The President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), His Excellency Christopher J. Loeak, today announced the approval of the nation’s first Trade Policy Framework. President Loeak made the announcement at the opening of the 2012 Forum Trade Ministers Meeting in Majuro this morning.

• ALSO: Opening Remarks by Marshall Islands President Christopher J. Loeak
  

The 2010 Census brief,  The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Population: 2010, released Tuesday reports that Marshallese immigrants had the highest reporting detailed NHPI group and no other groups. This was the first time the US Census has tabulated the Marshall Islanders population separately from other NHPI groups.

Despite the migration patterns, the migrant group from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in the North Pacific, remains highly homogeneous. On the other hand, more than half (56 percent) of the NHPI population, or 685,000 people, indicated being Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander in combination with one or more other races. This multiracial group grew by 44 percent from 2000 to 2010.

Research training gets more than a foot-hold in the Marshall Islands with the new Pacific STEP-UP (Short-Term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons) Research Training Laboratory at the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI). The opening ceremony for the Research Training Laboratory will be held on May 9, at 10 a.m. at CMI's Tolemour Hall, Room 105.

This summer, for the first time, high school students will be able to work alongside CMI faculty on molecular biology experiments in the new laboratory.

Trade Ministers from across the Pacific region will converge next Friday (11th May) in Majuro, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, for the 2012 Forum Trade Ministers’ Meeting (FTMM).

The trade ministerial will be preceded by the 2012 Forum Trade Officials Meeting (FTOM) from 8th- 9th May, also in Majuro.

The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) wishes to inform the public of a 2012 scholarship opportunity available to the Marshallese students with high school diplomas, which is the 2012 ROC (Taiwan) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship (HES) Program. The ROC MOFA HES Program is a short-term, non-degree scholarship program that offers education in Mandarin Chinese language for duration of 6 months to 1 year in ROC (Taiwan).

• More: Introduction to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Huayu (Mandarin) Enrichment Scholarship
• Portal Website for  “Taiwan Fellowships and Scholarships (TAFS)”

Yokwe and greetings to you all! I join Reverend Enja Enos in giving thanks to our Heavenly Father for this beautiful day and for His love and protection over each of us and for guiding our young Republic over the past 33 years.

• ALSO: As Presented in Marshallese - Commemorative Address by RMI President Christopher J. Loeak
• The English version of RMI President Christopher J. Loeak's commemorative address follows:

This year’s Constitution day celebrations started off at with the traditional laying of the wreath ceremony held at the final resting place of RMI’s founding father, late President and Iroijlaplap Amata Kabua. In a moving tribute, President Christopher J. Loeak spoke on behalf of the Government, conveying deep respect and gratitude to late President followed by the laying of the wreath at gravesite by President Loeak, joined by First Lady Lieom Anono Loeak and the surviving spouse of late president, First Lady Lejla Emlain Kabua. Observing the traditional exercise were members of the Cabinet, other high ranking government officials, and close family members of the Amata Kabua family.

View MORE Photos: RMI Constitution Day Commemoration

For the fifth year, the Marshall Islander leadership and community in Hawaii will honor academic excellence and parent involvement with its Annual Marshallese Education Day (MED) on May 12, at the McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park. The event, open to the public, provides parent/child training sessions, offers educational resources, and features a free lunch with entertainment.

“Booj Lolatat Non Jelalokjen- Educating Minds for the Future” is the MED theme and goal. Marshallese middle and high school students who have made Honor Roll this past semester in the state of Hawaii's schools' system,, will be awarded for their achievements at the opening MED ceremony.

President Christopher Loeak and ROC (Taiwan) Ambassador George T.K Li had a goodwill table tennis match on the afternoon of 2 May 2012 at the International Conference Center (ICC) in Majuro.

To celebrate the Constitution Day of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Marshallese Government organizes a host of sports events and games as part of the celebration every year.

A Hawaii non-profit organization that shares Hawaii's prosperity with those with fewer resources sent out in February twenty-four televisions with stands, overhead projects, computer printers, toys, and books to the Marshall Islands.

President Christopher J. Loeak,  Cabinet Members, Health and Education officials attended the hand-over ceremony from REPAC (Reach Out Pacific) on April 20 at the International Conference Center.

In remarks released on April 27, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton acknowledged the national holiday of a small, Pacific nation with a unique relationship with the America. 

“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the 33rd anniversary of your nation’s independence this May 1.”

The Northwest Arkansas Marshallese Community will celebrate the anniversary of the Republic of the Marshall Islands' Constitution over three days, May 25-28. The Steering Committee, comprised of representatives/Pastors from Marshallese churches, groups, Springdale School, and agencies in closed working relationship with RMI Consulate General Office in Arkansas, is proud to host this year's "Jemenei Day." Everyone is invited to participate with free admission. The event flyer (kojjela), listing the planned activities, schedules, and information for visiting teams, follows.

Officials from the Republic of the Marshall Islands met last weekend in Minneapolis with Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, the agency facilitating adoptions from the small, Pacific nation.  Secretary of Internal Affairs Daisy Momotaro accompanied the RMI Central Adoption Authority's Claudia Phillipo, Donna Ishoda and lawyer Gordon Benjamin.

The RMI visitors received an exuberant welcome from area families who had adopted kids from the Marshalls. According to adoptive parents Shawn and Teresa Nilsson, who attended the reception, the group's mission was to see how well the adopted children are doing in the US. "I would say that they were doing well," said Nilsson.

• View Album: RMI Officials Meet Adoptive Parents, Kids
  

The Micronesian Community cordially invites you to its second Championship Game of the All Mike Men’s Basketball Tournament on April 28, 2012, 5 p.m. -10 p.m. at the University of Hawaii’s Klum Gym.

This game culminates a three month long basketball tournament with an emphasis on developing leadership and a healthy community. Over twenty teams from Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands participated in the Tourney.

The new Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Ambassadors designate, in the presence of His Excellency President Christopher J. Loeak, Nitijela Speaker Donald Capelle, and other senior government officials, their family members, and friends, were formally sworn in by Chief Justice Carl B. Ingram today at the International Conference Center. 

The newly sworn Ambassadors are as follows:

• Ambassador to Fiji - Frederick H. Muller
• Ambassador at Large (non-resident to Korea) - Kejjo Bien
• Ambassador to Japan - Tom D. Kijiner