HILARY HOSIA
Action speaks louder than words. This seems to be the marching order for President Hilda Heine and her Cabinet following a one-day visit to Kili Island last Friday.
That day before, Thursday, the Heine administration declared a state of emergency to address the immediate needs of the Kili community, which has been experiencing island-wide blackout and shortage of food and basic needs for months.
State of emergency declarations are often utilized by government to free up funds and resources — hence the grounded AMI flight and emergency requests to invite appropriate technicians from other ministries to focus on Kili: two technicians from Marshalls Energy Company and a specialist trained with reverse osmosis water-making units from Majuro Water and Sewer Company were dispatched with the high-level delegation to Kili.
In her brief remarks, President Heine reminded the community that there exists a debt that RMI as a whole owes to the people of Kili for their sacrifice. That debt, Heine said, will not go unnoticed.
The crowd then cheered on as Heine shared the news that a vessel is set to deliver fuel, food and supplies at the start of this week. The same vessel will bring the necessary equipment needed for resuming operations of the power plant and the RO unit.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kalani Kaneko reassured the islanders that funds that are to be used to supplement Kili under the state of emergency are sourced from the national government, not the Bikini Resettlement Trust Fund.
Kalani reiterated the fact that the current administration understands that the current living conditions on Kili was not a choice made by the people. The Resettlement Trust Fund, which for decades supported the KBE Local Government operations, including funds for power plant operations on Kili, was wiped out by the previous local government administration.
Kalani complemented the President’s earlier remarks, adding that instead of dwelling in the past, the government is there to help the people move forward. He announced the presence of US Embassy Chargé Henry Hand, adding Hand’s participation on behalf of the US Embassy in Majuro is vital. Kalani said Hand is stationed in Washington, DC and he would help paint a clearer picture of the living conditions of the Kili community to his US counterparts.
Minister of Culture and Internal Affairs and newly elected Parliament Member for Kili, Bikini and Ejit Jess Gasper Jr said the last time he was on Kili was when he was three years old. The crowd warmed up to him when he revealed that he is the son of one of Kili’s early church leaders, Revered Joshaia Kerong.
That trip was the closure newly elected Mayor Tommy Jibok needed following years of combating transparency and accountability of KBE funds with his predecessors. Tommy spoke on how he was overwhelmed to finally bring forth representatives of the government to Kili, where he said he was born and raised. He shed tears in his speech and thanked the local community for welcoming the delegation.
KBE Executive Simon Jamore, who fought alongside Tommy against the previous administration, said he and President Hilda used to be classmates at Marshall Island High School. “We remained classmates throughout high school and then she went off to college, only to return and become my teacher in college,” Simon said. “The people who will make a difference are here in our presence,” Simon said. “We will not go hungry anymore.”
Heine introduced another member her delegation, Ailuk Member of Parliament David Anitok, adding that David has been appointed as the Cabinet’s envoy for climate and nuclear issues.
Heine shared a moment with few of the elders and took notes on various concerns, one which suggests fortification of the shore area that is heavily used by boats. Kili resident Arbella John requested immediate assistance in fortifying the shore area used as entrance from the sea. The Kili community will need your help especially now that the king tide season is upon us in February, she told Heine. “Build us a dock,” a local suggested. The single island would benefit from a safe sea access and would safeguard the locals returning from or going to sea.
There are four mom and pop stores on Kili. The population is under 200 according to Aitab Leviticus. Out of this figure, over 90 are elementary students.
The island has two churches. United Church of Christ Pastor Jeledrik Binejal presided over the gathering.
Since fuel has been scarce for months, the hospital is the only building with a working generator and access to Internet through its Starlink. The Starlink access is a privilege, courtesy of the 177 Program under the Ministry of Health and Human Services, said Nurse Practitioner Lincoln Simeon. Lincoln has barely started his temporary assignment as the health provider on the island and he just got there “yesterday” he told the Journal last Friday. “I’ll be here for a month,” Lincoln said. That’s one month until the permanent health assistant returns from Majuro.
Once the state of emergency declaration for Kili Island was signed last Friday by President Heine, there was no delay in the national government taking action for the Kili community.
“The Cabinet has identified $200,000 for Kili,” said Finance Minister David Paul. The aim, he said, is to stabilize the island by returning power and water services, and providing basic staple food items. All of these, in years past, would have been supported by the Bikini Resettle Trust Fund. The trust fund was wiped out by the previous KBE Local Government administration.
Following President Heine’s visit to Kili Friday, on Saturday afternoon MEC was loading 12,000 gallons onto the MV Kwajalein for delivery to Kili as a first installment to keep the power plant in operation for the next month or so.
Paul told the Journal that in addition to MEC technicians fixing the Kili power plant, work would also get underway to repair fuel tanks. Two of the three tanks are currently out of commission due to build up of fuel sludge and other maintenance issues needing attention. Once repaired, a larger volume of fuel can be shipped to maintain power plant services for several months before the next shipment is needed, the Finance Minister said.
The Public Works landing craft was also being loaded with food and supplies for the Kili community and was dispatched to Kili along with the MV Kwajalein earlier this week. It was taking a portion of the rice donated Monday this week by the Taiwan Embassy.