News in Brief

TOA Petroleum EIA
The National Environment Service says, they are now waiting on a report from Crown Law into Toa Petroleum. Vavia Tangatataia from the NES says, the matter concerning the Environment Impact Assessment report for Toa Petroleum’s new site is not yet completed despite the fuel company having already moved to its new site across from the Rarotonga International airport. Public submissions only opened in the first week of April and according to Tangatataia, public submissions don’t close till the end of April. According to the National Environment Service EIA policy, the public is given 30-days to submit their views. It’s understood businesses near the new Toa site have voiced their concerns because of the close proximity and Tangatataia says, they are also concerned with having all three fuel sites within a 100-metre radius on the same side next to the lagoon. Also not enough thought has gone into the safety of all three fuel farm sites. Crown Law is expected to complete their report in the coming weeks but till then, the public is asked to make their concerns known by way of a written submission before the end of the month. - MVT

Hurricane?

In January 2010 the Times carried a front page photo of a Kuru (Breadfruit) tree on Rarotonga with more than one Kuru on a stem, an ominous sign according to old folk, of impending adverse weather.
The headline was: “Hurricane!”
In February 2010, Aitutaki suffered extensive damage from what was called Cyclone Pat although the evidence suggested it may not have been a cyclone (there was no sea surge) but a tornado or series of tornados or giant water spouts (hence the survival of many plants with their flowers intact).
On the northern beach side alone, some 80-90 percent of the buildings and many crops were damaged.
Now, once again, there are Kuru trees on Rarotonga displaying more than one Kuru on a stem. This follows a season of abundant mangoes-another ominous sign.
Although the hurricane season is virtually over, is the Kuru tree warning us that adverse weather may be on the way for Rarotonga or a nearby outer island?
It may not necessarily be a cyclone. - By Charles Pitt

School holiday activities come to a close

The Kids ‘n’ Action holiday program wrapped up its last day on Friday 20th April with a parents day at its venue on the backroad of Tupapa. The program which was facilitated by Mike and Maria Jonassen saw around 20 children take part during the 2-weeks of the school holidays. The program consisted of daily activities where each day was a different but eventful day. In the first week, the children were taught basic first aid, they built and painted a bbq table thanks to Timberland in which they donated it to the Te Kainga Mental Health Clinic on their visit. They also learnt to play an instrument, visited the Whale Research Centre, and spent the day at the beach collecting shells which was used to make necklaces and photo frames the following week. In their last week of activities, the children visited the library and museum, planted fruit trees and herb garden and even had a colouring, maths and spelling competition. The program is understood already in big demand with all the kids taking part looking forward to the July holidays. - Moana Vaevae Tetauru

The official government program for ANZAC day has been changed following a meeting on Thursday with the CICC. Instead of a church service being conducted at the Avarua CIIC church, the church service will take place at the Cenotaph at the Ministry of Justice. This is the first change in 96-years. It’s understood, the change is to streamline the program to make it easier for those taking part. The suggestion is understood to have been initiated by the Acting Prime Minister, DPM Tom Marsters.

The Tupapa/Maraerenga Football premier team, who were the round cup champions for 2011, will be heading to Tonga to compete in the first stage of the Club International Tournament against Tonga, Samoa and American Samoa. The tournament consist of each of the four countries club champions for 2011, and the winner will stay on in Tonga and compete in the second stage of the club preliminary championship. The competition is held from the 1 to the 5th of May. - MVT

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
- Lucky $1,000 winner
- Century old palm trees and the French connection
- Koutu Nui takes part in Raui meeting in Moorea
- WOM Award Dinner for Ake Hosea-Winterflood
- Island of Atiu to host Koutu Nui AGM in June 2009