KOLOA — Republic of the Marshall Islands Consul General Isabella Silk was impressed Saturday, noting that Mayor Derek Kawakami was the first U.S. mayor she’s witnessed to attend a RMI Constitution Day observance in the three years she’s held the position.
Kawakami made his appearance with Kaua‘i County Councilmember Felicia Cowden to present a mayoral proclamation celebrating the 43rd year of the RMI Constitution that was signed on May 1, 1979.
Also known as Jemenei Day, the RMI Constitution Day is a holiday usually observed by Marshallese communities across the United States during the three-day U.S. Memorial Day holiday weekend. The holiday recognizes the independence of the Marshall Islands and celebrates the traditions and cultures of the Marshallese community.
“We needed to be here,” said Blanca Gil of the state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Health Office that has been a partner with the Marshallese Association of Kaua‘i in relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Today it’s all for the family and the young people, because they are the hope and future.”
Working alongside Gil, Karlyse Hesley has her neice Dana living with her. Dana was on the agenda to receive special state Department of Education recognition for her attendance and academic performance in school.
“She was going to come,” Gil said. “But at the last minute, she had to volunteer at another event, so her aunty went up to get her awards.”
Kawakami thanked Cece Kilma and the Marshallese Association of Kaua‘i, granted its certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit status at the height of the pandemic, for its partnership in working with church groups, school administrations, public and private health sectors, social services, housing, immigration agencies, and legal-justice partners in caring for the people.
Wars do terrible things to people.
“In 1943, the Marshall Islands were invaded by Allied Forces, and by 1944 was completely occupied,” Kawakami read from the proclamation. “When World War II ended, the United States was given administrative power in the Marshall Islands.”
Following that, the United States, between 1946 and 1958, drenched the Marshall Islands with enough nuclear firepower to equal the energy yield of 7,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs, said the Scientific American website.
On May 1, 1979, the Constitution of the Marshall Islands was signed, making it a self-governing country. Three years later, the name was changed to the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
According to the U.S. Census, Hawai‘i and Arkansas host the largest numbers of Marshallese, with around 7,400 living in Hawai‘i and approximately 15,000 in Arkansas. Kaua‘i, according to the 2020 census, has about 220 Marshallese who call the Garden Island home.
“There is a saying, ‘Home is where the heart is,’” Kawakami said. “Despite these terrible things, you have found homes here on Kaua‘i. We hope you can find the heart.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
