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.
RMI will ALWAYS rise!!! I am a cleanup veteran for Enewetak. My heart will ALWAYS be filled with love and respect for the Marshallese people after enduring deceit from so many countries. God will always bless you mightily!
Thank you for your service. A little reminder that the Marshall Islands has endured much more and thrives still.
We are devastated by the losses this fire caused. We are mystified Victoria’s painting ” Unintended Consequences ” survived such an event. We are still with you,our nuclear family. God Bless
Kommool and thank you so much.
It is (sign) that Victoria Moore’s Lady Liberty painting will ‘hang’ in the NEW Parliament building. all the people who served in the Marshalls (atomic veterans) will always have your back. because we all share a very common thread. Rich Doherty U.S. Army (Enewetak Cleanup)1978
It is amazing. Thank you you for comment and your support.
After that terrible fire you will rise again. You have independence and deserved it. The fire you did not deserve. You will rebuild the Nitijela as you have built your country.
God bless and fight on.
The shock and miraculous nature of my painting’s survival is settling in. Unintended Consequences was the 2nd in a series I’ve waited 50 years to be able to paint, when my inherited Q clearance expired at age 62. “The Chief” was on Command Ship communications for over 24 blasts from ’52-59, including Mike and Brvo, shown in the painting. My connection to your community began before birth and has been both a secretive yet prominent aspect of my life. It’s a miracle the Atomic Babylon Collection exists at all, given my personal genetic fallout and deteriating health. I will be honored to work with the team to create a larger, and more prominent reproduction for the new structure. I will update my website to reflect this catastrophic event, and will be posting new works and the stories behind them inspired by my blood relationship to the RMI community. My heart breaks for the loss but the strength of this community continues to inspire me.
We are so grateful for your comments on your painting and your artist’s story behind the painting.