Journal 2/23/1982
P1 Liktanur II calls again
If the mythical Marshallese woman Liktañur was alive today, she’d be proud of Liktañur II, the Department of Energy ship that bears her name. Liktañur II is the funny looking ship that is chartered by DOE and the Brookhaven National Laboratory to treat the 200 1954 Marshallese fallout victims and their children, only Rongelapese and Utrok people. Doctors on Liktañur II have also treated the Bikini people on Ejit as a courtesy. —Akio Heine
P2 Kiribati making it the hard way
The courageous manner in which this tiny island state of some 57,000 people has attacked crushing problems could be an example for better-endowed countries of the Third World. Yet few persons outside the restricted circle of specialists in Pacific affairs know much about the two-year-old Republic of Kiribati, or even how to pronounce the name. A peculiarity of the local language often makes “ti” come out with an “s” sound, so conscientious reporters usually explain that Kiribati is pronounced “Kiribas” not “Kiribatty.” But foreign visitors, who are not many in this out-of-the-way place, soon learn from residents to use a very short “a,” which makes the name sound like “Kiribis,” or “Kiribus,” or something in between, accent on the first syllable. Any way you pronounce it, Kiribati means Gilberts in the island tongue. Before independence, these were the Gilbert Islands, named after an 18th century British discoverer. It would have been easier for outsiders if the new republic had reverted to the classic name Tungaru, as its airline. —Robert Trumbull, Honolulu Advertiser.
Journal 2/21/1992
P4 Top US officials to Mejatto
Top US officials are heading for Mejatto Island this weekend, where an agreement is expected to be signed that will launch radiation studies and transfer of resettlement fund money. High level Department of Energy and Interior officials will join Senator Jeton Anjain and Chief Secretary Oscar deBrum and other RMI officials for the trip. The visit is the culmination of months of negotiating on a memorandum of understanding that will guide phase two scientific studies on Rongelap and establish the $2 million resettlement trust fund, $500,000 of which can be used for immediate improvements on Mejatto. The US Congress appropriated the funds last year, contingent on a MOU being signed.
Journal 2/25/2011
P1 MMS hit by vodka
The PTA and administration of Majuro Middle School say the national government is not doing its part to prevent stores from selling alcohol to students. The school has taken action by recently dismissing 13 students for drunken behavior on campus. Principal Lenn Lenja, eighth grade PTA President Carter Mijjena and other officers and staff at MMS told the Journal they are extremely concerned that students can still buy alcohol from a takeout store on the backroad near the school.
P1 Face up to fraud
Allowing corruption in any form hurts business development, Chamber of Commerce President Stephen Philip told the Nitijela’s UN Convention against Corruption workshop last week. Philip said all public officials should be required to disclose personal financial information and personal interests or connections with private businesses. The UN Convention against Corruption spells this out clearly as a requirement to prevent corruption in government, Philip said.
P3 High tide hits
It was a weekend for high tides in Majuro and other parts of the RMI. Fortunately for Majuro, there was no attendant storm or wave surge for the highest predicted tide of 2011 on Saturday. The Tide flooded over the ocean shore at Jenrok. Though many areas of Majuro flooded Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there was no major damaged reported.