People Briefs
People Briefs
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Rep. Mary L.M. Taufete'e recently introduced the American Samoa Clean Air Act, a bill similar to legislation implemented in many cities across the U.S. after numerous complaints of second-hand smoking. If passed, it would restrict or prohibit smoking in confined public spaces, including public transportation. She said the measure is to protect the health and welfare of non-smokers in the Territory because of the danger second-hand smoking poses in confined places.
Governor Tauese Sunia has appointed Dr. Adele T. Moaaliitele as the new president of the government-owned American Samoa Community College (ASCC). Prior to the selection, Moaaliitele was the ASCC Director of Institutional Advancement. She replaces Dr. Salu Hunkin whose contract was not renewed by the Board of Higher Education. Dr. Moaaliitele is the third female to hold the ASCC president post since the establishment of the community college about 20 years ago.
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American Samoa Community College student Vitalia Samoata Ann Kline, 19, was crowned the new Miss American Samoa on June 30. Kline was among the six contestants vying for the title. They were judged on six categories: sarong, traditional wear, Samoan traditional dance, talent, evening puletasi (in place of an evening gown) and interviews. Kline received numerous prizes including trips to Auckland and Los Angeles and a $1,000 cash award. Before the pageant, Kline said that if crowned Miss American Samoa she hopes to spend her reign promoting "family ties.” First runner-up was Meghann Laulauga Otineru, 22, who received a $500 cash award and prizes. The pageant was sponsored and organized by Miss American Samoa Inc., (MASI) on the theme: Tropics Under the Sea.
Captain Kevin P. Ryan relieved Captain Scott A. Spencer as commanding officer of the USS Frank Cable during a ceremony on July 12 held at Apra Harbor, Guam. The Frank Cable, which is home ported in Guam, serves naval forces in the Far East, and does maintenance for surface ships, aircraft carriers and submarines of the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced in July that her country will accept more immigrants from Tuvalu if rising seal levels from global warming continue to devastate its low-lying coral atolls. Clark’s response contrasts dramatically with that of Australia, which has indicated that islanders will not be entitled to any special immigration concessions. Tuvalu’s population is 11,000, with another 5,000 already living in New Zealand.
Australia has appointed Peter Hooton as its new Consul General for American Samoa. He is based in Apia, Samoa.
Marshall Islands President Kessai Note in late June signed a $12 million government finance reform loan with Asian Development Bank President Tadao Chino at ADB headquarters in Manila.
Father Francis X. Hezel, S.J., the director of the Pohnpei-based Micronesian Seminar, has kicked-off an energetic on-line debate with his late June article “Feast and Famine” about what the Federated States of Micronesia should do with its windfall $34 million extra U.S. Compact funding over the next two years. Invest it or spend it? is the theme of his article that can be found on the MicSem Web site at www.micsem.org.
Philip J. Flores, president and chairman of Guam-based BankPacific, announced that Maria C. Blas has joined the bank as the new Vice President of Operations. “Maria brings 28 years of bank operations experience to our organization,” he said. Her most recent position was assistant vice president for bank operations for the Guam Region of First Hawaiian Bank. In addition, Bernice Lujan was promoted to the position of assistant vice president, system operations and Agana branch manager. Lujan joined BankPacific in 1996 as Agana branch manager.
Former Fiji Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara suffered a stroke while vacationing in Vanuatu in mid-July. He was flown to New Zealand for treatment, and was reported to be recovering successfully.
Royal Tongan Airlines CEO Semisi Taumoepeau was elected chairman of the Association of South Pacific Airlines. He takes over from Polynesian Airlines CEO Richard Gates, who held the post for four years.
