Movies, Power, Federalization and Pew

(My Saipan Tribune column for this week.)

Well, it’s been a newsworthy couple of weeks. The closing of Hollywood Theaters has definitely put a damper on spirits, even for those who never went to the movies. Its presence made us feel like a part of the “civilized” world. I was in Guam earlier this week, and when people asked me “How are things on Saipan,” the best way to sum it up was to say, “Our only movie theater just closed.” People immediately understood, and shook their heads in disbelief. Yes, things are bad, and “consumer confidence” is dwindling.

People would ask me what I think needed to be done to improve things, and really, I don’t think there is an easy solution. Certainly, we need a reliable utility. But we don’t control the price of oil, and it’s predicted to climb from its current level around $100 a barrel, up to $200 a barrel within the next year or two. Repairing the power plant can give us reliability, but it might not prevent the cost of power doubling. How can we cope with that? Alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power are simply not cost effective, however, they may become so as the price of oil rises.

Certainly another area that still needs improvement is government waste. We’d have more money available for various public services if waste wasn’t present. And honestly, much of that waste is related to power. Anytime I visit a government office, I take a jacket with me, because I know I’m going to be cold. It’s still beyond me why we don’t just adjust the thermostats around here.

A couple of years ago at the energy symposium that was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, one of the presenters told the story of a utility in California that was meeting increasing demand for power and was faced with building a new power plant. They analyzed the situation and realized that it would be more cost effective for them to hand out free energy saving light bulbs so that every home and business would convert to the compact fluorescent technology. It cost the utility money to give away the bulbs, but it saved them the expense of building a new plant. Just an idea that might help address a piece of our current problem. But honestly, there is no silver bullet.

Tourism is generally holding steady, but it’s clear that with rising travel costs, we cannot expect to see a significant rise in the coming months. There are no new industries, and we’re scratching our heads wondering how we can stimulate the economy, attract investors, create jobs. But we’re not alone. I take some consolation that at least the entire globe is flirting with recession.

And of course there is federalization. Whether you were for it or against it, it’s now a done deal, and though it’s certain that it’s going to happen, we don’t know what it’s impact will be. There will be things that some of us like about it, and things that we dislike. It will require the passage of time to sort it all out.

A ray of hope that was on the horizon was the proposed “Sanctuary at Sea”. Forget about all the arguments about more jobs, more tourists, and more federal money. Certainly those are beneficial outcomes. But for every good thing, someone else can give evidence of some possible bad outcome. Arguments at that level of “what can we get out of it” can go on forever. I felt that the monument was simply the opportunity, perhaps never to come our way again, for us to have the privilege of giving a gift to the world. The practicalities will work themselves out, if the desire is there. Let’s set our gaze outward, and into the future, and think of this as a gift worth giving to humanity. “Why should I? Maybe there are diamonds there for me! Maybe there are fish there for me!” Maybe. Yet, maybe, we can rise above these “me” centered concerns and think of leaving a legacy. Maybe centuries from now, we will be remembered in human history for our foresight and generosity in preserving a piece of the planet that increasing population pressures will threaten. The “Monument at Sea” is an opportunity for us to leave a positive mark, to create a positive image. And for people that care about being respected, that’s worth more than diamonds. It’s an opportunity for us to live up to our heritage as people of the land, people of the sea, people of the planet for whom we’ll serve as trustees. The monument is a small ray of hope that doesn’t solve all the problems we face, but it is something that lifts the spirit. And I have a feeling that with the myriad challenges sure to mount, it will be our spirits that guide the way.

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David Khorram, MD is a board certified ophthalmologist and director of Marianas Eye Institute and the author of the book, World Peace, a Blind Wife, and Gecko Tails. Comments and questions are welcome. Call 235-9090 or email him through www.MarianasEye.com, or leave comments at www.MarianasEye.blogspot.com. Copyright © 2008 David Khorram

Seasickness Drug

Well, it took some work, but I tracked down my sailing friend and go the name of the drug out of Europe that is good for seasickness. He had sailed to Saipan from Mexico, worked at the hospital for a few years, and then headed on to the Philippines on his boat. Now he's in New Zealand, flying to Borneo in two weeks to meet his boat and head out again. Here's his email about the drug.

Regarding the antiemetic, the generic name is Cinnarzine, usually sold under the brand name Stugeron, but I don't think it's available in the US. Scopolamine is a good place to start, but you should put the first patch on 12 hours before departure, and keep up a steady intake of nibbles of dry crackers (like saltines) and sips of flat ginger ale. Not too much, but just a little at a time. I know some people can't get over the seasickness at all, but this regime works for me for about 24 to 48 hours, then I'm OK for the rest of the trip.

Northern Nausea

I've spent the last hour doing research on anti-nausea medications, more specifically those related to motion sickness.

I got an invitation from a boat captain to take a trip up to the Northern Islands. I'm dying to go again, but I get horribly seasick. I went up about 13 years ago. We went to Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan and Agrigan -- all the inhabited islands. Most of them had about 5-10 people living on them. They are beautiful islands -- absolutely spectacular, mythical. They must be some of the most remote and untouched parts of the world. I bet most of them have had less than 100 humans visit them over the past 100 years. This trip includes Maug, which is the summit of a volcanic crater. This is what it looks like from the air.


My last trip was a five day trip, and I spent those five days hanging over the side of the boat "feeding the fish." I took all the anti seasickness drugs, but I managed to break through them, while still suffering from all their side effects -- my mouth was dry, I couldn't see, I couldn't pee, and I was puking my guts out. I was a sight to behold, drapped over two bags of rice with my head in a bucket. When I returned, and people asked me about the trip, I would say, "It was a once in a lifetime trip." But I so want to go again.

Apparently there is some drug out of Europe that sailors use a few days prior to their trip and about three days into the trip that kills the nausea and seasickness. It's not approved in the US. I'm trying to find out more about it, but no luck yet. I don't even know its name. If I can figure out this seasickness thing, I'm going back to the Northern Islands.

Can you see Anatahan?

It's there. Look carefully.

Today seems like the first clear day in weeks. A few of us hiked up from the Korean War Memorial up to Suicide Cliff as part of the Beautify CNMI project to mark a set of trails that will link the northern end of the island to Lake Susupe. When we reached the top, off in the distance, Anatahan was visible. I remember the first time I saw it from Saipan, years ago, I was shocked at how big it is. It's been about a year since it's erupted enough to cloud Saipan's skies. Can you see it?

Here is another unlikely scene you could have witnessed if you were there.