By Journal on February 2, 2017
Andrew Garrod, Austin Willacy, Hilary Hosia, Power 103.5FM, Yasta Bolkeim
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![American singer Austin Willacy performed live on Power 103.5FM radio in Majuro, with DJ Yasta Bolkeim (left) at the controls. Willacy performed at the International Conference Center, and delivered special performances for Marshall Islands High School, Majuro Cooperative School, and Assumption Schools. He assisted Professor Andrew Garrod and the Youth Bridge Global production of this year’s theater presentation of Oklahoma!, which is scheduled to hit the stage in Majuro in March. Photo: Hilary Hosia. Austin a hit in Majuro](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/austin-2-3.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
HILARY HOSIA It takes an artist to know one. Seconds after Austin Willacy met with DJ Yastamon (AKA Yasta Bolkeim) at the popular radio station Power 103.5FM last Friday, the two instantly clicked as if they’ve known each other for years. In the live broadcast, Willacy shared how he started his music career, the same […]
By Journal on February 2, 2017
Billy Roberts, Kirt Pinho, Liverpool, Marshalls Energy Company, MEC, Steve Wakefield, The Beatles, William F. "Billy" Roberts
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![One of the Marshalls Billfish Club’s most active members, Billy Roberts (left) was a co-founder of the All-Micronesia Fishing Tournament that has brought international teams to Majuro annually to compete since the early 1990s. He is pictured here with Kirt Pinho. The duo were a potent emcee tag-team for the 2006 All-Mike Tournament banquet, assuring non-stop laughter from the audience. Fondly remembering Billy Roberts](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/billy-2-3.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
GIFF JOHNSON The city of Liverpool’s greatest claim to fame is it gave birth to the music phenomenon known as The Beatles in the 1960s. Fortunately for the Marshall Islands, the world’s most famous rock band wasn’t Liverpool’s only asset. Who could have predicted that when British electrical engineer William F. “Billy” Roberts stepped off […]
By Journal on January 27, 2017
ambassador, Hilda Heine, Istana Merdeka, Joko Widodo, Retno L.P. Marsudi, Tom Kijiner
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![RMI Ambassador to Japan Tom Kijiner is greeted by Indonesia President Joko Widodo after Kijiner delivered his diplomatic credentials as the RMI’s non-resident ambassador to Indonesia. Photo: RMI Embassy Japan. Kijiner busy on diplomacy front](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kijiner-creds-1-27.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
RMI Ambassador to Japan Tom Kijiner presented his diplomatic credentials to Indonesia President Joko Widodo earlier this month. He is RMI’s first non-resident ambassador to Indonesia. Ambassador Kijiner was among eight ambassadors to present credentials during the ceremony at the Istana Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. He joined ambassadors from the United States, France, Kingdom of […]
By Journal on January 26, 2017
Laura Elementary School, Rairok, Tomoko Kamochi
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![Rairok Elementary open class third grade students work with UES JICA Volunteer math teacher Tomoko Kamochi. Photo: Hilary Hosia. Rairok shows math skills](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Rairok-1-27.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
The Public School System hosted several open classes last week, including at Rairok Elementary School, as part of sharing teaching techniques among teachers and principals. The open class is a forum where other public school teachers and scholars have the opportunity to observe how a certain school performs, engages with students and provides feedback to […]
By Journal on January 26, 2017
BECA, Catalino Kijiner, Mike Halferty, Pacific International Inc., Trevor Muddle
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![Acting Public Works Minister Mike Halferty (pointing) received a briefing on progress of phase one of the new Majuro hospital from Beca supervising engineer Trevor Muddle (left) as Public Works and Pacific International officials look on. Photo: Hilary Hosia. Milestone for Majuro’s new hospital](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/beca-1-27-1.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
Pacific International Inc. reached a milestone this week in first phase construction of the new hospital: the concrete floor slab is finished, paving the way for the next stages of building the new surgical ward. PII is the contractor on the project and Beca International is the construction supervisor working for Public Works Project Management […]
By Journal on January 20, 2017
Bruce Bilimon, David Paul, Kessai Note, Nitijela, RMI legislation, Sherwood Tibon
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![Finance Minister Brenson Wase, center right, speaks in reply to a senator’s question during the daily question and answer period at Friday’s session. The sessions are broadcast live on V7AB radio and MHTV. Nitijela took a two-week break after Monday’s meeting to allow time for public hearings. Photo: Hilary Hosia. Nitijela tackles new bills](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/nitijela-1-20.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
A series of new bills have been introduced into Nitijela by different Nitijela members. Among the new legislation: • Jabot Senator Kessai Note is proposing a constitutional amendment to change the opening day of Nitijela from the first Monday of January to the second Monday of the month each year. The purpose for the changed […]
By Journal on January 19, 2017
Andrew Garrod, Austin Willacy, Claremore, Marisa Clementi, Oklahoma musical, Oklahoma!, Youth Bridge Global
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![Dartmouth emeritus Professor Andrew Garrod (left) goes over different parts in Oklahoma! with students who are acting in the musical production to be performed at the ICC in Majuro mid-March. This is Garrod’s 13th play produced in the Marshall Islands. Photo: Hilary Hosia. Romance on tap for Majuro](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/oklahoma-1-20.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
HILARY HOSIA Youth Bridge Global is taking us to the Wild West this year with the feature play Oklahoma! The show brings back veteran actors with a mixture of new talents from Assumption, Majuro Baptist Christian Academy, Marshall Islands High School, Majuro Cooperative, College of Marshall Islands and University of South Pacific. The play will […]
By Journal on January 19, 2017
BECA, Joseph Batol, MWSC
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![In this file photo from 2016, Majuro Water and Sewer Company and Beca consultants brief local residents on water and sewer issues to generate feedback to include in developing a master plan. Photo: Isaac Marty. MWSC works on action plan](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/mwsc-1-20.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
Majuro Water and Sewer Company is working with international consultants Beca to determine what they need to do to get Majuro’s water and sewer systems up to world standards and to develop a plan to achieve this. MWSC’s General Manager Joseph Batol said that Beca and MWSC have undertaken several field tests and condition assessments […]
By Journal on January 13, 2017
Compact, Compact of Free Association, construction, jobs, NAVFAC
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![Pacific International Inc. construction workers building a new school on the former site of the Delap Head Start facility. Photo: Hilary Hosia. US-funded jobs get moving](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/construction-1-13.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
Construction of new government facilities and maintenance of existing ones is in progress with over $40 million in US Compact funds from FY2016 — while another $9.1 million in Compact funding for this year about to kick in. This total of $51.3 million in US construction money approved for use may be the most ever […]
By Journal on January 12, 2017
"free school", Bill Holden, Ludwig Kumoru, Maurice Brownjohn, MSC-certified, PNA, skipjack, tuna, yellowfin
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![President Hilda Heine in her state of the nation address last week at Nitijela recognized former PNA CEO Dr. Transform Aqorau (left) and incoming CEO Ludwig Kumoru (second from left). They are pictured here with Minister Mattlan Zackhras, his wife Angela, and MIMRA Director Glen Joseph after the formal opening of the Nitijela session. Photo: Hilary Hosia. Sustainable tuna tonnage to double](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Niti-Min-Matt-1-13.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
Growing global market demand for MSC-certified tuna and fishing industry interest is expected to see “wild catch” tuna tonnage double from the waters of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement in 2017. The Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) operate a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified free school caught skipjack and yellowfin tuna fishery in […]