NEWSPAGE
25 November
2011

(Photo: Maori Party)

(Photo: Savali News)

SAMOA: Lani Wendt’s Telesa
Source: Savali News

Those familiar with Samoan folklore will tell you there is nothing romantic about Telesa.

Until this week, that is, with the launching of Lani Wendt-Young’s new novel of that title.

“Telesa - the covenant keeper - is a romantic-thriller fiction novel with some hints of the supernatural,” Ms Wendt-Young said.

“I think it will be an exciting addition to Pacific literature because it is the first book written by a Samoan that will fit the urban fantasy young adult genre and also the first to be released as an electronic book.”

Not giving the plot away, Telesa follows the story of Samoan-American teenager Leila who - upon the death of her father - returns to Samoa in search of her family. It weaves through the broad issues of belonging, boy-meets-girl love and some serious spiritual issues.

“She begins to discover many of the beautiful things about our culture, our country and our people,” said Ms Wendt-Young.

“She also discovers that she is heir to a very fiery Telesa ancestor. All sorts of complicated things happen.”

Telesa takes in familiar settings such as Samoa College and downtown Apia. Set in contemporary Samoa, Telesa is the first in a trilogy series.

FILM - Ms Wendt-Young said she has been in touch with the film industry on Telesa.

“There’s a lot of potential for it to take off in a lot of different ways,” she said.

“I have been contacted by several people in the film industry and they say there is a lot of potential in a book like this to be further adapted which, I think, is another exciting possibility”

Of the actual Telesa, Ms Wendt-Young said;

“Many of us grew up hearing different stories and legends..heard the warnings, especially us young women. Like don’t go here, don’t do this because of..Telesa..and others. I did take inspiration from those stories. But my interpretation of Telesa and who she is and what she does is very very different from the legends and the stories that we grew up with.”

Ms Wendt-Young said that she deliberately did not conduct any research on the real, or rather surreal, Telesa.

“I wanted it totally to be fictional, completely original in that sense. I pretty much shut myself out about finding out more about who she is and what is said she had done and involved in. But now that the book is finished, I’m now very interested to find out more about the real Telesa stories, the real Telesa persona that we all hear whispers about.”

Ms Lani Wendt said that she was well into writing Telesa when she was commissioned in 2009 to write Galu Afi - a documentary book about the September 2009 tsunami.

“The Galu Afi book was such an exhausting and emotionally difficult book to write. So when I was finished with that, it was such a relief to sit down and just write something that was lite, fun..all about romance and love and..lots of action..and so for me, it was a very enjoyable process to write this one.”

Telesa was launched online in September as an electronic book.

“Within minutes of its release, readers from as far away as the U.S, Europe and the Middle East, were able to purchase and begin reading this story from Samoa.

“In my view, the whole field of electronic books is a really exciting one especially for Pacific writers and authors, because it’s a really good way for us to get our work out there to a global market very quickly and very cost efficiently.

Telesa - the print version - will be launched in Samoa on Thursday night at Hotel Millenia.

Photo: Telesa, Ms Wendt-Young said, is self-published as she wanted complete control of the publishing process.
 

AMERICAN SAMOA: President and Gov count our Thanksgiving blessings

American Samoa joins the rest of the United States and Americans around the world as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day; a national holiday established by early Pilgrims who left Europe to settle in America, as they fled from persecution and sought religious freedom in a new land.

Traffic in the town area today, however, will be very busy as the cruise ship ‘Amsterdam' a Holland America Line calls into the Port of Pago Pago around 9 a.m. from Suva, Fiji and departs at 5.00pm for Honolulu, Hawaii. The Amsterdam carries up to 1380 passengers and 615 crew.

Like the rest of the nation, many local residents will mark Thanksgiving with prayers and celebration in gatherings that include families and friends, and also religious gatherings.

George Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition during the Civil War.

When Washington proclaimed the country's Thanksgiving, he praised a generous and knowing God for shepherding a young Republic through its uncertain beginnings, said U.S. President Barack Obama in his Thanksgiving proclamation issued last week.

"Decades later, President Abraham Lincoln looked to the divine to protect those who had known the worst of civil war, and to restore the Nation ‘to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union'," said President Obama.

"In times of adversity and times of plenty, we have lifted our hearts by giving humble thanks for the blessings we have received and for those who bring meaning to our lives," he said. "Today, let us offer gratitude to our men and women in uniform for their many sacrifices, and keep in our thoughts the families who save an empty seat at the table for a loved one stationed in harm's way."

"And as members of our American family make do with less, let us rededicate ourselves to our friends and fellow citizens in need of a helping hand," he said. As we gather in our communities and in our homes, around the table or near the hearth, we give thanks to each other and to God for the many kindnesses and comforts that grace our lives."

On Thanksgiving Day, Obama encouraged people throughout the United States to "come together, whether in our homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for friends and neighbors to give thanks for all we have received in the past year, to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and to share our bounty with others."

Families of Toa o Samoa serving in worn torn countries and other far-flung places have asked the community to remember our soldiers in their prayers during this Thanksgiving.

In his annual Thanksgiving message, Gov. Togiola Tulafono said, "We all gather as a people this week with family and friends, congregations and groups, to give thanks to Our Heavenly Father for the many blessings of our island home."

"Our Thanksgiving blessing is more than the wonderful and delicious feast that we share across the islands. It is even more luscious than the beautiful green mountains and blue sea that surround our island community," he said. "Our Thanksgiving blessing is special because we have each other." The complete text of the governor's message is published elsewhere in today's Samoa News.

Because of the holiday, all American Samoa government offices will be closed tomorrow, which has been declared by Gov. Togiola Tulafono as the only Thanksgiving holiday for the government. Public school students however, have an extra day off on Friday, while teachers and other school officials are to report to their respective schools.

All ASG employees required to work on the holiday will be compensated in accordance with local laws. Samoa News has learned that some ASG employees plan to take Friday off as part of their vacation.

The majority of local businesses will be closed tomorrow, including all federal offices, the U.S. Post Office, and the two private banks - Bank of Hawaii and ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank. Most businesses will resume operation on Friday - including the Post Office.

StarKist Samoa, the largest private employer, is currently closed for two weeks to carry out maintenance work that was postponed from last month.

Acting deputy police commissioner Leseiau Laumoli told Samoa News that police will increase their presence island-wide for the Thanksgiving holiday under the annual holiday enforcement program, which starts tonight and runs through Sunday morning.

He said the enforcement is to ensure a safe and happy holiday for all of the territory. "Increased enforcement for the protection and safety of our community is our priority, not only throughout the year but especially during the holidays," said Leseiau, who urged residents to celebrate wisely.

Reports from the Tafuna airport indicate busy traffic for the inter Samoa route and they will be busy again over the weekend with flights bringing local residents home from Apia.

Several local restaurants are offering Thanksgiving specials tomorrow, which will take the burden off those cooking at home. A few stores are also providing specials for those who do not have time to cook by preparing the usual Thanksgiving meals ready to be picked up.

And don't forget the annual Thanksgiving Macy's Day parade in New York City.

Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday season, with the next day, Black Friday, officially kicking off holiday shopping.
 

(Photo: Atu Rasea/Fiji Times Online)

FIJI: Grog sessions under scrutiny by Ministry
Source: Fiji Times Online

FIJI's all-time favourite pastime - yaqona drinking is under scrutiny because of its contribution to unhealthy living and non-communicable diseases.

Health experts say yaqona sessions in the afternoons should be replaced by physical activities like gardening and exercise.

What some may say is a good way to unwind after a hard day's work is being described by health officials as a contributing factor to NCDs like diabetes and hypertension.

"We can do without these grog sessions, especially men. They can instead do daily physical activities like gardening and exercise," says West medical officer Dr Torika Tamani.

She said NCDs were prevalent in the country and there was much to be done in terms of changing people's lifestyles.

"But it also depends on the individuals and how they approach the issue of changing their habits and daily routines.

"For example, housewives should avoid watching DVDs for long periods of time after they're done with their housework. And when it comes to nutrition, they should stop cooking fatty food, using butter and ghee.

"Eating fruit and vegetables is healthier and should be encouraged especially for children.

"When we mention fruits and vegetables, people start to think they have to buy it from supermarkets but they can always grow their own fruit and vegetables."

Earlier this month, the Health Ministry declared November as Non-Communicable Disease month which was launched by minister Dr Neil Sharma in Tavua.

In his address, Dr Sharma said Fiji was in a crisis mode and there were simple, approachable and affordable means to getting better and coming out of this crisis.

"First and foremost we need to stop smoking, reducing our alcohol consumption and eat right," he said.

"People need to start cutting back on the amount of salt, sugar and fatty-foods intake. We also need to exercise regularly."

The latest statistics illustrate that 28 per cent of the population is overweight while 19 per cent is obese.

A 2001 NCD survey also showed 82 per cent of deaths every year in Fiji were NCD-related. The theme for this month's awareness programme is "Snapping it. My priority".

Photo: Ministry of Health says drinking excessive grog is one of the causes of NCDs.
 

NEW CALEDONIA: New Caledonia fire ban after alarming loss of vegetation
Source: Radio New Zealand International
 
The authorities in New Caledonia have declared a fire ban, saying the situation has become alarming with the arrival of hot and dry weather.

They say more than 60 square kilometres of vegetation has gone up in flames since mid-September, with a sharp acceleration in recent days as 40 uncontrolled fires were started.

They say after a rainy winter season, there is plenty of vegetation prone to be burnt, especially along the west coast of the main island.

The fires have led to roads being closed because of the flames or thick smoke.

A representative of the World Wildlife Fund says fires are lit to clear fields, to fight pests and at the times because of land quarrels.

NIUE: Niue puts off destroying derelict houses that pose health risk
Source: Radio New Zealand International
 
The Secretary of Justice in Niue says the government has deferred a decision on the proposed destruction of about 80 derelict houses.

Justin Kamupala says the government has filed an application to adjourn matters regarding the houses until the next sitting of the High Court in March.

Mr Kamupala says most of the houses were abandoned by families who moved to New Zealand.

“The Justice Department involvement is trying to plot the houses where they are at the moment and determine whether they are on titled land or not. And also for facilitating the process of the application to the High Court. Most of the - if not all - the owners have been identitfied.

Unfortunately some of them may have passed away so the issue is now is to try to determine who will now represent the families concerned.”

Mr Kamupala says many of the houses are overgrown with vegetation and pose a health risk as they have asbestos impregnated concrete roofing and are a breeding ground for vermin.