GIFF JOHNSON The infamous Marshallese trickster Letao is scheduled to take center-stage in Honolulu next year. He will make a world premiere at Kumu Kahua Theater as a central character in a new play, “[x]other: a micro story,” written by Daniel Kelin, II. [x]other: a micro story will be featured at the Hawaii theater for […]
GIFF JOHNSON A Marshallese man “highly gifted with words” and knowledge of the Marshall Islands died this week in Majuro at the age of 71. Throughout his life, Cent Langidrik was a teacher, school principal, Education Secretary, Public Service Commission Chairman and, most recently, a member of the RMI Customary Law and Language Commission. Aside […]
GIFF JOHNSON Following last week’s repatriation of nine Marshallese from the FSM, the RMI National Disaster Committee (NDC) is expected to start considering arrangements, including protocols, for RMI citizens stranded in Covid-19 affected countries to return home. Part of this major decision to eventually allow RMI citizens back home will be contingent upon the completion of […]
GIFF JOHNSON Food supply issues as the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to affect nations of the world are a key concern of large retail and wholesale companies in the Marshall Islands. K and K Island Pride Supermarket officials pointed to a number of future supply chain worries that they are attempting to grapple with. Already, local […]
GIFF JOHNSON RMI government authorities are making special arrangements for Guam-based couriers to bring an overdue delivery of cash for local banks and, separately, for a handful of Marshallese stranded in Pohnpei to return to Majuro. Although planning has progressed, it is unclear if either of these initiatives will happen, based on: • The reluctance […]
GIFF JOHNSON Pacific islanders living in the United States have an infection rate two to three times the average in at least four American states, according to data released April 26 by the Pacific Islander Center of Primary Care Excellence, a California-based group. The organization cited the “alarming disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on Native Hawaiian […]
GIFF JOHNSON Top RMI leaders are reportedly considering the possibility of a charter flight to return home Marshallese citizens stranded in Hawaii, Guam and elsewhere by the Covid-19 coronavirus travel ban. This comes as Cabinet is scheduled to meet Thursday this week to consider the recommendations from the National Disaster Committee for either a 14-day […]
GIFF JOHNSON The RMI shutdown of passenger arrival on airplanes has stranded a few people in various locations. But for the 55,000 residents of the RMI, the border lockdown is a welcome development when viewing the ongoing and worsening Covid-19 coronavirus crisis in many nations. Last year’s ban on travel to outer islands because of […]
GIFF JOHNSON Pohnpei strengthened its ban on incoming travelers Saturday in the face of the escalating spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the region. Pohnpei Governor Reed Oliver issued an amended emergency order March 21 the same day as Pohnpei health authorities announced the second “person under investigation” (PUI) for Covid-19. The island, which hosts […]
GIFF JOHNSON The Marshall Islands announced this week it had one “person under investigation” (PUI) for the coronavirus Covid-19, while two states in the Federated States of Micronesia announced they had three PUIs in isolation — all four were awaiting off-island laboratory testing to determine if they have the Covid-19 virus. The person in […]
