Outer Islands of Pohnpei
The Outer Islands of Pohnpei are a group of islands and atolls in the Eastern Caroline Islands.
The Outer Islands of Pohnpei form a part of Pohnpei State within Federated States of Micronesia.
Subunits
Atolls and islands within the group include: Ant, Kapingamarangi , Mwoakilloa, Nukuoro, Oroluk, Pakin, Pingelap, Sapwuahfik
Population, Language and Religion
The 2010 FSM Census reported a population of 1,407. Pohnpeian, Mokilese, Kapingamarangi, Nukuoro, Pingelapese, Ngatikese (Sapwuahfik) is the spoken language and religious affiliation is roughly evenly split between Roman Catholics and Protestants.
Governance
Spain laid claim to the Carolines from the time of initial discovery in the early 1500's but made no attempt to occupy or administer them. In 1885 a Governor for the Carolines was appointed by the Governor General of the Philippines and presence established in Pohnpei and Yap. In this Spanish Period (1521-1899), Outer Islands of Pohnpei fell within the Western District of the Spanish East Indies.
After the Spanish-American War, Spain sold the Palau, Caroline, and Marianas Islands to Germany in 1899. In this German Period (1899-1914), the Caroline, Palau and Mariana Islands (excluding Guam), along with the Marshalls, annexed in 1885, were titled Imperial German Pacific Protectorates. The Carolines become an administrative district of German New Guinea under direction of a vice-governor and Outer Islands of Pohnpeifell within the Eastern Caroline District.
The Carolines were seized from the Germans by the Japanese early in World War I. Despite protests from the United States, including the Yap Crisis, the Islands were in 1920 mandated to Japan by the League of Nations. In this Japanese Period (1914-1941), Outer Islands of Pohnpei fell within the Ponape District of the “Nan'yō Cho” or South Seas Government.
Following liberation of the islands in the War in the Pacific, the islands were administered by the US Navy. The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) was formalized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 21 in 1947. The Navy passed governing duties to the Department of the Interior in 1951. During the USN Period (1945-1947) and the TTPI Period (1947-1979) Outer Islands of Pohnpei fell within the East Carolines Administrative Unit and then the Pohnpei District.
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) was established with the end of the Trust Territory. The FSM is one of three “Freely Associated States,” or “FAS” nations that entered into a Compact of Free Association or “COFA” with the US. The treaty and agreements provide economic assistance to the countries, secured US defense rights and set defense responsibilities, and allow FAS citizens to migrate to the United States.
Traditional Culture
Pre-Contact
Some outer islands of Pohnpei fall within the Nahnmwarki System, while others are Polynesian outliers.
Present Day
In Pohnpei, the state constitution does not make specific mention of a formal role for the traditional leaders but chiefs can play an informal role in public sector governance, including swaying election results in favor of a particular candidate.
Electoral Divisions
The legislative branch of the Federated States of Micronesia is unicameral. Two types of Senators are elected: at-large senators, one for each of the four states, who serve four-year terms, and population-based senators, representing specific constituencies, who serve two-year terms. The President of Micronesia is elected by the Congress from amongst the four at-large senators, after which a special election is held to (re)fill that seat.Outer Islands of Pohnpei is represented in the FSM Congress by the Pohnpei, At-Large Seat Senator, and the Senator from either Election District 1 or 3.
Education
The Local Education Agency, or “school district” for Outer Islands of Pohnpei is the Ponhpei State Deparment of Education.
