NEWSROOM 03 April
2009

(Photo: F.I.T. Productions)

NEW ZEALAND: Pick of the Fringe picks Whitireia graduates
Source: Whitireia Polytech Press Release via Scoop Independent News
 

(Photos: Dawn Raid Entertainment)

SAMOA: Savage returns home to Samoa to film his latest music video
Source: Event Polynesia News Press Release

After a groundbreaking year in the USA with Savage based between New York and LA pursuing his musical dream, Dawn Raid Music in conjunction with Samoa Tourism and Aggie Grey’s Hotel are pleased to announce that Savage is returning home to Samoa to film his latest music video “I Love The Islands” April 13th-19th.

Savage made history in 2008 with over 1.5 Million sold in combined digital singles making “SWING” the highest selling NZ and Polynesian single in US history. (Still selling over 25,000 units a week as we go to print!!)

The certified platinum success of Savage has opened the world’s eyes to Samoan artists and contemporary Polynesian music. Savage understands the importance of the message in his music and wants to further expose and giveback to the people of Samoa by featuring the natural beauty of the islands tropical landscape in his upcoming music video from his album “Savage Island”.

“I’m a proud Samoan and while I was away in America promoting my music I would always talk about Samoa and what a beautiful place it is, with the success I’ve had I thought it was time to stop talking about it and actually show my fans worldwide what it looks like on film” Says Savage.

The new music video is being filmed by acclaimed New Zealand Director Chris Graham who shot the hit comedy movie “Sione’s Wedding” and has worked on high profile music video’s for Samoan Hip Hop artists Savage, Scribe and The Feelstyle.

“This is the first time our label Dawn Raid has filmed a music video in Samoa and we’ve been planning this for over 3 months, to make sure we get the best out of the event we’re also going to bring other artists from our label including Mareko, Devolo and The Deceptikonz to help Savage deliver the best result possible” Says Dawn Raid CEO Brotha D.

Since his initial debut on the USA charts Savage has spent over 35 weeks in the US Billboard charts, making historical chart position’s on multiple formats including Hot 100, Hot Digital 100, Pop 100, Hip Hop & R&B 100 and Rhythmic 100.

Savage soared to the upper tier of the US iTunes chart (reaching #6) and the Rhythm Crossover radio chart (where ‘Swing’ became the #1 most added song in America) on the back of his locally produced #1 single “SWING”.

Savage will be home in Samoa filming his new music video “I Love The Islands” from April 13th - 19th at specific locations across the island.

Dawn Raid Music have engaged promotion company Event Polynesia to organise a one-off Savage concert in Apia featuring Mareko, Devolo and The Deceptikonz. Watch this space and support this local music star and be part of this historical music event!!

SAVAGE RETURNS HOME FOR NEW MUSIC VIDEO APRIL 13th-19th www.myspace.com/savagedkonz

www.dawnraid.co.nz

For more information about SAVAGE please contact:

Andy Murnane / Dawn Raid [email protected]

Brotha D / Dawn Raid [email protected]

For more information about SAVAGE concert in Apia contact:

Teleiai Edwin Puni / Event Polynesia [email protected]

Tuilagi MS Esera / Event Polynesia [email protected]

Photo Captions: Savage understands the importance of the message in his music and wants to further expose and giveback to the people of Samoa by featuring the natural beauty of the islands tropical landscape in his upcoming music video from his album “Savage Island”.
 

(Photos: Brad Sorensen)

AMERICAN SAMOA: Faleomavaega recommends WindJet energy technology
Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega Press Release

Congressman Faleomavaega announced on Tuesday (March 31, 2009) that he recommends the new WindJet Energy wind power generation system (WindJet Energy system) to supplement American Samoa’s energy needs. The new Windjet Energy system utilises a new design that improves on the conventional three-blade windmills used by General Electric (GE) Vestas, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Nordex and many others.

“I want to thank Ron Morrison, a Native Hawaiian and marketing partner for WindJet Energy, for bringing this new wind power generation system to my attention. I am very impressed with the technology and the concept behind the WindJet Energy system, especially the ability to make wind power production more cost effective and efficient,” Faleomavaega said.

The new design was invented by Brad Sorensen, founder and CEO of Source One Power, who was also credited for several designs including the 1986-1992 Mazda RX7 sports car and Volvo 850 sedan, station wagon and coupe, Freightliner semi-trucks, Lockheed jet aircraft, U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, race cars, power boats, sail boats and other vehicles.

Using a wheel design with a solid ring on the outside supporting thousands of extremely light weight, aerodynamic blades on the inside, WindJet Energy system uses a jet-ducted turbine designed specifically for gathering a higher amount of wind energy, not a dated propeller. Unlike the existing windmills that can only operate in wind speeds of 11mph to 17mph, the new WindJet Energy system is designed to take full advantage of the Earth’s spectrum of wind speeds from 1mph to 250mph, with no limits to the amount of power that can be generated. In other words, the WindJet Energy system can be effective in 95% of worldwide land areas and 99% of all water areas.

“Wind is perpetual and as long as the earth spins, there will be wind energy available. And, given the climatic conditions in American Samoa, it is most fitting to test and see for ourselves the outcome of such promising new technology. The new technology is designed to be installed in months and has an automatic return of power and savings with each passing wind with minimal maintenance,” Faleomavaega added.

“Not only will it help supplement our energy needs, the construction, installation and maintenance of WindJet Energy system in American Samoa also will stimulate the creation of jobs in our territory and will create an exciting opportunity to help attract some of the most experienced talent in the industry.”

“In this age when worldwide demand for clean, renewable, electric power, is growing tremendously, America Samoa needs to pursue alternative energy sources and try new inventions in order to adapt and adjust to the challenge,” Faleomavaega concluded.

Photo Captions: Brad Sorensen, founder and CEO of Source One Power, and inventor of the WindJet Energy wind power generation system.
 

FIJI: Improving development effectiveness in the Pacific region
Source: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Press Release

Delegates from across the region gathered yesterday (April 02, 2009) to thrash out ways of improving development effectiveness and aid coordination and delivery.

Representatives of Forum Island Countries, member agencies of the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP), and regional Development Partners converge at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, for the Pacific Island Countries / Development Partners (PIC/Partners) Meeting from 2-3 April.

Among topics of discussion will be implications of the global financial crisis and the need to step up efforts to enhance the effectiveness of regional aid. The meeting will also discuss the Pacific's progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and priorities under the Pacific Plan.

"Development effectiveness has been an issue of great significance to the Pacific region for some time," said Forum Secretariat Secretary General, Tuiloma Neroni Slade.

"We are aiming to lay the foundation for engagement with donors within a framework of Forum Leader-endorsed regional development priorities. If donors can centre their assistance at the regional level on the common national development needs of member countries, we will have established a mechanism that in itself is an improvement on development effectiveness."

Since 2005, the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness has been endorsed by nine Forum member countries. The 2007 Pacific Principles on Aid Effectiveness were consequently adapted from the Paris Declaration to the Pacific context. Further, the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action has been endorsed by ten Forum member countries.

"In 2009, Forum Members are aiming to boost efforts and the urgency with which development effectiveness is being addressed in the region," Mr Slade added.

"Forum Leaders will be presented this year with these issues, and their decisions will form the basis for ongoing work in this area."
 

(Photos: Niue Festival Committee)

NIUE: Dream becoming a reality for Niue Cultural & Arts Festival performers
Source: Niue Festival Committee Press Release

It was a feast of art and entertainment for all who went to the Niue Cultural & Arts Festival Fundraising Showcase at the Knox Parnell Church Hall last night, Thursday 26 March 2009.

About 100 people attended the fundraising showcase organised by the Niue Fakalataha Ki Mua Niue Festival Cultural & Arts Festival Team. The nearly three hour event was a preview of the artwork and performances to be exhibited during the first ever Niue Cultural & Arts Festival held in Niue from 12-18 April 2009.

Dr Colin Tukuitonga, a respected member of the Niue Community and CEO of Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs took a moment in a busy schedule to give support with a few warm words to all on the night.

Dr Tukuitonga said the upcoming Niue festival was initially a dream that had come out of discussions with the community a couple of years ago. He hoped that the festival would eventually become a major event for Niue and community to celebrate the Niue arts and culture.

“I am very supportive of these young people and what they’re trying to do with the festival.”

The Auckland showcase itself was a tantalising taste of what can be expected in Niue and displayed a deep well of talent and creativity across all levels in the Niue community. The full programme was definitely value for money at $10 entry.

From the moment you walked into the old Parnell church hall greeted by two large sculptures, named Mo and Fao by artist Hili Mokalei, standing in the church foyer, you knew it was going to be special.....Mo and Fao, possibly Niuean cousins of Hollywood’s Oscar only shorter, stouter and better looking!

The setting with the white painted brick wall worked as the perfect backdrop for the tables displaying artwork by visual artists Glenda Vilisoni-Heather, Chris Van Doren’s beautifully crafted and large metal and bronze looking swordfish sculpture. In contrast was the eye catching mannequin sculpture by Lina Marsh ‘taha tahi one’. The mannequin’s torso was the canvas for the painting including patterns, a map of Niue, Captain Cook and a sailing ship 1846.

Matua and handcrafts artist Mrs Matafetu Smith combined traditional weaving with finely hand crafted and dyed flax kete and picture framed arrangements of woven flax flowers and shells.

Photographer and artist Zora Feilo-Makapa also represented with contemporary artwork painted by Lange Taufelila.

Pollywood film director Craig Fasi won fans and laughs with a short film projected onto the white brick hall walls following the break.

Performances started with the wonderful young dancers from Fiti Lose who overcame the nerves and gracefully deliver three new songs and dances.

Ekalesia Niue Youth Group, Mangere stepped up and also performed original songs. Artists Matafetu Smith and Glenda punctuated the evening to talk about the artists contributing to the festival in Niue. The night closed on a high note with the all male dance troop Tau Fuata Niue who woke the audience, with a stirring, foot stomping performance to end.

Overall the showcase was a celebration and a great indication of the largely untapped treasure trove of talent waiting to be seen at the festival in Niue.

Earlier in the evening, Thomas Kauie opened the showcase with a prayer followed with formalities by Niue Fakalataha Ki Mua representatives Eleanor Ikinofo of Pacific Islands Trade & Investment Commission and Niue Festival organiser Sene Falakoa thanking their supporters, Pacific Media Network, Pacific Islands Trade & Investment Commission NZ, Friends of the Niue Festival, Mrs Tukuitonga (Perth) and Mrs Liline Hewett.

In addition The Niue Fakalataha Ki Mua Niue Festival organisers would like to thank, Niue Tourism, Niue Government, Taoga Niue, Niue Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Rev Ere Talagi-Ikitoelagi Knox Parnell Church, all the Niue artists and performers and the Niue Community for all their support.

For more information on the Niue Cultural & Arts Festival please contact:

Sene Falakoa: 027 2494144

Miriam Kauhiva: 0276 746205

Artist Liaison: Glenda Vilisoni-Heather: 021 871480
 

WORLDWIDE: Federal managers recommend new measures for US Pacific fisheries
Source: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Press Release

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council concluded its four-day meeting on Thursday (March 26, 2009) at the Governor Lee Auditorium in American Samoa. The Council is the federal agency responsible for management of offshore fisheries in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and US Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA). The recommendations made the Council are transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for final approval. Among the decisions and recommendations made by the Council are the following.

Bigeye and Yellowfin Tuna Conservation: Pacific tuna stocks are principally managed through two international regional fishery management organizations (RFMOs): the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) for waters west of 150 deg W longitude and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) east of 150 deg W longitude. The Council strongly urged the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to officially announce the recently established bigeye tuna quota for US longline vessels fishing in the WCPFC area of jurisdiction.

The Council also supported the development and rapid introduction of individual fishing quotas through a limited access privilege program (LAPP). Council staff will work with other US Regional Fishery Management Councils already using LAPPs to develop options for implementing a LAPP program for the bigeye longline fishery in the US Pacific Islands.

Additionally, Council staff will prepare an options paper that considers measures to maintain viable longline fisheries in Hawaii. Options to be analyzed will include individual transferable quotas, sector allocation of catch limits (shallow versus deep sets), trip catch limits for non-target sector, temporary fishery closures triggered by attainment of some proportion of the catch limit, seasonal fishery closures and catch limits based on an alternative 12-month non-calendar year.

Purse Seine Fishing: The Council took final action to recommend that purse-seine fishing on fish aggregation devices (FADs) be prohibited in all US exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters. The Council noted that fishing effort has never been well defined in tuna purse seine fisheries. This situation has been exacerbated by the increasing use of FADs. Vessel effort is no longer related to fish abundance, as measured by days fished. Without additional information the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee said it is impossible to effectively use purse seine fishing effort in stock assessments. It, therefore, recommended scientific research on purse seine FAD fishing be conducted. The Council concurred and suggested that purse seiners with US built hulls be allowed to engage in FAD fishing as part of a cooperative research project in the US EEZ around the PRIAs. The priority goal would be to develop methods to reduce incidental catch of juvenile bigeye in purse seine fisheries.

Main Hawaiian Island (MHI) Bottomfish: Council staff will meet with NMFS and Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources (HDAR) staff to evaluate options for closing the bottomfish fishery for the seven deepwater species (Deep 7) if the MHI total allowable catch (TAC) is reached before the fishing season ends on Sept. 30, 2009. As of March 13, reported landings indicate that at least 59 percent of the 241,000 lb TAC had been reached. However, as fishermen have 10 days to report their catches and additional days are needed to input and analyze the data, the actual landings may be as high as 70 percent of the TAC. Council staff will prepare an options paper to examine the potential use of individual fishing quotas for the MHI Deep 7 bottomfish fishery. The Council recommended that NMFS and HDAR initiate a program to collect and analyze biological information regarding lehi, one of the Deep 7 snappers, given its increasing proportion in the MHI bottomfish catch.

Hawaii Non-longline Pelagic Fisheries: The Council took initial action to recommend the adoption of a new control date for management of hook-and-line fisheries on Cross Seamount, the NOAA weather buoys and the current longline exclusion zone surrounding the MHI be considered at the Council meeting to be held in July 2009 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The Council supported expanded research on monchong (Eumigistes illustris) biology and residency on Cross Seamount and other features.

Hancock Seamount Groundfish: Council staff will draft a paper that considers options for continuing the moratorium on this fishery, which is slated to end in 2010. This fishery located at the northern end of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands has been under a moratorium since 1986. It was overfished by foreign vessels prior to federal management. A stock assessment with other countries with interest in this groundfish stock is under discussion, as the fishing grounds extend beyond US federal jurisdiction.

American Samoa Fishery Development: The Council recommended that local fisheries projects be supported to build boats ramps on the islands of Tutuila and Manua and to setup a cold storage facility on Manua. The Council also recommended that NMFS widely publish information regarding the availability of 22 longline limited entry permits before the May 28, 2009, application deadline. The Council encourages communities to submit proposals providing domestic fishery development in American Samoa to the national economic stimulus program.

American Samoa longline-green sea turtle interactions: To mitigate interactions between green sea turtles and the American Samoa longline fishery, the Council took final action to recommend that the distance from each float to adjacent branch lines be at least 70 meters and that 30-meter float lines be used to ensure that all hooks are deeper than 100 meters. It also recommended research on the effect of larger circle hooks on both albacore catch rate and turtle interactions; increasing observer coverage to the level of the Hawaii deep-set fishery; and an intensive year-long experiment with high observer coverage, at a minimum of 30% of trips, to explore the variability in turtle interactions over time and space and with different gear configurations. The Council also expressed concern that sea turtle genetic samples are not being processed in a timely manner. Identification of the genetic stock of the turtles which interact with the American Samoa longline fishery is essential to interpret the population effects of interactions.

American Samoa Regional Collaboration: Council staff will explore options for collaboration between American and independent Samoa regarding bottomfish stocks, management of the albacore fishery, and import/export patterns.

Species Ranking for Risk to Overfishing and/or Impacts to Overfishing: The Council adopted a list of the top five to 10 fisheries species in Hawaii, American Samoa, CNMI, Guam and the PRIA for which overfishing is most likely to occur and for which the impacts of overfishing would be of most consequence to humans or the ecosystem. This list does not include pelagic species and species for which maximum sustainable yield (MSY) levels are available. The purpose of the list is to provide the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) with a priority list for the development of stock assessments and MSY estimates. This information will be needed for the Council to meet the reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act mandate to establish annual catch limits (ACLs) for managed species. The top five species for Hawaii are Kona crab, parrotfish (uhu), black coral, menpachi and seamount monchong; for Amerian Samoa: blueline snapper, lunar-tail grouper, redgill emperor, bigeye trevally and spiny lobster; for CNMI: spiny lobster, rabbitfish, unicornfish (orange-spine and blue-spine), jacks and mullet; Guam: Napolean wrasse, bumphead parrotfish, spiny lobster, coral trout and eight-banded grouper. The top 10 species for the PRIA (not in priority order) are deepwater shrimp, slipper lobster, mangrove crab, seven-eleven crab, giant clam, blue-spine unicornfish, parrotfish, black jack, lyretail grouper and onaga.

Marine Education and Training (MET) Program: The Council recommended that the MET Program, established by the 2006 reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, include a program for those interested in pursuing professional certification to work on vessels as captains, crews, cooks and other positions in the maritime and/or fishing industry.

Pacific Marine National Monuments: The Council recommended that the Departments of Commerce (DOC) and the Interior (DOI) develop a Research Program designed to understand the various ecosystem-related impacts associated with Marine National Monument designation in the Pacific. The Research Program should include but not be limited to the following specific topics: changes in fish biomass or size structure, changes in species composition, changes in benthic habitat composition, spillover effects, protected species abundance estimates and usage rates within the Monuments and local socio-economic impacts. The Council recommended that DOC and DOI provide access to the monuments to local government agencies for the purpose of conducting research germane to local fisheries management and stock assessment needs. The Council also recommended that Council staff, NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office and US Fish and Wildlife Service staff work with the Guam, American Samoa and CNMI governments on the development of regulatory definitions for sustenance, subsistence, recreational, traditional indigenous, and other definitions as appropriate for fisheries management in the newly established monuments.

Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary: The Fagatele Bay was selected as a Sanctuary site in 1986 to serve as a natural laboratory to observe the bay’s recovery from crown-of-thorn starfish and typhoon events. The Sanctuary is now reviewing its management plan and initiating discussions on possible site expansion. The Council will request that the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources staff and other survey personnel compile all available survey data and assessments and to draft a peer-reviewed report on the impacts and subsequent recovery of the bay.

Marianas Islands Range Complex Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): The EIS does not address inshore/offshore seasonal fisheries issues, impacts of the island’s supply of fresh fish, the activity of exercises during fishing seasons, weather conditions, community (fishermen, charters, etc.) access to the resource, or consultation with the community on the Complex. The Council submitted preliminary comments on March 13, 2009, and will submit additional comments addressing these issues.

For more information, visit the Council website at www.wpcouncil.org or contact Council at [email protected] or at +1 808 522-8220.