NEWSROOM: 09 December - 15 December 2007

Festive season travel discounts for American Samoan visitors
15 December 2007 - Source: Government Press Secretariat

Cabinet has approved reducing the 14-day entry permit charge for American Samoans traveling to Samoa for this festive season.

As of today, Wednesday 12 December, charges will be reduced from US$30 to US$10 for a 14-day permit while visits beyond that duration will remain at US$30. The initiative will be extended for at least a month.

The Christmas cheer is to encourage unhindered travel between Pago Pago and Apia this Christmas and New Year holiday.

Effective in 2005, Samoa’s permit policy for American Samoans traveling over is in accordance with the principle of reciprocity to similar permit controls American Samoa has had in place since the 1970s.

Despite repeated assurances from the American Samoa government to ease travel from Samoa to American Samoa, to date, stringent immigration requirements for Samoan citizens traveling to the United States territory remain.

This includes the forwarding of passport details, onward tickets and other particulars from Apia, before a decision to grant authorization to travel over is made.

On the other hand, Samoa, which has full sovereign jurisdiction and control over its borders, has been flexible in its travel rules for American Samoan nationals.

For instance, American Samoans can travel over on a Certificate of Identity (CI), regardless of not holding a valid U.S passport, with entry permit payment made upon arrival.
 

National University of Samoa Foundation Graduation
14 December 2007 - Source: National University of Samoa

The Foundation Year Class of 2007 graduate in a special ceremony today. The graduating students will parade with their lecturers and members of the National University of Samoa Council through the Apia Park Gymnasium, amongst an audience of extended family and friends. This special ceremony will be for many students the start of their academic journey in tertiary studies. Three hundred and ten (310) students will receive Foundation Certificate awards in the fields of Arts (80), Commerce (41), Education (98), Nursing (11), Science (37) and General (43).

The Reverend Dr. Paulo Koria of the EFKS Faatoia Congregation will bless the occasion and the Honourable To’omata Alapati Poese To’omata, Minister of Education Sports and Culture, and Pro Chancellor of the National University of Samoa will award the Foundation Certificates. The key note address will be delivered by Afioga Aumua Ming C. Leung Wai, Attorney General and the valedictorian address by Miss Deborah Sarah Betham.

The Foundation Programme formerly known as the University Preparatory Year (UPY) is an academically competitive year for students vying for scholarships abroad. While many students will continue their tertiary studies at the National University of Samoa approximately twenty percent will further their tertiary studies through scholarships to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia as well as to the United States, Japan and China.

The National University of Samoa was first established in 1984 with an enrolment of only 48 students to an enrolment in 2007 of 2126 students. NUS has made the world of teaching and learning accessible and relevant to the development needs of Samoa, while still placing knowledge of Samoa about Samoa and for Samoa as the cornerstone of its foundation. The National University of Samoa graduation ceremony is open to all members of the public and is the final graduation ceremony for the University in 2007. The University invites the public to celebrate the academic achievement of our Foundation students this Friday 14 December 2007 at 10.00am at the Apia Park Gymnasium.
 

Toa o Samoa Re-Enlists for the Last Time
13 December 2007 - Source: Major Tauapai Laupola

SSG Sualauvi Malua Tuimalealiifano III re-enlists for the last time in the presence of his unit, D/96th Civil Affairs Battalion (CAB), his comrades from the spinal ward, his Samoan families from Ft Bragg, NC and Tampa, Florida and his wife Mrs Shannon Fatuesi Tuimaleali’ifano. Major Tauapai Laupola administered the re-enlistment oath for SSG Tuimalealiifano at the VA hospital on Saturday, 8 Dec 07. According to SSG Tuimalealiifano, “I am humbled by the experience to be re-enlisted for the last time while sitting in my wheel chair knowing that my life has changed forever.” He thanked everybody for their support and prayers during this ordeal. SSG Tuimalealiifano is paralysed from his chest down due to a spinal injury he received during his combat tour in Afghanistan, August 2007.

According to LTC Leo Ruth, Battalion commander 96th CAB, “It’s an honour standing in today to witness the re-enlistment of a great American paratrooper who has sacrificed a lot for this Great Nation.” SSG Tuimalealiifano’s team leader, CPT Marcus Forman, said “Our experiences created a strong bond within our unit especially during this last deployment. He is a great ambassador not only for the team, but his Samoan heritage and his faith in God.” These same feelings were echoed by his company commander, MAJ John William, “He is a great soldier and I can always count on him because he is willing to learn, adapt and help the team accomplish its mission.” The travelling party from Ft Bragg, NC consisted of the 96th CAB key leaders and members from the Samoan Christian Faith Congregation Fort Bragg, NC, CSM Tuileama Nua, SFC Taisi Steffany-Alo, Major Tauapai Laupola and Pastor Poasa Masaniai of Ft Huachuca, AZ.

A reception followed at Mr. Lamasi & Mrs. Mary Peterika’s beautiful residence hosted by the Samoans residing in Tampa, FL. The guests were greeted to a variety of island music by Ulale Pusi, Jimmy Maugaleo’o and Lance Faimalie. The Samoan melodies were a reminder of the days when Ulale Pusi played at the Rainmaker hotel in American Samoa.

Pastor Poasa Masaniai blessed the lavish buffet done Samoan-style of roast pig, chop suey, corned beef and cabbage, fa’alifu talo and pagipopo as the highlight for dessert. A special Samoan siva was performed by Mrs Nina Tuitasi Glaude and Mr Lauvao Andre Glaude for the guests. As customary in the Samoan culture the honour of the taualaga was performed by Mrs Shannon Tuimalealiifano. The guests were touched as SSG Tuimalealiifano danced from his wheel chair to join his wife in the taualuga.

SSG Tuimalealiifano and Shannon described this day with these sentiments. “First and foremost we thank our heavenly father for this day for without his grace we would not have met the people that are here with us today. We are extremely overwhelmed and happy for the support, especially by the love and compassion that we have seen. This experience has confirmed our belief in the Samoan value of alofa and faaaloalo.”

Special thanks to the Samoan community in Tampa, FL; especially, Mr Lamasi & Mrs Mary Peterika, Mr Jimmy & Mrs Koli Maugaleo’o, Mr Andre & Mrs Nina Glaude, Ulale Pusi, Lance Faimalie, Aaone Tuitasi and Kelemete Fatu.

Photo #1: (Front) Shannon Tuimalealiifano & SSG Sualauvi Tuimalealiifano III
(Back) CSM Nua, Mrs Koli Maugaleoo, Mr Ulale Pusi, MAJ Laupola, Pastor Poasa Masaniai & SFC Taisi Steffany-Alo.

Photo#2: Photo Ops Immediately after SSG Tuimalealiifano’s re-enlistment at the Tampa VA Hospital, Saturday, 8Dec07.

Photo #3: Sua’s re-enlistment reception at Mr. Lamasi & Mrs. Mary Peterika’s beautiful residence, hosted by the Samoans residing in Tampa, FL.
 

HMAS Sydney welcomes aboard Prime Minister Tuilaepa
12 December 2007 - Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi was the guest of honour aboard the Royal Australian Navy’s Guided Missile Frigate, HMAS Sydney when it called in to Apia to refuel on Monday, 10 December 2007.

HMAS Sydney’s Commanding Officer, Commander Guy Holthouse, RAN, welcomed the Prime Minister on board with a Guard of Honour, a general salute and the national anthems of Australia and Samoa. The Prime Minister then enjoyed morning tea with some of the Officers and crew.

Australian High Commissioner, Matt Anderson, said HMAS Sydney, with a Ship’s Company of 186 men and women, had been on a goodwill deployment to the United States and Canada and would be back in Australia in time for Christmas.

“HMAS Sydney’s visit is a timely reminder of the relationship the Australian Defence Force and the Samoan Government enjoy through the Defence Cooperation Program” Matt Anderson said.

“The Royal Australian Navy, in particular, has a proud tradition of working with the Samoan Police Service Maritime Wing to ensure the MV Nafanua maintains a high level of operational readiness.

With the assistance of the Royal Australian Navy’s Maritime Surveillance Adviser, Lieutenant Commander Tony Powell, and Chief Petty Officer Jock Jocumsen, it is to the great credit of the Samoan Maritime Wing that the MV Nafanua is able to put to sea at short notice to patrol Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone and to respond to vessels in distress.”

Mr Anderson said that during the Syndey’s three month deployment she revisited her birth place in Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, Canada, making it the first RAN surface platform to visit Canada in 18 years.

Additional ports of call included San Francisco and San Diego, and Esquimalt Victoria, British Columbia before Pearl Harbour and Apia on route to Australia.
 

Register and help EPC to help you
11 December 2007 - Source: Electric Power Corporation Press Release

As part of the Preparatory Phase for the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Rural Electrification Programme, EPC and the Government of Samoa in partnership with UNDP and SOPAC is establishing a register of permanent households in Samoa that do not have access to electricity.

The purpose of this register is to identify the number and location of un-electrified households in Samoa, before conducting surveys to determine the energy needs of these households. This will enable EPC to establish the feasibility and the costs of using renewable energy such as solar power, to supply Samoa’s un-electrified permanent households with electricity.

All un-electrified permanent households should register with their pulenu’u, or if this is not possible, directly with EPC on 65400 or at the Vaitele, Tamaligi, Fugalei or Salelologa offices by 20th December 2007.

During the first two months of 2008, these households will then be contacted either in person or via a handout survey to answer questions about their electricity needs, desires and appropriate costs.

The success of this programme is dependent upon EPC and the people of this nation working together to ensure a safe and reliable supply of electricity for all of Samoa. As such, please spread the word to all people that you know who do not have access to electricity, in their permanent homes and encourage them to register their household with their pulenu’u or EPC.
 

People Against Switching Sides committee formed
10 December 2007 - Source: SUNGO Press Release

A meeting was held at SUNGO’s head office in Malifa on Tuesday afternoon, where the organising committee of the People Against Switching Sides was officially formed.

The committee’s formation was in line with a mandate, passed by majority vote at a public meeting held in the EFKS hall last Friday. At that public meeting, attended by more than 1,000 people from both Upolu and Savaii, a mandate was handed down to organise a peaceful march to parliament on Monday 17th December. The purpose of the march is to present the government with a petition, voicing the people’s objections to the proposed switch of the side of the road for motorists to drive.

In an announcement made by the Transport Control Board, the public were advised that on the 01 July 2008, all motorists would be required to switch the side of the road on which to drive. The private sector and non government organisations were the first to publicly voice their concerns.

A joint submission was presented to government, highlighting the effects of this decision upon Samoa. The submission did not just highlight the adverse financial and economical implications for Samoa, but also the social, environmental and inherent risks upon safety of motorists and pedestrians.

The committee aims to gather signatures from all those who oppose the government proposal, throughout both Upolu and Savaii. The Chairman of the organising committee, Toleafoa Maposua Solomona Toailoa said, “This is an important issue for Samoa, and we encourage all who oppose the decision to voice your concerns by signing as well as marching with us to present this petition to government. It is important that Samoa understands the negative implications of this decision upon them. It is much more than just getting a free car from overseas.”

The organising committee comprises of a wide cross section of the community. During the inaugural meeting of the organizing committee, serious concerns for the safety of all people of Samoa were raised, with particular concern for the safety of all our children once the bill becomes law and 17,500 motor vehicles will be travelling on the ‘wrong’ side of the road. We are calling on our respective Members of Parliament to speak out and address the concerns of the people they represent. The business community will also continue to request Government to provide reports in support of the claimed benefits of the switch in light of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary that says the switch will present very real safety risks to our community and all road users with a disastrous impact on our economy.

The Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations (SUNGO) highly supports the restoration of the people's Democratic rights in determining what is best for them. Our leaders should therefore develop legislation that supports the need of the people, by listening to the concerns of the people and not dictate what is best for them.

The process of compiling signatures started immediately, with several sign up points around the town area already in place.
 

Inaugural Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing in Apia 2008
09 December 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com
 
Event Polynesia Boxing in association with South Pacific Boxing Inc. this week announced the first Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing event to be held in Apia on Saturday 26th January 2008.

According to Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni, Managing Director of Event Polynesia, “This is exciting for Samoa boxing going forward and promoting Samoa as a host country of international events.”

The main bout will see IBF Australasian Cruiser Weight title holder, Mr. Laurence Tauasa fight for the vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Oriental Cruiser Weight title in front of his home country Samoa for the first time. Mr. Tauasa continues to be a Samoan flag bearer in the boxing world and has fought under the Samoan flag since turning professional despite representing Australia in his amateur career.

Mr. Ale Vena Ale, secretary general of South Pacific Boxing is pleased with the opportunity provided by the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing event for local professional boxing referees and judges to be able to officiate international boxing tournaments.

Main under card will feature Walter the Tongan Warrior, current South Seas Cruiser Weight champion against Samoa Commonwealth boxing medalist Lupematasila Bob Gasio currently fighting out of Auckland.

Other bouts will include the International Amateur Challenge Cup between New Zealand top Invitational Team verses Samoa top Invitational Team plus the Fa’afafine International Title fight for the vacant belt.

“This will be an excellent build up for both countries leading up to the Oceania Boxing Tournament to be held in Australia in March 2008,” said Ms Tui Gallagher, Auckland Boxing Association president and Boxing New Zealand executive.

For more information contact Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera on (+685) 751-9458 or email: saipele@eventpolynesia.com 
 

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