Hottest year ever
Weekender #52
You’re reading The Husk's Weekender, a countdown/roundup of miscellanea from Micronesia, Guam, and Earth.
stories from Micronesia
Clean on wheels: Nauru launches its first electric bus, according to Island Times.
Also from the Island Times, the Palau embassy issued a bulletin to Palauans living in the U.S. to ensure they have their documents.
Air Force: Pivot to Indo-Pacific tempered by Ukraine, Middle East commitment, per Marianas Press.
Marianas Press reported,
Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Laura Lenderman said the U.S. Air Force’s buildup in the Indo-Pacific region has been tempered somewhat by the United States’ commitments in Europe and the Middle East.
During the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s Armed Forces Committee meet-and-greet event … at the Crowne Plaza Resort & Spa Saipan, she said while the U.S. Air Force’s budget is significant it has other commitments in other areas of responsibilities
U.S. Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett raised concerns about nonvoting House of Representative members earlier this month. The Pacific Island Times reported,
Plaskett argued that Congress and the United States have “a territories and colonies problem” that must be resolved so that the 4 million Americans living in these territories will have a voice in Congress.
“What [was] supposed to be temporary has now effectively become permanent. We must do something about this problem,” she said, raising her right arm to press her argument.
environmental/climate pieces that caught my eye
In the latest Visions & Voices issue, another interesting read: Climate and Food (In)Security in Micronesia: Do Traditional Food Crops Hold Answers?
“The Aitutaki community has reestablished a traditional ra’ui, a temporary fishing ban, in their lagoon to protect marine life and ensure sustainable resource management, with support from the National Environment Service,” per Cook Islands News. Palau also has a similar practice, called bul.
The AP reported that 2024 was the hottest year on record: Earth breaks yearly heat record and lurches past dangerous warming threshold
studies on mental health and Pacific Islanders
RNZ reported, “A new study has shown Pasifika living in Aotearoa may have higher psychological distress rates compared to those living in their homelands.”
Katie Mafnas, who is brilliant, is studying suicide risk among CHamoru young adults. The Guam Daily Post spoke with Mafnas about her ongoing research in a recent article.
legacy
Rest in peace, President Jimmy Carter. Various Pacific leaders shared their condolences as news broke of his death.
month since the devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu
RNZ reports that there are still aftershocks and some folks still haven’t had water supply connected.
Plus, you’ve got to read this piece by Anita Hofschneider in Grist on attorney Julian Aguon. Expertly written, super important context. Ace quote from Aguon too:
“Law is the vocabulary of the powerful in so many instances,” Aguon said. “The U.S. military was probably my greatest teacher in that regard.”
With every issue of the Weekender, we’ll leave you with a send-off song (not necessarily from a Micronesian artist) curated by my brother, Henry, whose musical tastes have left a lifelong impression on me and, now hopefully, you.
This week’s send-off song is “Good News” by Shaboozey.
We’re building a send-off song playlist on Spotify that includes the songs mentioned in past Weekender posts. Check it out.
Guys, it’s a new year and January is nearly over. How time flies. Thank you for reading.
