withdrew rilotok ro nan aelon kein ad. nan armij rein jen ran nan ran, ba- tion of the Republic, MalGov as the to the language of the Communi- his name from the Communique Mr. Mayor, einwot juon eo eka reinwot rilale armij . representative of the people of Ma- que, the leadership at the meeting he did not want to be associated an kejerbal service kein, kajojo Mr. Mayor elane ejimwe im juro, believes that its views should insisted that the language be kept with any implication that he agreed ran, nan jibadeklok jikin jerbal, jejot inem ij kajitok bwe en wor be considered in any dialogue con- as is. Again, to the extent that any to cut the budgets or termination takto im ko eirlok wot ij lo ke rain- kain jekjek ko nan koman bwe cerning matters that will affect the Communique or resolution adopted of positions within the Ministries in emoj an oktak im ej juon wew- aoleb ro im rej lelok services kein people residing on Majuro. Mal- by the leadership at that meeting, that participated. MalGov supports en eo elab an kamijak elabtata karen bok jet kakolkol ko, katak ko, Gov feels so strongly about its re- which implies that the participants Senator Kedi’s position that any po- sponsibility to the people, that it has at that meeting support the tax re- sition statement of this importance wotata im elon kain kelmenlokjen im ko eierlook wot ko im rema- asked the National Government to form efforts of the National Gov- deserves much more thought and ko im ij lo ke emenin aorok bwe ron kwalok kadkadin ke ej juon be present at all JEMFAC meetings ernment, MalGov strongly opposes discussion rather than scheduling a in address e ilo ien in bwe kon jouj eo ej mool, juoj im iakwe ilo an so that it may participate in discus- any such implication, and states meeting under the guise of an ex- im jiban nan koman bwe en wor komane jerbal eo an, im barein- sions that will affect the majority of that it is firmly opposed to any tax ercise, followed by a governmental kain jekjek ko nan na mejleir im wot bwe lal in ad en emajaja kin the people residing in the Republic. reform related to adoption of any position statement in the form of a ij kajitok bwe ren koman ilo ien jerbal kein elab aer eman rainin, MalGov is a major stakeholder in Consumption Tax. Communique. One day’s notice or eo emokajtata kin wewen in im ar ilju kab jeklaj eo an Majuro Mar- matters of national concern. MalGov also agrees with Sena- several days advance notice of the walok nan na Ilo jibon Friday July shall Islands. The Journal article mentioned tor Kedi’s statements run as a com- meeting is insufficient time to se- 25, 2014 ikotaan awa kein 8-9 Kin nan jejo kein bar juon alen that tax reform was considered by panion story with the main story on riously consider policy matters of awa jibon nae juon driver — juon komool! those in attendance at the meeting. the National Leadership meeting, this magnitude. likao jidikdik in aelon kein — eo Ilo kautiej, What the Journal did not indicate that to characterize the meeting as Mayor Mudge Samuel ekar nan melele ko tobari, ej uwan Risi K. Matthew The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 17 ROC ejiban Likiep ikijjen kallib kein ekkan Taiwan Ambassador Winston Wen-yi Likiep, einwot ke e eo ej ri kwelok eo aer kajojo year otemjej. Chen ear kile emakit Chen (pija eo itu-anmoon) ear lelok juon bareinwot ilo Nitijela. in ear komman jen Speaker eo nan jiban jaak jonan in $50,000 nan Speaker Donald Jaan ear etal jen “RMI-ROC Outer Island komman bwe en bar wor jerbal in kallup Capelle wiik eo lok, nan jiban agricultural Agricultural Development Project eo,” eo mona ilo Likiep, ekoba kile jerbal in ippen revitalization project eo, einwot mottan im ear ejaak ikotaan lal kein ruo ilo 2012 dron ko ikotaan Taiwan Technical Mission jerbal in jiban ko elkin an kar walok juon eo, im ej ejja mottan wot ROC(Taiwan) eo ilo Laura, im ej bed iumin Taiwan In- kijeek laplap ilo Likiep Atoll year eo lok. Project Support ko nan RMI, iumin ROC ternational Cooperation im Development Capelle ear maron bok check eo ilo etan Annual Grant assistance scheme eo, jekjek Fund eo (ICDF) im kab ro mottaer ilo ra eo armij ro im kab local government eo an eo emoj karoke ikijien an ROC letok jiban an Ministry of R&D.

National Project Team member ro ippen Isabelle Levy (iolap) jen International Atomic Energy Agency eo. Etale dren in lojet in Arno Juon eo ej itok ilo etan International ruo mile jen turok im jemlok in Arno Atoll. Atomic Energy Agency eo (IAEA) ear Dren kein raar aini ilo jet nieer ewor kein lotok aelon kein jino in lok allon in, nan liklik ie, ko ebar wor jet kain uno ilowaer letok kaminene nan etale dren in lojet elane im ebidodo aer eddep ippen baijin in cesi- ewor baijin in radioactive cesium ie. um eo. Dren kein renaaj jilkinilok nan juon Isabelle Levy ear jino jerbal in an ilo jikin etale an IAEA ilo Monaco, ijo Levy July 1 raan eo, im ear komman ien kami- ej jerbal ie, nan aer lale ewor ke cesium ie nene nan National Project Team Member ilo aer likliki. ro nan juon project an IAEA naetan “Ma- Wawein in ej ijjino eo an jerbal in etale rine benchmark study on the possible im- dren in lojet eo ilo Marshall Islands elane pact of the Fukushima radioactive releases ewor cesium radioactivity ie, im renaaj in the Asia-Pacific Region”, ak ekatok eo kommane lokin jilu allon otemjej, im re- imantata elane ewor baijin in radioactive naaj bareinwot kadrelone melele ko ippen ilo Asia-Pacific in jen Fukushima. makitkit ko an RMIEPA ikijien etale malo Ro uwaan project team eo rej RMI Envi- ne, ilo aer naaj jerbal ippen MIMRA im ro ronmental Protection Authority eo (RMIE- jet uwaan Non-Proliferation Treaty eo. PA) kab Marshall Islands Marine Resourc- Lal ko jet im rej bareinwot bok kunaer es Authority eo (MIMRA), ekoba ra eo an ilo project in an lalin jen woden bwil in Pa- Ministry of Foreign Affairs. cific in ekoba Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Ilo ien etale eo imelaaj ilo kar July 2 Palau, Papua New Guinea, im kab Solo- raan eo, raar ebook dren in lojet emaron mon Islands. CMI ej bed wot iumin kakkol College eo an Marshall Islands ej bed wot “Ilo ien etale eo an elap ilo naaj spring ak ilo “kakkol” elkin kwelok eo kio an Accred- jino in 2015, College in ej aikuij in kwalok iting Commission eo nan Community im Ju- ke emoj an jerbale aolepen menin rejan ko nior College ko iumin Western Association an im raar loi ilo ien etale eo eliktata, na me- of Schools and Colleges ak (WASC). Dr. jlan menin likjab ko an, innem ej kab naaj Barbara Beno, president eo an Accrediting maron Tobar Jekjek ko Remenin Aikuij, Commission eo, ear karon CMI President ekkar nan Accreditation Standards im Com- Carl Hacker wiik eo lok ikijien karok in ear mission Policies ko,” ak karok im jekjek ko komman jen WASC. iumin bok kile, Beno ear ba. CMI ear maron in bed iumin kakkol juon year emotlok, im tobrak in etale eo ekaal tata Leta eo an kora in ear kile bwe CMI emoj jen team eo an WASC ear wonmanlok wot an jerbale elon menin rejan, botaap ejjab im ba bwe college jab in en bed wot ilo ejja maron in na mejlan aolep wawein im jekjek jekjek jab in wot. ko raar kajjitok kaki, elaptata ikijien jaan. Be wise! Advertise in the Journal! Call 625-8143! 18 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal

Jikin in ilo lale jen mejatoto, pijaiki jen iloan juon Hansen Helicopter, ej kwalok runway safety area eo ekaal im elap wonen, ear komman jen US Federal Aviation Administration iumin project ko an makmake. Mottan jidrik emoj airport eo Project eo ekilep tata an RMI Port Au- rean nan jerbal in ek kake ilo Amata Kabua thority – eo im ej Amata Kabua Interna- International Airport eo, ilo an Runway tional Airport Runway Safety Area im Safety Area eo – jikin in im jonan ej 500 Road Realignment eo – ej kio tobar tok ne drebakbak kab 1000 ne aetok kan, jen jerbal ko an eliktata. jabon nan jabon – innem melele in ej ettor Jikin en kio ejino walok kejekjek in, kin jonak im karok ko an Federal Aviation ilo an contractor eo an PII, wonmanlok Administration (FAA) ikijien jonan bobrae wot kin jerbal ko ikijien. “Ne edredrelok jorrean. Laplok in jikin in ekomman bwe project in enaaj kanuij in kokmanmanelok en laplok jikin an juon baluun ettor, elane jonan bolel im bobrae jorrean ko ilo jikin enaaj jirilok im rumwij an jok, ekoba ilo in,” Jeremy Farrington, Senior Project an kadrikdrik lok jonan jorrean emaron kar Manija eo jen Beca, ear ba. walok nan waan ettor ko bareinwot. Elik- “Enaaj emmanlok nan wa ko enwot ke tata, jonan ettolok eo ikotaan iaal leplep renaaj kanuij in ettolok jen jikin jok im eo an waan ettor, ejiban bwe wa ko ren jab kelok eo an baluun ko, elaplok an melak jorrean jen kitwon baluun ko ilo tore ko rej am kalimjeke iaal leplep eo, einwot ke iten kelok. emoj aer ukot jekjek in, im renaaj barein- Aer piji iaal eo ear ijjino ilo weekend eo. wot elolo woror jimen ko itorerein iaal eo Jerbal in piji iaal eo enaaj komman iumin itujebar, ko im renaaj kejebarok jen ibweep allon kein maanlok, kin menin rutiej ro ilo in dren enetak jen lojet bareinwot.” Ports Authority rej kajjitok kin kijenmij eo Kobalok ippen an laplok wawein bobrae jen waan ettor ko, ekoba bwe ren kanuij jorrean nae waan ettor ko, project in el- jojo kejebarok im lale oktak ko iloan wiik lelok jekjek ko remman ikijien bobrae jor- kein maanlok bareinwot. Kwelok eo an aolep mayor

Eddreklok in jerammon jonan aurok ko an kien nan lelok jaan nan program ko in wot ejmour im jelalokijen, ej melele einwot outer islands development fund eo in an Marshall Islands Mayor Asso- eo, kab fund ko jet nan lorlorjake food ciation President Rongelap Mayor James security ren bed wot nan jiban jukjuk in Matoyoshi, ilo an kar kwalok ilo ien ke- bed ko ilo aelon ko likin nan aer maron belok eo an kwelok eo an aolep mayor jiban lok project in wonmanlok ko. im ear komman ilo alloñ eo lak ilo Ma- Matayoshi ear kile bwe ewor menin juro. jerammon rejjanin jerbal im jejjanin “Ijelokin ejmour im jelalokijen ebar jerbali elaptata ikijien eonod kab ekkat wor jikin ko im rej aikuiji in wor won- mona. manlok ie ilo aelon ko likin im renaaj “Elon ad oktak jen lal ko jet ilo be- maron jiban komman wonmanlok nan laak kein kin kein jerbal ko ipped,” lein aelon kein,” Matayoshi ear ba. “Jibarbar ear ba. “Ewor ad maron iloan mwekan eo ad (einwot mayor ro) ej nan komman kein ikijien eonod kab taap eek ko, eko- wonmanlok ilo aelon ko likin nan jonan ba ekkat mona nan koj (enwot juon lal) en im menin wonmanlok ko rej make bwe jen jino kelaplok jerbal kein.” Kile jutak lok iaer im jab aikuiji jiban ko jen bwe ewor aban ko jet im remaron in jelet ippen kien eo. Jibarbar eo bwe jen maron jokkin mour, einwot social security kab jutak lok iaad kin ne ko need make.” oktak in mejatoto bareinwot im ekijkan Mene ej jibarbar eo an aelon ko likin an wawein kein maron jelet menin won- kein, Matayoshi ear kile bwe ej melele manlok ko ilo aelon ko likin. Lein ear rein bwe etorein bwe jiban ko jen kien ren jan ri tel ro bwe ren bar lemnak kin men jerbal, innem ear rejan bwe jaan im eddo kein ilo ien kwelok in bareinwot. The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 19 Pohnpei Micro Games results Women’s Division BRONZE Giordan Harris, Keith • Colleen Furgeson 100m SWIMMING Brady, Daniel Langinbelik, backstroke SILVER, 200m Troy Kojenlang One of RMI’s backstroke GOLD, 200m free- stroke SILVER, 200m individual Women 400m Medley Relay Kwajalein cham- style BRONZE, 50m backstroke medley BRONZE, 50m but- RMI BRONZE Molly Premo, pion prepares to GOLD, 50m freestyle BRONZE terfly BRONZE, 100m butterfly Colleen Furgeson, Angela compete. Photo: = Gold x 2, Silver x 1, Bronze x BRONZE, 50m breaststroke Kendrick, Ann-Marie Hepler Kaselehlie Press. 2/Total 5 SILVER, 100m breaststroke Women 200m Medley Relay • Ann-Marie Hepler 100m SILVER, 200m butterfly GOLD, RMI BRONZE Mary-Ruth Long, freestyle SILVER, 50m butterfly 50m freestyle BRONZE = Gold Colleen Furgeson, Angela GOLD, 100m butterfly GOLD, x 1, Silver x 3, Bronze x 4/Total 8 Kendrick, Ann-Marie Hepler 50m breaststroke BRONZE, Team events Women 400m freestyle relay 50m backstroke SILVER, 50m Men 400m Medley Relay RMI RMI SILVER Mary-Ruth Long, freestyle SILVER = Gold x 2, SILVER Ramel Alfred, Troy Colleen Furgeson, Angela Silver x 3, Bronze x 1/Total 6 Kojenlang, Giordan Harris, Kendrick, Ann-Marie Hepler • Angela Kendrick 50m but- Daniel Langinbelik Women 200m freestyle relay terfly SILVER, 100m butterfly Men 200m Medley Relay RMI GOLD Molly Premo, Angela BRONZE = Total 2 BRONZE Ramel Alfred, Troy Kendrick, Colleen Furgeson, Men’s Division Kojenlang, Giordan Harris, Ann-Marie Hepler • Giordan Harris 100m free- Joseph Kemem Mixed 800m freestyle relay style BRONZE, 200m freestyle Men 400m freestyle RMI SIL- SILVER Troy Kojenlang, Col- BRONZE, 400m individual med- VER Troy Kojenlang, Daniel leen Furgeson, Molly Premo, ley BRONZE, 400m freestyle Langinbelik, Keith Brady, Giordan Harris BRONZE = Bronze x 4 Giordan Harris Team medals • Troy Kojenlang 200m breast- Men 200m freestyle relay RMI Gold x 1, Silver x 4, Bronze x 4 WEIGHTLIFTING WRESTLING Men’s Division 94kg (207lb) Women’s Division 71 kg (156lb) 52kg (114lb) Mack Capelle 69kg (152lb) Ring Clarence Greco SIL- Patterson River BRONZE x 3 Ilania Keju Freestyle Senior, VER x 1 GOLD x 3 Women’s Division Freestyle, and Beach GOLD 85-kg (170lb) 62kg (136lb) 48kg (105lb) x 4 86kg (189lb) Peter Enoch GOLD Lomina Tibon 70+kg (154+lb) Waylon Muller Freestyle x 3 GOLD x 3 Piolani Tartius Beach and BRONZE x 1 Switon Batin, Jr. 53kg (116lb) Freestyle BRONZE x 2 Solomon Torejak Beach and BRONZE x 2 Marine Violet Men’s Division Freestyle BRONZE x 2 77kg (169lb) Burns GOLD x 3 59kg (130lb) 97kg (213lb) Loir Tamare GOLD Chanity Lare SIL- Carthney Laukon Greco and Dallas Milne Freestyle SIL- x 2, SILVER x 1 VER x 3 Freestyle SILVER x 2 VER x 1 85kg (187lb) 63kg (138lb) 65kg (143lb) 125kg (275lb) Kabuati Silas Bob Mathlynn Sasser Fredrick Hesa Freestyle Siaumau Filoitofi Freestyle RMI’s Carthney Laukon Jr. wrestles on the GOLD x 3 GOLD x 3 beach. Photo: Juan Paulo Santos. SILVER x 1 SILVER x 1 Way back when in ’04...

Fast forward to 2014 and several of the basket- ...we wrote: ‘Uliga ball players represented the RMI at this week’s 8th Micro Games taking the RMI into the Magics are the championship round with Guam. They are Pat- rick Murphy, Lajji Maddison and Ranny Kattil, best of the best’ who fly home this week with their silver medal. 20 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal

Kamto Jeffrey Andaya (tuanmiin) im baamle eo an Joseph ilo Lae rej pija ippen bantuun kaal eo aer. Tuanmoon ej Project Leader Dustin Langidrik. Lae Atoll emoot nien dren ko an Lae Atoll ej jukjuk in bed eo kein kaju- Andaya, ear iuwe ilo wa jen Namu.” on ibwiljin emen jukjuk in bed ko, nan an Juon iaan menin jerbal ko ilo laajrak eo ebbok jaan ikijien project ko rejelet oktak ej nan kommane juon kwelok an jukjuk in mejatoto ak climate change, innem kain bed eo, kinke aolep armij ren melele molol ej etal nan USP-EU Global Climate kin project eo. “Armij ro, elaptata Mayor Change Alliance eo kobalok jibarbar im Anderson Kattil, kab Acting Mayor eo kotobbar ko an Dustin Langidrik im kab raar kanuij in rie jibarbar im kotobbar ko Jeffrey Andaya. an project in,” Dustin ear ba. “Aolep raar Duston, eo im ear kadriwojlok jen RMI- monono ke kimij kommane project in, im USP im ear bar jikuul ruo year ko ilo Fiji elon armij raar jiban kim im letok kijim School of Medicine eo, ear e eo ear jinoe mona bareinwot.” project jab in. “Ilo tore in maro eo year eo Mayor Kattil ear ba: “Elap am jeram- lok, iaar jerbal ippen IOM (International mon im utiej nan an maron jerbal ippen Organization eo ikijien Migration) eiwot team in jen USP.” Kinke jibarbar eo an juon ri etale dren im ejmour ilo elon iaan project in ej nan kelaplok jonan maron eo ene ko, ekoba ion Ailuk im kab Wotho,” nan kakkwon dren, nien dren ko imoko, lein ear ba. “Ear dredrelok ao jerbal ippen elon wot iaan moko im raar keleti nan boki IOM ilo March eo innem iaar ron ke rej ai- nien dren kein rej em aaj ko. Jokalet in ear kuij juon armij nan project in.” Iaar kanne bedbed ion etale eo an IOM WASH(Water pepa nane im bok jerbal in im ej emen al- im Sanitation Hygiene Survey eo) “Imoko lon aetokkan. ewor ruo wawein aer jerbal,” Dustin ear Lae ewor jonan in emaron 350 armij, ba, nan kejebarok bwe al en jab drete nien im ra eo an project in ijin, National Proj- dren ko, ekoba nan aini dren ko ilo aer ke- ect Advisory Committee eo (NPAC), ear jerbal gutter kab pipe ko.” Bunten ne eo kile ijin bwe ej juon iaan jikin ko emen im kein karuo ej nan komman form nan ejake rellukkun in aikuij jiban ikijien jela kilen bedbed eo kin jimen. “Tank ko ruo raar oktak, nan aer maron mijjia jen jorrean drori iturin moko im ear bwe aer aetok, im ko rej walok jen oktak in mejatoto, eo im ewor tin eoer.” ekoba bwe en bwe jonan dren in idraak. Jikin eo juon nan bok project in jen USP Tamara Greenstone Alefaio jen USP Ma- GCCA project in enaaj Majkin ion Namu. juro, ear kemlele bwe NPAC ear kommane “Kimij kejetdrikdrik bwe enaaj komman juon “jerbal in etale eo elet ikijien jikin ko allon in,” Dustin ear ba. Elkin, einwot rejedmatmat, ekoba kenono ippen jukjuk ke ejjanin alikkar ia, enaaj komman juon in bed ko, jibarbare kumi ko, kab etale project ilo Ailuk, im enaaj bar ikijien wa- aolepen jikin ko bareinwot.” wein ko rejelet oktak in mejatoto, ekoba Kein jerbal ko nan project in, ekoba juon project in water security ilo Jenrok 1,500 nien dren ko, raar ektaki ion wa eo Majuro. Aemman im Dustin ear iuwe ion wa in jen “Inaaj bar jeblaak lok nan Lae im lale Kwajalein. “Project carpenter eo, Jeffrey emman ke an men kein jerbal,” lein ear ba. The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 21

Assumption students enjoyed the Maryknoll volunteers visit ... and they learned a lot too! Photos: Isaac Marty

SolEr poWer noW MarYkNoll prOgram at CoOp ScHoOl a sucCeSs HILARY HOSIA dards it’s known for. With Soler The 24th Maryk- When Amy Gates saw an online on board, future WASC visits to noll Majuro Mis- post for an opening for a principal the school will not be the “Goli- sion successfully in a school located in the middle ath” most schools in RMI portrait wrapped up its three- of the Pacific ocean, she immedi- WASC as being. week program last ately knew it was something her Soler’s story embodies the aph- Friday. The summer colleague ‘Dave’ would love. orism: ‘it only takes a spark to get exchange program She was right. Dr. Dave Soler the fire going.’ boosted math and applied for the job and is now the A visit to Guatemala, during a English for incom- new Majuro Cooperative School stint working as a member of Fe- ing nine graders to Assumption and was pro- Middle and High School Principal. dEx’s leadership team, ignited that nounced “spectacular.” The use of ice-breaking Soler originally hails from New spark to work internationally ex- exercises was a self-confidence builder based Jersey — where he was born and plains Soler. “I came to love teach- on fun and learning. “It was really an eye open- raised. But he left NJ to pursue his ing in international schools,” said er,” said Maryknoll’s Eduardo Zabanal Jr. educational career goals in Con- Soler. “For a brief moment of time, He said it was a pretty good mission life ex- necticut and later became a schol- Coop's Middle and I served as a volunteer in a school perience for all of the six Maryknoll senior stu- ar in the Hartford area, where he High School Principal in Guatemala.” dents. The Maryknoll team departed Majuro last wore many hats in the academic Dr. Dave Soler. Soler arrived in Majuro last Friday after presenting certificates, awards, and arena: He graduated with a doc- month and he is looking forward exchange hugs with 15 student participants and torate degree in educational lead- to meeting the parents and school Assumption staff. ership and served as both a teach- staff. He loves the people he’s met er and administrator — namely as body similar to the Western As- so far and he loves the yachties. one of the directors for the Hart- sociation of School and Colleges He is big on team building and we ford School District. He was also (WASC), which Coop is accredited think he’ll fit right with Coop’s ‘Co- a professor at Hartford University by. operative’ ethos. and later became a member of As David comes to Majuro with “Team building is critical to solve the New England Association of 12years of top-notch educational problems,” he said. “Team build- School and Colleges accreditation experience under his belt, Coop ing is the vehicle Coop will ride team (NEASC), an accrediting is sure to maintain the high stan- this year.”

Bank of Marshall Islands’ Ebeye Branch Manager Hermai Makroro (right) presents a scholarship check to Queen of Peace Elementary School Vice Principal Jessica Caleb. QPES scholarship recipients are: (front from left) Elwina George, Saiko Patrick, Anje Loeak and Mikiko Langrine. Missing is recipient Josephine Albert. Back row are parents and guardians of the scholarship recipients. S udoku 22 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal What we were saying way back when

Air force in capture bid Journal 8/1/1975 cally at the center of the Pacific Ocean,” he said, which “affords the opportunity P1 Poachers escape! for the Marshall Islands to become the Majuro — They don’t know for sure hub for cargo movement through Micro- whether it was a Korean or a Japanese nesia and Polynesia.” boat, but they do know that it got away clean after violating territorial wasters of Journal 7/31/1998 Micronesia off the coast of the island of P1 Palau Heat by Giff Johnson at Wotho in the Marshalls. the Micronesian Games in Palau The incident was the first attempt of “I thought Majuro was the hottest the fledging Marshalls air force to ap- place on earth,” said Jennifer Levy, one prehend a foreign fishing vessel in the of the women’s volleyball players rep- act of robbing fish resources from local resenting Marshall Islands at the Micro islands. Games in Palau. But since being in Ko- P8 Safer diving now available ror for three days, she and other ath- Through the generous donation by Mr. letes have learned a whole new mean- Oscar deBrum, TT District Administra- ing of hot. tor, of Oxygen cylinders to the Weather Koror is sweltering and the athletes Service Office; and with the cooperation are sweating even before they get onto of Mr. O.K. Davis there will soon be in the court. Even Palauan’s are saying it’s operation on Majuro, a cascade used in hot. “El Nino is still at work,” said Micro routine and emergency filling of Scuba games official Bill Keldermans. “There’s tanks. no breeze in Koror it’s very unusual.” This will be a significant move forward in diving safety and convenience; P3 Local Gov’ts want more control considering that when filling off a com- Twelve resolutions were passed dur- pressor without a cascade the fill time is ing the 6th Marshall Islands Mayor As- more than quadrupled. sociation meeting last week a the Royal Garden Hotel. Three out of 12 resolu- Journal 8/4/1989 tions will ask Nitijela to give the local P3 Hawaii flavor for AMI jet governments authority over: The long awaited Airline of the Mar- The five mile zone — which will allow shall Islands jet deal is still being nego- the local government to have control tiated. But say government officials; the over water activities within five mile ra- light is visible at the end of the tunnel, dius of the islands with the agreement in final form. • gambling issue Chief Secretary Oscar deBrum said • ask Nitijela to postpone the Value the new arrangement calls for leasing a Added tax resolution so that Nitijela DC-8 that Hawaiian Airlines will operate could explain it. for AMI. P2 New Salt water rates antici- P2 RRE promotes Majuro as pated Mid-Pacific transshipment hub Majuro water and Sewer Company Robert Reimers Enterprises made recently decided to increase user fee or a strong pitch for Majuro to become a salt-water hook-ups. transshipment hub for the central Pa- According to MWSC users with more cific during a presentation at a recent than three toilets hooked up to service shipping conference in Guam. will be levied an additional 70% of the Chief operations officer Wyatt McMil- regular fee. lin presented a detailed proposal to rep- resentatives of the entire major Pacific Regular salt waster connection is now shipping liens last month. tagged at $7 per month the new rate will “The port of Majuro is located strategi- go into effect August 1. The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 2 3 $30M nan pipe ko an MWSC ISAAC MARTY Juon jibarbar bwe en komman juon project in pipeline $30 mil- Imon dren ekokaale tank eo an lion, ekoba nan kokmanmanelok sewer system eo nan Majuro ej kio bed ilontata ippen kien eo an Majuro Water im Sewer Company eo (MWSC) kwon nomba jilu, emen im lalem, ko im rej kab RMI, ekkar an Majuro Water im ejjanin jinoe jerbal in kokkaal ko an nan juon maron dredrelok raan ko lok, ko im bareinwot Sewer Company (MWSC) Gen- iaan jikin kakkwon dren ko, elkin aer loe bwe ear maron itok jaan nani iumin Pacific Adapta- eral Manija eo Joseph Batol (pija ewor ettel ko ilo ejja jikin in wot. tion to Climate Change project eo. eo itu anmoon) ilo kar wiik in. MWSC General Manija Joseph Batol ear ba Fabtech, ejja company eo wot im ear jerbale Ekkar nan Batol, project in ear bwe jikin kakkwon dren nomba juon, eo im rej tank jilu, emen, im lalem, ekkar nan Batol, raar bareinwot kejerbale nan drore dren eo emoj aer etal elmakwot in nan Japan elane bareinwot kajjitok bwe en bar itok im jerbale likliki ie, ettel. jikin in kio. emaron letok jaan nane. Lein ear MWSC ear maron boktok juon ri kapeel nan Dren eo emoj aer likliki ilo jikin kakkwon ba bwe Japan ej itok limo in nan etale ilo May eo, ejja ien in wot im raar maron in nomba juon, ej kio naaj etal nan jikin kakkwon kommane project jab in, im bwe loe jorrean jab in. nomba jilu. karok eo ikijien eliktata rej kotare project in? “Aet,” Batol ear ba, Batol ear ba bwe project eo kio ej nan drore Kio nomba juon rej kejerbale nan kakwoni wot. ilo an antoone bwe Japan enaaj lining kaal ko nan iloan jikin kakkwon nomba dren ko rej itok jen airport terminal en mae Sep- Project in ewor jilu mwenan: 1) kawepene jaan ko nan jerbal juon, eo im ej itok jaan nan kommane jen U.S. tember, ien eo rej kotmene nan naaj jinoe project Kokmanmanelok jikin an itotak laplap in ikijien dren im jikin Menin ej komman elkin an dredrelok jikin kak- jab in. iaal in dren, ekoba jikin kottoor kotoor bwirej. bwirej, (ilo aer kokaale pipe ko “Jaan in jiban jen Japan enaaj jen airport nan Rita); 2) Kelaplok bwe,” Batol ear ba. “Kien eo an wawein leto letak bareinwot. Ji- itok ripoot kaki, ak jet rejjab, lein System in emoj eiki bwe en ma- maron eo kin jikin kakkwon dren, RMI ear bareinwot jiron io bwe barbar eo kein kajuon ej nan kok- ear ba. ron elolo ettel, illegal hookup ko, bwe en jutak bar juon jikin kak- ebar ejjelok project en renaaj iten kaale pipe in dren ko im kejerbale Kin menin MWSC emoj an kab jabdrewot wawein ko jet iki- kwon dren ilo Ajeletake; im 3) le imaan in menin.” pipe in raan kein ko. loe juon kilen bwe pipe ko an ren jien kajjeon rubi im drelone pipe kokmanmanelok jikin kotoor Batol ear kemlele bwe jibar- MWSC ekanuij in lon jorrean ekejeel ippen juon computer, eo kein. Project in enaaj bolen to bwirej eo turlik in Delap. bar eo ej nan kokmanmanelok ko rej walok jen ettel kab jorrean im enaaj komman bwe ren maron kommane elane Japan enaaj erra Ej ke itok jiban ko aikuiji nan dren eo, ad maron kakwone, im in koot dren. Jet iaan men kein ej elolo jabdrewot jen office eo elap. nan letok jaan, Batol ear ba. 24 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal

ejjelok ajri en tum wõn ad likuti reka ko ilo pak in waini ko? Student: They told me to go outside because it’s full. Mother: Okay, let’s wait for Woman: Chairman! We’re better off using black magic to find out which island next year because Timur will be running this school and he knows how to lead. is putting the rocks in the copra bags rather than to continue talking nonsense kun Student: But it’s open only to their friends and people they know. ejjelok kain kamol!

MOKTA. Woman: Mmm! Delicious! Baby: Whoa! What is that smell? Ija ilju eo an ailin kain ad kamineneik ña bwe endain mour. elikin 16 iio. Woman: Whoa! Honey when Father (MOE worker): Ah neju, koknan ke jerbal ñan MOE ilju im jeklaj? Son did you start smoking? Girl: Since I was in your stomach, but don’t worry, it’s in (baby): Jelimo! Mother: Ekar ba nan eo an kein ka juõn! our blood. Woman: Huh?

health first Left. Girl with all kinds of non-communicable diseases. Right (Elikin 6 mour ran kein alloñ). Doctor: Eluukun emman am mour im kwolukun deo ak you should tone Mechanic working on the RMI-ROC relationship: Ah! We fix the battery the down your calves. bumper falls off, we fix the door the engine falls off. The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 2 5 26 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal The Marshall Islands Journal — Friday, August 1, 2014 27 Talk about Hawaii VAT is just that...

LETTER TO THE TALK! EDITOR It is unclear to me why the Secretary Legal Advisor for MALGOV of Finance is making such a big deal about Hawaii’s supposed ex- Alfred perience with VAT some 80 Alfred Jr. years ago when obviously it is impossible for Hawaii to have implemented something that topic to be more wasn’t even invented until 20 credible. years later. In spite of the Op- The assertion ed by the Legal Advisor in last that Govern- week’s issue of the MIJ, I still ment’s primary maintain that in 1930 Hawiii intention for con- could not have possibly imple- sidering the pro- mented a VAT Program similar posed tax reform to the Consumption Tax being is to generate proposed for the Marshall Is- revenue by rais- lands. I fully agree with all ing taxes is not that claim about first VAT type totally true. Of proposal emerging in 1920’s course, there will and first recognizable VAT appearing in be some additional revenues collected but 1948. However this does not prove that this will be realized mainly through com- Hawaii could have possible implemented a pliance and broadening of the tax base. VAT program. Simply put, the additional revenue will The indisputable fact is that Hawaii had come from compelling individuals and a multi-level sales tax system back in the businesses who normally avoid taxes to 1930s in which tax was imposed at mul- pay their taxes. It’s not coming from an in- tiple points in the supply chain. This is crease in tax rate as the overall impact of different from what France implemented the reform program will be a reduction in in 1954 and way way different from what tax rate. we are looking to implement in RMI. To I agree with David Piper that we are put the Hawaiian multi-level sales tax sys- wasting time “dancing” around issues that tem into an RMI context, it would be like are “secondary” to the tax reform program. MALGOV trying to collect a small piece of We should be weighting whether the cur- sales tax at each sale point, even from mom rent tax system or the proposed one is bet- and pop stores. This is even different and ter than the other, focusing on equity, prac- more complicated than what MALGOV ticality, ability to pay, and other topics that has today which is a once only first sale will guide people to better understand the taxing point. And even way way different two tax systems. from what is being proposed for the Mar- Instead we are spending considerable shall Islands under the reform program. So time discussing the Hawaiian experience to use Hawaii’s experience with VAT as a as we had done during the Mayors’ Confer- qualifier for advices on the proposed con- ence. I think we can do better than this and sumption tax is a bit “off the mark” for me. again invite the MALGOV Legal Adviser Of course, we welcome such advice. But to talk to the Tax Reform Team. I truly find David Piper’s advice on this Secretary of Finance Alfred Alfred Jr Bye-bye Our Airlines, hello Nauru Airlines Since 2006, Nauru Air Corporation of its own, and the region’s, air transport has been trading as Our Airline and pro- needs going back more than 40 years.” moting cooperation among neighboring Bowmaker said effective August 1, the countries to improve airline services in trading name of Nauru Air Corporation the region. The strategy has seen new will be re-named to Nauru Airlines. aviation initiatives and partnerships de- In His 46th Independence Day speech veloped since 2006 that have provided in January this year, Nauru President new services, linked new destinations Baron Waqa foreshadowed this change, and delivered more affordable travel in in conjunction with the impending arrival the region. into service of a new all freight aircraft. “I believe the Our Airline initiative has “I am pleased also to advise that the served us well over the last eight years,” all-freight aircraft is set to commence says Geoff Bowmaker, CEO. services to Nauru on Friday August 1, “However, also important is the very bearing the proud external livery of Na- proud history behind Nauru’s servicing uru Airlines,” he said. 28 Friday, August 1, 2014 — The Marshall Islands Journal

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Likatu of the week THAT spotted at the College of the Mar- shall Islands was Julie Fanafal wearing her traditional grass skirt made in her home state of Yap in the FSM. Photo by: Joelee Anni.

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