NEWSPAGE 26 February
2010

(Photo: Nick Bakulich)

NEW ZEALAND: NZ Samoa and Australia Samoa Women square-off for the first time

(Photos: eventpolynesia.com)

SAMOA: Boxing sensation Leti Leti signs with TKO Boxing Promotions
Source: eventpolynesia.com

Samoa boxing sensation Leti Leti has signed with TKO Boxing Promotions. The announcement was made on Monday by Leti’s Las Vegas based co-manager Cameron Dunkin to coincide with a special media conference in his home country of Samoa on Thursday this week.

Event Polynesia Managing Director and Leti’s Samoa based co-manager, Teleiai Edwin Puni, says this is a great achievement for Samoa where professional boxing is struggling to get commercial backing to fund the much needed professional tournaments.

According to Teleiai, “Leti is currently spending time with his family in Samoa before moving to the United States where he will be based and exposed to a new audience and U.S. television. Leti is going to be a bright light on the international stage and TKO Promotions is the perfect promoter.”

Leti, 22, has an impressive amateur history starting as Samoa Bantam Weight champ from 2003 to 2004 then Samoa Featherweight champ in 2006. 2007 Leti became Samoa Light Welterweight champ and won Samoa a Gold medal in the 2007 Oceania Tournament.

Leti moved to New Zealand later in 2007 and became the New Zealand Welterweight champ the following year as well as 2009 before he made his professional debut last month in Auckland, New Zealand, knocking out Aaron Bartlett in the first round of their January 31 bout.

“Leti is the goods and the hottest prospect to come out of the Samoa - New Zealand region since David Tua,” said Dunkin.

Teleiai also disclosed, “With a win each to Warren Fuiava (light heavyweight) and Vaitele Soi (cruiserweight) in Auckland last month in the New Zealand selection trials, both boxers have claimed the right to represent New Zealand in the upcoming Bloodisloe Cup and have set personal goals to join Leti in Las Vegas in the future.”

Warren Fuiava and Vaitele Soi’s success is a testimony of the pathway set up by Event Polynesia three years to the month in association with South Pacific Boxing Incorporated and the Samoa Amateur Boxing Association to deliver to the world stage more champions like Maselino Masoe, Jimmy Thunder and David Tua.

Teleiai added, “Look out for Afakasi Pele Faumui and Oli Filimaua in the next Samoa Pro Am Fights in Apia scheduled Tuesday 23rd March 2010.
 

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Leti Leti in Auckland being congratulated by (left to right) former Manu Samoa captain and rugby legend Papaliitele Peter Fatialofa, his father Fainuulua Emelio former Samoa & South Pacific Heavyweight champion and WBO Asia Pacific Heavyweight contender, Lauaki Fred Tuilagi double international for Samoa in rugby and league, and Leapai Ricky Brown ‘The Samoan Bomber 52’ former NFL professional player.

Photo 2 - (Standing left to right) Ricky Brown, Lauaki Fred Tuilagi, Chauncy Welliver (WBO Asia Pacific Interim Heavyweight Champion), John Glozzier (NZ co-manager), Teleiai Edwin Puni, Sooalo Setu Mua, Papaliitele Peter Fatialofa, Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera, (Seated left to right) Rosa Tomasi-Puni, Fainuulua Emelio Leti, Leti Leti and Ale Vena Ale of South Pacific Boxing Inc. after signing of ‘Management Agreement’ in October 2009.

AUSTRALIA: Progress in Cairns Compact
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

There has been steady and satisfactory progress recorded in the implementation of the Cairns Compact since it was endorsed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders at their meeting in Cairns in August last year.

At the Cairns meeting Leaders expressed their deep concern that the Pacific region remains off-track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. This is despite continued high levels of development assistance over many years,

Leaders agreed there was an urgent need to establish a new development compact for the Pacific given the need to improve development outcomes, address the impact of the global economic downturn, and strengthen long-term economic resilience.

The key objective of the Cairns Compact will be to drive more effective coordination of available development resources from both Forum Island countries and all development partners, centred on the aim of achieving real progress against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“There has been steady and satisfactory progress so far in the implementation of the key deliverables in the Compact as arrangements are underway for the peer review process, one of the deliverables of the Compact, to be conducted in Nauru and Kiribati. This will include a self assessment of the two countries’ national planning processes to be followed by country visits by peer review teams,” says Feleti Teo, Acting Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

The implementation of other deliverables which include reporting on national development plans has also begun with the reporting template being distributed to Forum Island countries for their completion.

Work has also begun on preparations for the MDGs Tracking Report and a template for the Development Partners Reports is undergoing consultation. A draft report on the Roadmap on Public Expenditure is expected at the end of March and discussions have been initiated with the Asian Development Bank and other partners such as the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO) on a modality for the high level dialogue with the private sector in the region.

“As the agency coordinating the implementation of the Compact, the Forum Secretariat is very much encouraged by the cooperation shown by Forum member governments and development partners in taking part in the implementation of the deliverables of the Compact,” Mr Teo said.
 

(Photo: Honolulu Advertiser)

USA: Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act passed
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced recently that the House, by a vote of 245 Yeas to 164 Nays, passed H.R. 2314, the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009. This legislation will give Native Hawaiians the right to organize and form their own government similar to that of the Native American tribes and indigenous Native Alaskans.

“Yesterday, the House took a historical step towards affording our Pacific brothers and sisters the opportunity to organize their own government similar to the First Americans and the indigenous Native Alaskans. This legislation is a culmination of 10 years of hard work by the congressional delegation from Hawaii and I want to recognize the efforts of my good friends Congressman Abercrombie and Congresswoman Hirono, as well as the hard work of Senators Akaka and Inouye,” Faleomavaega said.

“For the past 10 years, the Congress has debated the status of Native Hawaiians and whether they should be treated in the same way as Native American Indians and Native Alaskans. Opposing views claim that this legislation would create a race-based government setting a new precedent for communities across the U.S. But as myself and my colleagues have been arguing, the Congress has the constitutional power to provide for the recognition of the indigenous people of this nation prior to European contact irrespective of whether it is in the 48 contingent states, Alaska, or Hawaii,” Faleomavaega explained.

“Native Hawaiians are in fact indigenous, aboriginal people living within what is now the borders of the United States, and it is unfortunate that even today the status of some 400,000 indigenous Native Hawaiians have yet to be afforded the same recognition as our first Americans.”

“Similar bills have been approved before by the House only to fall short in the Senate. And while the Senate has yet to vote on the current bipartisan legislation, I am hopeful that with the leadership of Senators Akaka and Inouye the Senate will approve this important piece of legislation. President Obama has also indicated that he will sign the legislation if it reaches his desk,” Faleomavaega said.

“Again, I want to recognize Congressman Abercrombie, Congresswoman Hirono, and all the supporters of this historical legislation. I want to thank Chairman Nick Rahall and the Committee on Natural Resources for his leadership. And I also want to commend Haunani Apoliona and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for their commitment to protect the rights of Native Hawaiians. I want to especially acknowledge Senator Akaka for his kokua for Native Hawaiians and all Pacific Islanders.”

“On a different note, I want to take this opportunity to wish my good friend, Neil, a fond farewell as he resigns from his commitments in the House this Friday to pursue the Governorship for the State of Hawaii in the November elections. Neil and I have both worked closely for the past 20 years. In the Committee on Natural Resources, we both fought hard for the protection of our environment and for the rights of all indigenous groups. Neil will be truly missed as he is a true friend and one who has continued to work both sides of the aisle. He has represented Hawaii’s First District well and I wish him the very best,” Congressman Faleomavaega concluded.
 

Photo Caption: Queen Lili'uokalani was the last ruler before the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. The passing the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2009 paves the way for recognition of a Native Hawaiian government.

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Former Navuturiki School relocates to Walaha
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Sunday February 14th marked a significant and a historical moment for the people of Bulubulu Ward in West Ambae as over a hundred people gathered to witness the relocation of the former Navuturiki Secondary School to Walaha in West Ambae.

School authorities believe the move was inspired by God who allowed the situation to develop to its present state.

It wasn’t until February 2009 that the disputes over Navuturiki reached its lowest point. Despite the intervention of the government and its education authorities nothing much was achieved.

The dispute had been over various issues including land ownership; that a majority of the teachers were only from a particular area; and that the school was supposed to have been a French secondary school (as it was originally), as opposed to an English medium school.

Other meetings by chiefs, Apostolic Church Vanuatu (ACV) Education Authority and church leaders yielded no tangible results.

This forced the ACV Education and the ACV National Council to find other alternative locations.

As the centre of many of the surrounding villages of Bulubulu Ward, Walaha was chosen.

The location was also chosen because of it's good anchorage and its close proximity to the airport and clinic while boasting a good sports ground, shopping centre, large community assistance, adequate water wells and permanent buildings that could be turned into dormitories and classrooms.

Six years ago the former ACV President and now the Education Authority chairman Pastor Levi Karo signed an agreement with the government that allowed the two parties to work in partnership in education.

The church has since established five primary schools and one secondary school registered under the ACV Education Authority.

ACV Director Paul Pala said at the relocation: “I urge everyone to work together, communities and other denominations for the betterment of this new school and for our children’s benefit.”

Unfortunately for this year, the ministry has not posted any government teachers there as the teachers’ postings had already been made which means the school will have to wait until next year.

However the church’s education authority is making everything possible to find teachers to fill in the gap.

A church service was held at the Walaha Apostolic church at the launch.

Next year the school will have its first Year 10 and it is the church’s wish that the school would finally grow into the future to offer PSSC exams (Year 12) and Year 13 in the future.
 

Photo Caption: Inside the Year 9 classroom.
 

WORLDWIDE: UAE launches Pacific Islands Partnership Program
Source: Consultus Press Release

Building upon the first visit of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the South Pacific region in February 2010, the UAE has today officially launched the ‘Partnership in the Pacific Program’, formally inviting organizations from the South Pacific region to participate.

Discussed with Pacific Island leaders during the recent Ministerial visit, the program seeks to facilitate cooperation between the UAE and Pacific Island nations in the development of sustainable responses to the key social, environmental and broader developmental challenges affecting these countries.

The Program forms part of the UAE's broader efforts to deepen its relations with the island states. During the five-day tour of the Pacific region that included Tuvalu, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Palau and the Kingdom of Tonga among others, Sheikh Abdullah held meetings with senior government officials and explored the possibility of identifying areas of bilateral cooperation, particularly on developmental issues as well as renewable energy.

The Program announces a 183 million dirham (US$50 million) fund that the UAE has established to finance specific projects and partnerships in the Pacific Islands in key areas, including education, social and health care services, as well as infrastructure and energy issues.

The UAE’s focus on the island grouping is in response to the critical needs of these countries, which are on the front line of the battle against the impacts of climate change. Despite being the lowest contributors to this phenomenon, they are viewed as the most vulnerable to the consequences of climate change.

According to HH Sheikh Abdullah, “This program is consistent with the UAE’s long-standing record of international cooperation and its diverse foreign aid efforts which have been a key pillar of UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan's international affairs strategy.”

With an active foreign policy portfolio, HH Sheikh Abdullah continued by saying, “the UAE is committed to developing partnerships and providing solutions to the island states of the South Pacific and is looking forward to closer engagement for meaningful and deeper ties.”

The partnership aims to assist individual countries in their own efforts to address social, economic and environmental issues. In the area of climate change, it seeks to establish a new model for country-to-country and country-to-region cooperation to address the domestic and cross-border impacts of climate change.

The partnership program will be overseen by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will be managed by the government-owned Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, which has established nearly 200 individual projects in more than 50 countries since 1971.

Beyond financial partnership, the other key elements of the program include facilitating dialogue between key stakeholders; developing research and academic partnerships; as well as developing working mechanisms and capacity-building programs.

A number of other major developments were made during the Minister’s recent visit. For example, in Tonga, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Sheikh Abdullah and the HRH the Crown Prince of Tonga, Taouto’a-Lavaka, that pledged amongst other items to aid the Kingdom of Tonga achieve its 50% renewable energy targets.

During this key visit which marked a turning point for UAE relations with the nations of the South Pacific, His Highness was accompanied by Minister of State Reem Al Hashimy, Dr. Saeed Al Shamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Australia, Assistant Minister for Economic Affairs Khaled al Ghaith, Acting Director-General for Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Mohammed al Suwaidi and Group Vice President of Taqa, Abddulla Khunji, Mohammed Al Khaja from IPIC, as well as other diplomats from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.