In this bulletin:
1. GUAM — Deep-sea mining target area moves closer to Guam
2. PACIFIC— Guam, Chuuk seek medical collaboration
3. SAMOA — Samoa Observer has become a political paper
4. AUST — Papua New Guinea man wins High Court detention challenge
5. FIJI — FWCC labels Qoibau yaqona ban on women as ‘discriminatory’
6. NZ — Hipkins ex’s allegations threaten NZ Labour’s campaign
7. TONGA — Tongan kava servers face assault as kava clubs spread across the Pacific
8. AUST — A Samoan Australian man pleads not guilty over fatal attack on ex-MP
9. PACNEWS BIZ — IMF warns deficits, global risks could slow Solomon Islands growth
10. PACNEWS BIZ — Pacific nations fear fuel shortages as Middle East war sends oil prices soaring
11. PACNEWS BIZ — Coordinated federal approach sought to lower fuel costs in the CNMI
12. PACNEWS BIZ — Fiji needs to scale up tuna value-adding
13. PACNEWS BIZ — Runway works may affect early morning Nadi arrivals – Fiji Airways
14. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Interview: Pacific islands walk a ‘delicate tightrope’ as China influence rises
15. PACNEWS DIGEST — “What are we going to do with so much water?” Addressing Water Security in the Remotest Atolls of the Marshall Islands
GUAM – DEEP SEA MINING: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Deep-sea mining target area moves closer to Guam
HAGATNA, 20 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Guam leaders vowed to continue fighting the U.S federal government’s plans to lease 69 million acres of seabed near Guam for mining of rare earth minerals.
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Joshua Tenorio reiterated their opposition to deep-sea mining following the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) release of its analysis of public comments and recommendations regarding the potential lease sale of the ocean surrounding Guam and the CNMI.
The bureau recommended doubling the potential lease area to include the seabed west of the archipelago.
The recommended area includes two geographically distinct areas, one east and one west of the CNMI. The area east of the CNMI is 35.5 million acres or 6,502 whole or partial blocks and is 128 mi from Saipan and 127 mi from Guam at its closest point.
The area west of the CNMI is 33.6 million acres, or 6,248 whole or partial blocks, and is 57 mi from Saipan and 46 mi from Guam at its closest point.
“The recommended area located east of the CNMI, and the Mariana Trench National Marine Monument is consistent with indications of interest and prospective seabed mineral regions identified by the U.S Geological Survey in and around the RFI area for ferromanganese crusts and polymetallic nodules,” BOEM said.
“The Trump administration recognizes that an overreliance on foreign critical minerals and their derivative products could jeopardise U.S defence capabilities, infrastructure development and technological innovation.” Douglas Boren, BOEM regional director, stated in a 13 March memo.
BOEM said the area expansion was driven by indications of interest from several companies responded to the request for information issued last year.
“Indications of interest identified areas of interest in the RFI area and several included additional areas west of the CNMI,” the bureau said. “Indications of interest and comments identified polymetallic nodules in the RFI area to the east.”
In addition to interest in the RFI area, BOEM said there were multiple expressions of interest in polymetallic sulphides to the west of the CNMI.
“In both areas, the primary minerals for commercial development include potential commercially viable quantities of cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, zinc, rare earth elements, along with other minerals that may prove economically viable to extract and process in the future,” BOEM said.
Leon Guerrero said the expansion was “driven by industry interest, not the overwhelming concern about impacts on the environment, biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, public health, national security and regional relations that have been raised by local stakeholders and literally tens of thousands of people around the world.”
The commenting period for the bureau’s solicitation of interests and information gathered 65,585 submissions, both opposing and supporting deep-sea mining.
The governor’s office said it will continue to explore every avenue to ensure that island voices are at the table making decisions, including engaging other jurisdictions affected by BOEM’s rapid actions and pushing to establish a Joint State/Federal Task Force.
“We are disappointed that, in all our attempts to engage with BOEM throughout this process, they have not considered and have ignored the very people who are most affected by their actions. We will show up on every front to make sure that our concerns are heard and that our oceans are protected,” Leon Guerrero said.
“BOEM’s moving ahead with doubling the lease area despite public objections and concerns only demonstrates how much of a flawed process this is. The total disregard for our traditions, livelihoods, and resources is deeply troubling,” Tenorio said.
“BOEM has now doubled down on a course the people of the Marianas have already rejected,” Senator William Parkinson said. “This is yet another example of federal agencies treating our region like a sacrifice zone, despite clear and unified opposition from Guam, the CNMI, marine scientists, and local communities.”
“The most offensive part of this process is not just the environmental risk, though that risk is profound. It is the absence of meaningful consent.
“The people of Guam and the CNMI did not ask for this. We did not invite this. We have spoken against this, and yet the federal government continues to move it forward anyway,” Parkinson said…. PACNEWS
GUAM – HEALTH: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS 2: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Guam, Chuuk seek medical collaboration
HAGATNA, 20 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — Guam and Chuuk have launched discussions to expand regional healthcare collaboration and improve Micronesian citizens’ access to medical services at Guam Memorial Hospital.
“Regional collaboration is essential to ensuring that patients throughout Micronesia have access to the care they need,” Dr Joleen Aguon, GMH administrator, said after meeting with representatives from the Chuuk State Health Insurance Board.
“These discussions mark an important step toward strengthening healthcare partnerships and building more coordinated pathways for patients in Chuuk across the Federated States of Micronesia.”
As of 2020, there were 8,609 Micronesian citizens living on Guam. Migrants from Chuuk accounted for the largest segment of the FSM population on island.
The Compact of Free Association allows FSM citizens to live, work and access medical services in Guam.
Under the compact, FSM citizens are eligible for certain federal benefits, including Medicaid, without the five-year waiting period that applies to most non-citizens.
This eligibility was restored in 2020 by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which repealed the 1996 welfare reform exclusion that had previously excluded FSM citizens from the program’s coverage.
A U.S survey conducted in 2012 found that medical care is a key reason for FSM migration, with many seeking treatment for chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
According to the government of Guam’s 2023 compact impact report, a total of 5,217 FSM patients were treated at GMH in 2022. Of this total, 3,923 were from Chuuk, 748 were from Pohnpei, 402 were from Yap and 144 from Kosrae.
Due to limited medical services in the FSM, several Micronesian patients come to Guam for treatment.
“Our island has long served as a hub for healthcare in the region,” Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said. “Strengthening partnerships with our neighbors in the
Federated States of Micronesia helps ensure that families across our region have access to quality care and the medical services they need.”
“This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to improving health outcomes for our communities,” added Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio. “Working together allows us to build stronger systems of care and ensure patients can access services in a more coordinated and timely manner,” he said…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – MEDIA: SAVALI NEWSPAPER PACNEWS 2: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Samoa Observer has become a political paper
APIA, 20 MARCH 2026 (SAVALI NEWSPAPER) — The ban on the Samoa Observer by the Prime Minister of Samoa looks as if it won’t be lifted anytime soon.
When La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt was put the question by local journalists at his weekly press conference on Wednesday afternoon his response – the ban isn’t without reason.
The newspaper has been prohibited from covering any government events including attending his weekly press conferences.
The prime minister however reiterated the reason behind the ban, emphasising that respect goes both ways, claiming something the local newspaper and the only daily circulating in the country fails to reciprocate up to this day.
The prime minister made clear how much respect he has for the founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Samoa Observer – Savea Sano Malifa as his writings come with an important message.
Adding this is not the case for those reporting for the newspaper these days – the mind of the person who built the ship is not the same as the one who now captains it.
“The paper has been politicised,” says PM La’aulialemalietoa.
Reiterating again that the ban is not without probable reason, reminding everyone about how the Samoa Observer trespassed on his property, and have still not offered an apology.
The prime minister also stressed to the media present his respect for their role – reminding of the elections reporting workshop where the leader of the opposition party Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and Fiame Naomi Mataafa were invited to attend.
“Who appeared? I did. That’s me, I respect you!” he said…. PACNEWS
AUST – COURTS: AAP PACNEWS 2: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Papua New Guinea man wins High Court detention challenge
CANBERRA, 20 MARCH 2026 (AAP) — More than 40 asylum seekers, most of whom have committed crimes in Australia, will have their ankle monitors removed and curfews scrapped after the nation’s top court once again threw government policy into chaos.
The High Court ruled in favour of Papua New Guinea-born man, who argued the conditions placed on him after his release from prison were unconstitutional.
In response, 43 foreigners will have their ankle monitors removed and curfews revoked and will instead be placed on conditions similar to being on bail, requiring them to check in regularly at a set location.
The government says it will now focus on deporting the group to Nauru, rather than redrafting immigration laws for a third time.
The 36-year-old who brought the case is known only by the pseudonym EGH19. He was convicted of murder as a child and domestic violence against his wife and her father as an adult.
While prosecuted for the domestic violence, his protection visa was cancelled. He served his prison sentence, and the government tried to deport him once he was released.
The man was required to wear a monitoring device at all times and stay at a designated address between 10pm and 6am each day.
The government maintained the measures were necessary to protect the Australian community.
But the High Court, by majority, found the conditions were invalid, in yet another blow to the government’s attempts to monitor people released from indefinite immigration detention.
The monitoring regime was introduced after a landmark 2023 ruling by the same court that indefinite detention was illegal if there was no reasonable prospect of the person’s removal from Australia in the foreseeable future.
The decision led to the release of 150 immigration detainees with criminal records, some of whom had convictions for serious offences such as murder and rape.
A number were arrested for allegedly reoffending after their release, sparking fierce public and political backlash.
The government reacted by introducing laws requiring some of the former detainees to wear ankle monitors and abide by a curfew, but those measures were struck down in 2024.
Labor was unlikely to redraft laws in response to the High Court’s decision but would instead focus on its plan to deport members of the cohort to Nauru under a secretive deal with the tiny Pacific nation, a senior government source said.
Twenty-seven people have had Nauruan visas approved and a further six have travelled to the island country.
The electronic monitoring was never the government’s main focus, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.
“While obviously the government would have preferred a different outcome, the government’s ambition was never about ankle bracelets. If someone has their visa cancelled, they should leave,” he said in a statement.
Opposition Home Affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam called for new laws to respond to the High Court ruling to protect the community from the cohort.
“(These people) are some of the most dangerous that could possibly be in our community: convicted sex criminals, convicted murderers … we know what happens when these people are left unchecked,” he told reporters in Hobart.
Refugee advocates welcomed the court ruling, accusing the government of drafting laws on the run with no regard to fairness or the constitution.
“We work with people every day who are affected by these conditions – their lives have been turned upside down by these politicised punishments imposed on them simply because of where they were born,” Asylum Seeker Research Centre deputy chief executive Jana Favero said.
The cost of the High Court challenge will be paid by the federal government…. PACNEWS
FIJI – YAQONA BAN: FIJI SUN/ FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Fri 20 Mar 2026
FWCC labels Qoibau yaqona ban on women as ‘discriminatory’
SUVA, 20 MARCH 2026 (FIJI SUN/FIJI TIMES) — A decision by the district (tikina) leaders of Qoibau, Macuata to stop women from drinking yaqona has drawn criticism from the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC).
FWCC labels the decision “discriminatory.”
Its co-ordinator Shamima Ali said any such ban should apply equally to men, or not at all.
She said gender-based restrictions undermined decades of progress in women’s rights.
“It is outrageous that women still have to go through discriminatory practices such as this in this modern day and age,” she said.
Ali claimed the decision could hinder Fiji’s commitment to international conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
She said despite significant efforts by Government and civil societies to advance gender equality, practices such as the Qoibau decision revealed persistent inequalities.
Ali said local by-laws and traditional policies must align with national legislation and constitutional protections.
“Fiji’s Constitution guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination based on gender. Such measures should not be over-ridden in the name of culture or tradition.”
Ali warned that limiting women’s participation in social practices risked reinforcing harmful gender dynamics in a society already grappling with entrenched patriarchy.
“Allowing such practices to continue will only deepen inequality and could contribute to increased violence against women and girls,” she said.
Beyond the immediate issue, Ali questioned the broader national focus, highlighting pressing challenges such as drug abuse, rising cases of HIV and AIDS, and non-communicable diseases. She also pointed to global uncertainties, including conflict in the Middle East, which could have economic repercussions for Fiji.
“We should be addressing these critical issues rather than policing women,” she said.
Nadogo district rep in Macuata, Ranadiceve Raluna, said equality in village by-laws should be explored.
Raluna said while she agrees mothers need to concentrate on child rearing, the rule should apply to men and youths as well.
She said daily yaqona consumption resulted in limited time spent with family and child supervision.
“We have to make laws for the betterment of our vanua,” she said.
“We need people, from elders to the commoners to ensure when a law on yaqona (kava) restriction is made, everyone follows it.”
Meanwhile, the Fiji Government has ordered an inquiry into the controversial lawa ni Qoibau, as concerns grow over a ban preventing women from drinking yaqona in the vanua.
iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu said he had directed the Roko Tui Macuata to visit the area and engage with traditional leaders following media reports.
“We have asked the Roko Tui Macuata to visit the village and speak with the traditional leaders of the vanua o Qoibau,” he said.
The law, agreed to during a meeting in Nakorowiri Village last month, is part of a wider written code aimed at restoring discipline and reinforcing community order across villages under the vanua o Qoibau.
The decision to ban women from drinking yaqona has drawn mixed reactions from members of the public with some raising queries about fairness and human rights.
Vasu said he was only made aware of the development through media reports.
“We are not sure whether proper consultations were conducted before the lawa ni Qoibau was made.”
He also questioned the gender-specific nature of the ban.
“If there was a ban, it should not be only on women but on men also.
“We need to remember that there are human rights in place.
“Stopping someone from drinking kava should be a decision made by that individual.”
The lawa also outlines strict controls on alcohol consumption, noise levels, dress standards and yaqona use, in an effort to strengthen traditional authority within the vanua…. PACNEWS
NZ – POLITICS: AAP PACNEWS 2: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Hipkins ex’s allegations threaten NZ Labour’s campaign
WELLINGTON, 20 MARCH 2026 (AAP) — Until this week, New Zealand Labour and leader Chris Hipkins were, by his own admission, sitting pretty in a campaign year.
“If you said to me the day after the election, ‘you’ll start the election year with polling numbers that vary between 35 and 38 and you’ll be consistently on average ahead of National’ … I would have taken that in the heartbeat,” Hipkins told AAP last month.
Bombshell claims from Hipkins’ ex-wife this week have changed all that, with Hipkins even considering quitting politics.
On Sunday, Jade Paul – who was married to Hipkins for two years and with whom he shares two children – posted a series of attacks on the 47-year-old on social media.
Hipkins has categorically denied the claims, which portray him as a poor husband and father during times of her extreme distress.
“I reject the allegations that she’s made and the characterisation of those events,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“I’m not going to litigate the details of any of those things publicly, I don’t think that’s in anyone’s best interest … particularly not for my children.”
Hipkins became tearful when asked if it had affected his children, which he could not speak to, as they were on holiday with Paul.
Fronting up for his weekly interviews on Wednesday, Hipkins said he’d thought of throwing in the towel.
“It would be untrue to say that those thoughts hadn’t crossed my mind in the last 48 hours,” he said.
“But everybody in their lives at some point goes through rough patches, and you just have to keep getting out of bed every day.”
It remains to be seen whether Paul will continue attacks on her former partner on the road to the 07 November election.
Muddying the waters, Paul has worked in a ministerial office of NZ First – one of Labour’s opponents – since their separation.
The unedifying episode has provoked discussions on the private lives of politicians, and what the public has a right to know.
Hipkins – prime minister for nine months in 2023 following Jacinda Ardern’s resignation – has kept his children out of the public eye, excluding them from campaigning or social media.
The Wellington-based MP has, however, a high-profile new relationship, which he announced on election night in 2023 by thanking Toni Grace in his concession speech.
“I didn’t intend to do it that way, but it just sort of happened. That’s what happens when you do a off the cuff remarks at the end of a speech,” he told AAP.
Hipkins proposed in November on Grace’s 40th birthday, and told AAP there were plans for a 2027 wedding.
“We’re thinking sometime after the peak of summer next year, just because the late summer period is just really frantic on the political calendar,” he said.
That would mean Hipkins – should he win the next election – would become the first Kiwi prime minister to tie the knot while in office.
That possibility may have been dented by Paul’s claims, which remain largely unreported by mainstream outlets but circulate on social media.
Opposition parties are not seeking to highlight the matter.
“I’m staying right out of it,” Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Newstalk ZB, “he can deal with it”.
Labour’s police spokeswoman Ginny Andersen said her party room was standing by their leader.
“We’re 100 per cent behind him and we’ve all messaged him over the last 24 hours to show our support,” she said.
New Zealand’s top-rated broadcaster Mike Hosking, an opponent of Labour, suggested Kiwi MPs deserved to keep their private lives private.
“You could argue Hipkins and his ex represent a large slice of the New Zealand countryside: married, divorced, things got messy – that’s life experience,” he said.
“What a mix – public life, social media, gossip, innuendo, anger, broken hearts, revenge, toxicity, and sticky beak-ery.
“Who would be an MP?” he said…. PACNEWS
TONGA – KAVA INDUSTRY: ABC PACIFIC PACNEWS 2: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Tongan kava servers face assault as kava clubs spread across the Pacific
NUKU’ALOFA, 20 MARCH 2026 (ABC PACIFIC) — In Tonga, clubs where men drink kava are an integral part of the social fabric and the traditional beverage is always served by a tou’a, a role mostly performed by women.
But as Tongans migrate and kava clubs spread across the diaspora, traditions are changing and many tou’a says the environment has become less safe.
An online campaign is urging the Tongan government to restrict the roles of tou’a but some, like lawyer Teimumu Tapueluelu, say regulation or even a ban isn’t the answer.
“Being a tou’a is not a crime and drinking kava is not a crime. What is a crime, is assault. So, it is really important that the misconduct that occurs in… the kava ceremony are attributed to the individuals who committed them,” she said…. PACNEWS
AUST – COURTS: AAP PACNEWS 2: Fri 20 Mar 2026
A Samoan Australian man pleads not guilty over fatal attack on ex-MP
PERTH, 20 MARCH 2026 (AAP) — A man accused of killing a controversial former Australian Labor MP will fight a manslaughter charge at trial.
Former Western Australian politician Barry Urban died in hospital from serious head injuries, three months after he was allegedly attacked at a small business in Perth’s east in November 2024.
Jerry Aniseto Masipau, 26, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court to unlawfully killing Urban and burglary while armed.
Masipau’s case was committed to the Supreme Court, and he is scheduled for a first appearance on 18 May.
A Samoan interpreter translated the proceedings for Masipau.
His bail was extended and three other charges, including assault and reckless driving, are scheduled for mention in Perth Magistrates Court on 13 July.
WA Premier Roger Cook previously called the fatal incident “a dreadfully violent attack in the workplace”.
Urban was a member of the WA parliament for Darling Range from March 2017 to May 2018, before resigning amid scandals involving false credentials.
He was found by a parliamentary inquiry to have repeatedly lied about his education and work history.
Urban said when leaving parliament: “This is a situation I regret, and it will haunt me for the rest of my life.”
In 2021, a District Court judge jailed Urban for three years after he pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including knowingly giving false evidence before parliament.
He was released from jail in 2023 after serving 18 months of his sentence…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
SOL – ECONOMY: PACNEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
IMF warns deficits, global risks could slow Solomon Islands growth
HONIARA, 20 MARCH 2026 (PACNEWS) — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the Solomon Islands economy grew in 2025 but faces slower growth and rising risks linked to global tensions and domestic fiscal pressures.
An IMF team led by Masafumi Yabara visited the country from 09 to 20 March for the 2026 Article IV Consultation.
Staff estimates that the economy grew by 3.5 percent in 2025, driven by agriculture and gold production.
The IMF said growth is expected to slow in 2026, with inflation rising.
“The conflict in the Middle East is projected to slow growth to 2.7 percent in 2026 and raise inflation to 4.8 percent on average.”
It warned that continued global instability could further weaken the outlook.
“A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could significantly dampen economic activity and raise inflation.”
The IMF said fiscal challenges remain a key concern, with deficits expected to stay high.
“Reducing fiscal deficits and rebuilding liquidity buffers remain critical.”
It said the 2026 budget shows some progress, but stronger fiscal discipline is needed.
“Realistic and fully financed budgeting, aided by simple, top-down guidelines, is needed to avoid disruptive budget freezes and rebuild buffers.”
The IMF also advised that any government measures to ease the impact of global shocks should be limited.
“Should the government introduce measures to help mitigate the impact of the Middle East conflict, they should be targeted to the most vulnerable, strictly temporary, and closely coordinated with donors.”
The report highlighted ongoing governance and accountability issues.
“Persistent delays in fiscal reporting, audits of government financial statements, and the completion of the Pacific Games audit continue to weaken accountability.”
On monetary policy, the IMF said the central bank should remain cautious and avoid sudden policy shifts.
“Staff advises against ad-hoc exchange rate adjustments to address inflation, as strict adherence to the fixed exchange rate regime anchored to the currency basket is imperative to ensure policy credibility and foster market development.”
The IMF said the financial sector remains stable, but reforms are needed to strengthen regulation and combat financial crime.
It also highlighted climate change as a long-term risk to the country’s economic outlook.
“Climate change is expected to have incremental but meaningful cumulative effects on the debt trajectory over the long term.”
The IMF stressed the need for stronger data and institutions to support economic management.
“The quality of key statistics, including national accounts and government finance statistics, needs to be improved…. PACNEWS
PAC – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: AFP PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Pacific nations fear fuel shortages as Middle East war sends Oil prices soaring
APIA/NUKU’ALOFA, 20 MARCH 2026 (AFP) — Leaders of Samoa and Tonga appealed for help this week as the import-reliant Pacific nations raised fears over possible fuel shortages and escalating costs caused by war in the Middle East.
Oil prices have surged to nearly US$110 a barrel following strikes against energy infrastructure in Iran and the Gulf states.
The crisis in global energy markets has been felt as far away as the south Pacific, where nations like Samoa and Tonga are heavily reliant on imported petroleum.
In Samoa, about two thirds of the country’s energy generation comes from imported diesel fuel.
Speaking after a meeting with New Zealand leader Christopher Luxon, Samoan Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said he had asked if it was possible to divert fuel to his country in case of crisis.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen next,” PM La’aulialemalietoa said.
He said Samoa secured its fuel supply from Singapore and other nations but had asked Luxon to help “cover us in case something happened”.
And in Tonga — where 80 percent of its energy generation comes from imported diesel fuel — Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua said New Zealand and Australia were “sharing intelligence” with his country to help them best prepare for shortages.
Tourism makes up 25 percent of Samoa’s GDP and 11 percent in Tonga.
That’s raising concern for countries heavily reliant on airlines that are facing huge cost pressures due to the price of jet fuel.
The two nations also depend on their fisheries for food. Any shortage in fuel affects the ability of communities to fuel boats and feed themselves.
Tonga had already faced fuel supply issues last year after maintenance delays, limited storage and a stranded fuel vessel left the country almost dry.
Lord Fakafanua said he wanted to manage expectations for Tongans concerned about supply and cost.
“The restrictions are beyond our control,” he said.
‘What we can do is prepare as best we can, and part of that is the sharing of intelligence with our partners such as Australia and New Zealand.
“My concern is about ensuring that we have enough energy for the country,” he said, adding that “for now we seem to be okay”
Lord Fakafanua said he hoped for a swift resolution to the Middle East conflict.
“We don’t advocate for violence. Our foreign policy remains friend to all, enemy to no one,” he said…. PACNEWS
CNMI – IRAN CRISIS/FUEL PRICE: PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Coordinated federal approach sought to lower fuel costs in the CNMI
SAIPAN, 20 MARCH 2026 (PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES) — CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds has initiated discussions with the U.S Department of Energy to address rising fuel costs in the CNMI and across Pacific territories, highlighting the structural challenges that continue to drive higher prices.
In a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, King-Hinds outlined the growing burden of fuel costs on residents and businesses in the CNMI, where gasoline prices currently range from US$6.37 per gallon on Saipan to as high as US$7.34 and US$8.50 per gallon on Rota and Tinian.
These costs significantly exceed national averages and are contributing to higher electricity, transportation, and consumer prices throughout the Commonwealth.
King-Hinds noted that while global conditions influence fuel markets, the impact on the CNMI is amplified by structural factors unique to small, remote, and import-dependent economies.
“For communities like ours, fuel costs come down to how fuel is procured and delivered,” King-Hinds said. “We operate at a scale that leaves us exposed to higher costs and volatility, and that is something we should be addressing directly.”
She emphasised that these cost pressures are occurring in a community with limited capacity to absorb them, with a significant portion of households already facing economic constraints. She also noted that fuel costs have broader implications for federal interests in the region, including logistics, infrastructure, and defence-related operations.
King-Hinds is working with the Department of Energy to identify practical pathways to improve fuel affordability and supply stability in Pacific territories.
She pointed to the potential for a federally facilitated approach that could help address the structural limitations associated with small-scale fuel procurement by aggregating demand and improving access to more favorable contract terms.
She is also seeking the department’s perspective on how the federal government can serve as a constructive partner in addressing this long-standing issue, including whether existing authorities could support coordinated procurement, what policy or programmatic options may strengthen fuel affordability and supply resilience in insular areas, what legal, administrative, or market constraints may affect implementation, and whether targeted legislative action may be necessary.
She has previously raised broader concerns that federal actions affecting the CNMI have too often focused on restricting programmes and opportunities, rather than pursuing solutions that address long-standing structural challenges in the region.
“This is a long-standing issue that requires a more coordinated approach,” she said.
“The objective is straightforward: to bring down fuel costs and reduce the pressure these prices are placing on families, businesses, and our economy. That means looking for ways the federal government can respond proactively to challenges like this and deliver meaningful relief,” said King-Hinds…. PACNEWS
FIJI – TUNA INDUSTRY: FBC NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Fiji needs to scale up tuna value-adding
SUVA, 20 MARCH 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Tuna remains one of Fiji’s most valuable resources, generating billions globally, but limited value-added processing is preventing the country from fully capturing its economic benefits.
Minister for Fisheries, Alitia Bainivalu, said Fiji continues to export most of its tuna in raw form for sashimi markets, instead of fully tapping into high-value products like fish oil and processed goods.
She warns that this reliance on raw exports is preventing the country from maximizing returns from its fisheries sector.
The Minister highlighted that product such as fish oil, widely used in pharmaceuticals, present untapped opportunities that could significantly boost revenue if developed at scale.
“For example, the extraction of fish oil, and fish oil is a very important component of some of the medicines that have been used by pharmaceutical companies. So that’s some of the potential areas that we can tap into to maximize the benefit that we get from our TUNA, because mostly now we are exporting our TUNA whole and fresh for our sashimi markets.”
Bainivalu said limited funding and research are slowing growth, and while Pacific Fishing Company has begun value-adding and fish oil extraction, efforts must scale up to boost returns…. PACNEWS
The government is seeking more partnerships and investment to expand processing, with experts warning Fiji risks losing out on the full value of its tuna industry without urgent action…. PACNEWS
FIJI – AIRLINE/AIRPORTS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS BIZ: Fri 20 Mar 2026
Runway works may affect early morning Nadi arrivals – Fiji Airways
NADI, 20 MARCH 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji Airways has issued a travel advisory warning of possible disruptions to early morning arrivals at Nadi International Airport due to upcoming runway works.
The airline says Fiji Airports Limited will begin essential runway maintenance from midnight to 5am starting 19 March, with works scheduled to continue until 06 June.
Flights arriving during these hours may be impacted, particularly services from Singapore, Hong Kong, Honolulu and Narita.
Fiji Airways says the advisory is precautionary, noting that disruptions are not yet confirmed but adjustments to arrival times may occur.
Passengers on affected flights will be contacted directly if any changes are required.
The airline says it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS In Focus
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Interview: Pacific islands walk a ‘delicate tightrope’ as China influence rises
The Australian National University’s Graeme Smith reflects on the changing political landscape in the Pacific.
By Eugene Whong
CANBERRA, 20 MARCH 2026 (RADIO FREE ASIA) — As Beijing has been ramping up influence in the Pacific, island nations in the region have increasingly had to strike a balance existing economic and security relationships with Western countries like Australia and the United States, and new opportunities with China, according to Graeme Smith of the Australian National University.
Smith, who leads research teams at ANU that focus on Chinese investment, migration, military engagement, and aid in the Pacific region, told RFA’s Eugene Whong in an interview that Pacific countries must walk a “delicate tightrope” in the midst of the competing interests of Beijing and its rivals.
But he also said that at times, the tug-of-war geopolitics that permeate regional diplomatic forums can seem like a distraction when these countries are faced with more local “bread and butter issues.” The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
RFA: Let’s start off with the Solomon Islands where China has normalised a police presence in Honiara following the passage of a security pact in 2022. Do you think it could be said that the Solomons are China’s most important strategic partner in the Pacific right now?
Smith: I think they’re getting a lot of payoffs for not an awful lot of investment in Solomons. Certainly, they’re really getting bang for buck. Even their police presence — it’s only a dozen or so policemen — but in terms of the propaganda value, it’s immense. To be fair, the police there have been pretty well received because they focus on community policing rather than sort of the traditional policing you might see in somewhere like Australia. So, in some ways, their approach works a bit better with the local conditions.
RFA: So, you would classify that police presence as propaganda?
Smith: Obviously, these days China’s all about selling models and the model of policing that they’re selling is of concern, but in terms of the number of boots on the ground that they’ve got there, it really is a very token presence. Tellingly though, all of the people there are kind of ex-peacekeepers, so they’re not really police. They’re more people on the internal security side of things.
RFA: Beijing has been putting pressure on the Pacific countries to stop recognising Taipei in favour of Beijing, which the Solomons have done. How important is the status of Taiwan vis-a-vis Beijing’s One China Principle in the Pacific region?
Smith: Well, it’s a pretty big part of what drives China’s behavior in the region. They still are very, very focused on limiting Taiwan’s diplomatic space. So even if a country recognizes Beijing, they’ll then be pressured to take extra steps to limit any Taiwanese presence in the country. So even commercial offices, they’ll be pressured to close those down. It still remains a big focus of China in the region, and Taiwan has gone from being a very significant presence in the Pacific to having just three allies. Interestingly though, one of them will be hosting the Pacific Islands Forum this year, so that’ll be Palau, and that could make for some very interesting theatrics.
RFA: Let’s move on then to Fiji, which appears to be in a situation where it must balance a defence partnership with Australia while also receiving investment from China.
Smith: It’s been interesting because with the previous prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, they had a very loyal ally and someone who was quite dependent on Chinese diaspora funding to stay in power. With current Prime Minister Rabuka, initially he took some steps to increase Taiwan’s voice in the country. He changed the name of their representative office there in Suva, but he’s sort of slowly backtracked a little bit. And I think in many ways just had to address the reality of, you know, China is a much bigger trading partner than Taiwan with Fiji. And that’s the reality throughout the region.
RFA: Then, how difficult is it for countries in this situation to maintain the balance between China and Western countries as they compete for influence in the region?
Smith: Fiji carries that balance a bit better than most countries, and partly because it’s not as dependent on China for trade as other countries are. Its major trading partner unusually is not China, it’s the United States, and China often comes in at number three or even number four as its most significant trading partners. So that allows it to be somewhat immune to the sort of economic coercion or economic threats that other Pacific Islands are vulnerable to—the most extreme case being Solomon Islands, which has, usually, two-thirds of its exports going to China.
RFA: Let’s move on, then, to Papua New Guinea, which similarly maintains security ties with the U.S and Australia, but recently entered into an economic partnership with China in November of 2025 to boost exports of agricultural products and fisheries.
Smith: PNGs got an election year on the horizon, so that does change the equation there. It means that the politicians are going to look for propaganda victories. PNG’s been interesting in that they, in terms of their defensive cooperation, pushed for a treaty with Australia. So, this was an initiative that came from the PNG side, not from the Australian side, and got that across the line.
So, in terms of security partnerships, they’re much more integrated with Australia and the U.S. than any other Pacific country outside of the Northern Pacific. Meanwhile, in many ways, the trade deal was kind of, “Yeah, we’re sorry, we still want to trade with you.” And they do. They export a huge amount of Liquefied Natural Gas not just to China, but also to Taiwan. So, they have to walk a pretty delicate tightrope. And in an election year next year, Prime Minister Marape will be keen to get some infrastructure projects underway. So certainly, he’ll be looking to China to bankroll some of those before he goes to the next election.
RFA: So then is maintaining the balance between China and Taiwan just as difficult? Or is it just that money is so important that it makes these kinds of problems go away?
Smith: In terms of the formal diplomatic space, really, Taiwan doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room there, even less than what it has in Fiji, and that’s kind of the quid pro quo. On the other hand, if you look back to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum that was held in Papua New Guinea in 2018, Taiwan was there.
As long as it’s just economics, I think Taiwan is still given a little bit of leeway. It’s when it comes into actual diplomacy that China is a little bit uneasy, because to be honest, a lot of China’s economic prosperity comes from Taiwan. The two countries economically are very tightly integrated, and this is something that China is not at all unhappy about. They like tight integration because it enhances their argument for unification much more strongly than anything else.
RFA: Let’s pivot to the countries that have entered into the Compact of Free Association with the U.S, which are Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, which signed an economic framework agreement with China in late 2025.
Smith: FSM is the one of those that recognises Beijing, and they switched to Beijing some time ago. There was some noise from the outgoing president that he would like to switch to Taiwan, but that of course did not happen. In doing so, he sort of flagged a lot of interference that had been going on from China within FSM. But a lot of the drama has been around getting the compact negotiated. That seems to have largely gone through. Aid cuts that have affected a lot of the Pacific haven’t really hit the compact states because a lot of their money comes through the U.S Department of the Interior, not through the State Department. So, they’ve been largely unaffected.
But the leadership of all countries is quite different. In Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., you have a very pro-, almost Trumpian type figure. He quotes Ronald Reagan in his speeches, but his term is up after this electoral term. So, what happens after that will be of interest and concern to the U.S. In the Marshall Islands, it’s always a little bit unstable, but certainly they’re still very much in the U.S.-Taiwan camp. And the FSM, yeah, they’re always interesting to watch because you have these independence movements within the FSM, and you’re never sure when they’re going to bubble to the surface.
RFA: The 2026 Pacific Islands Forum will be in Palau, and we’re about five and a half months out from that. Should we expect that China and U.S. competition will be a major theme of the event? And if not, what other key issues would you say would dominate the discussions at this forum?
Smith: Most of the Pacific Island Forum members are kind of a bit annoyed by the distraction of geopolitics. They want to talk about the bread-and-butter issues of poverty, of climate change, of things that actually affect their daily lives. So, this Punch and Judy act over who sits where and who gets recognized really ticks them off. The Solomon’s ended up inviting neither China nor Taiwan to the last one, or America for that matter.
It’s unlikely Palau will follow suit. They’ll definitely want to have Taiwan in the room in some form. How China reacts to that will be really interesting to watch. But from the point of view of the member countries, this is just an annoying distraction to them because they’re facing existential threats. They’re looking in many cases to migrate in the face of current climate change or the prospect of future climate change. So, they’ve got some pretty big issues to discuss, and Taiwan-China is from their perspective not one of them.
RFA: So, these issues would be more important than worrying about which power you’re aligned with militarily or economically, correct?
Smith: It varies among the member states. Obviously, if you’re sitting in the Northern Pacific, it’s more of an existential question to you than if you’re sitting in Solomon Islands, well away from any prospective fighting over Taiwan. Certainly, for Guam and countries like this that aren’t full PIF members, if you have a missile called the “Guam Killer,” obviously it focuses your mind on a way that it doesn’t for Tonga or Samoa or these other places that are well out of the firing line. So, there is division within the PIF over how much they care about this. But by and large, the South Pacific nations see it as a somewhat annoying distraction.
RFA: Why is competing influence in the Pacific so important in a global sense?
Smith: The geopolitics matter in the sense that if there is a conflict over Taiwan it is quite an important region. The U.S. Navy would have to sail through that region to retake Taiwan should they choose to do so, which I have to say doesn’t look terribly likely under the current administration.
And it is important in the sense that in these countries, the extreme case in the Pacific would be Kiribati where China’s influence actually starts to corrode the polity … where you have a government that has been adopting very restrictive measures, often at the encouragement and certainly at the inspiration of China.
You can’t take a photo in front of the government building in Kiribati without someone coming up to you and saying “Hey, don’t do that.” And that certainly would never have happened 10-15 years ago. So, it can have a corrosive effect. Solomon Islands would be another example where you’d see it having a slightly corrosive effect on politics. Politics has never been terribly clean in Solomon’s anyway, to be frank, but it certainly hasn’t had a terribly positive impact there either…. PACNEWS
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The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
“What are we going to do with so much water?” Addressing Water Security in the Remotest Atolls of the Marshall Islands
MAJURO, 20 MARCH 2026 (UNDP) — The question came unexpectedly, in the middle of a celebration.
The community had gathered beneath the sun for the blessing of a new water tank, speeches from leaders, prayers of thanks, and the familiar moment when everyone grows shy just as the camera appears. Then a voice from the crowd asked what no one had thought to ask before – not about the ocean surrounding them, but about safe water to drink.
“What are we going to do with so much water?”
In islands surrounded by ocean, water is everywhere — but safe drinking water is not.
For generations, water scarcity has shaped daily life across the outer atolls of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. With no rivers or freshwater lakes, families have relied almost entirely on rainwater, carefully stored, carefully rationed, and never taken for granted.
During prolonged dry periods, when rainwater runs low, communities can face acute shortages, sometimes overnight. When droughts came, or when king tides push salt into fragile groundwater supplies, access to safe drinking water becomes even more uncertain.
In Utrik, water is planned days ahead. Laundry is done every few days, not by routine but by necessity. Standing beside a basin of soaking clothes, a woman managing water for her household explains:
“Every three days, we do the laundry. We have to plan ahead because water isn’t always available.”
Women carried the heaviest burden. Managing household water fell largely to them, fetching it, storing it, and deciding how it will be used. Less water meant fewer baths, disrupted routines, and difficult choices that affected health, schooling, and livelihoods. For the elderly, people with disabilities, and low‑income households, the risks were even greater.
In another household, as rice is prepared for the day, another woman carefully measures what can be used.
“We eat rice every day, so we need water to wash and cook it. We also use water for boiling fish or making soups. But we use only what’s necessary. We never use well water for cooking unless we have no other choice.”
In atoll communities, well water is often brackish and worsens during drought. ACWA upgrades aim to improve its quality over time.
Climate change has only intensified these pressures.
That is the reality the Access to Climate‑Resilient Water in the Marshall Islands (ACWA) project set out to change, not by importing solutions, but by working with communities to design ones that fit their lives, their islands, and their future.
From the start, ACWA placed communities at the centre of decision‑making. Traditional leaders, women’s groups, youth representatives, and people with disabilities were involved through consultations, technical surveys, and community meetings that respected local protocols and priorities. Rather than assuming a one‑size‑fits‑all approach, each atoll helped shape its own water investment plan.
One of the project’s most visible changes came through an unexpected innovation: flat‑pack modular water tanks. Lightweight, durable, and resistant to the corrosive marine environment, the tanks can be transported easily to remote islands and assembled on site — often by trained community members themselves.
For communities accustomed to infrastructure that arrives late, breaks quickly, or cannot be repaired locally, this mattered.
But ACWA’s impact goes beyond infrastructure. It strengthens resilience by providing communities with reliable water storage systems that serve as a critical buffer during droughts and climate shocks.
Across the atolls, Community Water Committees now play a central role in managing and maintaining local systems. Women make up nearly half of all participants and beneficiaries, reflecting both their leadership in water management and the project’s commitment to inclusion. Training programmes have equipped women and youth with skills in climate adaptation, water safety, and disaster preparedness, enabling them to act as mentors in their home communities.
Today, upgraded rainwater harvesting systems connected to community buildings provide reliable access to safe water for thousands of people. In the longer term, new storage capacity is designed to meet the needs of future generations, strengthening resilience to the droughts and saltwater intrusion that climate change will continue to bring.
Which brings the story back to that question, asked in celebration and half in disbelief:
What will we do with so much water?
For families in Utrik, it is a question that signals something new — not just security, but new hope and opportunities: water for gardens, for small businesses, for healthier homes, and for stronger communities.
In the Marshall Islands, water security is no longer just about surviving the next dry season. It is about imagining what becomes possible when communities have the resources — and the voice — to shape their own future.