Cover Story
25 TO WATCH-2006
Regional Leaders Who Are Making A Difference
| DAVID ADEANG Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade, Finance and Economic Planning, NAURU
As the founding member of the Naoero Amo (Nauru First Party), David Adeang has been described by Australian media as the "minister for just about everything." His official designation is Foreign Affairs and Trade, Finance and Economic Planning. While Nauru's government and many of its citizens pin their hopes on a revival of the country's phosphate industry, many also pin their hopes to Adeang. But Adeang is pragmatic. "We cannot claim that the (critical economic and financial) situation has changed. But we are hopeful that in time, we can make Nauru a better place to live." - ADVERTISEMENT -
EDUARDO A. CALVO
Eduardo A. "Champ" Calvo, 49, is the first member of his generation to sit on the board of Calvo Enterprises, a family corporation that encompasses a diverse conglomerate of businesses including insurance underwriting, real estate holdings, grocery retailing, and electronic media outlets and wholesaling and is the largest locally-owned business entity in Guam. Calvo also heads the commercial litigation law firm of Calvo and Clark. His firm also represents Governor Felix Camacho in several lawsuits between Camacho and Attorney General Douglas Moylan concerning the delineation of powers between the two. "It's exciting; this is the first term of the first elected attorney general and it's so important for us to have a clear definition of the duties and responsibilities of the various branches of government as well as the attorney general," he says. PETER CHRISTIAN
Senator Peter Christian's return to the "25 To Watch" list reflects the continuing dominant role he plays in national politics in the Federated States of Micronesia. It is no overstatement to say that as the Speaker of the national Congress, Christian is the single-most influential political leader in the FSM. Christian has not hidden his intentions to run for the Pohnpei Senate seat that would make him eligible to be considered for president. That 2007 election will pit Christian against the immensely popular incumbent, Reiso Moses, one of the FSM's venerated senior statesmen. It will be an all-or-nothing race for Christian. If he loses, which is possible, Christian will no longer have a legislative power base for the first time in nearly 40 years. CAMERON DIVER
Cameron Diver is at the center of New Caledonia's efforts to move towards greater integration with its Pacific Island neighbors. The office which he heads is responsible for coordinating, monitoring and supervising New Caledonia's relations with multilateral organizations and nation states. Developing relations with other Pacific Island nations is a crucial part of this effort. Diver says New Caledonia is looking to agriculture, industry and legal/geopolitical relations as an entrée into closer ties. "(We're) looking to expand our horizons," Diver has told Radio Australia recently. That is evident in the number of official and private sector visits occurring both ways in the last 12 months. Diver is charged too with managing the process that will see New Caledonia eventually become an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum, and he anticipates, engaged in the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement. BENIGNO R. FITIAL
Governor Benigno R. Fitial has come to office at a time of enormous challenge, with the economy imploding and all in the Commonwealth looking to him to make things right. He has started with a number of hard decisions--including a $15 million cut in the Commonwealth budget. Civil service redundancies also loom large on the horizon. Fitial has asked the U.S. federal government for a bailout of $140 million, but he has also been using his own funds to arrange trips to Asia to meet key business and political leaders. This yielded results earlier this year when he convinced Northwest Airlines to start a second weekly service between Saipan and Narita. How Fitial manages this key economy for the remainder of his term will be keenly watched throughout the region. BEN GRAHAM
With high energy, innovation and vision that belied his youth, Ben Graham established the Marshall Islands Visitors Authority as a credible force in the late 1990s, putting a largely backwater tourism sector on the map as a fledgling industry. Working with the national planning office, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Asian Development Bank in the 2000s, he was and continues to be one of the few Marshall Islanders to analyze social trends and disseminate his analyses as a way to empower people with information. He sees inequities in economic development, public apathy and low-morale in government as key challenges. Since returning in mid-2005 with an MBA from Georgetown University, Graham, now 33, has taken on supervising a national household social and economic survey for the government and has begun helping several key non-governmental organizations with strategic planning and staff development. AVAMUA DAVE HALECK
Avamua David Haleck is the president and chief executive officer of The Haleck Group, one of the largest commercial enterprises in American Samoa and Samoa. The group's commercial activities include food and beverage ventures, retailers, the Clarion Tradewinds Hotel, the fledgling airline South Pacific Express, the dairy and water bottler Islands Choice, and Haleck Motors in American Samoa and Samoa. Avamua says the Haleck Group is committed to providing expanding economic opportunities for the benefit of the peoples in both Samoas. The Haleck Group's consolidated gross annual revenue is about $15 million. In April, it was looking to open a nonu (noni) juice plant as part of the Haleck export strategy. Avamua is also driving plans for a shopping center and cinema complex, among other initiatives on the table. ROBERT JONES
For more than four decades, the Jones family has been synonymous with business growth on Guam and in the Northern Marianas. Today, Robert "Bob" Jones heads a commercial empire that is centered in Micronesia but reaches from Shanghai, China to Oakland, California, and has the potential to go even deeper into the Pacific. Jones, who is based on Saipan, oversees operations in retailing, auto sales, distribution, construction and consulting. Primarily under the Triple-J brand, Jones is active on Guam and Saipan, is growing quickly as a retailer, auto dealer and distributor in the Marshall Islands, is a retail consultant to Palau's NECO Plaza Corporation, and is eyeing opportunities in Chuuk and Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. That's in addition to a freight-forwarding and consolidation operation based in California and an office in Shanghai. And Jones just opened $13 million auto dealership on Guam. Given his recent record, Bob Jones' best days are likely still to come. ANNIE KAJIR
As chief executive officer and principal lawyer of the Environmental Law Centre, Annie Kajir is involved in one of the fundamental challenges facing Papua New Guinea- how to balance development while protecting the rights and resources of landowners. A Goldman Prize winner, recently she spoke about an alleged attempt to fast-track a controversial logging project in East New Britain, saying, "If it were allowed to proceed now, it would be the latest in a long line of examples of the green light being given to illegal activities.'' Kajir remains focused on a number of key cases in Papua New Guinea, but the ELC model is being closely watched in a number of other Pacific Island countries. KATHY KESOLEI
Well known Palauan educator, anthropologist and community leader Kathy Kesolei recently established a new venture designed to "facilitate positive change." Kathy Kesolei and Associates (KKA) has a contract with the Palauan government to "facilitate organizational performance by involving all levels of people in strategic planning, group performance commitments and measurements." Kesolei has long been a regional leader in education and community programs. In addition, she holds considerable influence in Palau's traditional leadership structure. In June 2001, Pacific Magazine featured her in a profile of Palau's women leaders and she has continued to show her commitment to the region since then. WILLIE KOSTKA
If receiving the world's most prestigious award in marine conservation-the Pew Fellowship-hasn't brought Willy Kostka to your attention, the leadership he is about to bring to the Micronesian Conservation Trust certainly will. Having just finished seven years as founder and executive director of the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, Kostka recently accepted a position as the first executive director of the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) (mctconservation.org), an organization committed to developing long-term, sustainable funding for biodiversity conservation in Micronesia. Chartered in the Federated States of Micronesia, MCT attracts seed money for core trust funding, as well as pass-through grant money such as that from the Packard Foundation and the Global Environment Facility, the latter of which has committed a minimum of $750,000 annually toward biodiversity efforts in Palau, the FSM and the Marshall Islands. LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban is now an important player on the New Zealand political scene, rising quickly up the ranks of the ruling Labor government. The 51-year-old third term parliamentarian of Samoan descent has become the first Pacific Island woman to get a Ministerial portfolio in the New Zealand government. Luamanuvao is the current Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector, Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment and Associate Minister for Economic Development, and Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs. It is a wide range of portfolios that could see her make a real difference to the lives of New Zealanders-of Pacific Island descent and otherwise. RON LEACH
Few regional bankers spend more time in airplanes than Ron Leach, Bank of Hawaii's executive vice president for Pacific Islands and international banking, as well as its commercial insurance services group. The reason? Leach is a familiar face in Koror, Pago Pago, Hagatna, as well as Seoul, Tokyo and Sydney. While Bank of Hawaii no longer has resident banking operations in the South Pacific, it is still either the dominant bank or strong player in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas and Palau, not to mention its native Hawaii. In fact, Leach moved his headquarters from Guam to Honolulu in early 2006. The move signaled the bank's view that the Pacific is part of a larger Asia-Pacific market. That's good news for the islands, which have an articulate champion in the gregarious Leach. And in a part of the world where relationships often make or break a deal, Leach is well positioned to be one of the region's consummate financiers. DANNY LEAOSAVAII
The current domination of New Zealand's music scene by artists and groups of Pacific Island descent can be attributed to one visionary Samoan. Danny Leaosavaii (aka Brotha D) is described as the "Godfather" of New Zealand hip-hop; the one who broke down the barriers for Pacific Island entertainers to hit the mainstream. With Andy Murnane he started a business empire, Dawn Raid Entertainment in 1999. From humble beginnings they went from selling T-shirts to starting their own record label. Their empire now includes a clothing store, graphic design consultancy, hair dressers and several unique New Zealand clothing labels. Leaosavaii has some of the country's top artists in his stable including Adeaze, Scribe, Aaradhna, Savage and the Deceptikonz, who've had success locally and in Australia. RATU JONI MADRAIWIWI
Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi has recently been reappointed as Fiji's vice president, a move that provides some comfort to citizens hoping for stability as the country prepares to go to the polls. The circumstances of his initial appointment were to the contrary-his predecessor was convicted for treason. Ratu Joni has been described as a vice-president for all Fiji's citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. In reality, the position is purely ceremonial, but as the Roko Tui Bau-the holder of a high chiefly title-and his willingness to speak frankly for cultural and political harmony, has seen him play a much more prominent role than is usual. Ratu Joni mediated a truce between military commander Voreqe Bainimarama and Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase in January this year-and while tension continues between them-many will be looking at Ratu Joni to do what he can to keep the peace. SAVEA SANO MALIFA
Pacific media trailblazer, Savea Sano Malifa, has gone regional, launching international editions of his newspapers in American Samoa and New Zealand in the past year. His flagship publication, the Apia-based Samoa Observer is 27 years old. The bilingual American Samoa Tribune is published five days a week and has a circulation of 4,500 although Savea says "our aim is to double that figure in six months, and see what happens from there." In New Zealand, he has papers coming out on Tuesdays and Fridays, with a combined circulation of 14,000 and has plans to launch a third weekly edition. Savea puts investment in the two new papers at this stage at NZ$600,000 (US$365,400). "We know Samoans living abroad always want to know what's happening back home so there's the possibility of similar ventures being set up in Sydney, Honolulu, LA and even further afield on the U.S. mainland," Savea says. "But who knows? Right now there's plenty to do and we're having great fun doing it." JAMES MATAYOSHI
Rongelap Atoll Mayor James Matayoshi is on the verge of making it possible for people to return safely to a once nuclear test-contaminated atoll in the Marshall Islands. The son of one of the original islanders engulfed in a "snow storm" of fallout from the Bravo test in 1954, Matayoshi, 37, is in his third four-year term as mayor of the displaced population. Matayoshi has overseen efforts that produced more than $50 million from the U.S. Congress for clean up and resettlement, installed infrastructure to support people's return, and the development of eco-tourism, pearl farming and other job opportunities for islanders who return. Most importantly Matayoshi engaged credible, independent scientists who may convince what is arguably the world's most skeptical population when it comes to radiation safety that recent clean up work has made Rongelap Island safe. Matayoshi's able management and savvy diplomacy has allowed him to successfully navigate the politically charged atmosphere of nuclear test relations with and the usually conflicting interests of the United States administration and Congress, U.S. government and independent scientists, the Marshall Islands government and the people of Rongelap to deliver on long-term promises to Rongelap Islanders. TROY POLAMALU
Troy Polamalu is arguably the most heralded American football player (or gridiron south of the equator) of Pacific Island descent today. In just three years, he has gone from a highly rated first round draft pick out of the University of South California (USC) to a Super Bowl winner with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL earlier this year. He is recognized as one of the NFL's top players voted to consecutive Pro Bowls in 2005 and 2006. He tied the NFL record for most sacks-three-in a single game by a safety in 2006. NFL commentators and coaches around the league regard him as the game's premier safety and one of the top defenders. Many believe he is revolutionizing the way the safety position is played with his mix of speed, power, anticipation and skill level. Polamalu also embraces his Samoan heritage, joining Polynesian dance clubs and learning the Samoan language from friends while at USC. JOHN RIDGWAY
John Ridgway is the energetic and engaging managing partner of Pacific Legal Network, an Australian law firm with offices in Sydney, Fiji and Papua New Guinea and associates in Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Hawaii, American Samoa, Samoa, Palau and Saipan. He makes this list because in many ways, Ridgway is putting into practice the regionalism many of our leaders are still talking about. Among Ridgway's new ventures is PLN Advisory, established in Nadi, Fiji last year to provide clients with corporate and strategic advice for the operations in the Pacific. It's a model Ridgway hopes to replicate elsewhere in the Pacific. PLN is looking to establish firms in Brisbane and New Zealand, target business in Hawaii for investment into Australia and the Pacific, and establish a PLN Foundation, where "each firm contributes a percentage of gross turnover into a regional fund, which is distributed each year towards charitable works in the Pacific." PLN has also had approaches from a number of firms in Asia. Wearing another hat, Ridgway's term as president of the Australia-Pacific Islands Business Council ends this October, but he hopes to remain an active member of this and the Australia-Fiji Business Council. DR. JIMMIE RODGERS
Dr. Jimmie Rodgers has been the rock on which much at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community has been built since he first joined the organization in 1996. He was recently appointed SPC Director-General and will be charged with formulating and implementing the organization's new corporate plan. Rodgers says "putting people first, genuine commitment and excellence in service" are the principles underlying his approach. "During the next two years, I propose to bring SPC closer to the people we serve…(through) increased focus and achieving impacts in member countries and territories; strategic engagement at the regional and international level, and strategic positioning of SPC," he says. Rodgers will also have to deal with the challenge all heads of regional agencies face over the next few years, ensuring their work is relevant and complementary to new regional frameworks such as the Pacific Plan. His record to date shows he is up to the task. DR. FELETI SEVELE
As Tonga's newly confirmed prime minister, Dr. Feleti Sevele has talked about reconciliation, healing and optimism. He brings to the leadership a mix of skills-as a scholar and businessman. Most significantly, Sevele is one of the nine People's Representatives to the Legislative Assembly-a commoner. One of Sevele's first initiatives as PM has been to establish a new department to look after the interests of the Kingdom's large and financially influential diaspora. He has also ended the appointment of ministers as public service commissioners saying it will bring great transparency. Yet the prime minister faces a challenge in keeping the country's economy afloat following civil service pay increments, which are generally accepted to be unsustainable. And as host of this year's Pacific Islands Forum meeting, the region will also be looking to the Kingdom and Sevele for stability and a commitment to regionalism. GERHARD SWORD
For Gerhard (Gary) Sword, the progress of his company Express Electronics is remarkable for a small island-based concern. It has taken Sword about five years to market his company's island-friendly software in the region, particularly with the North Pacific Island nations. The company is currently enjoying the success of its Border Management System (BMS), a software program developed in-house in response to common immigration problems facing all the island nations of Oceania. The BMS consists of a software program that connects passport scanners at the airport and/or seaport with the country's main immigration office. The program can also link the immigration office to other government agencies, particularly those concerned with law enforcement. Its latest user is the Marshall Islands. Other clients include the governments of American Samoa, Palau and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. Sword has approached the Federated States of Micronesia with the hope of expanding his business even further. CELESTINE HITIURA VAITE
There is the sense that professionally, Tahitian- born author Celestine Hitiura Vaite is on the brink of great things. The third novel in her trilogy-Tiare- is due for release in Australia on May 1st. New editions of the first and second, Breadfruit and Frangipani, will also be published this year. Vaite has been long listed for Britain's Orange Prize for Frangipani. Frangipani has already been published in 11 countries, and at the time of writing this Vaite was on a book tour through France and Scandinavia. No doubt the world will see a lot more of her, and her warm, moving books in the next 12 months. DAVID LOWELL WICKLINE
Investment bankers are often, by nature, low-key players. They shun the spotlight, preferring to work their deals away from the attention of competitors. That would explain why David Lowell Wickline, the managing partner of San Francisco-based Pacific Holdings Trust, is not a household name in most of the Pacific. But he's a seasoned and successful player who knows the islands well, particularly the Western Pacific, and is a bell-cow investor. Wickline was talking up the Guam resort property market in 2002 and 2003, when most investors were running for cover. He put together the investment group that acquired one of Guam's visitor industry gems, the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, for about $30 million in 2004. Today, most top-tier Guam hotel properties are under new ownership. While Wickline has been focusing most recently on resort investment on the U.S. mainland, he often travels the Pacific. And where he goes, you can expect other investors to follow. ANDREW WRIGHT
Australian Andrew Wright assumed the helm of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) in Pohnpei late last year. With more than 25 years of experience in the fisheries sector, there are few more able than Wright to deftly guide the new organization through the vast, uncharted waters before it. Confronting Wright and the commission is the high seas management and conservation of threatened tuna species, namely yellowfin and bigeye. Wright must also facilitate consensus among the disparate interests of commission members, primarily composed of small island states and distant water fishing nations such as Japan and the United States. Wright's leadership and diplomacy as the first director of the commission will establish the foundation and parameters upon which the commission's future will rely.
The following writers contributing to this section: Giff Johnson, Jessica Chapman, Frank S. Rosario, Frank Whitman, Richard Coleman, Peter Rees, Jason Aubuchon, Alex Rheeney, Floyd K. Takeuchi and Samantha Magick.
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