NEWSPAGE 11 November
2009

(Photo: Bella Sounds Limited)

NEW ZEALAND: Auckland concert for songstress Bella Kalolo

(Photos: Samoa Consulate General)

SAMOA: Samoa continues to advance Organic Export Opportunities
Source: Samoa Consulate General Press Release

Last Friday (November 06, 2009) Samoa 9-member delegation to the “NZ-Samoa Ministerial Consultation 2009”, which was led by the Hon Prime Minister, Tuilaepa S Malielegaoi accompanied by two other Cabinet Ministers, Hon Fiame and Hon Tuisugaletaua, visited a major organic produce outlet, Huckleberry Farms Wholefoods Supermarket in Auckland to view the display of certified organic bananas (“misiluki”) imported from Samoa.

Samoa was once successful in exporting by air, weekly shipments of organic bananas to New Zealand in the mid-to-late 1990s by the founding father of organic agriculture production in Samoa, Mr Richard Cook, who has since taken ill. And recently, it is great to know that one of Samoa’s well respected and internationally supported NGO, the Samoa Women In Business Development Inc. (WIBDI), has been instrumental in again advancing this effort to ensure that such an opportunity is not lost.

According to WIBDI Executive Director, Mrs Adi Tafunai, “they have been trialing shipments of bananas for some time and have finally worked out what works and what we have been doing wrong”. They said that their major problem now is “… getting the quantities” that their client/partner (All Good Organics - NZ) needs so that they can establish regular shipments of the certified organic bananas to NZ.

The Hon Prime Minister was very happy to see progress being made to date with this effort to again export certified organic bananas from Samoa and especially when he is the current chairman of the Samoa Organic Steering Committee. Also as chairman of the “Pacific High Level Organics Group” (consisting of Heads of Government from Tonga, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Niue), he is at the forefront of efforts to promote organic production within the region.

WIBDI has also identified an opportunity to help with the re-development effort in the tsunami disaster affected areas by encouraging families who will be planting misiluki for their daily food needs, to plant in a small plantation situation, some bananas for export so that within a year or earlier, they are able to earn some income from export shipments. Planting was started last week in the tsunami affected area of Saleapaga and will continue to other villages.

Opportunities continue to grow within the organic products sector and as confirmed by WIBDI, they now have international markets for Samoa organic virgin coconut oil, organic ‘misiluki’ bananas, organic coffee, and organic cocoa. They have also explored value added and processing options (like ripening and drying bananas) for these certified products. However, their major challenge now is not market access but overcoming production constraints with the need to build up sufficient supplies to ensure consistency of quantity, while maintaining a high level of quality.

Photo Captions:  Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa S. Malielegao and delegates visiting organic produce outlet, Huckleberry Farms Wholefoods Supermarket in Auckland to view the display of certified organic bananas (“misiluki”) imported from Samoa.
 

(Photos: Riamoana Pasifika)

AUSTRALIA: Radio 4Eb celebrates 21 years
Source: Riamoana Pasifika Press Release

Community Radio station 4Eb celebrated 21 years of achievements at Jacaranda, Logan Central last Saturday.

The station Convener for the Samoan Programme, Savea Levale Lio shared some thoughts on the last twelve months of operation.

"This year has been a great year and a busy one, the Samoan Program ran a fundraiser radiothon for the Victoria Fires and Townsville Floods in Australia during the year and were able to donate AUD$13,000 dollars to these appeals" he said.
 
"The Samoan program is the third largest ethnic group in the station attracting around 459 new members this year which is a record for the Samoan program since the Radio was established 21 years ago" continued Savea Lio.

The nights entertainment was conducted by Peni and Johnson and followed by a well known band in Brisbane, Simply Savaii.

Convener Lio thanked all the guest attendance and community leaders for their attendance and continued support throughout the year. He looks forward to the coming weeks leading up to Christmas as the station will be running 24 hours for three days during the week.

Various guests on the night showed their appreciation by applauding and thanking the Convener and the staff who had gone out of their way to make the night a pleasant experience. All members of the Samoan program give freely of their time on a volunteer basis.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - Convener Savea Lio welcomes the guests.

Photo 2 - Doctors Suitala and Terry.

Photo 3 - Louise & Samataua Sitagata Hunt.

Photo 4 - Radio Volunteer Announcers, Mulitalo Tauline and Joyita Stanley-Slade.
 

HAWAII: $203 Million invested in State-wide upgrades at University Of Hawai'i
Source: The Gov Monitor

Governor Linda Lingle has released over the last quarter $203,144,000 for renovations and new construction at University of Hawai‘i campuses statewide.

The projects include improvements to the Campus Center at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and the Student Services Building at UH-Hilo, a new Hawaiian Language building at UH-Hilo, a new Cancer Research Center at the UH School of Medicine in Kaka‘ako, and capital renewal and deferred maintenance projects at University of Hawai‘i campuses statewide. The funds were appropriated by the Legislature this past legislative session.

The funds for the UH-Mānoa Campus Center, UH-Hilo Student Services building, UH-Hilo Hawaiian Language building and UH-Hilo College of Pharmacy building support the State’s capital improvement project and infrastructure construction plan to stimulate Hawai‘i’s economy and create jobs.

Funds for the capital renewal and deferred maintenance projects are part of the State’s continuing efforts to address the backlog of repair and maintenance projects and to reinvest in the University’s physical infrastructure.

UH-Mānoa Campus Center

At UH-Mānoa, $39,675,000 will be used for continuing renovations to the Campus Center, which are being implemented in three phases. The first phase, which began in 2006 and concluded last year, involved the upgrade of the center’s public restrooms and the creation of gathering areas for students at the second floor forum area.

Phase II, which will be financed by this latest allotment, will renovate Hemenway Hall, including the relocation of the Board of Publications which is currently housed in the Engineering Quad, the site for the new Recreation Center (Phase III). In addition, renovations will be made to Hemenway Hall’s Theater and a small portion of the second floor of the building. The total area to be renovated is 3,871 gross square feet.

The allotment will also be used to finance Phase III, which includes the development of a new 55,951 gross square feet addition to the existing Campus Center Complex. The new addition will include space for a new lobby and recreation uses, as well as a new multi-purpose gymnasium.

Construction on Phase II is expected to be completed in August 2010. Phase III construction is scheduled to be competed in March 2012.

UH-Mānoa Cancer Research Center

The University will utilize $28,000,000 to finance the planning and design costs for the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i project in Kaka‘ako. The new center in Kaka‘ako would help the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i to maintain its National Cancer Institute designation as a recognized cancer center.

The funds released will enable the University to initiate plans and design, including the hiring of a project manager, development team and project consultants. The approved release of the funds and subsequent commencement of the planning and design will ensure the continuation of a $1 million per year NCI federal grant that supports ongoing research at the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i.

UH-Hilo Student Services Building

The Governor has released $27,469,000 for the design and construction of the Student Services Building renovation and addition at UH-Hilo. The project will provide an addition to the existing Student Services Building to consolidate the campus’ student services programs and facilitate future program expansion. The Student Services Building was built over 25 years ago and was originally designed as an Administration Building; however, due to expanding student enrollment and programs, the administrative functions were moved. Continued growth of student services has led to overcrowding in the building, including hallways being used for work areas, files and storage. The new addition will provide adequate space to meet student services program needs.

Of the funds released, $337,000 will be used for the design, which includes the bidding and construction administration phases, furniture and equipment plans and specifications, and design of a new photovoltaic system. The balance, $27,132,000 will be used for construction. Construction is expected to be completed in July 2011.

UH-Hilo Hawaiian Language Building

The Governor has released $1 million to finance the continuation of the design for the development of the College of Hawaiian Language Building at UH-Hilo. Currently, the college is dispersed in several buildings. The new facility will allow the College to consolidate its operations. The project will provide a state-of-the-art facility that will increase the visibility of the College of Hawaiian Language and supply the physical resources to accommodate continued curriculum development, distance education needs and high-tech learning.

UH System-wide Capital Renewal and Deferred Maintenance

The Governor also recently released $107 million to UH as part of the State’s efforts to address the University’s critical maintenance backlog of $368.4 million. UH officials have projected that $104 million is needed to be invested annually in infrastructure and facility improvements to close the backlog in eight years.

The $107 million will be used for repairs and maintenance projects including reroofing, mechanical and electrical systems, renovations, resurfacing, repainting and other improvements to upgrade facilities at all UH campuses. The projects will ensure the University’s facilities and physical infrastructure are functional, architecturally sound, aesthetically pleasing and in compliance with building and safety codes.

Projects include:

• UH-Mānoa: Elevator and conveying system work, fire detection systems, air conditioning and ventilation equipment and controls, chiller upgrades, reroofing, plumbing, lighting and electrical equipment upgrades.

• UH-Hilo: Air conditioning upgrades, reroofing, parking repairs and repaving, fire projection, and building modernization.

• UH-West O‘ahu: Construction to repair wooden decks.

• Community Colleges: Air conditioning repairs, renovations and reroofing.

• UH System: Asset and space management plans for campus repair and maintenance needs.”
 

TONGA: Tongan electoral commission proposes new government system
Source: 3 News

A new system of Government has been proposed for the Kingdom of Tonga, with the country’s monarchy being stripped of some of its powers.

In total 82 recommendations were made in a report by Tonga’s Constitutional and Electoral Commission.

It is hoped general elections will be held at the end of next year.

The changes, instigated by King George Tupou IV himself, mean:

• That the King and Privy Council will no longer be part of the Executive Government.

• The King would no longer have power to appoint the Prime Minister or ministers to office.

• The King can only appoint the Prime Minister on the advice of the Legislative Assembly.

The recommendations have been welcomed by pro-democracy representatives, both in Tonga and New Zealand.

“We would like to see moving towards something like what we witness in New Zealand, Australia and America,” says Josh Liava’a of the New Zealand Tongan Political Reform Committee.

The November riots of 2006 were partly a protest at the lack of progress to political reform. But Tongans are being warned the political reforms will not fix every problem overnight.

“My concerns is that yes, change has come, but we want the change and expectation of change to be more gradual,” says Melino Maka of the Tongan Advisory Council.

The plan is to hold elections late next year.

Tongans living in New Zealand can register to vote, but they have to be in Tonga on the election day.
 

(Photos: Memea Bubsy Maaelopa)

WORLDWIDE: Roger Stanley crowned as Miss Love Life Pasifika
Source: eventpolynesia.com

Miss Love Life Pasifika, an inaugural beauty pageant held at Te Mahurehure marae in Pt Chevalier, Auckland to conclude the success of Love Life Fono3 was won by To’oto’oalii Roger Stanley from Samoa.

Held with the theme ‘beauty with a purpose’, it featured three outstandingly beautiful fa’afafine vying for the title in a night of glamour and elegance with dozens of entertainers on stage.

Hosted by New Zealand’s favourite drag queen, the popular Miss Buckwheat (aka Edward Cowley) the entertainment was spectacular. Many were amazed at the amount of talent from fa’afafine in the Pacific; from the graceful movements of Samoa, to the hot swinging hips of the Cook Islands, to the traditionally inspired culture of Tonga to the sounds of Fiji, which complimented the beautiful chants of Aotearoa.

The contestants were judged in three categories; traditional wear, talent and the interview, based on confidence in public speaking, etiquette, and catwalk skills to name a few areas of concentration.

The organisers of the Love Life Fono were amazed by the support of family and friends on the night. Phylesha Brown-Acton, Love Life fono coordinator says that there was more to the pageant than just another competition. “It was a fun activity for friends and family to enjoy and we had wonderful support”.

Congratulations to Miss To’oto’oalii Roger Stanley, inaugural Miss Love Life Pasifika and Tatrianna La Croix and Daneesha of the Cook Islands who were placed second and third respectively.

Roger Stanley is the president of the Samoan Fa’afafine Association (SFA) and is currently employed as a principal policy analyst in the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development in Samoa.

Special awards were also distributed on the night to participants of the Love Life Fono who have contributed above and beyond their line of work for HIV prevention and AIDS awareness.

Pageant Placing:

• Talent - Tatrianna La Croix
• Traditional Wear - Roger Stanley
• Interview - Daneesha

• 2nd runner-up - Daneesha
• 1st runner-up - Tatrianna La Croix
• Miss Love Life Pasifika - To’oto’oalii Roger Stanley

List of Awards:

• Education - Tuisina Ymania Brown
• Community engagement/development - Phylesha Brown-Acton
• Sports - Michelle Vaeau
• Entertainment - Edward Cowley (Buckwheat)
• Health/Wellbeing - Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endermann
• Arts - dance, fashion & design, multimedia, television - Siaosi Mulipola
• Politics - Mama Teremoananuiakiwa Tahere-Strickland
• Tradition & Culture - Memea Bubsy Eleitino Maaelopa
• Hospitality & Tourism - Ken Moala
• Lifetime Achievement - Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endermann
• Youth Leadership Award - Michelle Vaeau

Photo Captions:

Photo 1 - To’oto’oalii Roger Stanley performing siva Samoa after crowning as the inaugural Miss Love Life Pasifika at Love Life Fono3.

Photo 2 - Roger Stanley's winning traditional wear in her theme ‘Tsunami Samoa’.

Photo 3 - Tuisina Ymania Brown, Joleen Mataele, Leu Carol Banse, Buckwheat and Memea Bubsy Maaelopa enjoying the night of Love Life Pasifika pageant.

Photo 4 - Smiles from the Cook Islands delegation.