One man mentioned a black-winged storm bird known as "manumanunicagi" that glides above the land only when a cyclone is forming out to sea.

As the conversation continued, residents named at least 11 bird species, the odd behaviour of which signalled imminent changes in the weather.

As we were leaving later that evening, an elder took us aside.

He was pleased we had taken their beliefs seriously and said many older Pacific people won't talk about traditional knowledge for fear of ridicule.

This reflects the dominance of science-based understandings in adapting to climate change and its threats to ways of life. Our new research suggests this attitude should change.

Climate change

We reviewed evidence on traditional knowledge in the Pacific for coping with climate change, and found much of it was scientifically plausible.

This indicates such knowledge should play a significant role in sustaining Pacific Island communities in future.

Our research was co-authored with 26 others, most Pacific Islanders with long-standing research interests in traditional knowledge.

People have inhabited the Pacific Islands for 3,000  years or more and have experienced many climate-driven challenges to their livelihoods and survival.

They have coped not by luck but by design - through robust systems of traditional knowledge built by diverse groups of people over time.

The main short-term climate-related threats to island livelihoods in the Pacific are tropical cyclones which can damage food crops, pollute fresh water and destroy infrastructure.

Prolonged droughts - common during El Niño events in the southwest Pacific - also cause widespread damage.

Traditional knowledge in the Pacific explains the causes and manifestations of natural phenomena, and identifies the best ways to respond. It is commonly communicated orally between generations.

Here, we describe such knowledge relating to animals, plants, water and sky - and show how these beliefs make scientific sense.

It's important to note, however, that traditional knowledge has its own intrinsic value. Scientific explanations are not required to validate it.

Reading the ocean and sky

Residents of Fiji's Druadrua Island interpret breaking waves to predict a cyclone as long as one  month before it hits.

In Vanuatu's Torres Islands, 13 phrases exist to describe the state of the tide, including anomalies that herald uncommon events.

These observations make scientific sense. Distant storms can drive ocean swells onto coasts long before the winds and rain arrive, changing the usual patterns of waves.

In Samoa, ten types of wind are recognised in traditional lore. Winds that blow from the east (mata ‘upolu) indicate the imminent arrival of heavy rain, possibly a tropical cyclone.

The south wind (tua'oloa) is most feared. It will cease to blow, it is said, only when its appetite for death is sated.

Many Pacific Island communities believe a cloudless, dark blue sky signals the arrival of a tropical cyclone. Other signs include unusually rapid cloud movements and the appearance of "short rainbows".

These beliefs are supported by science.

Rainbows are sometimes "shortened" or partly obscured by a distant rain shower. And Western science has long recognised changes in clouds and winds can signal the development of cyclones.

In Vanuatu, a halo around a moon signals imminent rainfall.

Again, this belief is scientifically sound. According to Western science, high thin cirrus clouds signal nearby storms. The clouds contain ice crystals through which moonlight is filtered, creating a halo effect.

• First published in The Conversation. Republished with permission.
• Patrick D. Nunn is a Professor of Geography, School of Law and Society, University of the Sunshine Coast
• Roselyn Kumar is an Adjunct Research Fellow in Geography and Social Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast

Research by Dr Christina Tausa from the University of Canterbury revealed seasonal work in New Zealand was becoming more attractive as Pacific Islanders looked to adapt to climate change.

However, the Samoan government recently limited the number of seasonal workers to New Zealand and Australia with only one flight each month, after concerns were raised about the scheme.

Tausa recently returned from a two-week research trip to Samoa, where she interviewed at least 20 families about the impacts of climate change and adaptations being made, drawing from indigenous knowledge. Read more

The streets were again whitewashed with flashy Sunday best attire.

Inside one church in Apia, there was initial trepidation as parishioners looked around to see who would be the first to observe the two metre social distancing rule, but with more and more arriving it was soon evident this was not going to happen.

The government had banned all gatherings of more than 10 people, including all church gatherings as part of the coronavirus pandemic State of Emergency. Read more

The matter was not on the agenda for this year's national conference which ended last week and the church says policy dictates that any resolution can only be revisited after three years. Read more

Speaking at a police graduation ceremony the Prime Minister said the Police Commissioner had yet to fully implement his decision last year to weed out at least one half of police 'couples' in the force.

He is giving Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil until the end of the year to act on a directive forcing couple to chose which of them would remain police officers.

Calling it a "lingering problem" Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi says family ties affect the police response to crime.

The rule is to also apply to those police officers who are having extra-marital affairs.

"Police officers knew of colleagues who were having affairs", he said.

The relationship between Samoa's police commissioner and the Prime Minister, who is also Minister of Police has been tense.

In July Samoa's Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil, survived a government vote of confidence by 'the inch of his finger'.

Fuiavailili's three year tenure has been marred by controversy, including his arrest on dozens of charges of gun possession, intimidation and an attempt to procure, incite and counsel murder.

Fuiavailili, who is originally from the United States, was chosen ahead of three other applicants for a post.

Sources

• RNZ
• RNZ
• Image: RNZ

Following the death of two babies, the programme was suspended in July and the nurses who administered the vaccinations have been stood down.

University of Auckland vaccinologist Dr Helen Petousis-Harris told NewsTalkZB in July that one death, let alone two, was extremely rare and there had never been a death associated with the MMR vaccine in New Zealand.

Petousis-Harris said although investigations were still continuing into what went wrong, there were two reasons that could have been factors in the deaths.

"One is that there's been an error where the vaccine is prepared for the injection incorrectly and ultimately results in the wrong substance being injected.

"Or there's been some sort of contamination due to the vaccine having been reconstituted and left at a room temperature for a really long period of time.

"The last thing you want is for people to be fearful of something that we know is actually incredibly safe."

Immunisations have, however, been carried out by nurses since the 1970s, reports RNZ.

The Ministry of Health in Samoa told a commission of enquiry into the deaths that some children have been diagnosed with whooping cough as a result of the programme's suspension.

As well as whooping cough, the programme includes vaccinating for measles, mumps and rubella.

Sources

• • RNZ
  • NewsTalkZB
  • Image:NewsTalkZB

They began their mission last Sunday at their Worship and Community Centre in Moto'otua.

Lat year a delegation from Auckland met with the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoito seeking permission for the Army to establish a presence in Samoa.

As a result of the meeting, Sa'ilele wrote asking the Army to start work in Samoa as soon as possible, saying said he was particularly interested in the Army setting up a drug and alcohol treatment programme.

The Salvation Army has responded to this request by making this programme their first priority.

Lt Colonel Rod Carey told the Weekend Observer that the Army's first social service programme will be to help the growing number of people struggling with such problems.

He said they will be partnering with the Samoa Drug and Alcohol Court to help people overcome alcohol abuse and addiction.

Two qualified and experienced Pacifica Drug and Alcohol clinicians from New Zealand will be arriving in June to begin the treatment programme.

The Salvation Army will also be partnering with the Goshen Trust Samoa Mental Health Services to help people struggling with mental health issues and assist in the development and growth of the Goshen Trust.

Carey said the people in Samoa may not be aware that the Salvation Army is a Church as well as one of the largest providers of social services in New Zealand and Australia.

"Our message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination," he said.

"Our vision statement is ‘The Army that brings Life'," says Carey.

Source

• sobserver.ws
• salvationarmy.org.nz
• Image: salvationarmy.org.nz

They each received envelopes containing $4,000. Media representatives who attended the meeting also received envelopes containing $100.

The money comes from the lease of land made by the Sasina village council to an investor from China for growing nonu fruit.

Concerns are being raised about what seems to be a lack of transparency around how the money from the lease payments has been distributed.

The lease was brokered by a member of parliament, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt.

"We saw the opportunity and of course we have long-term plans to utilise our lands as we are the leading landowners in all of Samoa," he said.

La'aulio said families and church ministers had now been paid their portion of the lease money.

The Samoa Observer reported that La'aulio could not recall the name of the company they made the agreement with.

And RNZ's correspondent Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia said there had been no transparency around exactly what money people were paid or if everyone in the village got some.

Autagavaia said it's not the first time this issue has come up.

He said when money was paid out some years ago from another lease of land to an investor based in Hawaii there were a lot of stories about how that money got divided among the families of Sasina.

A Bill has been introduced to parliament which is said to strengthen the provision relating to leasing such land and to facilitate mortgaging while protecting ownership rights.

It has given rise to heated debate in Samoa's parliament and protest rallies on the island of Savai'i

Eighty percent of land in Samoa was still what's known as "customary" - owned by the country's indigenous communities.

Source

• samoaobserver.ws
• samoaobserver.ws
• radionz.co.nz
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: radionz.co.nz/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

This was the question Mata'afa Keni Lesa put to the New Zealand prime minister in his opinion piece published in the Samoa Observer after her recent visit to Samoa.

"We cannot keep referring to a special relationship founded upon the Treaty of Friendship and then continue to treat our Samoans like second-class citizens by subjecting them to the vigorous and expensive process of having to obtain a visa simply to fly across for the weekend," he said.

This issue was raised in what was an otherwise very positive coverage of Ardern's visit.

"The truth is quite simple. The Samoan Government doesn't need to look far to find a role model." Lesa said.

"If Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and his administration need some inspiration, they only have to look to New Zealand."

In a related matter, the issue Recognised Seasonal Workers (RSW) was raised by Tuilaepa during talks with Ardern and her deputy Winston Peters.

He said the Samoan workers under New Zealand's RSW scheme are trustworthy, skilful and are meeting the expectations of their employers.

Samoa called for the RSE workers to be eligible for the immigration quota because they already have established employment, which is one of the key requirements for applicants to meet.

New Zealand has an annual quota for 1,100 Samoans to immigrate to this country but it is frequently unfilled.

Source

• sobserver.ws
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: pro.newsroom.co.nz

The citation noted that Tuila'epa had "presided over the most politically and economically stable and successful small democratic country in the Pacific".

"He is, quite simply, the most successful, the most eminent, and the most popular democratically elected politician in the Pacific."

Despite vocal criticism from some journalists and academics, that popularity has hardly waned. At Samoa's last general election, in 2016, Tuila‘epa's Human Rights Protection Party won 47 of 50 parliamentary seats.

Tuila'epa, 72, has been prime minister since late 1998. He'd served a long apprenticeship as Minister of Finance and loyal lieutenant under his predecessor Tofilau Eti Alesana.

Palemia, Tuila'epa's memoir written with Peter Swain and published by Victoria University Press, was launched this month in Auckland and Wellington. It follows Tuila'epa's journey from the isolated village of Lepa, to school in Apia, and then Auckland, and his career both on the world stage and back home in Samoa.

Peter Swain, a Wellingtonian who's worked for many years in development and is married to the former Labour MP Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, interviewed Tuila'epa over several years to capture his story in his own words.

There have been few political biographies of Pacific Island leaders, he writes.

"The second generation of Pacific Island political leaders has faced many complex issues as the post-independence honeymoon glow faded and the realities of leading small island nations with limited resources, in a globalising world and during difficult times, set in.

"Prime Minister Tuila‘epa is the standout leader of his generation and his story has many resonances beyond Samoa."

There are many New Zealand connections.

Tuila'epa studied in New Zealand, spending a year at St Paul's College in Ponsonby, Auckland, in preparation for Auckland University. He earned a bachelor's degree in commerce in 1968, and a master's in 1969.

Tuila'epa is a matai who holds eight titles, and is deeply grounded in fa'a-Samoa. He is a devout Catholic, and a father of eight. Continue reading

Sources

• E-Tangata article by Peter Swain, who has written extensively on the Pacific and is an Honorary Research Associate in Development Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.
• Image: Samoa Observer

According to Elder Clifford Vellinga the Latter-day Saint Charities computer project cost about $25,000.

"We hope we have made it possible for them to be able to have a much more effective way of teaching the people they work with who need the help so they can become better people," he said.

"We think it's important that people have the ability to return to the community and do the things that lift up their community and also themselves.

"We want them to be confident in their abilities and if we can assist in any way for them to be able to do that, we are just more than happy.

"The purpose of the Latter-day Saint Charities is to bless the lives of the people and we want to bless everybody as much as we can."

Vellinga explained the criteria people who want them to help must meet.

The help must be for projects that affects more than just a few people. Projects directly related to the charity don't qualify, he said.

"Latter-day Saint Charities does not do projects for our members, but we do projects for people who are in the community."

Vellinga says projects include providing water tanks, helping build bathrooms and schools "... and many times we provide desks, chairs and books for schools,".

In April Latter-day Saint Charities donated computers to the National Referral hospital in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

The donated computers are part of a larger effort by the charity to help enhance the Pacific Island nation's health care services. Recently the Church gifted the hospital 300 wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.

Source

• Samoa Observer
• Desert News
• The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints News Room.
• Image: The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints News Room.

A woman named in Samoan media as Toaipuapuaga Opapo Soana'i, 23, played the part of Jesus in a Sunday School Easter play.

People noticed wounds appearing on her body.

She had wounds on her feet and hands, as well as on her side and head.

The woman, who is the daughter of a church minister, told local media she began seeing visions days before Easter.

Video footage of the play shows congregation members approaching the front of the church, where she had collapsed, to fan her, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Video footage of Ms Soana'i, who spoke to TV1 Samoa about her experience, was posted on the group Samoa Mo Samoa.

As of late on March 31, the footage had been viewed more than 20,000 times and attracted hundreds of comments.

On Friday night, Ms Soana'i spoke at the Catholic cathedral in Apia, where she was greeted by Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga.

She told the cathedral congregation that her experience in the last few days is a message from God for Samoa to repent.

Her claims about her wounds have sparked huge debate in the highly religious island nation.

Members of the public have taken to social media to discuss the authenticity of the woman's claims.

Many people are backing Ms Soana'i, calling the event a miracle.

Many others, however, are sceptical, and many are saying it is a hoax.

Fears were expressed in social media comments that the young woman has suffered self harm.

Famous stigmatists include St Francis of Assisi, St Catherine of Sienna, St John of God and St Pio of Pietrelcina.

Sources

• New Zealand Herald
• Samoa Observer
• All Saints Blog
• Image: New Zealand Herald

Samoa's Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture closed Avele College in Apia on Friday for the protection and security of its students.

The St Joseph's Day sports at St Joseph's College were cancelled to send a message to students that the behaviour at the brawl is unacceptable.

The director of Catholic education in Samoa, Aeau Chris Hazelman, met Don Bosco's principal and other senior officers of the schools to devise a way forward.

On Wednesday, Samoan police arrested three students and more arrests were made on Thursday.

This followed further brawling at the bus terminal behind the burnt flea market at Savalalo.

Mr Hazelman issued an apology to the whole Samoan nation.

Speaking on behalf of the Catholic schools involved, he said there is no excuse for the students' behaviour.

"We have decided to let the law carry its course and we will support the police in their investigation," he said.

Police reported that students with links to the violence used social media sites like Facebook to post videos and pictures.

Mr Hazelman asked parents to more closely monitor social media activity by their children.

Late last year, police in Samoa were called on to intervene after ongoing fights between school students at the Tafusi Markets.

Three years ago, an increasing number of brawls and student fights prompted the Samoan Ministry of Education to push Bible studies in public schools as a counter measure.

Sources

• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Radio New Zealand
• Samoa Observer
• Image: Radio New Zealand

Patrick Buckley, known in his early days as Br Fintan, died in Samoa in early March.

Mr Buckley's career saw him teaching primary, secondary and tertiary students in New Zealand and Samoa.

He had a reputation as an innovative educator and although his degree was in English, he was better known as a teacher of Science.

Starting a lecture by playing a piece of classical music was just one of the strategies he employed to ensure he had the immediate attention of students and that they were listening.

In his earlier days he moved around from St Joseph's, Samoa, Auckland's St Paul's College and on to Avondale College.

He left the brothers in 1970 and after a further 14 years at Birkdale College on Auckland's North Shore and a short stint at Epsom Girls Grammar School, he returned to Samoa in 1989.

Following that, he spent most of more than 20 years at the National University of Samoa apart from a few years at Samoa College, Samoa Primary School, Robert Louis Stevenson Primary School and Fa'atuatua Christian College.

Among his former students is Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.

Mr Buckley was consistently voted the best lecturer at the National University of Samoa by those who knew best - students.

He was modest about what made him the teacher he was.

"You've got to be interested in making sure students are well educated and you need to be dedicated. It's as simple as that. I don't want to get too carried away about it all," he was quoted saying.

"He actually inspires his students because he wants them to succeed," noted a colleague before Mr Buckley died.

"Every aspect of his teaching is coloured by that aim. He loves Chemistry and he wants others to love it too," the colleague said.

In 2011, Mr Buckley was nominated as "Person of the Decade".

Sources

• Samoa Observer
• Image: Samoa Observer

The Samoa Observer reported that the decision "contributed largely to absence of violence and unruly behaviour in most villages".

The presence of church pastors at voting places also helped with security, the newspaper stated.

The election on March 4 saw Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and his Human Rights Protection Party collective prevail.

Five cabinet ministers lost their seats in the election.

At a thanksgiving service on March 6, Rev. Toailoa Peleti of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa urged HRPP party members to put God first as he is the creator of all things.

"God has chosen all of you to be the caretakers of the people and leaders of the country," Rev. Toailoa said.

"So you need to lead with love and honesty.

"You have been chosen by the people of your constituency because they trust and believe in you.

"It is God's will for you to be here and through the people he has made it happen."

The leader of the Tautua Samoa Party, Palusalue Fa'apo II, congratulated the Prime Minister, but expressed fears about Samoa's future.

"Without an opposition, we are now a one party state," he said.

Samoan law requires a party to have at least eight members to be recognised as an opposition by Parliament.

As of March 9, the Tautua Party had only three members in Parliament.

Mr Fa'apo said there had been a lot of bribery during the elections.

"There was a lot of money that had been floated around. It was the use of money where the election result was determined."

Sources

• Samoa Observer
• Samoa Observer
• Samoa Observer
• Samoa Observer
• Image: Radio New Zealand

Following the audience, Malielegaoi met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, and Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, the Under-Secretary for Relations with States.

The discussion focused on some aspects of the social and economic life of Samoa.

The valued contribution of the Catholic Church in various sectors of Samoan society and, in particular, in the field of education was also raised.

This was followed by an exchange of opinions on the international and regional situation, with special reference to the Conference on climate change currently taking place in Paris, and the environmental problems that some Pacific island states must face.

Source

• en.radiovaticana.va
• Image: en.radiovaticana.va

Mafi was on his way to Tokelau to attend the church's 150th anniversary celebrations there.

The highest form of Samoan traditional welcome, the ava (kava) ceremony was presided over by the chiefs, orators, taupou (chiefly women) and untitled men of the village of Leauva'a, whose village chiefs accepted the Catholic faith at Lealatele, Savai'i in 1835.

Chiefs and taupou in traditional regalia were part of the guard of honour of mainly bare chested and tattooed men lining the outskirts of the malae (marae) and the immediate area where another taupou used her bare hands to mix the royal ava for the chief guest.

The ceremony was attended by the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese, Minister of Public Enterprises, Lautafi Selafi Purcell, Minister of Police, Sala Fata Pinati and leaders of the Roman Catholic Church.

Source

• samoaobserver.
• talamua.com.
• Image: talamua.com.

Tamasese is a former Prime Minister and longtime Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition in Samoa.

His own family had to conquer their impulses as their family leader was assassinated by the New Zealand military troops during a peaceful protest march in the country's struggle for independence.

In his speech Tamasese quoted a Samoan proverb: "E sili le toa e pulea lona lotoi i le toa e a'ea le ‘olo" - "He who conquers his impulses is greater than he who conquers the fortress."

"It is also a reminder to ourselves as Samoans of the need to remember our own references," he said.

"It is a reference that draws from the same well of wisdom that inspired the proverbs made famous by Buddha and Sir Edmund Hillary: "To conquer oneself is a greater task than conquering others" and "It is not the mountain we must conquer but ourselves."

Source

• talamua.com
• Image: cdn.3news.co.nz

The president of the association, Peseta Kasiano Ioane, said the cheque, presented earlier this month, is to help out with teachers' pay.

"We received a request from the school that they needed help with the teachers' salaries," he said.

St Joseph's deputy principal Br Bryan Stanaway acknowledged the support from the association.

It would enable the college to recognise its staff, he said, and enable them to catch up on pay rates for teachers in government schools.

"As you are aware, the teachers have a seven per cent pay rise across the nation," Br Bryan said.

"We just couldn't do that until the association came forward and said this is our help towards the staff salaries."

He said he wasn't sure the donation would quite cover the pay rise.

But he suggested that the difference could be made up and said the grant made it possible to continue for the rest of the year.

Br Bryan praised St Joseph's teaching staff for their professionalism, with the school having its best academic results in three years, in terms of students qualifying to attend the National University of Samoa.

The college has 22 full time teachers, plus a secretary and other workers who keep the college running.

Sources

• Samoa Observer
• Image: Samoa Observer