GIFF JOHNSON Marshallese style boats are being designed and built by skilled builders in the Marshall Islands, naturally enough, but also in places that one might not expect, such as Europe. Here in Majuro, Waan Aelon in Majel has designed and built what they call a “carro proa.” The WAM team built it in three […]
Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) held a launching ceremony for their collaborative project, the WAM vessel that has been named “Kõto im Al” (Wind and Sun). Afterwards, participants were able to ride the vessel around the lagoon for a short cruise using an outboard engine powered by solar panels.The project is […]
GIFF JOHNSONThe low-lying Marshall Islands are consumed by climate change. Increasing ocean inundations from rising sea levels and the specter that this atoll nation could be underwater later this century has pushed Marshall Islands leaders and young people to the forefront of the global climate movement calling for action to curtail a problem they had […]
The 42nd Constitution Day Saturday May 1 brought everyone to an atmosphere of pride and celebration. The program started with an outrigger canoe race with Hirobo Obeketang, Alson Kelen, and Melvin Majmeto officiating the race. This was followed by a parade from Delap Formosa to Delap Park. Included in the parade were members of the […]
The premiere of the latest Marshallese and German-made movie “One Word” had the audience starstruck at Jittak-En Saturday night with its rich cinematography and unerring documentation about climate change. The movie is the outcome of the collaboration between German film team Kameradisten (Comrades) directors Viviana and Mark Uriona and local non-profit organization Jo-Jikum.It features great […]
GIFF JOHNSONIn the consultant-dependent world of the Marshall Islands, the Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) program stands out.“Everyone who works at WAM is Marshallese,” said Director Alson Kelen in a recent interview. “WAM is about training,” he said. “It’s what we do.” While the program has relied in the past on […]
Fifty-plus people turned out to witness the blessing and launch of the Majuro Ocean Sports Club outrigger canoes on Saturday at the University of the South Pacific’s lagoonside campus in Long Island. “The ambience was so positive and everyone was really excited to be there for the launch and the paddling,” Club Captain Larry Hernandez […]
Journal 7/26/1983 P1 Bible translation celebration held The Marshallese people on July 25 became the second group of people in Micronesia (Kusians were the first) who now can read the world’s best seller — the Bible — in its entirety in their own language. Copies of the Bible were presented to members of the Translation […]
EVE BURNS Waan Aelon in Majol (WAM) is working on new locally-designed catamarans and outrigger canoes to improve the movement of copra and people within atolls An ongoing challenge for copra collection in remote atolls is the time needed for government field trip vessels to stop at multiple islands within one atoll to collect copra. […]
KELLY LORENNIJ The Waan Aelon in Majel (WAM) vocational and life skills program is set to graduate a batch of trainees next month. During their open house last Thursday, WAM showcased the handcrafted work of past and present trainees in full display including coconut graters, tables, pounders and riwut-style canoes. WAM Director Alson Kelen was […]
