GIFF JOHNSON The latest audit of the College of the Marshall Islands — the fiscal year 2023 audit — was completed and submitted to the US federal government last Thursday. It is nearly two years late, auditors questioned over $1.2 million in spending by the college, and for the second year in a row, the […]
GIFF JOHNSON President Hilda Heine on Tuesday this week signed an executive order declaring a “state of emergency for Ebeye,” enabling a fast track RMI government response to last Saturday’s devastating fire on Ebeye. The fire left over 100 homeless and destroyed two major businesses on the island. As it did in the wake of […]
GIFF JOHNSON A new national strategy to reduce non-communicable diseases in the Marshall Islands was recently approved by government. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — which include diabetes and high blood pressure — arguably account for most of the illness and early deaths facing Marshallese. Health Secretary Francyne Wase-Jacklick underlined the urgency of action to reverse the […]
Majuro received almost 50 percent more rain during May than the long-term average, according to the National Weather Service. A total of 15.22 inches of rain were recorded. This compares to the average for May of 10.71 inches. This high volume of rain was caused in part by two heavy deluges on May 13 and […]
GIFF JOHNSON As Air Marshall Islands new Cessna SkyCourier goes into regular service soon, it will be limited by one major factor: The lack of paved runways on the outer islands. It will be able to service Kwajalein, of course, and Jaluit and likely Wotje. But until more runways are paved, the plane’s service will […]
Just about every major news agency in the US and around the world is reporting on what could be one of the worst-ever El Niño weather conditions later this year. For the Marshall Islands, an El Niño year usually causes an extended drought as well warming ocean water at the equator pushing tuna into RMI […]
GIFF JOHNSON Statistics tell us one story about the Canvasback ear-nose-throat (ENT) team visit that wrapped up this week at Majuro hospital. The numbers show the demand for ENT services: The visiting team of doctors, nurses and administrators saw 213 patients in the first week, dispensed 30 hearing aids, completed 15 surgeries and scheduled another […]
GIFF JOHNSON The May distribution of Enra funds will happen next week, according to the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration, which handles the quarterly payments. The bigger news is that next week’s payment will be larger than the March distribution due to President Hilda Heine’s advocacy to increase money going out to citizens during a […]
GIFF JOHNSON Media freedom in the Pacific Islands was celebrated in Majuro May 9 with the showcasing of over a dozen short films entered in the “My Pacific Story” competition and the awarding of prize money to the winners. Sponsored by the Marshall Islands-based non-profit, Pacific Media Institute, films entered in the contest were a […]
GIFF JOHNSON There are policies and procedures in place that in theory offer victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and sexual harassment an opportunity to address these problems. But the actual implementation is often where we find women left confused, angry and unhappy at the responses received, delays in action by authorities, or simply the […]
