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Assistant chief: prisoners can only be used to assist in cleaning

By Jasmine Netzler

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Nov. 4, 2013) – Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Aviga Salele has denied allegations he has prisoners working on his plantation at Salelologa on Savai’i – saying they are only used for official duties.

When contacted for a comment he said "there is no such thing happening."

In the past, he said, when he needs prisoners to help with some work, permission had to be granted from the Minister of Police.

Leiataua said that the only time prisoners are permitted to go outside prison gates for work is when they are needed to help out with police duties, for the Ministry, or for the government, and that includes cleaning public grounds, such as when prisoners are used to clean up Mulinuu and Tuanaimato.

"When prisoners are needed to help out at certain jobs pertaining to the Ministry permission for this is always sought from the...

Defense lawyers file motions, hearing scheduled for Nov. 22

By Gina Tabonares-Reilly

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Variety Guam, Nov. 5, 2013) – The Nov. 8 sentencing date for two former Guam police officers who were convicted in connection with the Blue House Lounge kidnapping, prostitution and rape case was vacated yesterday pending the outcome of the two motions filed by defense attorneys.

Anthony Quenga and David Manila were in the courtroom of Judge Anita Sukola yesterday for the hearing of a motion for a new trial and motions to reduce the sentences.

Quenga’s lawyer, Sylvia Stake, filed the motion for a new trial on Oct. 8 while Manila’s counsel, Terence Timblin, yesterday filed a motion to reduce the first three charges of second-degree felony.

During the hearing, Stake told the court that she will file a rejoinder to the motion filed by Timblin.

Stake was told by the court to submit her memo by Nov. 8 and gave the Assistant Attorney...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

News Release

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environmental Programme Apia, Samoa

Monday, November 4, 2013

The Governments of New Caledonia and the Cook Islands have signed a sister-sites agreement between their large-scale marine protected areas.

The agreement was made to coordinate their efforts in the sustainable management of their marine areas, which together total 2.5 million kilometers squared.

New Caledonia plans to share its experience in the field of trans-disciplinary and multi-sectoral scientific exploration. The Cook Islands will bring their expertise in the field of integrated marine governance, both at community and national levels.

"We are extremely pleased to formalise a sister site agreement with New Caledonia, given our common interest in ensuring that we are responsible stewards of...

Malau megapode program has seen varied successes

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Nov. 5, 2013) – The organiser of a project set up to preserve the endangered Tongan megapode, known locally as the malau, says it is going well - but more needs to be done.

The bird, which was once widespread in Polynesia, is endemic to Tonga and was listed as a critically endangered species.

’Ana Loiloi Fekau, who works for the Intergrated Island Biodiversity Project administered by the Ministry of Environment, says the malau can only be found naturally on the volcanic mountains of Niuafo’ou.

She says in the early 1990s, eggs and chicks were transferred to the islands of Late and Fonulei in Vava’u, and they have been monitoring them there ever since.

But she says there has been varied success.

"The number of megapode species is increasing on Fonulei, compared to Late - there’s still none. Because of the environment - it’s a little bit...