UPDATE: Congress Assists With Yap State Needs, Including Matching Funds For Yap Women’s Association COLONIA, Yap (DY&CA PIO/WIO) — In the article yesterday from the Yap Congressional Delegation Office, it stated that a sum was appropriated for the use of building the Yap Womens Association (YWA) multi-purpose building. For public information please note that the Yap State Legislature did appropriate an amount of $50,000 in 2011 for matching needs for the YWA multi-purpose building project; however, that fund lapsed after fiscal year 2012. It has taken much time, but thanks to Congressional appropriations, YWA now has the much needed $50,000 for their project. YHS Holds 50th Commencement Exercise COLONIA, Yap (Media Division) — Yap State Governor Sebastian Anefal and Speaker Henry Falan of the 8th Yap State Legislature joined other guest speakers who delivered statements at the 50th Commencement Exercise for Yap High School held at the Colonia Community Center on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. During their brief remarks, both leaders shared same sentiments by encouraging the graduates to strive for the best as they move abroad in their future endeavor so they will be able to help their community and government when they return home. Other dignitaries and honored guests were also recognized during the ceremony aside from Governor Anefal and Speaker Falan. They included the Director of Education, Mr. Vincent Parren, Upward Bound Program Director Ms. Teresa Filepin, Chairman of Yap High School Board Senator Charles Chieng, Vice Chairman of Yap High School Board Mr. John Mootmag, Dean of COMFSM Yap Campus Ms. Lourdes Roboman and Yap High School Principal, Domingo Techur. This year, the school has graduated a total of 113 seniors who received diplomas for having successfully completed the prescribed courses during their studying at the school. The two highest bidders among the Yap High School Class of 2014 were Mr. Christopher Teye Sigrah, Salutatorian, and Ms. Samentha Rulee, Valedictorian. Both of them have made remarks during the graduation ceremony. Aside from their diplomas, the graduates also received awards in academic excellence as well as special awards for extraordinary skills in areas of vocational education and other achievements. The graduates that made the Top Ten and the Honor Roll list included Calvin Baeg, Evitta Leelung Beyan, Lorindalynn Chugrad, Rachel G. Conley, Wendina Digou, Janice T. Falawaath, Stacey D. Fanapluw, Kimberly G. Fenam, Stephania T. Gilsowuth, Jesse Ayin Kulkay, Angelina T. Miginigad, Duane Mingeteg, Jermy Pekalimal, Stanislaus K. Rebemoon, Alaric Rubelukan, Queentina Emyla Rugil, Kaylien Rachel Rungun, Shawrene Sowuth, Perry Tachibelmel, Benjamin K. Tharngan, Roxsan F. Thigthen, Sebastiana Tinagpitin and Kaytica Laarod Tun. Prior to the conclusion of the ceremony, Mr. Serphene Ilesuyol of the Upward Bound Program who represented Director Teresa Filepin announced the names of those graduates who will be going to the COM-FSM National Campus in Pohnpei next week. Tarang Island: OKeefes flag to be raised after 113 years COLONIA, Yap (YVB) — His Majesty OKeefe! Thats how the author of a book on the trader David Dean OKeefe entitled his biography. OKeefe may not have been a king, nor even a chief, but he was a prosperous trader on Yap who helped make the island the trade center of the Western Carolines. He also had his own flag that he flew over his estate on Tarang Island—at least until the Germans ordered him to take it down. OKeefes flag will fly over Tarang once again, when OKeefes great granddaughter, Victorine OKeefe Huevelman, raises the emblem—a large black OK on a field of white—on Friday, June 20 as part of Yaps annual Homecoming Day. The flag-raising, scheduled for 3 PM, is open to the public and boat transportation to Tarang is available. The celebration of David Dean OKeefes legacy will be continued during the events of the Homecoming Day on Saturday, June 21. FSM Signs the MoU for Trade and Development Facility SUVA, Fiji (PIFS Press Statement, June 09, 2014) — The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is the tenth country to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the Pacific Regional Trade and Development Facility (the Facility). With ten countries already signed up, the Facility can now enter into force, providing Pacific Island nations greater ownership of their trade-related development needs. The Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Ms. Cristelle Pratt, thanked the Government of FSM for its commitment to the MoU to establish the Facility. “I congratulate FSM for signing the MoU enabling a historic development of trade and development in the region.” “The Facility allows for a regional approach that will promote better coordination, more efficient and more effective Aid for Trade programs in the Pacific and is expected to play a vital role in assisting development partners in coordinating their Aid for Trade resources for the Pacific region.” The Pacific Regional Trade and Development Facility, an independent and autonomous body provides the Pacific Island nations a platform to work with development partners to identify trade-related development needs and ensure that available ‘Aid for Trade’ resources are targeted appropriately. While signing the MoU on behalf of the Government of FSM, H.E Mr. Gerson Alik Jackson, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of FSM to the Republic of Fiji, highlighted the importance of Aid for Trade to a small island economy such as FSM. “This MoU is a positive step for FSM in boosting our economy, especially in anticipation of possible cessation of financial assistance under the compact of Free Association Treaty between the FSM and USA in 2023, and in support for the Pacific Islands in channeling of adequate aid, and mobilization and coordination of resources necessary to implement regional trade agreements. Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu had already signed the MoU. [Yesterday], FSM became the tenth Pacific Island country to sign the MoU. The Deputy Secretary General called upon development partners to channel Aid for Trade resources through this Facility, which will in turn provide trade-related assistance to Pacific Island states in a timely and efficient manner. “With the MoU entering into force, the Secretariat will be actively exploring options to operationalize the Facility,” Deputy Secretary General Pratt said. 600 Japanese Students To Spend A Month In Marianas SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune/PIR, June 10, 2014) — Six hundred Japanese students plus 230 staff and personnel will be visiting Saipan to immerse themselves in the history of the island this month. According to Pacific Eagle Enterprise Inc. president Willie Matsumoto, the students will be arriving aboard a ship that will dock at Charlie Dock in Puerto Rico. According to Matsumoto, the group is the 41st JC Japanese Youth Goodwill Cruise Tokai-go and consists of 600 students. They are expected to arrive this Wednesday, June 11. The 230 staff and personnel will be arriving today, June 10, to prepare for the students upon initial arrival at 11pm. Matsumoto said the students will be staying on the ship while it is docked at Charlie Dock, while the staff and personnel will be staying at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. They will sail to Saipan for training, carrying youth who are responsible for creating the future of the next generation. The purpose of this visit is to learn the history of Saipan and experience tropical climate and fascinating culture of this beautiful island, Matsumoto said in an earlier email to Saipan Tribune. The Japan Travel Bureau’s Pacific Micronesian Tour on Saipan and Pacific Eagle will be working closely with the group. JC Tokai group will also be hosting a party at Fiesta Resort’s beach side. JC Tokai is a Junior Chamber of Commerce in Tokai district in Aichi, Gifu, Mie, and Shizuoka prefectures in Japan. They have visited Saipan three times ranging from 500 to 600 students in 2000, 2007, and 2010. I hope that they have a wonderful experience, make a bond of friendship and goodwill between Japan and CNMI even if they stay a limited time. Nowadays, I heard, the Japanese arrival is always going down, but we always encourage to sell our wonderful destination to [the] Japanese, Matsumoto said. Climate Change Disturbing Pacific War Graves, Warns Marshall Islands Minister MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Radio Australia, June 09, 2014) — A Marshall Islands official has blamed climate change for weather events that have washed what are believed to be remains of Japanese World War II soldiers from their Pacific graves. A senior Marshall Islands MP says rising sea levels have washed the remains of at least 26 Japanese World War Two soldiers from their graves on a low-lying Pacific archipelago. There are coffins and dead people being washed away from graves, Foreign Minister Tony de Brum told reporters on the sidelines of Unites Nations climate change talks in Germany. Mr. de Brum has put the blame on climate change, which threatens the existence of the islands that are only 2 meters above sea level at their highest. He says 26 skeletons have been found on Santo Island, in Kwajalein Atoll, after high tides battered the archipelago from February to April. Unexploded bombs and other military equipment have also washed up in recent months. Mr. de Brum says the skeletons are those of Japanese soldiers. We had the exhumed skeletons sampled by the U.S. Navy in Pearl Harbor (in Hawaii) and they helped identify where they are from, to assist in the repatriation efforts, he said. Climate scientists say global warming has raised average world sea levels by about 19cms in the past century, aggravating the impact of storm surges and tides. Mr. de Brum says many of the 170 nations meeting in Bonn are slowly understanding the extent of threats faced by island states. We think they are (getting the message) but not quickly enough to climate-poof some of our more vulnerable communities, Mr. de Brum said. Those measures, he says, include raising homes on stilts, rebuilding roads and docks, and even abandoning some atolls. US seasteading group plans floating microcountries with start-up governments PACIFIC, Oceania (Radio Australia, June 10, 2014) — A US organization is hoping a plan to create cities which float on the ocean, will see them not only produce their own food but establish their own governments. The Seasteading Institute says it hopes the floating microcountries will allow for experimentation with new ideas which current governments are too large to try. Seasteading communication director Joe Quirk says the floating cities create room for start-up governments. When you consider that nearly half the worlds surface is a blank slate, unclaimed by existing governments, you see the potential in creating a thousand start-up governments in the sea, he said. Seasteading comes from a very Silicon Valley perspective, that basically we dont think 193 national governments represent the range of ideas that 7 billion creative people have produced. Were creating, literally, a platform for anyone to try whatever kind of nation they want. We think we need a sort of start-up sector for the government, a sort of Silicon Valley of the sea, where 21st century ideas for governance can be tried. Were creating, literally, a platform for anyone to try whatever kind of nation they want. The Seasteading Institute says the first prototype city, made up of modular square or pentagon shaped platforms, could be built by 2020 and house about 225 people. Mr. Quirk says they are looking for a nation to host the city in its shallow territorial waters and provide it with substantial political autonomy. We hope that if we can set an example, provide some jobs and create some eco-cities that float in the shallow territorial waters, well set an example and show people that seasteads can be of benefit to the world, he said. Mr. Quirk says the engineering technology for smaller seasteads already exists. He says structures like Shells floating LNG platform Prelude, which is bigger than the Empire State Building and designed to remain at sea off Australias west coast for 25 years, are paving the way. If you think about cruise ships, cruise ships are the size of skyscrapers and people attend rock concerts in them, he said. Just about anything that you do on land, people do on cruise ships. So the cruise ship industry has largely commandeered this space, its just about getting permanent structures out on the waters that hopefully would be politically independent. It is also hoped the technology could offer a solution for the Pacific Island nations under threat from climate change. The world is full of people who need to leave their countries and island nations because of rising sea levels, Mr. Quirk said. We want to get a good example as quickly as possible, show that the technology is possible and hopefully attract more investors in the future to possible rescue some of these nations.
Posted on: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 11:06:19 +0000
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