During the six days leading up to Earth Day, April 22, Pohnpei EPA organized an Island wide cleanup project.   Starting on Monday April 16, two large dump trucks and a small pickup wound their way around the island to collect trash, which had previously been bagged and set alongside the road.   Each Municipality and Kolonia was tasked with spreading the word that people should pick up the trash alongside the road and on their land.  Altogether over the course of the week, the trucks made 45 round trips between the collection sites and the dump.  

Events like this are great and commendable, but there is still much work to do.  “The environment is something that needs to be taken care of daily by billions of individuals – including the 36,000 residents of the State of Pohnpei.  Every one of us 36,000 has the power to make a difference, for better or worse, in the environment every day”.   US Ambassador Prahar said at the Pohnpei State Earth Day celebration on Friday April 20.  “It’s clearly much more efficient to prevent trash than to try to pick it up and dispose of it properly.”  

Earth Day was first created and observed in the United States on April 22, 1970, to highlight a growing public concern about ecological crises. Earth Day focused the nation's political agenda on urgent environmental issues.   The US EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, was created as a result of the Earth Day movement.   As a result of the work of the US EPA the US established a strong set of enforceable laws that protect the air, water, and land from industry and people who choose not to act responsibly.  Today Earth Day is celebrated around the world and the movement is making progress in educating people and governments about the importance of acting responsibly and making a difference in preserving our Planet.

April 2, 2012
Pohnpei, FSM—During his speech at a reception this evening honoring Australia’s Head of State, Governor-General Quentin Bryce, FSM’s President Manny Mori said that the visit was “an example of strong diplomatic relations” between FSM and Australia.  He said that no head of state from any other of the FSM’s development partner nations had ever visited the FSM and he called the visit of the Governor General, a “historic visit.”

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and her entourage which included Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Mr. Richard Marles, landed at the Pohnpei International Airport aboard a Royal Australian Air Force jet this evening at nearly half past five.

The visiting dignitaries were met on the tarmac by FSM Vice President Alik Alik, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Lorin Robert, Chief of Staff Churchill Edward, and other FSM staff members.  Australia’s Ambassador to the FSM, Martin Quinn and his staff members were also present on the tarmac for the historic visit.

In advance and for the duration of the visit, the Australian Embassy served as the liaison between the FSM and Australian governments.

Leaving nothing to chance FSM staff members had held countless meetings in advance of the visit and had conducted several “walk throughs” at the airport in order to prepare for the landing ceremony.  Because the weather was outstanding at the time of the landing they did not have to resort to the plan B “rain plan” which one staff member said was to make a mad dash for the cars.

After meeting the Vice President and other dignitaries at the foot of the stairs FSM representatives presented the Governor-General with a mwaramwar and a lei.

An FSM National Police Honor Guard saluted the Governor General as she paused to review the officers who were in formation.

Local and visiting photographers snapped pictures as Governor-General Bryce stood upon a raised decorated platform while the Australian National anthem played.  At her back the Australian flag snapped in the wind. Over her right shoulder, Pohnpei’s instantly recognizable landmark, Sokehs Rock stood guard; an indomitable witness of the historic visit.

Readers of all ages will explore the night this summer as Pohnpei Public Library presents “Dream Big-READ!” during their summer library program. Activities will include programs on stargazing and moon lore, dreams and wishes, space exploration, nocturnal animals, movie nights, and more.

The 2012 Summer Library Program is open to young people, preschool through young adult, with programs, prize drawing, story hours, and more. Families are invited to join the Read-to-Me portion of the program on Wednesday evenings. Programs begin the week of June 11 and continue through July. Registration for “Dream Big-READ!” begins on May 7, 2012. The registration fee is $5.

To kick off all this fun, is The First Annual Pohnpei Public Library Fundraising Carnival. Students can come to the library on June 2, from 11 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. and play games, win prizes, and eat hotdogs. All activities will be inexpensive and will support future programs at the library.

For more information, call the library at 320-2423 or visit our website pohnpeipubliclibrary.blogspot.com

See you this summer at the library!

April 30, 2012
Pohnpei, FSM—This afternoon a small crowd of spectators attended the dedication and turnover ceremony for the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF) building.  The state of the art ARFF facility had a $12.15 million price tag and is the last of four ARFF facilities to have been completed in the FSM.  Each of the airports in the FSM’s four states now has a Federal Aviation Administration approved state of the art ARFF facility.

Nelperson Etse, General Manager of the Pohnpei Port Authority said during his speech during the ceremony that the process of building Pohnpei’s ARFF facility began four years ago in 2008.  He said that since the airport is built on reclaimed land it was difficult to find land firm enough for such a large facility that would also be properly located according to FAA guidelines.  The ARFF facility needed to be at approximately the mid way point next to the runway.  Site engineering processes set the project back and drove up the price tag as well.

FSM’s President Manny Mori spoke at the ceremony as well.  He jokingly said that he wanted to beat US Ambassador Peter Prahar to the punch and speak about maintenance.  He told a circuitous story about a little boy travelling with his father.  The little boy had been excited to see the fire trucks in Majuro, Kosrae, and Pohnpei, but was disappointed when they couldn’t land at the airport in Chuuk, their destination.  They couldn’t land because the fire trucks had no water.

President Mori told the firefighters that they must take care of the facility and be sure that the fire trucks never run out of water.

He was later assured that planners had worked to be certain that running out of water will not likely happen.  The roof of the 16,000 square foot building also serves to collect rain water to keep the facilities huge water storage tanks filled to capacity.  Even as the ceremony continued the water storage facilities were being topped off by, at times, torrential rains.

The summary in the printed program says, “The ARFF building is a two story structure with a total floor area of around 16,000 square feet.  It has two main building: the office building and support building.

“The office building has two levels.  The first level consists of two story high vehicle bays, sleeping quarter, dining and training room, kitchen, laundry, exercise room, storage areas, toilets, and showers with locker.  The second level consists of the fire department office, AFIS room, conference room, a kitchenette, storage and toilet.

“The support building houses the generator, electrical room, mechanical room, workshop with storage, SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) room (where firefighter oxygen tanks are replenished), extractor storage, and ARFF storage.

“The majority of the spaces are ADA compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act).  The office area is equipped with a lift to ensure accessibility to the second level.”

The lift is sufficient to carry one person in a wheel chair to the second level.

The facility also has diesel storage tanks and its own 450 kilowatt generator that is more than sufficient to meet the entire power needs of the facility.  To maintain the heavy fire fighting clothing it also has a very high capacity washing machine and a specialized drying closet for the suits which cannot simply be tumbled dry.

The vehicle bays house the two extractors (fire fighting vehicles).  They are equipped with one 1.5 ton lift arm for heavy repairs on the extractors.  The extractors are 1500-gallon capacity Oshkosh Striker aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles which include accessories, auxiliary and radio equipment, tools and a three year maintenance warranty.  The price tag for those two extractors which have been on island for several years now was $1.5 million.

US Ambassador Peter Prahar said that the building will also provide office space for the Aerodrome Flight Information System (AFIS), a system that provides pilots with information on the airport and weather conditions.

Airports in the FSM do not have air traffic control towers or operators.

Ambassador Prahar thanked the Contractor, Penta-Ocean Construction Company, Limited, and the engineering consultant, GMP Associates, for working through the challenges presented by the site.

“I also want to thank the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. congress for making the FAA Airport Improvement Project—here and throughout the FSM, possible,” he said.  “They understand that tin the Pacific, the highways are in the sky.  You might say that the flight routes among the four states of the FSM, in fact, are your version of the U.S. Interstate Highway system.

“They also understand that smaller commercial airports like Pohnpei International Airport and the other airports in the FSM do not have the passenger volume to generate sufficient revenue to fully fund the facilities, equipment, and specialized training needed,” he continued.  “So their foresight and concern for air safety has resulted in nearly $130 million in U.S-funded airport improvements here in the FSM alone in the last few years.”

“As we stand here today, we reflect that we have just begun the second century of commercial aviation.  None of us knows what wonders—and challenges—the future will bring to the aviation industry.  But we all know that if we continue to work together to create safer, more efficient aviations systems, we will realize the full promise of a bright future for all the people of the FSM,” he concluded.

Deacon Augustine Damarlane blessed the facility and sprinkled holy water throughout.

Pohnpei’s Governor John Ehsa accepted the building on behalf of Pohnpei saying that he hoped it would never have to be used.

He said that the state of the art building would only continue to be state of the art if the people who run and maintain it are also state of the art.  He introduced the firefighting team who are under the direction of Chief Paulino Samuel and praised them for being committed to constantly preparing and maintaining themselves as state of the art firefighters and rescue personnel.

The Reverend Bender Endicar gave the invocation during the ceremony and the Reverend Godarro Lorrin provided the closing prayer.  Melson M. Darra, Airport Manager for the Pohnpei Port Authority served as the Master of Ceremonies.

The program said that the FSM Department of TC&I assisted by Lyon Associates, Incorporated served as the implementing office for the project.

Funding sources were the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the Pohnpei Port Authority, and Pohnpei State.

GMP Hawaii, Incorporated served as a consultant for design and construction management.

ABCOR Engineering and Construction, Incorporated served as a subcontractor to contractor Penta-Ocean Construction Company, Limited.

May 9, 2012
Weno, Chuuk— Concerned residents of Weno, Chuuk sent photos to the Kaselehlie Press this afternoon of the FSM Petroleum Corporation fuel tank farm engulfed in smoke.  Their accompanying messages described loud explosions but no one seemed to know for certain what was burning.

But the fire this morning was not at the FSMPC tank farm but at the former Chuuk Tuna Industry building in Weno, which is now occupied by the Chuuk Department of Transportation.

Some Chuuk residents were concerned that the fire might jump across the space between the two properties.  If it had done so the results would have been cataclysmic for Chuuk’s fuel supply now and for a long time to come.

But Bill Stinnett who was for a time, Chuuk’s Director of CDPS said that he was on the scene not too long after the fire broke out and that he had seen the efforts of the firefighters.

“I went all the way to the fire when I first learned about it, gave my advice to the manager of Petrol Corp, to the Public Utilities, and to the Police - which was basically ‘get pumps and start fighting the fire and keeping the fuel storage tanks wet - if that becomes necessary’,” he wrote.

In another email he wrote, “The airport ARFF trucks and personnel have responded and they are working well.  I've seen firemen fighting the fire while standing between the fuel farm and the burning structure.  The old Fisheries complex will certainly be completely destroyed but I believe this will be the only damage.”

Chuuk Department of Public Safety personnel evacuated the areas in the vicinity of the fire and there were no casualties from the fire.  At press time a CDPS spokesperson said that the fire had been contained.

Some communications with the newspaper while the fire raged said that the Bank of Guam was on fire.  The Bank of Guam is across the street from the building that burned.  

According to a person speaking on behalf of CDPS Director Kerson Rizal, no neighboring or adjacent properties were damaged.  The cause of the fire has yet to be determined and CDPS inquiries are continuing.

Details are few and far between but as best we have been able to determine from witnesses to the event, at the time the fire broke out a plane was on the ground at Chuuk International Airport. Airport firefighters attended to their duties at the airport and then came to help fight the fire at the burning building.

Witnesses say that the airport’s two striker firefighting vehicles were on the scene of the fire at least by noon and that by that time the Airport firefighters, dressed in full firefighting attire were standing alongside CDPS personnel to fight the fire.

Chuuk does not have its own fire truck.

“There was excellent inter-agency cooperation and support to CDPS during this incident including the Department of Public Works, Pacific International Incorporated, Chuuk Power and Utilities Corporation, FSM PetroCorp and local businesses,” the CDPS spokesperson said.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. This widely quoted but truthful proverb was most manifestly embodied by the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami last year. We will never forget the compassionate encouragement and assistance from the people of the Federated States of Micronesia and other PICs at the time of the unprecedented national crisis. Here again, on behalf of the people of Japan, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to everyone concerned.

On the 25th and 26th of this month, I am hosting the sixth Pacific Island Leaders Meeting (PALM6), a triennial summit between Japan and PICs since 1997. It will take place in Okinawa, an island prefecture in southern Japan, which shares unique but similar characteristics with PICs. In PALM6, we will discuss five major issues for our further cooperation: response to natural disasters, environment and climate change, sustainable development based upon human security, people-to-people exchanges, and maritime issues. I look forward to having frank discussions with His Excellency President Mori and other PIC leaders. These issues are of vital importance to the well being of the people of our region and are areas where Japan and PICs can jointly contribute to the international community. I am determined to work with the PIC leaders to make this summit a true success.

Japan, as a development partner on an equal footing, has been working together with PICs in their nation building. We cannot deny that Japan is still faced with enormous challenges including reconstruction from the disaster. I intend to declare at PALM6, however, that we will never let this fact undermine our commitment to the region. Hardship at home should not be an excuse for drawing back from the engagement in the region. Rather, hardship taught us the importance of “kizuna,” or the bond of friendship. The kizuna between Japan and PICs is deeply rooted in the fact that we share the same Pacific Ocean and the common spirits of islanders nurtured by this great Ocean. Your heartfelt support during our national crisis gave us the conviction that we should carry on.

This “kizuna” of course extends to Fiji, too. Fiji’s ongoing process to build a firmly based democracy is of great importance to the stability and prosperity of the region. Japan’s message is clear and consistent. We are friends of the Fijian people as we are of other PICs. We hope that Fiji will continue to take concrete actions towards free and fair elections no later than 2014 and, to this end, we intend to maintain close dialogue with the Fiji Government. We look forward to further positive developments.

It is “kizuna” that binds us all together in the Pacific and motivates us to keep on working hand in hand towards the future. I sincerely hope that Japan and PICs, based upon long-lasting friendship and cooperation, will continue to act together to achieve peaceful and prosperous future of the Pacific.

Yoshihiko Noda
Prime Minister of Japan

Two graduating seniors at Xavier High School in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia were named Gates Millennium Scholars by the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.  The two members of Xavier’s Class of 2012 are among 1,000 young scholars worldwide who have received the coveted award, which provides a full-cost scholarship for their entire undergraduate program at a college or university of their choice. The scholarship also can be extended for graduate studies.

This year’s Gates Millennium Scholars at Xavier High School are Pearl Asugar of Weno, Chuuk and Honolulu, Hawaii; and Eleanor Titiml of Koror, Palau.

Ms. Asugar will attend St. Martin’s University in Lacy, Washington, where she will major in civil engineering.  Ms. Titiml will study marine biology at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
    
“We are extremely proud of Pearl and Eleanor. They have worked hard for this honor. Their Gates Millennium Scholarships will allow them to continue to excel in scholarship, leadership and service,” said the Rev. R. Richard McAuliff, SJ, director of Xavier High School.

Ms. Asugar and Ms. Titiml are the latest Xavier High School students to be named Gates Millennium Scholars. Six other Xavier seniors since 2000 have received the honor. They are Ryan Edgar, Witmark Tokeak, Sheryl Yumiko Lomongo, Jonathan Thinsew, Kayviann Hallers, and Michael Kigimnang.

Ms. Asugar is the daughter of Jack Edward and Doreen Asugar. Her maternal grandparents, Henry and Maggie Asugar, also raised her.  The late Mr. Asugar was a member of the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia representing Chuuk, and before that was a long-time Clerk of the FSM Congress.

Ms. Titiml is the daughter of Serafina Titiml and the late Rudimch Titiml.  Her grandparents, Salvador Rekisiwang and Theodosia Ebibei, and Isau Titiml and Renguul Klaulechad, are also deceased.

This year’s class of Gates Millennium Scholars includes 1,000 students from 47 states in the United States of America; the District of Columbia; the Marshall Islands; the Federated States of Micronesia; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Puerto Rico; and, the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The program announced that this year’s scholarship recipients would attend 348 colleges and universities. Current Gates Scholars attend a total of 723 colleges and universities in the United States.

The Catholic Church’s Society of Jesus founded Xavier High School on Weno, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, in 1952. It is a college preparatory boarding school for young men and women from across the Western Pacific in grades 9 through 12.  Among its many distinguished graduates are presidents of the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, physicians, diplomats, lawyers, members of national Congresses and community and church leaders.

Xavier High School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.