Where Do We Go From Here?

I am making these observations as a Chuukese living on the outside looking into this enigma called, “Chuuk.” I am calling it that for I just don’t know what to call it anymore. I used to called it fondly and with pride as my home; my beloved state; where I long to be; my burial place and home of my children’s children’s children. As I peer into this process, I cannot help but recognized some remnants of what used to be a very well organized and yet adaptable society where life was simple but it supported and catered to the whims and well-being of its citizens. And I am saddened to see only the bits and pieces of that proud and peaceful existence. The once fierce and wise leaders and loyal stalwarts of the municipalities and clans that make up Chuuk are gone. However, if they are still alive, they are stripped of their prerogatives to lead their people effectively and control their realms fairly and charismatically. They, along with their wisdom and mastery of negotiations and of conflict resolutions which are key to an island environment where everyone knows everybody, were no longer accepted in this new era and were thrown out like old mats that dirty up our modern linoleum and ceramic floors. In their places are starry-eyed, ambitious young Chuukese with college degrees earned through their theses on Quantum Theories of Relativity and The Philosophy of the Metrosexual Man in Retrospect, and The Experiment: The Effect of Turkey Tails on Island People, and so on. They came and suppressed the old-age knowledge and skills honed through thousands of years of trial and error by our ancestors who knew what was best for the existence of their descendants in and on an island environment and force on the people their new-found knowledge from far away continents which really does not have anything in common with the Chuuk way of life. This changing of the Chuukese way of life to the modern Western lifestyle brings about the demise of the Chuukese identity. They said we should move forward into the 21^st century. It is the only way to go. Well, it seems that we’ve arrived there but what do we show for it? Are we better off now that we have cell phones and high speed internet; that we ride in imported automobiles and fiberglass boats with outboard motors and fly in jet planes to destinations all over the world? In order to have all these modern technologies, nano inventions, and high tech toys, we also need to have a lot of money to make sure that they are always updated and upgraded; that subscriptions are always paid on time; that we always have fuel for our boats and automobiles and, that we have thousands of dollars to purchase United airline tickets to Hawaii or the continental USA. Indeed, we cannot go back to the way we were anymore. We’ve ignored the Last of the Mohicans and there is nobody left anymore to show us how to do just that. In the Mortlocks, only a handful of men still know how to carve a canoe out of a breadfruit tree. But still, they can only now build the single or two-seater canoe. No one still has the skills and knowledge to build a sailing canoe, the majestic Maaisuuk or the sleek and sea-worthy Eachol and the likes. So, herein lies the problem. There are thousands of fiberglass boats with outboard motors owned by Chuukese families through the generous donations and distributions of what was known OIC (Only In Chuuk) as “projects” by our congressmen and legislators. These were purchased by porks that were appropriated every year to buy votes and other political favors by our congressmen and legislators. Many of these “project  boats” are now idled because of lack of money to buy fuel and parts for the motors. And since the canoe was forced out of existence by these sleek and fast fiberglass boats, there are no more alternatives to travel between the islands and to and from favorite fishing spots. The small commercial or passenger boats were also forced out of existence by these thousands of “project boats”--thanks to our distinguished starry-eyed congressmen and legislators. Yes, it's true! We have arrived! BUT, we have arrived at where we once started from. Only this time, we are 100% dependent on someone else to lead us, to show us and to sustain us. So, where do we go from here? Full speed ahead or full speed backwards? You’re a Chuukese, you decide.