First Coconut Tree

    Here is the First Coconut tree in the Marshall Islands. This can be really important to all people in the world. This story was told by Laman who lived ion Majuro Atoll. Laman wrote about one man and his mother. These two people lived on an island which has no trees and everything accept sand bar. At night, he saw a human being who took a ripe coconut and told him to plant it. He woke up and told his mother about his dream. His mother told him to do what his dream told him to do. he follow his mother's words. Here, he plant the coconut on the sand bar, and it was gettig bigger and bigger. His mother told him not to touch it until it getting ready to taste it. The coconut tree was getting bigger. It is now have many coconuts in it. He and his mother were trying to see whether is good or bad. It was good and delicious water they ever drink. From that moment this coconut tree made many coconut on the sand bar. Now, this sand bar turned into an Island. As i read this story, it make me sad because today many Isands are less coconut than houses and everything. I see many Marshallese people don't care about our resources. This is one of the important tree in the Marshall Islands. Its can help people especially young people, so that they would learn the importance of coconut tree to the Island s geology and soil, and to their economy and life----indeed for our survival.

Unforgettable Jimma (Grandpa)

I have always looked up to the ones that are older than me because they know best. One of the people that I admire the most is my grandpa. He is my motivation, inspiration, my ”ride-or-die” pops. Grandpa was a hardworking man. Every day when I come home from school, he’d be doing something; he would write songs or read the bible and make sermons. He would go from houses to houses and teaches other Marshallese people about the culture, and why is it important for us; teaches other respect our “iroij” chiefs when they come to their homes. And he loves to tell legendary stories. He was a teacher in a Ebeye Christian School as a music and a bible teacher. I would say he accomplished everything he had done during his time. Today his songs are sung by Christians at churches, his students honored him for his teachings, and people from his home town missed him. He was a man anybody would want to become; a talented man. As to compare him to all the jimmas' here in Majuro there is no difference, grandpa are always loving and caring hardworking men; family is their first priority.

The First Coconut Tree

Isn’t it amazing that a human being could turn into real coconut trees? This legend is about a first coconut tree that existed in the Marshall Islands. This person was named Tobolar, who born as a coconut. On the coconut fruit, there are eyes, mouth, and nose like a human being, and a shell that is brown, which the Marshallese has always used for cooking material. Tobolar had a brother named Lakom who hated him very much. Sometimes he teased his mother because of Tobolar. One day Tobolar turned himself into a coconut tree and produced many coconut trees, so on the Marshall Islands we have many coconut trees today. From the coconut, the people of the Marshall Islands can live a simple life by eating and drinking coconut fruit. We also use coconuts to create local medicines. It’s good to have coconut trees in the Marshall Islands today because of Tobolar. You can read more about this legend here: http://marshall.csu.edu.au/Marshalls/html/legends/le-1-7.html

I am the Good Fairy (Na Noniep)

Because there are many problems in the Marshall Islands, people started to create films based on their reaction to their culture and modern way of life. These movies are called, “Microwave films.” They were produced by Niedenthal and Suzanne Chutaro. However, in NA NONIEP, the opening scene of the whole movie means a lot to me and for every Marshallese also. I watched this scene three to four years ago and it was very interesting and meaningful.

First, it begins with modern way of life. It is when people play tricks that we called Black Magic. For Marshallese, Black Magic is when we use satanic rituals or using magic against each other to destroy each other’s life. As a result, this scene convinces people a lot. At first, it shows how people played the evil tricks to each other. After that, it shows how people react and felt about what just happened and what caused a terrible incident to be happened that way. For example in one scene, the old devilish woman name Lijimu who played the evil woman in that movie used Black Magic to destroy other people’s life. When people started to notice what she has been doing every single day, they started to spread rumors and talked behind her back. Soon, she started to realize that what she had been doing every day was bad. She felt regret and learned from her mistake and quit what she was spending most of her time with. Now the full effect of this part of this scene is that it stopped people from doing bad things and we can see that it is happening. Also, we are no longer hearing gossip about Black Magic anymore.

Second, the most common problem in the RMI is all about money. One scene showed how people react toward money. It shows how money influences many different roles. For example, a poor person can’t have a family with a rich person. Also, because that person is poor, people will treat him or her badly. What exactly the part of this scene is trying to say is that we should have equality and respect one another. Second, it shows why people had to leave their own country and that is also because of money. Another scene showed that people want their own life to be perfect. However, they cannot do that because they don’t have much money. Why? The best answer is because they weren’t able to finish their education and they can’t have a job with a good salary. The big question in this part of this film is, “What if the American government told every Micronesian who lives in the United States to come back, where would they live?” This really convinced me and especially those who live in the States. Now, what I am hoping for is the return of every Marshallese from the States. I know that one day this will happen.

Finally the film ends with this question: “Where is our culture?” Nowadays, the culture and lifestyle of every Marshallese has been changed. It is really different from our traditional lifestyle. People started to follow other country’s customs and way of life. They wear clothes differently. They eat different foods and act differently. They act like they are not really Marshallese. This question has given every single Marshallese a chance to answer it on their own.

Also this scene is very interesting because it gives us clues about what is happening in the Marshall Islands. They show that money, people’s attitudes, and culture are the main issues or common problems in the RMI. The film makers are trying to change everything from something bad into something good. To convince is the word that I would use about why these people started to create films this way. I HOPE… I HOPE… I HOPE…

Beginning of LOVE

You must be really eager to know the difference about how we Marshallese handle our relationships. It’s the 21^st century and everyone has the right to choose between culture and the modern world. In our Marshallese modern world, the word DATING is a game. Well! In the Marshall Islands, the youngest age you could see dating is nine.  We call it “the new generation”. Marshallese Kids nowadays are more mature as they are adapting into the modern world. The best thing about Marshallese dates is it doesn’t cost a lot of money. Most importantly, you don’t need your parent’s permission to go on a date.  Marshallese parents usually don’t allow their children to be in relationships. It’s always a secret. This is how it works: the guy is usually the one asking a girl out. Girls are not allowed to ask a guy out, it’s an embarrassment! Important Marshallese dating spots are on the beach, under a tree, or somewhere you don’t have to spend any money. There’s nothing picky about Marshallese dates. What’s important is a romantic place to talk and that’s called a date.

The Lizard on Kili Island

                There is a legend about the lizard of Kili Island who one day goes to Ebon Atoll in Moneak Island and steals the half of the chief’s nuts. This legend is really important to me because it’s the only legend that my grandfather was always telling me about. It is also important for you to learn and understand it especially for those whom never know about it. According to the legend, the reason why there are so many lizards on the coconut trees these days is because of the people on Moneak Island. They struck the lizard with stones, spears, and cut him up in many pieces. They cut the lizard into very small pieces, and each of the pieces turned into a small lizard. I do really like this legend because…You can read the legend for yourself here: http://alelemuseum.tripod.com/Legends.html

Home is where the heart is

They say home is where the heart is

I say home is where the love was, is and will

Always be.

Home for me lies within the Pacific Ocean,

It is called the Republic of the Marshall Islands

It has been the place chosen just for me.

The comfort I find in it

Brings forth the lasting confidence I have

Never had.

It is in it that I find the wisdom, which I seldom find anywhere else.

It glows in the dawn and glitters when the sun rises above the

Horizon.                                                                              

The ocean reflects the beauty of the sunlight

Which shines sparkly bright and lazily above it.

Must I depart it, may my

Heart continue to be drawn closer to it.

Oh how blessed am I to have a home in

The heart of the ocean, which I can

Always go back to.

Because it was,

It is and will forever be my home.

Home Forever.

Ebeje Legend

Handel Dribo is a well known land owner and a leader for the people on Ebeye in the Marshall Islands. He was a land owner who owned both Kwajalein and Ebeye. Yes he did own both Kwajalein and Ebeye. Ebeye is part of the Marshall Islands. Ebeye is near Kwajalein. During the 1950s Handel and his people were ordered by the American Navy to move from Kwajalein to Ebeye. The Americans told Handel that they were going to use Kwajalein. The Marshallese was told if they would go to Ebeye, they would provide them with food, electricity and housing. The Americans would use Kwajalein as a Missile site. That’s how the Americans came up with the Land Use Agreement (LUA). The LUA allows the American’s to stay on Kwajalein just by helping the people on Ebeye with money, food and shelter. According to Handel the Americans only paid minimum payment to the people on Ebeye. The tools and utilities used for the Ronald Reagan test site cost more than a million dollars. www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/469465/Home-on-the-Range/

Kwajalein Missile Test Site

During the years from 1950 to 1980 Handel and his people had problems with the Americans. Handel felt that the Americans were not fair. The American’s refused to sign the new lease which provided the people on Ebeye with more money and more supplies. Handel decided to take his people and go protest against the Americans decision. Handel and his people moved to Kwajalein. While Handel and his people were occupying Kwajalein, the Americans forced Handel and his people to get on a boat to go back to Ebeye. Handel never gave up. Each day Handel would gather his men to sneak on a boat to Kwajalein. During this time Ronald Reagan was president. Ronald Reagan heard what was happening to the people on Ebeye, so he decided to make the Americans sign a new lease and apologize to the people on Ebeye. Handel has inspired me in many ways. He is truly a legend. Handel’s help was a success to the people on Ebeye. Without Handel’s help the LUA would not exist. Handel has taught us not to give up on something that matters to you the most. When there are problems, you have to do everything to be a successful person.