NEWSROOM: 09 December - 22 September 2007

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2008 from Event Polynesia
23 December 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com
 
At the beginning of this year, we all wondered what 2007 will bring. Just before Christmas, we sit and look back over the year that was. And what a year it has been!!

This year we have been blessed and our lives enriched through meeting and being in touch with so many remarkable people.

The passing away of more great leaders of the Pacific were sad moments we all collectively shared. While we differ in opinion in how to compact the war against "terrorism," least we forget the sons and daughters of the Pacific serving around the world for freedom and peace, in particular the families of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Through Event Polynesia Multimedia, we have endeavored to provide a vehicle for our Pacific people to tell their stories and be heard, particularly with our online website portal www.eventpolynesia.com.

Through Event Polynesia Boxing and Event Polynesia Entertainment, we hope to provide a platform to showcase the talents of the Pacific.

Next year we will launch Event Polynesia Tours as an extension of our service. Keep watching this space.

And so before we sign off for 2007, we would like to thank each and every one of our readers, supporters and contributors and do appreciate all the advertisers who recognize our readership, coverage and brand strength.

A special acknowledgment goes out to our business associates and event partners as we strive to provide a robust marketing vehicle to promote your services and products.

From the Event Polynesia Team, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
 

ASCC Recognizes Outstanding Academic Achievement at Graduate Banquet
21 December 2007 - Source: ASCC Press Release

Eight graduating students at the American Samoa Community College received special recognition for their outstanding achievements during a banquet for the fall 2007 graduating class held last week. Organized by the College’s Student Services Division, the banquet honored students for their exceptional accomplishments in the areas of Math, English, Science, Samoan Studies, Business Education, Trades & Technology, Art and Music, based on selections by the chairpersons of the various academic divisions at the College.

At Tuesday’s banquet, Institute of Trades & Technology (ITT) Dean Leusoga Bill Emmsley presented the first award of the evening to Filemoni Setu. Next up, Regina Meredith and Kuki Tuiasosopo of the Fine Arts Department presented awards to Niuafolau Pua for his work in the Visual Arts, and to Toluselau Aulava in Music. ASCC Matai Alumni President Panisia Neueli and Vice President Amio Mavaega-Luvu announced the remainder of the honorees, beginning with Henry Faaolo in Science. The Samoa Ford Motors Award for Outstanding Achievement in Math went to Aleki Mao, while Atonina Tauiliili earned the K.S. Mart Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business. Anthony Felise received this semester’s award in Language and Literature, and Siolosega Aga accepted the fall 2007 Samoan Language Award, presented in loving memory of the late Taito Lilomaiava Dr. Penelope T. Ala’ilima-Utu.

Following the presentation of the awards, Board of Higher Education chairman Uta Dr. Laloulu Tagoilelagi said a few words to mark the occasion. “Education has no limits,” he reminded the graduates, “and you will have many more opportunities to continue your learning, either through more time in the classroom or just through everyday life.”

Dean of Student Services Dr. Emilia Le’i explained that in addition to providing a venue for recognizing academic achievements, the Graduate Banquet offers an opportunity for graduates, their families, and the College administration and faculty to socialize in an informal atmosphere several days prior to the official graduation ceremony. “We don’t make it a requirement that the graduates attend the banquet, although of course we hope they will. It gives the graduates a chance to get together with their classmates for a special evening before they all go their separate ways.”

That same evening, the Criminal Justice Division at the College held its own awards ceremony to mark the end of the semester, organized by the Criminal Justice Club. Recognizing the achievements of students within in the department, the Criminal Justice instructors selected Richard Nui for the “Highest Achievement” award, and Athena Dora Simanu for “Highest Achievements in Pre-Law”. The Criminal Justice Club also honored Pamata Malae with this semester’s “Appreciation Award”.

Graduation week held further pre-ceremony activity on the ASCC campus as the Division of Student Support Services (SSS) hosted their Graduates Award Luncheon. The event recognized graduates-to-be who had participated in the federally funded SSS program. SSS provides academic support and counseling for first-generation and low-income students entering college, with the goal of increasing the rate of retention and graduation among this group. SSS Director Dr. Repeka Ala’imoana Nuusa and her staff organized a lively ceremony for 22 SSS graduates-to-be, who joined their instructors from the English Language Institute for a lunchtime celebration of their accomplishments.

Photo #1: During the ASCC Graduate Banquet last week, Institute of Trades &
Technology Dean Leusoga Bill Emmsley presents Filemoni Setu with the Institute's award for outstanding achievement.

Photo #2: During the ASCC Graduate Banquet last week, Matai Alumni Association
President Panisia Neueli presents Anthony Felise with the award for outstanding achievement in Language & Literature.
 

House passes H.R. 3079; a bill to extend federal immigration laws to CNMI
19 December 2007 - Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on December 11, 2007 the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that will extend federal immigration laws to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and also provide CNMI with a delegate to the U.S. Congress.

“I cannot stress enough the importance of the unique political relationship between the United States and the CNMI, especially in the interest of our national security. The significance of this political relationship has elevated since the closures of the Clarke Air Force Base and our Naval Base in Subic Bay in the Philippines,” said Faleomavaega. “Moreover, the pending transfer, of some 9,000 US Marines and their families from Okinawa to Guam, and likely also to CNMI, has made this relationship even more critical and important to our strategic and military interests in this region of the world.”

“I am pleased for the removal of a certain provision that would have legalized the status of illegal immigrants or overstayers in CNMI. Furthermore, I support the concerns of the administration and House members supporting the bill, but we should also be mindful that there is a GAO study currently underway in reviewing CNMI's immigration problems that hopefully will shed some more light on the current situation in CNMI. It is my sincere hope that the GAO study will give us more information on CNMI’s overall economic and political development, and the bill we’re about to pass will complement the findings of the GAO report that will be completed in the near future.”

“This legislation addresses the unique situation in CNMI and in no way associated with the immigration issues in American Samoa. Indeed, in a joined effort with Chairman Nick Rahall of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and Chairwoman Donna Christensen of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, we have already requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of the current immigration system in American Samoa given our Territory’s unique political relationship with the United States.”

“Again, I want to thank and commend Chairman Nick Rahall and Ranking Member Don Young of the Committee on Natural Resources, Chairlady Donna Christensen of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs for their continued leadership and service on this important legislation. I especially want to recognize their spirit of bipartisanship in making a provision authorizing CNMI to have a delegate to Congress,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

Samoa offers American Samoa a break on entry requirements
17 December 2007 - Source: Pacific Magazine

The Samoa government is offering another break on the entry permit for U.S. Nationals from American Samoa visiting the Independent State.

The first break came on Wednesday when the Samoa government announced that it has reduced the entry permit from $30 to $10 for the holiday season.

The permit scheme, which went into effect in 2005 has been criticized many times by American Samoans, who accused Samoa of been biased and discriminatory against U.S. Nationals, who holds U.S. passports.

During a press conference in Pago Pago late Friday, a Samoa government official announced that U.S. nationals from American Samoa could be exempted from paying Samoa’s entry permit if they can prove their parents are Samoa citizens.

Auseugaefa Vaasatia Poloma Komiti, the chief executive officer of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, says the necessary documents are available at the Samoa Consulate Office in Pago Pago and once filed, the documents will be sent to Apia for review.

Once approved, a passport or a Certificate of Identity (which is used as a substitute for a passport) is then stamped providing proof of the exemption, said Auseugaefa, who also heads Samoa’s immigration service.

Auseugaefa cannot say when the $10 fee will be halted, adding that the change comes after close working cooperation with Samoa’s business community including the tourism sector.

The move is also to help the country’s economy, he said.

When asked for statistics on the number of permits issued in 2006 and 2007 in order to make a comparison of whether it has affected visitors to Samoa, Auseugaefa said there are statistics but he did not provide them immediately for the press.
 

Faleomavaega fully supports effort to increase US tuna fishing fleet in Am. Samoa
15 December 2007 - Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on Saturday December 8, 2007 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan he met with the South Pacific Tuna Corporation and FCF, the largest fish trading company in the world, to fully promote efforts to increase the US tuna fishing fleet in American Samoa. The Congressman was on assignment in Asia and concluded his visit by participating in the launching ceremony of the Sea Fox, a new state of the art tuna vessel that will become a part of the US tuna fishing fleet and which will fish in South Pacific waters and supply fish to American Samoa’s canneries.

“I want to especially thank Mr. Dave Burney, CEO and President of the South Pacific Tuna Corporation (SPTC), Mr. Lee Hung-wen, Vice Chairman of the FCF Fishery, and Mr. Hsieh Ta-wen, Director General of the Taiwan Fishery Administration for inviting me to participate in the launching ceremony of the newest purse seine vessel, the ‘Sea Fox’,” Faleomavaega said. “More importantly, I was pleased to discuss American Samoa’s needs and to support SPTC’s efforts to build the US tuna fishing fleet.”

“Taiwan has probably the best tuna boat building capabilities in the world and SPTC is working closing with Taiwan to rebuild the US tuna fishing fleet. The US tuna fishing fleet started off with about 35 vessels from San Diego, which fished out of American Samoa. The fleet has dwindled down to 14 vessels and this raises serious questions about where our canneries are going to get their fish. If there is no fish, there are no canneries,” Faleomavaega said.

“This is why we need boats and this is why I am pleased to be working closely with SPTC, Taiwan’s Ministry of Fisheries, and FCF. Right now, as a result of the South Pacific Tuna Treaty, the US is allowed up to 40 vessels to fish in Pacific waters. We are hopeful that in the next year or two, we will be able to add an additional 10 vessels to our current fleet of 14,” Faleomavaega said.

“Increasing our fleet will also provide job opportunities to American Samoans who may be interested in becoming captains to man these multimillion dollar fishing vessels. This is a golden opportunity for students who may seek careers in this field and who may be interested in applying for possible enrollment as a candidate for the US Merchant Marine Academy.”

“To further protect the jobs of our cannery workers whose livelihood depend on fish being delivered to our canneries, it is necessary that we further develop American Samoa’s fisheries and rebuild the US tuna fishing fleet. I am fully committed to this effort and I again thank the leaders of Taiwan for working with me in this important endeavor.”

“It is my intent to continue discussions with our other regional partners including our South Pacific neighbors. During my meeting with the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders, I encouraged our Pacific Island leaders to also develop their fishing fleets and send their fish to American Samoa’s canneries. I am sure that in due time we can work out an agreement that is beneficial to us all and I am pleased with the progress we have made thus far,” Faleomavaega concluded.

USDA Visit to ASCC Focuses on Tilapia Feed
13 December 2007 - Source: ASCC Presss Release

The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, housed in the Land Grant program at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), is currently sponsoring a visit by Dr. Chorn Lim, who is on island through December 13. He is visiting Tutuila from the USDA Agriculture Research Service office in Alabama, and is accompanied by Dr. Darren Okimoto, the extension leader for UH Sea Grant. As an animal nutrition scientist with the USDA, Dr. Lim has extensive experience with creating diets for tilapia.

While on the island, Dr. Lim will visit tilapia farmers in order to assess the scope of their needs. He will also visit farmers of local produce to determine the availability of products that could be useful in producing locally made tilapia feeds.

Fishmeal is another important component of tilapia feeds, and Dr. Lim hopes to visit the local tuna canneries to tour their fishmeal processing facilities.

Dr. Lim will conduct a workshop on tilapia nutrition from 9:00am to 1:00pm this Wednesday, December 12, in the Land Grant conference room at ASCC. This workshop will provide training on the nutrient requirements, feed formulation and processing, and feeding practices for tilapia. Anyone interested in producing his or her own tilapia feeds should attend.

Please contact Ephraim Temple, the UH Sea Grant extension agent for American Samoa, for more information. Temple can be reached on mobile number 731-8169.
 

Faleomavaega attends United Nations Climate Change Conference
11 December 2007 - Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that while on assignment to Asia, he is attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Faleomavaega is attending the conference in his official capacity as Chairman of the Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment and also as an invited guest of the President of Indonesia, His Excellency Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Other members including, Congressman James Sensenbrenner and Congressman Ed Markey are expected to attend. About 5 members of the U.S. Senate will also participate and will arrive during the week of December 8, 2007. Faleomavaega is attending the opening sessions from December 3-5, 2007.

While at the conference, Faleomavaega met with other Pacific Island leaders including those from Samoa, Palau, the Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Faleomavaega also attended the Alliance of Small Island States which is composed of island nations from the Caribbean, the Pacific, and other island communities.

“When it comes to global climate change, small island communities are most vulnerable,” Faleomavaega said, “so it is very important for us to show a strong presence so industrialized countries will hear our concerns. At yesterday’s opening ceremony, Australia officially announced it will sign on to the Kyoto Protocol, making the U.S. the only nation that has not agreed to the Protocol.”

“For now, the Bush Administration will only support non-binding or voluntary resolutions that do not require our big corporations to reduce carbon emissions. In part, this is because the oil industry drives our nation. However, I am convinced if a Democrat is elected president, we will see a dramatic change in U.S. policy when it comes to global climate change.”

“The UN conference being held in Bali at this time is critical for setting the stage for the next steps that the world, including the U.S. must take if we are serious about preserving the environment for future generations as well as for vulnerable societies today. The Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012 and in Bali we are discussing ways in which to establish a framework for a post Kyoto Protocol. It is expected that negotiations will begin in 2008 and will be completed by 2009.”

“As these negotiations take place, my Subcommittee, which has broad oversight for issues affecting the global environment, will continue to hold hearings to draw attention especially to how climate change will seriously impact the Asia-Pacific region which includes our island communities. As Subcommittee Chairman, I have held three hearings this year including one on the Kyoto Protocol, APEC’s environmental initiative, and the global environment and renewable energy.”

“In the new year, it is my intent to hold a hearing on the Bali conference and where we go from here. In so doing, I am hopeful that the U.S. will work with the global community and the UN to chart a course for the future that will protect the Pacific way of life for future generations,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

Three Samoan citizens deported from American Samoa
09 December 2007 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

Three more Samoan citizens have been ordered to be deported from American Samoa instead of serving a jail term, for misdemeanor crimes committed in the territory.

The three agreed to leave the territory voluntarily after charges of public peace disturbance against them were dismissed.

District Court Judge Pro Temp, Elvis Patea, issued an order that they be deported on yesterday’s sailing of the MV Lady Naomi.

The defendants are not to return to the territory for a one-year period and if they do, the government will reinstate the charges.

The judge has ordered the Immigration Office to appear in court today to provide proof that the defendants have in fact left the territory.
 

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