Starting the Year 2001

The fate of these isles is in the palms of those given the public trust to enhance the quality of life in these isles for one and all. It is an issue that has somehow eluded local leadership. It has victimized our own people at the village level. They can only sigh at what we’ve failed to do so royally. Be that as it may, let’s see if we could focus on issues that may be inconsequential, but matter so much in rebuilding the very essence of these isles. They are:

Tourism: For Asian visitors, these isles are closely associated with what they refer to as the palm or the coconut tree. Many of our post-war coconut trees have died of old age. We haven’t done anything of substance to replace them. Perhaps we haven’t even come to terms with what it represents–an island.

There’s a need to rechart the future of this industry. It should include, among others, an assimilation of local artists and talents into the entertainment sector of the industry. No longer must we allow these isles to serve as the satellite venue promoting Polynesian cultural traditions–music and arts. We must begin showing visitors the essence of the people of these isles, not what Polynesia is all about.

Apparel Industry: This industry was established in 1983. Nothing else came after it by way of major economic investment or substitute. It is a much maligned major sector for becoming Pacific’s Little David.

It is an industry that we love because of its sturdy, direct and indirect taxes that fill our local coffers. But hardly did we stand up in its defense nor did we demonstrate a sense of partnership for the major role it played when nothing else works.

New Interior Secretary: Gale Norton, the Secretary-Designate for the US Department of Interior (recently nominated by President-Elect Bush) is a believer in the free market system and local control.

This is good tidings for these isles and it would be most appropriate for the administration to begin making overtures to meet and support her nomination as Secretary of Interior. Her basic philosophy augurs well with our near decade’s efforts to retain the integrity of the Covenant Agreement.
Palm Trees: It is known among visitors to any isle in the Pacific as the palm tree, swaying to the music of the trade winds that blows in from the east. It is known here as the coconut tree. What’s the point?

Coconut trees are instantly associated with an island, atoll or archipelago. The post-war coconut trees have died with time. We must begin a reforestation program to fill these isles with its world famous tree. The State of Hawaii is replanting and replacing old palm trees today.

Attitude: If the old ways haven’t worked, then it means scrapping adolescent attitudes altogether to usher in new paradigms. Public officials need to hone their skills on public policy from A-Z.

There’s no more room left for excuses in our failure to address qualitative issues that would enhance the livelihood of our people. It’s time to buckle down so we stay focused on issues of substance. The time to do it is now!

Strictly a personal view. John S. DelRosario Jr. is publisher of Saipan Tribune.