MIF leaders aim for improvements for their islands

BY MAUREEN N. MARATITA and ALTHEA ENGMAN
Journal Staff

Island leaders meeting at the Hyatt Regency Guam had a laundry list of topics to discuss at the annual Micronesian Islands Forum, being held at the Hyatt Regency Guam from June 3 to June 5.

Islands leaders gathered on June 3 at the Micronesian Islands Forum for a group photo. Photo by Justin Green

If there was one topic that came to the fore more than once it was transportation, which various island leaders addressed with the Journal.

Gov. Arnold I Palacios said, “For the past several years for the whole Micronesian islands air transport is a real issue — and cost. I’m glad that it’s being brought up. I actually had a resolution to be considered, but since I understand President Heine supports something on behalf of the conference leadership, we will go with that. I’m glad that it’s being brought up. It seems to be the big elephant in the room.”

“If you look at how Micronesia got developed, it was through Air Micronesia,” Palacios said.
We need to revisit that model,” he said.

According to the files of Guam Business Magazine (sister publication to the Journal), in January 1967, Robert F. Six, founder and president of Continental Airlines, created Air Micronesia together with United Micronesian Development Association Inc., a trading company organized in 1966 by prominent Micronesian businessmen. Ownership of “Air Mike,” as the airline was affectionately known, was divided among three stockholders: UMDA held a 60% controlling interest, Continental held 30% and Aloha Airlines 10%.

“We could take a look at it,” Palacios said. “Is that something we could resurrect in one form or another? But regardless, we’ve got to figure out a way to address this issue.”

President Hilda C. Heine said for the islands, “There are so many challenges, that we cannot do alone. We need everybody to work together. Transportation — that’s one example. There are many others, but right now we’re focusing on transportation because that’s something that all the islands need.”

Lt. Governor Joshua F. Tenorio said, “What I’m hearing is a lot of discussion about transportation — both air and commercial sea transportation — but really focusing on the air [transportation]. There seems to be a lot of discontent about the status quo. And the status quo is the high cost of the tickets and in some cases the limited air service. I’m really curious to see how this is going to develop.”

Tenorio said, “The governor of the CNMI reminded everybody that it was 50 years ago leaders came together to create UMDA, which was the company that created Air Micronesia, that eventually merged with Continental [which] got sucked up by United.

“Hopefully United Airlines can take a look and see what’s happening here and figure out how they can respond to the leadership. I can tell you that there is a big push and it’s real interesting to see how that plays out. We hope that we can leverage our location here in the middle of Micronesia to be helpful and take advantage of whatever commercial opportunities there will be for air service.”

President Wesley W. Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia, said, “Right now, we’re looking at how to make sure that all those previous connection plans can be implemented. We notice that’s the major problem. We pass resolutions … but we do nothing. Our secretariat is not yet established.”

Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero told the Journal that she understands many issues are being discussed and worked on yearly, hence the working committees before an actual forum meeting, but said those don’t have enough time to be effective.

Leon Guerrero’s goal is “to establish a secretary general office so that these initiatives and recommendations will be worked through that office consistently.” The governor said, “If we had this office, the recommendations and initiative will be their responsibility and rather than meeting once a year, they would meet with district representatives multiple times a year to discuss issues and solutions.”

About 300 people are attending the Micronesian Islands Forum. Photo by Althea Engman

According to Journal files, in October, Nauru Airlines started an “island hopper” flight from Brisbane via Tarawa, Majuro, and Pohnpei then to Palau. In May, Nauru Airlines started another flight between Brisbane and Palau. Papua New Guinea’s Air Niugini suspended flights on the Palau-Brisbane route on May 1, citing lack of support.

Vice president J. Uduch Sengebau Senior told the Journal, “I hope to not only see more Pacific connection, but to pass the resolution in accordance with United Airlines to allow more connectivity with the islands.”

Sengebau also said she wants more of a focus on gender equality with female representation in elected office positions.

“Although we have a matrilineal society, it has not translated into the political space, especially in places like FSM and Palau with low numbers of women elected leaders.” Her goal is to find ways to encourage women to stand in elections. mbj