SLIDESHOW: Pohnpei And Kosrae - Honolulu Civil Beat

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SLIDESHOW: Pohnpei And Kosrae

Pohnpei and Kosrae are two places where the residents live simple rural lifestyles, with fishing and farming as a way of life. But many people also struggle with alcohol and drug abuse and U.S. dollars do little to help pay for services.
By Mark Edward Harris Nathan Fitch / October 27, 2015
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  • <p>A little girl watches from a doorway in the rural countryside of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia.</p>

    A little girl watches from a doorway in the rural countryside of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>This girl’s family is from Chuuk. Her family patriarch, Sam Saul, moved to Pohnpei as a young man after a storm devastated his home island.</p>

    This girl’s family is from Chuuk. Her family patriarch, Sam Saul, moved to Pohnpei as a young man after a storm devastated his home island.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Sam Saul at the the Nan Madol, located not far from his home. The ruined city is on the eastern shore of Pohnpei and was the capital of the Saudeleur Dynasty until the early 1600s.</p>

    Sam Saul at the the Nan Madol, located not far from his home. The ruined city is on the eastern shore of Pohnpei and was the capital of the Saudeleur Dynasty until the early 1600s.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>For a small fee, locals will ferry visitors across the waterway that separates Nan Madol from Pohnpei. Or, you can take of your shoes and roll up your pants or skirt and wade across.</p>

    For a small fee, locals will ferry visitors across the waterway that separates Nan Madol from Pohnpei. Or, you can take of your shoes and roll up your pants or skirt and wade across.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Waterfalls are a popular attraction in Pohnpei, including this one, about a 20 minute walk off the main road,</p>

    Waterfalls are a popular attraction in Pohnpei, including this one, about a 20 minute walk off the main road,

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>John Ehsa, the governor of Pohnpei, was a guest of honor at a ceremony where the crowning of a new king of one of the island’s five districts, Madolenhimw, was celebrated.</p>

    John Ehsa, the governor of Pohnpei, was a guest of honor at a ceremony where the crowning of a new king of one of the island’s five districts, Madolenhimw, was celebrated.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A slaughtered boar in Madolenhimw village was part of the festivities.</p>

    A slaughtered boar in Madolenhimw village was part of the festivities.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Pounding sakau, a mildly narcotic drink produced from the root of a plant, in Madolenhimw.</p>

    Pounding sakau, a mildly narcotic drink produced from the root of a plant, in Madolenhimw.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Sakau tastes muddy but quickly numbs the mouth upon first tasting it.</p>

    Sakau tastes muddy but quickly numbs the mouth upon first tasting it.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>If offered sakau, do not decline it, for that would show disrespect. Take one sip and then pass it back.</p>

    If offered sakau, do not decline it, for that would show disrespect. Take one sip and then pass it back.

    Chad Blair/Civil Beat
  • <p>After drinking sakau, there are few worries, as this Pohnpei man shows.</p>

    After drinking sakau, there are few worries, as this Pohnpei man shows.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Siblings ride on a flat bed truck in Nett.</p>

    Siblings ride on a flat bed truck in Nett.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>A Nett Elementary classroom, with Principal Primo Loyola, left, and Vice Principal Maxson Mallarme. The administrators would like more financial help from the government to protect campus sidewalks from the rain.</p>

    A Nett Elementary classroom, with Principal Primo Loyola, left, and Vice Principal Maxson Mallarme. The administrators would like more financial help from the government to protect campus sidewalks from the rain.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A Nett school girl, proudly wearing the school’s purple uniform.</p>

    A Nett school girl, proudly wearing the school’s purple uniform.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Playing street baseball in Nett.</p>

    Playing street baseball in Nett.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>Doria Rosen is the U.S. ambassador to the Federated States. The embassy is located on Pohnpei.</p>

    Doria Rosen is the U.S. ambassador to the Federated States. The embassy is located on Pohnpei.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A movie theater in Kolonia, Pohnpei. In December, Western influence is evident in more ways than one.</p>

    A movie theater in Kolonia, Pohnpei. In December, Western influence is evident in more ways than one.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Micronesia was first discovered by the Spanish, then came the Germans, the Japanese and finally the Americans. But Micronesians had populated the islands centuries before.</p>

    Micronesia was first discovered by the Spanish, then came the Germans, the Japanese and finally the Americans. But Micronesians had populated the islands centuries before.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Mwalok Church is part of the United Church of Christ. It’s a popular place of worship on Pohnpei.</p>

    Mwalok Church is part of the United Church of Christ. It’s a popular place of worship on Pohnpei.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A Pohnpei woman pauses for a few minutes with her dog at a cemetery on Pohnpei.</p>

    A Pohnpei woman pauses for a few minutes with her dog at a cemetery on Pohnpei.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Emeliana Musasrik is the Migrant Resource Center coordinator for Micronesia. The centers help islanders who want to move to the U.S. understand how to navigate in a foreign culture.</p>

    Emeliana Musasrik is the Migrant Resource Center coordinator for Micronesia. The centers help islanders who want to move to the U.S. understand how to navigate in a foreign culture.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Pohnpei has it’s share of problems, including substance abuse problems to contend with. So does America.</p>

    Pohnpei has it’s share of problems, including substance abuse problems to contend with. So does America.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Fishing is an important industry in Micronesia, not only for personal consumption but as a way to develop the economy through commercial operations.</p>

    Fishing is an important industry in Micronesia, not only for personal consumption but as a way to develop the economy through commercial operations.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>Many fishermen fear that climate change is destroying the habitat and fish stock that they depend on.</p>

    Many fishermen fear that climate change is destroying the habitat and fish stock that they depend on.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>A fresh catch on Pohnpei.</p>

    A fresh catch on Pohnpei.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>Shooting pool at a house on the water in Nett.</p>

    Shooting pool at a house on the water in Nett.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>Pirates are another threat that Micronesian fishermen have to contend with.</p>

    Pirates are another threat that Micronesian fishermen have to contend with.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>A warning sign near a school indicates the serious issues many Micronesians face with substance abuse.</p>

    A warning sign near a school indicates the serious issues many Micronesians face with substance abuse.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Shelter can be simple and rustic on the island.</p>

    Shelter can be simple and rustic on the island.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>A bumper sticker says it all.</p>

    A bumper sticker says it all.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>A memorial to fallen Micronesian soldiers at the airport in Pohnpei.  Islanders serve in the U.S. military in large numbers.</p>

    A memorial to fallen Micronesian soldiers at the airport in Pohnpei.  Islanders serve in the U.S. military in large numbers.

    Mark Edward Harris/Civil Beat
  • <p>Tofol, the city center of Kosrae, is part of the Federated States.</p>

    Tofol, the city center of Kosrae, is part of the Federated States.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>The historic Lelu Church. Faith is central to Micronesians.</p>

    The historic Lelu Church. Faith is central to Micronesians.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>A Protestant church in Malem. Just about every Christian denomination can be found in Micronesia.</p>

    A Protestant church in Malem. Just about every Christian denomination can be found in Micronesia.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>A neighborhood in Malem. Micronesian has both low-lying islands and mountainous regions.</p>

    A neighborhood in Malem. Micronesian has both low-lying islands and mountainous regions.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>Farming in Lelu. Some islanders see agriculture as helping to boost their economy but experts say it is not enough.</p>

    Farming in Lelu. Some islanders see agriculture as helping to boost their economy but experts say it is not enough.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>A gas station in Sansrik underscores the rural character of the island.</p>

    A gas station in Sansrik underscores the rural character of the island.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat
  • <p>A boy in Walung paddles home.</p>

    A boy in Walung paddles home.

    Nathan Fitch/Civil Beat

About the Authors

  • Mark Edward Harris
    Mark Edward Harris
    Mark Edward Harris is a freelance photojournalist based in Los Angeles.
    Use the RSS feed to subscribe to Mark Edward Harris's posts today
  • Nathan Fitch
    Nathan Fitch
    Nathan Fitch is a photographer & filmmaker based in Brooklyn, New York. Read about his related film, Island Soldier.
    Use the RSS feed to subscribe to Nathan Fitch's posts today
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