70 years strong
THE Pacific Community marks 70 years of service to the region this month in a quiet way in Noumea, New Caledonia. It is fitting that an organisation with humble beginnings should celebrate such a milestone in a subdued
2017 July
Pacific loses inspirational artist
SEIULI ALLAN ALO VAAI THE Pacific lost an eminent figure in the creative arts, culture and fashion with the death of Samoa’s Seiuli Allan Alo Vaai (pictured). More commonly known as Allan Alo, this brilliant dancer
Whispers
Double standards INTERESTING to note that there is a huge campaign in Fiji for the second year running to conserve stocks of the kawakawa (grouper) which is under threat, The country’s first citizen – President,
Fiji rugby feels the heat
Pressure mounts on Fij i Rugby Union to investigate Ben Ryan’s sevens franchise BEN Ryan has been labelled a “master coach”. But he is also the mastermind behind the idea to franchise the Fiji 7s team to
Sevens sports tourism
Rugby, holiday on the other side IF you were to travel by boat for more than ten hours to watch a rugby 7s tournament, you probably still reeling from Fiji’s Olympic medal win and just can’t get enough of it. But if
$40m biscuit factory
From humble beginnings, FMF Foods expands WHAT started as a flour mill in 1973, which imported premium Australian wheat and milled flour, has now become a household brand across the Pacific, venturing into other
At the coal face of climate action
INTERVIEWED on Radio Australia last month, Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific was spruiking her government’s contribution for the global climate negotiations to be hosted by Fiji next
Push to extend Fiji tax-free zones
IN the aftermath of the military coups of 1987, the then interim government created a tax free zone in Kalabu, Nasinu, which helped Nasinu to grow and bridge the development between Nausori to Suva City. Suva-Nausori
City within a city
Entertainment company expands its boundaries THINK cinema in Fiji and instantly, the name ‘Damodar’ comes to mind. For decades, the Damodar Brothers (Films) Limited has been the prime entertainment business in Fiji
The Mad Hatter Hut
IN a cluster of stores and offices along 22 Disraeli Road in Suva, stands a flamboyant little coffee house. It’s not hard to spot given its striking greenish blue exterior, with captivating colorful interior peeping
PACER setback
Trade agreement no closer to a Plus in economic cooperation relations for the Pacific JUNE 14, this year, marked the signing ceremony of the Pacific Agreement for Closer Economic Relations (PACER-plus) Trade
Moana meets the real McCoy
HAWAIIAN actress Auli’i Cravalho, famed for her voice as Moana in the hit animated Disney movie, which features The Rock, Samoan Dwayne Johnson, was caught in the shadows of a real ocean princess when she turned up to
Back to the future
WHEN the traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe, Hokule’a, completed the first round-the-world trip by such a vessel, ocean explorers and advocates across the Pacific celebrated more than just its homecoming to Hawaii
Carbon reduction in the sky lanes
CORSIA maps the future THE aviation sector has a strong track record for climate action. Historically, efficiency improvements in the aviation sector outperform the wider economy: since 1990, aviation efficiency has
Samoa clips Virgin wings
Is Polynesian set for comeback? AN unhappy Samoa Government has signalled an end to its aviation agreement with Virgin Australia from November, opening opportunities for regional and international airlines to fly into
Tonga eyes Apia route
Talks start on flight options THE withdrawal of Samoa from a joint venture with Virgin Australia has sent regional airlines into a frenzy. In June, Real Tonga’s Deputy CEO, Fakatele Faletau, flew into Samoa to look at
A question of identity
Implications of the draft Rotuma Bills OPPOSITION to the draft Rotuma Bills was not to detract the question of unity but it was a matter of identity, explained the adviser to the Council of Rotuma, Dr John Fatiaki in an
Whales – starvation or not?
WHALES are likely starving and entering dangerously shallow water in a desperate search for food. Whales are not immune to starvation. The 650-plus pilot whales beached at Farewell Spit, New Zealand, provide ‘canary
A Race for charity
FOR the first time, Asco Motors will be participating in the Frank Hilton Charity Wheelbarrow Race, scheduled for Saturday 29th July this year at Albert Park. There has been a lot of hype and activity and expectation
Corporates show softer side
ON July 29 it will be out of the corporate boardroom, off the factory floor and off to Albert Park in Fiji’s capital – Suva. Managers, board members and staff will get behind wheelbarrows in a push for charity
What can the 2030 What can the 2030 Agenda offer the Pacific?
A CONFERENCE being held in New York in June may seem to be of little interest to those in canoes or on beaches in the Pacific. “What’s this to do with me?” government officials, community leaders and fishers may