Page 6 - Islands Business September 2023

Briefs Briefs
five breeding pairs. The Auckland Zoo and the Société
d’Ornithologie de Polynésie (Polynesian Ornithological
American Samoa Society) have responded. “This first-ever ex-situ breeding
Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga said, “the livelihoods of over programme for a monarch is both critical and challenging, and
2000 workers at the canneries are at stake” over a proposed I think we all feel the pressure and responsibility of having in
Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Sanctuary. National our hands the chance to turn around the fate of a species,”
Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Administrator, said Auckland Zoo’s curator of birds, Juan Cornejo.
Dr Richard W. Spinrad noted NOAA understands the need to
gather scientific and economic information to make informed
decisions on the sanctuary. “We are dedicated to ensuring an
inclusive and consistent process,” Spinrad said. Guam
Four people were sentenced to prison this week for their
roles in a money laundering scheme targeting Guam
residents, according to a news release from US Attorney
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Shawn Anderson. The four obtained about US$2.6 million
Northern Marianas’ tourism industry has continued its upward by convincing people to pay bogus fees and other expenses
trend with more than 25,000 tourists visiting the islands in associated with a fake multimillion-dollar inheritance payout.
July. The Marianas Visitors Authority said that is more than Money was collected from people on Guam and sent to bank
double the number for the same month in 2022. Visitor accounts in the US and Nigeria, according to Anderson. “This
arrivals from South Korea made up the bulk of arrivals with far-ranging conspiracy preyed on 60 victims, nearly all of
T’Way Air, Jeju Air, and Asiana Airlines operating weekly flights whom live in Guam,” said Anderson, adding that prosecutors
from Seoul to Saipan. will continue to try to collect restitution for victims.

Cook Islands Kiribati
Phones on mobile operator, Vodafone Cook Islands’ network, Kiribati established the Kiribati Sustainable Energy Association
can now periodically send and receive text messages via Lynk in August. Over 20 energy experts and professionals elected
Global’s satellites around Manuae, an uninhabited island Teiraoi Tetaba as the association’s President. The association
that is popular with tourists. Lynk Global plans to cover the aims to support sustainable energy start-ups, promote
country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, providing backup services entrepreneurship, facilitate strong collaborations, and
in case natural disasters knock out ground networks. advocate a unified voice in shaping government policies in the
energy sector. Kiribati is 86% reliant on non-renewable sources
for its electricity supply.
Federated States of Micronesia
A US$50,000 investment in the first-ever simulation lab in
FSM, at Yap State Hospital will enable improved training for Marshall Islands
medical staff. Six learning stations will allow staff to simulate Explosive ordnance disposal specialists from the Golden West
patient emergencies and a range of other medical procedures. Humanitarian Foundation (GWHF) have briefed President
A new automated defibrillator has also been installed, and David Kabua on their plans to disarm five previously located
staff trained on its use. bombs in Maloelap. Over the next four years, GWHF will be
working on Maloelap, Jaluit, Wotje and Mili—each year to
be dedicated to a single atoll—to continue the removal of
Fiji dangerous ordnances in the territory.
Prominent Fijian businessman, Umarji Aiyaz Mohammed Musa,
has been sentenced to four years in jail for importing and
exporting illicit drugs across the region. Musa was sentenced
by the Auckland District Court for his involvement in three Nauru
separate drug importations into New Zealand in 2017. He Work on building facilities for the 2026 Micronesian Games has
has been jailed in New Zealand. Musa owns the HyperChem begun in Nauru. Taiwan’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Pharmacy in Fiji. Chung Kwang Tien, inspected progress at the designated
sites in August and discussed the building of a track and
field stadium similar to the one in the Marshall Islands.
Nauru Deputy Minister for Sports, Jesse Jeremiah, said “We
remain optimistic and plan to meet the deadline. Our local
French Polynesia
A project has been set up to save a rare French Polynesian stakeholders, Nauru Rehabilitation Corporation and Ronphos
bird from extinction. RNZ Pacific reports The Fatu Hiva are doing their best in clearing and levelling the new land
monarch, a type of flycatcher, is down to 19 birds and site.”

6 Islands Business, September 2023