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(Photos: Miss Samoa Pageant) |
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NEW ZEALAND: ‘Affirming
Identity to Promote Positive Women’
Source:
Miss Samoa NZ Committe
Talofa Lava, Malo le Soifua Maua! It’s that time
again where we look forward to crowning our new
Miss Samoa NZ 2008-2009.
The Miss Samoa NZ Pageant is a pageant with a
difference that encourages & builds the
Self-confidence of our beautiful Samoan young
ladies, to learn a bit about the Samoan culture
& also an opportunity to showcase the talents of
our Pacific Designers in Aotearoa.
We have 7 beautiful contestants who will take
part in the pageant on:
Saturday 10th May 2008
Genesis Theatre, Telstra Pacific Events Centre
Manukau
Tickets ( minimum )$40.00 + booking fee
On Sale Now! Ticket Direct 0800 224 224
If you would like more information please
contact:
Sala Sally Newsham – Director 09 263 6033
Sally@531pi.co.nz
Te’eva Tagaloa-Leniu – Secretary 021 648 863
teeva.tagaloaleniu@niufm.com
Trish Newsham – Co-ordinator 021 269 2099
tnewsham@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.misssamoanz.co.nz (currently under
construction)
Fa’afetai Lava & Regards
Miss Samoa NZ Committee.
Photo Caption:
The Miss
Samoa NZ Pageant 2007 was a huge success with
Sherry N Elekana (Miss Samoa NZ 2007-2008) who
was successful at the Miss Samoa Pageant in
Samoa last year, Sherry was crowned Miss Samoa
2007-2008. This is the FIRST time ever our Miss
Samoa NZ or a contestant from outside of Samoa
has won the Miss Samoa title, so CONGRATULATIONS
to Sherry!
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(Photos: Toa-O-Samoa) |
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SAMOA: Toa-O-Samoa
participate in historical naturalization
ceremony
Source:
Easter Asi
On 12 April 2008, the first and largest overseas
naturalization ceremony in history took place at
Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory where over 250 U.S.
service members raised their right hands in the
heart of the war zone to take the oath of U.S.
allegiance to become U.S. citizens.
Participating in the historical event on the
outskirts of Baghdad were six of our own
Toa-O-Samoa: SSG Alumamalu A. Filoialii, SSG
Maranata Temese, SGT Lauie A. Laban-Ilalio, PFC
Thomas Eseroma, PFC Perry Fetu, and PFC Sialei
Tapusini.
Presiding over the ceremony, LTG Lloyd J. Austin
III, Commander XVIII Airborne Corps, eloquently
conveys the strength of the United States of
America: “Our nation's unique quality is that it
weaves the world's cultures into a great
American tapestry, and our military benefits
from their strengths…thank you all for
sacrificing so much for the United States and
for the Iraqi people." Addressing the crowd’s
unique ethnic and cultural diversity as the
group recited the oath of citizenship vowing to
“bear arms on behalf of the United States,” each
service member was then called to the front of
the room to receive a certificate of citizenship
and a folded American flag.
Traveling from Tallil Airbase, southwest of
Baghdad, were members of the 400th Combat
Support Platoon (CSP): 1LT Puletasi Wong-Mageo,
SSG Alumamalu A. Filoialii, PFC Thomas Eseroma
and PFC Perry Fetu. 1LT Wong-Mageo is the 400th
CSP Commander and traveled with his soldiers in
support of this historical event. According to
Wong-Mageo, “I have been involved from the
beginning when we inquired about the US
Citizenship process---obtaining information,
completing and filing the applications,
following-up with the legal office and sometimes
with the Nebraska and Rome Offices for status.
Also to represent the Soldiers families and
friends, as well as Soldiers of the 400th CSP
who could not witness this special event. I was
there for them.”
The 400th CSP deployed last June from American
Samoa to Ft. Hood, TX, where they mobilized as a
plug in platoon for the 1015th Combat Support
Maintenance Company from Ft. Gillem, GA. They
arrived in Iraq back in August 2007 and are
scheduled to re-deploy the third week of May.
1LT Wong-Mageo is the proud son of Mele Fili
Mageo of Pago Pago and Hikan Wong from China;
however, it was the late High Talking Chief
Meauta Onosa’i Atufili Mageo of Pago Pago that
raised Wong-Mageo. Although born in Pago Pago,
he was raised in Upolu in the villages of
Solosolo and Fagali’i. Today, he resides in
Leone with his lovely wife and children.
SSG Filoialii is a Reverend hailing from Ta’u
Manua; PFC Eseroma is the proud son of Jeanne
and Lefanoga hailing from village of Vailoa; PFC
Fetu is the proud son of Tafi Peneueta and
Maneta Fetu and hails from Nu’uli. PFC Fetu
shares his thoughts prior to returning to Tallil
Airbase. “I love being a soldier because of the
camaraderie, but getting my U.S. citizenship
will provide more opportunities.”
Two service members of the 12th Combat Aviation
Brigade (CAB) deployed from Ansbach Germany
traveled from Camp Taji to participate in this
historical event: SSG Temese and PFC Tapusini.
SSG Temese hails from Upolu, the villages of
Falealili Satalo and Moata’a; he is married to
Leaiseaiga A'asa of Iliili, American Samoa. He
deployed with Golf Company, 12th CAB, of which
he is a platoon sergeant for the Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle (UAV) Launch and Recovery Site (LRS)
Unit at Camp Taji.
PFC Tapusini, although hails from Faga’alu,
American Samoa, she was raised in Leauva’a,
Upolu and Manase, Savaii. She is the proud
daughter of Lalolama and Lemana Tapusini.
Tapusini is a Human Resource Specialist within
the Headquarters Company of the 12th CAB based
at Camp Taji.
SGT Laban-Ilalio also received her certificate
of citizenship. SGT Ilalio is assigned to
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) 202d
Bridgade Support Battalion (BSB) 4th Brigade,
2nd Infantry Division out of Ft Lewis,
Washington. She hails from Lauli’i, American
Samoa. Ilalio is the proud daughter of Alosio
Aukuso Laban of Portsmouth, Virginia and Taufusi,
Samoa and the late Loretta Laban of Falealupo,
Savaii and Lauli’i American Samoa. She is
married to Savelio Ilalio (Amouli) and they have
a one year old son, Alosio Lucsa Ilalio.
Chaplain (MAJ) Vaioa Leau, of the Multi-National
Corps – Iraq (MNC-I) Regimental Support Squadron
(RSS)/ 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment (SCR)
Headquarters and Headquarters Troops (HHT), Camp
Stryker attended this momentous occasion to
support the Samoan service members in this
notable feat.
Leau was born in the village of Solosolo, Samoa
but grew up in the village of Pago Pago,
American Samoa. After graduating from Samoana
High School and American Samoa Community
College, Leau continued his educational studies
obtaining a Masters in Theology from
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort
Worth, Texas. Chaplain (MAJ) Leau is an ordained
Southern Baptist Minister. He is married to the
former Lana Sanders of Roanoke, Virgina, and
they have a beautiful 7 year-old daughter named
Leulua'itama'itai.
After meeting with these soldiers and posing for
pictures, Chaplain (MAJ) Leau shared his closing
thoughts:
I am very proud of all the Samoan men and women
who are serving in the military and their
extraordinary contribution to our nation’s
defense. I would also like to extend my
heartfelt appreciation and sincere thanks to the
people of American Samoa and Samoa for their
prayers and thoughts for Samoan Soldiers. Let us
continue to praise the Lord for His goodness and
mercy on all of us. "Faamalo le Tapuai.”
Photo Captions:
Photo 1: Standing from left to right: SGT Laban-Ilalio, Chaplain (MAJ) Leau, and PFC
Tapusini.
Photo 2: Standing from left to right: Chaplain (MAJ)
Leau, SSG Filoialii, 2LT Solaita, PFC Fetu and
PFC Eseroma Kneeling from left to right: 1LT
Wong-Mageo, SSG Temese and SSG Tupea.
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(Photos: ESRI) |
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AMERICAN SAMOA: U.S. EPA Honors American
Samoa Environmental Hero
Source:
EPA Media Release
American Samoa’s Piggery Compliance Program has
been honored during the Environmental Protection
Agency’s 10th annual Environmental Awards
Ceremony in San Francisco today.
“The EPA is pleased and honored to acknowledge
the innovative and far-reaching environmental
work achieved by this impressive group of
organizations and individuals. They set an
example for all of us to follow,” U.S. EPA
Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri said. “All
of this year's winners –in fact, all of this
year's nominees – have made commendable efforts
to protect and preserve our air, water and land
or increased our awareness of the environmental
challenges we face.”
In a statement, the EPA said of the Pacific
Islands winner, Piggery Compliance Program, Pago
Pago, American Samoa:
A significant percentage of American Samoan
families raise pigs for, among other things, use
in family and village celebrations, which often
feature a roasted pig as a central part of the
feast. As the population has grown, so have the
number of pigs and the concern that pig waste
contributes to pollution and disease. The common
practice of locating a pig pen above or adjacent
to a stream and washing pig waste into the
stream has led to many cases of leptospirosis, a
disease associated with the urine of pigs and
other animals, which can infect people in
contact with contaminated water. The American
Samoa EPA created the Piggery Compliance Team to
take action to reduce the piggery problem.
Identifying over 1,000 families that owned
piggeries, the team conducted outreach,
educating families on how to comply with
regulations, followed up with inspections, and
where needed, compliance actions. By the end of
2007, its efforts resulted in the closure of 69
non-compliant piggeries, and helped 57 other pig
owners comply. Nutrient loads to nearby waters
were reduced by over 11,000 pounds of nitrogen
and 4,000 pounds of phosphorous. One watershed
saw a reduction in bacterial contamination by
over 90 percent.
Photo Caption:
A surveyor and an educator are inspecting a piggery and educating the
piggery owner.
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FIJI:
Peters Disappointed With Fiji’s Choice
Source:
Fijivillage.com
The New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters
is disappointed that Fiji is seeking to change
its electoral system before next year’s polls.
The National Council for Building a Better Fiji
on Wednesday decided that holding another
election in Fiji under the existing electoral
system would be flawed as it would amount to
seeking to appoint a democratically elected
government under rules that are undemocratic.
A spokesperson for Peters told the Sydney
Morning Herald that such comments are in
contradiction to promises made about holding
elections next year.
He said Commodore Frank Bainimarama had earlier
said that his government is committed to an
election being held in the first quarter of next
year and that commitment was taken very
seriously by New Zealand and the regional
leaders.
Peter’s spokesperson said the New Zealand
government is not surprised but disappointed.
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NEW CALEDONIA: New Caledonia visitors warned to
take precautions against dengue
Source:
Radio New Zealand
International
Holiday makers travelling to New Caledonia are
being advised to take precautions against
mosquitoes as the dengue fever epidemic
continues.
More than 400 people have been struck by dengue
fever since February with 15 to 20 people
contracting the disease every day.
130 people have been affected on the island of
Lifou with the Isle of Pines also badly hit.
Local authorities are organising health
campaigns in schools and villages and people are
being urged to destroy larval sites.
Sales and promotions manager for New Caledonia
Tourism in New Zealand, Virginia Hales, is
advising tourists to protect themselves against
mosquitoes which carry the disease.
“Practise common sense. Wear lots of insect
repellant and be vigilant and if there are areas
where you think there are just more of them than
there are of you, stay away. There is no vaccine
against it all we can reiterate is to practise
common sense.”
Virginia Hales of New Caledonia Tourism in New
Zealand.
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NIUE: Where Tropical Fish Outnumber People!
Source:
e-Travel Blackboard
Above or below the water, nothing on Earth comes
close to Niue.
In the heart of the South Pacific you can
immense yourself in some of the clearest,
cleanest waters in the world, that provide easy
sightings of whales, dolphins, turtles, rays,
corals, snakes and all manner of marine life……a
place where limestone chasms are the norm and
you can easily swim from salt water into fresh
water caves.
It’s easy, since our land-shelf drops off a mere
stones’ throw from shore, which means much less
time spent on the water and lots more time in
it. Niue Dive is professionally run by PADI
Instructors and cater for novices to experts,
offering PADI courses right up to Divemaster
level.
You can even meet whales without getting wet –
during July to October, pods of large migrating
whales rest and perform as close as 50metres
from land. But if 50m isn’t close enough, Niue
Dive run whale encounters, so experience the
unforgettable thrill of swimming alongside them.
Even on land, Niue’s a world apart. Niue’s full
of incredibly welcoming people who speak English
and use the $NZ but it is also an extremely
safe, politically stable land whose culture’s
untrampled by business and undisturbed by modern
fads.
Niue – Undiscovered, Unspoiled, Unbelievable!
8 night packages including accommodation at the
Namukulu Motel in a self contained bungalow,
return airport transfers, 8 dives including
tanks, weights, belts, dive guide services and
return economy airfares flying Air New Zealand
start from $1750 per person ex
Sydney/Brisbane/Melbourne with connections from
all other cities available. Taxes & Conditions
Apply.
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