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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 15:17
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
September 11, 2017
Pohnpei—September 11 marked the 38th celebration of Pohnpei’s liberation from Japan. It was on September 11, 1945 that U.S. Naval forces accepted the surrender of Japanese forces in Pohnpei and raised the American flag, ending the Japanese occupation. Though it has been 72 years since the date of its actual liberation, this year’s celebration was only the 38th.
Today, the FSM and the government of Japan have had friendly diplomatic relations for 29 years. Japan’s Ambassador Ryoichi Horie and his wife Yuko were at the PICS track for the formal commemoration ceremony of Pohnpei’s liberation.
As the ceremony began, Miss Liberation Day Queen Chasity Salvador of Kitti and Princesses Zelain Perman, Frieda Abraham and Yasmine Ehpel took their seats on the dais. Afterward, athletes from each of the nine municipalities who participated in the games marched onto the track.
Youth for Change singers delivered a stirringly slow rendition of the Pohnpei State Anthem.
Read more: For the 38th time Pohnpei celebrates Liberation Day
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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 15:26
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
September 22, 2017
Micronesia—Three students from the Micronesia region recently returned from the arctic where they participated in an innovative program known as the Coral and Ice Exchange.
Chloe Arnold of Chuuk, Karen Ehmes of Pohnpei, and Dylan Tellei of Palau applied for the program and were selected to attend after the application and interviews.
The program was envisioned and developed by the Canadian organization, the “Students on Ice Foundation” and the Micronesian organization, Island Research and Education Initiative (iREi).
iREi Founder and Director Danko Taborosi said that one of the outcomes from the visit that perhaps surprised the students the most was the remarkable similarities between the cultures of the north and their own cultures despite the dramatically different climate. Each of the students wrote a summary of their experiences that we will publish in this issue. He said that Mr. Martin Carl, the principal of Xavier High School was extremely supportive in the student selection process and helping to prepare them for the visit.
Taborosi said that the plan is now to bring three Inuit students from Canada and Greenland to visit the Micronesia region sometime next year. This was the first Coral and Ice Exchange but the hope is to make it an ongoing, annual event.
iREi paid for the participation of Karen Ehmes. Chloe Arnold was sponsored by benefactors Tarek Sherif and Sophie Nicholson. Dylan Tellie was sponsored by Shallum and Mandy Etpison.
Read more: Three Micronesian students visit the Arctic for Coral and Ice Exchange program
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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 15:28
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Written by FSM Congress
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Congress Information Services
September 14, 2017
PALIKIR, POHNPEI – On Thursday morning September 14, 2017, the 20th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia convened in Palikir for its Second Regular Session also known as the national budget session to pass the national government’s budget operations for the upcoming fiscal year – FY 2018.
Witnesses to the morning’s opening session were the President Peter M. Christian and Vice President Yosiwo P. George along with members of the Cabinet along with the heads of the various offices and agencies of the FSM national government. Also present for the morning’s opening was the Governor of the State of Chuuk, Johnson Elimo, the Dean and Members of the Resident Diplomatic Corp and two newly accredited non-resident ambassadors: Ambassador Leon Malazogu of the Republic of Kosovo and Ambassador Karena Lyons of New Zealand.
Also in the gallery Thursday morning was a special delegation of students and staff from the private Jesuit research university in Japan, Sophia University. The former Ambassador to the FSM, Shoji Sato, was dual hatted as a professor of Sophia University and also the Executive Director of Japan’s Association for the Promotion of International Cooperation led the delegation. The Office of the Speaker hosted a few local delicacies, fruits and coconut drinks outside of the chamber for the visiting delegation.
Following the introductions and recognition of witnesses in the gallery, Speaker Simina appointed the Committee to Wait on the President to be chaired by Senator Alik L. Alik with Senator Esmond B. Moses, Senator Robson U. Romolow and Senator Joseph J. Urusemal as members. A time was set up for the Committee to meet with the Executive leadership and inform the President that Congress is in session and inquire as to the executive’s agenda for Congress attention, if any.
After the dispensing with the day’s agenda, the Congress adjourned its ceremonial opening of the second regular session for the Body to get down to its work. Chairman Alik and the committee met with Vice President Yosiwo P. George and brought up five areas that Congress have agreed to focus on for its Second Regular Session: (1) FY-2018 Budget; (2) Assistance to foreign States for natural disaster relief; (3) Issues surrounding FSMTC; (4) pending nominations and grants; and (5) the possibility of establishing a consulate office on the U.S. West Coast.
The Vice President shared an Executive Branch priority list similar to the Congress with the following exception that he request Congress to consider: (1) Foreign Investment Policy Work; (2) World Bank Fiber Optic Cable project; and (3) MiCare.
The Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress is for 20 days and will adjourn on Tuesday October 3, 2017 unless shortened or extended by resolution. As usual, the Congress sessions are open to interested members of the general public.
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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 15:33
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Written by Rotary Club
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Rotary Club of Pohnpei
A lot of hard work and community effort has been put into the upgrade of the Ipwitek Community Center which is now in the finishing stages of renovation. The upgrade of the Center, which consists of a Nahs, guest house, restroom and the St. Augustine Church Building, has been made possible through donations, fundraising and dedicated community labour and input. Pohnpei Rotary awarded $2000 to the Center to purchase materials needed for completion of the disabled concrete access ramp, a wall and safety railing. The ramp, completed by community labour, ensures access for all to worship and enjoy future events like school graduations and meetings, as well as temporary shelter during emergency declared situations.
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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 15:38
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Written by Kpress
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Four volunteers have begun a theater group in Pohnpei—The Pohnpei Players. They will be holding their first open casting call at Pohnpei Catholic School beginning on Friday, September 29.
Wayne and Kristi Parker, along with their children (ages 15, 14, 12, and 10) moved to the island in February to work as full-time missionaries with the Kolonia and Mesisou Churches of Christ, but their vision of work on the island didn’t end with their church work; they had a desire to share their extensive education and experiences with performing arts and performance management with the community in Kolonia. Wayne and Kristi each have over 30 years of performance experience through acting, singing, and choreography and have performed with many choral and theater groups all over the world. They both have experience with directing, teaching, managing and working in all aspects of performances, both on and off-stage. Their children also began performing at very young ages, and theater has become a hobby bringing together their whole family.
Community theater unites communities through laughter, excitement, and awe for both the performers and audiences. A local theater company not only gives the town entertainment and something to do, but the patrons (audience) and participants are able to gain new life experiences without leaving their own town, grow to be more accepting and understanding of other cultures, learn empathy and compassion, and become more self-aware. The people who become a part of a production, both on and behind the stage, gain and grow self-confidence and friendships as well as learn discipline, conflict resolution, responsibility, how to be a team player, the importance of helping the community, and much more, and little can beat the excitement and satisfaction of being a part of the hard work and completion of a successful production.
Read more: New community theater company starting in Kolonia
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Category: News
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Published: Monday, 02 October 2017 15:40
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
September 20, 2017
Kolonia, Pohnpei— Kolonia Town celebrated the 33rd anniversary of its constitution this morning at the Town Hall. The celebration began with a march from the Pohnpei State government building to the Town Hall.
The Town leaders and citizens shared the celebration with its new Chief Justice, former Pohnpei State Police Chief Kerley Araceley. Acting Chief Justice of the Pohnpei Supreme Court, Nelson Joseph administered the oath of office to the new Chief Justice of Kolonia Town. Associate Justice Gustin Harris conferred the Chief Justices robe after which, Chief Justice Araceley gave special remarks.
Nixon Aldan served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event. Deacon Berley Araceley gave the opening prayer followed by the raising of the colors by the Kolonia Town Police department in their smart new uniforms.
Speaker Jack Harris gave the opening remarks.
Mayor Jose San Nicolas gave the key note address followed by the laying of wreaths for those of Kolonia’s constitutional framers who have passed on since that day 33 years ago. The honorable Bethwel Henry, one of the founding fathers of Kolonia was present at the celebration.
The celebration ceremony ended with a recognition of Kolonia’s athletes who participated in the Liberation Day Games, followed by the closing prayer delivered by Reverend Billimon Henry.
The program listed special thanks for generous donations from 7 Stars Store, Black Sand Store, Senator Marvin Y. Yamaguchi, and Elizabeth Lowe.
