Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A one-year-old boy has been confirmed dead after he was swept away by an overflowing river at Tiavea last Friday.

Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the toddler was with his father in the vehicle.

He said the father saw an overflowing river at Tiavea last Friday afternoon and decided to stop and wash the car.

“While he jumped outside to do so, the baby was still in the car,” he said.

Auapaau said that according to the latest reports from police investigations, the baby boy opened the car door and got outside without the father knowing.

He was swept away by the strong current and died.

Auapaau said police investigations continue, and there could be a possibility the father will be charged with negligence.

(Samoa Observer)

HANAUMA BAY RESERVATION SYSTEM

The tourist reservation system for the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in East Honolulu is set for a major overhaul under a plan that would see a third of the daily tickets set aside for a professional tour operator to manage under contract with the city.

That would mean that 500 of the non-resident 1,400 visitors per day could be bused to the popular snorkeling destination on a schedule Wednesday through Sunday, leaving 900 slots available to book online. Hawaiʻi residents get to bypass the reservation system.

The plan, director of the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation Laura Thielen said Tuesday, balances the need to maintain visitor numbers at the level set during the coronavirus pandemic, while generating the revenue needed to maintain the scenic bay and marine reserve. 

“People need to face the reality that the cost of operating these places, and certainly the cost of construction and maintaining them is just increasing,” Thielen told Civil Beat. “We’re going to need more money.”

Under the proposed contract the admission fees of $25 per person and a percentage of the package price the tour operator would charge would end up in the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Fund.

The change to the ticketing system is among several under way at the popular snorkeling destination after a settlement agreement a year ago saw $5.2 million restored to the fund meant to pay for improvements, a visitor education program and scientific research at the preserve.

(Civil Beat}

BOUGAINVILLE VOLCANOES MONITORED

A second seismic monitoring station has been mounted on Mt Bagana in central Bougainville.

Mt Bagana is one of the most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea, most recently erupting two years ago, resulting in the displacement of several thousand people.

A first monitor was put in place in March.

The Bougainville Government said having the two seismic monitoring stations at Mt Bagana is a milestone achievement in the region's disaster preparedness efforts.

(RNZ Pacific)

TOKELAU MENTAL HEALTH SURVEY

A team from Auckland University has completed a mental health survey in Tokelau.

The survey is part of a Pacific-wide study led by Professors Sir Collin Tukuitonga and Jude McCool.

Sir Collin said more than 300 people on Tokelau completed the surveys.

The first surveys were done in Sāmoa and Tonga two years ago, and found a notable prevalence of mental health distress.

Sir Collin said anxiety disorders and depression appear to be quite common.

The head of the Mental Health Unit in Sāmoa, psychiatrist Dr George Tuitama, said it is the first time Tokelau has participated in a mental health awareness project.

He said there has been high demand for the researchers to attend groups and deliver awareness talks.

(RNZ Pacific)

COOK ISLANDS SEABED APPOINTMENT

The Cook Islands Investment Corporation has announced the appointment of former Pacific Islands Forum secretary general, Henry Puna, to the Board of Cobalt Seabed Resources (CSR).

CSR is a joint venture between the Cook Islands government and Global Sea Mineral Resources of Belgium.

It holds exploration licenses in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone as well as within the Cook Islands' exclusive economic zone.

Puna served as prime minister of the Cook Islands from 2010 to 2020, and also held various ministerial portfolios, including foreign affairs, marine resources and energy.

Cook Islands News reported him saying CSR is uniquely placed to make advances for the people of the Cook Islands.

(RNZ Pacific)

NIUE FISHERIES SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable management of Pacific tuna fisheries is a key issue in front of fisheries officials meeting in Niue this week.

It's the 138th meeting of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

Officials will deliberate on several key issues, including progress on the review of the FFA Strategic Plan, the independent review of FFA, and updates on regional fisheries policies.

Niue's Natural Resources Minister Mona Ainu'u is championing the Ocean Literacy Initiative.

"My concern is that our people, especially our young people and children must understand how international and regional decisions affect their livelihoods," she said.

"Our children will inherit the seeds we plant today. They will eventually take over from us, and so we need to invest now through our school curricula and outreach programs."

(RNZ Pacific)

HAWAII WATER SAFETY INITIATIVES

Hawaiʻi Water Safety Day is on Thursday, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition and the YMCA, is encouraging the community to raise awareness about water safety and drowning.

International Water Safety Day is celebrated on May 15 each year and is a worldwide effort to spread global awareness of drowning and to educate youth on becoming safer in and around the water.

Last year, Gov. Josh Green established Hawaiʻi Water Safety Day after signing Senate Bill 2841 into law to increase water safety awareness and help prevent and reduce fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents.

Community organizations such as the International Water Safety Foundation and American Red Cross believe that water safety is a life skill that can be taught and that water safety education and awareness can help reduce the number of child drowning fatalities.

Hawaiʻi Water Safety Day is on Thursday, and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition and the YMCA, is encouraging the community to raise awareness about water safety and drowning.

International Water Safety Day is celebrated on May 15 each year and is a worldwide effort to spread global awareness of drowning and to educate youth on becoming safer in and around the water.

Last year, Gov. Josh Green established Hawaiʻi Water Safety Day after signing Senate Bill 2841 into law to increase water safety awareness and help prevent and reduce fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents.

(Big Island Now)