In fine style, the Government Building was host to the Teuila Festival’s very first fashion show last Thursday.

President of the Samoa Mamanu and Elei Design Association, Susana Ah Wong, said this event was a great opportunity for the designers to promote both their products and Samoa.

{gallery}teuilafashion2014{/gallery}

“This event was put together by the Samoa Mamanu Design and five shops (that) are in this association, so we all worked together in making tonight memorable,” she said.

“This is the first time we have done a Teuila Fashion Show."

“The reason being is that I want to promote and I also want to share with them my experiences."

“Even though it’s not perfect…practice makes it perfect.”

Ms. Wong said a few of the models had some experience working fashion shows.

“However most of them it’s their first time,” she said.

“So we were trying very hard to teach them how to walk and be confident and especially have fun while they are modeling."

“This is a good event because it helps with promoting our businesses and also our country."

“So I’m really happy tonight and I’m glad that it all went well.”

The fashion show showcased a range of designs from puletasi and alo’a wear, to children’s wear, everyday wear, and sarongs (lavalavas) to wedding dresses.

Ms. Wong did not clarify which businesses participated in the show.

The rain literally rained on Samoa’s party last night, cancelling what was meant to be the grand finale of the 2014 Teuila Festival.

The Miss Samoa Pageant, which was to be held in front of the government building last night, has now been postponed until Monday. This time, it will be held inside the E.F.K.S Hall at Sogi.

“Due to the unfavourable weather this evening, the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Main Teuila Festival Committee 2014, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi, has announced that the McDonald’s Miss Samoa Pageant 2014 which was scheduled for tonight in front of the FMFMII Building, is now being postponed to the beginning of next week,” a notice from the Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A) said last night. Earlier, the S.T.A’s Chief Executive Officer, Papali’i Sonja Hunter, had to break the news to corporate table ticket holders as well as a large crowd who had waited for about an hour for the rain to stop.

Among the crowd was Taulia Togia, of Solosolo.

“They should have called the Meteorology office to check the weather and then they should have made a decision quite early instead of letting people come this far only to be disappointed,” he said “This is a good lesson for the future.

I think these things should always be held indoors. You never know what might happen.” Caroline, of Aleisa, agrees. “For the future, it will be safer to hold it indoors,” she said. “We bought tickets for $250 per ticket and this is very disappointing.”

Pageant Organiser and the Chairman of Manaia Events, Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt said the weather last night was unfortunate.

“There is nothing much we can do now,” he said. “The rain has been pouring heavily and that is why the pageant has now been cancelled until next Monday. “We apologise for the inconvenience caused Samoa.” Ten contestants are vying for the crown this year.

The United Nations Executive Secretary of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (U.N.F.C.C.C.), Christiana Figueres, has praised Samoa.

In the country for the third Small Island Developing States conference, which ended on Thursday, she hailed Samoa to taking the lead in the shift to use renewable energy.

Ms. Figueres told the Weekend Observer that small islands understand this shift is essential for the health of their economy.

Which is why a number of S.I.D.S. have made very impressive announcements about changes they are making to achieve using 100 per cent renewable energy, she said.

“From St Kitts and Nevis informing us of the change in residential and street lighting to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines using solar power for their reverse osmosis to get drinkable water out of salty water,” said Ms Figueres.

“And here with Samoa, as you all know much better than I, that Samoa started with a target of 10 per cent reduction in their oil imports, and have now actually moved under the leaderships of the Prime Minister to a target of 100 per cent renewables by 2017."

“Probably one of the most ambitious targets of all S.I.D.S. and certainly here in the Pacific, due in no small measure to the leadership of the Prime Minister and the ability Samoa has had to bring together partnerships.

“And then of…Samoa hosting the largest solar farm in the whole of the S.I.D.S. with 2.2 mega watts."

“And the first ever wind turbine that is capable to fold down in 45 minuets to protect it from high winds and storms which makes wind energy something that is much, much more usable in islands that are by definition exposed to high winds and storms and cyclones.”

Ms. Figueres said what was impressive in Small islands taking the lead is the political determination that is visible.

“How they reached out to the different technology partners and how they are putting in place policies and financial packages in order to make this possible,” she said.

“From the point of view of the Secretary General’s (Tupua Ban Ki-moon) Summit which we have just heard is on the 23d of September this conference actually starts what the Secretary General actually calls the drum roll of action.

“Because that is what he is calling for is for much, much more action on climate change and here in Samoa the small island states have started the drum roll.”

On the 23rd of this month, Mr Ban will host the Climate Summit 2014 which will see leaders from government, finance, business, and civil society meet to galvanise and catalyse climate action.

According to the U.N. the Secretary General has asked these leaders to bring bold announcements and actions to the Summit that will reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, and mobilize political will for a meaningful legal agreement in 2015.

As Samoa enjoys a long weekend and farewells the last of the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) conference delegates, it is already gearing up to host another big meeting.

That is the 11th annual Tuna Commission meeting to be held in December, expected to bring more than 600 delegates to Samoa.

But the pressure for Pacific leaders as they head into that conference are far less collegial than the S.A.M.O.A Pathways that the global United Nations family has endorsed in Apia.

Draft conservation and management measures to protect tuna stocks are on the way – including one on Southern Albacore that has been stalling among Pacific fisheries and Tuna Commission negotiators for an incredible 16 years.

With bigeye tuna now an overfished species in the Pacific waters, protecting the biological health of Pacific tuna stocks must be a key goal for leaders if they want to keep enjoying the economic benefits from offshore fisheries.

That’s the message from New Zealand Ambassador promoting economic development in the region, Shane Jones.

“I’m a great one for closing the gulf between rhetoric and reality,” he said during a side-event at S.I.D.S conference, sharing fisheries lessons from three oceans.

“In the Pacific, if our leaders feel the fishery needs robust remedial action, then stop offering licenses. Reduce your catch (of tuna). If you don’t reduce effort, you can’t blame the distant fishing nations.”

Ambassador Jones chaired a session looking at how regions are maximising the value to Small Island Developing States from fisheries resources.

The session brought in speakers from across all S.I.D.S regions to share best practice and underline the importance of partnership to the sustainable development of the fisheries sector.

Panellists were Jean-Paul Adam, Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Seychelles, James Movick, Director General of the Pacific Islands

Forum Fisheries Agency and Milton Haughton, Executive Director of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism.

“Unless S.I.D.S are really vigilant about stewardship of the fisheries and enforcement of the rules around the fisheries, and constantly protect their rights as sovereign nations over the ownership of the resources, they are always going to play second fiddle to the interests of the fishing nations,” said Mr. Jones.

Ambassador Jones says he was pleased to see the profile given to Oceans and Fisheries in the side events of S.I.D.S, but noted more work for Pacific leaders is looming when they return to Samoa in a few months for the all-important Tuna

Commission, also known as the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (W.C.P.F.C).

“I shudder when I think about how long that’s taken,” he said.

While noting this also happened with orange roughy measures in the New Zealand fishery, “if you let these things slip and slide for reasons that are murky, you’re on a long slow decline into poverty. The biological health of the fishery must come first.”

During the session proper, Mr. Movick pointed out the difficulties that Regional Fisheries Management Organisations like W.C.P.F.C have in managing areas beyond national jurisdiction. Pacific Island nations are able to conservatively manage their own E.E.Zs by applying zone based management under the rights given to all coastal States under international law, but for fishing on the high seas decision are made by consensus of the W.C.P.F.C membership, and that membership includes those interested in fishing shared stocks to the lowest possible level.

“It is clear from the results that the current system of high seas governance is fundamentally flawed. Until a more effective system of decision making is worked out, a solution that has been suggested by several FFA small island states is simply to impose a moratorium on high seas fishing”, Mr. Movick told the audience.

“As coastal states we have limited influence on the high seas but Pacific Island members of the P.N.A group have already said that they will not license any purse-seiners to fish in their zones if these boats also fish in the two high seas pockets in the west of our region.

“The entire F.F.A membership has agreed that they will not license any vessels that fish in the high seas pocket east of the Cook Islands.”

However, that still leaves these areas open to boats that don’t want to be licensed to fish in Pacific Island E.E.Zs. The decision to close these areas fully has to be taken either by the entire W.C.P.F.C membership, or by the entire international community.

“Another solution that has also been suggested by a few” he said, “would be to extend the national rule of law across these high seas pockets and eliminate these havens of IUU fishing entirely.”

He noted this is controversial, because only the countries adjacent to the pockets might be able to extend their jurisdictions, unless F.F.A members agree to share these areas equally between themselves and enable non-contiguous jurisdictions for those more distant from the pockets, like Samoa.

From other oceans, Jean-Paul Adam – Foreign Minister of Seychelles shared concern over issues around data and information where those his country negotiates with those who have far more data readily available. Lessons shared by

Milton Houghton from the Caribbean Ocean resonated strongly for the Pacific, while Niue Premier Toke Talagi summed it up when he put his comment to all during the discussion following the presentations.

“The model we’re talking about is about maximizing value from our resource, but we’re not the ones doing the fishing, yet the resource belongs to us….we get six percent of the value of fishing according to the World Bank. What happens to the 94 percent?”

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, opened the newest tourism accommodation in Samoa yesterday evening.

Called Le Rosa Accommodation and Spa and located at Fa’atoia, the project is the dream of businesswoman, Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio’o.

The property offers eleven fully furnished cottages and a spa. The location is ideal as it is not that far from town as well as near to educational institutions such as the National University of Samoa and others.

According to Mulipola, the property was initially advertised for $1.6million

“However, through our friendship with the previous owners, we were able to buy it for $950,000 when we finalised the settlement in May this year,” she said.

Getting the financial backing, she said, was probably the most challenging aspect of the project.

“We were trying to get some financial help from the banks because no one has a lot of money,” she said.

“So we contacted our friend who was selling this place and told them that whatever amount that the bank can give us, that’s how much we can give.”

“Later, we were able to secure $800,000 from the Westpac bank which we are extremely grateful.”
So why the name Le Rosa?

“Well first of all it’s because my name is Rosa,” she explained.

“Another reason being is that every time my mother gets money from her children overseas, she always says to us that she’s got some new roses (ua maua mai isi a’u rosa fou). “So that’s where we got the name from.”
And what’s the future for the business?

“This is only the beginning,” she said. “I can see that there is a lot of need for houses like this so I’m going to talk to some people about expanding this project in the future.”

Mulipola acknowledged the help of relatives, friends and everyone who contributed.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa and the Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao, were among the guests at the opening.

An Australian based Vaigaga man, who has been in Samoa for three months to rebuild his family home, was involved in a hit and run incident on Wednesday night.

Laulu Vincent is recovering at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.

His cousin, who did not want to be named, told the Sunday Samoan that Laulu is awaiting the results from an x-ray to determine the extent of his injuries.

“We don’t know how the accident happened,” the relative said. “What we do know is that he went to Vaigaga to check up on the lumber and other materials for the construction of our family home at the time of the accident.”

Laulu has apparently been staying at Vaitele.

An eyewitness said Laulu suffered serious facial injuries.

“He was lying on the side of the road when I got to him,” he said. “His face was all bloody when my brother ran over from the house and turned him [Laulu] over on his back.”

The man was taken to the hospital an Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C) vehicle.

The Sunday Samoan understands that the Police are investigating.

A spectacular two weeks of the Teuila Festival ended beautifully in front of the government building yesterday where hundreds gathered for the prize giving.

In his closing remarks, Prime Minister and the Minister of Tourism, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, thanked everyone involved in the organising and the running of this year’s festival.

Unlike others years, Tuilaepa said the S.I.D.S Conference added another dimension to the Teuila this week but Samoans reacted with passion and pride, making the event one of the best Teuila Festivals ever.

“It has been an enjoyable week of celebration,” he said referring to the dancing, singing and numerous other activities.

“So I would like to congratulate each and every group for their participation which has made this annual Teuila Festival a most enjoyable and colourful event.”

The Festival was supposed to have officially ended with the Miss Samoa Pageant last night. However, heavy rain forced organisers to postpone the event until Monday.

Last night’s glitch though was minor after two weeks of celebrations.

Since the Teuila started, crowds have been growing at the government building every day to enjoy the entertainment, to buy food from the many stalls selling local and international dishes and to check out the arts and crafts stalls.

Highlights of this year’s festival include the SIFA Fautasi Challenge won by Le Tolotolo o Tama Uli from Salelologa, the Chief’s Fiafia Show and the Best of Samoa Entertainment Show.

A Sealegs amphibious Rescue Boat was donated by Avenport Investment group and Samoa Artesian Water to assist during natural disasters where response time is critical.

The $182,000 boat was presented to the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, at the Apia Harbour last week.

Eric Series, the Chairman of Avenport and Sealegs said the boat is a way for the company to give back to Samoa.

“Giving back to the community is the focus of this donation,” he said.

“Samoa like a lot of small islands are facing the risk of tsunamis and flooding. Sealegs amphibious boat is the only answer to fast and efficient action to save lives.”

Mr. Series handed over the boat’s keys to the Prime Minister after test driving the boat both on water and on land.

The boat is the latest model in amphibious rescue boats from the New Zealand based company.

Mr. Series says this was his company’s way of offering help to the government and the people of Samoa.

The presentation of the Sealegs was co-ordinated in time with Samoa hosting a successful S.I.D.S Conference where climate change and its effects was one of the pressing issues.

Sealegs co-founder, David McKee Wright, who attended the event said: “ Sealegs has existing flood rescue boats in Malaysia, Indonesia,

Mauritius and the Seychelles. The presentation in Samoa at SIDS was a perfect example of how the private sector can supply solutions to local government through partnership.”

Prime Tuilaepa acknowledged the potential of Sealegs in Samoa and the kind assistance of Avenport Investment Group and Samoa Artesian Water.

He also emphasized the importance of partnerships between government and private sector when discussing the emergency response and climate change during the S.I.D.S Conference

“Today’s hand over is a good demonstration of partnership between not only for S.I.D.S countries, but between Government and private sector,” he said.

Samoa Artesian Water was the official provider of bottled water at the S.I.D.S Conference at Tuanaimato this week. Avenport Investment is a family owned company from Mauritius.

They came, they laughed and laughed until they nearly cried.

That was the story for hundreds of Laughing Samoan fans who packed the To’oa Salamasina Hall on Friday for the ‘Fresh Off Da Blane’ show.

Among the audience were many visitors to Samoa for the S.I.D.S Conference and the Teuila Festival.

From the word go, Tofiga Fepulea’i and Eteuati Ete were on fire.

The show featured the popular Aunty Tala and her niece Fa’i as flight attendants.

Aunty Tala also becomes a roving news reporter, sports reporter and weather girl. There was also Island Time show, features the duo’s new take of the Three Little Pigs story.

The Laughing Samoans have been in town all week to promote their show as well as to help with the Teuila and S.I.D.S.

Tofiga and Ete are pictured above with former Miss South Pacific, Janine Tuivaiti and the current Miss South Pacific, Teuira Napa from the

Cook Islands. They are also pictured above with another former Miss South Pacific, Verona Parker.

Raising awareness about the impact of climate change, representatives of churches, ecumenical organizations and the United Nations stood together at Mulinu’u last Thursday for a prayer.

General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Samoa, Reverend Ma’auga Motu said that with the world being confronted by so many environmental problems, God is the only answer.

“This sea prayer is to express solidarity with communities affected by sea-level rise,” he said.

“God owns everything that exists, He is the rightful owner of everything, and from the very beginning he has made human beings his caretakers for the earth.”

“So we should take good care of the resources God has given us, not use them in a way that threatens the well-being of the environment. Let’s rise and give praise to the Almighty God for His Greatness.”

Rev. Ma’auga says it is important to return the glory where it is due.

“Above all, environmental stewardship shows that we are grateful to the One who provided the earth to sustain its creatures.” he added.

“Environmental stewardship reflects our Christian belief that Jesus is reconciling all things to himself, and that the risen Lord is presently reigning over the cosmos.”

Programme animator for climate change and resettlement of the P.C.C, Peter Emberson said that if we practice environmental stewardship, we show ourselves to be participants in his creation.

“We may not be able to see this completely reversed until we reign in peace but we can avoid causing ourselves grief by taking care of the resources God has given us,” he said.

“Environmental stewardship illustrates to the world that we care about the world God has given us, as well as all those who rely on that world for air, food, water and shelter.”

He also offered a germinating coconut as a “symbol of hope and resilience in life” to Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Figueres, along with the former Ambassador to the UN, Dessima Williams, threw the coconut into the ocean, where it would inevitably find its way back to shore, grow, and show its resilience.

Participants in the prayer included representatives of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Samoa Council of Churches (SCC), the Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) and the United Nations.

Many of those praying were in the country taking part in the Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S) Summit held last week, focusing on a group of countries that remain special cases for sustainable development in view of their unique and particular vulnerabilities.

Others participating in the sea prayer at Mulinu’u included Peter Emberson, Programme Animator for Climate Change and Resettlement of the PCC; Daniele Violetti, Chief of Staff, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; Andrew Higham,

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; Ian Fry, Chief Climate Change Negotiator for Tuvalu; and Julia Bethan Edwards, Researcher on climate-induced relocation, PCC; along with others.

The campaign is focusing on the power of prayer and meditation as an essential contribution to change, giving support to negotiators’ having the courage, generosity and imagination to reach a meaningful deal.

Delegates from Kiribati and the United States of America who were here for the S.I.D.S Conference are returning home singing Samoa’s praises.

Nancy Williams from Western Idaho in the United States is the owner of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (I.I.S.D), a Canadian-based, international public policy research institute for sustainable development. As logistics Coordinator for I.I.S.D, she is a regular traveller.

This is her first time to Samoa.

“I have been so fortunate I have been all over the world and you people are by far and away the kindest and most hospitable people I have ever met,” she said. “I’m not just saying that - it is the truth.”

She was particularly impressed with a privately owned public transport service, LK Taxi Service at Falelauniu. Ms. Williams wants to recommend the company to outsiders planning to travel to Samoa.

Her job during the meeting required her to travel from the main conference venue at Tuana’imato to Apia three to four times a day. She found it very difficult finding transport even more difficult when she realised “how far the conference venue was from town.”

One experience was landing at the main venue with so many bags and she had to walk some distance to enter the screening area. LK

Taxi Service owner, Leilua Tupou’s commitment to ensure that delegates were provided the appropriate services followed up with the

Land Transport Authority and finally found someone who helped him with getting “official signs” so that his drivers could drive closer into the venue. He said it was important that they provided the necessary services required mostly by delegates.

“And we wanted to do it right,” he said.

So his drivers were all stationed down at Tuanaimato 24 hours to ensure the delegates at the venue had public transport readily available. “I am so proud of Samoa- its preparations, the people that made it all possible and how we all came together as a nation to ensure the success of this meeting,” he said.

“Even those in rural areas decorated their villages so beautifully despite most of them not hosting any of the delegates.”

“Now no matter how many other meetings whether smaller than the S.I.D.S happens in Samoa the world knows that we are up to standard in safety and in public transport services.”

“I wanted to ensure that my taxi service was providing the required services to all those at the meeting so that Samoa’s reputation in public transportation was as good as the preparations in other areas.”

For Ms. Williams, she was very impressed with how the drivers knew all the places that they wanted and needed to be.

“One important thing for tourists is that the driver knows where they want to go – in many of the countries that I have been to, they don’t know but these guys knew every place we needed and wanted to be, even the villages,” said Ms. Williams. “This is such an important thing.”

During the S.I.D.S Conference, Ms. Williams and her delegation were hosted by Vincent and Jackie Fepulea’i. They stayed at the Fepulea’i’s cottages at Lotopa.
Ms. Williams said she was also extremely impressed by the accommodation.

“With a team of eight people, accommodation is not always easy to find, but our experience could not have been better.”

She said that each cottage offered three bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a living room and kitchen, and a space for us to do our work. “We even had access to a beautiful pool and bar area where we wish we could have spent more time!”

The cottages were comfortable, new, clean, and fully serviced, offering the perfect spot for both work and relaxation.

“Vincent and Jackie could not have been more gracious – not only did they provide us with fresh fruit and bread every morning, but they also offered advice and friendship, most befitting of the hospitality we have experienced in Samoa,” she said.

“After more than a week of being here we are sad to leave, but will cherish this wonderful time we have had forever.”

She highly recommends that people looking for either short or long term stays contact Vincent and Jackie, they will not be disappointed! Their details are as follows: +685-770-4767 or +685-777-4767; globaltravel@ipasifika.net.

Andrew Teen was a member of the Kiribati delegation to Samoa for the SIDS conference.

He also was impressed. In fact this is not his first time but according to him is by far the best time he has had in Samoa. The services including the taxi services have been very good. He also used LK Taxi Service for transportation.

He claims that the drivers provided more than just transport they helped with other things and were concerned about his safety and that of other delegates.

“They were very good to me and I think their services were beyond taking us to places that we wanted to go to – they have been very helpful.”

Mr Andrews said after his first experience he recommended LK Taxi Service to other delegates including his to own group.

“I told everybody that if they ever come back to Samoa LK Taxi Service was the transport service for them.”

He has also found a long term friend in Leilua. “I have been here before but it is very different this time with [taxi service] – it is so much better now”.

His views on Samoa’s preparations “it was so good and the venue was so nice – everything was well prepared”.

He agreed that he didn’t expect such hospitality since he had a bad experience in his previous trip but this time “Samoa has done an outstanding job”.

Lepa College and Mataaevave College were the winners of the 2014 Teuila Festival Dream Show contest on Friday night.

Held in front of the government building, the dream show promotes the history, the myths and the legends of Samoa.

Ten colleges from around the country took to the stage, showcasing their skills and pride in school and culture. There were three schools from Savai’i.

The competition was divided into categories. They were the Traditional Dance and the Contemporary Dance.

The schools that took part included Pesega College, Tuasivi College, Aana 1 College, Mataaevave College, Palauli College, Saint Mary’s

College, Faleata College, Amoa College, Lepa and Lotofaga College, Maluafou College

The results:
Traditional Dance
1st place- Mataaevave College
2nd - Tuasivi College
3rd- Pesega College

Contemporary Dance
1st place- Lepa and Lotofaga College
2nd -Saint Mary’s College
3rd- Faleata College

More photos:  http://goo.gl/jKEf6B

For Ms. Auva’a, becoming Miss Samoa is a real dream come true. The Miss Samoa New Zealand told the Samoa Observer last night that she is deeply humbled by the honour and that she would do her best to represent Samoa well

A desire to effect positive changes and contribute to the development of lives in Samoa are among the reasons the newly crowned Miss Samoa, Latafale Auva’a, would become a politician.

The Otago University law student also believes there should be more women in Parliament, advancing the push for gender equality in the halls of power.

Ms. Auva’a raised the points in response during the interview category of the McDonald’s Miss Samoa Pageant, held at the E.F.K.S Hall, Sogi. She was asked if she would consider becoming and politician and why.

Her response not only won her the Interview category, it also contributed to the final decision by the judges to award her the crown, much to the delight of her supporters, friends and relatives among the audience.

Last night’s pageant was meant to have been held on Saturday night, providing the fitting finale for the Teuila Week as well as the S.I.D.S conference.

But the weather changed the plan, making the event last night a rare Monday night pageant. This, however, did not dampen the spirits of the ten contestants who vied for the crown during a wonderful night of entertainment, fashion and class.

At every opportunity, the contestants promoted Samoan wear, our language, oratory, cultural traditions as well as Christianity values.

The contestants also delved into some of the deeper issues confronting society today, including domestic violence and environmental challenges.

One of the contestants was asked about the children selling goods on the streets and what she would tell their parents. In response, she said that if parents love their children, they must send them to school since a good education is the only key to a successful future.

For Ms. Auva’a, becoming Miss Samoa is a real dream come true. The Miss Samoa New Zealand told the Samoa Observer last night that she is deeply humbled by the honour and that she would do her best to represent Samoa well.

The first task will be to contest the Miss South Pacific crown, which will be held in Samoa next month.

The 20-year-old is a scholarship student in her 3rd year of studies towards a double degree in Law and Music, Majoring in Performing Arts at Otago University, Dunedin. She hails from Tiavea-Saleaumua, Vailoa-Faleata and Satupa’itea- Siufaga.

She takes over from former Miss Samoa, Susana Fanueli, who congratulated her and wished her all the best. In her journey ahead, Ms. Fanueli advised Ms. Auva’a not to rely on her own strength but always depend on God for courage and wisdom.

Last night’s pageant was hosted by then Samoa Tourism Authority’s Marketing Manager, Dwayne Bentley and former Miss South Pacific and Miss Samoa, Janine Tuivaiti. Cindy of Samoa and the Taupou Manaia dance group provided the entertainment.

The contestants included Miss Polynesian Shipping Line, Josephine Mafoa, Miss Thomsen’s Bridal Couture, Faalagilagi Vaifale Farani, Miss Le Spa Lelalelei o Samoa, Monica Giselle Schwenke, Miss Moataga Enterprises, Afioga 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 Fa’apaia Maiava.

The results:

Best Sarong –Monica Schwenke
Best Puletasi –Afioga Jessica Taulaga
Miss internet –Tusipepa Sandra Lilomaiava
Miss Personality –Cheyenne Maiava
Miss Photogenic – Tili Lafaele
Miss National Tourism Award – Fa’alagilagi Farani
Bluesky People Choice Award’s –Tili Lafaele

Main Awards

Best Talent Award –Fa’alagilagi Farani

Best Interview –Latafale Auva’a

Top Five

4th Runner up - Fa’alagilagi Farani

3rd Runner up - Tili Lafaele

2nd Runner up- Josephine Mafoa

1st Runner up – Afioga Jessica Taulaga

Miss Samoa 2014/2015 –Latafale Auva’a

More photos: http://goo.gl/xm2OZn

FIRST DAY AT WORK: The new Miss Samoa, Latafale Auva’a. was given the keys to a brand new Ford vehicle from Ford Samoa yesterday as part of the prizes for winning the crown on Monday night. 

The keys were presented to Ms. Auva’a by Lei’ataua Jerry Brunt, of Manaia Events.

Miss Samoa’s total prize package is $64,490, including $4,000 cash from McDonald’s Family Restaurant and a host of other prizes from the pageant’s sponsors.

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Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has attacked international rugby's antiquated governance and revenue-sharing system. The comments from Tuilaepa, who is also the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union, follows the announcement of a major sponsorship deal aimed at taking them to a new level at next year's Rugby World Cup.

Samoa is traditionally a cash-strapped organisation with its top players at the mercy of rich clubs and rival countries.

On Monday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa revealed a new deal with Australian-based company Cromwell Property Group that should ensure a well-resourced squad for next year's tournament in England.

The base sponsorship is "significant" but also includes major incentives - NZ$250,000 (T$450,000) for reaching the semifinals, NZ$500,000 (T$900,000) for making the final and NZ$1m (T$1.8m) for winning the tournament.

Samoa has been a regular quarter-finalist at World Cups and Tuilaepa feels the incentive system will suit his players.

Right now, he's just simply delighted to get major revenue and support.

During a general interview in Auckland as the sponsorship was announced, he made it clear Samoa is frustrated at their treatment.

Like the New Zealand Rugby Union, he believed the gate-taking system disadvantaged Samoan teams when they toured north. All the gate revenues are held by the host unions. With major nations reluctant to tour the islands, there was little chance for any payback.

Tuilaepa estimated one end-of-year tour of Europe by Samoa would make enough money to run the Samoan game for two years.

He believed gate-takings should be a "50-50" sharing arrangement but was being handicapped by a system from "the amateur game".

He was similarly critical of the governance system of the International Rugby Board (I.R.B).

The island nations getting one vote under the Oceania banner didn't reflect their contribution.

The I.R.B consists of the eight foundations unions each with two seats - Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France. Argentina, Canada, Italy and Japan each have one seat on the council as do all the regional associations.

Tuilaepa described that as "lop-sided".

"I don't know of any organisation that is so unfairly represented," he said. "World rugby is badly managed."

He believed England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales should fall under the one banner, as they did four-yearly when they toured as the British & Irish Lions.

He applauded the International Olympic Committee for making them operate as one team when rugby sevens makes its Olympics debut in Rio in 2016.

Samoa and island players in general have had to scatter to survive in the professional era. That has left them vulnerable to rich offshore interests.

Tuilaepa believed the new sponsorship would help Samoa get their top players for the next World Cup and put together a competitive warm-up programme.

Part of that included the historic hosting of an All Blacks test in Apia next year.

While details are yet to be made public, Tuilaepa believed the match was set to go ahead. "That's what I'm given to understand," he said.

He will meet New Zealand Rugby and All Blacks management in Wellington on Tuesday to go over the finer details.

Tuilaepa also made it clear that Samoa will capitalise on an eligibility loophole in rugby's shift to an Olympic sport that allows players to switch allegiances to a new country after an 18-month stand-down period as long as they are involved in the sevens system.

It means former All Blacks like Rudi Wulf, Lelia Masaga and Isaia Toeava could turn out for Samoa in the 15s game after being fast-forwarded into their sevens programme for the next world series that starts on the Gold Coast next month.

Tuilaepa believed the softening of the eligibility rules was a good move but felt the stand-down could have been even shorter, suggesting six months.

"We need to open the sport up and make it global. It's not good seeing the game not being competitive."

The two traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoes, or va’atele, “Hokulea” and “Hikianalia” safely departed Samoa on Monday.

The departure followed a small farewell ceremony on the Apia waterfront attended by the Head of State, His Highness, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and the Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese.
The Kings Gospel Singers of the Pacific from Australia sang inspirational songs as the crew departed.
The visit of the two va’atele to Samoa is part of a 4 year “Malama Honua” worldwide voyage to spread the message of “malama”, or caring for island earth, our natural environment, children and all mankind.

The two canoes are now currently sailing north towards Tokelau at around five knots and at this speed they should reach Fakaofo in the next two days.

From Tokelau the va’atele return to American Samoa before proceeding to Tonga and New Zealand. To track the movements of the canoes please see http://www.hokulea.com/

The departure of the va’atele on Monday capped an action packed and exciting week for the Hawaiians in Samoa.

Last week, the Hokulea hosted the Secretary General of the United Nations, Tupua Ban Ki-moon who passed on a written message in a bottle.

It reads: “I am honored to be part of Hokulea’s Worldwide Voyage. I am inspired by its global mission. As you tour the globe, I will work and rally more leaders to our common cause of ushering in a more sustainable future, and a life of dignity for all.”

The message will be taken by Hokulea to 26 nations around the world and will be returned to the UN Secretary General in New York in 2016.

While in Samoa, Nainoa Thompson, the President of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and captain of Hokulea, had many speaking engagements during the S.I.D.S conference events where he promoted the message of “Malama Honua”. The crew were also very busy spreading this message at a number of public events, including an exhibition and workshop at the Museum of Samoa through a partnership with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.

The crew was hosted by Matautu village during an ava ceremony and fa’aafe (refreshments) last week.

Their Highnesses, Tui Atua and Filifilia, hosted the crew twice, firstly on Wednesday Sept 3 at an evening reception at Vailele and again on Friday Sept 5 at an official farewell ava ceremony at Tuaefu.

Siva Afi hosted the crew to their Siva Afi dinner and show on Thursday Sept 4. The EFKS Apia church hosted the crew to a special church service on Sunday, which was followed by a Samoan to’onai on the beach at the Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa.

“As the local hosts for the Hawaiians, the Aiga Folau o Samoa (Samoa Voyaging Society) would like to show our sincere appreciation to all the many people and organisations that made the visit of our Hawaiian aiga folau such a huge success,” a statement from Society said.

“We thank the dedicated and professional efforts of the Samoa Ports Authority, the Samoa Police, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Tokelau Apia Liaison Office and the officials from the Ministries of Customs, Immigration, Health and Agriculture for their hard work to ensure the timely and safe passage and clearance of Hokulea and Hikianalia into and out of Apia harbour.”

“We would also like to thank the chiefs, orators and youth groups of Apia, Magiagi and Matautu villages for their incredible hospitality and for their amazing performances on the day of the arrival of the va’atele on Monday September 1. We thank Reverend Utufua Naseri of Apia EFKS for blessing the crews at the arrival and the Kings Gospel Choir for their singing at the farewell. We appreciate the oratory of Manu Asafo who acted as an MC at a number of the official events.

We are grateful to Siva Afi for hosting the crew at their fire dance show and for providing us a banner. We thank Sinalei Resort and Spa for the wonderful function hosted on Sunday.

“We thank the Samoa Tourism Authority for never losing patience with us despite the constant changes in the arrival plans. We also thank the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA), the Conservation International Pacific Islands Program, SPREP, IUCN and the Governments of China and Japan for helping us to host the Hawaiians and to prepare “Gaualofa” to sail again in the near future.”

“We save our greatest appreciation for our Patron, His Highness the Head of State of Samoa, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi for so graciously hosting the Hokulea crew at both his official residence and his private home last week, and for his leadership and inspirational words to promote the revival of the traditional values of respect for self, for others and for our environment.”

The government has announced the multi-stakeholder partnership with the High Tech Youth Network to provide 21st Century learning for youth and social entrepreneurship opportunities at the S.I.D.S. conference in Apia last Wednesday.

Two government ministries have since signed with the High Tech Youth Network (HTYN), a not-for-profit organization headquartered in New Zealand and in the United States of America.

Earlier in the week, the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Magele Mauiliu Magele had signed a Memorandum of Intent and announced the Network had been allocated land for the establishment of the Network.

On Thursday, the Minister of Women, Community and Social Development Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Leiataua put his signature to a Memorandum of Intent in a short ceremony held at the To’oa Salamasina building. “I would like to acknowledge this partnership as a vehicle to address unemployment,” said Tolofuaivalelei.

“We look forward to doing many great things as we formalize this part in the Memorandum.”

In his response, the H.T.Y.N. Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mike Usmar addressed the youth in the audience and urged them to use technology and connect with other youth in the Pacific.

“This is about connecting our people; it gives you a voice” he said.

He told the young people that the H.T.Y.N. works with tech giants Microsoft and Adobe and pointed to some of the career pathways that could be open to them.

Mr Usmar said that following dialogue with the Samoan government, the programmes could be underway in Samoa by 2015.

NZ Herald - Passengers on a flight from Samoa to New Zealand got a scare when a large centipede scuttled up the leg of a first class passenger.

The woman noticed the large centipede crawling up her leg while on board a flight from Faleolo to Auckland last month.

The centipede then scuttled off, causing commotion amongst passengers in the cabin.

The unidentified species of centipede, which was 10cm long, has since been destroyed.

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries spokesmanm Craig Hughes, said biosecurity staff were waiting to meet the plane on arrival, and once passengers had disembarked, two quarantine inspectors checked the plane and found the centipede between a seat and the cabin wall.

“By the size of its claws, it would have at least caused a nasty nip,” he said.

Mr. Hughes said the it was most likely that a passenger accidently carried the centipede onto the plane in their hand luggage.

The incident was very unusual, but showed how important it was for passengers to check their bags for biosecurity risk items, he said.

“It’s also essential that passengers secure their hand luggage as much as possible so that dangerous critters don’t sneak in before boarding.”

“The last thing that anyone wants is a new population of poisonous centipedes, or worse, crawling around Auckland.”

A historic occasion was marked at the UN S.I.D.S conference in Apia last week.

This was when the S.I.D.S DOCK statute was signed by heads and representatives of the 31 small island developing states (S.I.D.S) who are members of AOSIS, the Alliance of Small Island States.

The signing of the statute is a significant highlight and outcome of the S.I.D.S Conference and a major step toward the treaty’s entry into force. S.I.D.S DOCK is a mechanism for small island states to access finance for climate change adaptation activities, assist in developing a sustainable energy sector, provide a vehicle for mobilizing financial and technical resources, and providing a mechanism for S.I.D.S to connect with global financial, technological and carbon market.

Recognising that the lives of more than 20 million people in small islands and low lying states are at high risk, the Government of Denmark was the first country to provide support for S.I.D.S DOCK start-up activities with a grant of US$14.5 million in 2010.

This was followed by a grant of US$15 million over two years by Japan in 2011, and a further 1 million euro from Austria for start-up activities for the Centres for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Caribbean, Pacific and African SIDS, and a promise to support a centre for the Indian Ocean S.I.D.S at a later date.The statute is also historic because it’s a SIDS-SIDS institutional mechanism established to facilitate the development of a sustainable energy economy in the small islands and low lying developing states, working with private sector, tertiary institutions and governments. More than ten member countries, including Palau, Tuvalu, Bahamas, Seychelles, Samoa, and Barbados signed on the day, with Tuvalu being the first country to ratify the statute.

Depth shouldn’t be a problem for Samoa heading into the 2015 Rugby World Cup, thanks in large part to the Olympic sevens eligibility loophole.

Players are well aware of their dual eligibility for Samoa and other nations, and have been quick to get in touch with the Samoan Rugby Union about switching allegiance to the island nation.

Those in contact about representing Samoa include former New Zealand 15s or sevens representatives Fritz Lee, Isaia Toeava and Tim Nanai-Williams, as well as Australian Super Rugby players Fotu Auelua (No 8) and Alofa Alofa (winger).

For Lee, Toeava and Nanai-Williams any switch would see them use an eligibility loophole created due to the inclusion of sevens at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Any player tied to a tier-one nation that has not represented that country in the past 18 months can switch allegiance to a second country for which they hold a passport.

Samoa assistant coach Tom Coventry said the list of players having dual eligibility was long, and the vast majority of that list had already contacted the Samoan Rugby Union.

“Ambition is key,” Coventry said. “Guys who want to come and play for Samoa are valuable. You could ring guys and ask them to play, but to be fair, most of the guys who are now dual eligible and have the option to play have asked.”

“There are a lot of them [who have contacted Samoan rugby]. They are playing rugby in different parts of the world and that’s the nature of the beast with Samoan rugby, and Pacific island rugby in general.”

For players in New Zealand Super Rugby franchises a switch of allegiance will be a little harder. Super Rugby contracts have a clause ensuring a player is available to play for only New Zealand at national level.

A player like Nanai-Williams will have to ask for an exemption to that clause if he was to play for Samoa.

“Super Rugby is all about developing All Blacks, so that makes sense. If they look at each case and decide they probably won’t be in All Black consideration, then they can choose to remove that clause.”

Coventry was excited by the prospect of having Lee, Toeava or Nanai-Williams join the Samoan team, but said it will take time to get a new- look Samoan side together.

“Someone like Fritz, he’s in superb form for Clermont. He’s one of their standout players, I think he was player of the year last year. “It’s fantastic when they put their hand up, and obviously Fritz has a desire to play. For him to be able to play, he’d need to play in the IRB Sevens World Series in October to be available for our end of year tour. “That would be purely at the whim of his club. They’d have to release him to do that, which would be very unlikely, so he’d have to wait until the end of the northern hemisphere season to play sevens and then for Samoa.That’s going to be the case for us, with players trickling in when they can.”

With the influx of established stars the current national team squad could be disheartened by losing first team places, but Coventry said the ageing Samoan squad is relishing the introduction of new talent.

“They realise that we have an ageing squad in need of some young talent,” Coventry said. “Most of the guys are looking forward to it. We want to go deep in the World Cup and these guys will help us to do that.”