Journal 8/19/1983
P1 Compact is called the best last hope
The Compact of Free Association is the best last hope for the people of the Marshall Islands to be included in the American political family, President Amata Kabua said in his address to the Marshallese people at Nitijela’s meeting last Friday.
Journal 8/21/1992
P1 PRC garment factory coming?
The Marshalls Ambassador to China wants to deliver on President Kabua’s directive to develop foreign investment and business initiatives in the Marshall Islands. After seven months in Beijing, Ambassador Laurence Edwards said there are numerous opportunities and he exhorted Marshall Islands businesses to get out and see the potential for business deals with China. “Otherwise,” he said, “the opportunities will pass us by.” At the end of September, a Chinese group will visit Majuro to conduct a feasibility student for establishing a garment factory here, he said.
P6 Departing doc
Dr. Neal Palafox is leaving Majuro after nine years as a mainstay in the Ministry of Health. He will be missed by everyone especially his patients. On this Dr. Neal says that’s right on the money: If, after nine years, people can’t do the things he’s been doing, then he has not done a very good job. Fortunately, times have changed dramatically in the preventive bureau and many Marshallese health people are taking over health programs. Just five years ago, the preventive bureau didn’t even exist. So that alone is one accomplishment for which Dr. Neal and others in the ministry can take credit for.
Journal 8/24/2012
P1 Latest movie chosen by New York fest
“Start spreading the news. I”m leaving today; I want to be part of it — New York, New York! If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere.” Those are Frank Sinatra’s lyrics from his famous song, New York, and it is also on the mind of the team of people in the Marshall Islands this week. Why? Because the fourth and newest film by Majuro’s Microwave Films was this week selected by the New York-based Moondance International Film Festival to be shown — and not only shown but recognized with an award. “This is huge — New York City!” Said Jack Niedenthal, who with Suzanne Chutaro, co-produced Ainikien Jidjid in Bon (The Sound of Crickets at Night). “The idea that our film is showing on opening night is fantastic. The film centers around an elderly nuclear survivor from Bikini Atoll who summons a mysterious ancient deity to help reunite his family.
P3 Farewell to Bravo witness
An icon in the Rongelap community, one of the original 82 islanders exposed to the Bravo test in 1954, died Saturday at Majuro hospital. Lijon Eknilang, 66, died following hospitalization for a brief illness. A former local government councilwoman, Lijon was eight years old when the Bravo hydrogen bomb was tested at Bikini, raining radioactive fallout onto Rongelap, near by Ailingnae and other downwind islands. She was one of 18 Rongelap people on Ailingnae on March 1. Later in life, she became an outspoke advocate for Rongelap nuclear test survivors and was well-known internationally.
P12 Quote of the week
“Why is it that within three months, a World Teach volunteer can learn basic Marshallese, but it takes Marshallese students eight years to learn basic English?” —Majuro Senator Irooj Jurelang Zedkaia in Nitijela last Friday.