Founding President remembered

At the gravesite of first President Amata Kabua for the annual November 17 Presidents Day commemoration, from left: The founding father’s sons Minister Jiba Kabua and President David Kabua. Photo: Wilmer Joel.

WILMER JOEL

In veneration of Presidents Day, a day of commemorating was held last Wednesday and again Saturday for this nation’s late founding father, Iroojlaplap and First President Amata Kabua as well as other presidents who succeeded the presidency.

Marshall Islands Presidents:
Late Iroojlaplap and President Amata Kabua 1979-1996

Late Iroojlaplap and President Imata Kabua 1997-2000

President Kessai H. Note (first commoner to be president) 2000-2008

Late President Litokwa Tomeing 2008-2009 (oldest president)

Late Iroojlaplap and President Jurelang Zedkaia 2009-2012

Iroojlaplap and President Christopher J. Loeak 2012-2016

President Casten N. Nemra 2016 (youngest president)

President Hilda C. Heine 2016-2020 (first female president)

President David Kabua 2020 (son of the first president).

The 25th annual memorial service for President Amata Kabua took place at the Kabua residence on the causeway between Delap Dock and the bridge last week. Government dignitaries, diplomatic corps, business operatives, traditional and religious leaders attended this memorial service. The speakers for this service were Minister of Finance, Banking, and Postal Services Brenson Wase and Minister of Public Works and Utilities Jiba Kabua.

Minister Wase, who delivered the address on behalf of the government, accentuated some of the important accomplishments made by President Kabua under his administration including how well he orchestrated through sacrifice the building of a new nation by working with religious, traditional and other leaders to establish a governing document known as the Constitution.

Minister Kabua, the eldest son of the first president, spoke on behalf of the Kabua family by stating, “The first president involved himself in almost everything that was necessary to be established.” He added by saying that his foreign policy was a broad point of view on world affairs quoting his father stating that, “foreign policy is like a rudder to a ship, without one will be a problem in navigation in politics.”

Aside from his political career, the late president had a genuine personality as well as a deep love for vegetation, plants, and trees, said Minister Kabua.

The Majuro Baptist Christian Academy singing group wrapped up the memorial service with a special Marshallese hymn “Anij in Jouj.”

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