People Briefs
People Briefs
Nov/Dec 2006
The CNMI Senate on September 1 confirmed the nomination of Rex I. Palacios, Jose R. Lifoifoi, and Connie O. Igisomar, all from Saipan and Melchor Mendiola of Rota to the board of the Commonwealth Ports Authority (CPA). — FSR
The CNMI Board of Education, by a vote of 3-2 on August 25, appointed Dr. David Borja, a former teacher and principal, as the new commissioner of education for the Public School System. Borja, who was the associate superintendent prior to his appointment, was selected over Rita A. Sablan, a retired associate superintendent herself. — FSR
- ADVERTISEMENT -
United Kingdom-based Papua New Guinea rugby league player Marcus Bai has signed a one-year contract with Bradford Bulls. At 34 years of age, the deal will make him one of the oldest rugby league players next year. Bai joined Bradford Bulls last year and was named the club’s 2006 fullback of the year following a stellar performance where he scored 13 tries in 25 games. — AR
Palau House of Delegates Speaker Augustine Mesebeluu was recently charged with 34 criminal counts related to the conversion of public funds for personal use, the Marianas Variety reports. Mesebeluu was charged with four counts of embezzlement, two counts of cheating, four counts of grand larceny, five counts of forgery, two counts of codes of ethics violation and 17 counts of misconduct in public office related to alleged misuse of travel funds. — GJ
The Board of Higher Education, the governing body which oversees the American Samoa Community College, has re-elected incumbent chairman Tauiliili Pemerika to his third term in the position. Dr. Oreta Togafau was selected for another term as vice chairman and she is now the longest serving member on the board. Other board members are Malaetele Dr. Lui Tuitele, Tiapula Imo Mamea, Rev. Dr. Leanavaotaua Sekuini Seva’aetasi, Fainuulelei L.F. Ala’ilima-Utu, Uto’ofili Asofaafetai A. Maga, and student representative Faamoana Roe. — FS
Former Papua New Guinea police commissioner Sam Inguba has been charged by Port Moresby police over his alleged decision to order the termination of police investigations into the theft of K4 (US$1.3) million in public funds belonging to the PNG Finance Department. Inguba has pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying they were nothing more than a witch hunt designed to spoil his chances of reappointment as the police commissioner. — AR
The governor of Indonesia’s West Papua province Barnabas Suebu has been made a Companion of the Order of the Star of Melanesia (CSM) by the Papua New Guinea government. The CSM is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to humanity and in all aspects of the country’s life. — AR
In Memoriam
Sergeant First Class Michael T. Fuga of American Samoa was laid to rest September 27 in Independence, Missouri where he and his wife lived. Fuga, 47, died September 9 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, following a gun battle with enemy forces, the military says. He was a member of the Missouri National Guard. Fuga is the ninth soldier of Samoan ancestry to die in the Middle East. The other eight died in Iraq. — FS
Former World War II hero Guy Gabaldon, whose heroics during the invasion of Saipan in July 1944 earned him numerous honors, died at his home in Florida in early September, according to the Associated Press. He was 80. Gabaldon, who became a resident of Saipan in the mid-1970s until his return to the U.S. in the mid-1990s, single-handedly, as an 18 year-old Marine, persuaded over 1,000 Japanese soldiers to surrender during the battle of Saipan. For his heroics, he received the Navy Cross, the second highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. — FSR
The funeral of New Zealand’s late Justice Lord Cooke—Sir Robin Brunskill Cooke—in September saw delegations from all over the Pacific pay their last respects. He was 80. Described by former prime minister Sir Geoffery Palmer as New Zealand’s greatest judge, Lord Cooke’s legacy to the Pacific was predominantly through the Court of Appeals. During that time he made a significant impact on the judicial systems of Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati and the Cook Islands, particularly in the area of constitutional law. — PR
 |
| Young Maori warriors carry the casket of the late Maori Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu toward her final resting place near the summit of Taupiri Mountain. The newly crowned King, Te Arikinui Tuheitia Paki and other family members follow. [Photo: Jocelyn Carlin] |
Contributors: Frank S. Rosario, Fili Sagapolutele, Alex Rheeney, Frank Whitman, Giff Johnson and Peter Rees.
