FLOYD K. TAKEUCHI
Christopher Jorebon Loeak, a former president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and an Iroojlaplap, died on the afternoon of August 8 in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he had been under medical care. He was 72.
Loeak served as the Marshall Islands’ fifth president (and seventh including those who served as acting president) from 2012 until 2016. Born and raised on Aelonlaplap Atoll, Loeak represented his home atoll in the Nitijela from 1986, when he won a special election to serve out the term of Atjang Paul, who died in office. Loeak represented his Aelonlaplap constituency in the Nitijela for nearly 40 years until he retired and did not run for re-election in 2023. His oldest son, Bruce Jeke Loeak, won the seat.
While serving in Parliament, Loeak held a wide range of senior national leadership positions, including Minister of Social Services, Minister of Education, Minister for the Ralik Chain, and Minister in Assistance to the President. He also served on a number of parliamentary committees, where he further expanded his knowledge and expertise. They included Judiciary and Government Relations, Public Accounts, Health, Education and Social Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Appropriation Committee, Resources and Development Committee, Committee for the International Protection, Peace, Security, and Protection of the Environment.
The President was the last surviving brother of seven siblings born to Iroojlaplap Albert Loeak (of the Loeak domain) and Lerooj Neilañ Loeak (of the Litokwa domain). Sisters Lerooj Maryanne Poznanski and Lerooj Netty Watak are the only surviving Loeak siblings. His late brothers and sister were Iroojlaplap Anjua Loeak, Iroojlaplap Kotak Loeak, Irooj Botlang Loeak, Lerooj Neimaer Hyphen Boene and Irooj Juaer Loeak.
Despite being raised in a family of chiefs, Loeak had a quiet, self-effacing personality. For example, he surprised more than a few guests to his home on Majuro when he recounted being assigned pig-rearing duty as a young boy. Not only that, he would then walk his guests to a pig pen next to the family home on Majuro, a pen that he took care of.
His gentle, down-to-earth personality was particularly evident when he traveled to atolls other than Majuro. Once on Jaluit, after he was dropped off at the dock at Jabor, he walked by himself to his family’s nearby hotel – there was no official SUV, no staff or security escorts. And along the way, he strolled to a nearby store where a few men had gathered for coffee on a covered lanai. Dressed in a t-shirt, scruffy khaki pants and zories, the former President joined the small group for a cup of instant coffee and a heaping serving of outer island gossip.
Still, the respect shown to Loeak for his traditional rank and status as a former President was always evident. On Jaluit, he accompanied a group of foreign visitors on a bumpy and dusty truck ride from Jabor to the end of Jaluit Island along Nora Road. He sat in the back of the pickup truck, being bounced around like everyone else. When the rest of the group returned to Jabor on outboard motor boats, Loeak made the return trip in the back of the pickup truck. But this time, the truck had to stop every few minutes, as people now waited patiently by the trail, many having changed into their Sunday best clothes. They had all seen him drive by, and were intent on offering what they could. They presented coconuts, pandanus, woven handicraft and other gifts to their chief.
Loeak’s ability to live comfortably in both worlds reflected his generation’s formal educational training. His story was typical of the best of his generation: Loeak moved to Majuro to attend Marshall Islands High School. He graduated in 1973. He left the Marshalls for college in Hawaii, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts (Political Science) in 1978 from what was then known as Hawaii Pacific College (now Hawaii Pacific University). Loeak earned a law degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington in 1982.
By that time, Loeak had married his sweetheart, Lieom Anono Loeak, who like him was of chiefly rank (of the Laelañ domain), born and raised on Aelonlaplap. The couple raised a large family made up of two sons, Senator Bruce Jeke Loeak and Albert Regan Loeak, daughter Milañ Loeak, 12 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
Two years ago, when Loeak was elevated to Iroojlaplap he used the Kailojoj ceremony to remind his audience about the importance of culture to the Marshallese people. In his remarks, which were given in Marshallese and are translated here, Loeak said, “The Constitution of our country acknowledges and proclaims that our islands are islands of God and islands of Culture. Our gathering here today is yet another testament to this understanding, that we are people of God and people of culture. We’re not only here to celebrate and promote the beauty of our Marshallese culture but we’re also here to give thanks to our Almighty God for gifting us with our heritage and for his boundless love and grace.”
The Loeak family is planning to hold a memorial service for President Loeak in Honolulu, before his remains are brought to Majuro. Details on the Honolulu and Majuro events are still pending.