Kosrae Village Management Update

Hi Folks,

This is just an update of what has been happening with me and Kosrae Village, as well as why you haven’t heard from me in so long.

Last spring I was diagnosed with T4 colorectal cancer, had some major surgery and began chemo. I’ve been staying with my wonderful kids in California during my treatment and I can’t say enough about how supportive they’ve been. Right now it looks like the cancer is under control, but we can’t expect it to ever go completely away. After my chemo treatment ends at the end of the month (YEAHHH!) I will need ongoing maintenance injections every other week which are not available in Kosrae. So I expect to be pretty much “tied” to the US Mainland.

Bruce decided to join me here last month and Madison and Sepe have stepped up to handle the day to day operations at Kosrae Village. Bruce and I are still involved, but very remotely – answering emails and working on some of the back office stuff. Of course Bruce also has his relationship with the area hospitals, which will likely take him back to Kosrae or elsewhere in Micronesia before I can go.

This has led to a number of exciting changes, first Kosrae Village is now completely operated by Kosraeans and may be the only venue in Kosrae where this is true. They have instituted a series of “local food events” inviting visitors and residents alike to enjoy traditional Kosraean food, prepared in a traditional manner. They have a number of other activities planned and have instituted “happy hour” with reduced bar pricing.

One area where they really need help is in the dive operation. With Bruce and I both in the States the diving operation is in need of new managers. As the PADI 5 Star designation and the liability insurance are current, I think that what is needed is an instructor with a Nitrox blending cert who is willing to work for room and board until revenues start to come in again. Ideally this person will be Kosraean or American. Because of the foreign worker laws in the FSM, Americans can freely live and work in the FSM, but other nationalities cannot. Of course, other nationalities would be welcome, but the paperwork hassle will be greater. Once a new manager is found Bruce will available to show him how the current setup works.

I hope that Sepe and Madison will have time for short posts on the Kosrae Village Facebook page.

Thank you for reading this long post. 🙂

Cheers!

Katrina