NEWSPAGE 07 February
2011

(Photos: eventpolynesia.com)

NEW ZEALAND: Local Samoan boxers on the David Tua fight card

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme)

SAMOA: South Pacific Whale Research Consortium meets in Samoa
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme Press Release

New whale and dolphin species records, research and conservation achievements across the Pacific Islands region was profiled at the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium during an Open Day in Apia Samoa as part of their week long Annual meeting. It was supported by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Pew Environment Group and IFAW - the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

In 2009, SPREP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium which has resulted in an effective working relationship. One of the many ongoing developments between the two partners is a recovery plan for the Oceania Humpback whale.

At the opening of the Open Day in Apia, Acting Director Mr Kosi Latu commended the partnership process undertaken by the organisations, which includes a half day session during the Annual Meeting to further develop this working relationship.

“I believe that this is the way for true collaboration, working together to identify priorities and assigning responsibilities. The planning part of the process is in most cases straightforward, but the most challenging task is the implementation of those priorities and responsibilities,” said Mr. Latu.

“I am confident that the MoU between the consortium and SPREP is working.”

The South Pacific Whale Research Consortium was established by independent scientists of Oceania working on Marine mammals; it has grown since its inception in 1999 and has been a strong advocate for the implementation of the SPREP regional whale and dolphin action plan. Members of the SPWRC have conducted numerous researches on cetaceans in the region, providing the much needed information for the conservation of these marine animals.

”SPWRC research and collaborations with SPREP have highlighted the importance and value of conservation of whales in the Pacific Islands region. Many Pacific Island states are seen as global leaders in whale conservation and the network of their sanctuaries and related measures places them at the forefront of global efforts to conserve these species,” said Ms. Sue Taei, SPWRC co-convenor.

This is the 11th annual meeting of the South Pacific Whale Research Consortium, for more details on this please visit: www.whaleresearch.org/spwrc.htm

Pacific Islands Regional Marine Species Programme 2008 - 2012 can be found at: http://www.sprep.org/topic/pdf/marinespeciesweb.pdf
 

(Photo: Samoa News)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Fono News
Source: Samoa News

Sen. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has scheduled for Tuesday another committee hearing, with the hope of completing all hearings by this week on the revenue measures submitted by the governor.

During yesterday's Senate session, Lemanu announced that witnesses being called are the Legislative Financial Officer Talalemotu Mauga and the Fono legal counsel Henry Kappel.

Mauga's office has been compiling financial reports and records from the administration for its analysis and a full report to lawmakers, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie said last week.

Revenue measures with Lemanu's committee are the new 4% wage tax and the $2,000 corporate franchise tax. The other revenue measures are with the Senate Government Operations Committee.


Tsunami damaged roads in Alataua

One of the issues raised during last week's Senate Public Works Committee hearing with the Department of Public Works officials is the status of repairs to the shoreline roads along Alataua County damaged during the September 2009 tsunami.

Last year the U.S. Transportation Department awarded funds to American Samoa for repairs to roads and other areas damaged by the tsunami but it appears the work is going very slowly.

So during the Senate hearing Sen. Fuamatu V.J. Fuamatu questioned Public Works director Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei as to where these road projects stand, especially for Alataua county, where large areas were washed away during the tsunami, affecting the safety of these roads. He said a similar situation is faced with other shoreline villages hit by the tsunami.

Taeaotui explained that federal funds have been allocated and available for these projects and the design work is completed but they are waiting for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - who oversee these projects - for the required permitting process.

He said the government continues to work with the Army Corps and have asked the federal agency to expedite the permitting process so these projects can move forward.

Taeaotui recalled that the governor also publicly stated his disappointment with the Army Corps for the delay in getting the permitting process completed so the work can move forward. He agreed that some of these roads are in very bad shape and unsafe situations for the traveling public.

Fuamatu voiced disappointment over the delaying saying that local jobs provided through these project are needed at this time for the territory.


Senate gets information on new ASG hirees for 2011

Some senators have raised questions over the government hiring new people when there was already a financial problem at the start of the current fiscal year.

Senators got some response this week in a new report from the Department of Human Resources but questions persist about the new hires and how they are being funded.

As of Dec. 31, 2010 (which is the end of the first quarter for FY 2011) there were 41 new hires, which include 27 teachers, according to the report. It also states that other new hires include three administrative assistants, two law clerks and two program coordinators.

Also hired were a biologist, a clerk, a building inspector, a legal assistant and a training coordinator. The report does not say whether local revenue or federal grants were used.

The report also states that certificates of service were handed out to 34 ASG employees: twenty for 20-year service; 13 for 30-year service; and one for 40 years of service.


Construction material and standards

Rep. Galu Satele Jr. is the sponsor of the House bill that transfers the responsibilities of establishing standard quality grades for construction materials from the director of the Administrative Services Department to the director of Public Works.

Local law states that the director shall establish a system of uniform standard quality grades for all construction materials commonly sold at retail stores in American Samoa and for which it is practical to do so.

Satele's bill extends this provision to add "provided such standard of quality grades, and the regulations promulgated hereunder, shall recognize ASTC-C-Type I Cement as acceptable for general construction uses such as pavements, sidewalks, reinforced concrete buildings, bridges, tanks, reservoirs, culverts, sewers, water pipes and masonry units..."

The bill is assigned to the House Public Works Committee for review.


Aoa village stream realignment request

A House Resolution requests that the governor instruct the Public Works director to make plans for, and implement an extensive stream realignment project for Aoa village.

The project is to protect homes and businesses in the area from the continuous erosion and flooding during heavy rain, according to the resolution sponsored by Rep. Simei Pulu.

The resolution also requests an allotment of funds from the $1 million designated for the Western District's share of the ASG $20 million loan from the ASG Employees Retirement Fund for this much needed project.
 

(Photo: Pacific Islands Applied GeoScience Commission)

FIJI: Climate change challenge to youth
Source: Pacific Islands Applied GeoScience Commission Press Release

“What are your plans to assist yourself, your family, friends, community and country address the climate change challenge?”

Dr Russell Howorth, Director of SPC Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC), issued the challenge to the more than 40 international youth delegates from the 23rd Ship of World Youth Programme who attended a special presentation by SOPAC scientists on their work within the region on climate change.

The presentation was held at SOPAC headquarters in Suva.

Dr. Howorth said that climate change has gained pre-eminence in the debate on development at all levels, national, regional and global.

“The ocean is often referred to as the engine room of the global climate,” said Dr Howorth. It occupies nearly three quarters (75%) of the earth’s surface and stores most of the incoming energy from the Sun. Not only is the Pacific Ocean the largest physical feature on Earth, here in the SOPAC region over 95% of the environment is the Pacific Ocean.

Most of SOPAC’s work is indirectly, if not directly, linked to assisting its island members respond to the climate change challenge, and assisting island communities ensure effective adaptation strategies are in place, and sustainable.

This requires understanding the potential impacts of climate change, and understanding requires information that comes from timely ongoing scientific and technical data collection.

“Put simply, this is the very rationale for SOPAC,” said Dr Howorth.

Dr Howorth explained that climate change is not discernable on a daily basis, it is about daily weather events and in particular, extreme weather events, that are changed slowly over time, and whose frequency and intensity may be increasing.

Climate change brings another dimension to a whole range of environmental, social and economic issues to which small island developing states around the world are vulnerable, and it is key to understand how the adverse impacts will affect communities in SOPAC’s island members.

Information is essential to understanding what has happened in the past, and what is happening today. Will the frequency and intensity of events increase and thereby, so will the social and economic impacts? Is our capacity to cope increasing, or has it in fact diminished or even been lost?

“Once island communities have this information they can design and implement adaptation strategies that are underpinned with a “No Regrets” approach,” said Dr Howorth.

Dr Howorth concluded by saying he hoped the future role of the youth delegates would hinge around “providing No Regrets adaptation strategies: plant drought resistant and salt resistant crops, secure fresh water supplies by fixing leaking pipes and/or taps, build buildings to required building codes, do not build on the high tide line or in river channels.”

The 23rd Ship for World Youth Programme, operated by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, involves 144 young people from Japan and a further 144, made up of 12 delegates from each of the partner countries of Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Mexico, Oman, Solomon Islands, Tanzania and Vanuatu.

The aim of the programme is to build capacity and develop youth as future leaders of their countries.

While on board, and when visiting countries, the delegates study and discuss common issues from a global perspective. A major theme for discussion is Climate Change and Global Warming.

Photo Caption: International youth meet with SOPAC’s Dr Russell Howorth (standing) on climate change.
 

TAHITI: Two Tahiti Hilton hotels honoured at awards
Source: STAR Public Relations Ltd Press Release

The Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa and the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa have earned rankings at this year’s TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice awards.

The Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa was chosen as number four in the South Pacific in the Relaxation/Spa Hotel category and number five in the Romance Hotel category.

Named by author James Michener the “most beautiful lagoon in the world”, the Bora Bora hotel is located in a sacred cove.

Guests arrive at the resort’s floating lobby by private yacht and can stay at villas on the lush hillside, white sand beach or over the water.

Meanwhile, the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa was ranked near the top at number four in the Romance Hotel category and number seven in the Relaxation/Spa Hotel category.

The Moorea resort, also recipient of the 2010 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, sits between a 10-acre lagoon and the mountainside and had a $11 million renovation, completed in May 2010.

Now in its ninth year, the annual awards honour the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from the reviews of real travelers.

Winners are based on the millions of unbiased reviews and opinions about hotels on tripadvisor.com.
 

(Photo: Secretariat of the Pacific Community)

WORLDWIDE: U.S. Peace Corps to work with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Source: Secretariat of the Pacific Community Press Release

The United States Peace Corps and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will allow for the placement of Peace Corps volunteers in SPC to assist in some institutional and organisational work.

In welcoming this arrangement, SPC Director-General Dr Jimmie Rodgers said that the MOU is an overarching understanding that will benefit SPC, particularly since the specialist volunteers will be working at SPC during a transitional period.

The volunteers will be engaged under the Peace Response Volunteers programme, and they come to the Secretariat with many years of experience in their fields.

‘In signing this MOU, the Peace Corps and SPC are agreeing to collaborate on organisational strengthening in Fiji,’ Dr Rodgers said.

Peace Corps provides volunteers with courses in local languages and cultures, as well as some technical training.

‘We recognise that Peace Corps service is a life-defining leadership experience in an organisation with more than 50 years of existence and a volunteer service programme in the areas of education, youth and community development, health, business, information and communications technology, agriculture and the environment, all of which are development issues at the heart of the work that SPC carries out in its 22 member countries and in communities across the Pacific region,’ Dr Rodgers said.