News Briefs – July 26, 2019

Public invited to lantern ceremony
The Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Sanpoen group is inviting the public to join them at the annual lantern ceremony this Sunday, July 28 at 6pm at the Minachom Atdao.

The ceremony is intended to offer peace to those who perished during the Battle of Saipan in World War II.

The Saipan Mayor’s Office student exchange program is looking for volunteers to help them with lantern-making and handing out the lanterns at the event. The lantern-making will begin at 1pm on Sunday at the Saipan Mayor’s Office.

The group aims to make 300 lanterns and they will be setting up the lanterns at the Minachom Atdao at 4:30pm.

According to Student Exchange Program coordinator Yuki Kishimoto, the group usually brings in about 20 participants, but they only have 10 students coming on this trip so they will need many volunteers in order to complete the lantern-making and the releasing of the lanterns.

The group will be arriving this Saturday, July 27, and will be here until Aug. 1. This group is led by High Priest Kansho Kayaki and his brother, Susumu Kayaki.

This trip will mark the group’s 41st visit to the CNMI.

For more information about the lantern ceremony, contact Yuki Kishimoto through email at ykishimoto@mos.gov.mp or call (670) 234-6208. (Marc A. Venus)

Group asks Canada to stop Hawaii telescope money
HONOLULU (AP)—An indigenous group in Canada is asking the Canadian government to stop funding a giant telescope planned for Hawaii’s tallest mountain.

The Canadian Press reports the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs wrote Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Hawaii Gov. David Ige asking them to shut down the Thirty Meter Telescope project.

Canada is a partner in the $1.4 billion project along with universities in California and national observatories in China, India and Japan.

In April 2015, Canada said it would provide up to $243.5 million for the project over a 10-year period.

Protesters have been blocking a road for the last 10 days to prevent construction of the telescope on Mauna Kea’s summit, which some Native Hawaiians consider to be sacred.

Open enrollment at Isla Montessori School
Fall enrollment is now open at the Isla Montessori School in Dandan and they are ready to welcome new students and their families into their growing community.

A community open house is scheduled for Monday Aug. 5, from 4pm to 6pm, during which members of the public can tour the campus and classrooms. Families can schedule a private tour by calling 288-4752 or emailing info@islamontessori.org.

Isla Montessori Isla Montessori is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that serves children from ages 2.5-9 years of age. (PR)

Ukulele classes at JKPL
Registration for the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s Beginner and Intermediate Ukulele Class is ongoing.

The classes are open to children ages 8 years or older and adults.

The total cost for eight class sessions is $50. Ukulele classes are held at the JKPL, in partnership with ukulele instructor Larry Lee and children. Session is set to begin on July 23, 2019. The ukulele class is every Tuesday and Wednesday at 4pm to 5pm.

Students must provide their own ukuleles and a folder to hold music sheets (plastic sheet protectors and a three-ring binder are recommended). Parents/guardians must sign a liability waiver form on behalf of their participating children and must adhere to public library policies and procedures. (PR)