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Pago Pago, American Samoa— The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is continuing its long-term planning to explore offshore wind opportunities, including expansion into U.S. territories. After opening the West Coast and Gulf Coast of the United States for the first lease auctions, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s long-term plan looks at territories in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, including Guam, as a possibility, while also expanding offshore wind to Hawaii.
BOEM reported that it is continuing stakeholder engagement with the regions and anticipates that the first sales could occur as early as 2028. Last week, the BOEM/Hawaii Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Working Group held its first meeting after an eight-year hiatus, and the first meeting of the BOEM Guam Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Working Group is scheduled for September 11.
The purpose of the working groups is to serve as a forum to discuss issues and concerns. According to BOEM, meetings exchange data and information on biological, cultural and physical resources, ocean uses and priorities. They foster dialogue and collaboration to pursue opportunities.
Hawaii’s efforts are more advanced, with a floating lidar study east of Oahu scheduled for 2022. BOEM reports it first received an active indication of interest in offshore wind energy in Hawaii in 2016. That led to the creation of a working group and a public scoping meeting.
In July 2024, the Hawaii Floating Offshore Wind Regional Port Assessment was completed. The study analyzed existing and planned infrastructure in Hawaii ports to assess their ability to support a floating offshore wind industry and explored deployment options to support the industry.
BOEM will use a similar model in Guam, where it has reportedly held discussions with local government. The first meeting of the working group will focus on identifying issues. The goal of the working group is to ensure that the offshore wind energy plan is consistent with Guam’s sustainable development goals and to assist in identifying areas best suited for potential offshore wind leases.
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act includes provisions to amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This would allow for wind energy leasing on U.S. territories, according to BOEM.
(BOEM News Release)
Samoa Airways and AERO ADAPT Partner
To streamline operations and enhance service delivery during the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Samoa Air is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with Australia’s Aero Adapt. Under the agreement, Aero Adapt will manage handling services throughout the CHOGM event and provide additional logistical support to Samoa Air’s customers.
The partnership comes as Samoa Air prepares for the influx of VIPs and officials attending CHOGM, ensuring that all of the airline’s customers receive efficient and professional service. To be clear, the agreement specifically excludes Samoa Air’s regular customers for which it currently provides ground handling services, such as Air New Zealand, Qantas and Fiji Airways.
Aero Adapt, renowned for its innovative solutions within the aviation sector, brings a wealth of experience to this partnership. The team is committed to ensuring all Samoa Air customers experience the high level of service and support they expect during this important event.
Danny Senecky, Director of Aero Adapt, said: “We are honoured to be working with Samoa Air during CHOGM. Our mission is to provide exceptional handling services and we are delighted to contribute to this important moment. Together we will ensure that all operational aspects run smoothly.” Both Samoa Air and Aero Adapt are committed to working closely together in the lead-up to CHOGM, ensuring that every detail is carefully planned to ensure the service runs smoothly.
(Samoa Government Press Release)
AIAVA was eliminated in the first round
Destanie Ava made history last week when she became the first player of Pacific Island descent to compete in the U.S. Open.
The tournament is one of the major tennis tournaments in the world.
She is of Samoan descent and lives in Australia with her family.
But the 24-year-old failed to build on her performance in qualifying, losing to world number four Elena Rybakina 6-1, 7-6 in the first round.
In qualifying, she won three straight matches in the main draw qualifier in New York, defeating Gergana Topalova, fourth seed Mai Hontama and top 20 player Ana Konjuh to secure her spot.
Ava was ranked 194th in the tournament but she could not withstand the pressure of the 2022 Wimbledon champion.
In an interview with tennis website thefirstserve, Ava said that although she struggled in lower-level tournaments last year and did not win much prize money, she finally made her mark in major tournaments when she qualified for the US Open as a main draw player.
She also earned herself $100,000 in the process.
She said it was exciting to win three matches and advance.
“It feels really good to win three qualifying rounds, I’ve been in the same situation a few times before and always lost, but (the third round win) is extra special for me,” Aiva said.
(Radio New Zealand)
Pacific Music Awards 2024
Aaradhna made a splash at this year’s Pacific Music Awards, taking home three awards at the Due Drop Event Centre in Manukau, Auckland.
Pacific Music Awards Trust spokesperson Rev Mua Strickson-Pua said Thursday night’s ceremony marked 20 years of celebrating Pacific music in New Zealand, honouring not only the artists but also their families, communities and country.
“We haven’t forgotten who we are and where we came from, and we remember the rich past and the bond that Alofa Aloha has with the next Tupraga, the next generation.”
Aaradhna won the Best Pacific Female Vocalist award, while her single “She” won the Best Pacific Song award. The song also won the Best Pacific Music Video award.
The Wellington artist previously won the New Zealand Music Award in May and received Best Soul/RnB Artist Award “She” was named the winner of the Best Video Content Award.
(RNZ New Zealand)
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Samoa’s opposition Human Rights and Political Party (HRPP) leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says they must trust the government’s preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Tuilaepa said the road to Sumu would not be completed until next year.
The R15 million project, funded by the Asian Development Bank, is expected to be completed within 12 months.
But for October’s CHOGM, the work is still not done.
Recent site inspections show that construction is far from complete.
(Samoa Observer)
CHINESE INTERFERENCE
China has been interfering in New Caledonia’s politics for decades, a new report suggests.
The report, published in the Australian Strategic Policy Review, follows months of unrest and rioting in the French territory over constitutional changes.
China’s goals are strategic: to acquire minerals, territory, waterways and communications.
Anne-Marie Brady, a political scientist at the University of Canterbury, said even the pro-independence camp did not want to switch financial dependence on France to dependence on China.
She said if France withdrew and did not support New Caledonia’s independence, a vacuum would be left.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Samoan killed in New Zealand car crash
New Zealand’s Minister for Pacific Peoples says the ministry will continue to work to support the police and other agencies following the crash on State Highway 1 in Ramalama.
Geraldine Clifford Lidstone said they offered their deepest condolences to the families and communities affected in New Zealand and Samoa.
Uili Fa’aofo and his two nephews died in the accident.
Police said a truck had a flat tire and crashed through a guardrail.
In addition to the three fatalities, three others were taken to hospital, with a 21-year-old man remaining in critical condition.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Guam Nuclear Weapons
The managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority opposes Guam having nuclear weapons, saying it would negatively impact tourism in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Christopher Concepcion said that geographically they are too close to Guam and will not have an impact on the Mariana Islands in the future.
He said the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is seen as a clean, peaceful tourist destination.
Concepcion said the Commonwealth Constitution of the Northern Mariana Islands explicitly prohibits the storage or disposal of nuclear weapons or waste in the Marianas Islands.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Prescription drug prices fall
CNMI residents who rely on health insurance for their health needs will benefit from reduced prices for some prescription drugs.
Gregorio Kilili Sablan, a representative from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, said the decision came after the Biden-Harris administration successfully completed negotiations with pharmaceutical companies.
He said the agreement will help lower prices for 10 prescription drugs for millions of people across the United States starting Jan. 1, 2026.
The negotiated drugs are among the most expensive and most frequently dispensed in the Medicare program and are used to treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
In 2026, 10 drugs will have their prices reduced, 15 more drugs will be added in 2027, and thereafter 20 drugs will have their prices reduced through negotiation each year.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
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