Amata Kabua

Amata Kabua
President of the Marshall Islands
In office November 17, 1979 – December 20, 1996
Preceded by	Office created
Succeeded by	Imata Kabua
Personal details
Born	November 17, 1928 Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands
Died	December 20, 1996 (aged 68) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Emlain Kabua

Amata Kabua (November 17, 1928 – 20 December 1996) was the first President of the Marshall Islands from 1979 to 1996 (five consecutive terms). Amata Kabua is the Founding Father of the Marshall Islands.

Career

Kabua began his career as a school teacher. He was elected to the Congress of Micronesia in 1963 and served one term as its President. After his older brother Joba Kabua died in 1982, Amata Kabua inherited the Iroijlaplap title for Majuro Atoll and certain parts of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. He later bequeathed all authority dealing with land matters to his paternal first cousin Iroij Imata Kabua for the Ralik chain and his maternal cousins Atama Zedkaia and Toej Albertar for Majuro. He later became the first president of the Marshall Islands. He had been a principal participant in the negotiations to gain independence for the Marshall Islands. He wrote the words and music for the national anthem, Forever Marshall Islands.

Kabua was the son of a paramount chief of the Ralik Chain and a paramount chieftain of the Ratak Chain.^[1] He died in office after a long illness, on December 20, 1996, in Hawaii. Before his death, he passed on his position to his sons.

References

1. Ron Crocombe (2007). Asia in the Pacific Islands. University of the South Pacific, Institute of Pacific Studies. p. 113. ISBN 982-02-0388-0.

External links

• US Department of State announcement of his death
• National anthem
• New York Times: Amata Kabua, 68, President Of Marshall Islands, Is Dead
• Yokwe: First President Remembered on Marshall Islands President's Day