The KBE Local Government’s “Air Bikini” airplane arrived last Friday to much fanfare and celebration at Amata Kabua International Airport. A big group of local VIPs was on hand to welcome the plane next to the AMI hangar. The event included a blessing from UCC Rev. Palukne Johnny, speeches by Acting President Brenson Wase, KBE […]
KELLY LORENNIJ An unusual development occurred with the swearing in of a small group of fresh police recruits earlier this month: 75 percent of the new Marshall Islands Police Department officers were women. The group of four included three female recruits — Marcela Benjamin, Pamela Rubon and Hezline Taie — and one male, Kraben Hampton […]
The fifth outer island scheduled to receive runway paving is on hold awaiting the lifting of the current passenger travel ban to outer islands during the ongoing dengue fever outbreak. Over the past two years, four outer island runways have either been paved or refurbished by Pacific International Inc. under contract with the Ministry of […]
KELLY LORENNIJ The youth non-profit Jo-Jikum, which means “your home,” finally has a place to call home after years of working without a roof over the heads of its Earth Champions. Jo-Jikum Director Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner calls the NGO and its new headquarters a “labor of love” that has come a long way from its humble […]
GIFF JOHNSON The day after the Solomon Islands rocked the Pacific islands diplomatic world this week by switching ties from Taiwan to China, the Marshall Islands Nitijela (parliament) unanimously adopted a three-page resolution honoring over 20 years of RMI-Taiwan ties. After talking about a diplomatic switch for months, the Solomons on Monday became the first […]
Prior to her installment this week as the 26th Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific (USP), President Hilda Heine and First Gentleman Tommy Kijiner, Jr. visited the USP Campus in Suva where she met USP Vice Chancellor and President Professor Pal Ahluwalia, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the USP Council Winston Thompson, members of […]
KELLY LORENNIJ Most are not aware that the Land Grant program has been around in the RMI since 1982 and is one of three Cooperative Research and Extension programs in the Freely Associated States — Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands — funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture under […]
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 […]
The dengue outbreak took hold of Majuro last week, with the number of suspected and confirmed cases more than doubling in seven days’ time, according to the Ministry of Health and Human Services situation report of September 8. A total of 57 cases were reported in Majuro through September 1. By September 8, the latest […]
KELLY LORENNIJ Among the important topics discussed by Pacific Island Forum leaders in Tuvalu last month was the issue of nuclear contamination in the region, a long-standing concern stated in previous Forum meetings and official communique statements, as well as health and security issues related to World War II wrecks and unexploded ordnance. This year […]
