176. Waves of Migration

This article from HALFWAY DOWN THE DANUBE is interesting to ponder as it discusses the assimilation of Chinese in the Philippines. We have an increasingly diverse population, with more Koreans and Chinese calling the CNMI home than ever before. So it makes sense to look at how our neighbors have assimilated foreign-born residents. We're not the only ones with waves of migrants.

On a similar note: While in Hawaii a few years ago, I went to the public library, which had a whole series of pamphlets in the children's section, entitled things like "Japanese in Hawaii" and "Chinese in Hawaii" and "Portuguese in Hawaii." These each told the story of migration of people from a foreign country into Hawaii, where they came from, the circumstances at the times of migration, and their contributions to Hawaiian life.

I'd like to see our Humanities Council undertake a similar project for the CNMI.

123. Exodus--Saipan-style

Has anyone else noticed how empty Saipan is feeling? The roads are much less crowded than just a few months ago. Stores and restaurants are empty. It feels like half of the people have left. Although I understand the schools are still over-crowded, I've heard from at least one person that enrollment is down in some of them, too.

I know families who have left, families who have sent their kids to the U.S., and more who are talking about leaving.

The reality of the out-migration is staggering.