Topic: NewsLinks

Marshall Islands: Tourism, Governance, Disaster, and UN Updates

Tourism agencies network

RMI and FSM are both struggling under local governments that have yet to fully prioritize tourism as a revenue source.

Corruption 'threat to South Pacific economies'

Transparency International has blown the whistle on corruption in 12 South Pacific nations which threatens the region's economic future.

Seven Pacific Countries yet to complete governance and economic stock take

FSM, Kiribati, RMI, Nauru, Palau, PNG and Solomons have not fulfilled the requirements of compliance for the eight principles of good governance.

Pacific islands seek disaster response plan

Officials from 17 nations and territories in the Pacific area are meeting in Honolulu to map out strategy for improving how the islands recover from calamities.

The Marshall Islands Join the Chemical Weapons Convention

On 18 June 2004,the Marshall Islands will become both the 163rd State Party to the Convention and Member State of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Marshall Islands: Rising tides, Climate changes and Weather Patterns Get Attention

Mercury rises, tides climb, global climate changes

Photo/Story: Ankit Stephen stands at a lagoon in the Marshall Islands, where encroaching waves are toppling trees.

A rising tide of evidence (PDF format)

Climate Change graphic., Also, read entire report, "Climate change rises on global agenda"

The Otin Taai Declaration: The Pacific Churches Statement on Climate Change

Declare as forcefully as we can the urgency of the threat of human-induced climate change.

Noaa Expects Near Average Central Pacific Hurricane Season

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.

Pacific ENSO Update for Marshall Islands, 2nd Quarter 2004

Rainfall in the Marshall Islands during first quarter was near normal, but very dry conditions were experienced in Kwajalein, Wotje, and Utirik especially in January.

Marshall Islands: Transport, Shipping, and Airline Updates

Poor Shipping Cuts Marshalls Copra Exports

During the first three months of this year, copra pickups trailed off significantly; all ships in port.

SAR forging ahead with security plans

He said about 90 per cent of the Marshall Islands flagged fleets have had their ship security plans approved.

Marshall Islands Passes 20M Gt Mark

As of March 31, 2004 there were 668 ships totalling 21.26m gt flying the Marshall Island flag, a 29.5% increase over the 16.43m gt from 12 months ago.

Continental Airlines Announces Worldwide Fare Increases

The fare increase is $10 USD each way for flights up to 1,000 miles, and $20 USD each way for flights over 1,000 miles.

Airline's first flight today

We will be available for charters to all of the islands in Micronesia, all the way from the (Marshall Islands) in the east and Palau in the West, and Sky Blue Air charter.

Ocean Liner Visits Marshalls

Sailing Date: May 17 2004, Ship: Pacific Princess, departs from: Honolulu, Hawaii, arrives in Majuro, Marshall Islands May 25 2004 07:00 May 25 2004 14:00.

Marshalls Islands' President Takes Trip -- No Go for Other Issues

Marshalls President To Visit South Korea, Taiwan

Bush Silent On Marshalls Compensation Request

Landowners put heat on United States

No Budget For Peace Corps' Return

Marshalls Islands: Additions, Expansions and New Opportunities
Repost from earlier today

Statement by the President on H.R. 2584

President Bush signed a bill to provide for the conveyance to the Utrok Atoll local government of a decommissioned National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship, and for other purposes.

Marshalls Firm To Expand Solar Power

The Marshalls Energy Co. took over management of a solar power program Friday on Namdrik, the first power company in region to deliver both diesel- and solar-powered electricity.

MARSHALL IS: NASA Seeks Young Islanders

NASA will be conducting upper atmosphere research in the Marshall Islands from July until September.

Marshall Islands to make Mid East expo debut at Seatrade

Corporate and Maritime Administrator to be at Dubai World Trade Centre from December 6-8, to promote the Marshall Islands' International Registries Inc.

Aloha Airlines to let Pacific passengers bring more bags

Aloha will accept without charge up to 140 pounds of checked baggage per passenger with conditions.

Marshall Islands: Compact Funding, Air Service, and Canoe Building Top News

Better Times Coming? Funding Is Boosted, But Major Problems Remain

Compact "Two" is now in its first of 20 years, and is expected to provide a funding foundation for the islands. The big question for 'Compact Two' is: Will Kwajalein landowners agree to the new 50-year extension of U.S. use of the test range?

Air Nauru Negotiating For Majuro Service

The holdup at this stage is over landing rights and code-sharing for the Fiji portion of the route. Air Nauru has proposed to start a Brisbane-Nauru-Majuro-Tarawa-Nadi and return flight once a week.

A New Tack - Coupling Tradition And High Tech

Senator Maynard Alfred asked the Majuro-based canoe program, Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands), to design and build a catamaran for moving copra from the atoll's islands to the main town.

CMI Hopes for Approval While NMC Gets Warning

Education Minister Wilfred Kendall says those who are interested in pursuing an education major can study at NMC.

Minuteman III Launch Delayed

The California launch has not been rescheduled after a malfunction of a telemetry system on the missile headed toward Kwaj range target.

Bravo and the Marshall Islands, pt 2

It seems these Marshallese were human subjects in a frightening and horrible test.

Group leaves for Washington to plead case for atomic testing

Guam Pacific Atomic Radiation Survivors will testify for Board of Radiation Effects Committee.

Taiwan Foreign Ministry Thanks Foreign Leaders for Concern for Chen, Lu

Marshall Islands, Jordan and other countries had sent messages after failed assassination attempt.

Community journalists selected to investigate local connections overseas

Christopher Leonard, regional business reporter, (Little Rock) Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, to travel to Marshall Islands.

Marshall Islands and Guam Plan for Compact Funding

Economic Growth Expected for Marshall Islands

RMI recently went live with Chicago-Based iDC's financial management system 4gov(R) and is installing a second synchronized system within the Islands' exclusive economic zone.

Camacho outlines Compact impact reports

With debt forgiveness, Guam is poised to be relieved of millions in debt, including the $105 million owed by the Guam Telephone Authority that stands to be resolved.

$200M shortfall identified in Compact costs

Regional immigrants from FMS and RMI have cost the local government more than $200 million since 1986, according Guam's governor's office.
In Memory of..

Former Compact negotiator dies

Ambassador Fred Monroe Zeder II, negotiator of first Compact of Free Association in 1985, died March 12 at the age of 82 in Pebble Beach, California. following a brief illness.

Marshall Islands and US Differ over Fiber-Optic Project

Top secret US base plans fibre-optic line, but locals balk at the bill

USAKA will pay to have the fibre optic cable installed and run the cable from their main base on Kwajalein to Ebeye, but Marshalls' Alan Fowler claims the Army wants them to pay for a Cadillac "when what we want is a Ford."

Is ‘Big Deal’ Going Down? $67M Fiber Optic Plan In The Works

Closure of the $67.4 million deal is dependent upon a three-party partnership agreement between FSMTC, Marshall Islands National Telecommunications Authority (MINTA), and the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll Ronald Reagan Test Site (USAKA).

RMI-US Fiber optics Discussion

Last November, the fiber connectivity project was discussed at a working US-RMI Joint Committee Meeting on Kwajalein with Dr. John Fairlamb, SMDC Foreign Affairs specialist.

Marshall Islands Public Officials Concerned with Health and Education Issues

Measles outbreak shocked Marshalls

RMI's Marilynn Konelios said that a lot of people were not immunized for measles because of a false sense of security for the last 15 years.

Pacific Island vaccines losing their potency

There were concerns in the Pacific that some vaccines were not being stored at low temperatures.

US educator questions use of testing

Marshall Islands is lucky that although it receives U.S. federation education funding, it doesn’t have to comply with the No Child Left Behind law, he said. "If a test doesn’t make a clear contribution to the education of a child, it shouldn’t be used."
More education articles >>>>

Losses and Regrouping for Marshall Islands Businesses, Agencies

Outrigger Pulls Out of Majuro

The Hawaii firm cited the inability of the government to fund what it described as urgently needed renovations to maintain the high-standards of the hotel.
Pacific International Inc., the company that originally built the hotel and is the largest construction company in the Marshall Islands, is now majority partner of the Marshall Islands government. Company president Jerry Kramer says the goal is to "make money."

Marshall Islands Launch Investigation Into Ythan Sinking

A flag state investigation into the sinking off Columbia on February 28 of the 35,315 dwt bulk carrier Ythan has been launched by the Marshall Islands, senior deputy commissioner William Gallagher (president of International Registries Inc) has announced. “The Republic of the Marshall Islands deeply regrets the loss of life and ship caused by this accident,” the RMI said.

Marshall Islands "Uncertainty" Continues in 2004

Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July, 2002 to 30 June 2003

In this Political Review of The Contemporary Pacific, Kristina E. Stege, First Secretary, RMI Embassy, Washington, D.C. describes the "year of uncertainty" for the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The Compact of Free Association colors nearly every story. Chairmen in both the House and Senate committed to holding a hearing on issues related to changed circumstances.

Shot in the Dark

March 7, 1954, six days after the Bravo shot, Project 4.1,the "Study of Response of Human Beings Exposed to Significant Beta and Gamma Radiation due to Fallout from High Yield Weapons," established a secret U.S. medical program to monitor and evaluate islanders exposed to radiation.

US Criticised for Cutting Back Nuclear Monitoring

U.S. Department of Energy has been strongly criticised for cutting the budget of its long-term radiological monitoring by a total of $1,500,000, with $740,000 cut from environmental program.

Vigils and Protests World-wide Remember "BRAVO" Victims

Activists to protest 50 years after Bikini atomic bomb test

Vigil recalls first nuclear testing

Marshalls Test Victims Say U.S. Turing Its Back

For Marshall Islands, nuclear legacy lives on

UCC members to commemorate 50th anniversary of 'Bravo' bomb

840 islanders die from Bikini Atoll nuke testing, Japan aid sought

Museum marks Bikini blast anniversary

Japan Faces Anniversary of U.S. Nuke Test

Bikini test survivors still living with blast

Events to mark Bikini Atoll bomb test start in Shizuoka

U.S. fumed over lack of access to victims

>>> More >>>

Headlines from Ebeye, Hawaii, and Pacific Region Discuss Marshall Islands Issues

Water Problems On Ebeye

Running water on Ebeye is still a problem.

Pacific Magazine's Pacific People For 2004

Pacific Magazine selections from the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Illegal Marshallese adoptions persist

"It comes dangerously close to child trafficking," said Michael Jenkins.

Bill seeks money to provide cultural education for immigrants

Senate has bill to fund cultural programs, language classes and legal services.

Senate aims to close Marshall Islands adoption loophole

Adoption of Marshallese children would be banned in Hawaii without approval of RMI court.

Usda To Require Country Of Origin Labeling (Cool)

Rep. Faleomavaega issues Samoa concerns and Marshalls' example.

Cool Drink Operating

We are on Kwajalein Atoll, anchored out in the lagoon and dinghy to shore.

News Articles Relate US and Marshall Islands Connection of Favor and Flaws from WWII to Present

New Zealand firm to manage US-funded construction in Marshall Islands

Closing Of Marshalls Health Program Questioned

Kwajalein Control Facility: Communication Outage And Travel Advisory

U.S. Reaffirms Support for Caribbean Nations, World's Small Island States

Gov cites Micronesian, Marshallese aid

World War II Remembered, Feb. 1 -7, 1944.

Marine's ledger brings back WWII memories