May Day 2022 – Part 2

You can read about the parade and opening ceremony in May Day 2022 – Part 1.

Koṃ eṃṃol tata bwe aolep rar itok limō im ṃōṇōṇō ilo adwōj celebrate i laḷ eo ad im armej in Ṃajeḷ. Aolep iukkure ko rar kajejjet awa eo. Elōn̄ ṃōn̄ā eo ewujlepḷọk kōn ejjeḷọk jāān n̄an aolep, ṃakūtkūt ko relukkuun eṃṃan āinwōt eb, flag dance eo kanooj jejjet leddik ro im emaan aer ikkure, erreo aolep jikin ikkure ko. Aolepan ajri ro raar biit rej jibūn Rikaki Liton Beasha.  Eḷap aer jeḷā eb.  Jeraṃṃan aolep team ko rar bōk koṇaer ḷaptata team ko rar championship ilo iiō in. Safe travels n̄an team 808 Hawaii ilo ami rọọl im jet ko team jān state ko jet. Anij en kōjeraṃṃan aolep ṃae iiō in lal.

Large May Day celebrations were hosted in both Springdale, AR and Dubuque, IA this past weekend. In Iowa, teams from Cedar Rapids, Waterloo and Dubuque competed in basketball, volleyball and softball May 28 and May 30. The opening ceremony and softball games took place at Flora Park with flag dancers and keynote speaker Honorable Kenneth Kedi. The the Pacific Islander Health Project was also distributing covid vaccinations and TB tests. Roosevelt Middle School hosted the volleyball and basketball games. Moriba won the championship in softball, Dubuque Aeloñlaplap Team Likatu in volleyball, and Waterloo YBZ in basketball.

In Springdale, AR, MayDay was a five-day event with a parade and opening ceremony on May 26, sports tournaments on May 27, 28 and May 30 at Tyson Park and Springdale Recreation Center, and a Battle of the Bands on Sunday May 29 at King’s Chapel. It was a beautiful all weekend with sunny weather for all the championship games. It was a great time to catch up and celebrate together. Officer Robert Aini made time to talk with Chikin Melele after competing in the 1^st round of softball games for Kwajalein.  He joked that they couldn’t compete against the younger guys but they still had fun and take pride in representing.  You can read more about Officer Aini, his experience in the military and law enforcement, in our reflection on recent violence and police response.

People came out in full for the 2^nd and 3^rd round of games picnicking and enjoying the sunshine.  The winning men’s softball team, Arno Mejinion̄, pre-ordered all of their jerseys through KuauTee, who was there with all sorts of great merchandise for sale representing Marshallese pride.  They had both Marshallese large and car flags, new stickers, and new T-shirt designs for sale – a Ri Majol shark shirt, a blue and orange La-Jera shirt, and a white and pink Li-Jera shirt.  Shirts in most sizes are still available for sale.

Of the 8 men’s teams that played in the second round, Rainbow beat Namdrik La-Zutoko and Hawaii team 808 but lost to Namdrik who had already beat Labrazaz and Island Vibe.  Arno Mejenion took the title this year beating Elok No, Majuro and Namdrik.  In basketball, A-State was sporting team shorts that honored two of their team members who had recently died with a Llc-Llo over their shirts.  They played a good game beating Hakuna Matata but eventually losing to Jekero.  During one of the volleyball games, Chikin Melele caught up with the women’s volleyball players – the close knit Gen Z team whose chemistry came from years of playing together, since middle school, against the pick up team AR iMajol who were trying to combine two traditionally rival teams.  Winners were announced Tuesday night after the championship softball games wrapped up. You can watch some live action video from the softball games recorded by Richard Laraya with MEI.

The weekend was filled with music and dance as well.  Selina Leem and Benetick Maddison judged the Battle of the Bands hosted by King’s Chapel.  And, the closing ceremony wrapped up with dances performed by the girls in Ocean Wave, the youth from Yokwe an Jesus, and Zumba Dancers.  Pastor Liton Beasha’s grandchildren really know how to dance!  You can watch their performances here.

After the many thanks and recognitions offered by the event organizers, including Patrick Boaz, president of AenEmaan, Anlur Pedro, vice president, Rikaki Donald Samson, secretary, and Oliver Elanzo, treasurer, sports coordinators Frailon Alele Riklon and Paul Lokebol announced the winners of the sports competitions. This was the first year for youth teams to compete: Kekoa winning for basketball 12 and under and ZA6 for basketball 16 and under. Cash awards were presented in basketball to Ainemmon for the men’s division, in volleyball to GenZ for women’s and Team Paka for men’s, and in softball to Litakboki for women’s and Arno Mejenion̄ for men’s. 

Three graduating seniors were also presented with $500 each towards college expenses, presented on behalf of Marshallese employees with Springdale Schools.  Alena Ralpho, Jabyokwe Katawan, and Chapel Capelle introduced themselves and shared their plans to study business and political science at the University of Arkansas.

Several presenters made speeches between presenting awards, including Michael Mapa and Mino Bolkiem. Michael Mapa and Thomas Tulensa also spoke about Mapa’s campaign to run to be justice of the peace for county court, promising to prioritize community wellness and events in county funds.  Mino Bolkiem, who played for Hawaii team 808, also spoke about his work with the Marshallese Community Organization of Hawaii and We Are Oceania.  ACOM president Melisa Laelan, Dr. Sheldon Riklon and Consul General Eldon Alik also made closing remarks encouraging everyone to take up our collective responsibility and give back.

Much thanks to the team effort of the many organizers, leaders and donors for an awesome MayDay celebration.  Including: the RMI Consulate, UAMS, ACOM, MEI, The Jones Center, Tyson Foods, Cargill, Cisco Funeral Home, Anchor Packaging, Arvest Bank, Asian Amigo, P & N, Northwest Auto, St. Nichols Orthodox Church, King’s Chapel and others.