Articles Search

By Trina A San Agustin

HAGATNA, Guam (Marianas Variety, Jan. 6) –The Department of Chamorro Affairs at the University of Guam has received a one-year grant of $87,040 to conduct a scientific assessment to determine the current status of the Chamorro language on Guam, according to the Governor’s Office.

The grant was given by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the Administration for Native Americans to the Department of Chamorro Affairs. The department and UOG’s Center of Excellence for Chamorro Language and Culture have already began its work.

The assessment, according to the Governor’s Office, will focus on Chamorro usage, on the number and age of people speaking the language, the levels of fluency, intergenerational use and rate of loss or gain.

The entire community, including elders, parents and children, students taking Chamorro classes and members of faith-based and native organizations will be surveyed.

The information...

PAPEÉTE, Tahiti (Tahitipresse, Jan. 5) - There are an estimated 13,000 senior citizens eligible for free bus transportation on the Windward Islands of Tahiti and Moorea, but the program is off to a slow start since taking effect on January 1.

Persons 60 years of age or older can qualify by obtaining an access card from their nearest social welfare office. They need only to provide an identify paper and an ID photo.

The French Polynesia government approved the program on December 15, announcing that it would cover the estimated 1,000 French Pacific francs (US$11) to produce the access cards. That represents a potential investment of 13 million F CFP (US$142,544) for the government.

But it appears there has been no rush to obtain the access cards, which takes a week to prepare.

A social welfare office serving Punaauia and Paea on Tahiti’s west coast reported preparing dossiers for six persons on Monday. That brought the total to 16.

The social...

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Jan. 5) – A father of three has died after a crocodile overturned the canoe he was in and took him underwater in Papua New Guinea’s Gulf Province.

Southern region divisional commander John Marru said the victim, Sepu Lau, of Mapaio village, and his two daughters were out fishing last Wednesday in a swamp — a traditional fishing site — when the crocodile attacked.

He said Mr Lau and his daughters were in a dugout canoe floating a fishing net when a huge crocodile swam up from underneath and overturned the canoe, throwing the trio into the water.

Mr Marru said the two girls swam to safety to the bank of the swamp while the crocodile disappeared into the river with Mr Lau.

Gulf police confirmed the attack.

Mr Marru said the girls alerted villagers who immediately blocked off the mouth of the swamp and searched for Mr Lau.

Mr Marru said Baimuru police also assisted the villagers in the search,...

SAIPAN, CNMI (Saipan Tribune, Jan. 6) – Micro Pacific Development Inc. confirmed yesterday that an agreement has been reached for the sale of the 224-room Saipan Grand Hotel to Asia Pacific Hotels, Inc. (APHI).

An affiliate of Tan Holdings Corp., APHI is a regional hotel group, which also owns and operates the Dai-ichi Hotel Saipan Beach and the Guam Dai-ichi Hotel.

One of the pioneers in Saipan's tourism industry, the Grand Hotel has been owned and operated since its inception by Micro Pacific Development, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nagoya Railroad Company, Ltd.

"Our company was proud to be one of the founding investors in the tourism industry here and it has been a sincere pleasure to be a part of the Saipan community," said Tamio Nakamura, president of Micro Pacific Development, Inc. "We'd like to thank the people of the Commonwealth for all their support to the Grand Hotel over many years. Now we are looking forward to seeing a new life for the...