Honoring Amata on President’s Day

Acting President John Silk (left) joined with Jiba Kabua in speaking at a ceremony at late first President Amata Kabua’s grave to mark the President’s Day holiday. Photo: Hilary Hosia.
Acting President John Silk (left) joined with Jiba Kabua in speaking at a ceremony at late first President Amata Kabua’s grave to mark the President’s Day holiday. Photo: Hilary Hosia.

The burial site of the nation’s founding father, first President of the Marshall Islands and paramount chief Amata Kabua, is rarely visited by the public, and only can be visited by invitation — such was the scene last Thursday during the commemoration of President’s Day.

During the occasion, which was attended by government officials, families and close friends and foreign dignitaries, Acting President John Silk and Jiba Kabua (representing the Kabua family) laid a wreath on Amata’s grave while the audience witnessed.

The Assumption School band played the Marshallese national anthem to officially open the event.

Games and outdoor activities followed on Saturday at Delap Park.

The President’s Office orchestrated the entire Saturday event with collaboration from the National Olympic Committee, School Enrichment Program, Ministry of Health and KIJLE, all around canoe guys Hirobo Obetekang and Alson Kelen, and the Majuro Urok Club.

The early five kilometers fun run/walk that started at six in the morning onwards to the many games throughout the day up to the finishing weigh in event with the Urok Club at 6pm went smoothly, wrapping up the entire President’s Day festivity with a productive finish.

Read more about this in the November 25, 2016 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.