Iroojlaplap Kotak Loeak died this past weekend at Majuro hospital following a brief illness. He was 81.
For decades, the iroojlaplap served as the chairman of the Council of Irooj, a post he held until his passing last weekend. One of his last public events was speaking to the August 9 opening of Nitijela. It was a twice-annual event at which he was a speaker for many years.
Family members called for a meeting of alaps this week Thursday to discuss arrangements for the funeral, which is also awaiting the return of his wife, Batty, who is currently undergoing a two-week quarantine at USAG-KA in preparation for returning home.