A youth initiative installs street lights on North Pentecost, Pasifika sports stars rally to encourage Covid-19 vaccinations, and Tonga's 'Amanaki is campaigning.
Solar powered street lights were installed on North Pentecost by a group of young people. (File photo). Photo: giff johnson
Eleven more repatriation flights to Samoa
Samoa's Government has announced 11 repatriation flights to be operated by Qantas, Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways.
They are to take place in November and December.
But the former minister responsible for Samoa Airways in the HRPP party urged the Government to instead use an already-leased Generation Boeing 737-800 to save money for taxpayers.
The 737-800 is currently parked in Brisbane, and TV1Samoa reported Lautafi Fio Purcell said using it instead would save millions, and it would start paying for itself.
The Government has tasked a special committee to look into the pros and cons of taking on the leased aircraft.
Street lights installed by youth initiative
In Vanuatu, young people of North Pentecost in Penama Province, have surprised their six villages by setting up 'street lights' to link their villages with solar power.
The Daily Post newspaper said the group made a unanimous decision to adopt former US President Barack Obama's saying of 'Yes we can do it' by pulling their resources together to purchase 19 solar panels for the project.
The young people, who plant kava, agreed to harvest their kava and contribute at least one trunk toward the project.
They sold three bags of kava in Port Vila and used the money to buy the panels and set up their 'street lights', which automatically switch on every evening at 6pm.
The group now has plans to build a tar-sealed road through the island, and to change the hardwood posts supporting the lights for metal posts once the road is ready.
Vaccine mandate for travellers to Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is now allowing incoming international flights, which were banned due to Covid-19.
All travellers 18 years and older must now be fully vaccinated against the virus before they can enter the country.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said those wanting to come to the Solomons must have their final vaccination at least four weeks before their travel date.
As older children become eligible for vaccination the new rules will also apply to them.
The Solomons National Cabinet has also approved designating countries according to their transmission risk, as either Covid-19- free, moderate-risk or high-risk.
Allegations against Vanuatu's head of health
Vanuatu's Public Service Commission has explained why it suspended the Director-General of Health Russell Tamata.
An investigation is underway and Acting Public Service Secretary General Jane Tamata said Tamata faces serious allegations of misappropriation of funds.
She said these include a purchase order of over US$78,000 for medical equipment.
Other allegations include breaching the procurement process for government contracts, and breaching or interfering with the implementation of a new Policy Proposal worth over US$3 million.
The Daily Post newspaper reported that both Tamata and the Director-General of Public Works Alain Faerua are suspended on full salary for allegations of misappropriation.
Pasifika Sports Collective promotes vaccination
Pasifika sports legends in New Zealand have joined forces to support a Covid-19 vaccination drive aimed at young Pacific Islanders.
The sports stars are encouraging people to 'Stay in the Game - Get the Shot', so they can get back onto playing fields this summer.
The campaign features a clutch of sports stars, including former All Black Namulau'ulu Alama Ieremia, former Manu Samoa captain Lemalu Semo Sititi, former Kiwis and Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, former Silver Fern and coach of Samoa Vagana Linda Vagana and boxing legend Faumuina To'aletai David Tua.
Cynthia Ta'ala-Timaloa Photo: RNZ Pacific/Vinnie Wylie
Current Manusina Assistant Coach Cynthia Ta'ala-Timaloa is one of the key organisers, she says it's important Pacific people see their family and friends helping run these events.
"We're proud to represent our countries on the sports field, and now ready to play our part to get our people vaccinated in our communities. Our Pacific heart and spirit have drawn us together, which means getting off the sidelines and helping others to get vaccinated," she said.
"If you haven't been vaccinated yet ... get your shot and stay in the game for you, your loved ones and community."
The group is working with Pasifika health provider Bader Drive Doctors.
Promising plant could treat inflammation
Pasifika-led scientific research has found a Samoan medicinal plant to be as effective as ibuprofen at stopping inflammation.
The research, examined by Pasifika scientists and researchers, has found benefits from the method of using a traditional plant called matalafi.
Matalafi is used in two ways in Samoa; to treat illnesses attributed to ghosts, and to treat various forms of inflammation.
Dr Andrew Munkacsi from Victoria University of Wellington's School of Biological Sciences said the research validates the use of traditional indigenous methods in health treatments.
He also hoped the finding would encourage more Pacific peoples to become scientists.
Fifth time lucky is the hope for Tonga's Mele 'Amanaki
The head of Tonga's Public Servants' Association, Mele 'Amanaki, is standing for parliament for a fifth time in the election being held on 18 November.
She had not intended to stand, but said members in her Tongatapu No 7 seat asked her to put her name forward.
If elected she wants to see progress on non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
"Tonga is one of the top ten countries that are very sick. About 99 percent of the people are at risk of having one of the NCDs.
"The NCDs are the result of us eating too much food and not nutritious food."
She also wanted more work done to fix the country's deteriorating roads and more industry, to push down soaring unemployment.
'Amanaki said Tonga had 23 percent unemployment.
