Iakwe from the Marshall Islands : Hello and Goodbye

 

The next stop was six hours later from Honolulu to the Marshall Islands. Iakwe! I didn't know what to expect. I used to teach with two Americans who worked in an International School in the Marshall Islands and they loved it there. Now I see why! It is one of the smallest countries in the world spread out over 70 square miles. It is a tropical island with flowers, empty beaches, and white sand. The islanders are friendly and curious to see foreigners. Some were shy, but the children were excited! They followed us everywhere and were full of joy. Iakwe means hello and goodbye in the Marshallese language. It translates to, "You are a rainbow." 

There is no public transportation system on the long island. We learned to stand on the road and cars stopped and picked up people along the way. We met all ages and they were curious but shy. The children were eager to practice their English with us and very happy. Who wouldn't be happy living on an island with tropical fruits, fresh seafood, and white-sand beaches? We even took a boat out to snorkel from a tiny island where no one lived. The islands are so skinny that it looks like a big wave could wash them away. A United Airlines flight attendant was on our boat on her day off. She lives in Honolulu and flies regularly for work to the Marshall Islands. with a one-day layover. She plans to take the island boat cruise every time she visits from now on. 

There are major climate hazards impacting the Marshall Islands. The sea level is rising with many tropical storms and typhoons. The coast is eroding and the islands are losing valuable land. The U.S. provided $5.1 million in drought assistance in 2013. Additional U.S. assistance focuses on supporting health, education, and infrastructure in the Marshall Islands. This Pacific Ocean is home to over 42,000 people spread out over five islands and 29 coral atolls. The Marshallese citizens may work and study in the U.S. without a visa. The locals also join the U.S. military at a higher rate than any other U.S. state. 

We stayed near the capital city of Majuro and watched freighters come into the port city from a local restaurant on the 10th floor. On Mother's Day, we joined in the celebration with flower leis, an island band, and a tropical food buffet at the local hotel.  The island moms wore fresh flower leis and flower headbands dressed in bright colors. There is a joyous spirit in the islands. We stayed in a family compound at an Air BnB on the ocean. There were four homes and we watched the relatives play soccer, fish, barbeque, and walk along the stony ocean wall. Our one-room home had a window overlooking the ocean and it felt like the waves were going to wash us away. The beach was rocky, so it was not swimmable. The island is so skinny from erosion that everyone has an ocean view and fruit trees in the yard. The Marshall Islands are a little piece of paradise in an undiscovered part of the U.S. territories. Iakwe from the Marshall Islands!