Anjua Loeak (died September 2016) was one of the Iroijlaplap (or paramount chief) of Ailinglaplap, and one of four paramount chiefs in the Ralik Chain. Loeak shared his domain with the Iroijlaplap of Kwajalein, formerly Imata Kabua.
Court case
editAfter a controversial court case utilizing the westernized American court system, Loeak rose to legitimacy after defeating his relative Melon Loeak who stood in line according to the natural line of patrilineal succession and existing records.[1] In the most controversial sense of this case, Iroijlaplap Kabua Kabua testified on Anjua's behalf stating that Marshallese customs only allowed blue blooded royals being the blood son of the male chief to inherit the Iroijlaplap title despite there being an existing precedent with the Loeak's exercising such authority despite not being direct patrilineal descendants. The court case transcripts, particularly the summary judgment of this case, reveal that it was Kabua Kabua's testimony that won the case on behalf of Iroijlaplap Anjua Loeak who was the son ofiroojlaplap Albert Loeak. In the most surprising defeat, Melon Loeak, who was deemed the rightful heir by Iroijlaplap Lejolan Kabua, lost his legitimacy due to the prevailing reasoning of the American Trust Territory court system built on the most convincing arguments that neglected mentioning of sensitive issues prevalent in Marshallese customs.[2][3][4][5][6]
The court transcript revealed that blood was the main criteria despite there being existing evidence from the landowners (Alaps) of Kabinmeto where Albert Loeak grew up revealing that this was literally the pot calling the kettle black as Albert Loeak himself was not the biological son of Iroijlaplap Lobokij Loeak.[citation needed] This showcased a clear degree of racism even in Marshallese society as the reigns of money have taken over the conscience of the Marshallese people particularly in Kwajlein and in Majuro despite the Marshallese Constitution under the Equal Protection Clause, specifically Section 12.2 stating otherwise.[7] This is especially true considering the Compact of Free Association between the United States and Marshall Islands as its preamble was built on the foundation of Human Rights.[8][9]
Loeak was a staunch supporter of community-based organizations, such as the Women United Together of the Marshall Islands.[10]
Ebeye Island lease
editIn May 2011, Loeak and Imata Kabua signed, along with president and fellow chief Jurelang Zedkaia, an agreement amending the terms to the United States' lease on the Reagan Test Site on Ebeye.[11] The agreement, termed the Kwajalein Land Use Agreement, extended the lease until 2066 and raised the annual cost by US$3.7 million to US$15 million. The annual payments are divided among some 90 landowners; being one of the largest landowners in the country, Loeak received 11.3% of this.[12][13][14]
Death
editLoeak died in early September 2016 and was later buried at Ailinglaplap Atoll.[15]
References
edit- ^ "Translation of German Documents relating to Micronesia-".
- ^ "Loeak v. Loeak-" (PDF).
- ^ "Melon Loeak v. Anjua Loeak-" (PDF).[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Iroijlaplap Lejolan Kabua's written testimony-".
- ^ "Pat Cataldo &Reverend Jude Samson's genealogy from Kabua's DriKean/chief's mouth Lasto and Jimotlok-".
- ^ "Augustin Kramer's Genealogy of Southern Ralik as given orally by Kabua the Great-".
- ^ "Marshall Islands's Constitution of 1979 with Amendments through 1995-" (PDF).
- ^ "Compact of Free Association-" (PDF).
- ^ "Universal Declaration of Human Rights-" (PDF).
- ^ Loeak, A.L.; Kiluwe, V.; Crowl, L. (2004). Life in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. University of the South Pacific. p. 87. ISBN 978-982-02-0364-8.
- ^ "Marshalls chiefs ink Kwajalein deal with US". Islands Business. 11 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ Walter F. Roche (17 May 2003). "Lease dispute threatens future of islands". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ Government of the Marshall Islands (10 May 2011). "Kwajalein Land Use Agreement Reached". Office of the President. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ Johnson, G. (9 May 2011). "RMI agrees to extend US base". Marianas Variety. Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ Labriola, Monica C (2018). "Marshall Islands". The Contemporary Pacific. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018.