Ads by Google Ads by Google

Pacific News Briefs

compiled by Samoa News staff

GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE

Otto Felise Wulf is “grateful” to be alive. The man whose wife poured boiling water on his head two weeks ago is finally out of the hospital.

Mr. Wulf, a 37-year-old, was hospitalized for eight days at the Surgical Ward in Moto’otua. He spent three days in the Intensive Care Unit. 

“The near death experience, while an unpleasant experience, is a wake up call to say the least,” he said.  

“What I mean is, don’t take life for granted, you never know what tomorrow may bring.”

The father of four sustained severe burns all over his body as a result of what happened. He told the Samoa Observer he was under the influence of alcohol. 

“It’s a life changing incident and because of what had occurred, I’ve had to put a lot of things in perspective with my life and especially for my children,” said Wulf.

From Vaiusu, Wulf who is a mechanic by profession said what happened was totally unexpected.

“I got home and jokingly told my wife to ‘boil some hot water to make some noodles for the chief.

“The next thing I fell asleep while sitting. Then I felt this sharp sensational pain on my scalp. When I jumped up, I found that the hot water had been poured on my head and it spilled on to my face, chest and on my stomach.

“I jumped up. Then left to catch a ride to the hospital, and my nine-year-old daughter followed me to the road. 

“I caught a taxi on the road to the hospital and I was admitted into the I.C.U. immediately.”

Wulf told the Samoa Observer that after being admitted he went into a deep sleep. 

“I woke up thinking, it was only a dream, but no it wasn’t I was in the hospital,” he said. 

“So now, all I am focusing on is getting my strength and working even harder to care for my children and I am not bothered with what the rest of the world say. 

“If anything had happened, who would care for my children… so again this was a wakeup call, and while its under difficult circumstances …I am just thankful to be alive today,” Wulf said.

Wulf declined to discuss what led to the incident.  

Last week Police Superintendent, Sala’a Sale Sala’a, confirmed the matter is now with the Police.

(Source: Samoa Observer)

KEA WINS BIRD OF THE YEAR

The kea has been crowned New Zealand's Bird of the Year after two weeks of heated campaigning.

It is the first time the endangered, large, green mountain parrots which are known for their curiosity and intelligence, have won the competition.

The kererū came in second with 4572 votes, followed by the kākāpō with 2554 votes.

Team Kea co-campaigner Laura Young said: "We literally went out to every single person we knew and asked them to vote kea. We lobbied hard to get votes up on the first day, which I think made a big difference."

She said the competition did not come without surprises for Team Kea, who were on the "campaign trail" while monitoring the birds in Kahurangi National Park, with no reception.

"One day we climbed to the top of Mt Patriarch to get reception and check in on the campaign. We saw that the Green Party had made an official announcement in support of the kererū, so we used what little phone battery we had left to hit back at them with a retaliation video."

"We're proud to say we ran a peaceful campaign compared to many other birds. There were no attack politics from Team Kea, we just did our own thing and went at it hard."

Team Kea hopes the Bird of the Year title will raise awareness for kea and all of New Zealand's birds, many of which are threatened with extinction.

There are only 3000 - 7000 kea remaining.

"Everyone needs to see how vulnerable kea are in the wild. We often hear of them hanging out in car parks, being cheeky and stealing things, but don't realise they are in decline. You can't not love them."

The competition raised over $10,000 in donations to help protect and restore New Zealand's wildlife and wild places and attracted over 50,000 votes from people who were asked to vote for their favorite species.

(Source: RNZI)

STARKIST SAMOA GIVES OUT CASES OF TUNA AHEAD OF SHUTDOWN

StarKist Samoa has distributed cases of tuna and tuna pouches to more than 1,500 employees who will be without work for the next five weeks. Friday, Oct. 20 was the last day of work, with Sunday, Nov 26 slated to be the ‘return’ date for employees. This is a couple of days after Thanksgiving.

The Satala plant will be closed for installation of equipment and upgrades intended to make the plan environmentally sound and efficient.

Each employee was given four cases of canned tuna and pouches, with some apparently selling their gifts to get some cash, according to KHJ News.

Meanwhile,  the Love Thy Neighbor food drive in aid of StarKist Samoa families is gaining strong support from businesses, and schools, both public and private.

Organized by Tapumanaia Galu Satele, colorfully painted and marked 55 gallon drum have been placed at business and school premises to collect canned and dry goods to be distributed to the StarKist employees. Some donors have given money.

The drive ends on October 28.

Congresswoman Aumua Amata meanwhile has asked the Department of Justice to consider using part of the $6.3 million fine by StarKist for violations of waste discharge from the cannery into Pago Pago Harbor to assist employees who will be losing paychecks during the shutdown..

(Source: talanei. com]