NEWSROOM: 20 May - 26 May 2007

Samoa Apia Run and MEDCEN Hospital team up for healthy run
26 May 2007 - Source: Samoa Apia Run

SAMOA APIA RUN has partnered again with MedCen Hospital to get people to GET UP! GET OUT! GET ACTIVE! GO FOR THE HEALTH OF IT!

Samoa Apia Run (formerly Samoa Island Run) will be hosting their 8th annual running events on Saturday, June 30, 2007 starting from Funway Rental Matautu at 6:00 am. Sign up for the event before June 29.

This will be our 3rd Samoa International Half Marathon (13.1 miles), 8th Tamara’s 10K (6 miles) and our 2nd Tamaitis 3K (1.5 miles) walk/run.

Samoa Apia Run, Samoa’s only annual running race event, is ready again to bring a new level of dedication to fitness and health for the community.

The Samoa Apia Run is open and available to all: fastest, fittest, middle of the pack, physically challenged athletes, and walkers of every capability. Whether you’re an experienced runner or first time walker, we encourage you to take this opportunity to join us in promoting wellness and fitness.

We invite all government departments, companies, villages, schools, tourists, and individuals to be a part of this exciting and growing event. Former and new participants are given the opportunity to enjoy the long term benefits of fitness and overall wellness.

MedCen Hospital, the primary sponsor for the Samoa Apia Run 2006, has committed again for the 2007 event, putting their slogan into practice once more by presenting this outstanding event. Their slogan “TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE OF SAMOA THROUGH QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE” is symbolic of their meaningful contributions to the Samoan Community.

Thank you to MedCen Hospital and to these local companies for their continual promoting of healthier lifestyles for everyone: Air New Zealand, Mansfield Security Systems, Health Attack, The Curry House, Adria’s Cakes The Best, Sinalei Reef Resorts, The Samoan Outrigger Hotel, Sapolu Law, Coaches Corner, Samoa Commercial Bank, Funway Rental, Computer Services Limited and the Hidden Garden Bed and Breakfast. Your sponsorship for this event has provided an opportunity for all companies and schools to emphasize fitness and wellness and to promote healthier lifestyles for everyone.

Samoa Apia Run’s first running event was held on January 14, 2002 with only 19 participants. Since then more than 300 have turned up from among local runners including some who would not call themselves fitness fanatics but who took part for the fun of it The oldest participant in the female category was 87 years old, oldest male 85 years, heaviest participant was 300 lbs and the youngest was one year old.

The goals of the Samoa Apia Run are health and fitness, promoting the sport of running, expanding tourism, and having fun. The run is for all who like to have fun while exercising. Athletes of all fitness levels have come together in celebration of fitness, and health. Samoa Apia Run continues to grow in popularity. We are very pleased with the growing interest and participation each year. International runners are travelling here to participate in the Samoa International Half-Marathon 13.1 miles. We look forward to the upcoming event on June 30.

Once again Samoa Apia Run encourages all to promote wellness within their schools, organizations, and villages. In past events we have given special awards to student athletes, companies and individuals who make a difference and inspired others through their involvement or participation
in the race. In the 2006 event, Robert Louis Stevenson School was awarded the “School with most participants” for their inspirational efforts with over 50 students and parents participating. Other award recipients included DC Engineering as the “Company with the most participants.” Ms.
Priscilla Davidson-Betham of Robert Louis Stevenson School was honoured as the “Best Role Model” for her efforts in encouraging students and parents to participate. The Samoa Apia Run event is a celebration of fitness and life and it’s an emphatic statement to members of the community.

Along the course, there will be drink stations to provide participants with water. At the finish, there will be drinks, snacks and music for all the participants. We will have awards, medals, finisher certificates and certificates of accomplishment for the winners and age groups. Participants of the Samoa International Half-Marathoners will receive a Samoa Apia Run Finisher Polo Shirt, finisher medal, and an ula pu’a. Our volunteers will be rewarded with a nice Samoa Apia Run t-shirt and
“Certificate of Appreciation” for their great help.

The number of participants will be limited to only 500 for safety precautions. Sign up will be at Funway Rental vacant lot June 27-29 from 4 pm-6:30 pm. If you want to reserve yourself a number earlier, call 31252. The last day for sign up is June 29. There will be no sign up on race day.

The Samoa Apia Run event is a tremendous morale booster, an early morning out for everyone, and a superior race for individuals. Sign up for the event before June 29. See you on Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Funway Rental Matautu starting line. What a terrific tradition!
 

Samoa Shipping clarifies drug allegations against Samoan sailors
25 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Samoa Shipping Services General Manager, Sala Theodore Sialau Toalepai, says there was no proof that Samoan sailors working onboard the Samoa Forum Line II had anything to do with marijuana, allegedly found on the boat.

Last week, reports from American Samoa stated that a package of marjiuana was found onboard the Samoan vessel after a raid on the boat was conducted by American Samoan officials. According to Sala, a report has yet to be submitted by the American Samoa official regarding the raid and the alleged package found. He says that he and Police Assistant Commissioner, Papalii Lio Masepau, have spoken to the ship captain.

Sala adds that the captain was surprised when the officials arrived with dogs on the boat and ran around on deck. He says the ship's crew were then taken to the police station where they were interrogated. The captain also tried unsuccessfully to get the officials to let him see the package.

According to Sala, if there was any proof, then the officials would have charged someone. However, they allowed the ship to leave port.

The last port of call for the vessel before reaching American Samoa last Sunday was Fiji. Sala also confirmed that the ship's crew includes Samoans,
Polish, Filipinos and a few Fijians.

Sala's concern is that the reputations of the Samoan sailors working on the vessel might be tarnished by the report already put out by the American Samoa media.
 

Samoa Congregational Christian Church donates to hospital
23 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, has donated SAT$20,000 to the Ministry of Health. The church president, Naomi Patu, presented a cheque to the Minister of Health, Gatoloaifaana Amataga Tofilau Gidlow. The funds will support some of the Ministry's activities.

Patu says that every year since the establishment of the National Kidney Foundation unit at Moto'otua Hospital, the Faletua committee fundraises to to support the unit. This is done during the church's 'fonotele' or annual conference held at Malua Theological College.

Of the SAT$20,000 donation, $10,000 goes to the National Kidney Foundation, $5,000 to the National Hospital service and the remaining $5000 to Tuasivi Hospital in Savaii.

Gatoloaifaana thanked the Faletua for the donation and wished them the best in their conference deliberations.
 

Samoa AIDs Foundation fashion awards ready to unleash new talent
23 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

The Samoa AIDs Foundation third annual fashion awards will be held at the Hotel Kitano Tusitala this Saturday. The annual event is now in the Samoa Tourism Authority's annual calendar of events.

According to foundation representative, Roman Lee-Lo, the event is not just for providing a platform for the young designers of Samoa to develop and promote their designing skills, but also to provide an opportunity to promote their aids awareness programme.

Ten designers have signed up for the upcoming event. The judging will be based on a set criteria. Well known Cook Islands designer Ellena Tavioni Lasei is one of the judges. She said that fashion is a huge business anywhere and while some design for sales, she prefers to design for comfort.

According to the event organizers, the fashion awards is a huge success as witnessed by the success of local designer Ruby Taituuga who has gone to overseas acclaim in New Zealand.

Master of Ceremonies for the night is New Zealand's Pan-Pacific radio personality Jae'D Victor of NiuFM. SamoaTel is the major sponsor of the event with Aggie Grey's Hotel an associate sponsor.
 

Junior All Blacks - daunting task for Manu Samoa
22 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Manu Samoa has secured their first victory of the IRB Pacific Cup against the Flying Fijians winning 8-3. However, the win has not raised public confidence too high for their next game against New Zealand's Junior All Black. The Manu will take on the Junior ABs this coming Saturday at Apia Park.

While the New Zealand team is labelled as a "Junior" team, Assistant coach Papaliitele Peter Fatialofa said that "it is the All Blacks" so it won't be an easy game. Coach, Laauli Michael Jones remains hopeful though saying the boys in blue are ready to take on New Zealand's second best team.

It has been several years since a New Zealand rugby team of such high calibre will play in Samoa and the Samoa Rugby Union is expecting a good turn out to the game at Apia Park. A fundraising dinner for Manu Samoa's World Cup campaign will be held following the game at the National University of Samoa. There, guests will get a chance to dine with the players from both teams.
 

Business of the week: Le Faofao Beach Resort
21 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Le Faofao Beach Resort fales is located at one of the most secure beaches in Samoa, hence its reputation amongst locals as well as from overseas.

The resort is run and operated by Koloseta Legalo and her family at Saleapaga, Aleipata.

From humble beginnings, it has expanded with the addition of more fales and another conference house.

Although the resort began operating in late 1993, it did not attract much attention until 1995 when the family re-launched the resort with four new fales. It blossomed further when NZODA, the Samoa Tourism Authority and the Samoa Hotel Association stepped in to assist the resort.

SBEC also lent a helping hand in guaranteeing financial assistance for the resort.

The resort now has 15 fales to cater for tourists. Two major tours will fill the resort in July when a group of singers from all the states of Australia and a school from New Zealand will stay there.

The resort caters for both local and international tourists with a modest rate of SAT$80 per person for a closed fale, and SAT$75 for the open fales. The fee includes three meals, so you can't beat that for value! They also offer cultural entertainment and various tours when needed.
 

Manu Samoa dedicates win to the Malietoa
20 May 2007 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Manu Samoa's 8-3 win against the Flying Fijians in the opening IRB Pacific Nations Cup game at Apia Park last Saturday was dedicated to the memory of the late Head of State His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II.

Manu Samoa captain Brian Lima said during his interview that the boys put everything in the game, not just to win, but "for the man who had been a patron of (Samoan) rugby for many years."

Before the game, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said durin gthe launch of the new Manu Samoa jersey, that they should dedicate their game to His Highness. Not knowing that they would win, the boys worked hard to mark His Highness passing with a win.

The boys in blue were very emotional, shedding a few tears when they did their siva tau war dance as His Highness was slowly making his final journey.

In parliament, they turned up to pay their respects to His Highness, and coach Laauli Michael Jones could not hold back tears as he bowed in front of His Highness's casket.

"He was a humble man and a great leader, a role model for all to follow," Jones said.
 

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