PINA

Hawaii officials urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as many hotels prepared to house evacuees and first responders on the island that faces a long recovery from the wildfire that demolished a historic town and killed more than 90 people. About 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the devastation in Lahaina...

By Pita Ligaiula With so many regional plans, strategies, frameworks – and now the 2050 Strategy, some Pacific countries are concerned with very less implementation and benefits flowing to member countries. There are now calls to review the ‘regional architecture’ to make regional organisations ‘fit for purpose’. The issue was raised at last week’s Forum Economic Minister Meeting (FEMM) in Suva. Forum deputy...

Tough questions need to be asked as the Pacific confronts climate change, lack of progress in sustainable development and the growing vulnerabilities in the region, Fiji’s government says. Addressing the Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Suva last week, Fiji deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad said a “business as usual” approach to these challenges would be “the surest...

The U.S aid agency will open its expanded mission to Pacific island countries this week, aiming to show commitment to a region that now has the option of turning to China for infrastructure and development assistance. The visit of the agency’s top official, former diplomat and journalist Samantha Power, to Papua New Guinea and Fiji from 13-16 August coincides with...

The British High Commission in Suva has announced a package of partnership support that will improve Pacific Island Countries access to and absorption of Climate Finance, and delivery of resulting projects. This support will be for two years, with a possibility of a subsequent second phase. The investment managed through the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is supported by the...

The Pacific Engagement Visa programme which could pave the way for 3,000 Pacific Islanders to gain citizenship in Australia is going through parliamentary processes in Australia, says newly appointed High Commissioner to Fiji Ewen McDonald. He spoke about the programme during an interview on The Fiji Times online news portal The Lens @177 last week. “Yes, there certainly has been progress...

By Leilani Reklai The 12th Aimeliik State Legislature passed a resolution requesting Aimeliik Governor Browny Simer to investigate allegations of misconduct in office made against Aimeliik State Public Land Authority (AIMSPLA) Chairman Clarence Sriderio Rengulbai. Chairman Clarence Sriderio Rengulbai allegedly entered into a lease agreement with a foreign businessman not authorised by the Aimeliik State Public Land Authority Board of...

The Marshall Islands fisheries authority was honored with an international award last week recognizing its work to prevent illegal fishing. At a ceremony during the 7th Global Fisheries Enforcement Training Workshop organised by the International Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Network in Halifax, Canada, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority was recognised for operating world class “port state measures.” The...

U.S Congress is reviewing a proposal from President Joe Biden to create new security guarantees for three Pacific Island states: the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. If Congress passes the Compacts of Free Association by 30 September, they would provide billions of dollars of economic and security assistance for the nations and would deny Beijing access to 5.6 million square...

The Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) recognised the desire of some members for a visa-free Pacific. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad said visa-free travel will allow for deep and meaningful regional integration. Prasad said a visa-free PIF region is also the surest way of responding to the continuous loss of skills and knowledge in the region. He...