Polynesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003
Reviews of American Sämoa, French Police Commissioner Tepure Tapaitau Polynesia, Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, and in July 2002. Only seven votes sepa- Tuvalu are not included in this issue. rated the two as Rasmussen won with a total of 112 votes (CIN, 2 Jul 2002, Cook Islands 1). The period ended with the unex- The period under review was charac- pected death of Maria Heather, mem- terized by a worrying decline in popu- ber of Parliament for Ruaau, who died lation, regression in the ordinary suddenly in June 2003 after a short Cook Islander’s purchasing power, illness. This created the need for a lack of confidence in members of by-election only months before an Parliament and cabinet, continued expected general election. In between public pressure for political reform, the two by-elections, the controversy and a general deterioration in work over cabinet size and membership and leadership ethics. Land contro- persisted. By July 2002, government versies and government-created jobs was pushing for an extra minister for engrossed the attention of leaders, a cabinet, increasing the numbers to few of whom tended to abuse their seven (CIN, 13 Jul 2002, 1). Although status in order to advance family the government remained undeterred interests. Ironically, while foreign by the NZ$158,000 estimated cost for workers entered the country to take this move, there was resistance from up promised employment, the local the general public (CIN, 30 Oct population declined, primarily due 2002, 1). to lack of employment. Even as many While Prime Minister Woonton locals expressed deep concern at the was heavily criticized for taking his sudden surge of new immigrants, spouse on long, expensive, overseas especially from Asia (Thailand, Philip- trips (CIN, 26 Jul 2002, 1), members pines, India, and Pakistan, in particu- of Parliament in general were accused lar), Prime Minister Dr Robert Woon- of “not giving their constituencies ton declared that locals must be able value for money” and were occasion- to adapt to change. He argued that ally pressured to vacate (CIN, 26 Oct “new immigrants are a natural out- 2002, 1). Constant cabinet reshuffles growth of a developing nation” and rumors of reshuffles added fuel to (informal statement to students from the fire. In November 2002 Cabinet Brigham Young University, Hawai‘i, Minister Norman George was sacked visiting Rarotonga, June 2003). —again (CIN, 8 Nov 2002, 1). Soon The review period began with for- after, rumors emerged of a new coali- mer Cook Islands High Commissioner tion government, the sixth since the to New Zealand Wilkie Rasmussen 1999 general election (CIN, 12 Nov winning a by-election in Penrhyn 2002, 1). Within a month, the port- against standing member and former folios were reshuffled again (CIN, 22
146 political reviews • polynesia 147
Nov 2002, 1). Then three months most Cook Islanders. They made later, at the end of January 2003, several amendments (concerning Tangata Vavia and Terepai Maoate appropriations, the constitution, were sworn in as new government value-added tax, income tax, indus- ministers, while Sir Geoffrey Henry trial labor, criminal procedure, inter- and Tom Marsters were sacked by national companies, and crimes) as Prime Minister Woonton (CIN, 31 well as new laws (concerning the Jan 2003, 1). Mäori language, a UN Security Coun- An increasingly vocal group of cil resolution, banking, extradition, citizens for political change—known mutual assistance in criminal matters, as the gpc—gained momentum as a financial transaction reporting, the result of constant government changes Financial Supervisory Commission, and perceived inefficiency. They called and the proceeds of crimes). While for an early election (CIN, 10 Dec much of the political focus was on 2002, 1), and pushed for political the cabinet, a number of other inter- reform on behalf of many concerned esting, politically charged incidents citizens (CIN, 12 Nov 2002, 1). Some occurred. Tahitian fisherman Raioaoa 2,000 people signed a petition calling Tauae drifted in his boat for over five for change (CIN, 29 Mar 2003, 1), months and ended up on the island including the abolishment of the over- of Aitutaki on 10 July 2002. His seas seat in Parliament. However, it harrowing experience at sea received was generally understood that this much attention, including from French would reduce the total seats to an Polynesia President Gaston Flosse and even twenty-four, increasing the pos- his opponent, Oscar Temaru, leader sibility of a hung parliament. Subse- of the pro-independence Tavini Hui- quently, there was also pressure to raatira party. Back in Tahiti, questions eliminate the constituency of Tamarua arose regarding why information in Mangaia Island, which has the about Tauae’s disappearance had not smallest population of any constit- been relayed to neighboring countries. uency in the country. He had been spotted by Cook Islands By June 2003, only the overseas pilots over several days and could seat had been abolished, with advo- have been rescued earlier (CIN, 18 cates arguing that those who leave Jul 2002, 1). the Cook Islands no longer pay taxes. During the year, Teariki Heather, The legitimate argument that Cook a successful Rarotonga businessman, Islanders overseas contribute far more launched the Cook Islands National to the Cook Islands than the cost of party and appointed himself as its maintaining the seat was lost in the leader (CIN, 24 Mar 2003, 1). Heather general furor over a variety of mp hoped that his new third party, mod- actions that have been perceived eled after a major party of the same negatively by most Cook Islands name in New Zealand, could topple voters (CIN, 15 Nov 2002, 1). many old-time members of the Cook Members of Parliament completed Islands party and the Democratic much of their work in irregular ses- party. The National party’s first test sions that often went unnoticed by will be the 2004 elections. 148 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004
In January 2003, Cook Islands Covington group and the New Prime Minister Dr Woonton warned Zealand–based Cook Islands devel- the country of the need to be prepared oper Tim Tepaki ran into difficulties for the adverse effects of any outbreak (CIN, 11 Jun 2002, 1). In June 2002, of war between the United States– Deputy Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A United Kingdom and Iraq (CIN, 31 Henry suggested that the Tepaki deal Jan 2003, 5). The greatest concern was better than the one proposed by for government and private sectors the Covington group (CIN, 12 Jun was that the war would lead to a 2002, 1). But succeeding deputy prime major reduction in tourists to the ministers were not so convinced, and Cook Islands. However, tourist num- a lease was approved in favor of the bers were affected only slightly. A Covington group (CIN, 15 Jun 2002, total of 72,781 visitors were recorded 1). Meanwhile, a massive debt associ- in 2002, slightly lower than the 2001 ated with the original project is still total of 74,575. Although US and owed to the Italian government. The UK visitors dropped by 14 percent Cook Islands government’s hopes that compared to the previous year, overall the debt could be settled with as little European visitors still topped 19,600. as NZ$25 million up front appear to The largest number of visitors to the have been dashed. Cook Islands came from New Zea- A major project to develop a land, with a 34 percent share, or marina business complex including 24,932 people (CIN, 11 Feb 2003, 1). tourist accommodation at Avana on The steady tourism figures enticed the eastern side of Rarotonga contin- Royal Tonga Airlines to express ued to be promoted by some politi- interest in becoming a carrier into cians and private-sector developers, the Cook Islands with possible flights although it had already been rejected from Auckland to Rarotonga (CIN, by the Environment Council and the 26 Jun 2003, 1). landowners. Factors of concern Interest in the failed five-star Vai- included impact on the community, ma‘anga Hotel (formerly the Sheraton the construction of septic tanks on Hotel project) continued as tourism the foreshore and artificial islets, and operators realized that the mainte- the deepening of the lagoon. Land- nance of a reliable air carrier service owners were strongly opposed to the was tied directly to hotel accommo- project (CIN, 13 Jun 2002, 1). Local dation. Evan Smith, president of the traditional leader Manavaroa Mata- Cook Islands Chamber of Commerce, iapo George Nicholas expressed trepi- and Don Beer, Jr, chair of the Tourism dation at the general impact of tour- Board, both pointed out that complet- ism development on traditional fishing ing the Vaima‘anga Hotel was a prior- rights, and on fish, shellfish, and ity in developing the country’s econ- bêche-de-mer (pers comm, 18 Jun omy as well as in attracting foreign 2003). The controversy highlighted investment. Beer commented that the underlying concerns about the rapid Cook Islands “need it to give comfort pace of development and its implica- to the airline industry” (CIN, 14 Jun tions for a balanced approach to envi- 2002, 1). However, efforts to restart ronmental management. Many Cook the infamous project by both the Islanders even opposed an environ- political reviews • polynesia 149 ment bill, citing conflict with basic the need to beautify church grounds. land rights, traditional practices, and At the time of this writing, the matter fundamental human rights protected remained unsettled. by the Cook Islands Constitution Agriculture officials have noted (CIN, 11 Jun 2002, 5). some evidence on Rarotonga of the Land and property problems are presence of the rhinoceros beetle, also linked directly to the push for which has caused disastrous damage development. According to a local to coconut trees in some neighboring resident, information published in the island groups (CIN, 19 Dec 2002, 1). classified section of the Cook Islands While the threat looms over coconut News indicated that large areas of trees, agriculture production contin- land on Rarotonga have been sub- ues to focus on juice from the nono jected to mortgage sales by commer- or noni, a type of tree (Morinda citri- cial banks. The resident also suggested folia, designated for the world mar- that commercial banks had been put- ket); papaya (usually exported to New ting undue pressure on local borrow- Zealand); maire or maile, a scented ers, perhaps in an effort to alienate fern (Alyxia olivaeformis, for the land (CIN, 1 Jun 2002, 4). As the gap Hawai‘i market); and other vegetable between the rich and the poor in the or root crops for the local market. Cook Islands rapidly widens, exces- The fishing industry continued to sive charges for access to land records grow with the latest addition of a at the Justice Department (a fee of long-liner, Mahr-Leena (CIN, 10 Jun one dollar a page for each photocopy 2002, 1). Most fish were exported to requested), bureaucratic demarcation either American Sämoa or Japan. of required papers, and the pressure New Zealand fishing giant Sealords to hire lawyers for even simple land explored the possibility of setting up cases all contribute to a system that business in the Cook Islands, “work- favors the wealthy. ing in alliance with the local fishing Underlying conflicts have also industry by purchasing excess and developed between some church lead- sourcing markets” (CIN, 22 Jun ers and landowners. The new pastor 2002, 1). The government eventually of the Avarua Cook Islands Christian approved licenses for two Sealords Church, the first Christian church purse seiners to operate in Cook built in Rarotonga after Christianity Islands waters (CIN, 30 Nov 2002, 1). was introduced on the island in 1823, The country’s huge exclusive eco- continued a policy of using a bull- nomic zone continued to attract both dozer to knock down old gravestones. legal and illegal operators. During Enraged landowners and descendants 2002–2003 Taiwanese fishing vessel of those buried in the graves expressed Shang Yih #6 was caught fishing ille- anger at the action. One landowner gally in Cook Islands waters. The took the pastor and other deacons to owners eventually pleaded guilty to court—the first such action in the the charges (CIN, 7 Jan 2003, 1; nation’s history (CIN, 15 Nov 2002, 22 Jan 2003, 1). 1; 16 Nov 2002, 1; 11 Jan 2003, 1; Pearl farming continued to be the 13 Jan 2003, 4). Unapologetic, the country’s second largest income-earner pastor has claimed legal rights and after tourism, although undercutting 150 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004 of prices by producers in Tahiti caused 14 Mar 2003, 1). Prime Minister Dr some problems for Cook Islands farm- Woonton also signed a historic agree- ers. The introduction of a value-added ment with European Union allowing tax was perceived by farmers as a the Cook Islands “to access millions negative influence on the industry of dollars over the next 20 years” because it discouraged technicians (CIN, 23 Apr 2003, 1). from returning to the Cook Islands It remains to be seen whether these (CIN, 18 Jul 2002, 1). A few farmers new dollars will create new job oppor- continued to be involved in setting up tunities. During 2002–2003, poor job farms in other parts of the Pacific. opportunities in the Cook Islands con- New pearl-marketing operators set tinued to push young Cook Islanders up shop in Rarotonga as pearls out of the country (CIN, 8 Jun 2002, continued to attract tourists. 6). The high cost of living was also a As of 30 June 2002, Cook Islands great disincentive to remaining in the government debt was estimated to islands. Prices continued to soar with be NZ$126.9 million (CIN, 16 Aug evidences of over-price profiteering by 2002, 1). The 2002–2003 budgetary some businesses (CIN, 7 Jun 2002, 4). appropriation included NZ$1,379,000 Crime in the Cook Islands has been for the Ministry of Agriculture, very mild compared to other coun- NZ$400,000 for Environment Pro- tries. However, the 2002–2003 year tection fund, and NZ$100,000 to set revealed a growing problem with up the Money Laundering Authority. crime, and an apparent decline in Agriculture funding included a focus morals and ethics. High profile cases on hydroponics for the outer islands, included the conviction of a forty-five- livestock production, and a papaya year-old former pastor “on three industry (CIN, 10 Aug 2002, 1). charges of having sexual intercourse Controversy continued regarding with a 14 year old girl,” and the bru- the ban on the public release of par- tal murder by a neighbor of a young liamentary travel details. The Civil man, Tuakana Tereau Teame (CIN, List, which pays out travel and 28 Jun 2002, 1). Other, subtler crimes allowances mainly to government also seem to have increased. Many members of Parliament, received a stores continued to sell old or expired total appropriation of NZ$2,339,400 foodstuffs (CIN, 25 Oct 2002, 1). for 2002–2003, an increase of Even though government inspectors NZ$5,111 over the previous year discovered this, no charges have been (CIN, 10 Aug 2002, 1). laid against the retailers involved The light at the end of the tunnel (CIN, 2 Nov 2002, 1). Funds raised for Cook Islands developmental activ- from public appeals may also have ities seemed to depend on outside aid. been misused. For example, questions During the year, the United Nations have been raised over the use of the Development Program announced the fund established after cyclone Martin second stage of its aid program to the hit Manihiki Island on 1 November Cook Islands. Already four years into 1997, killing several Islanders. In the project, a sum of NZ$350,000 was 1999 a total of NZ$265,000 was projected for a biodiversity plan (CIN, reported in the fund, minus some political reviews • polynesia 151
NZ$42,000 spent on tools and equip- 8 Jan 2003, 1). The lack of an effec- ment for two villages. There has been tive copyright law in the Cook Islands no accountability, although some has also allowed the abuse of intellec- would like to see the balance of the tual property. It has been suggested money spent on the building of two that illegal copying of video and hospitals on Manihiki (CIN, 5 Nov audio material is worth more than a 2002, 1). quarter of a million dollars each year Some top leaders and officials have for one local operator alone. Local experienced apparent conflicts of composers, artists, and musicians also interest. For example, Eddie Drollett, suffer from parliamentary inaction to the chief of staff for former Prime protect their cultural images and Minister Dr Terepai Maoate, was creations from being plagiarized. accused of receiving kickback benefits Some of the crime in 2002–2003 of at least NZ$25,000 (CIN, 1 Jul crossed international borders. Albert 2003, 1). Prime Minister Dr Robert Shahalain from South Africa was Woonton’s chief of staff, Piho Rua, jailed in the Cook Islands for forgery continued to be surrounded by rumors (CIN, 2 Oct 2002, 1). An even more of questionable deals, including elaborate South African–based scam demands for cuts of business deals. aimed to draw unwary Cook Island- Some appointments to the Cook ers into parting with their money on Islands office in Auckland also sug- the hope of receiving huge rewards. gested possible improprieties. Pa Ariki One Cook Islands victim lost was secretly appointed as the new NZ$70,000 (CIN, 24 Jul 2002, 1). consulate general, while the daughters Conned into believing they were of the head of tourism and the prime million-dollar winners in another minister were sent there as tourism scheme, a Spanish lottery, Cook officer and consular officer respec- Islands residents who responded by tively. The appointments of mp phone were immediately charged Tepure Tapaitau and later mp Nor- exorbitant fees (CIN, 27 Nov 2002, 1). man George as consultants to two Some Cook Islanders have occa- different prime ministers were also sionally initiated questionable actions publicly perceived as inappropriate. across the border. The Cook Islands Even the Cook Islands government’s has been identified as the third highest own Audit Office apparently later exporter into New Zealand of illegal deemed both actions illegal (CIN, products such as turtle meat and 27 Jan 2003, 1). shells, as well as giant clam meat. One of the government’s continu- Some “13 percent of all unlawful ing problems centers on its offshore goods seized by the Customs Depart- banking industry, which has been ment of the Pacific Islands” have targeted by countries such as the apparently come from Cook Islanders United States. It has tried unsuccess- to New Zealand. fully to get the Cook Islands removed Rarotonga’s traditional double- from the list of eleven countries black- hulled canoe continued its historic listed by the Financial Action Task series of open-sea voyages; in July Force for questionable activities (CIN, 2002, Te Au O Tonga departed for 152 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004
Tahiti, this time with an eighteen- people now live in the Cook Islands, member crew, including seven women a significant drop from the 20,000 of (CIN, 8 Jul 2002, 1). The Cook the 1970s (CIN, 15 Mar 2003, 1). In Islands representative at the world April 2003, forty-seven more people fire-dancing competition walked away left the Cook Islands than arrived with the world title (CIN, 12 Jun (CIN, 1 Jun 2002, 13). The outer 2003, 1). Orama, one of the Cook islands have been particularly depop- Islands popular dance groups, per- ulated, with many now unable to field formed at the European Union’s full teams in local sporting competi- summit of African Caribbean Pacific tions. Some Aitutaki Island teams even Heads of State and Goverment (acp) fly in players from Rarotonga every in Fiji (CIN, 23 Jul 2002, 5). Tradi- weekend to strengthen their numbers. tional investiture ceremonies continue As local water specialist Sam Napa as reflected by various title investi- observed, “In a survey conducted tures held this year, including that of in Atiu Island we found that of 187 George Nicholas, who was bestowed households altogether, 93 houses had the Manavaroa Mataiapo title (CIN, 1 no people living in them” (pers comm, Oct 2002, 1). Even efforts to displace Rarotonga, Jun 2003). Pa Ariki as paramount chief in Taki- The government has tried to entice tumu backfired because of traditional Cook Islanders now living overseas to loyalties; her subchiefs reaffirmed return to the Cook Islands. “A total their support for her (CIN, 17 Oct of $100,000 was appropriated in the 2002, 1; 18 Oct 2002, 1). The Girl last financial year to a ‘transition Guides celebrated the establishment fund’ to assist with the return of of the movement in the Cook Islands Cook Islanders to the Cook Islands.” on 25 Oct 1928 (CIN, 17 Oct 2002, The assistance to Cook Islanders from 1). Archeologist Dr Anne Di Piazza overseas applied to those who were excavated ten square meters on the returning home for two-year contract motu Te Kainga of Rakahanga Island government jobs. However, only and discovered an earth oven possibly NZ$35,000 was spent before the a thousand years old. She found government terminated the program “black charcoal stones, fish hooks (CIN, 30 Oct 2002, 1). made from pearl shells, two chisels During the review period there made of clam and a pounder made were some major changes in the pop- out of coral stone” (CIN, 17 Jan 2003, ulation makeup of the Cook Islands. 1). And the Reo Mäori bill making Successes in tourism, pearl farming, Cook Islands Mäori an official lan- and offshore banking have enhanced guage of the country finally made its business profits and increased tax rev- way into Parliament (CIN, 17 2003, 1). enue. Along with expected additions Although the passing of the Mäori- in foreign aid, the budgetary situation language bill was an important politi- appears healthy. However, the realities cal statement, the largest single issue of a poor and outmoded salary struc- facing the Cook Islands during ture, a spiraling cost of living, and 2002–2003 remained its dwindling overconfident, self-serving, incompe- population. An estimated 15,000 tent politicians, paint a bleak future. political reviews • polynesia 153
It is hoped that things may change for 1978 constitutional convention) and the better with proposed new laws on the Department of Hawaiian Home- immigration and land, as well as new lands (established in 1921 by the elections in 2004. But a better future US federal government, setting aside depends on educated parliamentari- approximately 200,000 acres of ans, moral leadership, realistic govern- land for Hawaiian homesteading) be ment and private-sector goals and declared invalid and unconstitutional. actions, and the tenacity of a friendly The suit also asks that any and all and hospitable Cook Islands people. monies and properties be immediately jon tikivanotau m jonassen returned to the State of Hawai‘i to be used for all residents of the state, regardless of ancestry. In addition, the Reference plaintiffs have asked that the creation of any similar laws in the future be CIN, Cook Islands News. Rarotonga. Daily. prohibited. If successful, the suit would take away all current support systems and programs designed to redress historical wrongs perpetrated Hawaiian Issues against Hawaiians, including the loss In light of pending litigation (Arakaki of Hawaiian sovereignty and the v Lingle) attempting to invalidate the resultant, dismal socioeconomic Office of Hawaiian Affairs (oha), the conditions. Department of Hawaiian Homelands Arakaki v Lingle owes its standing (dhhl), as well as all other federal, to the 2000 Rice v Cayetano ruling, state, and privately funded agencies which forced the State of Hawai‘i to that support Native Hawaiians, the allow non-Hawaiians to vote in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs stepped election of trustees of the Office of up its campaign for federal recogni- Hawaiian Affairs. In anticipation of tion of Native Hawaiians as indige- the ruling, Hawai‘i’s congressional nous peoples of the United States. delegation authored a bill for federal Federal recognition would solidify a recognition of Native Hawaiians in political relationship with the United 1999. They believed that the passage States government and put Hawaiians of such a bill would negate similar on par with other indigenous nations court cases and allow a certain degree within US borders. Provoked by such of control for Hawaiians over lands legal challenges, the oha campaign and other assets currently adminis- for federal recognition has gone main- tered by state and US federal agencies. stream, producing a slew of public The latest incarnation of the fed- informational meetings in communi- eral-recognition bill, Senate Bill 344, ties around the state of Hawai‘i as was submitted to the 108th Congress well as high-profile televised forums. in June 2003. While maintaining the Arakaki v Lingle was originally general thrust of its predecessors, this filed on 4 March 2002 by sixteen version contains a new section that plaintiffs asking that the Office of would establish a registration roll for Hawaiian Affairs (established by a Native Hawaiians, to be overseen and 154 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004 approved by an Office for Native create for Native Hawaiians. They Hawaiian Relations within the US argue that the bill is merely an attempt Department of Interior. Only regis- to protect the status quo and makes tered voters would then be eligible to no provisions for independence; it participate in the election of delegates may in fact block that option. and, subsequently, in the creation of After her installation, Governor organic documents for a future Native Linda Lingle made good on an elec- Hawaiian governing entity. Critics tion-year promise to campaign for argue that this clause would amplify federal recognition of Native Hawai- the US federal government’s power ians (Reynolds 2003). In her 25 Feb- over the ability of a Native Hawaiian ruary 2003 testimony before the governing entity to determine the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, composition of its own citizenry. Governor Lingle argued that the The new clause is reminiscent of Native Hawaiian culture was “the the ill-fated state legislation that foundation of the character of the established the Hawaiian Sovereignty state of Hawai‘i, and the basis for Elections Council and mandated a common understanding among our plebiscite to determine the will of the varied ethnic populations. Our very Hawaiian people in 1996. That vote identity as a state is founded on was problematic on two levels. First, Native Hawaiian values, cultural the Hawaiian people (as well as non- practices and knowledge” (Lingle Hawaiians) were uninformed regard- 2003) ing the issues and implications of Lingle’s avid support of federal what came to be known as the recognition surprised many in the “Native Hawaiian Vote.” Second, Hawaiian community. As mayor of because the Hawai‘i State Legislature Maui County, she had been criticized and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for allegedly supporting the sale of jointly funded the vote, critics saw a ceded lands (lands formerly belonging clear conflict of interest between the to the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, taken sponsors and the electorate, and they after the overthrow and transferred to accused the state of controlling the the US federal government, then to the process. Although public awareness State of Hawai‘i, to be held in trust has continued to increase, it is clear for the Hawaiian people). Although that the same issues remain, and that Hawaiians were not very optimistic the same conflict of interest may be when she won the election, her testi- replicated on the federal level. mony illustrates a distinct shift in Generally, the debate surrounding official attitudes toward Hawaiians. federal recognition has not changed. Governor Lingle, a Republican, is Supporters of the bill laud it as a now seen as playing a crucial role in shield for Native Hawaiian programs efforts influencing the Republican-led and trusts currently under attack, and US Congress, as well as the Bush see it as the only way Native Hawai- administration, to support federal ians can achieve autonomy. Detrac- recognition. tors are unsatisfied with the domestic- The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is dependent nation status the bill would not the only organization facing legal political reviews • polynesia 155 challenges. The Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiian community was once again a private school established by the infuriated, accusing Goemans of using legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi a young child as a political pawn in Bishop for Native Hawaiian children, his vendetta against Hawaiian rights, is threatened on two fronts. It faces and condemning the mother for letting challenges to its admissions policy, it happen. The case is still pending. which gives preference to children The Kamehameha Schools’ prob- of Hawaiian ancestry. In addition, lems do not end there. The estate is its capacity to generate revenue from one target of a mandatory lease-to-fee leases on condominiums developed on conversion policy in Hawai‘i. This trust lands may be compromised by policy results from a particular inter- state policies that favor mandatory pretation of the Land Reform Act, lease-to-fee conversions. enacted almost forty years ago to In 2002, the trustees of the break up the land holdings of large Kamehameha Schools admitted a corporations that dominated Hawai‘i’s non-Hawaiian student to its Maui economy at the time. It was designed campus. Hamilton McCubbin, chief to allow families to buy their own lots executive officer of the schools at the and to increase market competition. It time, stated that there were no other was not intended to apply to condo- “qualified” Hawaiian students. Led miniums. In 1991, the state enacted a by alumni and concerned parents, the mandatory lease-to-fee conversion law Hawaiian community condemned the that allows the state to condemn dis- trustees’ actions. Some demanded an puted lease land under condominiums, explanation, while others insisted that forcing the landowners to sell. Since the trustees resign. As a result of the then, the state has forced the sale of subsequent media storm, the trustees numerous sites. Three sites are cur- have since put their full weight behind rently under litigation: Kahala Beach the trust’s original admissions policy. Apartments; Admiral Thomas Condo- In 2003, a lawsuit was filed against miniums; and the Camelot, also con- the Kamehameha Schools on behalf dominiums. The land under Kahala of a non-Hawaiian mother who Beach Apartments is owned by the claimed Hawaiian ancestry for her Kamehameha Schools, which utilizes son because her father was hänai the revenues to subsidize education (adopted) by a Hawaiian family. for Hawaiian children. The Admiral When she failed to verify the ancestry Thomas Condominiums are owned by of her son, the admissions office with- the United Methodist Church, which drew their offer to admit him to the funds a preschool, a food bank, and school. Her lawyer, John Goemans, community outreach programs. The who represented Harold Rice in the Camelot provides revenue for an Rice v Cayetano suit, then filed a law- order of Roman Catholic nuns as well suit denouncing the school’s admis- as a Hawaiian family. It is clear that sions policy as racist, and filed for an the 1991 lease-to-fee conversion law injunction to prevent the school from is now benefiting real estate compa- cancelling her son’s enrollment, pend- nies and a few wealthy condo owners ing a court decision in the case. The at the expense of two churches, a 156 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004 charitable trust, and a Hawaiian island, and safety continues to be a family. concern. November 2003 marks the A related land issue revolves end of the $400 million federal con- around the island of Kaho‘olawe, tract to clean-up Kaho‘olawe, which which lies just south of Maui. Imme- raises several issues concerning the diately following the 1941 bombing continued clean up effort, liability, of Pearl Harbor during World War II, and future use of the island. Kaho‘olawe was seized by the US mili- The establishment of a Native tary to be used for target practice. In Hawaiian advisory council in the 1976, the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana University of Hawai‘i (UH) system, began leading protests against the which consists of nine campuses military’s use of the island. They filed around the islands, marked a return a federal civil suit, organized rallies, to education as a focal point in the lobbied the legislature, and put their Hawaiian movement. Named Püko‘a, own lives on the line in site occupa- the council is supported by a new, tions that brought national attention sympathetic administration at the to the Hawaiian nationalist move- University of Hawai‘i. President Evan ment. These efforts were finally Dobelle set aside $1.5 million on his rewarded in October 1990 when then induction in fall 2001, and continues President George H Bush directed the to encourage Hawaiian participation secretary of the navy to discontinue by creating a position to assist the use of the island. Kaho‘olawe for- chancellor of the UH Mänoa campus merly housed a navigational school, with Hawaiian issues. Among and coastal and interior settlements. Püko‘a’s goals are increasing the Today it has been reduced to 28,800 number of Hawaiian students, faculty, acres of barely habitable, naked land- and staff in the UH system, and foster- scape, scarred by fifty years of neglect ing collaboration among UH cam- and environmental brutality. puses. The council also advocates By 1993, all bombing and military parity with other programs for Native training ceased and the process for the Hawaiian and Native Hawaiian– return of the island to the State of serving programs. Püko‘a’s general Hawai‘i began, based on the recom- membership meets twice a year, and mendations of the Kaho‘olawe Island the executive council, consisting of Conveyance Commission. Concur- two representatives from each cam- rently, the Hawai‘i State Legislature pus, meets every other month. Each established the Kaho‘olawe Island campus has its own council to discuss Reserve Commission to oversee the issues specific to their part of the newly formed Kaho‘olawe Island UH system. Reserve. Despite its haggard appear- For Hawai‘i’s younger students, ance, Kaho‘olawe still retains its status charter schools have become more as a sacred island, serving as one of prevalent and credible as alternatives the main strongholds of the revitaliza- to traditional public schools. The tion of Hawaiian cultural practices. charter school movement began on The US military has not finished clean- the continental United States in 1991 ing all unexploded ordinances on the to empower parents and communities political reviews • polynesia 157 to work with educators, encourage support organizations continue to innovation, experiment with curricu- be formed. The Council for Native lum, connect with the community, and Hawaiian Advancement, a member- allow for alternative ways of learning based nonprofit organization that (Keesing 2000). Hawai‘i opened its provides technical assistance, training, first twenty-five New Century charter and information on community devel- schools in 1999, utilizing project and opment, hosted its second annual con- culturally based approaches to edu- ference in August 2003. The Native cation. The creation of these semi- Hawaiian Graduate Student Council autonomous schools has enabled held its first conference with students teachers to create curriculum more from all fields. And the members of suitable for Hawaiian students. Hale Kü‘ai, a Hawaiian artisan coop- The more culturally appropriate erative, met to discuss marketing and approach has been especially effective the creation of a trademark indicating for at-risk youth. One of the charter Hawaiian-made pieces. schools, Hälau Kü Mana, reported a These organizations, educational 98 percent attendance rate in its first resources, and support programs have year. This is a notable achievement developed despite increased attacks on because many of its students came Hawaiian rights, lands, and assets. It from the public school system with is clear that as Hawaiians continue to annual absentee rates ranging from empower themselves, anti-Hawaiian 91 to 142 days. In the two years since sentiment will build as well. Backed it opened, Hälau Kü Mana has taken by some nonprofit Hawaiian organi- students to places including Japan, zations as well as by the governor, Tahiti, Washington dc, Arizona, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has Brazil, and Alaska. As part of the increased efforts toward federal recog- culturally based learning that is the nition, which would confirm a politi- cornerstone of Hawai‘i’s charter cal relationship with the US govern- school system, the students also learn ment and provide some protection Hawaiian performing arts. In fact, for Native Hawaiian programs. Hälau Kü Mana earned the Statewide The bill for federal recognition, Excellence in Arts award for the S 344, is one alternative to help pro- 2001–2002 school year. Hälau Kü tect Native Hawaiian programs and Mana is partly housed in the UH organizations as well as offer some Mänoa Kamakakuokalani Center for autonomy. Another option is to pur- Hawaiian Studies, enabling younger sue decolonization through the United students to intermingle with college Nations and declare Hawai‘i an inde- students, fostering confidence and pendent state. Although the latter encouraging students to continue to option may be more risky in the short higher education (Keali‘i‘olu‘olu Gora, run, in the long run it has the poten- Hälau Kü Mana Director of Commu- tial to provide much more autonomy nity and Public Relations, pers comm, than federal recognition and to facili- 2003). tate genuine independence. In either In addition to Püko‘a and Hawai‘i’s case, the goal is self-governance for New Century charter schools, new Native Hawaiians. And, to this end, 158 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004
Native Hawaiians must be ever vigi- House prepared to speak out fearlessly lant and continue to assert themselves on behalf and in support of Mäori, in the name of social justice. no matter how strident the media and tracie ku‘uipo cummings opposition attacks on her become. Many Mäori hoped she would be included in cabinet, as she had cer- References tainly earned such a posting. Her appointment as a minister outside Keesing, Alice. 2000. Charter Schools Ready to Empower. Honolulu Advertiser, cabinet sent a clear message that the 10 Jan. Labour caucus is still uncomfortable with Mäori who consistently support Lingle, Linda. 2003. Testimony before the their own people. US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, However, Turia is no longer the 25 Feb. Available at
1982, then Acting Prime Minister of to restrict Samoan access to New Western Sämoa Tofilau Eti Alesana— Zealand citizenship. According to in the absence of Prime Minister Va‘ai Anae, “there is this fear in the New Kolone, who took ill—signed a proto- Zealand pakeha [white] community col with New Zealand Prime Minister that 170,000 Samoans will rush to Sir Robert Muldoon. The New Zea- New Zealand when they have free land government of the day used that access to citizenship” (quoted in SO, protocol to pass the Citizenship (West- 1 Sep 2002). Anae went on to say, ern Samoa) Act 1982 (SO, 14 Nov “I don’t see 17 million Australians 2002). While this act meant that going to New Zealand despite free Samoans who were born between movement between the two countries. 1924 and 1948 and their children lost . . . Honestly, I keep telling my former their citizenship rights, it also gave colleagues in Wellington that most other benefits to Samoans. Samoans Samoans in the islands do not want who were in New Zealand at the time to live in New Zealand” (quoted in gained automatic New Zealand citi- SO, 1 Sep 2002). What Samoans zenship. Samoans were also eligible to wanted instead, according to Anae, apply for citizenship once they gained was the freedom of access similar to permanent residence status. Moreover, that of Tokelauans, Cook Islanders, the number of Samoan citizens who and Niueans. “If [New Zealand] can could apply for permanent residence apologize to the Chinese for discrimi- in New Zealand under the yearly nating against them with a Poll Tax, immigration quota was increased which they accepted at the time, then (SO, 3 Oct 2002). the New Zealand government must Former New Zealand National respond to the Western Sämoa Citi- Party mp Arthur Anae was in Sämoa zenship Act or compensate for the in early September 2002 to facilitate Sämoa people by either allowing all a petition seeking a repeal of the Samoans born before independence New Zealand Citizenship Act 1982 in 1962 access to New Zealand resi- (SO, 1 Sep 2002). Anae believed that dency or increase the Samoan Quota the law discriminated against Samoans to 3,000 per year” (quoted in SO, and breached basic human rights. 1 Sep 2002). Anae also pointed out Anae also argued that nothing in the that the Human Rights Commission protocol signed by the governments considered that the citizenship bill stated that Sämoa had given up rights involved a denial of basic human to New Zealand citizenship. Rather, rights in that it sought to deprive a the purpose of the protocol was to particular group of New Zealanders endorse the Treaty of Friendship of their citizenship on the basis of between the two countries that had their status as Polynesians of Samoan been signed on 1 August 1962. Anae origin. further argued that the Privy Council While Anae was in Sämoa to seek ruling had nothing to do with the supporters for the citizenship petition, protocol. Therefore, he said, the New a Samoan committee for the same Zealand Citizenship Act 1982 was a purpose was formed. Its secretary deliberate act on New Zealand’s part was Maiava Visekota Pëteru, a New political reviews • polynesia 165
Zealand-born Samoan and graduate Among them were Warriors Rugby of the Auckland University Law League center Ali Lauititi, world School. According to Maiava, “the champion discus thrower Beatrice support from the community has been Faumuinä, and celebrated newscaster tremendous so far.” With New Zea- April Ieremia (SO, 25 Feb 2003). On land citizenship, Maiava said, “comes the same day, over 6,000 Samoans medical, education, employment and marched to the New Zealand High especially, travel privileges to that Commission office on Beach Road in country.” Moreover, “we want to Apia and presented the same petition clearly state that the petition to repeal to New Zealand High Commissioner the law is simply to provide our peo- Dr Penelope Riding. ple with a choice for unlimited and On 8 May, when the petition was unconditional access to that country. presented to a select committee of the It is a matter of providing a choice for New Zealand Parliament, a video link our people” (quoted in SO, 25 Mar was set up with Christchurch, Auck- 2003). Furthermore, “Many Samoans land, Wellington, and the National do not want to live in New Zealand University of Sämoa in Apia. Accord- and all we are asking is for them to ing to the parliamentary committee have free access to that country and chairperson, Dianne Yates, this was the right of citizenship choice, instead the first time the New Zealand Parlia- of going through the tedious immi- ment had conducted its business using gration screening and visa process” video conferencing. The parliamentary (quoted in SO, 1 Apr 2003). Maiava hearing started with submissions by believes that because people do not Dr Barton, Anae, and former New have that access, relatives in New Zealand Human Rights Commissioner Zealand have adopted many Samoan Pat Downey. All of them appeared children so that they can migrate. before the committee in person. After “Since people here do not have that Wellington, the committee heard sub- access, adoption becomes the only missions from Sämoa as presented by option they have. . . . Perhaps another seven members of the Apia Sämoa fear is that the Samoan petition may Citizenship Committee. The commit- end up getting lumped together with tee presented its report to Parliament Maori issues,” Maiava said (quoted in where a final decision will be made SO, 1 Apr 2003). Maiava urged locals (SO, 9 May 2003). to sign the petition. Anae’s views were not supported On 26 March 2003, about 2,000 by some of his colleagues in the New Samoans marched on the New Zea- Zealand Parliament. Samoan Labour land Parliament, and Dr Barton, the Party mp Taito Philip Field said that lawyer who took the case to the Privy this citizenship petition was raising Council, handed over the petition con- false hopes. As Taito explained, no taining 100,000 signatures to Prime party in New Zealand—including the Minister Helen Clark. Those who National Party—supports this peti- participated in the march included tion: “Any possible change of heart sportspeople, academics, politicians, may well depend on how much grass- and entertainers of Samoan descent. roots support there is for the petition. 166 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004
But at the moment, no party supports group’s credentials with the fbi (SO, it. It is also difficult to imagine the 6 Nov 2002). Furthermore, Superin- situation returning to the situation tendent Li‘o Masipa‘u said that the before the signing of the Western police department was investigating Sämoa Citizenship Act in 1982, when reports that the customs department Samoan citizenship rights were given had detected drugs in the personal up for certain benefits for Samoans” belongings of group members (SO, (quoted in SO, 3 Oct 2002). 6 Nov 2002). Taito believed that efforts to The rumors were further inflated toughen up on the portability of New by Duane Reed, one of the group Zealand pensions should also be of members, in an interview with the interest to the Samoan community. Sämoa Observer. Reed, who joined At the moment there is 100 percent the group after learning about it on portability of New Zealand pensions the Internet, warned that the group for people who have been in New posed a real threat to the harmonious Zealand for twenty years or more. fa‘asämoa (the Samoan way of life). That means they are eligible to draw Reed said Samoans have been misled their full pension even from outside into thinking that members of the New Zealand. Those who have been group were artists. “They are not in New Zealand for ten years will be artists and they have nothing to do eligible for 50 percent portability, with painting” (SO, 5 Dec 2002). increasing towards 100 percent as Rather, the small group belonged to the number of years in New Zealand an international religious organization increases (SO, 3 Oct 2002). known as the Maha Devi Ascension Prime Minister Helen Clark Movement. According to Reed, the does not see any need to review the group was headed by a multimillion- Samoan citizenship law, even though aire German woman, known around she was among a small number of the compound as Gabrielle, who Labour Party members of Parliament claimed to be an immortal being in 1982 that had condemned the law from Atlantis and Lemuria with the (SO, 28 Mar 2003). The New Zea- ability to build pyramids and turn land high commissioner in Sämoa people into gods. Reed also said that had no comment when asked about Gabrielle—whose real name turned her views on the petition to repeal out to be Ms Wilson—planned to the act (SO, 3 Sep 2002). build a pyramid on an island in the In the second half of 2002, Pacific that would bring 7,000 people rumors circulated by a local news- together (SO, 5 Dec 2002). Ms Wilson paper alleged that a group of thirty denied all of the allegations against people staying at the Sinalei Resort, her, and the resort’s manager con- one of the best tourist places on Upolu firmed that members of the group Island, belonged to a cult. Some sug- were simply artists who found Sämoa gested they could be terrorists; others, an attractive place to reside for a a nudist group (SO, 28 July; 4 Sep while. The group left Sämoa in Jan- 2002). The rumors prompted Secre- uary 2003, six months after their tary for the Prime Minister’s Office arrival there (SO, 10 Jan 2003). Va‘asätia Poloma Komiti to check the Numerous complaints have been political reviews • polynesia 167 directed at the Apia-based Oceania review, things at Oceania University University of Medicine (oum) since of Medicine appeared to be looking it opened in 2002. It was alleged that up. Some distinguished physicians the Sämoa Health Department had had been added to the staff; the staff ordered its security to stop oum staff member responsible for curriculum from entering its campus inside the development had been replaced; and Sämoa national hospital compound. the government had reportedly spent Another allegation was that oum one million tala upgrading the facility tuition funds were being channeled (SO, 13 Mar 2003). According to one to an account in the Cayman Islands, of the new staff members, Dr Satu- thus ensuring minimal monetary spin- pa‘itea Viali, head of the Medicine off to the local economy. Although Unit at the Tupua Tamasese Mea‘ole incoming Vice Chancellor Professor National Hospital, “Though the uni- Maloney dismissed these allegations, versity is small compared to other it wasn’t long before students at the medical institutions, the technology university started voicing their com- used is at the cutting edge” (SO, plaints (SO, 7 Aug 2002). In a letter to 5 Dec 2002). the Samoan government, five students The international sars scare was said that on their arrival they were felt in Sämoa in May 2002 with the “surprised to find that the most ele- arrival of ten Chinese nationals and mentary resources were not provided” a Singaporean on an Air Pacific flight. (quoted in SO, 27 Oct 2002). They Traveling via Hong Kong, Tokyo, expressed the hope that the govern- and Nadi, they bypassed New Zea- ment would intervene to ensure that land and Australia, which had been “the international reputation of serving as points of quarantine for Sämoa is not tarnished by the unful- Sämoa. In the absence of any health filled promises of the Oceania Uni- department official, Akerei Le‘au, one versity of Medicine management” of the quarantine officers at the air- (quoted in SO, 27 Oct 2002). A week port, sounded the sars alert. But by later an Australian academic entered the time the matter was referred to the fray. In a letter to a local news- him, the Air Pacific flight had already paper, he pointed out that 70 percent left, so the passengers were isolated, of the entering students had already first in the arrivals lounge and later at dropped out, and raised questions Leulumoega Hospital, before resum- about the university’s accreditation. ing their journey to American Sämoa He warned that Sämoa’s reputation in (SO, 22 May 2003). Australia and New Zealand had been Concern was also raised for the “irrevocably stained” by these devel- health of seven Samoan students opments, and feared “that a recruiting studying in China. Although the effort in North America, the major Chinese Embassy claimed that the source of students for ‘offshore’ Samoan students were safe and away schools, will result in more unsus- from possible infected areas, by early pecting students experiencing the May 2003 the cabinet had approved same unhappy experience of the funds to bring them home. The stu- first ones” (SO, 3 Nov 2002). dents traveled back to Sämoa via New By the end of the period under Zealand, where they stayed for ten 168 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004 days under sars supervision (SO, a way for the party in government 10 May 2003). Meanwhile, Sämoa’s (the Human Rights Protection Party) under-23 soccer team was unable to to abolish departments that should participate at the International Peace not have been formed in the first Games in June following reports of a place. In that case, Tupua said, the sars case in South Korea. The team government owed it to everyone to had been fundraising vigorously and explain fully what was happening training in anticipation of the Oceania (SO, 14 Aug 2002). Olympic qualifying games in 2004 In October 2002, at a function (SO, 1 May 2003). to farewell employees of the Public In April 2003, the names of Works Department who had been fourteen new chief executive officers made redundant by the reforms, of government departments were Prime Minister Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele announced. Under the government’s Malielegaoi pointed out that these structural reform policy, twenty-seven developments reflected a global trend existing departments and corporations to stimulate public service efficiency. were reduced to fourteen. As Secre- Drawing from his public service tary of the Public Service Commission experience, the prime minister (psc)Dr Matagiälofi Mölï explained, revealed that he too had to resign the merging of some departments was from various jobs several times to the result of a review conducted by pursue other goals. He also told the the psc Institutional Strengthening gathering how fortunate they were to Project. That project had been the receive generous severance payments. main vehicle for reforming Sämoa’s “The cheques you are about to public service. According to the prime receive is surely more money than minister, the reforms were designed to you’ve ever held in your hand,” save money and “improve the quality Tuila‘epa said (SO, 3 Oct 2002). and level of government services to Not everybody was happy with the public” (SO, 13 Aug 2002). the redundancy packages provided According to tv Sämoa, part of the to those terminated from their public money saved would come from the service jobs. Falefata Pëtaia Tuäniu, elimination of jobs for about 30 per- former Public Service Association cent of the existing 4,000 members of chairman, said that the redundancy the public service (SO, 14 Sep 2002). packages represented a raw deal. The reforms were received with “They should be given more,” mixed feelings. In the debate in Par- Falefata said. “I’m talking about those liament, most members supported the who have been there for ten years but bill, although others were concerned are now being given $3,000 for their about the impact of the changes on long services” (quoted in SO, 22 Sep the people affected. In an article pub- 2002). However, some of the affected lished in one of the local papers, mp employees seemed resigned to the sit- Tuiatua Tupua Efi (from the opposi- uation. “I’m quite happy with the tion Sämoa National Development financial benefits,” one redundant Party) asked whether the current worker said. “Perhaps this is also government structural reforms were for the best, maybe there are other political reviews • polynesia 169 rewarding avenues out there for us to Members in Sämoa’s XIII Parliament take which would not have happened Legislative Assembly of Sämoa, if we continued to work for Public Official Records, 11 Jun 2003). Works Department. If these reforms asofou so‘o are truly for the best of the country then we have to accept it. Life still goes on” (quoted in SO, 3 Oct 2002). Reference Two by-elections were held in the SO, The Sämoa Observer period under review, one at the elec- toral constituency of Faleata East around the outskirts of Apia and Wallis and Futuna the other at Alataua West on Savai‘i Island. On 6 August 2002, Lepou II In April 2002 the only Wallis and was elected unopposed as Faleata Futuna newspaper, Te Fenua Fo‘ou, East’s new member of Parliament, disappeared following a dispute following the appointment to the between the customary chiefs of Council of Deputies earlier this year Wallis and the editorial director. A of incumbent mp Faumuinä Anapapa new weekly publication took over on (SO, 21 Jul; 4 Aug 2002). Faumuinä 20 September 2002. Fenua Magazine, Anapapa’s appointment came after with the same format and columns as the late Mata‘ia Visesio Europa the preceding paper, now belongs to passed away earlier this year. Samino Foloka, who works at the The by-election at Alataua West Department of Catholic Education of saw ninety-year-old Ta‘atiti Alofa Wallis and Futuna. The editorial line elected. The oldest-ever member of has been completely changed to avoid Parliament, he gave his maiden speech the wrath of the great “chefferie” of on 16 January 2003 (SO, 17 Jan Wallis. Leaders on the two islands 2003). Ta‘atiti replaced Nonumalo remain very sensitive to articles pub- Faigä, who had passed away earlier in lished about Wallis and Futuna in the the year. But Ta‘atiti served as a mem- international press. An article called ber of Parliament only six months, “A Wallis, l’ennui au bout du monde” passing away on 7 June (SO, 13 Dec (Wallis, boredom at the ends of the 2002; 11 Jun 2003). Ta‘atiti had earth), published in the July 2002 edi- joined the Sämoa National Develop- tion of National Geographic, spurred ment Party, the party of his predeces- a local photographer to apologize in sor. His absence leaves that party with Fenua Magazine for the inaccuracies eleven members in its caucus. Lepou of his Australian counterpart, Tim II joined the Human Rights Protection Georgeson, whom he had hosted on Party, thereby retaining at thirty the Wallis. number of members of Parliament in Custom is at the heart of life on that party. The number of members Wallis and Futuna. On 21 November in the United Independence Party 2002, a new king of Alo (Futuna) was remains at seven. Therefore, the enthroned. Fifty-five-year-old Soane Human Rights Protection Party’s grip Patita Maituku has for the last ten on power is still very strong (List of years been a sacristan, a position 170 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004 of respect and responsibility in the voters, resulted in 3,413 votes (46.9 Catholic church. He has ten children, percent) for Brial, 3,276 for Tialetagi, one of whom is a nun in Africa and and 587 for Likuvalu, with the latter’s was present at the event. The Kivalu votes bringing about the second bal- Tisimasi Heafala, prime minister of lot. After the first ballot, candidate Wallis, was deposed by the Lavelua Tialetagi declared, “I have no pro- on 18 January 2003. His successor, gramme. You can’t establish a pro- Kamaliele Muliloto, retired from the gramme when you are not an elected Department of Rural Economy, was representative and you haven’t got installed in Kafila two days later. On any money.” His campaign manager, 30 May 2003, Patelisio Ikafolau, aged Soane Uhila, is a former local ump fifty-eight and retired from the health executive. Brial emphasized the privi- agency, was appointed Pului‘uvea, that leged relationship he has with the is, minister of the customary police of French president, Jacques Chirac. Wallis island, in his village Falaleu Between the two ballots, four Caledo- (Hahake district). nians of the rcpr (the local section The general elections of June 2002 of the ump)—member of Parliament were invalidated because about a hun- and president of the local government dred voters had signed with a cross Pierre Frogier, senator and president without a witness countersigning. By- of the Territorial Assembly Simon elections were organized in March Louekhote, Wallisian Corinne Fuluhea 2003. Three candidates were in con- (from Païta), and local government tention: (1) the outgoing minister of member Atelemo Taofifenua (former Parliament whose election had been elected representative and former invalidated, Victor Brial, of Union Kivalu)—came to support “their pour un Mouvement Populaire (ump), candidate.” the majority party at the national The second ballot took place on level, formerly called the Union pour 23 March and Brial was reelected la Majorité Presidentielle (substitute with 4,005 votes (52 percent), com- for Patalione Kanimoa); (2) Penisio pared to 3,687 for Tialetagi. The Tialetagi, unaffiliated (substitute for voter turnout was 78 percent (7,749 Mikaele Tui); and (3) Apeleto Liku- people). Economic and social adviser valu, affiliated with the left-wing K Gata petitioned for annulment, ufds party (substitute for Soakimi which was rejected in Paris by the Polelei). Presenting the candidates, Constitutional Council on 16 May Fenua Magazine noted, “These candi- 2003. dates were not easy to contact, even In Paris, on 19 December 2002, for the local press that was supposed the Constitutional Council declared to represent them. Only Mr Likuvalu Mikaele Hoatau and Gaston Lutui deigned to meet us for an interview (Front National), who had been can- that was very pleasant all the same. didates in the last territorial assembly As for Victor Brial, he sent us a typed election, ineligible to run again for text presenting his programme. And one year because they had not pre- nothing was heard from Mr Tialetagi sented their campaign accounts in the for two weeks” (FM 25, 5). The first two months following the elections ballot, involving 9,925 registered of June 2002. An inter-professional political reviews • polynesia 171 chamber was created on 27 August chose Halalo, in the southeast of 2002, consisting of twenty-four Wallis island, as the site for the future elected members representing every fishing port. The European Develop- sector of the economy. Its first presi- ment Fund could finance the first dent was Silino Pilioko, who then infrastructures in 2004—a wharf and resigned from the presidency of the a freezing plant—to the amount of Federation of Artisans and Small and 120 million cfp. Fripac, a company Medium Businesses. Noëlla Taofife- that was important for a long time, nua took his place on 24 October. filed for bankruptcy with 600 million Financially, the 2000–2004 con- cfp in outstanding debts. Conse- tract for development was completed quently, the former shareholders sold in 2003 by a State-Territory develop- their shares to an administrator from ment agreement. On 29 November New Caledonia, Robert Zoller, who 2002 the standing committee of the made twenty-two of the forty employ- Territorial Assembly voted in a docu- ees redundant, closed some of the ment named “Strategy for the Long- branches (Maxi Nord, Maxi Sud, term Development of the Territory of Brico Wallis), and established a six- the Wallis and Futuna Islands.” On teen-year recovery plan. In 2003, the 18 July 2002, the French Develop- bankruptcy investigation begun in ment Agency loaned the territory 360 New Caledonia against some of million cfp over fifteen years to mod- Fripac’s former shareholders seemed ernize the telephone network of the to indicate that the accounts had been two islands, with the aim of increas- falsified to allow two overdraft autho- ing the number of subscribers from rizations (at the Bank of Hawai‘i) in 1,700 (12 percent of the inhabitants— 2001 for 210 million cfp each. 1,359 in Wallis and 368 in Futuna) The first shopping complex in to 2,400 in 2005. Overseas minister Wallis, Fenuarama, with twenty Brigitte Girardin, having visited Wallis stores, opened for business in Decem- (and Futuna) from 19 to 21 December, ber 2002 at a cost of 650 million confirmed the State’s support of the cfp. The only bank on the island, long-lasting development plan pro- the Banque de Wallis et Futuna (a posed by the elected representatives. subsidiary of bnp, the French multi- In return, she announced that they national bank), transferred its agency had to seriously consider setting up a there and installed the first cash dis- direct taxation system. penser in the archipelago. Since Janu- On an administrative level, High ary 2003, the Fenuarama mall has Commissioner A Waquet left the housed the first real bookshop in archipelago on 17 August 2002 to Wallis, the Librairie-Papeterie du be replaced by Christian Job on 17 Fenua, belonging to the Noumean September. In May 2003, Paulo Lape, company As de Trèfle. deputy head of the Department of Futuna is still uninvolved in big Financial Affairs, was appointed head economic changes and a significant of the Wallis and Futuna delegation event in 2003 was the opening of a in Paris. weekly agricultural market in Alo, Regarding the economy, in Sep- thanks to the cooperative Laga Fenua, tember 2002 the Territorial Assembly based in the village of Ono. A strike 172 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004 disrupted post and telecommunica- A photographic publication entitled tions services from 5 March to 14 Les perles bleues (The Blue Pearls) May 2003. The whole economy of went on sale for the 2002 holiday Wallis and Futuna felt the effects of season. Susitina Moefana was elected the absence of minimum service. Miss Hahake 2003 in December With regard to employment, the big 2002. A former Wallisian soldier set problem remains the hiring of young up the first professional tattooing people. Following a navy mission, workshop; Marquesan (tiki) and three young Wallisians volunteered Chinese (dragon) designs are currently to join the army and went to Noumea the most popular. Music Day was for a three-week course on 16 Octo- celebrated on 21 June 2003 in Futuna, ber 2002. They were then to be posted thanks to the Futunian Association for to the Chaleix base (Noumea), or to the Training of Holiday Camp Youth ships of the French navy. Emigration Leaders. In April 2003 sportsman is still a priority and the institution of Viane Hoatau, president of the the mobility passport by the overseas Olympic Territorial Committee, was minister in September 2002 grants a appointed head of the Wallis and free plane ticket to young people Futuna delegation to the South Pacific wishing to follow a course of study Games, held in Suva in June–July, in France that is not available locally. which involved eighty-nine people At the same time, as every year, some for a budget of 21 million cfp. On three hundred grant holders between 28 April 2003 Futuna celebrated with sixteen and twenty-four years of age dignity the bicentennial of the birth took the plane to New Caledonia in of Saint Pierre Chanel, patron saint of February to begin various training the Pacific Islands, in the presence of courses, mainly in Catholic schools. the archbishop of New Caledonia Sport is another source of emigration. and the Apostolic Nuncio for the That is how Falakiko Tuhimutu, Pacific. Four Wallisian nuns have sixth-degree black belt, became a played a part in running the L’eau yi-king teacher and director of the vive restaurant in Prague since early social welfare centre of Bessancourt 2002. (Val d’Oise). Fenua Magazine high- In view of the great size of the lighted the “matrimonial” immigra- Wallisian and Futunian community in tion of the only Wallisian living in New Caledonia, we now devote a few Sweden; aged 24, he lives in Falun lines to it, as an adjunct to the annual with his wife and their two daughters. political review on New Caledonia in Other events of note during the the fall issue of this journal. One of period under review: In October 2002 the cofounders of the Rassemblement in Mata-Utu, a French-language Démocratique Océanien (rdo), regional seminar on diabetes brought Aukusitino Manuohalalo, who was together specialists from New Caledo- a local government advisor, was not nia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and reelected during the 2002 reshuffle. Futuna. Diabetes affects expatriate He resigned from the rdo in Decem- Wallisians to a much greater degree ber because he had lost the support of than those remaining in the islands. his president, his party’s interests were political reviews • polynesia 173 not sufficiently taken into account by Manuohalalo and Bernard Herpin the Front de Libération Nationale (Front National). A counterdemon- Kanak Socialiste (flnks), and the stration of about 80 people was held Saint-Louis affair was unacceptable on the outskirts of the Saint-Louis (see below). For him, “excluding the tribe. On 28 May, the Chambre d’In- Wallisian and Futunian community struction of the court of appeal of Ave-Maria, is a little like ‘ethnic puri- Noumea refused to release “Lolo,” fication’” (Le nouvel hebdo, no 785). arguing that he had initially admitted On 12 April 2003, Manuohalalo to having shot in J M Goyeta’s direc- created the Mouvement des Citoyens tion (before retracting his statement), Calédoniens in the presence of three and that the recent exhumation and hundred militants. The eleventh con- autopsy of the deceased proved that gress of the rdo (fourth constituent the fatal bullet came from a weapon of the flnks), presided over by of the same caliber as his. The family Aloisio Sako, took place on 15 Febru- of the accused reiterated that the ary 2003. Sako was elected president Wallisians of Ave-Maria were the for the ninth time and the new secre- victims, that the house of Laurent tary general was Yvon Faua. Vili’s parents had been burnt down, The sad affair of the Wallis and that a lot of people had been shooting Futuna village Ave-Maria near the on that day with guns of all calibers, customary lands of Saint-Louis is still and that the murder of a young unresolved. At the time of the October Futunian a few months later had 2002 agreement, the State undertook not led to any arrests. to suitably relocate the 171 Wallis and A new wave of violence hit Ave- Futuna families counted there, as well Maria and Saint-Louis during the as the 20 families that had left a short second half of June 2003, set off by time before. The Southern Province the 25 June burning of a hut in Saint- helps all families that expressly apply Louis belonging to Livio Gnikekan. to move. Each time a house is vacated, This Melanesian is currently in prison it is immediately demolished to avoid for having unintentionally killed one reoccupation by the people of Saint- of his friends in April 2002. He had Louis. also injured army chaplain A Glan- On 22 August 2002, Laurent Vili, tenet (serving as a priest in the diocese the alleged perpetrator of the death of of Wallis and Futuna) and shot at the J M Goyeta, was arrested in Montpel- car of Saint-Louis’s chief, R Wamytan. lier where he was a member of the After two young girls said they had rugby team. He was then transferred seen Wallisians crossing the river a to New Caledonia’s prison where he is little earlier, some young Melanesians still locked up—in the isolation ward, opened fire. That day, a Wallisian nun because 80 percent of the inmates are and a gendarme were injured when a Melanesians. A support committee Land Rover of the gendarmerie, taken created in April 2003 organized a for a target, overturned on the road march on 21 May to increase public leading up to the church. After being awareness of his plight. It assembled abandoned, the vehicle was set on 300 to 500 people, including Tino fire. Then, two cars carrying inhabi- 174 the contemporary pacific • spring 2004 tants of Ave-Maria drove around the remained in Ave-Maria. Since these road block set up by the gendarmerie. new confrontations, twenty-four Two of the young Wallisians and a families have taken refuge in the half-caste Kanak married to a Wal- Mont-Dore sports hall. lisian, who were on their way home, In Noumea in September 2002, were then wounded by hunting rifle a street was named after a Wallisian bullets shot by Kanak snipers lying (Palaseto Sako) killed in Sarajevo in ambush. Since then, there has been while he was a soldier in the heavy fire from time to time, likely forpronu. In December, Wallisian intended to scare or prove determina- Soane Patita Takaniua exhibited his tion rather than to wound. During paintings in a Noumea art gallery every significant episode, the gendar- before exporting his exhibition Mata merie has used tear gas. Vai to Jakarta, then to Carcassonne. This new phase in the Saint-Louis A dispute broke out in June 2003 affair seems to originate from discord between the aliki families of Hahake within the Kanak community. represented in New Caledonia. In Moreover, the chief of Saint-Louis, fact on 25 May, Atelemo Taofifenua R Wamytan, declared that burning appointed his younger brother Paulo homes was a Melanesian custom. as his home faipule and pelecita of Laurent Vili’s support committee Hahake for emigrants. On 16 June, asked for a relocation allowance of Alefosio Manuopuava was also 8.5 billion cfp, that is, 50 million per appointed faipule of Hahake at the family. The State considers that only Wallisian common hall in Magenta; decent rehousing is legitimate. Tino Manuohalalo attended the From Saturday to Sunday, 28–29 second ceremony. A Futunian born June, more than two hundred gun- in Bordeaux and living in Papeete shots were fired, another house was was elected “Mister Tahiti 2002.” burnt down, and a young Melanesian, In metropolitan France in 2002, Stéphane Gnibekan, received three Wallisian Moana Togavalevale bullet wounds. These new events took became the first woman to join place mainly in the Saint-Louis tribe the marines. and apparently originated from con- frédéric angleviel flict between the Wamytan and Moya- tea chieftaincies. According to Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes (30 Jun): References “With each new atrocity, it is difficult FM, Fenua Magazine. Weekly. Mata-Utu. to know if it arises out of an ethnic conflict or if it is a case of internal Le nouvel hebdo. Weekly. Noumea. quarrelling in the Kanak world.” Les Nouvelles Calédoniennes. Daily. At that time sixty-one families still Noumea.