28/07/2026
ACTING GOVERNOR MOVICK MEETS WITH HERITAGE EXPERTS TO ADVANCE NAN MADOL PRESERVATION
PEI LAPALAP, Pohnpei: July 27, 2026 — Acting Governor Herolyn S. Movick met with the Father-Son team of Conservationists Dr. Douglas Comer and Jake Comer. Also joining were Department of Resources & Development Director Mark Kostka and Chief of Tourism Kukulynn Gallen to discuss the long-term management, preservation, and sustainable development of Nan Madol. The discussion centered on addressing fragmented oversight by establishing a dedicated management unit with clear authority over vegetation control, visitor center operations, tour oversight, and administrative planning. Drawing on over two decades of experience with the U.S. National Park Service, Dr. Comer emphasized that a unified administrative structure is essential for safeguarding the site and enhancing visitor experiences.
The meeting highlighted ongoing scientific initiatives and recent discoveries led by Dr. Comer’s team, including visitor exhibit designs and LiDAR surveys across Pohnpei. These aerial surveys revealed previously unknown features—such as linear mounds and networked structures beneath dense vegetation—that illustrate how past leaders organized agricultural production and sustained life on the island. Additionally, Director Kostka and Chief Gallen presented joint efforts with traditional leaders to maintain access routes, clear vegetation, and ensure preservation work respects local cultural protocols. Acting Governor Movick reinforced the critical role of traditional leadership in managing access and securing sustainable economic benefits through responsible tourism.
To secure stable funding, participants looked at using Compact of Free Association mechanisms to support key investments, such as trail improvements for better accessibility, enhanced visitor interpretation, and hiring a site superintendent. Dr. Comer’s team has already prepared a draft organizational chart, position descriptions, and a proposed legal framework to establish the new management unit. As an immediate next step, Acting Governor Movick proposed a joint meeting with the delegation, stakeholders, and traditional leaders to review progress, assess ongoing improvements, and align on a shared operational vision.
Acting Governor Movick commended the collaborative efforts of international experts, local departments, and traditional leaders in laying a strong foundation for the World Heritage site. She reiterated Pohnpei’s commitment to protecting Nan Madol as both a national and global treasure while ensuring its long-term preservation delivers cultural and economic value to the local community.
