Regional Leaders Making a Difference
David Adeang, Speaker
Parliament of Nauru
Kieren Keke, Foreign Affairs and Finance Minister
Government Of Nauru
Through the boom and bust times of Nauru-a small number of powerful individuals ruled. In recent years they have been replaced by a new guard personified by David Adeang and Kieren Keke but the same political intrigues remain.
As we went to press, Nauru's Parliament was deadlocked. The Opposition had unsuccessfully put a motion of no-confidence in President Marcus Stephen over his alleged mismanagement of pollution and dust generated by the processing and loading of phosphate. Subsequently Opposition MP David Adeang was elected as the Speaker of Parliament. He presided over a contentious Easter sitting that voted to rule ineligible any MPs with dual citizenship namely Foreign Affairs and Finance Minister Kieren Keke.
Sir Arnold Amet, Governor
Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
One of Papua New Guinea's newest politicians is one of its most respected leaders.
Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet was voted into office last November. The former PNG Chief Justice is well known throughout the South Pacific for his work on judicial reform, as chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Solomon Islands' elections and part of a more recent Eminent Persons Group looking into the political and human rights situation in post-coup Fiji. He is also the likely successor of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare when "The Chief" steps down as head of the governing National Alliance Party.
Sir Arnold has said his point of reference in his new role is "God's little devotional book for leaders," and its emphasis on willingness to serve as being a great trait of leadership.
Adimaimalaga Tafuna'i, Executive Director
Women In Business, Samoa
Women In Business Development Executive Director, Adimaimalaga Tafuna'i is the link between local farmers and British cosmetics giant, The Body Shop, in what many hope will become a model for other Pacific Island businesses.
In 1991 seven women wanting to start their own enterprises established Women in Business Development Incorporated after finding it hard to secure bank loans. The group is now active in 150 rural villages across Samoa, supporting a range of community-based projects aimed at alleviating poverty, creating sustainable village economies and revitalizing the agricultural sector. Other income-generating activities include organic farming, beekeeping, fine mat production and handicrafts. The Body Shop is looking to expand its links with the Samoan producers and feature them in marketing material. Managed well, the venture will be an example to Samoa's neighbors of how to take micro enterprise to the next level.
Tony deBrum, Foreign Minister
Marshall Islands Government
Veteran Marshall Islands politician Tony deBrum has led a remarkable personal political rebound, transforming himself from self-exile in the United States to foreign minister and chief political strategist for President Litokwa Tomeing in little over 18 months. After 16 years in Parliament, deBrum lost two attempts to return to office in 1999 and 2003. A piece of land at Kwajalein given to him by Iroij and former President Imata Kabua qualified him to run and easily win a seat in the Nitijela in an early 2007 by-election.
While the previous government largely ignored the Kwajalein situation, deBrum and Tomeing's government elected in January have placed it front and center. DeBrum is also stepping up a push for renegotiation of other aspects of the amended Compact of Free Association that went into effect in 2004.
Virisila Buadromo, Executive Director
Fiji Women's Rights Movement
A friend of hers once described human rights activist Virisila Buadromo as somebody who scared easily. But since the Fiji military seized power in December 2006, Buadromo has proved that friend wrong and demonstrated that despite being a petite woman she has a mighty heart. Buadromo, the 36-year-old Executive Director of the Fiji Women's Rights Movement, was one of several activists taken from their homes by soldiers late on Christmas Eve 2006 to the main army barracks outside Suva where they were assaulted over their public calls for a return to democracy.
In March, Buadromo was one of eight women from around the world who were awarded the U.S. Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award. She was the sole woman from the Asia-Pacific region to get the award this year. The award is given for demonstrating "outstanding courage and leadership in promoting political, economic and social advancement of women."
Ieske Iehsi, General Manager
Pohnpei Ports Authority
Micronesians don't have to look far for an example of how good government practices can transform an agency and make things happen. Ieske Iehsi, one of the Federated States of Micronesia's most talented and experienced public servants, has turned the Pohnpei Ports Authority into a model for the rest of the Pacific.
Iehsi, who was trained at the University of Hawaii and Harvard University, is a former Foreign Secretary for the FSM. He got on the wrong side of former President Joseph Urusemal, and ended up as general manager of the Pohnpei Ports Authority. Bad news for the FSM national government. Good news for Pohnpei.
Under Iehsi's leadership, the Ports Authority has fast-tracked two long-stalled projects to revamp Pohnpei's airport terminal and runway. And Japan has finally given the green light to fund expansion of the 6,000-foot field by another 800 feet. Ieshi pushed hard to collect debts owed to the authority, some going back years.
David Heydon, Chief Executive Officer
Nautilus Mining
As chief executive of Nautilus Minerals, David Heydon is overseeing exploration licenses for high-grade copper, gold, zinc and silver marine deposits in Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Solomon Islands, with applications pending in Fiji and New Zealand. Nautilus aims to become an emerging producer in 2010. And while other mining companies are more mature players in the Pacific, making real profits, Nautilus and Heydon have captured the imagination of a number of island governments and the industry more broadly.
The company's performance to date has been steady. Nautilus raised $214 million (equivalent) gross proceeds equity throughout 2007 in three shareholder placements, secured 56 new exploration licenses covering approximately 140,000 km2, and discovered four new seafloor massive sulphide prospects.
Heinz Hofschneider, Representative
Northern Mariana Islands
It's too early to start calling Rep. Heinz Hofschneider "Mr. Governor." The Northern Marianas holds it gubernatorial race next year, and incumbent chief executive Benigno Fitial has, to the surprise of many, announced that he's running for re-election.
But at this point, albeit early in the campaign season, the betting would have to favor Hofschneider, a Republican and former House Speaker who came within a handful of votes of winning when he squared off with the Covenant Party's Fitial in 2005.
Hofschneider's gubernatorial campaign is quiet but already underway. He's one of the reasons that the Republicans, long the dominant political party in the Northern Marianas, regained control of the House in last year's elections. Many are betting Hofschneider will use that momentum, and strong voter dissatisfaction with a crumbling economy and expensive and spotty electrical service, to win big next year.
Yves Jégo, State Secretary for French Overseas Territories
Government of France
The former spokesman of France's ruling party UMP, Yves Jégo has just been appointed as State Secretary for French Overseas territories, which include French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna. A member of the French National Assembly since 2002, Jégo has been a Lord Mayor of the town of Montereau-Fault-Yonne since 1995.
In the State role he follows a very "hands-on" predecessor, Christian Estrosi, who is now Lord Mayor of Nice. Former French Polynesia President Oscar Temaru said "good riddance" in response to Estrosi's departure, giving some indication of how divisive his short time in the office was, and the challenges ahead for Jégo.
Christopher Loeak, Minister In Assistance To The President
Marshall Islands Government
Christopher Loeak is a strong behind-the-scenes politician, generally soft-spoken in public but a force in Cabinet meetings. As Minister in Assistance to President Litokwa Tomeing he is now at the center of power in the recently reconfigured Marshall Islands government.
Loeak got his start as an MP in the late 1980s. He survived near defeat in 2003, winning by a single vote, but then won reelection by an unprecedented landslide from the same atoll in 2007, demonstrating that Loeak doesn't take his status as a ranking paramount chief and leading politician for granted.
He is pushing the motto of Tomeing's government, "People First" with the primary goal to improve the quality of services delivered by government to the public. But he sees a huge attitude problem among the majority of government workers that is a roadblock to success.
Michael Makasiale, Chief Executive Officer
Yatu Lau Company Limited, Fiji
Michael Makasiale is chief executive officer of Yatu Lau Company Limited, one of a handful of Fijian enterprises that has defied the negative stereotype that indigenous Fijians can't do well in business.
Yatu Lau was founded by Fiji's first prime minister and former president, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara in 1972 with $7 in paid up capital, as an investment vehicle for the people of the province of Lau. Today the company boasts more than 800 shareholders and has a property portfolio worth more than $23 million, as well as a portfolio of shares in both listed and private companies.
Rod Mitchell, Joint Chief Executive Officer
National Superannuation Fund, Papua New Guinea
As Joint Chief Executive Officer of Nasfund-Papua New Guinea's National Superannuation Fund-Rod Mitchell is presiding over one of the Pacific's few retirement fund success stories. Counterpart organizations in Guam and Saipan are struggling, but Nasfund's assets have reached the K$1 billion (US$380 million) mark for the first time. Nasfund has 251,299 members, interests in Solomon Islands, is building a commercial and residential complex in Port Moresby, has extensive other real estate holdings in the country's main urban areas, and a stake in Ramu Sugar Ltd, New Britain Palm Oil, Bank South Pacific Ltd and Highlands Pacific Ltd.
What's more remarkable is that under Mitchell's leadership, the fund has returned from the brink of financial collapse, a recovery he attributes to financial sector reforms introduced by government after the crisis was identified in 2000 and its transparent corporate governance structure.
Mac Mokoroa, Chief of Staff
Cook Islands Prime Minister's Office
Mac Mokoroa is the new chief of staff in the Cook Islands Prime Minister's office, a position once held by political cronies of any government of the day. But Mokoroa, who graduated from the University of the South Pacific with a master of business administration degree, is not playing the usual role. In his first month he removed four gardeners from full-time payroll, gave termination letters to some government representatives in the outer islands whose combined salaries totaled nearly NZ$1 million (US$786,000), and made redundant a campaign manager for a government MP. His action prompted Cabinet to explain his 'reform' program.
"In the past employment here is given in exchange of political favors," Mokoroa says. "In my term I want to stop that and direct money paid to these political cronies to worthwhile projects."
Emanuel "Manny" Mori, President
Federated States of Micronesia
Being the president of the Federated States of Micronesia could be considered a thankless job. The FSM Constitution, which was written to include Palau and the Marshall Islands in a pan-Micronesia federation, effectively emasculates the president. The real power is in the Congress, from whose ranks the president and vice president are chosen.
The power in the presidency is in its incumbent being able to use it as a bully pulpit to set the public agenda, direct debate and raise the public's expectations. In that regard, FSM President Emanuel "Manny" Mori was born for the job. He's articulate, surprisingly blunt for an islander, and has been a political player long enough that he isn't afraid to ruffle feathers.
Savenaca Narube, Governor
Reserve Bank of Fiji
Savenaca Narube was only four days into his job as governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji when a coup took place in May 2000. The day after the coup his reaction was to stabilize Fiji's financial system by putting in place exchange restrictions. The move helped cushion the shocks and resulted in Fiji regaining economic stability not long after, something for which the bank was hailed.
In his eight years in the position, Narube has not had the luxury to relax much. As governor, he has presided over a number of major developments from the introduction of a real-time payment processing system for banks through to the introduction of $100 bills.
In December 2006, Narube had the effects of yet another coup to deal with and while this time around recovery has been slower and harder, the bank has defied rumors of a devaluation of the Fiji dollar and its supervision has kept the economy from going into free-fall.
Wilkie Rassmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Cook Islands Government
The Cook Islands government is deeply divided, and Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Marine Resources Minister Wilkie Rasmussen is one of its most divisive figures. As Minister for the 2009 Mini Games, Rasmussen has been at loggerheads with the deputy prime minister over administration of games funds. Their dispute involves conditions attached to a $13 million loan from China which Rassmussen believes will limit the use of the proposed indoor sports arena for the Games. He wanted to head the $8 million construction project but Deputy PM Sir Terepai Maote says the Cook Islands Investment Corporation will remain in charge. Locally there were reports he had resigned from that portfolio, claims he angrily denied in March.
Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu
Ralph Regenvanu is a prominent figure in Vanuatu as former director of the Vanuatu Cultural Center. Now studying law, the anthropologist is also overseeing Vanuatu's continuing "Year of Kastom Economy," which has sought to revive traditional exchanges of wealth.
"This is an alternative strategy for Vanuatu. The traditional economy has served us well for thousands of years," Regenvanu has told international media. He has also been a strong local voice in the debate on land tenure in Vanuatu and protection of the country's biodiversity-not only against environment degradation but also exploitation in the form of biopiracy. The Vanuatu Cultural Research Policy he helped create in 1994 has become a regional model, and he has advocated the use of customary law in the juvenile justice sector. Regenvanu is seen as one of Vanuatu's future political leaders. He has described himself as a "crusader" and a strong nationalist.
Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., President
Republic of Palau
At 52, Palau's President Remengesau Jr. is serving the last year of two four-year terms as president of the Republic of Palau. He began his political career in 1984 as the youngest person ever elected to Palau's Senate at 28. Perhaps most recognized internationally for issuing the Micronesia Challenge in 2005, Remengesau is an affable, articulate and soft spoken leader and comes from a lineage of chiefs and high government officials. The project began as a challenge to Palau's neighbors in the Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Marshall Islands but has since spread beyond this region. He showed leadership in committing Palau to conserve 30 percent of marine resources and 20 percent of forests by 2020.
But what happens when Remengesau leaves office in November? We're betting that Remengesau will be short-listed for the directorships of any number of regional organizations. He's young enough that time is on his side.
David Robinson, President American Samoa Chamber of Commerce
American Samoa 
David Robinson, the dynamic president of the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce, featured on this list last year. He is here again not only for his willingness to be a vigilant watchdog on government policy as it relates to business, but also because he is an important contributor to discussions on finding ways forward for American Samoa.
As co-chair of the Governor's Economic Advisory Council, Robinson has been involved in developing strategies for economic development in several key areas, including tourism, light manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors. If American Samoa is to grow with or without the canneries it will be because people like Robinson are given the room to play a pivotal role.
Dr. Feleti Sevele, Prime Minister, Tonga
Tonga's Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Sevele was a confident host of the Pacific Islands Forum meeting last year, not easily distracted by pro-democracy demonstrators on the fringes of the conference. He remained fully focused on the myriad of issues facing delegates including a collective response to the Fiji coup, a Solomon Islands partial boycott of the meeting, and financial problems within the Forum itself, almost single-handedly keeping Fiji interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama engaged. But this year he has turned his attention back home again, to the reconstruction of Nuku' alofa and wrangling of the Chinese government soft-loan that is funding much of it, and general elections that were due to be held in late April. If he can keep control of those two elements, Tongan can begin the real process of rebuilding from the dark days of November 2006.
Dr. Derek Sikua, Prime Minister
Solomon Islands Government 
The election of Dr. Derick Sikua last December has already signaled a major shift in Solomon Islands' relations with the country's biggest aid donor and "big brother" Australia. Relations between the two countries had been at an all time low under the leadership of former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare over issues such as the appointment of controversial Attorney General Julian Moti and the operations of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, led by Australia.
Immediately following his election, Dr. Sikua went first to Papua New Guinea where he apologized to Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare for tensions arising
between them over the Moti affair.
Dr. Patrick Tellei, President
Palau Community College
As president of the Palau Community College since 1999, Dr. Patrick Tellei has lead it to consistently maintain its accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, which has put some neighboring colleges on notice. Active in inter-governmental educational program and system development, Dr. Tellei is also holds high traditional rank in his birthplace, Melekeok State, and is recognized throughout Palau for his managerial and political skills.
Often rumored but never confirmed as a presidential candidate, Dr. Tellei has never run for elected office but he will likely follow that course.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister, Samoa
Samoa, long held up as an example of sound economic management in the Pacific Islands region, is now wrought by real tensions. And Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi-known for his strong and uncompromising leadership - is in a position to either guide it through the turbulence, or capsize the boat.
The government's odd decision to change domestic laws so Samoans drive on the left hand side of the road rather than the right is causing distress to large swathes of the business community and within government ranks.
Also causing controversy is the land registration bill, which would allow for customary land to be registered so it may be leased. On this bill, Tuilaepa's government is leading the region, as a number of countries grapple with the need to balance security of tenure for business and potential investors, against the rights of traditional landholders.
The Human Rights Protection Party holds 36 of the 49 seats in Parliament, so barring mass defections from the government side; the changes seem likely to go through. Tuilaepa holds the key to how they will be implemented though, and whether they are seen as innovations in the long term, or the beginning of a slippery slope.
Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood, U.S. District Court, Guam
On an island whose political leaders sometimes seem to be midgets, Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood stands tall. She serves on the U.S. District Court for the territory of Guam, a position of power that makes her immune to the strong currents of family and fortune that often cloud the island's political culture.
Tydingco-Gatewood is a "local girl" so her position on the court has particular significance for Guamanians. And she's used that position in recent months to shock the political establishment into action, to the cheers of a long-suffering local population.
The issue was the Guam government's failure to meet federal stipulations to stop using the noxious Ordot Dump and build a new landfill. Tydingco-Gatewood, in a ruling from the bench this year, ordered the government to act now. She's raised expectations that the federal court, rather than a moribund government, may be Guam's salvation.
Contributors: David Miho, Alison Ofotalau, Ricardo Morris,
Giff Johnson, Floyd K. Takeuchi and Samantha Magick.
Comments on this story? Email samantham(at)pacificmagazine.net
