Consulate General Eldon and Anita Alik have spent the last five years representing the RMI Consulate in Arkansas. Their leadership has been exceptional in building up the community, encouraging a growth of community work, and responding to the health crises and natural disasters. The Consul General along with the Marshallese COVID-19 Taskforce communicated regularly with representatives from the city, in public health and industry, and with the media. During the height of the pandemic, the Taskforce met weekly to try to fill the gaps and address the challenges in the community caused by the pandemic and related closures, including food and financial insecurity, unemployment, misinformation, illness and death. At the time, Alik said that sometimes it felt like it was slipping through his hands but the Taskforce helped field calls, put people into action, and combat misinformation. During this time, Chikin Melele relaunched as an online newspaper, and we greatly appreciated the support and communication from the Consulate.
Eldon Alik presented often at school events like this summer program for Marshallese students in 2021. 
He told them the traditional story of Inedeel and sang songs with the children. 
The Consulate consistently supported the Biliteracy Program speaking at events like this at Springdale High School in October 2022. 
The Consul General’s leadership was tested most with the prolonged pandemic from COVID-19 and its several variants. There was hardly time to mourn the loss of friends and family. Alik spoke fondly and remorsefully of friends who had died from the virus, remembering Murjel Tarkwon, one of the first to raise concerns about how the virus might impact the community. Tarkwon died of COVID-19 at the age of 63 in May 2020. A few months into the pandemic, the Mayor of Springdale called Alik, “I’m sorry brother. I know your community is being hit really hard but we need to reopen.” The Delta and Omicron variants had not even yet developed. The Consulate, however, presented a unified message, worked tirelessly, and overall made the Marshallese community stronger. This was no more evident than in the collective Marshallese response to a EF-3 strength tornado in March 2022.
The Consulate supported vaccination events throughout the pandemic like this one in March 2021. 
The Consulate collected and shipped relief aid in August 2022 when covid spread through the Marshall Islands. 
Anita Alik (second to left) poses with women for a picture after an event featuring ACOM and Telemour at Crystal Bridges in July 2021.
In April 2022, Alik represented the RMI Consulate at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the FSM Consulate in Portland, OR. He seemed to feel a mix of emotions. He was impressed by the size and staff available to the FSM Consul General, thinking of all he could do with that kind of support. Having spent 20 years raising his family in Oregon, he seemed genuinely very excited to be back. Alik moved to Spokane, Washington from Majuro in 1981 on a Marshall Islands scholarship to attend Gonzaga Catholic University. He later completed a degree in Technology Management from George Fox University in Oregon. He and his family lived there for over 20 years.
Dr. Riklon’s family hosted a dinner to thank visiting musicians for performing in the Marshallese Benefit Concert in August 2022. Eldon (right), Brandon and Anita (left) pose for group photos at the end of the night. 
Musicians visited from as far away as Hawaii and Washington to perform at the Marshallese Benefit Concert, organized by the Consulate in August 2022. 
Flavor C performed for the Marshallese Benefit Concert sponsored by the Consulate in August 2022. 
The Consulate hosted a Marshallese Benefit Concert in August 2022 to raised scholarships for Marshallese students to attend NWTI. 
The Marshallese Benefit Concert raised $10,000 for Marshallese scholarships to attend NWTI.
Alik strengthened the connections between Marshallese and other Micronesian communities such as non-profit organizations like We Are Oceania, the COFA Alliance National Network, and Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese. Prior to his work in the Consulate, he had worked to enroll Marshallese in the COFA Premium Assistance Program, a unique insurance program in Washington and Oregon that pays the health insurance premium and out-of-pocket expenses of COFA residents. Medicaid restoration remains one of the most significant outcomes of the pandemic.
The Consulate greets President Kabua visiting Springdale in September 2022. 
The Consulate hosted visiting dignitaries, like House Speaker Kedi (left) for May Day 2022. 
Dr. Riklon (left) and Consul General Alik (right) often speak at cultural and community events like this event in July 2021 at Crystal Bridges.
His work at the Consulate has been rewarding, but he mentioned how much he missed his wife when they were away from each other representing the Consulate. His genuine respect and affection for his wife is very touching. His son and daughter recently graduated with master’s degrees in public health and social work too. Many congratulations and thanks to the whole Alik family! Perhaps Alik will continue his work in another capacity with the Consulate when he returns to Oregon. The pandemic both fueled the need for and in part funded the translation of information related to public health, mental health, public service and education. Having worked before as a court interpreter, Alik expressed concerns about the quality of translations and the need for standards in translation. Perhaps, soon, Marshallese will be represented among the many other translation associations that provide guidance, training and endorsement for Marshallese translators. Whatever he chooses, his leadership has been much appreciated.