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

Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Forum Starts In Samoa Head of State: Women have always had the ability to lead

By Vatapuia Maiava

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, April 5, 2016) – More than 60 female Parliamentarians from the region gathered at Gym 1 yesterday evening for the official opening of the 4th Pacific Women’s Parliamentary Partnership (P.W.P.P) Forum.

They were welcomed during an ava ceremony. Later, the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, opened the Forum.

"I want to begin my remarks with a bold and perhaps provocative statement. The greatest challenge for a successful democratic Pacific leader in the current Pacific context is not climate change, modernization or globalization," he said. "It is simply being ill informed and unable to act constructively on matters of priority."

His...

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

Supporters of Tato, Inammoi clash outside provincial headquarters

By Michael Koma

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, April 6, 2016) – Goroka came to a standstill yesterday as supporters of Solomon Tato and Alvin Inammoi clashed outside the provincial Yanepa Building over who should be provincial administrator.

Supporters of Mr Inammoi were trying to escort him into the provincial headquarters building at about 10am when the rival faction stopped them saying the Supreme Court had ruled that Mr Tato’s remains in office until April 27 when the full bench hears the substantive matter.

This matter involved Samson Akunaii, the other candidate for the top public service post in Eastern Highlands Province.

THE public in Goroka were forced to flee in all directions yesterday when supporters loyal to...

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

Am. Samoa looks for public land to support cannery’s growth

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, April 5, 2016) – The Lolo Administration is working to identify land space, which will allow StarKist Samoa to expand its operations. In particular, they are looking for space to increase their freezer capacity, so that the largest private employer in American Samoa is not faced with a shortage of fish supply, resulting in the need to stagger work hours — which is what happened last month.

Space for StarKist Samoa operations was one of the main issues that StarKist Inc., chief executive officer and president Andrew Choe discussed in a meeting last Wednesday with Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and his senior staff. Also present at the meeting was Congresswoman Aumua Amata.

As previously reported by...

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

Petroleum Products Supplies director addresses concerns

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, April 6, 2016) – Claims that the fire at one of the fuel tanks at the Matautu Wharf on Monday could have blown up the wharf, destroying a large part of the Apia waterfront and placing hundreds of lives at risk, have been rejected by Petroleum Products Supplies Ltd (P.P.S).

P.P.S. Managing Director, Fanene Samau Sefo, told the Samoa Observer during a press conference yesterday that there was no threat of the sort whatsoever.

"The tanks were designed in a way that it cannot be destroyed by a fire," said Fanene. "I believe the evacuation was called for precautionary measures but with the fire alone, there wouldn’t have been a time when it would spread outside of the tank. The tanks are surrounded by a cement wall...