In this bulletin:
1. PACIFIC — Japan aims to fill defense ‘vacuum’ in Pacific to counter China
2. FIJI — Fiji chiefs push bold constitutional changes, sparking public debate
3. FIJI — TD11F strengthens into Cyclone Vaianu, schools to remain closed
4. SAMOA — Salamatua appointed Samoa’s new Ministry of Education and Culture CEO
5. VAN — Former MP, two others face jail over citizenship fund misappropriation
6. FIJI — Only PM, President allowed backup vehicles under new government rules
7. PACNEWS BIZ — Solomon Airlines Launches 2nd Direct Service from Brisbane to Santo
8. PACNEWS BIZ — ULMWP urges students to reject Indonesia scholarship; Indonesia says programme supports development
9. PACNEWS BIZ — Fuel stocks above 50 percent as supply remains stable in Fiji
10. PACNEWS IN FOCUS — Strategically critical Guam divided over growing U.S military presence
11. PACNEWS DIGEST — Tonga’s debt to China hinders rebuild four years on from eruption
12. PACNEWS DIGEST — As World Cup kick-off nears, a reminder of the power of sport to build bridges and break barriers
PAC – DIPLOMACY/POLITICS: THE ASAHI SHIMBUN PACNEWS 2: Mon 06 Apr 2026
Japan aims to fill defense ‘vacuum’ in Pacific to counter China
TOKYO, 06 APRIL 2026 (THE ASAHI SHIMBUN) — In light of China’s expanding military activities, Japan has created an organisation to strengthen defense on the country’s Pacific flank, an area considered a low priority and more vulnerable to incursions.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi emphasised the significance of the 10-member Pacific defense initiative office, which was established on 01 April.
“Strengthening our defense posture across the vast maritime and airspace areas on the Pacific side is an urgent task,” he said during a visit to the Pacific island of Iwoto, also known as Iwo Jima, on 28 March.
“At present, it cannot necessarily be said that our capabilities are sufficient. Large swaths of the Pacific side are effectively a vacuum in our defenses,” he added.
The government plans to incorporate a policy of strengthening Pacific defenses when it revises the three key national security documents within the year.
Through the new office, the Defense Ministry plans to conduct cross‑cutting reviews of the Self‑Defense Forces’ posture and reflect the findings in the documents.
The office is housed within the ministry’s Bureau of Defense Buildup Planning, which is involved in formulating the Defense Buildup Programme, one of the three security documents.
The programme sets out the quantities of major defense equipment to be procured over a five-year period, as well as the required budget.
Until now, the Defense Ministry has prioritised establishing radar sites on the Sea of Japan coast to respond to North Korean missiles and along the East China Sea to counter China’s maritime expansion.
For example, the ministry is planning the permanent deployment of mobile early-warning and control radars on Amami Oshima island in Kagoshima Prefecture and Kita‑Daitojima island in Okinawa Prefecture.
However, China has also been intensifying its military activities in the Pacific.
In June, two Chinese aircraft carriers operated simultaneously in the Pacific for the first time and transited Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Carrier‑based aircraft conducted about 1,000 takeoff and landing drills.
It was also the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier advanced east of the Second Island Chain, which stretches from the Izu island chain to the U.S territory of Guam.
Following this incident, concerns grew that Japan’s intelligence‑gathering, early warning and surveillance capabilities over the Pacific were limited.
Consequently, the Defense Ministry plans to begin surveys within the current fiscal year to deploy a mobile early-warning and control radar on Chichijima in the Ogasawara island chain, south of Tokyo.
The ministry is also considering bolstering radar functions on Iwoto and on Minami-Torishima island, Japan’s easternmost point about 1,800 kilometers from the main island of Honshu, according to ministry sources.
On Iwoto, surveys will begin on developing port facilities and runways to enhance the island’s air base functions.
There is even a proposal to permanently station SDF fighter jets on the island to enable rapid responses to Chinese military and other aircraft, the sources said.
However, the Pacific defense initiatives face many challenges in terms of effectiveness, cost and personnel.
Volcanically active Iwoto, for example, experiences significant land uplift, leading some ministry officials to point to the difficulty of undertaking infrastructure development there.
The ministry is also considering establishing an air defense identification zone over the Ogasawara island chain to reinforce Japan’s alert posture against incursions by foreign military aircraft.
However, with few islands and limited land suitable for radar installations, questions remain as to whether an ADIZ can be operated effectively.
Developing infrastructure on islands far from Honshu would also entail high costs, including expenses for transporting materials.
“We do not have an unlimited budget, and personnel are finite,” a Defense Ministry source said. “We need to carefully determine how best to allocate our resources.”…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: PMN PACNEWS 2: Mon 06 Apr 2026
Fiji chiefs push bold constitutional changes, sparking public debate
SUVA, 06 APRIL 2026 (PMN) — Fiji’s Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) or Bose Levu Vakaturaga (BLV) has put forward sweeping proposals to change the country’s constitution, sparking debate across the Pacific nation.
The council was disbanded by the former government in 2012 but was reinstated in 2023, returning as a formal advisory body with renewed influence over Fiji’s traditional and political affairs.
In its submission to the Constitution Review Commission, the GCC has outlined major changes to governance and rights.
These include giving the council the power to appoint the President and Vice President, and reserving the name “Fijian” exclusively for iTaukei people.
The council also proposes changes to children’s rights protections.
“The Constitution Review Commission confirms that the GCC also wants Section 41 on the Rights of children – protection from punishment to be amended and to include at the discretion of parents and teachers.”
Other recommendations include reintroducing the Senate, including the Deed of Cession and customary laws in the Constitution, and reforming the electoral system, which the council says currently weakens provincial representation and accountability.
The proposals have prompted strong reactions online. One social media user wrote: “The heck is wrong with these chiefs? I can’t believe I’m saying it but Bhai and Khai were right to dismantle these gang. Just look at their submission on the constitution review.
‘The Great Council of Chiefs has made a number of recommendations in its submission to amend the 2013 Constitution which includes that the GCC is to be the appointing authority of the President and the Vice President, the ‘Fijian’ name to be reserved for the iTaukei, the section for Fiji to be a secular State to be repealed, and the words ‘gender’ and ‘sexual orientation’ are to be deleted from this expression in Section 26(3) on the Right to equality and freedom from discrimination.’
“And again with the free permission to punish children the way they see fit. ‘The Constitution Review Commission confirms that the GCC also wants Section 41 on the Rights of children – protection from punishment to be amended and to include at the discretion of parents and teachers’.”
Some Fijians are also urging caution around rapid changes. One resident told the media after Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s address at the opening of the GCC in Suva in December last year: “The Constitution cannot be changed overnight.
“We need thorough public consultation and a two-thirds majority in Parliament.”
Professor Steven Ratuva, a political sociologist, has previously commented on the GCC’s role in Fiji. Speaking to ABC in 2024, he said, “The Great Council of Chiefs has committed a lot of mistakes in the past, including being used by some as a leverage for ethno-nationalism and racial hatred.
“It needs to rise above that and must function and be seen as a unifying, reconciliatory and peace-building body,” Ratuva said.
Another voiced concern about priorities: “They should first make the constitution for their own people to help reduce crime, drug issues… and domestic violence.”
Analysts say the debate reflects a broader shift in Fiji’s politics, with indigenous leadership now “central to shaping Fiji’s political direction”.
The GCC’s proposals are certain to dominate discussion in the coming months, as the nation considers how to balance tradition, identity, and modern governance in shaping Fiji’s future…. PACNEWS
FIJI – CYCLONE: FBC NEWS/FIJI GOVT PACNEWS 2: Mon 06 Apr 2026
TD11F strengthens into Cyclone Vaianu, schools to remain closed
SUVA, 06 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS/ FIJI GOVT) — Tropical Depression TD11F has intensified overnight and has now been upgraded to a tropical cyclone, officially named Tropical Cyclone Vaianu.
The system is currently classified as a Category 1 cyclone.
At around midnight, Tropical Cyclone Vaianu was located approximately 610 kilometres west-northwest of the Yasawa group and is moving southeast at about 9 kilometres per hour.
According to the Fiji Meteorological Service, the cyclone is expected to continue tracking south to southeast over the next 24 hours, with further intensification likely.
The associated trough of low pressure extends across the Fiji group, bringing widespread cloud cover, showers, and periods of rain that are expected to persist over the coming days.
Authorities are warning that isolated heavy rainfall and thunderstorms could trigger flash flooding.
Areas most at risk include low-lying communities, drainage systems, small streams, Irish crossings, roads, and properties prone to flooding.
Although the system remains to the north of Fiji, it is being closely monitored as it strengthens.
Officials say further updates will be issued as the situation develops.
Meanwhile, Fiji Ministry of Education in consultation with NDMO is advising that all schools are to remain closed tomorrow and tertiary institutions are urged to make the necessary call as deemed fit.
All students including boarders are to remain at home and the situation will be closely monitored with further advice to be issued accordingly.
The Minister for Education Aseri Radrodro wishes all Fijians and visitors to Fiji a safe week ahead and is urging that parents and guardians closely monitor their children and ensure no one attempts to cross flooded creeks or rivers and drains.
And children are not to swim in rivers, creeks or the sea during this period likewise.
It is better to urge all children to read books or do school revisions during this period of natural disaster.
Meanwhile, all Heads of School are to liaise with the District Education Office and provide updates on the status of their respective schools, including those being used as evacuation centres…. PACNEWS
SAMOA – POLITICS: SAMOA OBSERVER PACNEWS 2: Mon 06 Apr 2026
Salamatua appointed Samoa’s new Ministry of Education and Culture CEO
APIA, 06 APRIL 2026 (SAMOA OBSERVER) — Salamatua Jenny Lauano is the new Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Lauano was an educator for more than 20 years and switched from being a teacher to join the Ministry in 2014.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt during his usual press conference on Thursday.
Lauano, before becoming the new CEO, was the Assistant Executive Officer for the Teacher Development Division for 12 years.
Lauano has replaced Aeau Chris Hazelman, who posted a special acknowledgement on social media after the announcement was made.
Aeau thanked the ministry, all principals and teachers for their support during his tenure.
The new appointment for MEC is one of many CEO positions that have been advertised…. PACNEWS
VAN – POLITICS: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS 2: Mon 06 Apr 2026
Former MP, two others face jail over citizenship fund misappropriation
PORT VILA, 06 APRIL 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The Supreme Court has sentenced three men known in the Vanuatu political arena to 12 months’ imprisonment after they admitted to misappropriating funds connected to the country’s citizenship programme.
In Public Prosecutor v Sakias (Criminal Case No. 3822 of 2024), decided on 31 March 2026, Justice Oliver A. Saksak handed down custodial sentences to Lulu Sakias, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Santo, Amos Warsal, and George Anderson Toa following their guilty pleas to eight counts of misappropriation.
The court heard that the three defendants were directors of Vanuatu Immigration Solution (VIS), an authorised agent operating under the government’s Development Support Programme (DSP), which processes applications for Vanuatu citizenship.
Under the DSP framework, funds paid by foreign nationals are required to be deposited into designated accounts, including a government-controlled Development Support Account held at the National Bank of Vanuatu.
However, evidence presented to the court revealed that between 2020 and 2021, a foreign national transferred more than USD 114,000 into VIS accounts as part of the citizenship process. Bank records showed that portions of these funds were later diverted into the personal accounts of the three defendants.
Justice Saksak found that the defendants had unlawfully converted money that was held in trust for a specific purpose. The court rejected their claim that the transfers were commissions owed to them, stressing that such justification does not excuse misappropriation.
“The monies were held on trust and were not for loan or consumption,” the judge stated, emphasising that the funds were either to secure citizenship or be refunded if the process was not completed.
In determining the sentence, the court identified several aggravating factors, including a clear breach of trust, financial loss to both the State and the client, repeated offending over a period of months, and damage to the reputation of Vanuatu’s citizenship programme.
The court also noted that the funds were used for personal benefit, further compounding the seriousness of the offending.
Each defendant received a starting sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment, with sentences to run concurrently. The court then applied a reduction of four months for their guilty pleas and an additional two months for personal mitigating circumstances.
This resulted in a final sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment for each defendant. The court ordered that the sentences are to be served immediately and are not suspended.
The imprisonment terms will take effect 14 days from 31 March 2026, allowing time for the defendants to file any appeals.
Justice Saksak stressed that custodial sentences were necessary to deter similar offending and to protect public funds, particularly those held in trust under national programmes.
The ruling reinforces the seriousness of misappropriation offences in Vanuatu, which carry a maximum penalty of up to 12 years’ imprisonment, and the court’s firm stance on safeguarding the integrity of the country’s citizenship scheme…. PACNEWS
FIJI – POLITICS: FIJI TIMES PACNEWS 2: Mon 06 Apr 2026
Only PM, President allowed backup vehicles under new government rules
SUVA, 06 APRIL 2026 (FIJI TIMES) — Fiji Government has introduced strict new controls on the use of official vehicles, limiting backup vehicles to only the President and Prime Minister while tightening rules on transport for senior officials.
In a circular issued on 02 April, Permanent Secretary for Finance Shiri Gounder said no backup vehicles would be permitted except for the country’s top leadership.
“No vehicle backups are allowed except for His Excellency the President and the Honourable Prime Minister,” Gounder stated.
The directive also restricts home pick-up and drop-off privileges, allowing them only for Permanent Secretaries under normal working conditions.
“Officers other than the Permanent Secretary are not allowed to be picked up and/or dropped off home during normal working hours unless authorised… for urgent and priority tasks,” he said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS BIZ
SOL – AIRLINE: SOLOMON STAR PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 06 Apr 2026
Solomon Airlines Launches 2nd Direct Service from Brisbane to Santo
HONIARA, 06 APRIL 2026 (SOLOMON STAR) — The Vanuatu Tourism Office has announced the expansion of Solomon Airlines international route network with the introduction of a new direct flight service connecting Brisbane, Australia (BNE), to Luganville, Santo, Vanuatu (SON).
The first flight arrived on Saturday 4 th April 2026, 12.45pm.
This significant development enhances connectivity between Australia and Vanuatu’s second-largest island, offering travellers a more convenient gateway to the stunning natural beauty and adventure experiences, and rich cultural heritage of Espiritu Santo.
The new direct service is a testament of Solomon Airline’s commitment to supporting tourism and economic growth within Vanuatu and the Pacific region.
Jason Rakau, the CEO of Airports Vanuatu Limited expresses, “We are grateful for Solomon Airlines’ ongoing support as an aviation partner, as the extra routing they are bringing into the destination adds significant value for our air visitors for both tourists and citizens alike.”
Enhanced Connectivity and Travel Convenience
The new route will operate twice weekly beginning on 4 th April 2026. This direct connection is expected to dramatically reduce travel time for Australian tourists and expatriates heading to Santo, bypassing the need for connections through Port Vila.
“We are incredibly excited to bring this direct service to fruition”, said Matthew Findlay, CEO of the Solomon Airlines.
“Santo is a jewel of the South Pacific, famed for its world-class dive sites like the SS President Coolidge and its untouched beaches.
“By offering a direct route from Brisbane, we are making this paradise more accessible than ever before, supporting local tourism operators and fostering stronger regional trade links.”
The launch of the Brisbane-Santo direct flight is a major milestone for Vanuatu’s tourism recovery and growth, specifically for Espiritu Santo and its surrounding islands.
Rayman Leung, Chairman of the Espiritu Santo Tourism Association, expressed, “This initiative is focused on giving travellers greater flexibility and choice when planning their trip to Espiritu Santo.
“With more options on travel dates, it has never been easier to book and organise a holiday to our island. Known for its vibrant blue holes, pristine coastline , and rich history, Espiritu Santo is now more accessible than ever for adventurers, divers, and holidaymakers seeking an authentic Ni-Vanuatu experience. We are ready to welcome everyone.”
In addition, Adela Issachar Aru, CEO of the Vanuatu Tourism Office states, “We anticipate a strong positive impact on local businesses in Luganville and surrounding areas, through this connectivity which is a two-way street: bringing in people and also allowing us to send the very best of Vanuatu – our flavours, our craftsmanship, and our produce, out to the world.
“This is how we build a trade economy that supports our local families and sustains our rural communities which is why Vanuatu Made is a critical element of this pathway of our connectivity also.”
“We look forward to receiving more Australian visitors who can now enjoy the convenience of landing directly on Santo’s shores and boosting the local economy,” Aru further added…. PACNEWS
VAN – DEVELOPMENT: VANUATU DAILY POST PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 06 Apr 2026
ULMWP urges students to reject Indonesia scholarship; Indonesia says programme supports development
PORT VILA, 06 APRIL 2026 (VANUATU DAILY POST) — The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has called on Vanuatu students to reject a new Indonesian scholarship programme, describing it as propaganda on West Papua and what it terms “chequebook diplomacy.”
But speaking to the Daily Post, Indonesian Embassy spokesperson Vitrionaldi said the scholarship initiative is intended for Indonesia’s close partners and forms part of a wider international development cooperation programme. He said the initiative, launched last year, has been extended to 56 partner countries worldwide.
Vitrionaldi explained that the programme reflects Indonesia’s commitment to South-South Cooperation, grounded in solidarity, shared experience, and mutual respect. He added that through the initiative, Indonesia aims to share knowledge and expertise in key areas such as technology, agriculture, and science to support sustainable and inclusive development.
Meanwhile, in a briefing statement, the ULMWP claimed the scholarship programme is aimed at weakening Vanuatu’s longstanding support for West Papua. The movement called on Vanuatu to reject the initiative, alleging it is part of a wider effort to influence regional views.
The ULMWP said Vanuatu has long stood in solidarity with the people of West Papua, with support dating back to the 1970s. The statement referred to key moments, including efforts under former Prime Minister Barak Sope to reconcile factions of the Free Papua Movement (Organisasi Papua Merdeka or OPM) in 1987, the adoption of the Wantok Blong Yumi Bill in 2010, and the establishment of the ULMWP in 2014.
The movement also alleged that Vanuatu has often been targeted by Indonesia’s “chequebook diplomacy,” describing it as financial lobbying directed at small Pacific Island nations to weaken their support for West Papua.
As an example, it pointed to the current scholarship offer, which reportedly covers tuition fees, monthly allowances, accommodation, and return airfare to Indonesia.
While acknowledging that the scholarship may appear generous, the ULMWP argued it forms part of a wider effort to shape the views of future Melanesian leaders on the West Papua issue.
The statement also raised concerns about limited exposure to alternative perspectives, claiming that students may not be fully informed about the historical and ongoing situation in West Papua.
In response, Vitrionaldi said Indonesia views education and development cooperation as a bridge between nations, promoting people to people connections and mutual understanding.
The issue continues to draw attention within the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) and the wider Melanesian region, reflecting ongoing tensions between development cooperation efforts and political sensitivities surrounding West Papua…. PACNEWS
FIJI – FUEL: FBC NEWS PACNEWS BIZ: Mon 06 Apr 2026
Fuel stocks above 50 percent as supply remains stable in Fiji
SUVA, 06 APRIL 2026 (FBC NEWS) — Fiji currently has fuel stocks above 50 percent, with supply remaining stable across the country.
Delivering the update on behalf of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Minister Lynda Tabuya assured Fijians that there is no fuel shortage at this time.
She says fuel is available nationwide, but the issue the country is facing is rising global prices, not supply.
Tabuya explains that while stocks are sufficient now, the government is closely monitoring the situation due to uncertainty in global supply, especially in the coming months.
“In simple terms, fuel is available with stocks above 50 percent, so let us use it wisely. Fuel is still available, but prices are high and future supply is uncertain.”
Government has already activated its Fuel Emergency Action Plan, which outlines steps to manage fuel use depending on stock levels.
Tabuya says acting early is key, as conserving fuel now will help avoid shortages if global supply is disrupted further.
Fijians are being urged to use fuel wisely, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for possible changes if the situation worsens…. 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
Strategically critical Guam divided over growing U.S military presence
By Sean Mantesso
CANBERRA, 06 APRIL 2026 (ABC) — In the glistening waters of Tumon Bay, a traditional canoe catches the wind.
At its helm is boat builder Ron Acfalle, who has sailing in his blood.
“We came from the ocean,” he says. “We didn’t sprout from the ground.”
Ron is an Indigenous Chamorro from Guam, a 50-kilometre-long island in the Western Pacific and an unincorporated territory of the United States.
He is reviving the lost art of canoe-building and sailing, practices once banned under colonial rule.
But today Guam sits at the centre of a new struggle. It is caught between the world’s most powerful military and the right of its people to determine their own future.
Guam is already one of the world’s most militarised islands — nearly a third of it is controlled by the U.S military and the people here enlist at extraordinary rates.
And yet Guam’s people cannot vote for the U.S president and do not have a voting member of Congress.
Now, as the island undergoes another major military build-up, life is being reshaped.
Lack of job alternatives
Up at his workshop overlooking the bay, Ron says the military is a tempting career on an island with few other opportunities.
“When we graduated from high school, there was no place for us to go,” he says.
Ron was a marine for four years, but he hopes his culture can offer an alternative.
“I came home and I took that knowledge and I took the discipline and I’m teaching it to the younger generation,” he says.
“They don’t have to join the military.”
But many still do. The people here enlist at a higher rate than any U.S state.
That loyalty is tied, in part, to history.
During World War II, Guam was captured and occupied by Japan for nearly three years.
When U.S forces retook the island in 1944, liberation came, but so did lasting consequences.
Indigenous land was later forcibly acquired, and the military’s presence became deeply embedded in island life.
Ron is among a growing number of Chamorros, who make up about half of Guam’s 170,000 people, questioning a widely-held view that what is good for the military is good for Guam.
“There’s a growing concern now that they’re disrespecting our land … our burial sites,” he says.
“I view [the military] as coming here not for the culture, not for anything other than for themselves.”
Strategic value in conflict with China
But real change won’t come easily.
An unincorporated territory of the United States, the people of Guam have little say over how the military uses the island.
Pacific Center for Island Security director Leland Bettis said Guam represented a “treasure” in terms of military value.
“The military does not need permission from the government in Guam to project force,” he said.
“It does in Japan. It does in Korea. It does in the Philippines.”
Guam being the closest American territory to flashpoints such as Taiwan make it vital in any future conflict with China, Leland says.
The ABC was given rare access to a handful of military sites to get a glimpse of how the U.S is investing.
At one site we spoke with personnel working on the US$11.5-billion dollar Guam missile defence system.
Captain Alexander Manville said Guam was the first location for this type of system to be deployed.
It’s described as a “360-degree missile defence shield” which, unlike the already deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, can defend against low and short range projectiles.
“I’d say it is a full commitment to the people of Guam and to the defence structure that we have here, that it is being fielded here first,” Captain Manville said.
Guam local Captain Alejo Luhan, from the National Guard, told us he welcomed the military’s continued investment.
“It’s provided a lot of opportunities for young adults, young kids and people who aspire to serve a higher calling,” he said.
Build-up’s environmental impact
But on Guam’s northern edge, the impact of the build-up is harder to ignore.
Near Camp Blaz, a stretch of coastline known as Ritidian borders a protected wildlife refuge, home to endangered species and an area that’s culturally significant for the Chamorro people.
On the road at the refuge’s entrance, demolition work echoes from a new live-fire training range.
“It can be very loud, all the clearing and grading,” said Monaeka Flores, the executive director of Prutehi Guåhan, an environmental and Chamorro rights group.
According to U.S military estimates, roughly 10 per cent of Guam’s remaining limestone forest has been cleared to make way for the range.
The site also sits above an aquifer that supplies around 80 per cent of the island’s drinking water, raising concerns about potential contamination.
The U.S Navy, which oversees the construction of these facilities, told the ABC in a statement that it was “committed to protecting Guam’s environment and is in full compliance with all legal requirements”.
It said “stormwater management systems minimise the risk of lead contamination … and are operating as intended” since their completion in April 2025.
But Monaeka said Guam already has a long history of contamination related to military activity, and the range and other works here risked “generational harm”.
“We have a high incidence of cancer, heart disease, diabetes … essentially the military build-up here guarantees ecological destruction, affecting our food security, the safety of our drinking water, the health of our people,” she said.
‘You come home with demons’
For the many Chamorros who enlist, serving in the U.S military can raise difficult questions.
Like so many other patriotic Americans, Roy Gamboa enlisted in the aftermath of 9/11 and served two tours in Iraq as a marine.
“It’s nothing like the movies, it changes you … you come home with demons,” he said.
Roy’s experiences led him to found the veteran’s support group Got Your 671, a combination of the military term “got your six” and Guam’s calling code of 671.
As much as 14 per cent of Guam’s population are veterans, yet studies show they have, on average, access to less than half the services available to veterans in the U.S.
Roy said many veterans travel to Hawaii just to receive basic care.
“My question, of course, is always, do we not bleed the same? Have we not died for our country enough?” he said.
Being a patriot does not stop Roy questioning the military’s role on Guam.
He took us to a lookout above the U.S naval base and pointed down toward where he said his grandfather’s land was forcibly acquired after the second world war.
“I feel more hurt knowing that … his belief was some day we will get this land back, [but] he died,” Roy said.
Despite their service, Roy said many veterans feel caught between competing loyalties.
“Where does a veteran belong on the island of Guam, where do you side? In many cases veterans can feel conflicted … I’m torn, I’m stuck between the two worlds,” he said.
Pricing civilians out of housing
That tension is also visible in everyday life.
While military personnel often live in well-serviced housing, many locals are struggling.
The cost of living on Guam is among the highest in the United States.
Jessica Lizama said even with two full-time incomes, her family cannot afford to rent a home.
She, her husband and their four children have been living with her parents for the past six years.
“An apartment, or a condo, that’s about almost US$3,000 [$4,342 in rent] a month and that does not include utilities like power, water,” Jessica said.
Guam’s military personnel can receive rental allowances of $3,000 per month and about half live in civilian housing.
Jessica said the situation “just feels helpless … it’s very frustrating, heartbreaking”.
Military addressing issues
On Nimitz Hill, named for the famed World War II Admiral Chester W Nimitz, Commander of Joint Forces Micronesia Joshua Lasky said the military was working hard to secure more off-base housing.
He also said the military was complying with environmental regulations as well as conducting remediation works such as replanting forests to compensate for areas where land has been cleared.
“Is everybody always happy? Of course not,” Rear Admiral Lasky said.
“But I don’t think that’s necessarily a signal of a flaw in the system — that’s a healthy system.”
On questions about Guam’s future, its political status, and whether the island should have more autonomy, Rear Admiral Lasky had no clear answer.
“I think that is really a matter for the government of Guam and the United States government. What I can tell you is we are committed to being part of the community here,” he said.
An economic lifeline
For many on Guam the military presence is not just strategic, it’s essential.
By some estimates, military activity now underpins as many as one in five jobs.
Few understand that dependence better than Lee Webber.
A Vietnam War veteran who was evacuated to Guam for medical attention, he married a local and never left.
After decades working in publishing, he now runs a dive shop.
“If there was no military this island economy would be down now. It would be shut off,” Lee said.
“After COVID everything fell apart, but our military business held … we’re probably 95 per cent military.
“In spite of what any politician will tell you … the islands really, really, are actually in dire straits … without the military … we wouldn’t be floating.”
That reliance shapes how many people view Guam’s future.
“If we were a state, we’d be in a mess,” Lee said.
“And if we were independent, we’d be so vulnerable it would be unbelievable.”
A revival underway
But for many Chamorros autonomy is about more than politics.
The Hurao Academy in the capital Hagåtña is Guam’s first Chamorro immersion school, and this year is the first it has been fully publicly funded.
The school’s founder and long time Chamorro language proponent Anna Marie Blas-Arceo has spent decades working to bring it to life.
“It has been a dream of mine for many, many years — 20 years in the making,” she said.
For the parents and kids, Hurao is more than just a school.
For decades the U.S suppressed the Chamorro language and banned it in schools, a policy only fully lifted in the 1970s.
The damage from that and many other repressive policies is still being felt today.
Anna Marie said many Chamorros of her generation, born in the postwar period and discouraged from speaking their native language, “have this hole in them”.
Parent of two Sågue Salas agreed, saying having his kids learn Chamorro meant they would not “struggle with their identity like I have”.
“I still see my parents struggling to actually know who they truly are and know how grounded they are to our land and to the culture,” he said.
Guam and the Chamorro people have endured a great deal and much remains unresolved.
But across the island a revival is underway, not led by politicians or military power, but by ordinary people.
Anna Marie believes that even the U.S military does not have the power to stop the revival that is now underway.
“No matter what our political status is, no matter whether there’s military influence or not,” she said.
“No matter what happens around us, if we protect our families and the teaching of our language and culture within our families, then nobody can take that away from us,” she said…. PACNEWS
PACNEWS DIGEST
The views expressed in PACNEWS are those of agencies contributing articles and do not necessarily those of PINA and/or PACNEWS
Tonga’s debt to China hinders rebuild four years on from eruption
NUKU’ALOFA, 06 APRIL 2026 (AFP) — More than four years on from one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in history, Tonga is struggling to improve its infrastructure as it pays off a massive Chinese loan.
When Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai erupted on 15 January 2022, the blast could be heard as far away as Alaska and sent a powerful tsunami crashing into Tonga’s main island some 65 kilometres (40 miles) away, killing three people.
Hundreds of homes were destroyed, businesses flattened and roads washed out, while most water supplies were left undrinkable as six inches of ash fell on the Tongan islands.
Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua said last month that most government programmes to rebuild were complete, but conceded there were “some leftovers” his government needed to finish.
The damage caused by the tsunami remains obvious in parts of Tonga.
Debris from homes and businesses knocked down by the waves remains scattered near beaches on Tongatapu’s west coast, and on the nearby ‘Eua island, tourists are encouraged to bring cash with them from the capital, Nuku’alofa, as ATMs and banking services have not been restored.
But as much as Lord Fakafanua may want to address these issues, he told AFP his government has stopped taking loans.
Budget documents show a US$67.36 million (NZ$118.3m) loan owed to China’s Exim Bank, taken out to rebuild Nuku’alofa’s central business district after the 2006 riots.
The initial loan, taken out in 2008, was for US$55 million (NZ$96.6m) , but with interest, the debt reached more than US$100 million (NZ$175.65m) by 2024.
Tonga’s government has committed to paying down its debt by 2030, and in the year to June 2025, it paid China US$17.7 million (NZ$31m) as part of total debt repayments of US$29.4 million.
The repayments represent a large share of government spending in the small nation where the annual infrastructure budget was just US$10.1 million (NZ$17.7m).
The health budget for the same year was US$24.9 million (NZ$43.7m), boosted by one-off funding provided by donors, including New Zealand and Australia, to redevelop Nuku’alofa’s hospital and nursing buildings.
The health budget is expected to be significantly lower this year, despite the country’s dire rates of obesity, diabetes and non-communicable diseases.
“We could use that money for other things,” Lord Fakafanua told AFP when asked if the debt to China hurt Tonga’s health and infrastructure needs.
“But Tonga committed to signing a loan agreement, and we intend to pay off what we signed to do.”
Chinese support
While Tonga shows fiscal restraint, China wants to spread its influence in the Pacific by offering loans and building infrastructure.
During a November visit to Beijing by Tongan King Tupou VI, President Xi Jinping said China was ready to “provide assistance to Tonga’s economic and social development” and said he wanted Tonga’s “independence and sovereignty” to be safeguarded.
Lord Fakafanua said his country will not be accepting any more Chinese loans.
“We’re currently in a position where we’re not taking any more loans, we’re not taking any more debt,” Lord Fakafanua told AFP.
“We’re being a lot more clever with our fiscal management,” he added.
According to Tonga’s budget documents, the country faces significant risk from its loan to China, with “refinancing risk and exchange rate risk being the primary concerns”.
The International Monetary Fund says Tonga is at high risk of debt distress.
World Bank grants
Tonga has received several grants from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to build much-needed infrastructure.
That includes the US$97 million (NZ$170.4m) Fanga’uta Lagoon Bridge project currently under construction — the largest infrastructure project in Tonga’s history.
The 720-metre-long bridge will connect Nuku’alofa, with the southern side of the main island, Tongatapu.
More than 120 Tongans are working on the project, which will provide a new evacuation path for Nuku’alofa in the event of a tsunami or flooding caused by tropical cyclones.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon viewed the bridge site during his two-day visit to Tonga in March, speaking to the New Zealand firm McConnell Dowell, which is building the bridge.
Luxon said he supports Tonga’s focus on fiscal restraint, and it “goes without saying” that New Zealand was ready to help when needed…. 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
As World Cup kick-off nears, a reminder of the power of sport to build bridges and break barriers
NEW YORK, 06 APRIL 2026 (UN NEWS CENTER) — The 2026 World Cup final will take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a few miles away from UN Headquarters where, on Wednesday, elite athletes and sports administrators spoke about the power of football and other international sports to change the world for the better.
Elite footballers will make the headlines this summer, but sport can have a transformative effect in every society, connecting communities across borders and generations, and creating spaces for dialogue, solidarity, and mutual respect.
In just over two months, the world’s biggest sporting tournament will get underway in Mexico City and, as usual, billions of people worldwide are expected to tune in.
From 11 June to 19 July, the World Cup will pit 48 national football (or, if you’re based in the U.S, “soccer”) teams against each other over 104 games to be played out in Mexico, Canada and the U.S.
In each of the host city regions, across the three countries, a programme called Play Collective will provide funding and support for community sport organisations, creating safe spaces for underserved youth.
The project is a joint initiative of the Adidas Foundation, the Beyond Sport foundation and Common Goal, a global non-profit which has built a worldwide network of community-based organisations that serves 3.6 million youth each year.
Make space for one another
Common Goal’s Executive Director, Mary Connor, was one of the key speakers at Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers, an event held to mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which takes place each year on 6 April to highlight the transformative power of sport in driving social change, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and bringing together people and communities from around the world.
Connor drew parallels between football, where supporting teammates is central to success, and the work of the United Nations, a place where, she said, “we come together across differences, across cultures that keep us isolated” and “make space for one another to find a way through, against a lot of headwinds.”
Nawal El Moutawakel, pioneering Olympian
In two years, the United States is set to play host to another huge sporting jamboree, the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be based in Los Angeles.
Pioneering athlete Nawal El Moutawakel was one of the stars of the last Olympics to be held in LA. At the 1984 Games, she became the first Moroccan, African, Arab, and Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal (for the 400 metre hurdles).
Her Olympic triumph is seen as a turning point, giving Moroccan women confidence and the courage to pursue sports, which had previously been considered a male domain.
She has received numerous international honours for her contributions to sport and social progress and is currently Vice President of the International Olympic Committee.
Jumping the hurdles of life
Speaking at Wednesday’s event, El Moutawakel likened her discipline to the struggles she faced in her early sporting career.
“My race was the 400 hurdles, a race where there is a start and a finish, and in between there are 10 hurdles. And for me, they were the hurdles of life that teach you discipline, coordination, determination, passion. Sometimes you experience failures, but I never gave up.”
Today, she said, the fact that, for the first time in 100 years, the IOC President is a woman (Kirsty Coventry is also the first African to hold the office), and that women make up 50 per cent of the organisation at all levels, points to the progress that is being made.
El Moutawakel and Connor were joined by several prominent youth athletes, who described the positive influence that sport has had on their lives.
They included Ailyn Lopez, who overcame mental health issues through football, and is now a young leader with Street Child United, an organisation that uses sport to support young people living on the streets or in extreme poverty…. PACNEWS
