By Keli‘i Akina Hawaii has a problem. When the only plan to accomplish certain goals is to put people out of work and damage the state’s economy, you know we have to look for a better way. My latest case in point is the new...
The number of Vanuatu workers overseas who have been disengaged under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has dropped to about 200, according to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Andrew Napuat.
Staff Reporters/ Apia, Samoa – 12 September 2025 – The Chief Executive Officers of the 51 Government entities including 18 Ministries, 27 State Owned Enterprises and statutory bodies, have pledged their commitment to work with the...
When we last discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we focused on the provision providing no tax on overtime. This week we focus on no tax on tips. The provision itself is reasonably straightforward. An individual who receives...
Solomon Islands workers were honoured for their outstanding performance at the Agri Labour Australia Awards Night, held at Moe in Victoria over the weekend.
Driven by Pacific leadership, the International Maritime Organisation is on the brink of making history with binding regulations to phase out fossil fuel use in global shipping.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) has outlined immediate plans for the improvement and expansion of bypass roads to ease traffic congestion as ongoing road works continue along the West Honiara highway of the Land and...
Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Superintendent Flotilda Sabino has reflected on her remarkable 23-year journey in law enforcement — a story of perseverance, resilience, and professional growth.
By Keli‘i Akina I’m pleased that the League of Women Voters of Hawaii has filed a lawsuit intended to stop so-called blankety-blank bills from being introduced at the Hawaii State Legislature. Blankety-blank bills, which...
Editor’s Note: I have to admit a bias. When I first saw this release I wanted to post it. Not just because this is a legitimate award. Good Food Foundation’s “Good Food Awards” are a well-established, U.S.-based annual...
Covid-19 has made it virtually impossible for DJ duo Coco House Bros - Mark Zow and Mr E to tour internationally, so they decided to give back to the people of Rarotonga.
Eighteen months after Tropical Cyclone (TC) Lola—one of the most powerful off-season storms to strike the Pacific—families in Vanuatu are embracing innovative strategies to prepare for future climate-driven disasters, including...
The Councils of Chiefs from the Varea Luvuti area—stretching from Mangaliliu Village to communities around Havannah Harbour, including Siviri Village and the offshore islands of Lelepa and Moso—have expressed their support for the Port...
This week, we look at the push and pull that the federal tax system inflicts on state and local tax systems. Before Trump’s first term, people who had to pay state-specific taxes, such as state income tax or real property tax, could...
This free, one-hour Zoom webinar will take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM HST, and continues the Center’s deep dive into the vital role of local food infrastructure in Hawaiʻi’s agri-food economy. About...
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Finance and Economic Management, Johnny Koanapo, said the government has made substantial progress in stabilising the economy and advancing key reforms since taking office in February, but...
Apia, Samoa -11 September 2025: Jehovah Witnesses in Samoa are coming together for a two-day Pure Worship Convention to be held at Apia Park this weekend. “This year’s convention theme is intended to bring clarity to many who are...
A team of Senior Officials from the Niue Government visited Solomon Islands this week as part of a mid-term review of the Intra-Pacific Labour Mobility Pilot Scheme between the two countries.
By Keli‘i Akina The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and for many of us, it’s an occasion to reflect on the many freedoms that we have — or don’t have, as the case may be. When it comes to healthcare in Hawaii, it is clear there...
We continue our coverage the Trump tax act by focusing on one provision that is very important to charities — like us. In President Trump’s first term, the tax code was changed to give taxpayers a significant boost to the standard...
The following was issued as a news release by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.____________ HONOLULU, Aug. 5, 2025 >> As the second anniversary approaches of the wildfires that destroyed much of Maui’s beloved Lahaina town, the...
By Keli‘i Akina Hawaii Island farmer Rourk Reagan of Pukana Lā Farms in Waiohinu wants to more easily produce and sell jams, relishes and sauces made with local ingredients. Sally Stewart of Sally Jane’s Sweets and Savories, based in...
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has signed its first-ever development cooperation agreement in the Pacific region with the Government of Solomon Islands (SIG), marking a historic milestone in bilateral relations between the two...
Yes, the dream of the “paperless office” has been floating around for decades, but let’s face it: paper isn’t going anywhere. Sooner or later, you’re going to need a new printer. Whether it’s for contracts, school assignments,...
Last week, Cook Islands News told the story of Dr James Maoate Rennie, a Ngatangiia -born doctor who served as a medic with the Eighth Army in North Africa. After the story was published, Cook Islands News was contacted by Dr. Rennie’s...
Allardyce Provincial Secondary School in Isabel Province received a new girls’ dormitory and ablution block funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Human Resources...
In this past legislative session, we were closely watching a bill that would have axed the “school impact fees” that housing developers now have to pay. As we have pointed out before, the fees have been collected but have not been...
By Keli‘i Akina The 2025 legislative session was successful, but our legislative wins won’t be secure until they make it past the governor’s desk. In particular, two of our wins are at risk of being vetoed, which would be a shame,...
If you have, or know of, a partnership, estate, or trust that does business in Hawaii and has investors, owners, or beneficiaries that reside outside of Hawaii, then you might want to read this. About a month ago, the Department of...
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, Samoa – 12 September 2025: Two medical evidence presented in court on the trial of murder accused, Papalii Sia Figiel stated that she suffers from a psychotic disorder. The evidence were provided by...
By Keli‘i Akina Some bad ideas just won’t go away. Even when everyone agrees that there are serious problems to be addressed, a hope persists that this time we can make it work. Today’s example is the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Earlier...
By Keli‘i Akina The most revolutionary Jones Act reform proposed in recent memory seems to be flying under everyone’s radar. On Aug. 1, U.S. Rep. Ed Case of Hawaii introduced HR4839, which would establish the Merchant Marine Allies...
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA E fa faitauga o moliaga ua faasaga i se tamaloa e 46 tausaga lea na molia i se faalavelave na tupu i le po o Novema 2, 2024, ina ua tu’ua’ia i lona faalala o se agaese i tagata o...
With support from local educators, five key primary schools in PENAMA Province received training in vernacular language teaching and are now delivering lessons in local languages to support early learning through the language children...
In our state, we have a civil service system that is supposed to protect workers. Workers are not to be fired unless the employer has “cause,” or a good reason, to fire them. But, as we will see, the system that has built up around...
The Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA), with crucial technical support from the Pacific Community (SPC), has completed a formal security assessment of the Seafront Area in Port Vila. This brings Vanuatu closer to meeting maritime...
[ata: foa'i] By Okalani Etuati Vaega 145 Taeao Manuia. Taeao Totoa, i le mamalu o le tatou aufaitau nusipepa i lenei taeao fou. Tatou te tau fai sii le Viiga ma le Faamanu i le Silisili Ese, i Lana tausiga alofa ma Lana tausiga...
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, Samoa – 11 September 2025: The HRPP candidate who applied for a recount of the Gagaifomauga 2 constituency election result, has lost two votes in the court recount last night and remains in third place. The seat...
By Caleb Fotheringham RNZ Pacific Journalist Majuro, MARSHALL ISLANDS — The Marshall Islands has created its first marine protected area, with one marine scientist describing it as one of the most spectacular places on earth. The...
By Keli‘i Akina If we want to solve Hawaii’s housing shortage, we need to embrace change. My prime example at the moment is the importance of defending Act 39. State lawmakers enacted this landmark housing reform...
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, Samoa – 10 September 2025: Independent candidate Fiu Faaolatane Ponisfasio Vasa has retained the Palauli 2 constituency seat after the court recount last night confirmed his lead by two votes. It is the first of...
By Keli‘i Akina In the wake of the recent murder of national political activist Charlie Kirk, there has been an outpouring of confusion, speculation and misinformation about why he was targeted. So much so that I chose to wait before...
Seventy male inmates have been granted a presidential pardon under the Commutation of Sentence Order No. 86 of 2025, following an official instrument signed and gazetted on May 2, 2025.
Sen. Brian Schatz, third from right, looked on as Gov. Josh Green signed housing reform measure SB3202 in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor. By Keli‘i Akina A U.S. senator recently made the following statement about the...
Prime Minister Honorable Jeremiah Manele, MP, received a courtesy call from the visiting Federated States of Micronesia’s (FSM) non-resident ambassador to Solomon Islands, His Excellency (HE) Carson Sigrah.
The Honiara City Council (HCC), in collaboration with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), the Police Response Unit (PRU) officers, has intensified operation to demolish illegal structures (Houses) behind the Multi-Purpose...
Recently I was reading through the proceedings of the 1978 Constitutional Convention. The last time our State had a constitutional convention was almost fifty years ago. The delegates to that convention included several people who are...