The low-key launch of the book ‘Tusitusi i le Gagana Samoa’ at the Samoa Primary School on Friday, belies the importance of this valuable resource book for educators teaching children to write in Samoan.

This reader-friendly book with a larger-than-usual font, clear diagrams, a glossary and easy to follow sections is designed for easy and up-to-date reference for students writing in Samoan.

Written by Auckland-based Levi Tavita Muliagatele, Vavao Fetui and Saili Aukuso, the trio has an impressive range of teaching experience ranging from Year 1 through to university level.

As well as being totally committed to what Saili calls ‘additive bilingualism’, all three hold Masters degrees in either Languages, Education or Language Teaching.

“Our philosophy is that language is aligned,” said Saili. “You need to emphasise the importance of the first language (Samoan) to be able to learn another (eg English).”

“The purpose of the model of additive bilingualism is that when you introduce English in Year 4, you are adding, not subtracting to the first language.”
Saili, will be attending the Samoa Conference at the National University of Samoa, during her visit to Samoa.

The three authors, as the Ola team, have formed a trust with other arms to their initiatives. Their website is OLA Puletini A’oga, offers an online educational bulletin produced in Samoan and distributed freely internationally. Its three main goals are:

1. to support educational programmes or curricula that teach the Gagana Samoa or use it as a medium of instructions;

2. to support the common task of promoting and nurturing the Gagana Samoa as New Zealand’s third most communicative language;

3. to support its utilization as a cultural capital of the Samoan people.

OLA operates under the umbrella of the Niu pacific Information Trust which main goal is to facilitate information to promote biliteracy and classroom achievements through bilingual education.
The Niu Pacific Information serves under three operations:

1. Evaleon Books & Educational Resources, that prepares, publishes and distributes resources.

2. Niupac Publishing that caters to the publishing needs of our Samoan community, as well as other communities.

3. OLA Puletini A’oga that informs clients and community on relevant educational issues of the day, as well as supporting children’s learning.

The Keynote Address at the book launch was delivered by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture Matafeo Falanaipupu Tanielu Aiafi. Co principals of Samoa Primary School, Anne Leauga, Pa’u Iakopo and

Sue Sua also spoke at the launch attended by teachers and their senior pupils who sang beautifully in three-part harmony.

The opening prayer was delivered by Enefatu Lesa of the E.F.K.S. church.

The venues are ready and now it’s time to check out the food.

The government of Samoa wishes to congratulate Neptune Shipping Line (Neptune) and Polynesian Shipping Line (P.S.L) for the sale of P.S.L to Neptune.

The government of Samoa wishes to congratulate Neptune Shipping Line (Neptune) and Polynesian Shipping Line (P.S.L) for the sale of P.S.L to Neptune.

The government fully supports the agreement by the parties and will further support the partnership between Neptune and Samoa through Pacific Forum Line (P.F.L).

The government wishes to acknowledge the valuable contribution by Taimalie Charlie Westerlund, Ah Liki Group of Companies and

P.S.L to the shipping sector particularly to the Samoan economy in the last nine years.

The government through its partnership with Neptune, P.F.L Group; and P.S.L will continue to work together with all stakeholders to ensure the trust and confidence of our customers in the Pacific region and especially in Samoa will be met through commitment to customer services and maintaining a long term vision for sustainable and affordable shipping services in the Pacific.

The government purchased P.F.L in September 2012 with the goal of developing P.F.L with the right partner in Neptune to become the leader in shipping services in the Pacific region with a global network that will benefit the Pacific region.

The government plans for the new wharf at Vaiusu is one of the key future developments that will benefit Samoa’s economy, shipping services; and crewing services in the long term.

This month will see the beginning of transshipments from overseas to USA via Apia, which will benefit Samoa Ports Authority and P.F.L.

These transshipments will be further developed with the aim to support the new modern commercial wharf to accommodate bigger container vessels and cruise shipping once the new wharf is completed. The government fully supports the vision that “Neptune, P.F.L, and now P.S.L together are a stronger company, and ready to serve your shipping needs.”

PR - The 2014 Samoa Women’s Rugby 7's Tournament gets underway with Vaiala Women’s taking round 2 of week 2 at Samoa Rugby Union field Tuanaimato.

Vaiala and Roma Fou were equal on first place after the points were tallied, but the Vaiala girls took the lead from point difference.

This year the women’s 7s consists of a round robin with all teams playing followed by a final after eight weeks of competition.

The team with the highest number of competition points at the completion of the round robin will have a final ranking of 1. The team with the next highest number of points at the conclusion of the round robin will be ranked 2.

SRU’s Women’s Development Officer, Toluiva Alapati says “Samoa’s rugby gets its strength from these tournaments and it is heartening to see the increase number of young talented girls representing their teams respectively.”

“This tournament also is the platform for the selection of a National Team to compete in the upcoming FORU Oceania 7's tournament, and Samoa’s Under 16 training squad for the Youth Commonwealth next year.”

Ms Alapati added the competition is still open for any teams who wish to register.

The 5 teams competing in this year are Aana 1. Aana 2, Vaiala, Roma Fou with Nuuausala confirming their two teams for this week.

The overall results are:

Vaiala – 10, Roma Fou – 10, Aana 1 – 5, and Aana 2.

PR - The Samoa Rugby Union National Provincial Championship 2014 wrapped up yesterday with Apia Union re-claiming the championship title in a ruthless final against Aana.

Apia’s first five eight, Patrick Fa’apale gave his team the first point of the match after he landed a penalty kick during the first 15 minutes of the game.

Another penalty kick was also awarded to Apia adding another three points for a 6-0 lead.

Aana responded with a penalty kick of their own to post their first points on the scoreboard.

At the stroke of half time, Apia’s Oneone Faafou broke through Aana’s defence line to score a try giving his team another five points. Patrick Fa’apale converted.

Aana capitalised on a missed pass by Apia, sending their number 14 sailing down to the try line, of which he successfully converted.

By half time, the score was Apia 16 - Aana 11.

The second half saw both teams playing their hearts out, and mistakes and ill discipline cost both teams. Apia and Aana gradually built on penalty kicks of 6 points each.

Thirty five minutes into the second half, Apia’s Faafou, again broke through the defence line giving his team another five points.
But Aana were not done.

Seconds before the end of the game, Aana answered back with a strong attack during which their number 14 touched down in the corner, drawing the match 27-27.

Just when everyone thought the match to go into extra time, Aana was penalised, and Apia used it wisely with a penalty kick.

The final score was Apia 30 – Aana 27.

The President of the Samoa Rugby Union, Tuiloma Pule Lameko, presented the Tuiloma NPC trophy to Apia.

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The drive from the Faleolo International Airport towards the Apia Township has never been more attractive.

That’s largely thanks to thousands of villagers who have banded together to welcome visitors to Samoa for the UN Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference, which starts at the end of the week.

Villagers have decorated the road with fresh flowers, flags and banners of all sizes and colours in an effort to beautify their country. In some villages, the streets light up at night with colourful light bulbs and other creative forms of lighting giving the place a special feel to ot.

The decorations though doesn’t stop with villages along the main airport road.

Villages and schools at Faleata and nearby areas have been doing their bit too, placing welcoming banners to greet the 3,000 visitors expected. Some of them have already arrived and marvelled at the level of community involvement that’s taken to prepare Samoa to host the meeting.
Yesterday, Joshua Lafoai, of the Samoa Observer, took the drive to the Faleolo Airport and he came back with these shots.

All photos here:  https://www.facebook.com/samoaobservernewspaper/photos/pcb.895496783812469/895493610479453/?type=1&theater 

“I sense the level of ownership and participation in the preparation involving all the people of Samoa has been very impressive. It is a sure guarantee for the success of the conference”

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Wu Hongbo, yesterday praised Samoa’s preparations for the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) Conference.

After a tour of the facilities where he was shown around by the Minister of Works, Infrastructure and Transport (M.W.T.I), Mr Wu was so impressed he declared that “we are (now) ready for the conference.”

The main conference starts on Monday next week.

However, a number of side events and pre-conference meetings will begin on Thursday. More than 3,000 delegates are expected to be here.

“I am very excited and I am happy to tell friends that with the various efforts made by the Samoan government and its people, that the meeting venues and all the facilities are now available,” said Mr Wu inside the main conference centre at Tuana’imato.

Earlier yesterday, Mr Wu said Samoa’s preparations would guarantee the success of S.I.D.S 2014. Mr Wu had arrived last Sunday ahead of the conference to address any last minute preparations and to participate in the pre-conference forums.

During a press conference held yesterday at the Central Bank of Samoa, Mr Wu acknowledged the hard work by Samoa.

“On behalf of the United Nations I congratulated the Prime Minister (Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi) for his vision, dedication and leadership in the preparation,” Mr Wu said.

“I sense the level of ownership and participation in the preparation involving all the people of Samoa has been very impressive. It is a sure guarantee for the success of the conference.”

Mr Wu said, that from his blog he has ascertained that people are interested in Samoa’s hosting of the conference.

“Many people before did not have really a clear idea where Samoa is,” he said.

“Now with these discussions and the website accessible to the web users world wide, I think we have really elevated the public image and international image of this beautiful country."

“I think basically the comments are very positive.”

According to a press release issued, even before arriving in Apia Mr Wu was pleased to learn of the completion of the Conference venue and the facilities ahead of time.

“This has occurred as a result of your personal engagement and guidance in ensuring that Samoa will be ready to welcome the world to your shores,” he said then. The release states that the conference is being tasked to seek a renewed political commitment from S.I.D.S. and their partners to ensure that the necessary means of implementation are available to address S.I.D.S. priorities including new and emerging challenges and opportunities for their sustainable development.

“The timing of the S.I.D.S. Conference is opportune as it allows for their sustainable development needs to be considered in the elaboration of the post-2015 U.N. Development agenda,” the release reads. In the release, Tuilaepa paid tribute to the support of Mr Wu and his staff in these preparations. “Excellency, I would like to use this opportunity to express my government’s sincere appreciation and my own gratitude to you for your personal interest, leadership and understanding of our realities which not only facilitated but contributed immensely to our preparations,” he says in the release.

“Your personal intervention and engagement in ensuring the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway outcome document is approved ahead of the conference is testament to this commitment.” The Government has been preparing for the conference and related services to ensure Samoa successfully hosts this historic event and to welcome the expected 3,000 participants to its shores, the release reads.

“On 20 August, the Government completed the preparation of the facilities and held a small dedication ceremony to bless the venue,” it says.

“The venue will officially be handed over to the United Nations by the Government of Samoa on Saturday, 30 August 2014.

“Pre-conference activities will take place from August 27 to 31 2014 and include the Youth Forum, the Renewable Energy Forum, the Major Groups and other Stakeholders Forum, and the Private Sector Forum.

“The main plenary meeting will officially open on Monday, September 1 and will continue until September 4.”

According to the release Mr Wu will leave for New York upon the conclusion of the S.I.D.S. Conference on Friday, September 5, 2014.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Water Sector Coordination Unit granted $50,000 to the Institute of Professional Engineers of Samoa (I.P.E.S).

The money is to pay for the drafting of Regulations, which in turn will accompany their 16-year-old legislation, the Professional Engineers (Registrations) Act 1998.

According to the minutes of an I.P.E.S. Executive Council meeting obtained by the Sunday Samoan, dated July 17 2014, Council Member Fonoti P. Perelini questioned the whereabouts of the money.

“Fonoti asked about Item Number three, in regards to request for Funding from Water Sector,” the minutes of the meeting read.

“(The) Treasurer replied that I.P.E.S. has received $50,000 which will now be diverted to the redrafting of the Regulations.”

When questioned about this in an email, I.P.E.S. Treasurer, Seugamaalii Jammie Saena, said the money came from an application made to the Water Sector.

“This $50,000 was an application to the Water Sector for funds to assist the Institution with reviewing their Regulations,” she said in an email.

“You may contact the Water Sector Coordinator Ms. Frances Brown for confirmation. You may also approach any of the I.P.E.S. Council members for confirmation.”

Ms. Brown was asked about how money from the M.N.R.E.’s Water Sector Coordination Unit ended up providing the Institute with the financial means to write a set of draft Regulations.

The following are the questions that were emailed two her more than 10 days ago.

“According to the I.P.E.S. minutes of their last meeting, the Water Sector bequeathed $50,000 tala to the Institute to assist them in writing regulations for their Act, which is now close to being 20 years old. Is this correct?” the email from the Samoa Observer reads.

“How will this money assist them in doing this?

“It seems odd that the water sector would pay for this. Why is it paying?

“How did the Institute go about applying for such a large amount of money?

“I understand the EU funds a large chunk of your budget, are they aware of this expenditure?

“Do other institutes/associations have access to this money? If so how do they access it?”

At the time of press, Ms. Brown had not responded.

Returning to the above meeting minutes, they read that that the Executive Council had already obtained quotes from several law firms in regards to the drafting of the Regulations.

“Registrar stated that the E.C. has received three quotes from the law firms that were recommended in the previous Council Meeting,” the Minutes read.

“They are Vaai, Hoglund & Tamati Law, Ponifasio Law and Schuster, Annandale & Betham. A summary of the quotes was tabled for discussion.

“Treasurer stated that I.P.E.S. needs to involve someone from the Water Sector in the evaluation committee.”

According to the document, under the Council Resolution, an evaluation team was selected to carry out the evaluation of the quotes.

“The team will be chaired by Fonoti and the other members will consist of Leiataua (Tom Tinai), Vui (Sebastian Mariner), Tupai (Mau Simanu) and Frances Reupena (Brown) from the Water Sector.

“Registrar will inform Frances. Council decrees that the committee shall come up with a recommendation within two weeks.

“Registrar will distribute copies of quotes from law firms.”

During the course of the meeting Council Member Lei’ataua Thomas Tinai wanted to be noted down in the minutes the great work done by the Executive Committee in securing funds for the Regulations draft.

Those present at the meeting were Tologata T. Tuimaleali’ifano (chair), Fonoti P. Perelini, Tuiaopo A Ah Liki, Seugamaalii J Saena, Vui S. Mariner, Lei’ataua T. Tinai, Muaausa J. Walter, Tupa’i M. Simanu, Unutoa A. Fonoti.

“To find solutions to our current environmental problems we must ask ourselves what it is to be a fish. To do this you must be prepared to enter the mind of the fish, to become them, to live as them, and experience the sacrifice they might have to make in order to survive. To protect the environment you need to be able to respect the environment.”

These words were part of a speech delivered by The Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi at the Stars of the Oceania Summit held at the University of Hawaii in 2009.

It seemed relevant to revisit them with the upcoming 2014 Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S), at which oceans and seas is one the eight priorities.

The speech was entitled Climate Change and the Perspective of the Fish.

The entire speech can be found at www.head-of-state-samoa.ws.

His Highness says, fundamentally the problem of climate change is a problem of arrogance and greed and suggests the solution may be found in altering the perspective from which the problem is viewed – to take the perspective of the fish.

“The dialogue on climate change is therefore not easy. Not just for the technicalities of understanding atmospheric changes and rising sea levels but equally, if not more so, for the soul-searching questions it forces us to confront about ourselves and our pursuits of wealth. The paradoxes of our modern economic philosophies come to light in this debate.

“The rationality of modern liberal economics finds as Raymond Aron points out, a ‘pessimism that sees, in politics, the art of creating the conditions in which the vices of men will contribute to the good of the state’.

Recent comments on CNN about climate change and the world credit crisis puts it this way: “It is about having clean air and water” on one hand and “saving the United States not polar bears” on other.

“Climate change and the credit crunch graphically illustrate the crazy complexities of these paradoxes.

“The nub question for me is how can I contribute to the conversation? In doing so let me own up that the biggest hurdle for me is to summon the courage to say something meaningful about climate change in the company of such eminent authorities.

“I come to these issues and questions with a heart full of anxieties, yet am buoyed by the belief that in the ultimate we have a common origin and destiny and are entrusted to search for insight and perspective, and hopefully for solutions, to the worst problems to have faced man.”

In his conclusion His Highness says the relationship between trees, animals, ocean and mother earth is one of balance, where boundaries are respected and protected.

“This is captured in the Samoan saying: e le laa le uto i le maene pe sopo le tai i le eleele (literally the floater cannot intrude on the function of the sinker, as the ocean cannot encroach on the boundaries of the land).

“In our arrogance and greed we have encroached the boundaries of what is right and just. As we search for solutions we must be open to the wisdom of others. What has happened over the years as man has become more knowledgeable through science is that that very knowledge has given us a much greater capacity to abuse the elements and forget the need for harmony.

“What we need in our search for balance and harmony is a culture of humility and sharing where arrogance and greed are openly admitted and addressed. This is the first step to healing. Man must have the courage to rise above himself and restore his fatumanava, i.e. the earth in his heart, and to finds ways to connect (metaphorically) with the fish.”

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, is adamant that there are “enormous employment opportunities” in Samoa.

These opportunities are available in sectors such as agriculture but he said “there are many who do not want to take it up.”

In making the point, Tuilaepa dismissed fears about Samoa’s high youth unemployment rate. According to the Prime Minister, it is not the unemployment figures that should be of concern, but rather people should look at the underemployment figures of our youth.

The issue was raised by reporters during a press conference held at the Central Bank of Samoa (C.B.S.) yesterday, to address issues surrounding the upcoming Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) conference.

It followed the Asian Development Bank’s (A.D.B.) Pacific Economic Monitor Midyear Review, which reported that at 16.1 per cent, Samoa has the highest youth unemployment figure in the South East Asia-Pacific Region.

Asked for a comment, Tuilaepa said that “when you talk economics, there is no such thing as unemployment.

“We have a term called underemployment. What does that mean?

“It means that we have enormous employment opportunities in agriculture and there are many who do not want to take it up. So it is talking in relative terms.

“It is the same thing in New Zealand. When you go to New Zealand you will find a situation where there is a lot of opportunities in the farming sector, in horticulture.

“But then we have to send people over from the islands to work to pick apples and pears.

“Why? Because those who are there do not want to work on the farms, they can get about equally the same amount of money from unemployment benefits.”

However, if one was to look at youth underemployment in Samoa the 16.1 per cent figure reported by the A.D.B. would be higher.

According to employment expert, Alison Doyle, the underemployment rate sits at a higher percentage than the unemployment rate because it includes a broader group of workers than those who are counted as unemployed.

“Underemployed workers may be working, but not in the capacity or at the level they desire,” she says.

“A worker is considered underemployed when they are working at a job they are over-qualified for, working part-time when they would prefer full-time work, or working at a low-wage job when they could, if jobs were available, be working more hours.”

Investopedia supports this saying that underemployment is different form unemployment in that the individual is working, but not to their full capacity.

For example, someone who is underemployed could be a qualified accountant working as a taxi driver, or someone who is working part-time but wanting fulltime work.

Earlier during the press conference, the Prime Minister did attempt to address the issue when a question about the inclusion of sports in the S.I.D.S. Accelerated Modalities of Action (S.A.M.O.A) Pathway draft outcome document was asked.

The draft outcome document refers to spots four times in two clauses.

The first time under clause 75 in regards to S.I.D.S. leading healthier lives and the second time on clause 82, as follows.

“Recognising the strong capacity of S.I.D.S. in sport, we support the S.I.D.S. use of sport as a vehicle to foster development, social inclusion and peace, strengthen education, promote health and build life skills, particularly among youth,” the document reads.

At the time Tuilaepa said that when sports is talked about at high level conferences, such as meetings of the Leaders of the Commonwealth, sports comes in under social development especially on youth employment and development.

“And for the many developing countries youth provide a big asset, an asset that needs to be developed otherwise youth can also present major problems if they are not gainfully employed,” he said.

“And sports become a major employment vehicle for the youths of today.

“Especially with huge contract packages that are being offered for their best sportsman in any kind of sport.”

The Prime Minster said that Samoa would stand to gain a lot because of the experience Samoans have making money from playing rugby overseas.

“And so when we talk about sports we are taking about employment for youth,” he said.

“Sports is no longer a kind of an area that you spend time on, now it is a professional engagement.

“It is no longer something to enjoy it is a professional engagement in which incomes are earned, very high incomes are earned for the players family and children.”

In the Sunday Samoan, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour’s C.E.O. Auelua Samuelu Enari, blamed the lack of access to financial resources as the cause.

“It is simply getting worse in our view due to among other things external factors highlighted above,” he said then.

“(The reason for this is) insufficient financial resources available to the youth to enable establishment of their own businesses through skill sets learnt.”

The Samoa Housing Corporation’s (S.H.C.) bad debts spiralled in the 2010 financial year, the Controller and Chief Auditor has reported.

In his 2011 report to the Legislative Assembly, Fuimaono C.G. Afele says he Corporation’s net profit increased slightly by one per cent compared to the prior year’s net profit.

“Total income and total expenses both increased by 5.3% and 6% respectively,” the report reads.

“Bad debts have increased significantly from $8,613 to $148,916.”

In spite of this, Fuimaono reports that the financial position of the Corporation had improved.

“The cash flow position had improved with a reduction in the net decrease in cash compared to the prior year.”

The S.H.C. did respond to the Chief Auditor addressing the issues he raised.

Looking now at S.L.A.C., Fuimaono reports that its financial position had improved slightly with a one per cent increase in total assets.

“Total liabilities have also increased by 0.9 per cent,” according to the report.

“Some arrears in mortgage repayments were not shown in the Arrears Report.”

SL.A.C. also responded to Fuimaono, addressing the issues he raised.

Both reports are republished in full below:

Housing Corporation
Financial year:

30 June 2010
Audit opinion: Unqualified

Auditor: Audit Office

Summary of audit findings:

1. The Corporation’s net profit increased slightly by 1% compared to the prior year’s net profit. Total income and total expenses both increased by 5.3% and 6% respectively. Bad debts have increased significantly from $8,613 to $148,916.

2. The financial position of the Corporation had improved.

3. The cash flow position had improved with a reduction in the net decrease in cash compared to the prior year.

4. Monthly bank reconciliations for the bank account held with a local commercial bank were not reviewed. This resulted in discrepancies that were only resolved during the bank reconciliation for the final month of the financial year.

5. Some relevant loan documents such as pay slip, confirmation letter, consent letter from guarantor and bank statements, were missing from loan files reviewed.

6. Some loan files were either missing or misplaced and could not be located for audit purposes

7. Supporting documents for some payments were either missing or incomplete

8. The Corporation responded as follows: 
• Issues 1 to 3 - Confirmed and agreed; 
• Issue 4 - Existing internal controls have been strengthened; 
• Issues 5 to 7 - Existing procedures in connection with the indicated weakness had been revitalized and improved.

9. Samoa Life Assurance Corporation

Financial year: 30 June 2010
Audit opinion: Unqualified
Auditor: Betham & Co
Summary of audit findings:

1. The Corporation’s financial position had improved slightly with a 1% increase in total assets. Total liabilities have also increased by 0.9%.

2. Some arrears in mortgage repayments were not shown in the Arrears Report.

• The Corporation responded that the matter on arrears in mortgage repayments not shown in Arrears Report had been closely monitored by management. As a result, the monthly Arrears Report correctly reflects the position of mortgage arrears and this issue had been resolved in period ended 30 June 2011.

The United States of America Army Reserves are assisting Samoa’s health sector to combat the chikungunya epidemic sweeping the country.

This help comes as the Ministry of Health’s C.E.O, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri reports that 269 cases of the virus have been detected.

“(The) U.S. Army Reserve (U.S.A.R.) (is) assisting with clinical and port health response,” he said. “(They) are based at Faleolo Health Centre.”

The U.S. Embassy yesterday advised that (U.S.A.R.) medical team that is here to support Samoa for the duration of the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) conference and is conducting two days of ‘first responder’ training to the hundreds of Red Cross volunteers who will be helping the event.

A spokesperson for the Embassy says that U.S.A.R. teams will be paired with the National Health Service at five locations from August 28 to September 4 at the U.N. S.I.D.S. venue, the Motootua Hospital, and the Faleolo, Poutasi, and Lufilufi clinics.

In a Public Health release the Director General (D.G.) further reported 21 out of 59 specimens tested positive for the virus, reconfirming the outbreak of Chikungunya.

He said the samples had undergone polymerase chain reaction (P.C.R.) testing at the Institute Louis Malarde (I.L.M.) in Tahiti, and had returned a 36 per cent positive rate.

“It is possible that many more maybe positive for Chikungunya virus as Immunoglobulin (IgM) testing is not done at this lab, but we know that this may rise after the acute five day phase of the disease,” he said.

“The two deceased related cases earlier reported, were both confirmed negative to Chikungunya, dengue and leptospirosis at I.L.M. Lab.”

Leausa said the majority of the patients who had presented with the virus were female (see Figure 2), and the age groups most affected by the virus were under 35 years of age.

“The most affected areas are the densely populated Apia Urban Area (A.U.A.),” he said.

“(The) attack rate for Samoa is 1.3 per 1,000 (people).”

According to the World Health Organisation (W.H.O), an attack rate is defined as the proportion of those who became ill after a specified exposure.

Looking now to the Public Health measures that have been put in place by the M.O.H, Leausa said in regards to source reduction, there was an ongoing clean up and destruction of mosquito breeding sites

“(There is) ongoing peri-focal spraying of Ports of Entry, hospitals, schools, S.I.D.S. compound and areas, Hotels and Accommodations, A.U.A. and regions with high attack rates,” he said.

“(Also, there was a) Government National Mass Clean-up day (last) Friday 22 August, spearheaded by C.E.O.s and Ministers of Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Community and Social Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and

Environment, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Police and Prisons with the support of the Samoa Parliamentarian Advocacy Group for Healthy Living.”

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, peri-focal spraying is the spraying insecticide inside of a mosquito breeding focus and all-around its proximities or immediate surroundings.

The D.G. said his Ministry was also focussing on enhanced boarder control.

“(With) Ships and Aircraft spraying and health travel restriction advice,” he said.

“Airport and Falelolo quarantine and isolation areas (are) in place (also).”

Leausa said in addition to this, there was a multimedia campaign with health promotional messages on source reduction and educational massages on Chikungunya and a multi-sectoral and stakeholder collaborations.

He said that a Mass Gathering Surveillance System with Web-based surveillance was also in place.

“(With) increased surveillance sites in A.U.A. and North West Upolu,” said Leausa.

“(There is also an) increased number of syndromes in the syndromic surveillance system.

“(And a) daily reporting and response system in place.”

The D.G. said training was being implemented for staff on data collection, entry and outbreak investigation and clinical and Public Health personnel training on Chikungunya and for risk communication.

He said surge capacity from the Pacific Region and U.S.A. for surveillance, control and response, for the S.I.D.S. event and Chikungunya outbreak was also in place.

“W.H.O. and S.P.C. (Secretariat of the Pacific Community) specialists (are) assisting with Clinical, Risk Communications and Public Health response,” said Leausa.

“Laboratory network and stockpiling for urgent L2/L3 tests in place and assisted by W.H.O. and S.P.C.”

In regards to clinical and Public Health preparations and planning Leausa said the Main Hospital had isolation rooms and was stockpiling personal protection equipment and medications.

He said there was also on-going reports and updates from enhanced surveillance and Public Health events through information and communiqué for Chikungunya and the current Ebola outbreak afflicting Western Africa.

In addition to this there would be Chickungunya outbreak updates and situations reports. For more information please contact the M.O.H. on 68100.

The Miss Samoa Pageant 2014 programme has officially started and one of the first activities was the official photo shoot yesterday.

Ten contestants are vying for the Miss Samoa title this year. The Pageant will be held on 6th September in front of the government building.

The contestants include Miss Polynesian Shipping Line: Josephine Mafoa, Miss Thomsen’s Bridal Couture: Faalagilagi Vaifale Tuisalega

Farani, Miss Le Spa Lelalelei o Samoa: Monica Giselle Sene Schwenke, Miss Moataga Enterprises: Tu’utasio Aiga Jessica Taulaga, Miss

Samoa Australia: Tusipepa Sandra Lilomaiava, Miss Veronica’s: Tili Lafaele, Miss Lavashe Couture: Monica Tuaimau Evans, Miss

SuperKidz Samoa Foundation: Fa’ailoga Leagiagi Leota and Miss My Tiara’s Boutique: Cheyenne Faapaia Maiava and Miss Samoa New

Zealand: Latafale Auva’a. The Miss Samoa crown is currently held by Susana Fanueli.

PR - The International Labour Organization (I.L.O) will call for greater emphasis on decent job creation as a path to sustainable development at the United Nations Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) Conference in Apia, Samoa from 1-4 September 2014

The S.I.D.S Conference, convened under the theme Sustainable Development through Genuine and Durable Partnership, will focus international attention on a group of countries that remain a special case for sustainable development in view of their unique and particular vulnerabilities.

I.L.O Deputy Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo, will head the I.L.O delegation and is due to participate in a number of S.I.D.S 2014 events.

Two I.L.O reports, Decent Work and Social Justice in Pacific Small Island Developing States – Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Responses and Decent Work in Caribbean Small Island Developing States have been prepared for the Conference.

The reports argue that decent employment, providing adequate livelihoods, social protection and respect for worker rights, is an essential element of environmental, social and economic sustainability.

The I.L.O will also host two S.I.D.S 2014 side events, with the first on Monday 1 September on Promoting Closer Economic Integration for Full Employment and Decent Work in the Caribbean followed on 3 September by a session with the World Bank on Sustainable development, labour markets and labour migration in the Pacific.

The S.I.D.S Conference will be held from 1-4 September 2014 at the Faleata Sports Complex in Apia, Samoa. Pre Conference activities will take place from the 28th to the 30th of August. This includes a Youth Forum on 28 August, to which the I.L.O will participate.

Visitors to the Teuila and S.I.D.S Food Festival yesterday gave the local cooks a pass mark for taste, presentation and innovation with local ingredients.

For some eighty local cooks chosen for the food festival over the next two weeks, the compliments were sweet music to their ears.

“The food is absolutely beautiful and fantastic,” said Stephanie from the United States. “It is my first time trying the different kinds of food and it’s just amazing.”

Ernest and his wife Anna Li were equally impressed about the quality of local food.

“We have been to Savai’i and the food there was great. So coming here today and seeing the variety, we are extremely pleased. Samoan food is so good.”

Ryan and Joan Belles from Australia said their favourite was the coconut and banana porridge.

“It was just amazing,” they said.

Edward Yamai, from Papua New Guinea, who is here for the S.I.D.S conference noted there was a festival atmosphere about the place yesterday and he loved the local dishes.

Oganised by the Samoa Tourism Authority, the Food Festival is part of the Teuila programme for 2014. It has also been designed to promote Samoan food and other locally-made dishes to the thousands of visitors who will be in Samoa for S.I.D.S.

Earlier this year, the cooks had the chance to learn from award-winning chef and author, Robert Oliver, as part of their preparations for the Festival.

One of them was Fenika Aniseko Vaeluaga, of Malie, who said yesterday’s business was great.

“We are expecting to get more customers over the coming days and today was good for us to test our menu and make sure we are ready for when the masses arrive,” she said.

“This is our first time participating in such a huge programme and it’s exciting.”

The festival ends next week when S.I.D.S and the Teuila Festival finish.

A survey in the United Kingdom showed that 60 per cent of the bread tested contained pesticide residue. Although pesticides are sprayed on land, many times, they can make their way into a water source, such as a river, ocean, or pond.

Samoa, like many Small Island Developing States, does not produce the level of carbon emissions that developed countries do but our bad habits are still contributing to climate change.

Do you use pesticides? Do you burn rubbish? Do you pour old oil onto the ground? Do you throw your plastic rubbish onto the street or into the long grass?

What we put in the land can eventually end up in our waterways and into our Pacific Ocean.

This is the same ocean that we are reliant for our fish – our food and our livelihoods.

This is the same ocean that we are trying to protect and safeguard for future generations – of our people and of our marine life.

Pesticides are designed to kill pests but they also can pose risks to people and the environment.

Pesticides have now started showing up in the food we eat.

A survey in the United Kingdom showed that 60 per cent of the bread tested contained pesticide residue. Although pesticides are sprayed on land, many times, they can make their way into a water source, such as a river, ocean, or pond.

Burning our grass cutting and fallen leaves, any green waste, is also adding to harmful greenhouse gases and wasting organic matter that could be returned to the land as mulch or compost.

In Samoa, the habit of burning plastics, paper and sadly, even tyres, is also contributing to toxic air pollution that our planet can no longer process.

Instead the carbon emissions from this goes into the air and into our oceans, increasing ocean acidity that is killing off marine life and warming the seas.

Samoa is an amazing country with a dynamic population that can move with unity and grace as we are witnessing with the preparations for the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States.

It can surely do act with the same unity and grace to clean up our land and our ocean.

Galulue fa’atasi e mama ai se avega/By everyone working together, the load will be lighter.

A key priority for Small Island Developing States is oceans and seas, along with coastal areas. Indeed, oceans and seas are intrinsically tied with S.I.D.S.

One S.I.D.S Ambassador recently stated that the people of S.I.D.S are ocean people.

They depend on oceans and seas for their livelihoods; their culture and history are deeply interwoven with oceans and seas. Healthy, productive and resilient oceans are critical to the survival and prosperity of S.I.D.S.

Let us look at the economic aspects. S.I.D.S depend on marine-based tourism (sun, sea, sand) for more than 50per cent of their export earnings.

Fishery earnings contribute more than ten per cent of their G.D.P, reaching in some S.I.D.S as high as fifty per cent. Oceans and seas are also crucial sources of food and nutrition – not only for S.I.D.S, but indeed for global food security and human health.

At a global level, oceans are likewise a critical part of the global economy.

Three billion people, including S.I.D.S populations, depend on marine and coastal areas for livelihoods.

Ninety per cent of the world trade in goods, is seaborne.

The environment and resource dimensions of S.I.D.S are equally significant. Oceans cover three quarters of the Earth’s surface, contain 97 per cent of the of Earth’s water, and represent 99 per cent of the living space on the planet by volume.

Indeed, our very survival depends on oceans and seas, as they are the primary regulator of the climate and an important sink for greenhouse gases. Oceans contain nearly 200,000 identified species, but actual numbers may lie in the millions.

S.I.D.S host high concentrations of endemic species, which in some S.I.D.S range from 19 per cent to as high as 50 per cent.

From a social development perspective, oceans and seas provide critical livelihoods for women, who often assist in artisanal fishery, aquaculture and tourism.

Yet despite our dependence on oceans and seas, we are not doing a good enough job in conserving, protecting and sustainably managing their resources.

Human activity and climate change are causing numerous local and global threats hampering the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and their related ecosystems.

Among these are over-exploitation, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, destructive fishing practices, alien invasive species, marine pollution, as well as increased sea temperatures, sea-level rise, ocean acidification and criminal activity.

At Rio+20, member States recognized that our oceans and seas are not healthy.

They pledged to protect and restore the health, productivity and resilience of oceans and marine ecosystems, and to maintain their biodiversity.

They set forth forward-looking, inter-connected and integrated actions in some 20 areas, starting with the implementation of the international legal instruments, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In the ongoing consultations on the draft outcome document of the S.I.D.S Conference, oceans and seas are being addressed as a key thematic area.

While there is a diversity of views on how to assist S.I.D.S in the conservation, protection and sustainable management of oceans and seas and coastal areas, there is a clear emphasis on the urgency of actions on the sustainable development of oceans and seas.

I am confident that Member States will live up to the expectations of the people of SIDS by taking specific, forward-looking actions in support of healthy, productive and oceans and seas.

“We are not doing this for Samoa, we are doing this to provide the stage for partnerships. For me, if there are partnerships that will be launched that will benefit Tuvalu, Kiribati and other countries in other regions all the better”

The third International Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) conference may be about small islands and hosted by a small island, but make no mistake, Samoa’s voice will resonate globally.

That’s a promise from Samoa’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ali’ioaiga Feturi Elisaia.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer four days from the official opening of S.I.D.S, Ali’ioaiga says the conference, bringing more than 3,000 delegates to Samoa, is very much a worldwide conference.

“We are at pains to keep reminding the international community,” he says. “This is not a S.I.D.S. conference for S.I.D.S. only, this is a global conference on S.I.D.S. issues.”

High on the agenda, he says, are partnership dialogues. He says this will be the first time this style of talks will be tried at such a high level conference.

Ali’ioaiga says in the lead up to the conference, officials asked him how many roundtables he wanted.

“My response was ‘you must be joking? Why are you bringing the leaders (to Samoa) to lock themselves up in a room with prepared statements that were drafted by officials who may not be in the room?’

“For us we want to have a focus on partnerships…that is why they have to have these partnership dialogues now.

“The offer of $1,000 per month to service a loan of $863,710 is utterly unreasonable and a continuing gesture of disrespect by the judgment debtors and the village of the rulings of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeal and towards the judgment creditors” – Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai

Several matai from the village of Tanugamanono have been ordered by the Supreme Court to pay the family of Afu Faumuina Tutuila close to a million tala in compensation.

And since they cannot pay the amount in one go, they have been asked to make payments in installments starting with $7,000 a month. By 2016, this amount will increase to $14,000 a month.

Supreme Court Judge, His Honour Justice Lesatele Rapi Va’ai delivered the decision on Friday, 15 August 2014.

The matai involved are; Tuumaalii Peni Punitia, Tupuola Afa Lesa, Anauli Pofitu Fesili, Fetaoai Vao Samau, Upuse Tanielu Lepolu, Sinava Lima, Palaialii Louis Tafunai, Palaialii Tuvale Atoa, Palaialii Ionatana Pula, Palaialii Gene Taatasi, Palaialii

Pauesi Teo, Asotasi Vaa Falealili, Tia Elise Solo, Galuvaa Sagauga Metuli, Tuua Fasi Leota and Tuuamaalii Siataga Mann.

In his decision, Justice Lesatele said the matai are “ordered to be jointly and severally liable to pay the amount of $863,710 plus costs of $5,000 to the judgment creditors.”

“As members of the village council, the matais make decisions on behalf of the village at the meetings of the village council,” said Lesatele.

“They are individually responsible for the decisions they make.”

Ms. Tutuila sued the Tanugamanono Village Council after they evicted her family and destroyed their properties in 2010.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Ms. Tutuila welcomed the ruling by the Supreme Court.

“We respect the decision and I want to say thank to the Judge,” she said.

“My family has suffered for so long, four years because of this matter. We had to rebuild our family from scratch and the decision (from the Judge) assures that we will get those payments that will at least give us some peace.”

According to Ms. Tutuila, her family has had to start all over again. She said the payments are much needed as they have had to loan to rebuild their family.

“It hasn’t been easy for us and we want to thank those that were sympathetic towards us also to our families for their support.”

The ruling from Lesatele required the matais to pay a sum of $7,000 on their first joint payment on 1st October this year.

The village lawyer, Rosella Papali’i had submitted an offer of $1,000 per month. Of the nine matai examined, only Tupuola Afa Lesa operates a business as an accountant and owns some freehold land.

Two others are employed while the rest rely on their children and the old age pension for support.

But Justice Lesatele denied the application of $1,000 per month.

He said “apart from the fact that I had a great deal in accepting their testimonies, I have also already determined that the debt is for the village matais to satisfy; and village matais as leder of their families and of the village will arrange activities to raise funds”.

“The offer of $1,000 per month to service a loan of $863,710 is utterly unreasonable and a continuing gesture of disrespect by the judgment debtors and the village of the rulings of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeal and towards the judgment creditors,” he said.

“The order will obviously place the village members under some pressure but as Justice Malosi observed in Mataia Apisaloma v Reverend Reupena and others (supra) that has to be balanced against the interest of the judgment creditor.”

Justice Lesatele then ordered the matai to pay the $868,882 in installments.

Failure to do so will result in each one of them being sent to prison for 6 months.

From June next year, the monthly payment will increase to $12,000 per month. From June 2016, the sum will increase to $13,000 per month and $14,000 per month the following year.

ALL SMILES NOW: The contestants of the Miss Samoa pageant for 2014 are pictured with the owners of McDonald's Samoa and McDonald's American Samoa. McDonald’s is the official sponsor of this year’s pageant. Ten contestants are vying for the Miss Samoa title with the pageant scheduled on 6 September in front of the government building. The reigning Miss Samoa, Susana Fanueli, had earlier presented a cheque of $20,000 to the Chairman of the Teuila Festival Committee and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi.