The
April 3-16, 2024
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Kaselehlie Press
The
April 03, 2024
Free bi-weekly publication
KASELEHLIE PRESS PO Box 2222 Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941
Kpress@mail.fm
Vol. 24 Issue No. 9
(691) 320-6547
FSM Congress seats election winners Marar and Asher and upholds court ruling, seating Sigrah By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press April 2, 2024 Palikir, Pohnpei— This morning, the 23rd FSM Congress opened its second session. While most special session opening day activities are uneventful, this morning’s event was an exception in that Congress swore in its three new Senators with a larger than usual crowd in the gallery. This was the morning that ended the months-long legal proceedings at the FSM Supreme Court, culminating in the appeals panel ruling that Congress must seat Yoslyn G. Sigrah of Kosrae to the At-Large seat for that State. Congress also approved and swore in special election winners Julio M. Marar of Chuuk and Johnson A. Asher of Kosrae to fill the two-year seats vacated by the passing of Chuuk’s Florencio Singkoro-Harper and Kosrae’s Paliknoa Welly. The first order of business for the day was to appoint the credentials committee to review the credentials of the Senators-elect and to report to the body as a whole. Speaker Esmond Moses appointed Senators Isaac Figir, Robson Romolow, Merlynn Abello-Alfonso, and Fabian Nimea to the committee. The committee considered the credentials of the At-
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Nett Elementary hosts cultural celebration on FSM National Holiday as youth embrace heritage By Bill Jaynes The Kaselehlie Press April 1, 2024 Nett, Pohnpei— FSM Law has designated April 1 of each year as a National Holiday, a day set aside for cultural celebrations and displays. In years past, Pohnpei has celebrated Cultural Day with community-wide displays featuring dancers, farmers, and craftspeople showcasing their cultural talents. However, recent years have seen a shift in focus, particularly towards ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage among the younger generation. Photos by Bill Jaynes, Pohnpei State, and Pohnpei Tourism
This year’s event was held at Nett Elementary School on the grounds, centering on the tiny traditional nahs on the campus. It began with a parade through town to Nett Elementary School. “This year's festivities were unique as they were entirely organized and executed by students from Nett, Wone, Saladak, Awak, and Parem Elementary Schools, who are part of the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) Indigenous Learning Recovery Program. Their dedication and commitment to preserving Pohnpeian culture were evident throughout the program,” said a press release from Pohnpei Public Information. Click here for continuation on page 4