NEWSPAGE 15 September
2010

(Photo: University of Auckland)

(Photos: Australian High Commission)

SAMOA: Launch of Village Health Fairs boosts health care for all Samoans
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

Australia is giving Samoa’s health sector a $2 million (A$1 million) boost over the next year to revitalise primary health care and reduce non communicable diseases such as diabetes.

The funding supports the Ministry of Health’s launch of Village Health Fairs as part of the Whole of Country One Health Integrated Health Program in Saleaumua yesterday. The support comes from the Samoa-Australia Partnership for Development and in the coming year, Australia will give Samoa an additional $2 million under the health partnership to:

• revitalise primary health care to reduce child and infant mortality

• undertake preventive screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through health promotion programs, including diabetes.

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson said that improving health outcomes for all Samoans is the key focus of the health partnership.

“Australia currently provides around $7 million (A$3.5 million) every year to Samoa’s health sector. The additional $2 million in funding under the new health partnership complements this assistance particularly in the areas of health promotion and quality of health care services,” Mr Anderson said.

In the first phase of the health partnership, a targeted village health promotion program is being launched. The Primary Health Care Village Based Screening Program aims to

• Reduce rates of NCDs through comprehensive screening, including mental health, boosting education and awareness and offering treatment and clinical management by specialists

• Promote safe motherhood by screening of pregnant women and children, monitor child health development and increase immunisation

• Promote public awareness on health and healthy lifestyles through provision of education materials

Screening and education will be carried out during the Village Health Fairs which will start in the 64 villages affected by the tsunami. Remaining villages will then be visited until all villages in Samoa have been covered. Following screening, referral for clinical management and follow up will be provided.

In addition to the screening, the Village Health Fairs will include activities for villages on tobacco and alcohol prevention and reduction; education on diet, exercise and healthy living and information on sexual health and STI prevention for youths.

The second phase of support under the health partnership will include further diagnostic screening and management of NCDs and maternal and child health at the district and GP clinical levels. It will also include strategies to address workforce issues related to nurses and doctors in rural and remote areas.

Photo Captions: The launch of Village Health Fairs in Saleaumua.
 

(Photo: Australia-Pacific Technical College)

AUSTRALIA: APTC students assist in rebuilding Samoa
Source: Australia-Pacific Technical College

Amongst the Samoan students from Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) who graduated on the 31st August in Apia, there are fourteen who have completed the Certificate II in Housing Repairs and Maintenance.

The College established this unique training program, Certificate II in Housing Repairs and Maintenance, with support from the National University of Samoa (NUS), the Samoa Qualifications Authority (SQA), and AusAID to assist the Samoa Government in its major reconstruction program following the September 2009 tsunami, which destroyed many villages leaving thousands homeless, and 144 dead. At the graduation the students will be celebrating with representatives from Caritas and Habitat for Humanity (partners in the project) as well as their families and the mayors from each of the five villages.

APTC Carpentry Tutor, Sajendra Bali, said that the fourteen students come from the hard-hit villages of Sale'a'auma, Salepaga, Lepa, Saitoto and Poutasito, and worked alongside Habitat for Humanity volunteers in rebuilding more than 80 fales in these villages as their contribution to the reconstruction of Samoa.

"Not only have the students taken part in this special reconstruction initiative and in the process, completed their Certificate II Housing Repairs and Maintenance studies, but they are also eligible to apply for the APTC Certificate III course in Carpentry. They are ready to make a major contribution to the construction industry in Samoa," said Bali.

Ms Francis Howes, APTC Samoa Country Manager for the School of Automotive, Construction and Electrical, and Engineering (ACEM), said that the fourteen students had just received confirmation of Scholarships to the APTC Fiji Campus to study Certificate III in Carpentry.

"What a great way for the Certificate II Housing Repair and Maintenance students to celebrate their graduation. Each of them has been awarded a Scholarship that covers the Certificate III Carpentry course fees, uniforms, travel to and from Fiji, accommodation and a small stipend," said Ms Howes. "At the end of the Certificate III Carpentry course, the students will return to Samoa. They will contribute significantly to productivity and quality in the labour pool of qualified tradesmen in Samoa."

Photo Caption: The Certificate II House Repair and Maintenance students practice their scaffolding skills with the help of Fletchers Ltd who donated the use of their site and equipment.
 

(Photo: Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau)

HAWAII: The hips don't lie: The history of Hawaii is told in the hula dancers’ moves
Source: Vancouver Sun

A traveller’s first encounter with the hula is usually an awkward one.

It generally involves a visit to Hawaii, a mai tai or two, and the coaxing of friends to jump on stage at a luau and “shake what your mother gave you.”

Your Hawaiian hosts will be generous in instruction and praise, but as a rule creaky Canadian hips just don’t swivel convincingly.

Not to worry, however. It's all part of the fun when you travel to Hawaii and begin exploring the culture of this Eden-like archipelago.

The hula is more than a dance, after all. It's an integral part of Hawaiian culture, history and storytelling.

If dance is the hidden language of the soul, as the legendary choreographer Martha Graham once said, then hula may tell some of history’s most extraordinary stories.

“Some people look at hula as just entertainment, and sometimes it is,” says Cy Bridges, a noted Hawaiian hula and culture expert.

“But at times it tells the great history of a race of people,” Bridges said. “The hula was really our hard drive — our textbook. Everything was committed to memory, because there was no written language; so we chanted, sang and danced about our lives.”

Centuries ago, Hawaiian boys and girls were chosen to dedicate their lives to hula. They were taught the physical and spiritual components of the dance, securing important positions in society.

But as American missionaries began arriving in the 1800s, the dance was declared a heathen practice and hula went underground.

It continued to be performed in secret until a new King, David Kalakaua, came to power in 1874. He led a resurgence of traditional performing arts, and the dance regained its rightful place in Hawaiian society.

Today, the hula remains a tribute to the culture of Hawaii and a wonderful doorway through which visitors can begin to understand this tropical destination.


Oahu

For many travellers, a trip to Hawaii starts on the island of Oahu, known as “the Gathering Place,” and a good place to begin to understand Hawaiian culture is the island’s Polynesian Cultural Center.

On its 17-hectare site, the centre showcases seven Pacific Island villages where visitors participate in crafts, culture and arts. A luau, canoe pageant and hula show are among the highlights.

The story of the hula is woven through many other Oahu attractions, such as the Hawaii State Museum, where art inspired by the dance and other Hawaiian culture is displayed. Also worth a visit is the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States.

A trip to Hawaii inevitably means taking a trip to the beach — and with 125 beaches on the island, there's a stretch of sand for everybody. Daredevils can brave the nine-metre waves on the North Shore while the rest of us enjoy the gently breaking surf of Waikiki.

Unforgettable snorkelling experiences also await, especially at Hanauma Bay, a nature preserve that skyrocketed to popularity when Elvis Presley filmed scenes from the movie Blue Hawaii here.

Swimming, surfing and snorkelling are sure to work up a visitor's appetite, and the island’s diverse ethnic makeup is mirrored in the local cuisine.

As the population has grown, so have the culinary options. One former island food writer takes guests on regular culinary adventures via a tour company called Hawaii Food Tours. Participants might find themselves chowing down anywhere from a local hole-in-the-wall to an elegant restaurant.


Maui

Beautiful Maui, known as The Valley Isle, boasts some of Hawaii’s best views.

One of the most popular looks onto the world's largest dormant volcano, Haleakala. A sunrise walk at the volcano is unforgettable. Mark Twain said of the experience: “It was the sublimest spectacle I ever witnessed, and I think the memory of it will remain with me always.”

Another memorable attraction is the Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, one of the most famous drives in the world. With more than 50 narrow bridges and 600 hairpin turns, this 68-kilometre slow-going road provides breathtaking views at every corner.

It's a bit tricky to navigate, but provides drivers with plenty of time to stop and smell the lokelani roses, Maui's official flower.

After completing this all-day journey, you'll understand the slogan emblazoned on local T-shirts: “I Survived the Road to Hana.”

Another must-see stop is Iao Valley State Park. Lush vegetation, natural gardens and picture-perfect waterfalls are everywhere, not surprisingly, since the area gets almost 900 centimetres of rain every year.

It's hard to imagine this peaceful park was a battleground in the late 1700s when a monarch attempted to gain control of the area and unite the islands of Hawaii. A magnificent volcanic monolith, known as the Iao Needle, was once a lookout for ancient warriors.

The art of hula is showcased and celebrated across Maui. One of the slickest shows, combing hula and a variety of other forms of dance, is Ulalena at Maui Theatre. The Maui Arts & Cultural Center often hosts international and local hula competitions, along with art exhibits, dance shows and Hawaiian storytelling workshops.

Hula embodies this island's history. And, as King Kalakaua said while encouraging the re-emergence of the dance more than a century ago: “Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.”

Photo Caption: Keiki girls dancing hula in Hawaii.
 

TONGA: Timetable of election released
Source: Government of Tonga

The Government has confirmed, with the consent of His Majesty, that, as long ago announced, there will be a general election in Tonga on 25th November 2010.

There are a number of important Bills that bring the laws into conformity with the constitutional changes and that need to be dealt with and passed before the Legislative Assembly is dissolved. Government plans to ask the Assembly to sit late and long to deal with these Bills, and others, over the following two-and-a-half weeks.

In preparation for the election, there are a number of steps that must be taken, and the Government has decided, with the consent of His Majesty and in accordance with the Constitution and the law, that the timetable for these steps shall be as follows:

• The Government has asked the King to dissolve the Legislative Assembly on 30th September and His Majesty has consented to do so, under His power in clause 77(2) of the Constitution, as usual before an election.

• The Electoral Act requires that writs for an election be issued not less than 8 weeks before an election, and accordingly under section 7 of the Electoral Act the King, on the advice of the Prime Minister, proposes to issue those writs of election on 30th September.

• The dates for the nomination of Candidates are set by the Electoral Commission who have advised that if writs of election are issued on 30th September they are likely to call for nominations of Candidates for 21st and 22nd October.

• The Election for representatives of the people and of the Nobles will be on 25th November.

• After consulting the Electoral Commission, it is expected that the writs of election will specify that the return of writs of election (advising the King of the result of the election) will be set at no later than 9th December.

• The Government, including the Cabinet and Privy Council, will continue as usual until a date when it is anticipated that all of the remaining constitutional amendments will be given Royal Assent and brought into force. From that date the Privy Council as currently constituted will no longer meet.

• From the date of the election, the Prime Minister, and Cabinet Ministers will continue in “caretaker” mode until new Prime Minister and Ministers are appointed.

• When the results of the election are known, the new Constitutional provisions will govern how a Prime Minister Designate is to be nominated by the elected representatives. When the Prime Minister Designate is appointed by the King as Prime Minister, he shall nominate his cabinet Ministers for appointment by the King under the new clause 51 of the Constitution.

• The Legislative Assembly must meet, as specified in section 14 of the Legislative Assembly Act, within 6 weeks of the return of writs of election.
 

WORLDWIDE:  Pacific human rights record to be reviewed
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

Government officials from the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa and Solomon Islands have met in Suva for a two-day meeting to discuss the upcoming human rights review of their countries by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

These countries will be among eight Pacific countries to present to the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) later this year and early in 2011. The Universal Periodic Review process is examining the human rights record of all 192 United Nations member States on an equal footing. The outcome of the review is based on submissions from States concerned, from civil society and a compilation of UN sources, and makes recommendations on areas of improvement for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The Pacific Regional Representative of the United Nations of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Matilda Bogner, said:

“The Universal Periodic Review is a great opportunity for Pacific countries to highlight the areas where human rights improvements are needed and to request assistance from the United Nations and the international community.
The UPR recognises that all members of the United Nations have obligations to further human rights even if specific international human rights treaties have not been ratified.”

The meeting was the first regional briefing that aimed to provide government officials with information on their obligation towards this process and how to prepare and engage with the UPR, and to understand the role and interest of other stakeholders in the process.
The meeting was facilitated with expertise provided from OHCHR’s Geneva Headquarters.