NEWSPAGE 17 March
2010

(Photo: Rotary International)

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

SAMOA: Vaka Gaualofa assists coral survey team
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

Vaka Gaualofa has helped ensure smooth sailing of the coral survey undertaken in Fagaloa Bay, Samoa.

Since May last year, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) has worked with the Ministry of Fisheries of the Government of Samoa to carry out a year long coral reef monitoring project at Fagaloa Bay.

The project is to assess the impact of the fresh water discharge into the Bay and is funded by the Asian Development Bank in response to complaints from residents in the area who allege that coral health and marine resources have been declining due to a power plant in the area.

“We did an extensive survey to assess the live coral cover and the fish population in Fagaloa Bay in July 2009 and since then, we have been doing more targeted surveys every three months to count the baby corals,“ said Caroline Vieux, SPREP’s Coral Reef Management Officer.

“There’s clearly a problem of coral dying in Fagaloa Bay due to sedimentation in which we experience when we carry out the monitoring but the exact causes for it are still under examination as both natural factors such as cyclones and high water temperature as well as the human factors such as the freshwater discharge from the power plant have to be considered”.

The most recent surveying carried out in March worked in partnership with the Samoa Voyaging Society and Vaka Gaualofa.

Past surveys have included a car towing a dinghy, due to the geographical situation of Fagaloa Bay; this would normally take two full days of work. Vaka Gaualofa has helped the survey team overcome complicated logistics enabling the survey to take place over a period of one day.

“The logistics of reaching Fagaloa Bay to carry out the survey are quite difficult, however with Vaka Gaualofa we have been able to work much more effectively and in a more eco-friendly way as we sailed to Fagaloa,” said Vieux.

“This has also been a positive way to support the Samoa Voyaging Society and an opportunity for the residents of the Fagaloa Bay area to see Vaka Gaualofa.”

A crew of seven helped sail the team to the survey area for which three SPREP staff carried out the coral reef monitoring.

Recommendations are currently being prepared in a report based upon the findings of the different surveys which began in May last year.
 

(Photos: Fagaitua High School Alumni Association)

AMERICAN SAMOA: FHSAA donates water coolers to schools
Source: Fagaitua High School Alumni Association Press Release

On March 12, 2010, Fagaitua High School Alumni Association (FHSAA) donated a total of seven (7) water coolers and fourteen (14) 5-gallon water jugs to schools located on the eastern district of Tutuila.

Each elementary school received one water cooler with (2) 5-gallon water jugs.

The schools presented with water coolers were: Matatula Elementary, Masefau Elementary, Aua Elementary, Mt. Alava Elementary, Afonotele Elementary and Fagaitua High School.

The presentation of water coolers and remarks were given by FHSAA Vice President Suaese Pooch Ta’ase.

Mt. Alava principal Tiana Falealii Savea gave thank-you remarks on behalf of all the principals and administrators who received the generous donation.

The FHSAA would like to thank everyone involved in providing this much needed service especially Goodyear company & Mr. Mata’ava Raymie Snow who contributed to purchasing and shipping the water coolers from the mainland to American Samoa.

Five more water coolers are on their way from the mainland and the FHSAA plans to donate them to FHS feeder schools that continue to show or express the need.

Goodyear company & Mr Mataava Raymie Snow together with the assistance of the FHS PTA were also instrumental in erecting of the FHS Marquee that was unveiled and dedicated March 4, 2010.

If you would like to be involved in upcoming alumni projects, or for more information, you may contact:
FHSAA President, Tauapai Laupola, 258-7660 / [email protected]
FHSAA Adviser, Representative Lemapu Talo, 731-5794 / [email protected]
FHSAA secretary Bethany Malae Toelupe, 258-5660 / [email protected]

The next Fagaitua Alumni Association meeting is scheduled for March 27th- 9am at the McDonald’s Conference Room.

Photo Captions: FHSAA Vice President Suaese 'Pooch' Ta'ase presents water cooler/water jugs to counselor Eleanor Lefiti for Aua Elementary; One of the many Fagaitua HS students that will benefit from the water cooler donation.
 

(Photo: Robert Gourley)

HAWAII: DOE guarantees loan for Hawaii's new wind project
Source: EnergyBoom

The Department of Energy (DOE) is guaranteeing a $117 million loan to finance the construction of a wind energy project in Hawaii.

Using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, the DOE loan will allow First Wind, a Boston-based wind power company, to finance the construction and start-up of an innovative 30-megawatt (MW) wind energy project in Kahuku, Hawaii.

The proposed Kahuku Wind project, located on the island of Oahu, involves installing twelve 2.5-MW wind turbine generators along with an innovative 15 MVA battery energy storage system for electricity load stability.

Developed by Xtreme Power in Kyle, Texas, the battery storage system will be able to provide up to 10 MW of power for at least an hour during periods of low wind speeds. The Kahuku Wind project will also include twelve 2.5 MW Clipper Liberty turbines, the largest wind turbines manufactured in North America.

The turbines will produce clean, renewable energy for about 7,700 Oahu homes a year and will avoid the production of nearly 160 million pounds of CO2. The project is expected to employ 200 people during its construction. Electricity generated by the project will be sold to the Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc.

“This is a positive step toward a major addition to Oahu’s portfolio of renewable energy sources,” said Robbie Alm, executive vice president of the Hawaiian Electric Company.

“First Wind brings demonstrated wind farm experience to this project and we welcome the opportunity to work with them to help meet our state’s critical clean energy goals.”

First Wind built and operates Hawaii’s largest wind energy facility, the 30 MW Kaheawa Wind Project in Maui.

Kaheawa Wind serves nearly 9 percent of Maui’s annual electricity needs with clean, renewable energy - enough to supply nearly 11,000 households annually. As part of the Kaheawa project, First Wind also implemented what it believes is the nation’s first Habitat Conservation Plan for a working wind energy project.

The Kahuku project will also feature a Habitat Conservation Plan so that endangered species can be protected near the project.

The State of Hawaii, which now relies on imported oil for about 90% of its energy, has set a goal of meeting 70% of its energy needs with clean energy by 2030. To meet that goal, the state teamed up with DOE to form the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. The Oahu wind farm is one of many actions needed to fulfill the energy goals of that initiative.

The awards mark the seventh and eighth conditional commitment issued by DOE's Loan Guarantee Program since March, 2009. The DOE's Loan Programs Office manages the nation's green energy loan portfolio and is authorized to issue loan guarantees under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for eligible projects that (a) avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and (b) employ new or significantly improved technologies as compared to technologies in service in the United States at the time the guarantee is issued.
 

TONGA: HRH Princess Anne to visit Tonga for Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue
Source: Matangi Tonga

Britain's Princess Royal, HRH Princess Anne (59), will visit Tonga from March 20-23 to attend part of the study tour program of the Emerging Pacific Leaders Dialogue 2010, a regional leadership development program.

The program that brings together 120 mid-career men and women from across the Pacific will open in Samoa on March 11 and close in Tonga on March 23.

Mishka Tu'ifua the Chairperson of the Emerging Pacific Leaders Tonga Steering Committee confirmed on Tuesday, March 9, that HRH Princess Anne is expected to be in Tonga for the two-day closing ceremony, after visiting New Zealand.

Mishka said that seven Tongans were selected from across the public and private sector to participate in the conference. The Tongan participants who left for Samoa on Tuesday night were Talita Tu'ipulotu, Siale 'Ilolahia, Sione 'Akau'ola, Vanessa Heleta, Tuna Likiliki, Mele 'Amanaki and Dr 'Ungatea Kata.

The participating individuals who are already emerging leaders in their own fields are given the opportunity to improve their skills through the exposure touring to other Pacific countries, and networking with other professionals.

"This is an opportunity to network with other people from our diverse Pacific culture to share ideas on what more we can do for our countries in all areas of development," said Talita Tu'ipulotu an Assistant Secretary at the Tonga Royal Constituency Boundaries Commission, the youngest of the Tongan participants.

Study Tour

From March 13-21 the Study Tour program would divide participants into ten groups consisting of 13 members. Each group would visit a separate Pacific island ranging from Australia, New Zealand, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa before coming to Tonga for the closing.

The participants are expected to present reports in the Closing Session to HRH Princess Anne in Nuku'alofa.

Established under the Commonwealth Study Conferences (Australia) Inc. the program is funded particularly by the New Zealand and Australian Governments with sponsorships from governments and private sectors from across the Pacific.

The theme of the EPLD 2010 is "Navigating our Future Together" and will focus on the significance of leadership in the context of relevant sub-themes including sustainable economic growth; regional co-operation and infrastructure; good governance; security; stability; strengthening communities; environment; industry; education and health.

The founder of the Commonwealth Study Conferences is HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, who has said that, "the objective is for members to look, listen and learn in the hope that the process will help them to improve the quality of their decision-making when they reach the peaks of their occupations."
 

(Photos: eventpolynesia.com)

WOLDWIDE: Leti Leti to step into the ring at Faleata Gym 1 for the last time
Source: eventpolynesia.com

Samoa boxing sensation Leti Leti will be saying his good byes when he steps into the boxing ring at Faleata Gym 1 next Tuesday 23 March for the last time.

Leti is not fighting in the upcoming Samoa Pro Am Fights but will still get the opportunity to step into the ring as special guest to pay tribute to Samoa boxing where it all started for him before he makes his move to the United States.

Last month, Leti’s Las Vegas based co-manager Cameron Dunkin announced Leti’s signing with TKO Boxing promotions coinciding with a media conference in Samoa.

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

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 in Auckland, New Zealand, knocking out Aaron Bartlett in the first round of their January 31 bout.

Samoan boxing promoter 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 going to be a bright light on the international stage and another great sport ambassador for Samoa.”

Two other local boxers now fighting in New Zealand, Warren Fuiava (light heavyweight) and Vaitele Soi (cruiserweight) have set personal goals to join Leti in Las Vegas in the future. Both have claimed the right to represent New Zealand in the upcoming Bloodisloe Cup by winning their fights in Auckland in the New Zealand selection trials.

Teleiai also confirmed Samoa middleweight champion Afakasi Pele Faumui will be making his first fight appearance in New Zealand on Tuesday 13th April.

“Warren and Vaitele’s success in New Zealand with Afakasi joining them next month is a testimony of the results delivered by the Samoa Pro Am Fights,” said Teleiai.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Leti Leti preparing for his debut fight in Auckland.

Photo 2 - Vaitele Soi warming up for the NZ Bloodisloe Selection Trials.

Photo 3 - Warren Fuiava with his corner after winning in Auckland.