Parliament Burns, Lady Liberty Survives:
Fire Could Mark Turning Point for the Nation
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Iakwe komwoj aolep.
The other day, we received news through social media that the Nitijela had caught fire. Starting some time in the middle of the night, the fire burned into the early morning hours on August 26th. The Parliament building has stood in Majuro, the capital of the Marshal Islands, as a symbol of national strength since the country’s independence in 1979. The destruction of the building is tremendous.
The blaze destroyed the Parliament chambers, library, and archives, leaving the rest of the building badly damaged and unusable. Officials say the fire likely began in an outside container trailer storing paperwork for the Nitijela. By the time firefighters arrived, the building was fully engulfed.
President Hilda Heine addressed the nation, thanking responders — including firefighter Nimo Lanwi — for their bravery. Lanwi began working as a firefighter last year after a reporter featured Lanwi’s courageous efforts helping fight a fire in Uliga near a major fuel hub. Facebook.
Yet the loss is profound: not only are the chambers and archives gone, but the late Iroijlaplap and Senator Chris Loeak was expected to arrive today to lie in state in Parliament.
Amid the devastation, one symbol survived untouched: a portrait of Lady Liberty standing over Runit Dome with the Castle Bravo shot in the background. It was once displayed at the chamber’s entrance. (Alele Museum: Republic of the Marshall Islands – VICTORIA MOORE FINE ART)
Built after independence under President Amata Kabua with the first Compact funds, Parliament will now be rebuilt with Compact III funding and support pledged from Taiwan. For many, this tragedy marks the end of an era — and the beginning of President Heine’s legacy to rebuild the political heart of the Marshall Islands.
The other day, we received news through social media that the Nitijela had caught fire. Starting some time in the middle of the night, the fire burned into the early morning hours on August 26th. The Parliament building has stood in Majuro, the capital of the Marshal Islands, as a symbol of national strength since the country’s independence in 1979. The destruction of the building is tremendous.
The blaze destroyed the Parliament chambers, library, and archives, leaving the rest of the building badly damaged and unusable. Officials say the fire likely began in an outside container trailer storing paperwork for the Nitijela. By the time firefighters arrived, the building was fully engulfed.
President Hilda Heine addressed the nation, thanking responders — including firefighter Nimo Lanwi — for their bravery. Lanwi began working as a firefighter last year after a reporter featured Lanwi’s courageous efforts helping fight a fire in Uliga near a major fuel hub. Facebook.
Yet the loss is profound: not only are the chambers and archives gone, but the late Iroijlaplap and Senator Chris Loeak was expected to arrive today to lie in state in Parliament.
Amid the devastation, one symbol survived untouched: a portrait of Lady Liberty standing over Runit Dome with the Castle Bravo shot in the background. It was once displayed at the chamber’s entrance. (Alele Museum: Republic of the Marshall Islands – VICTORIA MOORE FINE ART)
Built after independence under President Amata Kabua with the first Compact funds, Parliament will now be rebuilt with Compact III funding and support pledged from Taiwan. For many, this tragedy marks the end of an era — and the beginning of President Heine’s legacy to rebuild the political heart of the Marshall Islands.
REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS
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