NEWSPAGE 26 August
2009

(Photo: New Zealand Government)

NEW ZEALAND: Samoan overstayers removed from NZ illegally

(Photos: Edu_tain)

SAMOA: New Homework and Resource Centre opens for business
Source: Edu_tain Press Release

Edu_tain gets its name from a combination of Educate and Entertain and is a new Homework and Resource Centre specialising in providing quality assistance and tutoring for school kids at both primary and secondary levels.

Edu_tain is the brain child of Ken Tuioti, Hugo Betham and his wife Priscilla Betham who through extensive research and experience saw a need to provide such a service for the children of Samoa to complement the traditional education received from schools.

Whilst there is no substitute for a child’s learning at school, there is always opportunity to further their knowledge and skills.

Edu_tain provides a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere for children to study, get help with their homework, do research for school projects via the internet or using traditional resource material like encyclopedias, reference books and even get one on one tutorial sessions with qualified teachers if needed.

Most of the current students get dropped off after school and get picked up when their parents finish work and this has been really handy for the parents and is a perfect time for the kids to complete assignments and unwind by reading a book from our library or paint a picture using the arts and crafts corner.

A facility is available for the revision of past National Examinations i.e.: Year 8 Nationals, SSC and PSSC and with these exams coming up, students are making use of this.

Edu_tain also offers holiday programs during school term breaks and include various exciting activities for the kids to enjoy.

A small parents corner is there for parents to relax and enjoy a coffee or tea whilst they wait for the children to finish their sessions. There is also a small time out room which provides movies and games for the kids on their breaks.

Students can also become members of Edu_tain and enjoy the associated privileges.

Edu_tain is not limited to students only and is open to the public who are looking for a place with a difference to utilise the internet and gaming facilities available.

Seeing is believing so for more information go down to Edu_tain to see what they can offer and talk to their qualified staff concerning your child and how they can assist and provide the technical resources needed in this day and age for students.

Edu_tain is located on the first floor of the Nonu Samoa Complex, Matautu-uta and is open weekdays from12.00pm to 6.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am to 4.00pm. Phone 28733 or email [email protected]

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Edu_tain is located on the first floor of the Nonu Samoa Complex, Matautu-uta.

Photo 2 - The Books, Arts and Crafts area.

Photo 3 - The Library Corner.

Photo 4 - PC's and Internet area.
 

(Photo: J. Kneubuhl)

AMERICAN SAMOA: ASCC discuss cooperative agreement with National Parks Service
Source: American Samoa Community College Press Release

Officials representing the National Parks Service (NPS) met recently with American Samoa Community College (ASCC) President Dr. Seth Galea’i to discuss the possibility of the College entering into a Cooperative Agreement with the NPS as part of a nationwide program called the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) National Network. National Park of American Samoa Superintendent Mike Reynolds, along with Cultural Resources Program Manager Cari Kreshak of the NPS Pacific West Region Honolulu Office, both expressed optimism that ASCC and the NPS will soon reach an official agreement whereby students at the College will gain hands-on educational experience while providing the Park Service with valuable data on American Samoa’s archaeological sites.

As Kreshak explained, the NPS maintains archeological site information in its Archeological Sites Management Information System (ASMIS). With the site condition information documented in the ASMIS database, the NPS can identify needed site treatment and implement actions to prevent damage to archeological sites. NPS policy regarding ASMIS site condition assessments requires the monitoring of archeological sites and the completion of condition assessments on a periodic basis. The National Park of American Samoa (NPSA) has proposed a partnership with the ASCC for the purpose of collaboratively completing required ASMIS site condition assessments. As part of project, ASCC archeological students will complete fieldwork under the guidance of an archeological graduate student and with the direction of the College’s archaeology professor, Dr. David Addison. This arrangement will provide an educational opportunity for the ASCC archeological students to advance their skills in archeological fieldwork and site assessment.

“Dr. Addison has worked closely with NPSA in the past, and has a solid understanding of the resources and the necessary knowledge required for this project,” said Kreshak. NPSA staff will enter all new archeological site information into the NPSA ASMIS database, and will also work collaboratively with ASCC to prepare information about this project and archeological resources at American Samoa for placement on the park website to show a direct visitor connection to these efforts. “This project also will look for additional opportunities to share with the public, without disclosing sensitive confidential site data, information about the splendid and varied cultural resources of the Pacific Islands, in particular American Samoa,” Kreshak stated.

Tutuila has a rich archaeological heritage. Many of its mountains had villages in ancient times, and the NPSA/ASCC project will focus on sites located in the mountain ridges within the National Park, but Tutuila has lots of other sites too. In ancient times, Tutuila had a thriving basalt export industry that produced stone tools later found in other islands scattered over 5600 kilometers of open ocean. Archaeologists have traced stone tools made in Tutuila as far away as Pohnpei Island in Micronesia and the Solomon Islands in Melanesia, as well as throughout Polynesia. Most of the mountains of Tutuila have quarry sites where ancient craftsmen extracted the basalt for these tools. Many more locations have workshop sites where the stone tools were made. So far, basalt tool sites have been found in the villages of Fagamalo, Maloata, Afao, Amaluia, Leone, Malaeloa, Pava'ia'i, Tafuna, Fagasa, Pago Pago, Alga, Auto, Utusia, Fagaitua, Alao, and Tula, but many more additional sites are probably not recorded yet. Archaeologists have also described the ceramics (clay pottery) made by ancient craftsmen as “a wonder of ancient Tutuila.” Samoans made pots and bowls from clay in the past, with important ceramics sites on Tutuila found in Faleniu and Pava'ia'i, Aasufou, Malaeimi, Pago Pago, Aganoa, Utumea and Aoa.

Dr. Addison of ASCC credits NPSA Archaeologist Epi Sauafo’a-Taua’i for laying the groundwork for the current agreement by striving for years to build connections between NPSA and ASCC. “She initiated this project within NPSA and invited ASCC to be involved,” said Addison. Suafo’a-Taua’i will play an integral part in the project by serving as lead person on the NPSA side of the partnership. Describing the wealth of educational and cultural opportunities the project will offer, Suafo’a-Taua’i reflected, “In the long road ahead of us, it’s very important for the young Samoans to take an active role in archaeology so that they become aware of and respect where they come from. Archaeology can help our younger generation rethink how their ancestors used to live, and why some of their cultural practices are not in place or known today. Archaeology is a tool to help enrich younger Samoans’ knowledge of what it means to be a Samoan, and to foster respect in a proper Samoan way.”

Photo Caption: Officials of the National Park Service meet with ASCC President Dr. Seth Galea'i to discuss a new agreement that will enable students to help preserve Tutuila's unique history. Front (L-R) Superintendent Mike Reynolds, Cultural Program Manager Cari Kreshak, Dr. Galea'i. Second row (L-R) Joe Leleua and Archaeologist Epi Suafo'a-Taua'i of the National Park, and Dr. David Addison of ASCC.

(Photos: Le Méridien Bora Bora)

TAHITI: Le Méridien Bora Bora completes renovations
Source: STAR Public Relations Ltd Press Release

Le Méridien Bora Bora is pleased to announce the completion of its renovations aimed at improving the resort’s guest rooms, services, and amenities.

These renovations included the remodelling of the premium Overwater Bungalows and pool beach villas, while adding a new resort pool, chapel, ecological centre and fitness centre.

As part of the renovation, the resort created a new class of accommodations, Pool Beach Villas, featuring a private infinity swimming pool with surrounding wooden terrace. With breathtaking views of the interior lagoon and Otemanu Mountain, the new 8 ft by 16 ft pools will connect two existing beach bungalows. The new villas are ideal for families with direct access to the interior lagoon for snorkelling and swimming in the Turtle Sanctuary.

In addition, each of the 22 premium Overwater Bungalows now features unobstructed views of Otemanu Mountain. All 99 of the resort’s accommodations now boast new flat-screen TVs and video on demand, as well as wireless internet access.

A second infinity-style pool has been be added beneath the Miki Miki Bar. The pool is over 2000 square feet, with new features including a Jacuzzi, waterfall, pool bar and new deck.

The new chapel, also part of the renovations, is now completed. Whether you are a newlywed or renewing your vows, couples can celebrate in the resort’s new glass-bottom chapel, located over the interior lagoon.

Already renowned for its Turtle Sanctuary, Le Méridien Bora Bora furthered environmental and natural awareness with the addition of a new Ecological Centre, providing educational programs for guests and locals. The ecological centre, located near the Turtle Sanctuary, is a joint effort with the island’s Ministry and Delegation of the Environment meant to assure a vibrant future for green sea turtles.

For more information, please visit www.borabora.lemeridien.com

Photo Captions: Already renowned for its Turtle Sanctuary, Le Méridien Bora Bora furthered environmental and natural awareness with the addition of a new Ecological Centre, providing educational programs for guests and locals.
 

TUVALU: Operation Kurukuru detects illegal activities
Source: Solomon Star

Operation Kurukuru 2009, a coordinated maritime surveillance operation in which countries cooperate to detect activities such as illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, smuggling and people trafficking, was hosted by FFA over 10 days.

Operation Kurukuru 2009 resulted in 8 boardings of vessels and 1 apprehension of a vessel, which has been escorted to port for further investigation.

In Tuvalu, 1 vessel was fined USD$10,000 for misreporting of fishing catch. The 4 aircraft involved in the operation flew a total of 85 hours and covered approximately 800,000 square nautical miles.

Covering an area of approximately 10 million square kilometres - including the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) of Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu - Operation Kurukuru 2009 involved fisheries surveillance and enforcement staff from all of these countries working together with their counterparts from Australia, New Zealand, France and US over 10 days of surveillance.

Surveillance was conducted by individual countries within their respective EEZ’s using 7 Pacific Class Patrol Boats (from Cook Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Vanuatu) and 1 French Patrol Boat.

This was supported by aerial surveillance provided by 4 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (2 P-3 Orions supplied by Australia & New Zealand, a Guardian supplied by France and a Hercules C-130 from the US Coast Guard).

This year Operation Kurukuru was hosted and coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) at its regional headquarters in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

All countries had access to an FFA web-based map of surveillance flights, licensed vessels and unlicensed vessels, so individual countries were able to send out patrol boats where aerial surveillance had identified suspicious activities or vessels.

Outcomes include:
* Tuvalu’s Patrol Boat boarded and fined a foreign fishing vessel for misreporting its catch.
* Solomon Island’s Patrol Boat boarded and apprehended a foreign fishing vessel for a number of breaches.
* The aerial surveillance effort identified a number of vessels apparently not complying with their FFA registration and licence conditions and are the subject of further investigation.

However the success of the Monitoring, Control and Surveillance effort by the FFA member countries and the United State and France in the region should not necessarily just be measured by the number of fishing vessels apprehended.

The reduction in the number of vessels conducting illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing is a sure sign that the policing and other measures being taken are working.

Operation Kurukuru is an activity to meet the broader objectives of sustainable fisheries development and management in the Pacific region.

This annual operation held in the Eastern and Western FFA Member countries complements other operations held in the rest of the FFA member countries.
 

(Photos: Kalepo Tilo)

WORLDWIDE: Sene Polu: 'Through it all…trust in God'
Source: Sina Tilo

Rosalind (Rosie) Tualatai-Polu sang with such passion, only those who’ve known what they have been through as a family can actually relate to the lyrics of the favourite Christian hymn penned by the great Andrae Crouch, “Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God; I’ve learned to depend upon His Word.”

At the Voice of Christ Full Gospel Church Revival Centre in Nu’uuli this past Sunday, Rosie’s husband, wounded war hero and walking miracle, US Army SFC Senetenari Pe’a Polu delivered the sermon that gave true testimony of the third stanza of the hymn, “So I thank God for the mountains, and I thank Him for the valleys; I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through, 'cause if I never had a problem, I wouldn't know that He could solve them, I wouldn't know what faith in His Word could do.”

The couple travelled to the homeland with their son Charley visiting relatives and attending a wedding in nearby Apia the week earlier, it was the first time since his near-fatal injuries at Diyala Province, Iraq, in April last year that Sene Polu preached as one of the Associate Pastors of the Samoan DC Community Christian Church. An invitation from VOC Church Vice President and Pastor of the Revival Centre, Reverend Elder Miracle Faigata Tilo, enabled the soldier to share the Gospel on their last Sunday in American Samoa before returning this week to the nation’s capital in Washington, DC where he is still undergoing follow-up treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Centre.

Sene Polu is perhaps best known for his courage and will to live that has inspired many people around the country since his remarkable recovery that he has a standing invitation from charities and groups everywhere, the high powered military people have sought him, (military General in New York’s Ground Zero,) and the extremely wealthy (billionaire owner of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas,) have paid for his expenses just to speak to him and share a moment of his time. All of which has caused this native son of Faleasao, Manu’a to be even more humble and declared, “If I suffered all of this just so that I can give testimony of the goodness of the Lord, then it was all worth it.”

Top local officials of the government have also extended courtesy and hospitality to him, Governor Togiola Tulafono had the Polus and their children as his special guests during January’s inauguration where they met Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean. Leaders of the Fono also shared a most profound time with him in their offices that the January meeting was never publicized until now. Speaker of the House Savali Talavou Ale, who is a Faleasao relative of Sene’s through the Malauulu title spoke softly and thanked God for His omnipotent hand on Sene. The Speaker reminded the soldier that the constant prayer of Samoan fathers and mothers is that God’s mercy will bring them all safely back to families and loved ones.

But it was Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau who probably gave the deepest meaning of the gratitude of a nation for the service of one of its sons and making everyone proud for his courage and giving greater meaning to the words “Samoan warrior,” Toa o Samoa. Himself a decorated retired Command Sergeant Major in the Army and a well-respected Samoan during his time in the military, Gaoteote was both emotional and extremely proud as he spoke for everyone, “Sene, e fa’aalo lou atunu’u ia te oe, oute fa’aalo fa’apitoa ia te oe le atalii, a’o se uso foi. Oute iloa lou mafatia, oute iloa foi lou tigaina ma le mata’utia o le mea na e o’o iai ile taua, ae fa’afetai i lou loto toa, fa’afetai lou lototele. Se ua e fa’aeaea lou atunu’u, ua mitamita ai o matou loto, Sene, ua e ta’u atu ile lalolagi o tatou o Toa, tatou te mafaia so’o se mea, tatou te le fa’alogologo tiga, ae tatou te lavatia so’o se mea e o’o mai. We’re a different breed, our culture is what makes us unique, that’s why the military seeks out our sons and daughters because our bravery is unmatched, and our loyalty runs deep.”

SFC Polu plans to fulfil his military commitment in the nation’s capital while completing his medical appointments, eventually he will retire after over two decades of service and move on to the next phase of their family’s existence. Though they have not revealed what will happen, both Sene and Rosie Polu remain steadfast in the origins of the hymn they love dearly “Through It All”, from King Solomon’s Proverbs 30:5, "Every word of God is pure, He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him."

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Associate Pastor (A'oa'o Fesoasoani) of the Samoan DC Church, Sene Polu preaching at the VOC Revival Center, Nu'uuli Sunday, August 23rd.

Photo 2 - Visiting with Senate President Gaoteote & Speaker Talavou Ale, Sene photo in January with House Chief of Staff Rev. Dr. Si'ulagi Solomona Jr.

Photo 3 - Associate Pastor Polu & First Lady Rosie Tualatai-Polu with VOC Evangelist Eugene Kalepo Tilo.