Pohnpei

Farewell to Rev. Jori

Farewell to Rev. Jori

HILARY HOSIA Funeral services in celebration of the life of late United Church of Christ Reverend Jori Lokboj began this week following the initial wake at the UCC headquarters in Uliga Monday. In the service, Reverend Josen Teico praised Rev. Jori and his family for his lifelong service to the faith. “He even reached to […]

Games were a blast!

Games were a blast!

GIFF JOHNSON As the dust settles on the Micronesian Games, and athletes revel in their medals or hope for better performances next time, there is one overriding sense from this 10-island competition: Island athletes, coaches and officials were happy to get back into this sub-regional competition after a Covid-extended six-year break since the last Games […]

High-wattage opening for Micro Games

High-wattage opening for Micro Games

GIFF JOHNSON The Micronesian Games kicked off in Majuro Saturday June 15 with a gala celebration that featured sports delegations from the 10 islands in the sub-region parading in uniform with flags and banners along a newly opened track field, a rarely performed traditional stick dance of the Marshall Islands, a Marshall Islands flag dance, and […]

FSM elects President Simina

FSM elects President Simina

Wesley Simina of Chuuk State is the new president of the Federated States of Micronesia. He was elected by the FSM Congress at its first meeting last week following the national election in March. Joining him in the executive branch is Vice President Aren Palik of Kosrae, who continues on from a term started two […]

Micro Games countdown started

Micro Games countdown started

HILARY HOSIA The countdown for the Micronesian Games officially kicked off Tuesday following the Micronesian Games Council’s (MGC)’s visit to Nitijela. The MGC officials were introduced and recognized during the Nitijela session prior to the showcasing of the countdown platform that was blessed by United Church of Christ Pastor Tim Mea. The platform, which displays […]

Nauru Airlines resumes flights

Nauru Airlines resumes flights

“It feels so good to be connected again.” This was the sentiment at Majuro airport on Sunday evening as the first regular flight from Brisbane arrived following opening of the borders last month. Passengers landed with big smiles as they were greeted with warm Marshallese hospitality. In partnership with Nauru Airlines, the Australian government is […]

Covid is knocking on the RMI’s door

Covid is knocking on the RMI’s door

GIFF JOHNSON With the border opening looming, there is more talk in the community about the arrival of Covid in RMI. There are more questions than answers: Are we ready, will there be lockdowns, will schools be closed? Neighboring FSM opened its borders officially Monday this week — but Covid slipped into Pohnpei and Kosrae […]

Friendly starts to compact talks

Friendly starts to compact talks

GIFF JOHNSON Nearly three years after the first in-person preliminary discussions were held between the US and the Marshall Islands for a third funding agreement in the Compact, negotiations resumed again this week with a two-day meeting at Kwajalein. The negotiations stalled after these first discussions were held in Pohnpei between President Trump’s Secretary of […]

Pohnpei ramps up ban on entry

Pohnpei ramps up ban on entry

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 […]