Page 8 - IB February 2025

Whispers

Kava questions Pacific support for Gabbard USP staff and concerns of the Council.
Fiji is taking the battle for the The confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard The role had been vacant since 2022,
kava market to the United States, of as President Donald Trump’s Director until his appointment was announced
all places. A large delegation led by of National Intelligence has been this month. Fatiaki is a former Chief
Assistant Minister Tomasi Tunabuna welcomed in parts of the Pacific to Justice of Fiji and Nauru, and served
visited the US, apparently in response which she has ties. She was a divisive as a Justice in the Vanuatu Court of
to the growing of kava there. But while choice for the role given her past Appeal. The Visitor is responsible for
Fiji attempts to make inroads into the comments on Russia and Syria, and the looking into specific staff grievances.
US, it remains unable to satisfy local fact that she has no prior experience Staff are hopeful that with the role now
demand. Word is that Fiji will be forced working in intelligence. Gabbard was filed, their long list of complaints will
to import kava from Vanuatu this year. born in Leloaloa, Ma’opūtasi, American be addressed.
So, was the US trip worthwhile? Not for Samoa, although she grew up on Hawaii.
Fijian farmers and processors who were She is a military veteran and former CSOs call for space on the mat
notably absent in the images coming Democratic congresswoman, resigning Civil society organisations are urging
out of the meetings. from that party in 2022. Many American the Pacific Islands Forum to again
Samoans have expressed support ‘extend the mat’ and ensure they
Beds afloat for her appointment online, with are included in important regional
What are Pacific port authorities Congresswoman Aumua Amata calling discussions. They are concerned
and customs officials doing about the the nomination historic, and saying “her that a High-Level Dialogue of
growing number of illegal bed and service will be an honour for Pacific officials and governments on deep
breakfast joints springing up across the Islanders throughout the US”. sea mining that was being held as
region? They’re not confined to land. we went to print, excluded CSO
Tourists, mainly backpackers, are paying Israel embassy divisions participation. The organisations are
good money to sleep aboard yachts The Fiji government’s decision to worried that this reverses some of
moored in exotic harbours. But it means establish an embassy in Israel is proving the gains of recent years in opening
that money is changing hands without divisive at home, and controversial the regional organisation to civil
taxes being paid to the host countries. internationally. Israel’s foreign minister, society participation. Deep sea mining
Somebody is losing big time and it’s not Gideon Sa’ar “commended” Fiji’s continues to be a sensitive challenge to
the yachting community or the tourists. “historic decision, but the Palestinian regional solidarity, as Forum members
Foreign Ministry called it “an act of have taken widely varying positions on
Run aground? aggression against the Palestinian it.
Will the huge regional maritime people and their inalienable rights.”
project actually float? That’s the The establishment of an embassy in Pageant palaver
question being asked in nautical circles. Israel was one of the key tenets of The recent Miss Pacific Islands
A huge amount of foreign funding the coalition partner SODELPA’s last pageant has again brought out the
was poured into the construction of election platform. Local reaction has worst in some people, with allegations
an enormous ocean-going canoe. The ranged from support based on scriptural of manipulation of votes, the holding
initiative harnessed knowledge from interpretation, to dismay over the of Head Judge Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt
around the region with master boat timing (the fragile ceasefire continues as he attempted to leave host nation
builders contributing to the design. Now in Gaza), and the likely cost of the Solomon Islands, and hateful displays
the frame of the behemoth twin-pulled exercise given the desperate need for of racism. Solomon Islands authorities
vessel is gathering dust on the foreshore improved basic infrastructure at home. say they continue to investigate, and
of a regional sailing hub. There are Six other countries maintain embassies Leiataualesa says he is considering legal
suggestions that finance has been in Israel, including Papua New Guinea. action of his own. As usual, it is the
delayed and organisers are scrambling contestants, led by the newly crowned
to ensure that the money spent so far Welcoming the visitor Miss Pacific Islands Litara Ieremia-Allan
has been spent appropriately. Right The appointment of Daniel Vafo’ou and runner-up Racheal Guttenbeil of
now, there is silence about what Fatiaki as the Visitor at the University Tonga, who have shown the most grace,
happens next. A case, perhaps, of don’t of the South Pacific (USP) addresses one standing by each other and showing
rock the boat. of the key complaints of disgruntled genuine sisterhood.

8 Islands Business, February 2025