Latest news with #NorthernMarianaIslands
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Residents pay tribute as Palacios' remains return to Saipan
First lady Wella Palacios and family members accompanied the governor's body, which received a ceremonial water salute on arrival at Francisco C Ada/Saipan International Airport. Photo: Marianas Press Residents of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands braved the rain on Saturday to pay their respects to the late govenror Arnold Palacios as his remains returned home aboard a US military C-130 aircraft. First lady Wella Palacios and family members accompanied the governor's body, which received a ceremonial water salute on arrival at Francisco C Ada/Saipan International Airport. Palacios, who served the CNMI in multiple leadership roles over decades-from cabinet secretary to legislator, lieutenant governor, and finally governor-died last week while receiving treatment in Guam. CNMI governor David Apatang personally greeted the family at the tarmac before joining the motorcade to the ONRA Life Memorials (formerly Cabrera Funeral Home). Dozens of residents lined the route, many waving CNMI flags or bowing their heads as the hearse passed. Apatang, who ran alongside Palacios on the 2023 winning ticket, called him "a good friend and a relative." "He has a long history of service to the people of the Commonwealth," Apatang said, noting Palacios' willingness to assist municipal governments and community projects throughout his career. "He was a hard worker who often skipped lunch and stayed late at the office, focused on helping our people." The late governor's family released a statement expressing "profound gratitude and deep appreciation to friends, colleagues, and community members-from across the CNMI and beyond-who have offered their prayers and shared stories of his meaningful impact." The Palacios family also thanked Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt Gov Josh Tenorio, US Indo-Pacific Command, Joint Region Marianas, and the medical teams at Guam Regional Medical City and the Commonwealth Health Center Corporation for their support. During the procession, public and private entities such as the American Red Cross NMI Chapter, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Saipan Mayor's Office, Commonwealth Utilities Corp (CUC), and the Carolinian Affairs Office honored Palacios' memory. CUC staff formed an archway with two bucket trucks, while members of the Carolinian community performed a traditional atiwa ritual, meant to honor leaders as they transition to the next life. Funeral arrangements are pending, with more details expected in the coming days.
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
CNMI's delegate seeks clarification from US Treasury on use of federal tax revenues
According to Section 703(b) of the CNMI's Covenant with the US, federal income taxes and other federal revenues derived from sources in the CNMI needs to be returned to the local government. Photo: Supplied The delegate for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to the United States Congress, Kimberlyn King-Hinds, has formally asked the US Treasury to clarify how fedeal taxes generated in the territory are being utilised. Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds sent a formal request to US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent seeking clarification. According to Section 703(b) of the CNMI's Covenant with the US, federal income taxes and other federal revenues derived from sources in the CNMI needs to be returned to the local government. In her letter, King-Hinds raised concerns that significant tax revenues linked to federal activity in the CNMI are not being returned to the local government as the Covenant provides. She pointed specifically to recent Department of Defence construction projects on Tinian totaling more than $153 million. Despite the scale of federal spending, the CNMI government received only $87,000 in reported tax revenue. "This provision was included in the Covenant to ensure that when activity happens in the CNMI, the returns from that activity are shared with the CNMI," she said. " "The people of the Northern Marianas and our government should see the benefit of economic activity occurring in their islands, especially when it is federally funded." Section 703(b) outlines a range of federal taxes that are to be paid into the CNMI Treasury, including income taxes derived from the CNMI and taxes on goods produced or consumed in the Commonwealth. King-Hinds noted that the provision applies regardless of where a contractor is headquartered, so long as the income is derived from work in the CNMI. "Nearly five decades after this language was adopted, we still do not have clear implementation of this section," she said. "As more federal funding and contract work flows into the CNMI, the question of how those revenues are treated under the Covenant is increasingly urgent." King-Hinds is requesting that the Department of Treasury clarify its interpretation of Section 703(b) and determine whether income taxes collected on work performed in the CNMI, particularly by off-island contractors, are appropriately credited to the CNMI government. She also indicated that if legislative steps are needed to reinforce the Covenant's requirements, she is prepared to work with Congress to advance those changes. "This is a practical issue with real consequences for the CNMI's ability to operate and plan for the future," King-Hinds said. "The Covenant will only endure if we remain committed to upholding its terms and ensuring its provisions are followed, including making certain the CNMI receives the revenues it is owed. I appreciate Secretary Bessent's attention to this request and look forward to a constructive dialogue on how we can ensure the Covenant is implemented as intended." During a recent CNMI House of Representatives hearing, Rep. Marissa Flores said the CNMI only collected a mere $87,000 in fees and taxes from $153-million worth of military activities in the Northern Marianas. Flores shared that data, which she said was shared at a recent meeting with the military, at the end of the House Standing Committee on Ways and Means budget hearing from the Department of Finance (DOF) last 9 July. "Why are we not collecting? What is the problem?" Flores asked DOF and the Division of Revenue and Taxation. "All this military build-up is happening…Are you collecting tax on developer's tax at all with the military?" she added. Division of Revenue & Taxation director Daniel Alvarez responded, "I do not believe the military projects fall under developer tax. I would probably have to confirm that with legal." Flores said the CNMI also needs to monitor how many military developers are being brought in because the island does not have the workforce. "We're losing money in that area. So many projects came and left, and we're only charging on the construction tax. Again, which is another problem, because now we know that they're bringing in their construction material," she explained. The lawmaker recommended that DOF have an increased presence on Tinian. Finance Secretary Tracy Norita later clarified that it has been a long-standing issue. "This is a conversation that has been going on between the municipality of Tinian and my office and [Department of Public Works] on who's going to assess the tax. "We've received information from DPW, I believe they've asked for [the Attorney-General's] opinion on whether they can assess the tax. To this day, I don't believe they're assessing it because there is no legal authority to assess the developer's tax on the military projects. "And so at this point, I believe it's legislation that's required to specify what exactly is exempted from the developer tax, whether it's a military project with an independent contractor or only military projects that are conducted by the military themselves," Norita added. "So again, it goes back to the legislation and the authority for DPW to assess the developer's tax." DPW Secretary Ray Yumul said they submitted an internal Legal Services Request form to the CNMI AG a few months ago but have not received a response.
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
CNMI and Guam decry rushed military proposal, demand more time for public input
Tinian North Field, Northern Marianas, the largest US air base during World War II. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Community groups from the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam are calling for a 45-day extension to the public feedback period on a US military proposal for joint military. From Luta, For Luta, Micronesia Climate Change Alliance, Tinian Women's Association, and Our Common Wealth 670, as well as dozens of concerned community members and the diaspora, have rasied concerns about the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RDEIS) on the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) and CNMI Joint Military Training (CJMT) proposals. The 75-day public review and comment period started on 6 June. The deadline for public feedback is 20 August. In a letter, titled "For Our Home, Our People, Our Responsibility" that was submitted to CNMI elected and appointed officials, the groups raised urgent concerns about rushed timelines, inaccessible documents, and the lack of meaningful public participation in decisions that carry generational consequences for the Marianas. "This is not an opportunity to comment. This is an overhaul of our lives, our land, and our right to self-determination," the letter stated. "We are not asking for symbolic gestures. We are asking our leaders to use their power to slow this process down, ensure our people are not left out, and make sure that local agencies are not silent." Key concerns raised in the letter include; inaccessible documents and broken links on the CJMT website; delayed translations, with Chamorro and Carolinian versions only posted 17 days after the EIS release; rushed and siloed public meetings, with no space for open dialogue or community exchange; and lack of agency response, including absence of comments or guidance from CNMI regulatory bodies. "We write to you as people of this land. As descendants of fishermen, farmers, weavers, and healers. As stewards who carry forward traditions of protection, relationship, and inafa'maolek-even in the face of harm. We write because what is happening now threatens not just the environment, but the very future of our home," the groups said. They said the MITT and CJMT are not routine documents, as the proposals outline expanded war games, live-fire training, and permanent transformation of the Mariana Islands and its surrounding waters. They added that the Revised DEIS carries real, generational consequences-yet was released on overlapping timelines, updated quietly (as recently as June 23), and shared through broken links and inaccessible formats. "Public meetings [were] rushed across Tinian, Saipan, and Rota - while most of our people still have no meaningful access to the materials. The public meetings further highlighted these barriers. "There was no space for open dialogue. No opportunity to witness or engage with the thoughts, questions, and concerns of our neighbors. "Community members were directed to submit comments in isolation-asked to step aside, into a corner, to speak or write without visibility, without affirmation, and without the collective process that our cultures are built on. This is not meaningful and substantive participation. It is performative, procedural, and extractive," they said. In addition, the community groups from Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and the diaspora are also urging the CNMI leadership for transparency, accountability, and meaningful community inclusion not only on the Revised DEIS but also on ongoing US Air Force developments on Rota. The groups also took issue with recent developments that saw Guam being used as a decoy in global headlines for B-2 bomber attacks in Iran. To this end, the groups are calling for three immediate actions: A 45-day extension to the MITT and CJMT public comment periods; full, transparent, and equitable access to materials across all islands; and public engagement and comments from relevant CNMI agencies, shared openly with the community. The signatories emphasised that this is not only about environmental review-it's about the future of the Marianas. "Our islands are not expendable. Our people are not collateral. This is a moment to lead-not through silence or compliance, but through courageous alignment with the values we were raised in."
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Swimming prodigy Aleksenko rakes up six golds for Northern Mariana Islands
Isaiah Roger Aleksenko Photo: RNZ Pacific/Coco Lance Team Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) member Isaiah Aleksenko, 19, is leading the charge among Pacific swimmers at the Mini Games 2025. The swimming prodigy has emerged as a dominant force thus far, racking up six gold medals and making a regular appearance at the top of the leaderboards. Of the 21 medals secured by the Northern Mariana Islands so far, nine have been gold. Aleksenko has topped the podium in the men's 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 100m individual medley, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, and the 100m backstroke, marking himself as a dominant force amongst Pacific's top swimmers. "Individually, I've got five gold (now six), and in relays we got a bronze and silver," he said. But it's not just the medals that define Aleksenko - the youngster's mindset toward swimming has largely contributed to his success. "I try to keep a positive mindset when competing, because that's important," he said. "Swimming is a sport that really requires mental strength. Any negative thoughts can affect your race, so I always focus on staying positive." That philosophy, hand-in-hand with his undeniable talent, is working. Isaiah Alekenkso and mum, Yulia Alekenkso Photo: Contributed to Marianas Variety/Candy Feliciano Aleksenko's journey began at the age of five, encouraged into the sport by his mother - an idea she had initially proposed as a way of keeping him fit and healthy. "She wanted to make sure I stayed active, so I swam," he said. "But after a while, I started getting really good, and she made sure I stuck to it." In a 2024 interview with Marianas Variety , Aleksenko's mum Yulia spoke about how she wanted to nurture his talent. "At first, I just wanted Isaiah to have a sport after school," she said. "But when he started training, the coaches saw he was incredibly talented. From his practice, I could also see he had a gift for swimming that could be developed." In the same interview with Marianas Variety editor Candy Feliciano, Yulia said that maintaining his interest was difficult. He initially wanted to quit when he first started, so she took a creative approach to keeping his interest - learning how to swim alongside him, although scared of swimming herself. "While Isaiah was training, I was learning and training too. I wanted to show Isaiah we could both do it," she told Marianas Variety. Now, 14 years later, Alekenkso is a rising star on the international stage. In 2023, at his first official meet, Aleksenko clinched five gold medals and broke four records. In 2024, he was named the Northern Marianas Overall Sports Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Aleksenko is quick to credit those around him, however, thanking his coaches, teammates, and mum for his success. "Without them, this would be impossible," he said. There's also a sense of cultural pride and camaraderie that fuels him at events like the Mini Games. "We're all from the islands here, and it's really motivating to compete against all these guys. There's so much energy. Even if someone comes last, we're still clapping for them, we cheer each other on a lot." Northern Mariana Islands swimmer Isaiah Aleksenko with his supporters at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Koror. 1 July 2025 Photo: Facebook / Mariana Press Despite his dominance, Aleksenko wants to make sure that he uplifts the next generation of swimmers, too. "I'm at the top, but there are definitely young swimmers that are coming up fast," he said. "I want to motivate them to do better, that's important for our future." One of his defining moments as a swimmer was as a spectator watching world-class swimmers at the World Championships. "When I first went to world champs, it was really motivating. I got to watch all these world-class swimmers, the best in the world. That was my biggest stick-out moment." Aleksenko has shown himself as a top swimmer in the region, in a sport that had been dominated by Tahiti in the past. His performances in Koror already places him as a favourite going into the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti.
RNZ News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Marianas residents voice deep concerns over US military expansion
Tinian mayor Edwin Aldan warns that military activities could devastate ecosystems already threatened by climate change. Photo: Supplied Tinian residents of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) have voiced urgent concerns over potential environmental and cultural damage from a major United States (US) military training plan during a series of tense public meetings last week. At a packed gathering inside the Tinian Junior/Senior High School cafeteria, Tinian mayor Edwin Aldan issued a stark message to visiting military officials: protect the islands' fragile environment, be transparent with the community, and ensure local people benefit economically from the US Indo-Pacific buildup. "Don't mess around with our environment," Aldan told attendees, warning that military activities could devastate ecosystems already threatened by climate change. He called for rigorous safeguards and community-driven monitoring. The mayor also demanded honesty, saying CNMI residents are frustrated with what they see as vague or contradictory statements from military planners. He pressed for concrete commitments to hire local workers and award contracts to local businesses so the islands' struggling economy-still recovering from the pandemic-can benefit. Noise pollution, potential destruction of cultural sites, and the threat to traditional livelihoods, like farming and ranching, emerged as top worries among community members at meetings held on Tinian, Saipan, and Rota. Environmental fears dominated the discussions, with many residents worried about irreversible harm to coral reefs, native wildlife, and ancestral lands. Multiple speakers pleaded for an extension to the current 75-day comment period on the Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RDEIS), saying more time is needed for communities to digest the thousands of pages of technical documents. Community engagement itself was fraught, with protestors from Prutehi Guåhan and Marianas for Palestine highlighting the lack of a public forum-at least after Day 1 of the public meetings on Tinian. Some protestors connected the Marianas' planned use for military training with ongoing violence abroad. "This is a suicide drone that is being used in Gaza right now," said Abed Salam Castro Younis of Marianas for Palestine. "To support using these death tools here on our homeland, tainting our beautiful image-I'm here to fight against that." Marine Corps Forces Pacific executive director Mark Hashimoto closed the meeting by assuring residents that the new RDEIS reflects significantly more community input and stricter environmental safeguards than past proposals. The public comment period on the RDEIS runs through 20 August.
