NEWSROOM: 09 July - 15 July 2006

JAWS warn public of con-artist posing as journalist
15 July 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Local media group, Journalists Association of (Western) Samoa (JAWS), have warned the public to be aware of a rogue journalist who has been conning people for money.

JAWS have fielded several complaints from the public regarding a man from the village of Fusi, Saoluafata.

The journalist in question is Fulu Mareko, a former policeman who has worked for many Samoan newspapers such as the Samoa Observer and New Zealand based publications Le Samoa Post and Samoana.

Sources told eventpolynesia.com he was sacked from those workplaces for conning people into giving him personal materials such as fine mats and money in exchange for writing stories.

JAWS President, Papalii Uale Taimalelagi, issued a warning through a public notice not to give any monies to reporters, not matter who it was. He outlined the duty of journalists to report on events and the role they play in informing the public. Papalii advised victims of Mareko to take legal action if they wanted to, but in the meantime, JAWS is considering legal action too.

"Fulu has given journalists a bad name and so for the protection of the public and safeguarding our image, we have decided to issue a warning for everyone to be aware of," said Papalii.

Reports about Mareko's behaviour include turning up at family funerals, saofai, weddings and any other local events pretending to cover a story for a newspaper. He would introduce himself as a media person, then try to extort monies from people to pay for running a story.

On many occasions, members of the public have reportedly given Fulu money, only to find out later their story was never published.

Recently, a family from Sinamoga approached the management of a local newspaper, Le Samoa, regarding Mr Mareko. Angela Kronfeld Polu of Le Samoa clarified to the family that Fulu did not work for them.

According to the family, Mareko told them that he worked for Le Samoa and if they could not pay for the story, then it could not be published.

Other victims were a group of people from America and Hawaii who attended the Methodist Conference. They too gave money to Fulu, who lied to them saying he worked for the Le Samoa Post.

Sources also told eventpolyneia.com that the Land and Title Court at Mulinuu was a favourite frequenting place for Mareko.
 

Seacologists offer money for conservation of Samoan beach
14 July 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Visiting members of the Seacology Foundation have offered SAT$50,000 to the people of Falealupo in return for the conservation of the nearby Fagalei beach. The beach according to Falealupo residents, has the most whitest sand in Samoa.

In the past weeks, members from Japan took time out of their busy schedule to visit some of the pacific islands they are funding, including Samoa.

At Falealupo earlier this week, the group were welcomed with a ava ceremony before visiting the Fagalei beach.

Seacology is a non profit environment organization who have pledged to protect the environment and preserve some of its "highly endangered biodiversity of islands throughout the world." Under the guidance of its founder Dr. Paul Cox, Seacology has put a lot of monies in preserving endangered environments worldwide.

Seacology's contribution to Samoa include the developent of specified areas, building schools and donating medical supplies. Seacology's strategy involves building what villages need in return for thousands and thousands of acres of land. An example was when the Falealupo school and the canopy walk were constructed in return for the guaranteed protection of over 30,000 acres of rainforest, placed under the conservation of the Seacology programme for 50 years. They have provided boats for the Tafua area and have also donated wheelchairs for the local hospitals.

While the programme may be a good act on Seacology's part, some of the locals have raised their concerns on the motives behind the whole deal. One resident raised the difficulty that the locals might face if problems arise in the future, such as the development of lands.

"They have to ask permission from Seacology to develop the lands, which is very stupid" one disappointed resident said.

The visiting Seacology team will also stop by in American Samoa for a similar visit at the Fagasa area.
 

MP's offer to pay school fees labelled "political gimmick"
13 July 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

An offer by Sagaga le Falefa MP, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, to pay the school fees of his district for the next five years has come under fire from his fellow parliamentarians.

The offer was made in Parliament and was a challenge to other members of parliament. Muagututagata said that his action "challenged some of my parliamentarian colleagues, but that was never my intention." He said he had always wanted to help develop education in his district and "what better way to start than paying for their school fees."

But when eventpolynesia.com spoke to several MP's, on condition of anonymity, some said Muagututagata was free to do whatever he liked with his monies, while others labeled the MP "crazy." There are also those who see the MP's offer as a "political gimmick."

A former MP who does not want to be named said "it is obvious what he is after, another five year term, and if you study the electoral act, it says there shall be no campaign before or after the election, that is what he is doing, campaigning for the next election."

In his defence, Muagututagata said everyone is entitled to their opinions, but his offer was genuine.

Schools in the Sagaga le Falefa zone include Afega Primary, Tuanai Primary, and Malie Primary. According to Muagututagata, the offer applies to Year 1-8 levels only, entitling these village schools to the luxury of being pampered by their MP.

"There will be no excuse for not attending school unless one is sick," he said.

Muagututagata is a successful businessman who runs Apia Business Machines. He unsuccessfully ran for parliament in 2001, but tried again this year and was successful in defeating his opponent, Taliaoa Pita.
 

Falealupo-tai Women's Committee open new fono house
12 July 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Falealupo-tai women's committee saw their new committee house officially opened earlier this week after it was blessed by Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga during a brief ceremony.

Archbishop Alapati not only blessed the building but also said "let not this house be the origination of gossip", which instantly drew laughter from those in attendance.

The cutting of the ribbon was performed by the wives of the Seacology group who were visiting at the time.

The committee house replaces the old one damaged by Cyclone Ofa in 1991.

According to the former President of the committee, Gaualofa Mafasolia Vaai, when she became President last year, it was decided that the best project for them to tackle first was the construction of a new committee house.

They committee then approached the European Union for assistance. EU offered to pay part of the construction costs which came to SAT$70,000.

Gaualofa and her husband, Member of Parliament for Vaisigano #1 Mafasolia Papu Vaai, played a major role in making this possible. Vaai is a former MP for Falealupo.

The land on which the house is located was donated by the Catholic Church with the endorsement by Archbishop Alapati. The land is part of a larger section already allocated for an international sports complex.

It took carpenter Toetu Ah Ching and his workers three months to build the house. The only difficulty they faced was a shortage of water "which is nothing new in Falealupo," according to Ah Ching.

Potofou Seumanautafa, a member of the committee, also spoke highly of the committees' achievements.
 

Marching competition provides colourful end to Youth Rally
11 July 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Although they did not win first prize, the Aleipata Catholic Youth showed how marching was done in the old days, their team leader providing the highlight as both the spectators and judges roared with laughter at his opening command.

The Aleipata team, made up of boys and girls, stole the show at the marching competition to mark the end of the Catholic Church Rally at Tofamamao last weekend.

The Aleipata youth could have been mistaken for an army battalion training for war, except they were wearing lavalava and hats made from coconut leaves instead of helmets. Their fancy techniques involved a mixture of modern moves fused with actions usually associated with doing Samoan chores. From climbing trees to collecting coconuts to playing 'musa' - it was all part of the entertainment provided to delight the spectators.

The Palauli youth also caught the eye with their karate outfits. Together they looked like they were from a karate movie. Wearing long black pants and long sleeve shirts, they provided an alternative idea of what a marching competition was all about. Rather than following the commanders orders, they followed the markers' lead, who did not know left from right, until the marchers bumped into others with hilarious results.

Out of the 14 marching teams, the Solosolo Catholic youth looked the most serious. They meant business once they took the stage. With a serious attitude, they marched smartly in their red and white uniforms with their drummer proving to be the star of their performance.

Besides the marching competition, there was also evangelism rallying at different venues around the country.
 

Samoa Youth Alive celebrates eight years of worship
10 July 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Samoa Worship Center Church is celebrating eight years since launching their Samoa Youth Alive (SYA) programme, which has drawn in many young Samoans.

SYA was the initiative of several young church members who saw the need for spiritual development within the community. They formed a group which has not only grown spiritually but increased in numbers wanting to serve God by spreading His Message through music and dancing.

"It was a big step and huge challenge for some of the youths who have given up their worldly life for the Lord," said one founding member.
 
Programmes provided for youth include fellowship and sharing not only spiritual materials but also counselling for all people.

Last weekend, the SYA held a competition with 18 groups taking part. It took three
months for the programme organizers to get the competition running.

Fundraising was conducted for the competition prizes.

First prize was a trophy and a SAT$1000 cash. Second prize was a trophy and SAT$700 cash while the third prize was also a trophy with SAT$500.

The SYA competition is one of the most popular evangelism competitions in Samoa. The competition is open to any youth group wishing to participate in the fun.
 

Solomona family reunion pays homage to Samoan roots
09 July 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Solomona family reunion began last week with family members congregating in Samoa from as far as New Zealand, United States and American Samoa.

The reunion kicked off with a service at Apia's Kitano Tusitala, where many of the visiting family members stayed, followed by a welcoming ava ceremony prepared by the local Solomona clan.

The Solomona family hails from Tafiola, Safata, where the late Reverend Tavita and wife Masele Solomona served as pastors for the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa.

The Solomona children; seven boys and one girl were all born at Tafitoala. Reverend Tavita from American Samoa died while still serving the church and is buried at Tafitoala while Masele is buried at her home village at Sagaga, Siumu.

Part of the reunion programme included a visit to their parents and great-great grand parents burial sites.

The only remaining son of Reverend Tavita and Masele is 65 year-old, Nuua Malofou Solomona, who is the president of the family reunion committee.

Family members also had the opportunity to visit several tourism attractions such as Lalomanu beach and the Sa'moana surf resort at Salamumu.

Over the years, the Solomona family has provided many ministers, pastors and business people both locally and overseas.

The family usually holds a reunion every two years but after this year's reunion, they have decided to have the next one in three years time in the United States.
 

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