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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 08 September 2016 12:24
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Written by Kpress
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click to view the original PDF 
08 SEP 2016
This week the 47th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is taking place in the Federated States of Micronesia. The Pacific Islands Forum is the region’s premier political and economic policy organisation. Founded in 1971, it comprises 16 independent and self-governing states: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Associate membership to the Forum is currently held by French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Tokelau. Forum Observer status is with Wallis and Futuna, the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the Asia Development Bank, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, the World Bank, the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and the International Organisation for Migration. Timor Leste is a Special Observer.
The Forum’s Vision is for a pacific region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 08 September 2016 12:40
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
September 2, 2016
Pohnpei, FSM—At 2:00 this afternoon the Pohnpei State Government entered into its second Public-Private Sector Partnership with the owners of the Kepirohi Falls landmark In Pohnpei.
The first Public-Private Sector Partnership was with the owners of the Lididuhniap Falls last July. Work has neared completion on that site and an inaugural tour will be offered to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders next Tuesday.
The core of the Kepirohi Falls agreement involve repair of the trails and provision of recreational facility in order to attract substantially more visitors, both local and international.
The heart of the matter is that access to both these falls, as well as most of the other 40 waterfalls in Pohnpei is dangerous or virtually impossible for the target tourist community of the 50+ demographic.
It is this group that has the time and money to visit Pohnpei.
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 08 September 2016 12:47
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
September 1, 2016
Pohnpei, FSM—Two weeks ago, sirens blared and traffic was diverted as Pohnpei State and National police escorted 16 “state” cars to various locations on the island.
The motorcades coincided with the first ever visit of a Naval vessel from India to the FSM. The lack of information from officials regarding the visit from India and about the police escorted state cars caused many people to think that the motorcades were somehow related to the Indian visit. They were not related.
The escorted vehicles were part of police preparations and training for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) that will take place during the week of September 5. On the 7th of November, 16 heads of state from the Pacific Region will take part in the PIF that will be held at the College of Micronesia- China Friendship gym and at the FSM Congress chambers. The theme for this year’s annual forum is “Small and Far: Challenges for Growth”.
On the day following the meeting, leaders from countries that are not a part of the PIF nations will hold a “post dialogue” meeting.
The State and National Police are charged with transporting and escorting the heads of state that will be visiting for the important annual meetings. The flow of traffic is apparently so important that classes in schools in the areas that might impact traffic have been cancelled for the duration of the meetings.
If the two day exercise of two weeks ago is any indication, Pohnpei drivers won’t know exactly what to do when faced with an oncoming convoy of high level leaders in large black cars accompanied by a large number of police vehicles.
Don’t feel too badly. We weren’t able to find any answers either, but do be careful.
We sought police advice on what drivers should expect during the PIF but in both the National and State police departments, the authority to answer questions on the matter was placed in a single hand for each department. Only one of those police sources responded to our requests for an interview on what to expect but then missed the appointment. The other never responded at all despite repeated messages for over a week.
Without a definitive answer from police about what drivers should expect we can only say that drivers should be attentive during the PIF and listen for sirens or honking horns that might indicate an approaching motorcade. Give right of way by pulling to the side of the road as soon as you hear them and let the motorcade pass.
Keep your stereo speakers down so that you can hear police sirens and don’t assume the motorcade will be driving in their correct lane. That seems like common sense but it might not be for some motorists in Pohnpei who do not drive defensively with an ear and an eye out for possibly life endangering impediments.
Drivers may encounter motorcades at any point during the Pacific Islands Forum and no information has been forthcoming about whether or not there will be any road closures.
The PIF organizing committee initially projected 500-600 visitors to Pohnpei. They currently project only 250-300 visitors, less than 1 percent of Pohnpei’s population.
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 08 September 2016 13:02
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Written by Bill Jaynes
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By Bill Jaynes
The Kaselehlie Press
August 31, 2016
Pohnpei, FSM—Four people accused of Human Trafficking along with a variety of other charges have been set free after the court declared them to be not guilty including one defendant who had entered into a plea agreement with the State.
The State filed multiple charges against the defendants on February 16 of this year including the charge of Human Trafficking. According to the court’s judgment, many of those charges were never addressed and were “left untouched by the Court”.
The State charges alleged that the defendants had required their under-aged family members to prostitute themselves at the Pohnpei port and also required them to bring the money from those activities back to the families.
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Category: News
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Published: Thursday, 08 September 2016 13:05
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Written by Super User
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Embassy of the
United States of America Kolonia
Weno, Chuuk – The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a new project that will reduce the vulnerabilities of communities in Micronesia to impacts of climate change. Through its Pacific- American Climate Fund (PACAM), USAID awarded a total of US$244,315 grant to the Chuuk Women’s Council (CWC).
CWC will implement the project Climate Change Adaptation through Family, Gardens, Food, and Health that will strengthen the knowledge and capacity of families and school communities to grow nutritious food. The project will support the development of climate resilient community nurseries as well as home and school gardens, building on traditional gardening and food production knowledge, and developing school curricula in support of the home and school gardens.
U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Joanne Cummings, who led the launch of the project together with Honorable Wesley Simina, Speaker, FSM Congress, reaffirmed the American people’s commitment to the well-being of the people of the Pacific Islands. “President Obama has called this century the Pacific Century, and under his leadership the United States is building on its long relationship with the region,” DCM Joanne Cummings said. She added, “We look forward to working with our partners in addressing the threats of climate change and ensuring a climate resilient future for Pacific Island communities.”
CWC is a non-profit organization based in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, that implements comprehensive programs which enhance the well-being of women and their families in Chuuk State.
USAID, through PACAM, is partnering with 12 Pacific Island countries to reduce long-term vulnerabilities associated with climate change. PACAM awards grants to civil society organizations in support of climate change adaptation measures which are mutually beneficial to both direct beneficiaries and the environment, such as livelihoods enhancement, improved health, food security, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable natural resources management.
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Category: News
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Published: Saturday, 17 September 2016 07:47
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Written by Bernd Riebe
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SEP 17 - 2016 - The Pohnpei State EPA has just published this video edited and narrated by Nigel Jaynes.
