People Briefs
People Briefs
The Marshall Islands Scholarship, Grant and Loan Board received a shot in the arm in November when Bank of Marshall Islands President Patrick Chen presented a check for $10,000 to fund business-related studies of Marshall Islanders. Chen said he hoped that the bank’s donation would spur other local businesses to join in helping to fund a wider pool of skilled business graduates in the Marshall Islands.
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A close mayoral election in Kosrae’s largest village, Lelu, required a runoff election in late November before Vinson Henry won over Kosaky William. Local law requires a 51 percent majority for elections.
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Doris Matsuda-Saromines and her brother Edwin ‘Take’ Matsuda of Hana, Maui, Hawaii won the 2000 Seacology Prize, which includes $5,000 cash, in December. Their dedication and determination led to the 1999 completion of the Pi‘ilanihale Heiau Restoration Project, the crown jewel in the Kahanu Garden of Maui. Seacology chairman Paul Cox said that Doris and Take "resisted the song of developers to protect this precious piece of the world’s cultural heritage," foregoing an opportunity to cash in on selling the spectacular coastline property to developers.
At the end of President Leo Falcam’s second year in office, Epel Ilon resigned in December as Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Federated States of Micronesia. He had been Secretary since 1997 and said he was following Falcam’s directive to all cabinet level appointees that employment contracts were for two years under the new administration. His deputy, Ieske Iehsi, was named acting Secretary by Falcam.
Mark Robertson is the new lending manager for the ANZ Bank Samoa in Apia. He replaces Jeff Mason who has accepted a position in the Business Bank in Suva, Fiji. Originally from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, Robertson has worked for ANZ for 14 years. Most recently, he established the ANZ Bank in the island of Vava’u, Tonga.
The newly constituted board of the FSM’s Micronesian Fisheries Authority named Lorin Robert chairman, and Akillino Susaia as vice-chairman. Other members are Yap Lt. Governor Andrew Yatilman, Tiser Lippwe of Chuuk, and Nena S. Nena of Kosrae. The MFA is the FSM national government agency responsible for management and development of tuna resources within the FSM’s huge exclusive economic zone.
The first female Senator, High Chief Fonoti Fonoti, was selected for the American Samoa Legislature by her Tualauta District. While members of the House of Representatives are elected by popular vote, local laws call for members of the Senate to be selected by their District Chief Councils for a four year term. Some incumbents are also returning to the Senate, such as longtime lawmaker and Senator Tuanaitau Tuia and Senator Matautia P. Tuiafono. Mary Taufetee is the lone female integrating the House of Representatives.
David Lewis, author of the well-known book on the art of Micronesian celestial navigation, "We the Navigators," visited Yap recently. The 82 year old scholar returned to bring an ancient artifact — a large barnical shell with etchings and inscriptions — used in navigation in the Western and Central Carolines that was given to him 25 years ago for safe-keeping largely because at that time interest in traditional navigation techniques appeared to be waning. On the trip to Yap, however, Lewis’ ferro-cement schooner, which was his home, sank after the forward mast unstepped and punched a hole in the hull. Fortunately, the vessel sank in just 60 feet of water so many items, including the precious navigation artifact, were recovered.
The Republican Party has announced its slate for this year's general election on Rota, in the Northern Marianas, naming three incumbents as their official candidates for mayor and the two Senate seats up for grabs. Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona, and Senators Edward U. Maratita and Ricardo S. Atalig will seek reelection in the November 2001 polls. The party, however, has yet to designate its bet to run for the lone House seat, which is currently being occupied by Vice Speaker Alejo M. Mendiola. Fidel M. Manglona, chair of the GOP on Rota, said the party has not received any application from aspirants to become its official candidate to the lower house.
Robert McConnell has moved from the general manager post at Outrigger Marshall Islands Resort to become manager of the Outrigger Reef Fiji Resort, replacing Ted Hardy, who is now managing Outrigger’s Kanaloa Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii following successful heart surgery.
The Kosrae Visitors Bureau named Gerson Jackson, Jr. as recipient of a $500 scholarship from the Pacific Asia Tourism Association. The PATA funds are to help islanders studying tourism in Micronesia. Jackson is studying International Hotel Management at Sendai University in Osaka, Japan, where he is learning to speak Japanese.
American Samoa Chief Associate Judge Tuaolo M. Fruen was selected by traditional leaders of his district as their senator for the next four years. Judge Tuaolo is expected to retire from the bench at the end of December after serving in the territory’s Judiciary Branch for 35-years. Judge Tuaolo’s wife, Pa’i Fruen, who has also served in the court for 35 years, will also retire at the same time.
After nearly a year of holdups, the U.S. Senate approved Michael J. Senko in December as the new ambassdor to the Marshall Islands. Senko, an ex-Marine and long-time foreign service officer, was the State’s first liaison officer in Majuro from 1984-86.
