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Thu
23
Jun

Samoa Fa’afafine Association To Samoa Observer; We Must Do Better

Submitted by PIR Editor on Thu, 06/23/2016 - 15:20

 

The article by the Sunday Samoan (published and owned by the Samoa Observer newspaper) of 19th June 2016 was in our view and indecent document and publication because it not only misgendered a member of the S.F.A, it went beyond the acceptable code of ethics in journalism and published an image of Ms. Tuivaiki in her final repose at death. In doing so, the Samoa Observer, a champion of freedom of the press in Samoa, violated and robbed what last dignity and humanity Ms. Tuivaiki had. 

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Tue
21
Jun

Editor Of Samoa Observer Apologizes For Suicide Photos, Article

Submitted by PIR Editor on Tue, 06/21/2016 - 13:28

 

Let me say this is not an easy letter for me to write. Still, I feel duty-bound to write these words, since it is our duty to tell the public we serve, the truth. The truth is that last week, we made a sad mistake when we published a story on the late Jeanine Tuivaiki, on the front page of the Sunday Samoan. We now accept that there has been an inexcusable lapse of judgment on our part, and for that we are sincerely regretful.

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Mon
20
Jun

Open Letter By Benny Wenda: Please Hear My Papuan People’s Cry For Freedom

Submitted by PIR Editor on Mon, 06/20/2016 - 15:23

 

Today thousands of West Papuan people rallied in the streets to call for freedom and for our fundamental right to self-determination to be exercised. They showed their full support for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)’s full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

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Tue
14
Jun

Vatican Must Resolve Abuse Case Against Archbishop, Keep Guam In The Loop

Submitted by PIR Editor on Tue, 06/14/2016 - 15:23

 

The Vatican needs to resolve the allegations against Archbishop Anthony Apuron as quickly as it is able, and must ensure it’s completely open with this community about information relating to its investigation and findings. In recent weeks, Apuron has been accused, by three individuals, of sexually assaulting young boys when he was a priest at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in Agat in the 1970s. Apuron has said he is innocent and is the victim of a smear campaign. He hasn’t been charged with any crime.

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Thu
09
Jun

Political Statement About Decolonization At FestPac Was Necessary

Submitted by PIR Editor on Thu, 06/09/2016 - 14:21

Commentary

By Kisha Borja-Quichocho-Calvo

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News, June 9, 2016) – During the closing ceremony for the 12th Festival of Pacific Arts, or FestPac, a few Chamoru activists came together to make a political statement. We sacrificed four of our official FestPac wraps and made banners with the following words on them: “Decolonize Oceania” and “Free Guåhan.” And when it was time for the Guåhan delegation to parade onto the main platform, we walked around the Paseo Stadium with these banners.

Why did we take such an action?

It must be understood that this action was necessary for a number of reasons.

First, it was necessary to demonstrate that FestPac is not just an event which highlights the beautiful cultural facets of our Pacific communities — songs, dances, chants, poetry, artwork, food, navigation. It is also an event which should remind us of the historical and political struggles of our peoples,...

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Tue
31
May

All Aspects Of GovGuam Contracts Must Be Open

Submitted by PIR Editor on Tue, 05/31/2016 - 15:20

 

The government of Guam must be completely open and transparent in all aspects of its contractual obligations. Taxpayers cannot afford to be kept in the dark when decisions are being made that have the potential to cripple government operations, potentially raise tariffs or taxes, etc. An arbitration clause in the Guam YTK Corp. lease with the Port Authority of Guam allowed for an arbitration panel earlier this year to deliberate in secret. The end result was a $14 million award to Guam YTK that continues to climb because of interest payments.

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Tue
03
May
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The Pacific Islands, Climate Change, Conventional Arms and Weapons of Mass Destruction: A Need to Act on All Fronts

Submitted by admin on Tue, 05/03/2016 - 00:00

The recent, historic signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change was an event of immense importance, in particular for those countries most gravely threatened by the devastating effects of climate change. 175 countries signed the Treaty and Fiji was the first country to ratify it during an elaborate ceremony at United Nations Headquarters in New York on 22nd April, 2016. Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Micronesia and Vanuatu were among the signatories.

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Tue
26
Apr
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Every Day Is Earth Day Across Micronesia

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/26/2016 - 00:00

Commentary

By Christy Sakaziro

SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, April 26, 2016) – Their stories and their efforts remind us all that every day is Earth Day in Micronesia and conservation is a major part of life.

The Northern Mariana Islands Bureau of Environment and Coastal Quality, President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands, Palau President Tommy Remengesau, Dr. Yimnang Golbuu of the Palau Coral Reef Center, FSM President Peter Christian and all Micronesia and Polynesia conservation organizations share their positive conservation efforts through social and news media.

The Federated States of Micronesia’s environmental leaders got together for a workshop on April 6-7 in Palikir, Pohnpei to promote the regional enforcement for a shark sanctuary while in the CNMI, BECQ conducted several activities to celebrate April as Environment Awareness Month.

Clarinda Ziegler of the Palau Protected Areas Network said Palau citizens began Earth Day with a...

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Fri
19
Feb
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Guam Governor Must Address Illegal Retroactive Raises

Submitted by admin on Fri, 02/19/2016 - 00:00

Editorial

Pacific Daily News

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Feb. 19, 2016) – Whether Adelup staffers deserved raises isn’t the issue with the governor’s decision to give retroactive bonuses to more than 100 unclassified employees.

Bonuses for unclassified political hires are illegal, according to Guam law, as are retroactive pay raises, unless specifically authorized by law. Gov. Eddie Calvo is within his authority to give raises to his staff, but he can’t give bonuses or retroactive raises. Thus, his administration’s decision to pay more than $800,000 in retroactive bonuses must be addressed. All staffers who received the lump-sum payments must pay back the money, which came from taxpayers.

The retroactive pay raises for 107 executive branch employees were given in December 2014. The attorney general said the raises were illegal and could "only be resolved through repayment of the retroactive pay adjustments by each individual employee, or through legislative action...

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Fri
05
Feb
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The Newest President On The Planet: RMI’s Dr Hilda Heine

Submitted by admin on Fri, 02/05/2016 - 00:00

Commentary

Joanna Hayter, Chief Executive Officer International Women’s Development Agency

This week saw the tremendous announcement that Hilda Heine is the new President of the Marshall Islands. This is monumental in its significance. She is the first female President of an Independent Pacific country.

The Pacific region has the lowest levels of women’s participation in political processes in the world, standing at 13.4% representation of women in parliaments, against a global average of 22.7%. Beyond these averages is the staggering reality that some of the Pacific Island countries to this day have no women at all in their parliaments. Hilda Heine is exceptionally well placed to lead her nation. She is the former Minister for Education. She was the...

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