The main purpose for the voyage was for the Yap Traditional Navigation Society to train its apprentices.
Currently TNS is training its students in the arts and skills of canoe building, sailing, and traditional navigations.
The society hopes to have, in the long run, regular open water training voyages between the main island and its neighboring islands.
The two canoes — Mathow Maram and Semion Hokule’a — were captained by master canoe builder Chief Bruno Tharngan and master navigator Ali Haleyalur.
Haleyalur was initiated under the traditional “pwo” ceremony as a Weriyeng Navigator back in the late eighties.
Although he has made several open-water voyages throughout the western islands of Chuuk as an apprentice, this would be his first long distance voyage under his guidance as the master navigator.
According to both captains, their nearly 300-mile voyage, which they expected would take three to four days, had them face the challenge of rough seas between Yap and Palau.
Nevertheless, they reached their destination as predicted.
Minor problems on their canoes were encountered during the voyage, but were repaired along the way.
The seafarers were warmly received and welcomed by the Council of Chiefs of Palau at a brief reception set up for their arrival in Malakal on Thursday afternoon.
The canoes are expected to return back to Yap prior to Yap Day 2009 and if weather conditions permit.
This voyage relied completely on the traditional methods and skills of way finding which is being taught at the TNS institution.
Banner sign cleanup successful
(Zoning Board) — Zoning Administrator Steve Tilley announced that the banner sign cleanup on Saipan has been a great success.
Retailers and others using banner signs were given until Feb. 1 to remove nonconforming signs.
“We’re very pleased by what we don’t see. Not only have many nonconforming banner signs been removed but store owners have also cleaned old stickers and other signs from their windows. The public is telling us that the shops look much neater in the last week since the signs came down,” said Tilley.
The Zoning Office will be conducting surveys this week to identify remaining nonconforming banners.
Banner signs that advertise products are only allowed when they announce an event but then the advertising space will be restricted to 40 percent of the sign area.
Retailers may still to put up banners for sales promotions but they may not include product advertising such as brand names, logos or prices.
Banners will be required to include the installation date so the public and Zoning Office can easily see how long they have been up.
People with questions about sign requirements should contact the Zoning Office at 234-9661.
Zoning office to help adult businesses
(Zoning Board) — Zoning Administrator Steve Tilley announced that the Zoning Office will soon conduct surveys to help adult businesses comply with the Saipan Zoning Law.
“Since last August, adult businesses on Saipan were supposed to meet the building and sign design requirements of the Saipan Zoning Law. We have given them extra time to make the required changes but many still have work to do. We will do a survey of adult businesses in Garapan to inform as many businesses as we can about how to comply. We hope adult businesses will take notice because after March 1, 2009, we will begin issuing fines to businesses that don’t comply. The fines may be up to $1,000 per day,” said Tilley.
The term “adult business” includes massage parlors, strip clubs, porno shops and other places that meet the specific definition in the Saipan Zoning Law.
Bars and karaoke clubs that have bar girls or hostesses but do not display “specified anatomical areas” or specified sexual activities” are not considered to be adult businesses.
Mainline video stores that have an adult section where minors are not allowed may also be exempted.
The exact language of the law can be found on the Zoning Web site: www.zoning.gov.mp.
Some examples of the requirements for adult business building design are: screening openings so the public can’t see inside; posting signs to prevent minors from entering; no outdoor loudspeakers; lighted walkways; and clean and neat exterior.
Examples of the requirements for adult business signs are: not using flashing lights, neon or other internally illuminated signs or up-lighting; using English text with non-English in exact translation and not larger than the English; not more than one primary and one secondary sign that meet specific size requirements; and using solid color letters and background.
According to Tilley, “We are trying to improve the amenity and image of Saipan. This will help revive our tourism economy and make Garapan and other parts of Saipan a more enjoyable experience for our own families.”
Adult business owners should contact the Zoning Office at 234-9661 or e-mail [email protected] to request an inspection and find out how to comply.
Autism Society meeting
THE Autism Society of the CNMI will be holding its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 5:30 p.m. in the NMPASI conference room.
Information regarding the group and future meetings will be available at this meeting.
All families and friends of individuals with autism and autism related spectrum disorders are invited to attend.
For additional information, call John at 234-8803/4 or Larrisa at 322-3761 or e-mail [email protected].
(HJHS) — On Feb. 6, Friday, the 2nd quarter report cards will be distributed from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in your children’s homerooms.
On this same day, dismissal time for students is 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
On Feb. 13, Friday, there will be an awarding ceremony for 1st semester accomplishments.
Parents of students are welcomed to witness the event at 1 p.m. in the school stage area.
UPAA meeting
(UPAA) — The University of the Philippines Alumni Association-CNMI chapter will have a meeting on Sunday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m. at the Filipino Workers Resource Center, 1st floor, Marianas Business Plaza — the former Nauru Bldg. — in Susupe.
All UPAA officers/members and U.P. alumni are invited to attend.
KagES report card day
(KagES) — This is to inform the parents and guardians of Kagman Elementary School that the 2nd quarter report card day distribution will be held on Friday, Feb. 6, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in your children’s classrooms.
Parents and guardians are highly encouraged to make the time and meet with your child’s homeroom teacher in order to be informed about your child’s progress during the 2nd quarter period.
Your parental involvement in your child’s academic progress in school will also have a positive impact on his or her success during this school year 2008-2009.
Once again we are looking forward in seeing you make time for your child’s 2nd quarter report card day, and we appreciate your continued support.
Family dog missing
(PAWS) — PAWS is asking for community help in locating a dog that was taken from a very special woman — Paradise Island Animal Hospital’s very own Paulina.
Valentine, the much loved pet of PIAH’s veterinary assistant, has been taken from her family’s backyard at the Soul Hotel.
The family is desperately trying to locate the dog and bring the female dog home.
Valentine is a 4-year-old female dog, that has been spayed (she cannot have babies), and has blond-light brown short hair.
“This could not have happened to a more caring individual,” said PAWS president Katie Busenkell. “Pauline has helped thousands of sick animals on Saipan, all with a smile and gentle, kind touch. This dog means very much to Paulina and her family. Please, if you have information that will bring Valentine back to her family, or if you are willing to help look for Valentine, please contact PIAH.”
If you have any information regarding Valentine, or you think you may have seen Valentine, since Sunday, Feb. 1, contact Paradise Island Animal Hospital at 234-9669 or PAWS at 285-PAWS. Anonymous calls are welcome at either number.
The family is willing to give a reward for any information leading to Valentine’s safe return.
(GCA) — The Guam Contractors Association held its Annual Excellence in Construction Awards last Thursday, Jan. 29 at the Guam Marriott Resort & Spa.
Dick Pacific Construction Co. Ltd., now known as dck pacific (Guam) LLC, walked away with the coveted title of “Contractor of the Year” for 2008.
Dick Pacific’s winning project entry was in the category of “Institutional: $25 Million-$100 Million.”
The company won for the construction of the William C. McCool Elementary/Middle School.
The design-build project was awarded to Dick Pacific in March 2006 and completed in June 2008. The school was to be built on a 30-acre site adjacent to an existing family housing area at Naval Station, Guam.
