Kohatu Isles
The Caven Polynesian Realm of the Kohatu Isles (Ka Ali'āina Kahēna Polenekia o ka Mokupuni Kōhatu, the Kohatu Isles or Gemica) is a dependent island territory in the Caven Sea. It lies to the south of East Malaysia, west of the East Gemica Islands and east of Justelvard. The Morstaybishlian Sea lies to the south.
Caven Polynesian Realm of the Kohatu Isles | |
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 Flag of the Kohatu Isles
Coat of arms
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Motto: Continue, regardless (Haere me he mutu) | |
Anthem: 'Heaven, bless the Emperor' (Oa, makaaki te Rangitanga-a-te-Moana) | |
 Political map of the Kohatu Isles | |
| Location | Map |
| Capital | Malachite City |
| Official languages | Kōhatuan language |
| Ethnic groups (2016) | Kōhatuan (70%), Oan (15%), Islander (7%) West Polynesians (5%), and others (3%) |
| Demonym(s) | Kōhatuan |
| Government | parliamentary democracy under constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | His Serene Majesty, the Emperor of Polynesia, Oahoanu |
| Papa Palaoakole | |
| Legislature | Kōhatuan National Assembly |
| Establishment | |
| Area | |
• Total | 21,570 km2 (8,330 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2018 census | 3,000,000 |
• Density | 139/km2 (360.0/sq mi) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2018 estimate |
• Total | 66 billion kiribs |
• Per capita | 22,000 kiribs |
| Gini (2018) | 40 medium |
| SDI ((n/a)) | 0.72 high |
| Currency | Oan dollar (tāra) (OA$/OAD) |
| Date format | DD/MM/YYYY |
| Driving side | the left |
| ISO 3166 code | KHT |
| Internet TLD | .kh |
The islands were inhabited by the Kōhatuan people, a branch of the West Polynesian family for hundreds of years. They share a close ancestry and relationship with the other people of Polynesia. They share similar religious beliefs and a language, the Kōhatuan language (the official language).
Although dependent on The Oan Isles for external matters such as defence and diplomacy, the government maintains autonomy over most internal affairs. A thriving multiparty democracy arose after the liberation of Kohatu Isles from a single-party state by the Oan government and the National Liberation Movement.
Blessed with an abundance of petroleum under the earth, precious and semi-precious stones, mining plays a large part in the economy. New resources have brought greater wealth, peace and freedom for the people of Kohatu. Unfortunately, the country grapples with corruption, inefficiency in the civil services, and issues with skilled labour.
History
Kohatu War
The Kōhatu Isles (also known as Gemica in Staynish) are a small group of islands south of East Malaysia. They were ruled by a dictatorial one party state called the Diamond Authority (Ka Mana Daimana). The National Liberation Movement (Ka lahui ho'okuu lahui) had organised workshops, boycotts, protests and distributed pamphlets in opposition to the state, but it operated in secrecy and had little impact. After being invited by one of its leaders, Moissanite, Lazuli (Palauokole), a miner, organised a protest in a mine in Agate City ( 'Eka kai), that gained international attention after being seen by Oan investors who went to visit.
Emboldened by Lazuli's actions, the NLM organised protests and propaganda throughout the country, culminating in a protests in front of the main government building in which people burnt their identity books and proclaimed their support of the Oan Isles. They were met with repression by the state which downgraded diplomatic relations with the Oan Isles. The Oans decided to provide support to the NLM. Together with NLM members, they entreated Opal (Papa), Lazuli's wife, to be the face of the revolution. After destroying her home fleeing to the autonomous Jewelica Island, she agreed.
After cyclone Mable, the Oans offered disaster relief and humanitarian aid. Shortly after the cyclone passed, the NLM led protests in Peridot City on Jewelica Island. Oan soldiers were present officially as observers. The Diamond Authority sent troops and fired live ammunition at the crowd. This precipitated a military response from the Oan Isles expelled Gemican forces from Jewelica and placed the island under military occupation. Given questions around how the invasion was carried out, the Cabinet suspended Locklyn Le Roy as Prime Minister, placing Sylvia Anāute as the acting Prime Minister.
The government stopped the invasion, placed Jewelica under a quarantine and sent military advisers to train the NLM in light of a plan by NLM leader, Sapphire Sardonyx, to turn the NLM into a military force. The government entered into negotiations with the Jewelican Free State to allow the Oan Isles to annex Jewelica. Negotiations broke down after the Diamond Authority conducted air strikes that killed 140 people. The Oan air force retaliated with air strikes on the JFS main building with Gemican forces in Jewelica surrendering to the NLM. NLM occupied and took over the island. The Oan government and the NLM agreed that Jewelica would become an autonomous overseas territory of the Oan Isles.
Princess Consort Aroha and other notable Oan women organised a conference on women empowerment in Jewelica as part of a broad program to integrate Jewelica into Oan political and economic life. The Oan Isles built a military base on island. It declared war on Gemica. Soon after, Gemica was blockaded and broader sanctions were imposed.
Gemica broke its agreement to treat political prisoners humanely when it abandoned the prison in which Lazuli and others were being held. This formed the pretext for a full-scale invasion. During a night attack, they first captured the prison and freed political prisoners. They attacked Gemican forces stationed in villages and towns. After a night of operations, the Diamond Authority capitulated and Gemica was integrated into the Jewelica overseas territory as the Overseas Territory of the Kōhatu Isles.
In the aftermath of the War, the Oan Isles and East Malaysia agreed on joint oil and natural gas exploration in the Caven Sea around and near the Kōhatu Isles and East Gemica Islands (which were part of the territory of East Malaysia). They established a joint venture. The economic fruits of this discovery were so vast that the Oan GDP per capita increased from 34000 KRB to 40000 KRB in just two years.
Geography
The area of the Kohatu Isles comprises 3 islands spanning approximately 20,000 square kilometres. The largest of which is Gemica, followed in size by Stonica then Jewelica. The country lies between the Caven and Morstaybishlian Seas. As an island nation, it has a large exclusive economic zone over waters many times the size of its land territory.
The islands generally have a low lying topography. The highest mountain is only 670 metres above sea level. Despite which, the inland terrain has a hilly topography. The coastal areas are low lying and covered with white sandy beaches. On the coasts, salt water mangrove forests thrive, the largest of which are on Gemica island. In land forests are mostly tropical boreal forests.
Climate
The country has a tropical monsoon climate. It is warm and rainy for much of the year. During the monsoon season, rains increase dramatically. Many areas are prone to flooding during this time. During the dry season, precipitation drops considerably. Temperatures remain consistent during the year, due to the balancing effect of warm water currents from the Aequator and cool water currents from the Antarctic.
Biodiversity
The islands have a reasonably high level of biodiversity, given their size. Many species of birds rest here on their way to and from the warmer and colder regions further north and further south in their annual migration. The forests and wetlands provide food and shelter to thousands of migratory bird species. In contrast, the islands have a dearth of mammalian life, most of which are agricultural animals like kūri dogs, cattle and horses, introduced over centuries by humans for consumption and labour.
Politics
The Kohatu Isles are a semi-autonomous dependent territory of The Oan Isles. The government of the Oan Isles is responsible for monetary, defense, foreign and trade policy. Moreover, the founding law of the Kohatu Isles - the Kohatu Basic Law - requires the consent of the government of the Oan Isles to amend. The political systems of the Kohatu Isles shares many of the tenets of Oan political system: constitutional monarchy and parliamentary multi-party democracy.
The Chief Minister of the Kohatu Isles is the head of government and directs and controls the running of the executive branch. As the leader of the largest political party in the Legislative Assembly of the Kohatu Isles, the Chief Minister is the most powerful political official in the country. This position is held by the former leader of the defunct National Liberation Movement, Opal Lazuli. Her government consists of other former senior leaders of that organization such as Sappire Sardonyx, Moissanite and her husband Lazuli. The executive branch consists of the Executive Council and each member thereof is responsible for overseeing an executive portfolio. The Emperor of Polynesia as the head of state of the Oan Isles appoints the Chief Minister with the approval of the Kohatu Legislative Assembly and appoints other members of the Executive Council on the recommendation of the Chief Minister.
The Kohatu Legislative Assembly is a unicameral chamber elected by citizens of the Kohatu Isles via run-off voting for individual candidates of electoral districts. The Kohatu Legislative Assembly has the power to pass laws and approve the annual budget. It can only amend the Basic Law with the approval of the National Assembly of the Oan Isles. All laws passed by the Legislative Assembly are approved by the Emperor of Polynesia. By convention, the Emperor will never refuse to sign and approve a law except in a crisis. The Emperor opens annual sessions of the Legislative Assembly with an address prepared by the Chief Minister.
The judicial branch of the Kohatu Isles administers justice and enforces the law. The High Court is the highest judicial body nevertheless all cases can be appealed to the Supreme Court of the Oan Isles. The High Court is appointed by the Emperor of Polynesia on the advice of the Chief Minister following recommendations by the Kohatu Judicial Appointments Commission. The courts carry out justice in the name of the Emperor. The judiciary is protected from political interference as neither the executive or legislative branches or the Oan government can interfere in their work. Magistrate Courts administer trials.
Economy
The economy of the Kohatu Isles was dominated by the corporate interests and political allies of the Diamond Authority that once ruled the islands. Competition was stifled and large monopolies rested in the hands of the political elite. This presented issues when the country was liberated from the Diamond Authority because many critical sectors were under the control of their cronies and families.
The Kōhatuan and Oan governments are working together to bring these companies under the control of the new democratic government. Moreover, the rule of the Diamond Authority brought corruption and many people occupy positions for which they are not qualified. As part of the reforms, skilled technicians and professionals from the Oan Isles were brought in to provide training, expel incompetent and illegally appointed officials, cut wasteful expenditure and terminate unethically appointed and useless suppliers.
Sectors and history
The Kōhatuan economy was heavily dependent on mineral resources like precious stones. Unfortunately precious stone prices were volatile. When prices were low, the economy suffered significantly.
The island had proven oil reserves but could not attract financial capital to explore, extract and refine them. That changed when the islands were liberated and the Oan Isles played a greater role in Kōhatuan political and economic life. Through a joint venture with East Malaysia, the Kohatu Isles were able to acquire the technology, personnel and infrastructure to use its oil reserves.
The booming oil sector has lifted many people from poverty and alleviated unemployment through the thousands of new jobs created. The Oan and Kōhatuan governments set up the Kohatu Sovereign Wealth Fund which would take over the Oan portion of the joint oil venture with East Malaysia. The financial rewards would allow the islands to further develop.
Already, the construction sector is booming as the demand for housing and services in the cities increases. With the significant increase in savings, the government maintains large surpluses which it re-invests in the country especially in water, electricity, sanitation, housing, and transport. The results of this economic activity are apparent in the increase of tourists especially businesspeople, professionals and academics from Polynesia who come to enjoy newly opened amusement parks, resorts and hotels and other attractions.
Trade and transport
The primary trade partners of the Kohatu Isles are other nations in the Polynesian Union. There is open travel, trade and financial capital movement between them. Because the Oan Isles is a member of the UNAC as well, this indirectly allows Kōhatuan citizens and businesses to access opportunities in mainland Aurora as well.
Because the islands are surrounded by ocean, air and sea travel are the only ways to reach them. As such the state invested heavily in ports and airports. The largest airport in the country is the Malachite International Airport. The largest passenger and cargo carrier is the Kohatu Airlines. The largest port is the Port of Malachite City, which is being developed into a deep sea port so it can receive larger ships.