Articles Search

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

News Release

FSM Information Services Palikir, Pohnpei, FSM

Feb. 9, 2016

On Jan. 25, 2016, Zhang Xiangchen, deputy China international trade representative and vice minister, headed a Ministry of Commerce delegation to the FSM to attend the 1st China-FSM Economic and Trade Commission meeting in Pohnpei. The purpose of the meeting is to promote economic and trade opportunities between FSM and China.

Prior to the convening of the commission, the vice minister paid a courtesy call on President Peter Christian.

FSM Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and co-chairman of the meeting, Lorin Robert opened the meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Cliff Rainbow Hotel and welcomed the delegation again to the islands.

Robert thanked the government of the People’s Republic of China through Zhang Xiangchen for initiating the historic...

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

News Release

U.S. Department of Agriculture Hilo, Hawaii

Feb. 9, 2016

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development invested more than $24.1 million in various projects throughout the Western Pacific in fiscal year 2015. The programs targeted first-time home owners, home repair and rehabilitation, community facilities, business assistance and investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

"Our Rural Development programs showcase the dedication to our rural communities by touching so many aspects of everyday life for rural residents — from housing to business to facilities," said Chris Kanazawa, USDA Rural Development State Director for Hawaii and the Western Pacific. "Our local boots on the ground are imbedded in their communities and are able to help and provide assistance throughout the region. It’s...

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

Floating hospital operated by Youth with a Mission

By Mark Rigby

MELBOURNE, Australia (Radio Australia, Feb. 8, 2016) – For people living in some of Papua New Guinea's most remote areas, the nearest hospital is often one that arrives by sea.

With up to 100 volunteers on board, the merchant vessel Youth with a Mission, or MV YWAM PNG, travels from far north Queensland to Papua New Guinea (PNG) delivering medical aid to those who may otherwise go without.

Put simply, it is a floating hospital, the reality is a lot more.

"In PNG, us being able to provide for them in a small way can change their whole life," Ella Bouman, one of the ship's volunteer nurses, said.

"Just having a conversation or doing a clinical assessment can change their life, especially in ophthalmics or eye surgery."

Two patients can...

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

Chamber of Commerce worried about tourism impact

By Florence Syme-Buchanan

RAROTONGA, Cook Islands (Cook Islands News, Feb. 8, 2016) – The Muri lagoon algae problem is affecting commercial businesses along the foreshore with hoteliers losing bookings from its spreading dark presence on the inshore sea bed.

"This is a worrying trend, because it indicates just the tip of the iceberg. We cannot measure the number of people who decide not to book Rarotonga holidays but we can be sure that for every cancelled booking there will be several others who never booked because of the algae", says Chamber of Commerce president Stephen Lyon.

Despite assurances the algae bloom is non toxic, hoteliers are receiving enquires about the algae and missing out on bookings.

Lyon says one hotel has been asked to provide images of the...