The historic preservation officer of the Federates States of Micronesia, Resty Shotaro, accompanied Dr. Rufino Mauricio on the trip in order for him to observe and fully participate in the program review and special project monitor processes.
The purpose of the trip was to review Kosrae SHPO’s six program areas and monitor the status of three special projects.
In Kosrae, the officials visited the Rose Mackwelugn Library and discussed a library training program that will be conducted throughout the FSM during the summer months.
Mauricio stated in his report that this library training is supported by a U.S. grant received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This year the support is for library training.
According to Mauricio, they accomplished what they set out to do during their visit.
The activities of the Kosrae SHPO continue to move along very well in spite of the major challenge the office faces in trying to get back its funding from the environmental sector Compact money.
The Kosrae SHPO was taken off the list of offices funded by the environmental sector funds last year for no clear reason.
Mauricio said, “We will coordinate our effort to assist in this matter with our National Park Service colleagues and the [Joint Economic Management Committee] staff.”
During their courtesy visit with the governor, they requested his kind assistance to the Kosrae SHPO in providing local funding support until a solution to the problem is found.
Mauricio reported that they spent more time with the person in charge of the site registration and archaeological survey programs, and were impressed with what the office has accomplished.
The oral history program continues do very well in its video and audio collection of current social and cultural activities and its collection of information on traditions, he added.
Kosrae SHPO requested about $11,000 in U.S. grants to conduct training in traditional gardening and to collect information on traditional medicine.
