Page 37 - IB April 2025

People People

Marketing Officer and was credited international windows, including the Annual Pasifika Hall of Fame held in
with transforming Tahiti Tourisme into a Pacific Nations Cup 2024 and the 2023 Auckland. He won alongside Manusina
leading digital-first destination marketing Rugby World Cup. Samoa Skipper Masuisuimatama’ali
organisation. Tauasa-Pauaraisa.
The Cook Islands Government has Special Mentions Seven inductees were honoured to
named Teokotai Joseph as Commissioner the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame. They
of Police. Joseph is a former police Parisha Singh has made history as include:
officer who has served as the Secretary the first Fijian international student to Faalogo Tana Umaga - Samoa
for the Ministry of Corrective Services receive the NSW International Student Viliami Ofahengaue - Tonga
since 2018. Leadership Award. Singh is the daughter Monique Hirovanaa - Cook Islands
of the then-Acting CEO of Fijian
Nauru Airlines Corporation has Competition and Consumer Commission, Seremaia Bai - Fiji
appointed Robert Eoe as interim CEO. Pranil Singh, and Kaushalia Singh. Malakai Alatinie - Tonga
Eoe, who previously served as Deputy La’auli Savae Sir Michael Jones - Samoa
CEO of Nauru Airlines, brings experience Former All Black Ma’au Nonu (Samoan Fesola’i Va’aiga Tuigamala - Samoa
and a deep understanding of the airline’s Heritage), has come off the bench for
operations and the regional market. He Toulon, setting a record as the oldest Award-winning artist Katrina Iosia
is also a qualified Captain on the B737- player to play in France Rugby’s elite Top has been selected as the inaugural
300 and B737-7/800 aircraft types for 14 competition. Nonu re-signed with his Niue Artist in Residence 2025. Iosia
Nauru Airlines. former club Toulon as medical cover in works as both a designer, developer,
February 2025. and a multidisciplinary artist with a
The Pasifika Communities University passion for creative technology, design
(previously known as Pacific Te-Hina Paopao makes history as the and development, VR, 3D modelling,
Technological College) has appointed first Tokelauan player drafted into the animation, digital sculpting, and
two of its officers: Rev Elder Dr Women’s National Basketball Association illustration.
Leatulagi Faalevao as the first Taumoana (WNBA). Paopao, who is of Samoan and
(Chancellor) and Rev Professor Dr Tokelauan heritage, will join Alissa Pili,
Upolu Vaai as the 1st Manu Folau (Vice player for the Minnesota Lynx, as only In Memory
Chancellor) of the University. the second Polynesian currently playing
in the WNBA. Fiji’s renowned radio personality,
The Fiji Police has seconded Maikeli Radua, has died. Radua was one
Superintendent of Police SP Ilaita Loupua Pahulu-Kuli has made history of the pioneers of Communications Fiji
Caginavanua to the Melanesian as Tonga’s first woman and youngest Limited’s iTaukei language station, Viti
Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat, Chief Magistrate, overseeing the nation’s FM.
as Security Advisor. Caginavanua is local courts with legal expertise and
expected to provide advice to members unwavering faith. She officially took on Robert “Bob” Klitzkie, former
on security concerns and collective the role on March 28, after five years as Senator and a popular talk show host,
policing issues in the implementation Senior Magistrate. has passed away. He was 86. Klitzkie was
of the leader’s shared decision on all The Government of the Cook Islands Guam’s leading conservative voice, a
matters relating to security and police. acknowledged the completion of High former Republican Senator who served in
The Fiji Higher Education Commission Commissioner Jim Armistead’s tenure in the 27th and 28th Guam Legislature. He
was also the host of “Tall Tales” on 93.3
has appointed Eci Tekuru Naisele as Fiji, marking the end of a key period in FM and a former columnist for the Pacific
its new director. Naisele is from Qoma the deepening of bilateral and regional Island Times.
Island, Tailevu and holds a PhD from partnerships. Armistead has spent over
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi a decade in the regional space, serving Naitasiri paramount Chief, the
(university) in New Zealand. His research more than five years as Director of the Turaga Bale Na Qaranivalu, Ratu Inoke
earned him the Outstanding Indigenous Pacific Regional Division at the Ministry Takiveikata, has passed away at the
Research Award in 2023. of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva
before becoming Cook Islands’ first after battling pancreatic cancer.
Former Manu Samoan captain Lemalu resident High Commissioner to Fiji in
Tusiata Pisi has announced his position 2020.
as the new head coach of the Samoan
men’s national team. Lemalu Pisi, better Tevita Ikanivere, Fijian Drua’s co-
known as Tusi Pisi in the rugby world, captain, has been honoured as the 2024
was assistant and coach in last year’s Jonah Lomu Player of the Year at the

Islands Business, April 2025 37