|
|
From Fijitimes Online (30 August 2009) Rotuma joins women's league WOMEN from the St Michael Parish in Rotuma have joined the Catholic Women's League for the first time. And the new members were represented by nine delegates to this year's annual conference being held at the St Peter Chanel parish at Korolevu in Sigatoka. Delegate Luisa Viliame said Catholic women from the island decided to join the league following a visit by national president Susana Evening early this year. "The women's league in Rotuma was formed on May 19 and this is the first time we have attended the annual conference," Ms Viliame said. She said the delegates raised $3000 to come to the conference. "There is a lot we have to learn, we have come to broaden our minds and the way we look at things. "For instance, men are seen to be the head of the family but in Rotuma, women also have a say in the family." From Monifa Fiu in Suva (25 August 2009) LäjeRotuma, in partnership with the Council of Rotuma, plans to organize the first ever "Rotuma Elders Stakeholder Communications session regarding Rotuma's natural heritage and biodiversity." The session is scheduled for September. Hopefully this will coincide with the monthly government boat trip to the home island. A meeting with the new Commissioner Eastern is also planned by the team. LäjeRotuma has been endorsed by the Council of Rotuma and is hoping to engage several key experts to assist in engaging community elders who are knowledgeable about the island's plants and animals, large and small, their known uses and practices that encapsulates our natural heritage. In addition, LäjeRotuma will provide information from its various biological baseline surveys conducted over the years, thus contributing to the expanding knowledge base for Rotuma's biodiversity. The Rotuma Elders Stakeholder Communications meeting is part of a lead up to the mapping of Rotuma's Biodiversity Action Plan, which will be in sync with overall island development planning, and will contribute to a national level action on biodiversity protection. The target stakeholders include a select group of chiefs, sub-chiefs, government officials and key informants like tautei, farmers, traditional orators, mafua, etc. We expect to invite 40 key elders as well as representatives of island youth and women groups. A venue for the meeting on the island has yet to be confirmed. From Fijitimes Online (23 August 2009) Semisi dies FORMER magistrate John Semisi died at the CWM Hospital on Friday after a short illness. Mr Semisi was the second Rotuman, after former chief justice Daniel Fatiaki, to qualify as a lawyer. During his legal career he was Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and at one time was the permanent arbitrator. Dorsami Naidu, the president of the Fiji Law Society said the legal fraternity has lost someone who was a "sharp legal mind". From Radio Fiji (18 August 2009) Rotuma implements strict measures Strict quarantine measures have been implemented in Rotuma to prevent the spread of the Pandemic H1N1 2009 virus on the island. So far, Rotuma is free from the H1N1 virus and health officials on the island continue to take appropriate preventative measures concerning the Pandemic H1N1 2009 virus. The Rotuma health team with the help of the military officials on the island conducted medical checkups on passengers coming off the MV Iloilovatu as it arrived at the Oinafa jetty. No passengers were allowed to get off unless cleared by the health team. It took more than 1 hour to for medical staff to complete their work. Passengers disembarking from the MV Iloilovatu are part of the government
delegation that is on the island to address development issues. Fiji Broadcasting Corporation From Fijitimes Online (14 August 2009) Never again By Mageret Wise Held hostage for four months by heavily-armed pirates, Mr Suliana said he was glad to be alive as his life was threatened on many occasions. He said he and 11 Tuvaluans, who work as crew on the seized German vessel, MV Hansa Stavanger, had given up hope of ever seeing their families again. "It was horrible. We could not believe them anymore because several promises of release had been made during the course of our detainment," he said. "I have been a seaman for nine years and I love my work. I will go back to sea but never again to the Gulf of Aden. I will now choose where I go. I am so happy to be home. I felt I was in Fiji the moment I stepped on to the plane. It was Air Pacific and all the stewards were Fijian—I felt I was home." He said he was carrying out routine maintenance work when the alarm was sounded. "They first shot two rocket-propelled grenades at the bridge to force the ship to slow down. Five of them with heavy artillery boarded the ship and were later joined by others. There were 24 crew but we were easily outnumbered." He said the pirates were aggressive and communication was frustrated by language barriers. Food was a problem and they were forced to fish to feed themselves. The hostages were released after the shipping company paid the ransom. Mr Suliana travels to Suva today to meet his family. The box-ship with around 1,070 containers was sea-jacked by Somali pirates on April 5, 400 km off the southern Somali port of Kismaayu.
From Radio Fiji (10 August 2009) Rotuma Tuvalu trade could delay There could be a delay in the trade between Rotuma and the government of Tuvalu. Rotuma Island Council chairman Tertarani Rigamoto says there’s still some work that still needs to be completed. Rigamoto says the trade was scheduled to start towards the end of this month but the equipment for the hot AOR treatment plant facility have not been fully installed. He says director agriculture Hiagi Foraete will be part of the delegation to the island and it is he who can confirm as to when the trade could start. The Rotuma Island Council has agreed that – Dalo, Cassava and sweet
potatoes will start off the trade. Fiji Broadcasting Corporation From Fiji Real News (7 August 2009) Justice Daniel Vafo'ou Fatiaki Sworn In
Taniela (Daniel) Vafo'ou Fatiaki has sworn his oath to be a Supreme Court Judge for two years in Vanuatu's Judiciary in front of Head of State, Kalkot Mataskelekele, August 6 Thursday. Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek has described the swearing in of the two new Supreme Court Judges-Justice Daniel Fatiaki and Justice John Clapham as 'historic.' "We have witnessed a historical event as far as the Supreme Court is concerned," he said. "It is within the visions and plans of the Judiciary to grow to maintain its role in maintenance of the law and service to the people. Whatever the challenges the people can expect that judges of high caliber can render services to them. I have no doubt you will fulfill that task.I for one can say today this is just the beginning" said the CJ. Justice Fatiaki swore his judicial oath and oath of allegiance followed by Justice Clapham before the Head of State HE Kalkot Mataskelekele. "Your Honors come from strong judicial backgrounds . . .and gives you great strength to come to Vanuatu" said the Head of State, a lawyer himself. He reiterated he was privileged to open the first National conference for the Prevention of Crime in Vanuatu in May 2008 and had one simple observation.And that was crime was not a new problem in the world and Vanuatu because all countries in the Pacific all have their their share of crime and the crime problem. His general suggestion then was the answer to crime probably lay in different areas of Vanuatu society including: social, customary educational,economic and spiritual opportunities available to the citizens. The formal appointments of the Justices were made on July 7 for Justice Clapham and July 17 for Justice Fatiaki. Appointments of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Vanuatu are made by the President in accordance with advice of the Judicial Services Commission. Justice Fatiaki is not new to the Vanuatu Judiciary having served on the Vanuatu Appeal Court bench for a number of years along side Chief Justice Lunabek and Justice Oliver Sakask as well as familiar names: Justice von Doussa of Australia and Justice Bruce Robertson of New Zealand. From Suva (5 August 2009) On 11 July a fund-raiser dinner for LäjeRotuma Initiative (LRI) was held at Holiday Inn in Suva. The theme of the evening was “Sustaining Rotuma’s Environment and Cultural Legacy.” The event was organized by Ravai Shaw, Monifa Fiu, and Letila Mitchell and featured art and dancing by members of RAKO (Rotuman Artists Co-operative) and a powerpoint presentation by LRI entitled “Accomplishments and Future Goals.” John Tevita served as Master of Ceremonies and Jioje Konrote gave an address honouring Alan Howard for his 50 years of research and service to the global Rotuman community. Mahlon Isimeli served as DJ for the dancing that followed the formal program. The 21 tables of 10 persons each were completely sold out, making the evening an unqualified success. From Radio Fiji (3 August 2009) Minister will lead team to Rotuma Minister for Works and Transport Timoci Lesi Natuva will lead a government delegation to the island of Rotuma. Ministry spokesperson Sainiana Waqainabete says development work on the island is on track. She says development work on the road around the island and also work at the Rotuma airport is nearing completion. Waqainabete says Natuva will be in Rotuma in time to see the final stages of a few projects and also projects that have already been completed. She says the Minister will be touring Rotuma towards the end of next
week. Fiji Broadcasting Corporation From John Muaror in Sydney (2 August 2009) I was in Rotuma for 6 months, from 15 December 2008 to June 2009. It was a trip very different from previous ones, as I wanted to do renovation work on my grandmother`s house at Gaigogo, Oinafa Village. It is for family and for retirement later. Work did not start until after the festive season, of course, as I did not want to miss out on the fun. I enjoyed Christmas with my brother and his lovely wife, Doreen, and their son Fiu, visiting from NZ for three weeks, a well earned break from law studies. And also a nephew, Fereti Stevens, who is planning to get married later in the year to a wonderful young lady from Lopta. As usual, there were many visitors to Rotuma during this period, the most prominent group being the Morris family from Australia and other parts of the world--about 40 of them, I believe. There were one or two weddings and two or three funerals. I witnessed the modified version of doing things at a funeral. It may be changing religious beliefs or just cost cutting. Either way, I thought it was very convenient and appropriate, especially during hard times on the island. The beginning of the year 2009 was particularly hard as many basic necessities, like sugar, flour and soap ran out in all shops, as well as tinned salmon and corned beef, which the islanders depend upon. It was a situation I've encountered before, so eating ikou or vati, and tupai or fekei esu is no big deal. My brother joked about the situation--that we often have `ulu vs `ulu, meaning cooked `ulu with curried `ulu. I must thank those dairy farmers who often held meat sales just for variety. Even when there was no meat left at the butcher, I welcomed just bones to have with bele at a time like this. I particularly want to thank my Fijian friend Mark of Motusa, who often supplied us with fresh fish and lobsters. Not to mention my sister-in-law, Viki, who can chop up anything for a tasty meal, even without laloga. There has been a lot of talk of development in Rotuma. From what I have seen, the islanders need cash-generating ventures of any kind. This would relieve relatives abroad of financial obligations, which run into thousands of dollars a month. I understand that a few cash-earning projects were up and running a while ago, but they seem to have fizzled out. Hapmak is venturing into commercial fishing again, which would create jobs and boost living standards tremendously. Everyone will agree that Hapmak village stands out in the housing department. I am also proud of the seven farmers in Oinafa who banded together and formed "The Jaliga Enterprise." It is run on a voluntary basis for now, but as business booms it will require a fulltime staff to operate it. Mue Fatiaki is manager and Iane Vilsoni is Accountant. Good luck boys for the future. We are hoping that the Tuvalu Export Project will create jobs and bring cash in. I know there`s plenty of root crops and vegetables for the market, which should result in future prosperity. I hear that a team of BYU Hawaii professors will be coming to the Island sometime in October this year to try out bio diesel fuel from coconuts, which are abundant in Rotuma. It has been successful in Tonga, and I can only hope it will also be in Rotuma. The coconut oil is extracted and mixed with two other chemicals to produce diesel. A process which takes about two hours and ten coconuts will produce one litre. If it is successful, there will be less haras that are in plentiful supply everywhere. President Rupeti Albert, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Rotuma Branch, is coordinating this project from Rotuma. I will keep you all posted of future developments on this one. Last but not least,The Morris family talk of going into the supermarket business soon. Thank them for the jobs it will create for the locals. Now back to my renovation work, which I mentioned earlier. Work did not start till the end of January this year. I am very thankful to my brother, Gagaj Voi Muaror, who provided tools, to the builder, Jone Fauoro, and the many friends who assisted. Work progressed slowly as it was very hot and humid. At times I swear it could be 40 degrees, easy. I am also thankful to my neighbours to be, Torika and Varea, who provided much needed refreshments and cakes af all colors. In closing, I can say with confidence that I see a good economy and prosperity for Rotuma five years from now. |
