NEWSPAGE 08 October
2010

(Photo: Iwi Art Gallery)

(Photo: eventpolynesia.com)

SAMOA: 'Good Samaritans' of tsunami Samoa
Source: eventpolynesia.com

Rev. Isaia Tiatia’s speech, he said, “The work performed by the nurses at Lalomanu District Hospital, the Police, Fire Service and Rescue, the media people and volunteers like the Samoa Health Mission from New Zealand, are some of the Good Samaritans of the tsunami Samoa story.”

“The whole day I have been conducting church services to remember those that died during the tsunami. In contrast, this candle light service is about remembering the living service of the many Government offices and agencies, also the international community that came to Samoa’s time of need.”

Rev. Tiatia, the church minister for the whole Lalomanu village conducted the special service at Lalomanu District Hospital, on the anniversary evening of the tsunami disaster, Wednesday, 29th September 2010.

In her testimony during the service, Tautala, the nurse manager at Lalomanu said “As soon as the dead bodies and the wounded started arriving at the hospital, we could not hold back the tears as we tried to cope with the unprecedented number of casualties. My family at Lepa contacted me as I arrived at work to say that our home was completely destroyed and we have lost all our belonging but they were alive.”

Elikapo, head of the Lalomanu Police Station reflected on the emotional and physiological challenges faced by the police and search teams that were looking for missing bodies buried under the debris and sand in the second and third day after the tsunami.

Va’asiliega of Radio 2AP shared the hard decisions media people hand to make to limit photos and footage coverage of the dead bodies to maintain their dignity for the sake of their families and children, especially those watching from overseas.

Togiaioatua Vaifagaloa, chairperson of Samoa Health Mission in her testimony said, “Thirty five nurses from New Zealand, three from Australian and a couple from USA with links to Samoa responded immediately. All gave up their annual leave, with most paying their own airfares to return home to help in the wake of the tragedy.”

At the end of the service, candles were then lit with Reverend Isaia Tiatia blessing the Lalomanu District Hospital compound to disperse any stories of ghosts of tsunami victims appearing at the hospital.

“The are no ghosts roaming the hospital compound, only evil spirits trying to frighten the staff if our faith in God is weak,” said Rev. Tiatia.

According to Pa’u Fereti Puni of Samoa Health Mission, “The candle light service was a great acknowledgement of the humanitarian work performed by many during the tsunami. The participation of Samoa Health Mission in a way represented the numerous Good Samaritans both locally and from abroad who helped Samoa. While the focus is still with the families that lost loved ones, it is also important to recognize the emotional and psychological sacrifice by many tsunami relief workers.”

The candle light service at Lalomanu was broadcast live on 2AP and was the last program in the series of church services held around Samoa on the tsunami anniversary.

Photo Caption: Rev. Isaia Tiatia with members of various organizations at Lalomanu Hospital.
 

(Photo: Australian Government)

AUSTRALIA: Marles to visit Pacific neighbours
Source: Australian High Commission Press Release via Scoop Independent News

Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Richard Marles MP, embarked on his first visit to the region on Tuesday.

He will visit Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, New Caledonia and New Zealand from 5-12 October.

The visit will be an opportunity to establish early contact with leaders in the region and affirm Australia's commitment to enhanced engagement in the Pacific.

Mr Marles will also discuss regional issues of shared interest. Australia will work closely with Vanuatu, as chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, and other Forum countries, in implementing the outcomes from the Forum Leaders' meeting in Port Vila in August 2010.

He will have the opportunity to see, first hand, projects funded by Australia's aid program, including a health centre in Solomon Islands and a primary school in Vanuatu.

The visit will help advance Australia's objectives of building peace, security and prosperity in the Pacific region.

Photo Caption: Mr Marles says he'll use the trip to discuss regional issues and outcomes of the recent Pacific Islands' Forum leaders meeting.
 

USA: Fa’au’uga To’oto’o confirmed as a Hawaii Circuit Court judge
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega has offered his congratulations to Judge Fa’au’uga To’oto’o, who was recently confirmed as a Circuit Court judge for the State of Hawaii. Judge To’oto’o will be sworn in on October 7, 2010 making him the first judge of Samoan ancestry to be appointed to the Circuit Courts of the State of Hawaii.

On July 13, 2010, Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle nominated To’oto’o and submitted his name to the State Senate to fill a judicial vacancy in the First Circuit, which covers Oahu. Following a vote of 5-0 by the Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee, the nomination was then sent to the Senate, where senators supported To’oto’o with an overwhelming vote of 22-0, on August 6, 2010.

Prior to his nomination, Judge To’oto’o served as a District Court judge of the First Circuit since 1994, and previously served as Deputy Prosecutor for the City and County of Honolulu for ten years.

A native of Nu’uuli, American Samoa, and a graduate of Leone High School, To’oto’o later received his undergraduate degree from Missouri Valley College and his law degree from St. Louis University School of Law in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his family reside in Waimanalo, Hawaii.

In addition to his professional successes, Judge To’oto’o is also a servant to the local community, volunteering with organizations such as Hawai’i Youth Challenge Academy, Mo’okini He’iau Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Waimanalo Community Fairs and Waianae Christmas Parade. He is also Chair of Nu’u Ministries, which sponsors the Lumana’i Awards in recognition of outstanding high school seniors of Samoan decent who have made significant contributions to their schools.

“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Circuit Court Judge Fa’au’uga To’oto’o. His recent nomination and confirmation to such as prestigious position are a reflection of years of service and hard work. Though the hours and dedication required of someone in his position are demanding, he continues to make time to volunteer his service to the community. For that, he is also to be commended,” Faleomavaega stated.

“Years ago, my former law school classmate, Mr. Paul Toyozaki, was serving as Deputy Prosecutor for the City and County of Honolulu while Fa’au’uga was applying for a position as a City Prosecutor. I recommended Fa’au’uga highly to Mr. Toyozaki for his exceptional talent, integrity, and hard work. I was very pleased to hear the news when Fa’au’uga started his legal career as a prosecutor for the City and County of Honolulu, and I am even more pleased to share today the news of his continued success.”

“It is my understanding that when Mr. Toyozaki found out that the Hawaii State Bar Association did not recommend Fa’au’uga as Circuit Judge without any explanation or reason, Toyozaki personally went before the Hawaii State Senate Judiciary Committee, testifying in support of Fa’au’uga and severely criticizing the Hawaii State Bar Association. Numerous community leaders also testified in support of Fa’au’uga, attesting to his character and leadership role in the community,” Faleomavaega added.

“Again, I want to congratulate Judge To’oto’o for this monumental accomplishment. I, especially, want to thank him for being a role model to our community and for the years of service he has committed to promoting fairness and justice through the law. I pray for his continued success in the Hawaii’s First Circuit Court and beyond,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

(Photo: World Wines Culture Committee)

VANUATU: Healthy workforce remains a concern for Vanuatu PSC
Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

Sustaining and developing a healthy workforce remains one of the biggest worry for the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the country and investing in a healthy population is one main focus of the PSC.

This was a concern raised by Minister for Trades and Acting Prime Minister Sato Kilman as he opened the 8th Pacific Public Service Commissioners conference last week.

Addressing Pacific PSC, Kilman emphasized that if Vanuatu and Many other Pacific islands countries are not careful about their healthy workforce, the ratio of diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure within the public service unit may become great concern for the community.

Health records of Pacific islands have shown that lifestyle diseases of public servants is becoming a major threat on life’s and this is worrying for many countries and in Vanuatu, health records indicate this worrying trend for many civil servants already.

“In fact, some of our best and brightest sons and daughters Vanuatu needs them most and we know who these people are”.

Kilman questioned “What does this tell the public servants about their responsibility to the younger people? That it is okay to be well educated? Employed by the public service but never mind their health?

Kilman said the challenge that lies ahead for the Vanuatu public service is whether it would be able to provide or facilitate an environment to improve the standard of living and be a healthy and productive population.

“Will Vanuatu, in 2020 be still regarded as the happiest place on earth?”.

One other issue which remains a main concern for Pacific public service as stated by Kilman is the inconsistent public services and the perceived negligence of rural area communities of the Pacific Island countries.

And Vanuatu is no exception of a Pacific Island facing such difficultly due to its diverse geographical background with a total population of 234,000 0f which 178,000 are living in the rural areas.

Kilman pointed out that with such geographical background, it is hard to bring the government close to the people, to the local level being accountable to them, developing our human resources for the public service and ensuring a more effective utilization of those resources.

Despite that, “it is the responsibility for all of us, but in particular, a public service commission to play an important part in this”.

“Thus in Vanuatu as part of a Priority Action Agenda (PAA) and our planning long and short strategy, the Vanuatu government has tasked the Prime Minister’s office and by implication the Vanuatu Public Service Commission to ensure our work at the provincial or local and rural level government is strengthened, better planned and coordinated and more results oriented,” Kilman told the 8th Pacific PSC conference.

Photo Caption: Vanuatu Minister for Trades and Acting Prime Minister Sato Kilman.

(Photo: United Nations Development Programme)

WORLDWIDE: Exchanging solutions across the Pacific and abroad
Source: United Nations Development Programme Press Release

Practitioners across the Pacific and abroad will now have the opportunity to connect with, share and learn from each other on how to better address development needs with the launch on Tuesday (October 05, 2010) of the Pacific Solution Exchange Development Effectiveness Community (PSE_DEC).

The PSE_DEC is a facilitated knowledge service initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the University of the South Pacific (USP).

“Through this partnership, the PSE_DEC aims to strengthen coordination and cooperation for improved development effectiveness and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the region”, said Mr Knut Ostby, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative. He added, “the UN brings to the discussions global experience and expertise, however, we recognize that it is the people and the national institutions themselves who will lead the development process.”

The knowledge service, launched today draws together a broad range of stakeholders from government, civil society, private sector, academia, regional organizations and development partners to share experiences and seek their views via a facilitated mail group on development topics specific to the Pacific, like climate change resourcing, addressing the needs of the poor and the vulnerable, and achieving the MDGs. The establishment of the PSE_DEC follows discussions at the Pacific Regional Aid Effectiveness Workshop and the Pacific Partners (PIC Partners) Meeting held in June 2010 in Nadi, Fiji.

Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum, Tuiloma Neroni Slade envisages that the facilitated community will become a mechanism for knowledge sharing and a coordination tool for sharing lessons and exchanging solutions.

“It could also be used to share findings from the Cairns Compact processes such as the peer review of countries’ national plans. Forum Member countries that indicated interest at the meeting include the Marshall Islands, Palau, Nauru, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa and Vanuatu,” said Mr Slade.
Offering further support for the initiative, ADB's Regional Director, Keith Leonard said, “This initiative has the potential to act as a cost-effective platform to improve the frequency and timeliness of knowledge sharing among Pacific practitioners."

The Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the South Pacific, Professor Rajesh Chandra, further stated that the “Pacific Solution Exchange will enable development practitioners to discuss and debate substantive issues in an informative environment, outside the usual parameters of meetings and conferences. It should encourage a steady flow of ideas and solutions for the issues that are most timely in the Pacific.”

Commencing with a six-month trial phase based on UNDP’s proven methodology known as Solution Exchange, members will be engaged in e-discussions via email supported by a team of facilitators. The approach is hoped to initially help members to better share their views and opinions. Based on the feedback from the trial, the Community’s services could then be extended to allow members to ask queries and help each other by sharing knowledge and experience around common development challenges.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Toily Kurbanov added, “There is a lot of knowledge in the Pacific as to what type of solutions to complex development issues work best in the island countries context. However that knowledge is diffused across islands, as well as across government agencies, civil society and development partners. Pacific Solutions Exchange will leverage new technologies to bring that knowledge together and to nurture communities of practice.”

To join or find out more about the Pacific Solution Exchange Development Effectiveness Community, please go to www.solutionexchange-un.net/pacific.

Photo Caption: Keith Leonard (ADB), Su’a Kevin Thomsen (PIFS), Knut Otsby (UN) and Jaindra Karan (USP) working together to enhance development effectiveness.