NSA has 16 members who represent the 8 hamlets of the state. The Ngarchelong State Constitution mandates that the eight highest-ranking chiefs, Rteai, each representing his respective hamlet, are automatic members of the NSA – for life. The remaining 8 members, each also representing the eight hamlets, are to be elected into office by popular vote of the village he or she represents.
The eight elected members who were inducted into office last Friday are: Abraham Osima, Ollei; Allen Kangichi, Ngermetong; Dorothy Ueda, Ngeiungel; Ngirablau Sambal, Iyebukel; Immanuel Maldangsang, Ngerbau; Caleb Tekriu, Ngebei; James Ultirakl, Mengallakl; and Kalistus Wasisang, Ngriil.Prior to the induction, the members of the NSA had divided evenly into two factions – each proposing differing nominations for NSA officers.However, according to a member, a consensus was reached and all members agreed to organize and install NSA officers.The members voted to install Kalistus Wasisang as Speaker, Immanuel Maldangsang as Vice-speaker, and Rimirch Hayes Ngiratreked as the Floor Leader.Kurosawa/PH22vol.11/detJapan embassy holds exhibitTHE Japan Embassy had the first opportunity to hold an exhibition of the paintings belonging to a collection of artwork done by Mr. Takenosuke Kurosawa during his stay in Palau from 1934 to 1940.The exhibit was launched on Oct. 10, with nine paintings on display at the Japan Embassy office. The artworks were made by a Japanese artist from the Japanese Administration Era and were presented to Dr. Kunio Nakamura, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan by Mrs. Mandy Etpison who is an artist, an accomplished photographer, a published author, co-founder of Etpison Museum, as well as the Honorary Consul of France to Palau.Kurosawa’s collection consists of 23 paintings. The other paintings are on display at the Palau Pacific Resort and the Etpison Museum.The artist, Mr. Kurosawa was born in Japan 1888 and later attended and graduated from Senshu University in Tokyo. According to the Japan Embassy, Kurosawa worked as a civil servant for some time before moving on to the private sector. After his retirement, he and a friend established a design company in Tokyo. In 1934 Mr. Kurosawa together with another business associate, established the Nanyo Houri Company, a pineapple canning factory in Ngermeskang of Ngaremlengui State. From 1934 to 1940, Mr. Kurosawa spent his time traveling between Yap and Palau painting local scenes, people and landscapes. The embassy further added that In 1937, the Nanyo Houri Company was reported to be the largest agricultural activity in Palau but because of World War II, the company was dissolved in 1940 and Mr. Kurosawa returned to Japan. Back in Japan, Mr. Kurosawa continued to paint and sculpt for the Catholic Church in Japan. To date, many of his work still remain in the catholic churches in Japan.The paintings will be on exhibition at the Embassy from October 13 until December 9, 2008, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except national holidays. “Indeed in this age of high-tech cellphones and digital cameras, in which it is easy to take photos of anything, it is a truly a marvel to see real pieces of artwork just like theses paintings,” Nakamura said. Nakamura said the public is most welcome to come and see the art work as they depict part of Palau’s history. He also hopes that these art works will inspire young Palauans to pursue a career in art “in order to capture Palau’s culture, traditions, and natural beauty on canvas for posterity as Mr. Kurosawa did.” Dr. Nakamura also thanked the Etpison Museum and Mrs. Christina Alonzo who is the granddaughter of Mr. Kurosawa, for giving the Embassy the first opportunity to exhibit these wonderful watercolors.
