Imata kabua biography

Iroijlaplap Amata Kabua (November 17, 1928 – December 19, 1996) was the first President of the Marshall Islands from 1979 until his death in 1996 (five consecutive terms).

Amata Kabua was a scion of Marshallese Royalty. Amata Kabua is the son of high chiefess Tarjikit of the Eastern (Ratak chain) and rumoured to be a Japanese administrator by his political opponents. This was disputed by his father Lejolan Kabua. However, by Marshallese custom of "kujen loje" (nobleman of birth), High Chief Lojelañ of the Ralik (Western) chain claimed Amata as his own in the same manner Loeak the Great adopted Lajore and Litilinej, probably because Laelan of Arno who is Dorothy Kabua's father was Kabua's biological child however, under "kujen loje", Laelan of Arno was adopted by Takto just as Laelan Kabua of the Erroja clan was adopted by Kabua (Lebon) under the same tradition as was Leit who was claimed by Iroij Bwio Jiba. Ironically, the "kujen loe" concept applied to Albert Loeak who was not the biological son of Lobokkij Loeak despite what many are led to believe as it also applied to Imata Kabua, Manini Kabua, Anjojo Kabua, Mike Kabua, Kabua Kabua, Laelan Kabua, Anjua Loeak, etc. but despite Amata's political visibility, he is more referenced, it is possible that racism is to blame as is political jealousy which is common in Marshallese politics.

Amata's father Chief (Iroij) Lejolañ Kabua was the son of Paramount Chief Iroij Bwio Jeimata Kabua of Northern Ralik (Western) Chain. Jeimata Kabua was the son of King Kabua the Great (nicknamed King John) with Leroij Bwio LiWodin. Kabua is also known as King John, who, on behalf of his father Iroij Bwio Jiba, led diplomatic relations between Germany and the Marshall Islands in 1885 through the Treaty of Friendship.

Amata Kabua's mother, Leroij Dorothy Tarjikit, was a paramount chieftain of M

Thank you Mr. President,

            It is a great honor for my country to be allowed this occasion and have the United Nations General Assembly commemorate the passing of our dear President, His Excellency Amata Kabua.  He was our first President, and the faith of our peoples in his guidance was shown by his re-election to the Presidency on five consecutive occasions.  In many ways, President Kabua can be described as the Father of the Modern Marshallese Nation.  He was at the forefront of the movement to regain our independence during the Trusteeship period, and was instrumental in the process of regaining our sovereignty and dignity as a Nation.  Not only was he the highest elected Government official at the service of the People, he was also the highest traditional leader of the Marshall Islands.

            He was one of the true great leaders of the Pacific Island Countries and our loss has been felt throughout the region.  When he dies he was Chancellor of the University of South Pacific, and he was the Chairman of the South Pacific Forum.  He carried out his duties until the very end, going on a State Visit to Japan to open the Pacific Center in Tokyo on behalf of all the Forum Member Countries.

            One of his great legacies to our country has been the institution of the democratic process.  On January 16, his successor was democratically elected by the Marshall Islands Parliament.  His Excellency President Imata Kabua, who was elected Senator from Kwajalein, has vowed to continue the work of his predecessor and cousin until the end of the current presidential term.

            I thank the General Assembly on behalf of the Government and People of the Marshall Islands, and also on behalf of the Family of the late President, for showing us this honor and tribute to the memory of our great leader.

            Thank you Mr. President.

Amata Kabua (November 17, 1928 – December 19, 1996) was the first President of the Marshall Islands from 1979 until his death in 1996 (five consecutive terms).

Background

Amata Kabua was a scion of Marshallese Royalty. Amata Kabua is the son of high chiefess Tarjikit of the Eastern (Ratak chain) and rumoured to be a Japanese administrator by his political opponents. This was disputed by his father Lejolan Kabua. However, by Marshallese custom of "kujen loje" (nobleman of birth) High Chief Lojelañ of the Ralik (Western) chain claimed Amata as his own in the same manner Loeak the Great adopted Lajore and Litilinej, probably because Laelan of Arno who is Dorothy Kabua's father was Kabua's biological child however under "kujen loje" Laelan of Arno was adopted by Takto just as Laelan Kabua of the Erroja clan was adopted by Kabua (Lebon) under the same tradition as was Leit who was claimed by Iroij Bwio Jiba. Ironically, the "kujen loe" concept applied to Albert Loeak who was not the biological son of Lobokkij Loeak despite what many are led to believe as it also applied to Imata Kabua, Manini Kabua, Anjojo Kabua, Mike Kabua, Kabua Kabua, Laelan Kabua, Anjua Loeak, etc. but however given Amata's political visibility, he is more referenced, it is possible that racism is to blame as is political jealousy which is common in Marshallese politics.

Amata's father Chief (Iroij) Lejolañ Kabua was the son of Paramount Chief Iroij Bwio Jeimata Kabua of Northern Ralik (Western) Chain. Jeimata Kabua was the son of King Kabua the Great (nicknamed King John) with Leroij Bwio LiWodin. Kabua is also known as King John, who, on behalf of his father Iroij Bwio Jiba, led diplomatic relations between Germany and the Marshall Islands in 1885 through the Treaty of Friendship.

Amata Kabua's mother, Leroij Dorothy Tarjikit, was a paramount chieftain of Majuro with royal connections to the Rimwejoor and Raano clans who ruled the entire Ratak (eastern) chain bu