Taro crops are affected in Upolu and Savaii by drought
Samoa's Water Authority is warning it could cut water supply to consumers if people continue to waste water on unnecessary tasks like watering gardens and cleaning vehicles.
Most parts of Upolu and Savaii have been experiencing a drought for about a month.
The water authority says the country is facing water supply problems as a result of the drought, caused by the El Nino weather pattern.
Two years ago the Water Authority rationed water supply because of the same El Nino weather conditions.
The Rowing of the Yellow Cup between two Apia High Schools is an annual opportunity for fellowship and unity.
La o Samoa is rowed by the Church College of Pesega. They were competing in the Yellow Cup against the Nationally ranked Segavao II fautasi which is rowed by the Don Bosco High College. La o Samoa won this in an upset. Congratulations CCWS and La o Samoa.
Photos and Article By Vaoese Limutau-Kava
A Fautasi Race between two Schools has commenced this year, and was witnessed last weekend (Saturday, 17 May 2014) by many in Apia, especially the families and friends of the students from the two schools. Pesega College, or CCWS (LDS School) and Don Bosco Technical School, have decided to do a Pre Fautasi race each year, around two weeks before the Traditional Annual Fautasi Race (longboat racing) during the Independence Celebrations.
The main aim of this Friendly Race is to better friendship between the two schools, to unite the students to engage in useful events rather than fighting. One of the rules of this race is that ALL the boys from each crew is to be enrolled and attending their respective schools for that year. No past students who have graduated are allowed to row.
Both crews from two schools are united in brotherhood and good sportsmanship following the contest.
The race started around 7:30AM where parents, teachers, fellow students, friends and families all gathered to witness the two schools, take their positions in the boats. Both teams/crews wore matching Yellow T-Shirts, signifying their unity. The only distinctive markings to show their school name was on the left sleeve and in small letterings.
Vaimasenuu Zita Martel, captains the Segavao II. AN amazing female captain who has beaten the best in the Fautasi regattas of Samoa.
We were all in Mulinu’u, and witnessed the two boats rowing out of sight to the starting line in Faleula. We waited for another good 30 minutes before they were again in sight. Pesega was ahead by about 50 metres and this continued on until the finish line in front of Aggie Greys Hotel, Apia. Being a foster parent to one of the Pesega Crew members, this was the first time I felt such pride and joy in my years of watching a Fautasi Race.
The winner receives a handsome YELLOW CUP. But, of course, the more prestige and sought after is the Honour of winning the race and this was given to the Pesega Boys, last weekend, in this Inaugural Racing Event, 2014. Well done to both schools and crews. It was a great Saturday, witnessing a great event in the making.
More pictures from the Yellow Cup are below in the Slideshow.
The Best Swimming hole in the Whole World. "To Sua" in Vavau, Lotofaga.
To Sua Ocean Trench, Samoa
Photos and Story by Vaoese Limutau-Kava TO SUA OCEAN TRENCH, SAMOA
A Tourist Attraction in Samoa and a “must see when you are visiting. To Sua literally means “Gigantic Swimming Hole”. To get to the trench, you have to climb down a well constructed and stable “non slippery” ladder, about 30 meters down from ground level. The pool is located in the district of Lotofaga, in the south coast of Upolu Island.
From the cave that leads to the Ocean provide spectacular views
Water flows into this deep hole through a lava tube tunnel. To Sua is situated in a well maintained, beautiful garden park overlooking the southeast coast of the island. It is open to all visitors. The property is owned by the Mata’afa Family where the tomb of Laulu Fetauimalemau Mata'afa (1928 - 2007), wife of Samoa's first Prime Minister Mata’afa, and the paramount chief of Lotofaga, is situated close to the trench.
Families and Tourists alike are amazed at this attraction.
As described by a fellow tourist in Tripadvisor. “This is hands down the best tourist attraction in Samoa. An incredible journey down a steep, sturdy ladder into what feels like the bowels of the earth awakens the butterflies in the stomach, the fluttering sensation is short-lived as you descend into a crystal clear blue-green oasis where fresh and salt water blend in this giant jurrassic park like sinkhole”.
Click on images below to enlarge.
Clear water with jumping spots for divers.
The trench is stunning, and you wont be disappointed. What will also surprise you is how beautiful and well maintained the park is that surrounds the trench. You can enjoy the scene from the cliffs, overlooking the ocean and there are available open fales you can lounge in if you are one of the faint hearted like me who will not take the adventure into a world my children describe as “you can just float in the protected ocean water and you are engulfed into a world of your own, while watching the sky, with green hanging ferns surrounding the sky on giant rocks”. This attraction is worth a stop and don’t miss it when next in Apia.
Three Historical landmarks, One Location! Samoa's Town gets a Facelift.
Across Apia Harbor one can see the beautiful Apia Beach Road skyline of Churches and Office buildings. Photos by Limutau-Kava
by Vaoese Limutau-Kava Photographs by Vaoese Limutau-Kava
What does Aggie Greys Hotel, Ioane Viliamu Building, and the Mulivai Catholic Cathedral have in common? They are all situated on Beach Road, Apia, They are all being renovated this year 2014, AND they are Historical Buildings and Samoan Landmarks.
Perrenial Landmark, Aggie Greys Hotel
Aggie Greys Hotel, Apia. Aggies as most Samoans call it, is often mentioned by writers across the globe as the Best Hotel in the South Pacific, and with good reason. Aggie Greys Hotel boasts to be, not only the first hotel in Samoa, opening it’s doors to travelers from around the world in 1933, but also is known to be the friendliest hotel in all of Polynesia. Many famous guests came through Samoa and stayed at Aggie Greys. Among them was actor Gary Cooper,
In Dec 2012, Cyclone Evan raged for 2 days leaving behind a devastating result and this included the beautiful Aggie Greys Hotel in Apia. The Vaisigano River next to the hotel overflowed to flooding circumstances and caused the hotel to evacuate all guests to their Aggies Resort in Mulifanua. The Directors saw the chance after the cyclone damages, to merge with strong International Hotel Chains to lift the standards of marketing and presence to enable Aggies to compete better, in the International Arena. This also led to the signing of a partnership contract with the Sheraton Group of hotels. Aggie Greys are venturing into bigger and better markets, hoping for better and quicker returns after the renovations.
The John Williams Building, Apia
John Williams (Ioane Viliamu) Building The famous English Missionary, John Williams or Ioane Viliamu as all Samoans call him, arrived in Samoa in 1830. He belonged to the London Missionary Society group that traveled to the Polynesian Islands to preach about Christianity. He brought the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Samoan Islands.
He would be very proud today to know that Samoa is a Christian Devoted Country, where church is only second to family, and where churches for worship to God is built in every village. In 1980, the EFKS church, built a 5 story building naming it after the famous missionary John Williams, and dedicated it to his memory. It was the tallest building in Samoa for many years, until the government buildings in the reclaimed area of Apia were built. It also houses many of the EFKS church offices, and is leased out to other tenants for revenue. Late last year, the EFKS church approved a $3 million tala funding for the renovation of this historic building. The Church owned building is being renovated with the hope of attracting new tenants. All of Samoa awaits the final product which is estimated to take at least 2 years to make.
The new Mulivai Catholic Cathedral will be completed in time for the 2014 Samoan Independence Day.
Mulivai Catholic Cathedral, Apia The Cathedral was built in 1884. It’s twin towers have been a landmark for the Apia town for over a century. It was on it’s third century when the engineering report on the structure of the building concluded that it was no longer safe, especially after the earthquake of September 2009. The cathedral was pulled down in 2011 to make way for a new, larger and modern church for all to worship in. Though there were many that were sad to see the old historical church come down, (which is also the burial site of Cardinal Pio who was a very significant individual in moving the Catholic Faith forward in Samoa), there is still a loud presence of unity and strength in the hearts of the local Catholic community and all Samoans. They all help and are positive about improving on what was once the most loved building by all Catholics in Samoa. It’s name is the Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral, but most Samoans call it Mulivai.
Upcoming events/calendar
SAMOAN BUSes make life in the Samoan Islands a gas.
Apia has some of the most colorful buses in the world
Story and Photos By Vaoese Limutau Kava
It's been said, that most if not all, hotels in Samoa, encourage their overseas guests, to make sure they experience a ride on a Samoan Bus before they leave Samoa. So what is it about the Samoan Bus that makes it so memorable, that we go as far as to push it onto our tourists to ride them?
Well, if we had a choice of all products from and in Samoa that will put us on the Internet Map, something iconic that we would mark us as a Samoan and to label our country on the International Stage, such as the Eiffel Tower for the French, the Statue of Liberty for the Americans, or the Queen to the British. For one, I believe, our Icon is the Samoan Bus. It is original. It has presence, and it is Samoan.
And as one American Tourist describes it, "In the USA, the bus is full when each seat is taken, but in Samoa, the bus is only full when every seat is taken, and everyone on the seats has someone on their lap, then there’s a line of people standing on the isle and then a few on the doorway that doesn’t have a door, and if it did, the doorway guy would be crushed".
The Samoan Bus is re-modeled and constructed from the Toyota Lorry Trucks. These are heavy duty dump trucks where the whole back bed is taken off, then remodeled into a bus. The design is similar to the US Yellow School Bus, except, it has a wooden roof, 18 window panes and frames with plastic clear windows that are mainly down due to the high humidity in Samoa, and pulled up manually by hand when bad weather occurs. There is an opening on the left front side of the bus for the doorway, and an opening at the back for cargo. The wooden roof is bonded and covered with a strong plastic fabric that is painted and sealed to withstand the hot sun and rain. The interior, ceiling, and floors are all wood, while the exterior body is tin for weather protection. The color schemes of the Samoan Buses usually demonstrate the characters of the owners or the driver. These shades are usually displayed in bright colors. You can almost tell a village's personality by their Bus. The more flamboyant the bus the more pride the villagers have and each village's bus is recognized not so much by its schedule but by the colors and music it plays.
Each Bus Company services a village per bus. Samoan law and LTA (lands and transport authority) allow a license to each bus to service only one village. Only a few exceptions are granted, and only in cases where a neighboring village doesn’t have a bus, then the license would be extended to service a second village that is close by to the village with the bus license. Unlike buses in the USA, the Samoan Buses have 1 destination in the morning and it’s APIA. On the way to the township of Apia, all buses are allowed to pick up passengers on the road bound for Apia. Likewise for the other way, you can pick up as many passengers from town going your way before your village.
Manono boasts to be the first builders of these buses. This makes sense, as they are known to be the original builders of other transportation means, such as the Alia boats in the olden days as well as the Fautasi boats used for racing that still in used to this day. The characteristics of a Samoan Bus would have to include most or all of the following list.
- Big Presence on the Road - Loud Music - Colorful and Usually Bright - Has a Slogan Name on both sides - Decorated like a Tijuana sombrero or Christmas Tree - Full of people sitting on top of each other.
Guns n Roses Bus.
So, when next in Apia, do as the Apians do and "Ride a Samoan Bus"!!! Here are some photos of the various and very colorful buses of Samoa that travel to Apia daily....Enjoy!