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Rotary Club, Hawaiian Airlines organize commemorative event

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, Sept. 29, 2013) – In American Samoa, names of the 34 victims killed in the 2009 tsunami were read and a moment of silence was observed to remember the victims and pay tribute to the survivors during Saturday’s tsunami memorial service, organized by the Rotary Club of Pago Pago and Hawaiian Airlines with the support of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The event was held at the Tsunami Picnic Shelter, where a plaque and monument was erected three years ago to remember the victims of the worst disaster in the history of American Samoa. The monument is a joint project of Rotary and Hawaiian Air.

"Today is about healing," Rev. Iasepi Ulu of the CCCAS Fagatogo told the gathering. "Though we come together as strangers, we trust the spirit of the Lord is with us."

"As we look back and reflect on the event of Sept. 29, 2009 it’...

After 4 years, sirens and evacuation routes still incomplete

By Lanuola Tupufia and Jason Brown

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Sept. 30, 2013) – As the country pauses today to remember the fourth anniversary of the deadliest natural disaster to have struck Samoa, there is still a strong sense of uncertainty and lingering fear at Lalomanu, where the majority of the 143 victims were killed.

Today, a siren system and evacuation routes have still not been completed.

Despite widespread improvements to water, power and roads, the lack of sirens and escape zones remain two of the leading concerns held by residents and tourists at Aleipata and Lalomanu.

The area was flattened when a tsunami, triggered by an 8.2 magnitude earthquake, struck on this day in September 2009.

"Government has done their bit in helping out and we’ve received support from them," said Lydia To'omalatai, an owner of the Litia Sini Resort on the south east coast of Upolu....

Consultant adds constitution ‘just been foisted’ on Fiji’s citizens

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Sept. 30, 2013) – The Fiji authorities are set to begin registering voters abroad, starting in New Zealand, for elections promised for next year.

The registration process will begin in Auckland and Wellington on 23 October and requires applicants to give thumbprints for verification.

Arielle Monk reports:

A New Zealand-based policy and management consultant, Sai Lealea, says as a potential voter he has concerns about the need for voters to register their thumbprint as verification.

"SAI LEALEA: Given the record of the regime in Fiji at the moment and the manner in which they’ve conducted themselves leading up to this process, and of course the constitution that has just been foisted on the people of Fiji... People will definitely have to think twice about the motives and therefore any process they put in place for elections...

Civil society chair: ‘government elements’ trying to discredit chief

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Sept. 30, 2013) – Civil society groups in Solomon Islands claim the new police commissioner was forced to crash his car shortly after his appointment just over a week ago.

The police say an investigation is being conducted into what they describe as a motor collision involving a senior officer on his way home alone in the early hours Saturday week ago but they are not naming Peter Aoraunisaka.

It has been reported that Mr. Aoraunisaka was out celebrating his appointment before the crash, in which witnesses say he cheated death.

But the interim chairperson of the Joint Civil Society Group, Barnabas Henson, says the new commissioner was...