Samoa

RNZ reports Talofa Airways will open its ticket office last week and will fly the route six times a day from tomorrow.

American Samoa Visitors Bureau chief executive David Vaeafe said their programme has always been to attract more carriers to help build the economy and tourism.

He said the arrival of Talofa Airways means there will soon be more than a hundred flights a week on the route and the competition with Polynesian Airlines is already benefitting visitors.

Taimalie, chairman of the investment group and, the Tanumapua Poultry Farm owner says that initially the group is targeting chicken import substitution while it building up its cattle and piggery livestock capacities.

“It’s been in the planning stages and we are implementing the import substitution project by stages which we hope to start commissioning on a small scale by next year,” said Taimalie in an exclusive interview with this publication.

Tuilaepa admits there is decline in Samoa’s taro produce and offers a simple solution.

“There was a time Fiji took up all the markets for taro overseas, then their market crashed when disease struck, that’s when the door opened for us,” he said.

“You see, soon, we may get some diseases to our produce of our own as well, but right now, what we should do is work the land. We all know that most are just strutting at home not doing anything, while there is heaps of land that haven’t been used for plantation,” he added.

"It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Samoa, and especially to our SPREP campus," said Director General Kosi Latu. "The Australian Government is one of the key donors to SPREP and we are keen to strengthen our bonds through the work we do here at SPREP," he added.

Minister Fierravanti-Wells was pleased to announce two climate change adaptation investments while at SPREP.

RNZ reports Talofa Airways opened its ticket office this week and its first flight will take off on Tuesday.

Its chief executive Jeffrey Hunter said Polynesian Airlines is the only other carrier currently operating between the Samoas and having a competitor will save the travelling public from delays.

The student’s body was discovered floating off the coast of Utuali’i by a group of fishermen, a day after a missing person’s report was lodged with police.

Police Spokesperson Su’a Muliaga Tiumalu says there are a lot of witness accounts of the girl’s disappearance from Tuesday August 16 to Wednesday, August 17 when her body was found.

 “On Tuesday the 16, the owner of the boat reported to Police that it had gone missing and possibly stolen,” said Su’a.

It was around the same time, the young girl went missing as well.

Located behind the offices of the Ministry of Health at Motootua, the new warehouse is a long-awaited initiative put forth by government in 2008.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa delivered the keynote address and urged government agencies not to be complacent with projects and developments.

“This project was first discussed eight years ago and to get to this point today, where we are finally opening this pharmaceutical warehouse, is an important milestone for our national health services.

RNZ reports it will be the third locally operated airline alongside Polynesian Airlines and Samoa Air.

Talofa Airways will operate two nine seater Twin Commander aircraft between the two Samoas and also plans to fly to Vava'u in Tonga.

The airline is managed by a former CEO of Polynesian Airlines Taua Fatu Tielu and Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter who is the new airline's CEO.

Spanning 7.2kms and costing $68 million Tala, the road is one of the most travelled as part of the highway to the airport; as a link to the populous Faleata and Vaimauga districts and as the main route from the central business district of Apia to the industrial zone in outer-Apia, namely the Vaitele area.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi delivered the opening address, remarking on the significance of these infrastructure enhancements.

And he is encouraging other Samoan chefs to support local farmers and villages by buying locally grown fruits and vegetables and incorporating them in their menus.

Jesse, his wife Vaimoana and his sister Ronna Lee are owners of Palusami, one of Apia’s popular restaurant and bar.

According to the restaurant’s website, Palusami promotes local produce and Samoa Made products in its food. “All meat, fish and vegetables are purchased directly from local farmers, villages & families and prepared in world flavours.”