1/18/2023 Newsletter

Happenings in Congress

• The 118th Congress of the United States was sworn in and includes new Members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawai’i and Guam, Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (Hawai‘i, Second District) and Congressman Jim Moylan (Guam).
• U.S. politicians express strong support for AUKUS submarine deal in letter to President Joe Biden – a bipartisan group of Senators sent a letter to President Biden in support of the AUKUS submarine deal and the AUKUS in general, after some U.S. Senators expressed concerns about the state of the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
• House Republicans announced Republican membership of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. New Members of the Committee include Congresswoman Radewagen of American Samoa.
• The Pacific Islands Embassy Act was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The bill establishes physical U.S. Embassies on the Pacific Island nations of the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Tonga, and authorizes expanded physical presence on Vanuatu.

In the News

• U.S. nears cooperation deals with Pacific Island nations – The U.S. has signed memorandums of understanding with Marshall Islands and Palau regarding funding levels for the renegotiated Compacts of Free Association. The U.S. is still in discussions with Micronesia.
• Jacinda Ardern to resign as prime minister in February – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she will resign as Prime Minister in February after nearly six years in office and will not seek re-election ahead of New Zealand’s general election in October.
• Fears over China’s influence leads U.S. to reopen Solomon Islands Embassy – The U.S. State Department has announced that it will open an interim Embassy in Honiara, which will be staffed by two diplomats. Plans are underway for a permanent Embassy location. This move by the State Department comes as China has increased its influence in the Solomon Islands.
• Fiji government recalling all ambassadors and global staff – The new Fijian coalition government has announced they are recalling all diplomatic staff from all their overseas diplomatic missions.
• U.S. funds renewed effort to clear WWII bombs in Solomon Islands – The UK-based NGO, the HALO Trust, will begin a survey of the Solomon Islands to map unexploded ordinances. The HALO trust project will be funded by the U.S. and will involve Solomon Islands police.
• Australia and PNG finalizing new security pact – Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Papua New Guinea PM James Marape announced that their countries are committed to signing a security pact that will be finalized soon. The pact will include expanded training and joint exercises. The announcement was made on Albansese’s first visit to Papua New Guinea since his election.
• Pacific Islands Forum head pens op-ed on Fukushima water release – Secretary General Henry Puna penned an opinion article in the Guardian urging Japan to work with the Pacific on the planned release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Pacific Voices

• On our playlist this week: Mr. Cowboy – OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA – Samoan County legend Mr. Cowboy covers The Beatles’ “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” in this Pasifika Country banger.
• Pacific Beat podcast: Research finds traditional culture benefits Samoans living in Australia – Leafaoli’i Dr. Dion Enari discusses how embracing Fa’a Samoa helped with achieving his Doctorate.
• Sydney Roosters’ teen prodigy Joseph Sua’ali’i bestowed Samoan Chiefly Title – Joseph Sua’ali’i was bestowed his family’s chiefly title following a strong performance in Samoa’s fairy tale Rugby League World Cup run, which saw the team reach the final. Sua’ali’i is a highly sought-after talent in the rugby world and receives high marks for his rugby skills, including a shout out from fellow Samoan Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.