NEWSPAGE 24 September
2010

(Photo: 3 News)

SAMOA: Samoa hosts first jazz and blues fest
Source: 3 News

Musicians from all over the world are gathering in Samoa for a jazz and blues festival, the first of its kind in the country.

It's proven so popular, that its Kiwi organiser has had to turn away some international artists who want to perform.

Maori blues singer Billy TK Junior has performed with some of the world's best known musicians.

But to join him and 92 of his favourite artists and crew live, you'll have to jet across the Pacific Ocean to Upolu for Samoa's inaugural jazz and blues festival.

"Once I'd personally been there and seen how beautiful it was and how the people were, it was pretty much a no brainer to have something in Samoa like this," he says.

Among the confirmed acts for the three-day November gig is Australian rock musician Ian Moss of Cold Chisel fame.
Also in the line-up, the lead member of Street Talk, Kiwi blues man Hammond Gamble.

In fact, musicians from around the world have been so keen to play at the festival he's had to turn many away - for now.

"The thing I always say to them is, 'Hey, there's always next year."

With strong ticket sales in Canada, Australia and Tonga, and a swag of Samoan sponsors and package deals, the festival is on track to become an annual event.

For those who can't jet set across the Pacific, don't despair - Billy and a handful of musicians will tour New Zealand vineyards at the end of October.

Photo Caption: Billy TK Junior.
 

(Photo: Lani Wendt Young)

AUSTRALIA: Australia supports Samoan tsunami book
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release

Australia’s support for publishing Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi (Wave of Fire) written by Lani Wendt Young about last year’s devastating tsunami, will give all Samoans further insight into the tragedy and the need to heed the call to be prepared for natural disasters.

Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi, which will be launched next week on the eve of the first anniversary of the tsunami, captures stories of the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, as well as the incredible bravery of survivors and those who responded to the disaster.

Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson said Australia’s support to publishing 5000 copies of Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi is a reflection of Australia’s enduring friendship with Samoa.

“In her book, Lani has captured poignant memories of the devastating tsunami and the journey since. The stories are heavy with loss and sadness but they are also stories filled with courage, hope and strength,” Mr Anderson said.

“And from these powerful stories, there are some key messages we must all heed in the Pacific - we can never be too prepared for a natural disaster and we should head inland and to higher ground following an earthquake.”

“I would like to congratulate Lani on her sensitive, thoughtful and well written account of the disaster and also on her success in winning a Commonwealth writers commendation for her tsunami short story announced last week.”

“Australia is very proud to support the publication of Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi with funds from the Australian Aid Program. We hope this support reminds all Samoans that Australia stands ready to help our Pacific neighbours whenever and wherever there is a need.”

Mr Anderson said in the wake of the tsunami, Australia provided A$12 million to help Samoa, reflecting Australia’s friendship with Samoans and our joint determination to help Samoa rebuild.

Pacific Tsunami Galu Afi will be launched on 27 September 2010. The book will be sold for $50 from Plantation House, Aggie Grey’s Hotel, Aggie Grey’s Resort, and Samoa Money Exchange. All profits from book sales will go to tsunami rebuilding efforts.

Photo Caption: Author of Galu Afi, Lani Wendt Young.
 

(Photo: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega)

USA: SSA field office presented commissioner's team award
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he recently hosted staff members of Social Security Administration (SSA) Field Office in American Samoa who traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to receive the Commissioner's Team Award for their exceptional participation in the American Samoa Tsunami Recovery Group. The Commissioner's Team Award is the highest honour award in the Agency and the greatest recognition of accomplishments that a team can receive. It is presented to employees for their superior contributions to SSA’s mission and the public they serve. This is the first time that American Samoa has received this prestigious award.

The SSA Commissioner National Honour Awards Ceremony was held on September 16th in Baltimore, Maryland. The event welcomed over 1,000 SSA employees, representing the Agency’s 10 regions. Out of eight teams selected by the Commissioner this year, two teams represented San Francisco Region IX- a diverse region that includes California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Island, and is comprised of over 6,870 employees and 162 local offices.

The American Samoa Tsunami Recovery Group, comprised of staff from American Samoa, Kapolei District, and other components of San Francisco Region IX, was recognized for their outstanding performance and dedication with providing support in the recovery efforts following the American Samoa tsunami natural disaster. The following staff from American Samoa received this high honour:

• Ms. Pafuti Ana Tupua, Level 1 Manager of American Samoa Field Office
• Mrs. Nina Patu-A’asa, Claims Representative
• Mr. Jung H. Lee, Claims Representative
• Mrs. Rowena L. Jennings, Service Representative
• Mrs. Lupe Aumavae-Tauanuu, Service Representative

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and congratulations to the staff of the American Samoa Tsunami Recovery Group. I commend you for receiving this prestigious national honor and I thank you for your exemplary service to the people of American Samoa, especially in your recovery efforts following last year’s devastating tsunami. I extend my gratitude to our staff from American Samoa as well as their colleagues from the San Francisco Region, including the Kapolei District,” the Congressman stated

“I was delighted and honoured to be able to personally congratulate Ms. Pafuti “Ana” Tupua and members of her staff from American Samoa in my D.C. office last week. I appreciate your taking the time to meet with me and my staff to discuss the important strides that your office is making, as well as some of the challenges and concerns of SSA field offices across the nation,” the Congressman added.

“Congratulations on being the first team from American Samoa to receive the Commissioner’s Team Award. Thank you for your service and commitment to the people of American Samoa. I wish you all much success in the year ahead,” the Congressman concluded.

Photo Caption: At the completion of their lunch in the Members Only dining room inside the Capitol, Congressman Faleomavaega is pictured with his guests on the Capitol steps, including members of the SSA staff from American Samoa, along with Mr. Sam A’asa who accompanied his wife Nina A’asa on the trip, and Reverend Dr. Misipouena Tagaloa and his lovely wife, faletua o Mareta - pastors of the Second Samoan Congregational Church of Long Beach, California who visited the Congressman on the same day. L-R: Pafuti Ana Tupua, Rowena L. Jennings, Sam A’asa, Nina Patu-A’asa, Rev. Dr. Misipouena Tagaloa, Congressman Faleomavaega, and Mrs. Mareta Tagaloa.
 

(Photo: Vanuatu Daily Post)

VANUATU: Clean up campaign boosts Vanuatu's image
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Vanuatu joined 120 countries around the world for the sixth time this year in the “Clean Up the World Campaign”.

A joint partnership between the Vanuatu Police Force Capacity Building Project, the Australian High Commission, Port Vila Municipal Council, Wan Smol Bag and other NGOs and business houses put hands together and organised this year’s event.

Police Commissioner Joshua Bong said while Vanuatu has been named the Happiest Place on Earth twice, to maintain that position, “we must sustain our clean environment, our parks, our waterways, our public areas and our streets”.

He said with a clean environment, more tourists would want to come here.

Activities for Clean Up Port Vila were staged at Sea Front stage with the program starting at 8:30am.

Clean Up Campaign boosts Vanuatu image: Bong

A majority of the participants were primary school children.

People also came in groups representing business houses, church groups, friends, schools, and even as individuals.

Police officer Philip Shem commented that each year the number of people taking part has been increasing.

And for the first time this year, the Department of Correctional Service took part; with offenders serving community-based sentences also helping to clean up the town.

The detainees at the Low Risk Centre designed and printed the shirts that were worn by the staff and those under the department, including the detainees.

The department also distributed 50 blue garbage bags that were sponsored by the Clean Up committee, to the villages around Efate.

One of the main highlights of the day were the give-away prizes, which saw 22 lucky young people walking away with brand new bicycles sponsored by business houses.

Cynthia John, a staff of Le Lagon resort told Daily Post that she was happy to see a lot of people taking part in the clean up campaign.

She said: “It is good to see people eager to clean up the town.”

Cynthia appealed to the public to respect the town by throwing their rubbish in the right place.

Another member of the public, Stanley Lolomae said he also liked the idea to clean up our town, because, “it helps to educate our children about how to care for our environment”.

Stanley said cleaning the environment was a way of fighting climate change.

The Clean Up committee worked closely with the Municipality to help promote the use of the new ‘Yellow Bags’ introduced by the Municipality.

Port Vila Town Clerk Toco Mara congratulated everyone for taking part.

“Keeping Port Vila clean is everybody’s business,” he said.

He said the town belonged to everybody and the municipality staff alone could not clean up the whole town.

Outgoing Australian High Commissioner John Pilbeam commented that this year’s event was the biggest, compared to the past years.

He also said because there were more people taking part in the campaign, it meant that more people were made aware of the rubbish around town, as well as around the world.

He said it was good to have a clean town, making it a “healthy place” to live, encouraging everyone to buy the yellow bags introduced by PVMC.

He also said part of the campaign was how people categorised rubbish.

People need to differentiate which type of rubbish should be put in the yellow bags and those that could be recycled, he said.

Mr Pilbeam said the High Commission was happy to support the campaign and would like to see people keep their surroundings clean.

There was free lunch and live music from the VMF band, Wan Smol Bag Dance group and Young Life music group for everyone to enjoy.

Clean Up the World is a global campaign started by an Australian sailor Ian Kiernan in 1989. Vanuatu joined the campaign six years ago, and the Vanuatu Police Force has been on the front line, coordinating the event.

Photo Caption: This was the result of last Saturday's Clean-Up Port Vila.
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

WORLDWIDE: Tonga and Tuvalu collaborate to protect whales and dolphins
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

Tonga and Tuvalu are the newest signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to protect cetaceans in the Pacific islands region. The signing took place during the 21st Annual Meeting of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme held in Madang, Papua New Guinea from 6 to 10 September. The Memorandum of Understanding for the conservation of cetaceans and their habitats in the Pacific islands region operates in the spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation toward the protection of whales and dolphins and their habitats.

The non-legally binding arrangement was opened for signing in 2006 and now has a total of 13 SPREP member countries signed. The MoU was concluded under the auspices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

Under this MoU, whales and dolphins are recognised as an integral part of the marine environment connect ecosystems and cultures and should be conserved for the benefit of present and future generations. It also encourages countries to implement the Whale and Dolphin Action Plan, the goal of which is to conserve whales and dolphins and their habitats for the peoples of the Pacific Islands region.

“We warmly welcome Tonga and Tuvalu and are pleased that they have signed this important MoU,” said David Sheppard the Director of SPREP.

“While it is based on mutual understanding that we will cooperate to protect the whales and dolphins in our region, it does come under the CMS which is a United Nations Convention, thus providing wider recognition”.

The regional Whale and Dolphin Action plan has nine themes for achievement: National, Regional and International Collaboration and Cooperation; Threat Reduction; Ecosystem/Habitat Protection; Capacity Building; Education and Awareness; Cultural Significance and Value; Legislation and Policy; Research and Monitoring; Whale and Dolphin-based Tourism.

The MoU can develop into a legally-binding agreement which would require wider consultation and negotiation.


News Brief - Pacific Countries sign to Protect Marine Species

In September at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme six members signed different MoU’s under the Convention of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

• Papua New Guinea signed the Indian Ocean-South-East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding

• Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of dugongs and their habitats through-out their range.

• Nauru and Tuvalu signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks.

• Tonga and Tuvalu signed the Memorandum of understanding for the conservation of cetaceans and their habitats in the pacific islands region

For more details on the Action Plans to protect these species in the Pacific please download the Pacific Islands Regional Marine Species Programme 2008 - 2012 at: http://www.sprep.org/topic/pdf/marinespeciesweb.pdf


Turtle Conservation in Papua New Guinea: Karkum Conservation Area

By Clive Hawigen International Year of Biodiversity Campaign Coordinator at SPREP

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme’s (SPREP) financial assistance of US$2000 to the Mas Kagin Tapani Association (also known as Makata), a community based conservation organisation in Papua New Guinea, will aid efforts to protect nests of the endangered Leatherback and Green sea turtles in the Karkum Conservation Area to help maximise hatchling production for these two species. The collection of important nesting data, as well as general education and awareness is also an integral component.

The Karkum Conservation area, situated some 60km north of the provincial capital of Madang, is an initiative of the Duargo Community Development Association (DCDA). The Makata, whose name means “Sea Guardian” in the local Bel or Takia languages of Madang, manages and supports the initiative. The Duargo community, comprising six villages with over 3000 people, decided to establish a conservation area covering their gray sand beaches to preserve the leather back turtle from extinction.

Mr Wenceslaus Magun, National Coordinator of the Makata, said they started the turtle conservation project in 2006 and, by 2009, had motivated communities to change their habitual killing of turtles and harvesting of turtle eggs.

He explained that a turtle training workshop facilitated by one of SPREP’s former staff, Job Opu, had resulted in the DCDA forming beach rangers who are responsible for tagging turtles, recording data and protecting nests by deploying protective grids over the nests. These protective grids are made from bamboo, which grows in clumps along the adjacent foreshore.

He added that the beach rangers were also well versed with turtle and wider-marine conservation issues and were able to articulate these through awareness campaigns to other coastal communities along the Madang coasts.

Commenting on SPREP’s assistance to the Makata, SPREP’s Marine Species Officer, Mr Lui Bell said, “Assistance from SPREP to the Makata is important to as it continues to support the Karkum community’s conservation efforts.”

SPREP will continue to support both Makata and the DCDA in any way possible, with further long term assistance being sought through linking Makata with potential donors.

Mr Bell said part of a Letter of Agreement which SPREP has with Makata includes submission of a report documenting recommendations on needs for the improvement of the community project.

Of the seven species of the world’s marine turtles, six occur in PNG marine waters. These include the Flatback, Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead and Olive Ridley turtles. Of these six, the Hawksbill, Green and Leatherback turtles are most common.

From previous survey results and anecdotal information, PNG has some of the largest remaining populations of Hawksbill, Green and Leatherback turtles in the world today. However, these populations and especially the leatherback turtle have rapidly declined.