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Samoa - research
A group of American scientists are currently studying Samoa's underwater volcanoes and seamounts while deploying seismometers to the ocean floor.
The American oceanographic research vessel, RV Thomas G. Thompson, berthed at the Matautu wharf at dawn on Wednesday last week according to a statement from the US Embassy in Apia.
The vessel took a scientific party of 20 scientists, graduate students, technicians, engineers and international observers, who will conduct a 28-day scientific research project focused on marine geology and geophysics in the Samoan volcanoes and seamounts, Tonga Trench and Lau Basin.
The project will study the interactions among the Tonga slab, the Lau back-arc basin and the Samoan mantle plume, using seismology, geochemistry and petrology.
The statement also said the research cruise will deploy approximately 30 ocean bottom seismometers on the ocean floor until they are recovered 18 months later and to sample seafloor basalt samples for geochemical analysis.
The project is in collaboration with Samoa's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and an observer from the ministry will also be aboard the ship participating in the research.
Samoa - covid
Samoa's health boss says the Ministry of Health will resort to carrying out covid-19 tests at the airport, should the number of positive cases become concerning.
Director General of Health Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma told the Samoa Observer that Cabinet will be advised if the spread gets faster and concerning.
At the time this was announced, Samoa had reported several recent covid cases.
But new results released Monday showed 25 new cases over the previous seven days.
The country is also set for an influx of Christmas holidaymakers.
Hawaii - fires
Months on from the Maui fires, evacuees are still being relocated.
Some 850 Lahaina evacuees were to be kicked out of their hotel stays in Kaanapali last Thursday as visitors return, according to Hawaii News Now's report.
Maui Rapid Response outreach team lead Leslee Matthews told the news outlet some fire evacuees have moved eight times since flames destroyed Lahaina.
Hawaii government officials and aid agencies have repeatedly said no one will be left homeless, but acknowledged evacuees may have to move before permanent housing solutions are found.
Meanwhile, Maui County mayor Richard Bissen has submitted a bill that would exempt owners of short-term vacation rentals from paying property taxes if they convert their units into long-term rentals.
This will be heard this week.
Samoa - fined
Samoa Airways has been fined US$1,000 dollars for allowing a second foreign national in a month to board one of its planes to American Samoa without a proper permit.
The fine stemmed from a New Zealand passport holder who was allowed to travel to the US territory without a permit.
Samoa's Minister for Public Enterprises Leatinuu Wayne So'oialo confirmed the airline now has to pay a total of US$1,500 for both immigration breaches.
The first incident involved Samoa's former associate minister for police who bypassed the check-in desk in Apia using his diplomatic passport to enter American Samoa.
Leatinuu told the Samoa Observer it was not good for the image of the company, especially breaching immigration laws between the two countries.
Pacific/Australia - labour
Australia's PALM scheme is launching a plan allowing up to 200 long-term workers to bring their immediate family to Australia.
The first round of this 'family accompaniment' pilot is open to long-term workers from Kiribati and Timor Leste.
An online information session will be run today for long-term workers from Kiribati who are currently in Australia.
Applications for the pilot are expected to open in late January.
Fiji/UAE - visa
Fiji and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to visa-free travel.
Fiji's prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka has signed a memorandum of understanding which means passport holders from the UAE and Fiji can now have visa-free access to each other's territories for up to 90 days.
The agreement is valid for a minimum of six months.
FBC News reports there are around 350 Fijians living and working in the UAE.
Fiji - abuse
A holistic professional health service has raised concern about those who suffer domestic abuse in silence.
Fiji is in the midst of a campaign called '16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence'.
Empower Pacific counselor Timaima Delai told FBC News they have recorded a staggering 80 cases of domestic violence in just ten months - but these are only those who have reached out for support.
Delai said society needs to unite against this silent epidemic and work towards creating safer, more supportive environments for those affected.
Kiribati - grant
The Asian Development Bank has given Kiribati a grant package of US$27 million to support the delivery of quality health services in climate-resilient facilities.
The ADB's Climate-Resilient Health Infrastructure and Systems Project provides grants to ADB's poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries.
Meanwhile, the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved US$10m of new support for Kiribati to strengthen its resilience to both economic and climate-related risks.
It includes a grant of $8m and a further grant of $2m to be available immediately in the event of a major crisis or natural disaster.
