The vessel was midway through a two-week patrol tasking exercise when it struck the Fulaga Reef on Tuesday, 11 June. Photo: Facebook / The Pacific Newsroom
Pacific/United States - agreement
US and Pacific Island leaders gathered in Palau last week to discuss the Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreements.
They have reaffirmed their commitments to mutual security, economic cooperation, and democratic principles.
The Freely Associated States include Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands.
Senator Joe Manchin led the US delegation.
He underscored the historical significance of the COFA agreements.
Before the compacts passed, Pacific leaders expressed concern to RNZ Pacific around the months-long log-jam which blocked US Congress approval.
Vanuatu - teachers
Vanuatu's Acting Minister of Education Andrew Napuat has thanked the Vanuatu Teachers' Union for understanding his call for teachers to return to the classroom as exam time approaches.
The Vanuatu Daily Post reported Napuat saying teachers suspended over strike action can ask to be re-instated and it is everyone's concern that children return to the classroom with exams coming up.
He said this is not the time for the big boys to fight while the students suffer the consequences.
Napuat thanked the Teaching Service Commission, as the employer, for appreciating the importance of students' learning and taking measures to reinstate the teachers.
He said the teachers' union has requested the Education Department to reinstate salaries of teachers who have been reinstated by the teaching service commission.
Tonga - beetles
A cohort of 210 African tulip beetles has arrived in Tonga to control the invasive African Tulip Tree.
The tree, orginally from West Africa, was introduced into the Pacific as an ornamental plant, but has now naturalised and become a pest.
The beetles are being delivered to Tonga's Ministry of Agriculture where they will be mass-reared at the Vaini Research Station on Tongatapu before being released at several sites around Vava'u.
Cook Islands - tourism
Cook Islands Tourism is being encouraged to pioneer a debt or equity fund for seed investment for Pa Enua or outer island tourism projects.
The project idea has been flagged in the Public Accounts Committee Annual Review.
It said seed investments could be used for realistic projects like holiday homes and small business like food supply in agriculture and fishery.
Cook Islands Tourism chief executive Karla Eggelton has met with the Committee.
Fiji - navy ship
Fiji's RFNS Puamau is being decommissioned after it ran aground on a reef in Fulaga.
Australia gifted the Guardian-class patrol boat to Fiji in May this year only to runaground in June.
fijivillage.com reported that it suffered extensive damage.
Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua said the Fiji Navy and other experts are still looking into how to best remove the ship which is still in Ogea.
When questioned on what is happening to the naval officers who were in charge of RFNS Puamau when it ran around, Tikoduadua said that is a RFMF legal process.
