Interviews

Keitani Graham: FSM Wrestler, Olympic Hopeful

Fourth Branch — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:46:17 +0000

Keitani Graham is a Micronesian Greco-Roman wrestler and an activist in SHIP/HOOPS, two non-government organizations that support historic preservation and sports outreach programs. This is a follow up interview detailing his journey to a possible berth

Nicole Maipi, FSM Wrestler

Fourth Branch — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:34:47 +0000

Provided is a short profile of Ms. Maipi:

I was born in Chuuk, and attended HeadStart in Lukunor, and St. Cecilia and SDA on Weno. I’ve had the opportunity to live and go to school in Saipan, Oregon and Washington. As kids, my siblings and I played lots of games together and with our cousins wherever we lived. Organized sports as well as playing games were a big part of my life growing up as

Palauan Artist & Entrepreneur, Anthony Watson.

Fourth Branch — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:33:32 +0000

Anthony Watson (with unfinished art-piece) Mr. Watson is an aspiring artist & entrepreneur. He is currently studying Art at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Oahu. He was born in the U.S.A. but was raised in Palau. He is a graduate of Xavier High School in 2001. He attributes much of his art to an innate propensity that was cultivated with his exposure to the diverse cultures of Micronesia.

We take a look at the subject of art in Micronesia. Is it a skill set that has been ignored in the islands of Micronesia? In the case of Mr. Watson, can we use art as another avenue to introduce foreign peoples to the cultures of Micronesia?

Mr. Watson beleives that art is still there, and we need to use culture to "comment on modern life". Our customs have a great wealth of knowledge that we, "should not dismiss but pursue... and learn from it."

(Proceed for Video Interview:)

The Office of E.E.M., FSM. On Sea-level Rise

Fourth Branch — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:42:22 +0000

By: Universe Yamase
Edited by: Otis Aisek
Photos provided by: EEM
(December 2011)

The following interview was conducted by Universe Yamase with Cindy Ehmes of the Office of Environment and Emergency Management in FSM. The office is responsible for assessing environmental concerns within the region and to, "prevent, prepare for and recover from natural and human induced disasters".

The discussion is on the many portents of climate change within the region, namely sea-level rise. The outerislands of FSM have seen the face of this impending disaster and we try to see what our government has been doing to address this problem.

Executive Director of Education, Chuuk State, Ms. Gardenia Aisek

mae — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:16:59 +0000

Ms. Gardenia Aisek from Tonoas, Chuuk
graduated from Sino Memorial Elementary School
continued and graduated from Chuuk High School
1983 - Acquired a Master's Degree in Business Administration

from San Diego National University.
1985 - 1990 - Taught at COM
1990 - 1998 - Worked at Northern Marianas as the Director of Business & Hospitality
1998 - 2007 - Returned to Chuuk and worked for her family Business (Blue Lagoon Resort) as the Accountant & Manager
2008 - Ran her own business
2009 - Taught at COM
2010 - Present - Executive Director for Dept. of Education

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By: Lucille Sain
Edited by: Mae-Stephanie Aisek

Father Kelly Yalmadau

Administrator — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:11:40 +0000

By: Universe Yamase

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Biography:

"My name is Fr. Kelly Yalmadau. I am from Falalop, Ulithi, Yap State. I was ordained a priest in 2009 for the Diocese of the Caroline Islands at the age of 27. After my ordination, I was appointed to be the pastor of Queen of Heaven Parish, which consists of the islands of Ulithi, Fais and Ngulu. After a year of pastoral ministry, I was asked by the bishop of the diocese, Bishop Amando Samo, D.D., to go for further studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. I am currently enrolled in the School of Canon Law at the Catholic University of America. I will be graduating in two years, Deo Volente, and go back to serve the people in Micronesia."

Private Attorney, Kasio "Kembo" Mida, Jr. (FSM)

Fourth Branch — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 05:11:49 +0000

General:
Mr. Mida was raised in Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Hawaii. He is the son of Kasio E. Mida, from Chuuk State, and Ginger Porter Mida, from Pohnpei State and American Samoa. Mr. Mida received his B.A. degree from Humboldt State University (CA) in 1999 and conducted his senior internship for the Honorable Chief Justice Andon L. Amaraich, FSM Supreme Court. Immediately after graduating, Mr. Mida returned to Chuuk State and worked as a teacher at Saramen Chuuk Academy and the College of Micronesia.

COM Chuuk Director & Founding Member of FSM Disability Council: Joakim Peter

Fourth Branch — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 13:41:15 +0000

(This interview was conducted in late May, 2011)Joakim "Jojo" Peter

by: Universe Yamase

Joakim Peter is from Etal, Mwortlocks. He graduated from Xavier High School in 1984. Graduated from the University of Guam in 1989 with a BA in communications. He received his Masters Degree in Pacific Island Studies in 1994, then a second Masters Degree in History in 1997.

Currently he is working as the Director of COM Chuuk Campus and he is also the head of the Chuuk Disabled Persons Organization. He is also involved with Friends of Xavier Chuuk (FOX-C), He is on the Board for Xavier High School, Board for Saramen Chuuk Academy, Board for the Chuuk Conservation Society, and he is also a founding member of the FSM Disability Council.

Singer/Song-writer, Veronica Jean Pangelinan

Fourth Branch — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 03:58:21 +0000

Veronica Jean PangelinanWe were fortunate to have had the chance to interview Veronica Pangelinan from the island of Pohnpei, FSM. She is a rising star in the music industry. Her music has been aired in the state of Hawaii and as far as New Zealand, Guam, Tahiti and other islands in the Pacific.

Please continue to watch the video recorded interview and/or read her background information:

Francis X. Hezel, Educator & Director of the MicSem.

Fourth Branch — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:33:50 +0000

Francis X. Hezel

(Interviewed, May 2011)

"I was born in Buffalo, NY on Jan 29, 1939, entered the Jesuits after graduating from high school in 1956. I first came to Micronesia in 1963 to teach at Xavier HS for three years, and returned after my ordination in 1969. I've been there ever since, loving every minute of it, even when I'd lose in basketball."

Fr. Hezel is the director of MicSem since its establishment in 1972. Please visit their website for additional information. (MicSem Website)

The Fourth Branch interviews Fr. Francis X. Hezel, educator and director of the Micronesian Seminar in Pohnpei FSM. The interviewer is Russell Thoulag.

Please continue to view the video recorded interview: