GIFF JOHNSON A modest new photograph book featuring images of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau has been published by the prolific photojournalist Floyd K. Takeuchi of Honolulu. The book, “7 Degrees North,” is the author’s “love letter to…a time when nature’s beauty defined the day, and to a proud people, who lived pretty much […]
GIFF JOHNSON The multiple drug busts and discovery of “narco boats” washed into Pacific Islands demonstrates that the Pacific — and in particular the South Pacific — is a highway for drug distribution to Australia and New Zealand. From the beginning of January through February 12, law enforcement officials have confiscated over 14 tons of […]
A dispute involving land at Laura High School is moving toward a possible trial later this year. At a hearing Monday this week in the High Court, Judge Anne Bodley set out a schedule for preparations for a trial over the next two months with a hearing to address motions filed by either or both […]
GIFF JOHNSON Where to start a conversation about Professor Andrew Garrod, who died at age 87 last week in New Hampshire after an extended illness? Andrew touched quite literally thousands of people in the Marshall Islands over the nearly 30 years that his presence was felt here. And hundreds of those were the young people […]
GIFF JOIHNSON Two new Japan International Cooperation Agency volunteers who arrived earlier this month in Majuro bring to 17 the total number of Japanese volunteers working on Majuro and Ebeye. Sachiko Kutsuma, a Japanese language teacher, and Yasuhiro Fukuda, a food processing and manufacturing specialist, are mid-way through their orientation program before heading to their […]
GIFF JOHNSON Eight years ago, following passage by Nitijela of container deposit legislation, Majuro Atoll Waste Company launched recycling of aluminum cans, and plastic and glass bottles. Now it’s embarking on a new pilot project to improve and expand its recycling and export program and is asking for community support to make it happen. The […]
The United World College National Committee of the Marshall Islands has been offering scholarships to Marshallese high school students to attend UWC international schools around the world since 2012. They got together for their annual “selection day” program at the College of the Marshall Islands conference room last week with six students from four high […]
We stopped by the Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) program in Delap the other day to find master canoe builder and trainer Binton Daniel making “ekwal,” the rope made from coconut fiber that traditionally was used for the lashings of outrigger canoes. We got into a brief discussion and we asked […]
GIFF JOHNSON Christmas in the Marshall Islands goes on for a while. Jeptas practice nightly in the lead up to December 25, when they showcase their dance routines, known locally as “biit,” and songs. A number of jeptas will perform in multiple churches on Christmas Day. Many more arrange special performances at churches in the […]
GIFF JOHNSON The RMI EPA has won $29 million in damages for the grounding of a ship on Taka Atoll near Utrok in 2019 — but can it collect from the company and its insurer? High Court Chief Justice Carl Ingram ruled late last month in the RMI EPA’s favor against Ningbo Eurasian Ocean Fishing […]
