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Samoa Cabinet Approves International Flights For Polynesian Airlines
Charter flights to begin in June, regular service expected by November
APIA, Samoa (Talamua, April 7, 2015) – Cabinet has approved the plans for direct flights by Polynesian Airlines to New Zealand and other Pacific countries.
The initiative is to enhance flight services and provide cheaper airfare options for the people of Samoa.
A meeting was held between the heads of Polynesian Airlines and Solomon Airlines to negotiate the Heads of Agreement for the proposed lease of Solomon Airlines Airbus 320/319 aircraft to Polynesian Airlines, particularly for the Nadi – Apia – Auckland and vice versa route, and any other requested route. Chartered flights are expected to resume June 2015. The agreement also includes the assistance by Solomon Airlines in conducting trainings for the Polynesian Airline staff.
Scheduled flights for Polynesian Airlines are expected to start in November, with the expectation of the local carrier to operate direct flights on its own...
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Archaeology Work In Philippines Explores Connection With Marianas
'Pottery trail' from 3,500 years ago being studied
By Alexie Villegas Zotomayor
SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, April 8, 2015) – The ongoing research at Magapit, Cagayan, in the Northern Philippines will continue to shed light on Philippines-Marianas connection.
Governor's Humanities Awards 2014 honorees Dr. Mike T. Carson and Dr. Hsiao-chun Hung are back in Cagayan, Northern Philippines to continue their study of early human settlements and find out more about what they saw as a pottery trail extending from the Philippines to the Marianas.
Dr. Carson told Variety, "Yes, the current investigation at Magapit is expected to recover more information about the links of communities across the ocean."
In their previous work, Dr. Carson and Dr. Hung saw similarities in the design in shards of pottery they uncovered in the Philippines and in the Marianas.
They noted the similarity in design motifs at the same time 3,500 years ago.
Dr. Carson...
Am. Samoa Senate Discusses Power Company Debt, Foreign Employees
Government owes nearly $10 million in unpaid utility bills
By Fili Sagapolutele
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, April 7, 2015) – American Samoa government's current debt to the American Samoa Power Authority is just over $9 million and the authority is banking on a bond to be issued under the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA) to pay down this debt, said ASPA chief executive officer Utu Abe Malae during a Senate hearing last week.
The Senate ASPA/Energy Committee hearing chaired by Sen. Tuiasina S. Esera covered a wide ranges of issues which senators wanted to learn more about.
ASG's outstanding debt to ASPA was raised by Sen. Mauga T. Asuega, to which Utu explained that the current bill stands at $9.9 million for utility services which include electric, water, and waste water. He said the bonds to be issued soon by ASEDA include an $8 million bond to pay down the ASG outstanding bill, but the government will still need to...
Fiji Media Community Mourns Killing Of SPC Journalist
McGowan died on Easter after alleged bashing by husband
By Telebula Kate in Suva
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (Pacific Scoop, April 8, 2015) – Journalist Losana McGowan, who died tragically on Easter Saturday, had earned the respect of her Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) colleagues, in particular within the Geoscience Division and the SPC's North Pacific Regional Office, as well as winning the trust of partners at the European Union and at the country-level, the SPC has said in a statement.
The SPC extended deepest condolences and sorrow to the family and close friends of McGowan.
The statement said the SPC staff were shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of McGowan, an accomplished journalist, event manager and communications specialist.
It said she would be remembered as a dedicated and talented SPC staff member with a strong team spirit who regularly shared ideas.
She was a valued member of a SPC-wide communication working group on...
Fiji Women Leaders Conduct National Women's Forum
Consultations on political participation, especially in local governance
SUVA, Fiji (Fijilive, April 8, 2015) – Women leaders convene in Suva today to carry out national consultations on women's participation in national democratic processes, particularly on local governance.
The three-day National Women's Forum consultation, the fifth of its kind organised by the National Council of Women Fiji, the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei, the Fiji Women's Rights Movement and FemLINKPACIFIC, is being held at the Holiday Inn.
According to the General Secretary of the National Council of Women Fiji, Fay Volatabu, local governance has been a priority issue for the co-convenors and it is time to develop collective strategies: "That's why we really want the local government elections to go ahead," Ms Volatabu said.
"And of course just like the national election we want 50per cent or more representation of women (but) whether the local government elections happens this...
Cyclone Impact In FSM: Latest Count 4 Dead, 6,700 Displaced
Far eastern islands of Yap yet to receive relief
By Jasmine Stol
HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Variety, April 8, 2015) – As Federated States of Micronesia officials continue to assess the outer, smaller islands of Yap and Chuuk states, more details of damage is being released and at last count, the FSM Office of Environment and Emergency Management or OEEM confirmed four people have died and more than 6,700 people in Chuuk are displaced.
A situation report from the FSM OEEM issued yesterday detailed effect on health, agriculture and infrastructure that state officials have uncovered so far. The four dead in Chuuk include one male who died after a tree fell on his house, a child who was killed from a scrap of airborne tin, a newborn who did not make it to the hospital because fallen trees blocked the path and an adult woman who died in a landslide. Ten people were treated for injuries sustained from Typhoon Maysak in Chuuk.
In Yap, there have not been any...
Cook Islands To Role Out New Maritime Safety Laws
Boats to be required to have proper sea safety equipment
By Phillipa Webb
RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, April 7, 2015) – New maritime safety laws are set to be rolled out soon, and Marine Resources say the new laws will help ensure the safety of local fishermen.
Marine Resources secretary Ben Ponia says the new regulations were passed in December last year, but come into force in the middle of this year.
The Maritime Transport (Small Motorised Vessels) regulations 2014 are administered under the Minister of Transport.
"MMR has had a long association with Ministry of Transport in the development of these regulations because of our role in promoting sea safety for the local fishermen," Ponia says.
"MMR has been involved in distributing sea safety training and equipment to the local fishermen and we hope these regulations may be a way to leverage more funding into this area."
The regulations will also help tighten up the...
Tuvalu Community In Auckland Send Relief Supplies Back Home
Fishing equipment, food, water to help small islands hit by Pam
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, April 8, 2015) – The Tuvaluan community in Auckland is sending four shipping containers of donated items to their cyclone-hit homeland.
One of the organisers, Sagaa Malua, says fishing equipment and food and water will help the people on the smaller islands who have been affected the most by cyclone Pam.
Ms Malua says volunteers will fill the containers until Thursday, before they are sent next week.
The Mayoral Fund for the Pacific is covering the transport costs.
Statue Of Filipino Revolutionary Set To Be Unveiled On Guam
Controversy surrounding honoring Apolinario Mabini continues
By Manny Cruz
HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, April 7, 2015) – A statue that raised controversy last year in the village of Asan will be unveiled with the opening of a planned playground, and basketball and volleyball courts.
"This will be a place where our children and manamko' can be active and enjoy being outdoors," said Asan-Maina mayor Joana Margaret Blas.
According to Blas, the statue, which is a representation of Filipino revolutionary Apolinario Mabini, was supposed to be unveiled on April 10 of this year, but the ceremony was delayed.
"We didn't want to unveil the statue without the rest of the park. So now we're just waiting for the materials for the playground to arrive and be constructed so we can unveil the park and not just the statue," Blas said.
According to Blas, the playground equipment is donated from local companies and various nonprofit groups and...
Center Workers Accuse Australia Of Tolerating Abuse In Nauru
Government knew about physical, sexual abuse for 'over a year'
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, April 8, 2015) – A group of workers at Australia's detention centres on Nauru say the Australian government knew about physical and sexual abuse of asylum seekers for over a year, but failed to take any action.
In an open letter, 23 current and former employees say the immigration department had tolerated the physical and sexual assault of women and children for more than 17 months.
The signatories include current and former staff for Save the Children and International Health and Medical Services, which were both contracted to provide services at the centres.
The letter said: "We are a group of current and former employees from the Nauru detention centres who have first-hand knowledge of the conditions in which children and adults are detained."
It went on to detail how the department and then-immigration minister Scott...
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