Kosrae, ex-Kusaie, celebrates

its new district status

From BONIFACIO BA SI LI US. ON Kosrae

No one present on this wonderful island has any doubt that the four-day celebration marking the initiation of Kosrae as a new district of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands has been a resounding success.

That’s right, Kosrae. Everyone has known it as Kusaie but times are changing, and the new District Legislature wants it this way. Kosrae is a high island 347 miles south-east of Ponape and its population is about 4,000.

In addition to the presence of the Trust Territory’s Acting High Com missioner Peter I. Coleman, his wife and representatives from the Marshalls, Truk, Ponape, Yap and Palau, there were also in attendance Assistant Secretary of Interior Albert Zapanta; various high-ranking defence personnel; White House Representative Thomas Aranda Jr, the 35-piece Navy band from Guam; 145 members of the Kosraean community of Ebeye, their friends and relatives, and 32 people from Kwajalein.

And it cannot be overlooked that the contingent of 270 Nauruans provided lively entertainment each day. And so did the crew members of the MV Cenpac Rounder, the MV Militobi, the MV Robert Deßrum and the USS Abnaki. Contrary to reports, the island of Kosrae did not sink under the weight of all these visitors.

However, the Nauruan dancers did register 3.9 on the Richter scale during their singing and dancing perform ances.

Gentle rains blessed these activities which began on January 4 with a swearing-in ceremony for the new District Administrator, James Pualoa, and other officials, conducted by the

Acting High Commissioner.

That evening at Utwe village, the site where the infamous Bully Hayes and his ship met their end many years ago, the residents feted the guests with food and songs.

Wednesday morning highlights

included the raising of the colours by the Kosrae police force, and major speeches. Assistant Secretary Zapanta noted the future potential of Kosrae

was great and urged close co-operation with the TT government and with Washington, DC., remarking that many projects such as the new hospital, new high school, and new power plant were all nearing completion and the airport and harbour facilities were in the planning stage.

The newly-elected Nauruan Chief of State Bernard Dowiyogo was unable to be present but he sent best wishes by telegram.

Perhaps the most significant speech of the morning was made by Joab Sigrah, Senator-elect to the Congress of Micronesia representing Kosrae district. He said his people had long requested and dreamed for a separate district status.

“We are grateful that the older generation of our district who have desired these steps for many years will be able to experience and participate in the realisation of that dream. And let me add, we do not view our achieving district status as a separation from Ponape, but a realisation of a cultural,

geographic and political reality.

“Let me emphasise that we intend to continue our close ties and friendship with the people of Ponape in the future.

By the same token, as a district, we strongly support the desire of the other districts for a Micronesian political family and for a compact of association with the United States of America.”

That afternoon and evening, the people of Malem village hosted the visitors at another feast at which songs and dances were also provided by the members of the Kosraean community at Ebeye, the visitors from Nauru and the crew from the Nauruan ship Cenpac Rounder.

On Thursday, the host community was Tafunsak village located on the windward side of the island, where the future airport and harbour will be built.

On Friday, the host village was Lelu, site of the present port facilities and the location of the district offices.

The day was highlighted by not only grand feasting and music but by outrigger canoe races and other contests.