PACIFIC NEWS BRIEFS
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Cook Islands police have called off the search for 22-year-old Luke Vakayawa who fell overboard from an inter- island ferry over the weekend.
Luke, from Fiji, was a crew member on Lady Moana, which was returning to Rarotonga from Mangaia.
Police spokesperson Trevor...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 93-year-old Italian Navy ship nicknamed “The Most Beautiful Ship In the World” was spotted sailing in waters off Maui Monday afternoon.
The boat is called the “Amerigo Vespucci.”
The Amerigo Vespucci is set to arrive at Honolulu harbor on Thursday as part of a world...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Consensus has been reached by Pacific leaders with Japan to address the controversial release of treated nuclear wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.
In August last year, Japan began discharging waste from about 1000 storage tanks...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Vanuatu Civil Aviation Authority says it is working to ensure domestic flights grounded since May can resume this month.
Acting director Wilfred Makaba told local media they were conscious the crisis at the national airline is affecting the people of Vanuatu.
He said...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a press conference that they need help in their search for the Bernstein family.
Abigail Bernstein and her two sons, Koa Kai and Kush Kohole, were last seen at the Ala Wai Boat Harbor back in October 2022.
They had been...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Pacific civil society is raising concerns over Tonga's involvement with Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML).
The company, a subsidiary of the Metals Company, is interested in deep sea mining in Tongan waters.
An informational document has been issued by the Civil...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoan Church Ministers from the EFKS denominations are stepping up as key players in public health.
Reverend figures like Rev Elder Victor Pouesi from Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kerisiano Samoa (EFKS) Magele I Sasa'e I Puaseisei, have long been vocal advocates for their...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Working alongside Royal Australian Navy forces on the east coast of Australia, disposing of Second World War bombs in Vanuatu, marching in a street parade in Tonga and surveying areas of the sea floor in Ha’apai has kept the Royal New Zealand Navy Littoral Warfare Force...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Fiji's brand new patrol boat has finally been pulled off the reef at Fulaga where it ran aground three weeks ago.
The Guardian Class Patrol Boat RFNS Puamau, gifted to Fiji by Australia in March, had only just arrived in the country in May and was on its maiden patrol...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Coast Guard is slated to continue solidifying its Pacific footprint with new funds from Congress as the service plays an increasingly prominent role in Washington’s regional strategy.
The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations in June approved measures funding...