August 2021

KAPEHSE SANG ELECTION COMMISSIONER EN KOPERMENT EN POHNPEI Ih tungoleniki wahu pahn kupwuren lapalap en Tiahk, Koperment, Mwomwohdiso oh ipil men pohnese souhn usuhs kan me wia tohn Wein Sokehs manaman. Nan mehn kapehse wet kumwail pahn mahsanih de patowan specimen ballot de daropwe me kasale mwomwen kisin likouhn usuhs manaman me pahn dodohk ni rahn en usuhso. Met wia mehn kaskuhl pwe emen emen tohn usuhs manaman en Wein Sokehs en esehier mwomwen ballot me epahn us. Candidate kan oh tohn usuhs manaman en Wein Sokehs, kumwail tehk rahn kesemwpwal kan me sansal pah: Nomination Petition Open ———–Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Nomination Petition Close ———- Monday, August 9, 2021 Absentee Request by Mail Close — Saturday, September 4, 2021 Absentee Request on Island Close –Monday, October 4, 2021 Special Election Day ——————–Thursday, October 14, 2021 Tohn usuhs mehlel en Sokehs koaros, mie mehkot mwahu sang ken kasalehda omw manaman en pilada weliepemw nan Pwihn en Kou Kosonned en Pohnpei? Kumwail me koaukouson Guam, CNMI, Hawaii, oh Mainland U.S., mie kopwahn usuhs pahn mi Guam, CNMI, Honolulu, Maui, Big Island, Kansas City, oh Cincinnati. Usuhs en Guam, oh CNMI pahn wiawi Niepeng, October 14, 2021, sang Kulok 7 a.m. lel 7 p.m., Kulok en Guam oh CNMI. Usuhs en Honolulu, Maui, oh Big Island pahn wiawi Niesil, October 13, 2021, sang Kulok 7 a.m. lel 7 p.m., Kulok en Hawaii. Usuhs en Kansas City, Missouri oh Cincinnati pahn wiawi Niesil, October 13, 2021, sang Kulok 7 a.m. lel 7 p.m., Kulok en U.S. Usuhs nan Wein Sokehs pahn wiawi Niepeng, October 14, 2021, sang Kulok 7 a.m. lel 7 p.m., Kulok en Pohnpei. Pwehki COVID-19 Pandemic, kitail pahn uhdan idawehn kosondi en Face Mask, Social Distancing, oh Hand Sanitizer. Ma mie omwi de omw iren peidek kalelehdo ni address wet: Heinrick Stevenson Election Commissioner P.O.Box 1180 Kolonia, Pohnpei FM 96941 Telephone: (691) 320-3469 Email: pohnpeielection@yahoo.com BALLOTSSOKEHS2021

COVID-19 Vaccination Updates Pfizer FDA approved; Kosrae begins vaccinations of 16-year-olds and above  The US Food and Drug Administration has recently fully approved the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer, to include use for ages 16 years and older.  Currently, Pohnpei State is using both the Moderna and Johnson&Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.  Kosrae State is currently using the approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for vaccinating 16 years old and above, with the expert assistance of officials from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Health Officials from the Pohnpei State Department of Health are currently looking into the use of Pfizer, but no official announcement has been made yet.  Pohnpei Chamber of Commerce meets with COVID-19 Task Force to discuss COVID-19 response efforts On Wednesday, August 18, the Pohnpei Chamber of Commerce (PCC) met with the Chair, Dr. Elizabeth Keller, and Vice-Chair, Director of Public Safety Patrick Carl of the Pohnpei COVID-19 Task Force to openly discuss areas of concern with Pohnpei’s COVID-19 response efforts.  Representing the leadership of the PCC were Mr. Benjamin Rodriguez, Mr. Cassidy Shoniber, and Mr. Richie Adams.  Also included in the meeting were former Governor Marcelo Peterson and business owners from Ray & Dors Enterprises, Black Sand Enterprises, INS, Ace Hardware, NAPA, Sunset car rental, A&P Construction, and other local businesses.  Discussion topics included questions and concerns about the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, guidelines in place for an active case in Pohnpei, repatriation priorities and flights, Pohnpei vaccination percentage, and general COVID-19 medical questions.  Concerning the Delta variant, PCC members were advised that currently, Pohnpei State is undergoing routine reviewing and updating of standard operating procedures with consideration of the DELTA variant.  The current repatriation flights schedule of two repatriation flights per month has been recommended to Governor Oliver for once a month only.  Concerning vaccinations, (at the time of the meeting) 55 percent of Pohnpei’s target population of 18 years and above was vaccinated.  PCC members were advised of Pohnpei’s goal to reach 70 percent.  All PCC members including their employees and family members were encouraged to get vaccinated at the earliest possible time.   Director Carl and Dr. Keller assured the members that Pohnpei State is doing all they can to prevent the arrival of the virus on our shores and welcomed the comments and concerns brought to them.  Recommendations made by PCC will be shared with the rest of the Pohnpei Task Force.  The general public is encouraged to call the COVID-19 hotline at 320-3109 for any questions, comments, or concerns regarding COVID-19. ‘Historical’ Case found at MMA quarantine facility On August 17, 2021, Dr. Elizabeth Keller and Acting Chair of the Pohnpei COVID-19 Task Force, Mr. Patrick Carl advised Governor Oliver that COVID-19 testing conducted at MMA for the recently repatriated residents in quarantine for seven (7) days revealed one positive test for SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.  The resident and roommate were immediately isolated and an investigation was conducted by the health staff.  During the investigation, additional COVID-19 tests were conducted and the results were negative.  All other residents including the roommate were tested negative for SARS CoV-2.   The case was isolated and determined to be a historical case meaning that the resident was previously infected and had fully recovered and was deemed non-infectious. The case and her roommate were isolated and monitored for an additional 7 days. The public is advised to remain calm as this presents no risk to the community. Governor Oliver attends Police Motorcycle and vehicle dedication ceremony Governor Oliver delivered remarks on Friday, August 13, 2021, at the Department of Public Safety to mark the receipt of four brand new Police motorcycles and two Police vehicles.  Joining Governor Oliver today at the ceremony was Speaker of the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature, Hon. Stevick Edwin, Vice Speaker Hon. McGarry Miguel, Senator Hon. Ricky Carl, Mr. Gustin Harris representing the Chief Justice of Pohnpei Supreme Court, and Director of the Department of Treasury and Administration, Ms. Christina Elnei. During his remarks, Governor Oliver spoke highly of the collaborative efforts of the Department of Public Safety and National Government through the Joint Law Enforcement Agreement and Pohnpei State Legislature for the purchase of not only these new vehicles but also new Police uniforms (3 sets each), badges and duty belts.  Governor Oliver mentioned the ongoing work with the Junior Police Programs in Kitti, Madolenihmw, and Sokehs that are changing the perceptions of Police Officers for the better.  He ended his remarks with a short story to highlight the need for discernment, to not just have the skills, knowledge, and equipment required to be a Police Officer, but also know when and how much to apply their skills and knowledge.  Speaker Edwin praised the ongoing good work of the Department of Public Safety.  He noted that the new equipment and vehicles are simply tools to enhance their important work of enforcing the law and keeping the peace. 

.Peilapalap, Kolonia, August 12, 2021: Congratulations to Joycelynn Anson-Ehsa! Governor Oliver administered the oath of administration to Mrs. Anson-Ehsa as the newest member of the Board of Land Surveyors Examiners.  In his brief remarks, Governor Oliver acknowledged the urgent need to map, survey, and certify land titles across Pohnpei that have been backlogged for years.  He conveyed his gratitude and appreciation to the Director of the Department of Land, Wasahi Sokehs, Mr. Peter Lohn, for the work already accomplished and thanked Mrs. Anson-Ehsa for undertaking this very important role.  Governor Oliver thanked Speaker Edwin and the 10th Pohnpei State Legislature for their support to confirm Mrs. Anson-Ehsa to the Board of Land Surveyors.  Mrs. Anson-Ehsa expressed her gratitude for her nomination and confirmation.  She noted her educational background in surveying and mapping expressing her appreciation to be a part of the Board of Land Surveyors Examiners.  She pledged to do her best to help with the important work at the Department of Land.  Master of Ceremonies for the event was Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Peteriko Hairens.  Election Commissioner, Mr. Heinrick Stevenson, performed the opening prayer.  Also present to witness the oath of administration was Chairman of the Board of Public Lands, Mr. John Nakanaga, Chairman of the Board of Land Surveyors Examiners, Mr. Marcelino Actoucka, Director of the Department of Treasury and Administration, Ms. Christina Elnei, and employees of the Department of Land and Governor’s office.    

Official reply/transmittal to President Panuelo’s request for CDC/HHS Specialists On July 12, 2021, Governor Oliver transmitted an official communication to President Panuelo regarding a proposal by President Panuelo and the FSM National Government to send US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) specialists to Pohnpei to help with vaccination efforts.  The proposal was presented during the President’s zoom conference with State Governors on July 9, 2021, and requested no pre-quarantine and quarantine restrictions for the specialists. In his reply, Governor Oliver highlighted the importance of maintaining Pohnpei’s existing pre-quarantine and quarantine protocols until the minimum of 70% completed vaccination coverage was achieved.  He noted that, at the moment of the communication, Pohnpei was 19% shy of reaching the 70% level of “herd immunity”.  Governor Oliver closed the official communication with recommendations set forth by the Pohnpei Task Force (TF) and medical Doctors concluding to wait “until 70% level is reached and thereafter the repatriation protocol will be re-evaluated and re-assessed to determine the safest way forward to follow.” PTA Commissioner departs, Acting Commissioner named On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, Governor Oliver met with outgoing Pohnpei Transportation Authority (PTA) Commissioner, Mr. Welson Panuel in his office, Peilapalap, Kolonia.  Commissioner Panuel recently ran for and was elected to be the next Chief Executive Officer of the Kitti Municipal Government or Luhk en Moanlap.  Mr. Panuel advised Governor Oliver that according to the Kitti Municipal Constitution, he is required to assume the office and duties of Luhk en Moanlap by Monday, July 19, 2021.  He thanked Governor Oliver for the opportunity to serve as PTA Commissioner. Governor Oliver congratulated Mr. Panuel on his recent election as Luhk en Moanlap and expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Commissioner Panuel for the services he has rendered to the people of Pohnpei as the Commissioner of PTA since receiving the oath of office on April 17, 2020. As Mr. Panuel departs PTA to assume his duties as Luhk en Moanlap, Governor Oliver has designated Mr. Quirino Gilmete as the Acting Commissioner of Pohnpei Transportation Authority (PTA), until further notice. PUC Board convenes at Governor’s Office to discuss PUC project priorities On July 16, 2021, Governor Oliver met with the Board of Directors for the Pohnpei Utilities Corporation (PUC) and General Manager (GM), Mr. Nixon Anson in the Governor’s cabinet conference room, Peilapalap, Kolonia. Present at the meeting was PUC Board Chairman, Mr. Trevayne Esiel, Vice Chairman, Mr. Erick Paul, Secretary, Joseph Felix Jr, member Sister Christian Elias, Gardner Edgar, and PUC General Manager (GM), Mr. Nixon Anson.  Rohsa William Hawley and Cindy Henry-Ehmes were absent. Governor Oliver was accompanied by Chief of Staff, Kapilly Capelle, Administrator for the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I), IsoNahnken of Madolenihmw, Mr. John Adolph, Pohnpei Project Management’s Office (PMO), acting Manager, Mr. Daniel Isaac. With the presence and participation of both T&I and PMO, priorities were discussed to move forward with the Pehleng Water Treatment Plant Project as soon as possible, as this would provide the greatest impact with constant water services.  The Pehleng Water Treatment Plant Project will develop a new surface water supply from the Pehleng River in Kitti. The project will supplement the current Palikir water system, which does not have the capacity to service water customers from Palikir, Sokehs to Diadi, Kitti.  The project, as stated by PUC, will not affect nor decrease water services to the existing communities. Governor Oliver delivers opening remarks at the UN Food System Summit national and state dialogues Governor Oliver delivered the opening remarks on July 20, 2021, at the opening ceremonies for the UN Food System Summit national and state dialogues at the Pacific Mission Fellowship (PMF) auditorium.  The three-day dialogue session included members of various government departments, offices, and agencies, private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), youth, church, and community groups.  The themes discussed will focus on nutrition, livelihood, and security. Governor Oliver began his remarks with a personal observation he made about the abundance of food in Pohnpei during a recent visit to Madolenihmw, where he saw breadfruit falling ripe to the ground, ripe red apples on the roadside, and birds eating bananas.  He later added that  “Pohnpei is truly blessed with an abundance of natural resources and a bounty of riches on our land and in our sea. Our ancestors flourished here for hundreds of years designing for us a cultural blueprint for living sustainably and respectfully in balance with our precious island ecosystem.”  He called Pohnpei’s local bounty and traditions the foundation from which to build a sustainable food system using culturally and environmentally appropriate methods to increase food security, economic growth, and job creation. In closing, Governor Oliver urged the state and national convenors to find cross-cutting programs to propose to the international community and to our own policymakers for funding and legislative support. Those cross-cutting support programs can facilitate further local, state, and nation-wide dialogues and collective action to effectively address a wider range of food systems issues in the future, he said.