What the Northwest Region Should Consider if Chuuk Secedes from FSM

There’s been speculations that the Fanapi islands (Mortlocks and Northwest) should form an alliance to secede from the Republic of Chuuk to remain in the FSM as Chuuk State. I’m not sure that this is a good idea. The fact that these two regions share the same name of “fanapi” (islands of sand or sandy islands) and are located outside of the lagoon does not necessarily mean we have been united in our political, social, cultural aspirations. I think it would be a stretch to unite them now under difficult times.

If the Chuuk Separatists succeed in separating Chuuk from the FSM, then my Northwest region should consider ways to protect its own citizens by staying within the FSM. I think the best option is to secede from the Republic of Chuuk to be part of the State of Yap.

Some thoughts…

The Northwest delegation to the Chuuk State Legislatures should take the lead in calling for a leadership summit for the Northwest region. All the leaders of the various sectors in the region (chiefs, mayors, church leaders, women leaders, youth leaders, association leaders from Guam, Hawaii, US mainland) should meet to look at all the pros and cons of the Chuuk secession and the options for the Northwest region.
I trust that the Northwest regional leadership will ultimately choose that which will protect the thousands of relatives who are currently living in the US by finding ways to stay within the FSM even as Chuuk goes on its way.
A Northwest delegation should be dispatched to meet with the leaders (executive, legislative, councils of traditional chiefs, congressional leaders) of the State of Yap to initiate discussions on the option of the Northwest region becoming part of the great State of Yap.
The delegation could be headed by Northwest Senator Matt Kuor who had served as Lt. Governor of Yap and knows all the players and the systems in Yap.
We would join Satawal and the outer islands in Yap many of which already share much of our traditional cultural practices; together, we would work to strengthen those practices.
We already share similar dialects, clan affiliations, histories, and other values with the outer islands in Yap.
Being part of the FSM will ensure that the FSM ship Caroline Voyager will continue to service our islands as it is already doing.
We should work to upgrade our airports on Houk and Onoun to serve as additional outreach services for medical and economic activities.
Yap has had a better track record in supporting the Outer Islands High School (OIHS) and its public schools.
Northwest High School on Onoun would continue to service the students from the Northwest region but with direct support from the much stronger Yap State Education Enterprising Department (SEED).
With the increased population, Yap State would gain the seat in the FSM Congress that represents the Northwest region.
The Yap State Constitution could be changed to add a third Council of Hamol to join the existing Councils of Tamol comprising of the traditional chiefs in the outer islands and Bilung for the chiefs in the Yap proper.