A delegation of 10 from popular television programme, Pacific Beat Street, is in Samoa.

“We’re here to film Samoa and what it is about,” said Stan Wolfgramm, of Drum Productions, which Pacific Beat St operates under.

Pacific Beat Street is a show produced for TV3, targeting a national audience in the age group of 15-30 years. Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Marketing and Promotions Manager, Sala Pio Tagi’ilima said “the show is a unique expression of our nation’s Pacific style, inclusive of all New Zealand cultures.”

It went on air in April 2005 and its audience has grown since.

“Pacific Beat ST is like no other series on mainstream TV because it presents stories and unabashed opinions from a multi-cultural perspective.

“….with the ever-changing face of New Zealand’s population, this series reflects what’s new and exciting in our nation’s ever increasing melting pot. Pacific Beat St is the beat of the nation.”

STA General Manager, Matatamaali’i Sonja Hunter said the Pacific Beat team comprises of talented Pacific Islanders who are actors, actresses and presenters. The group has traveled to the Cook Islands and Tonga. Mr Wolfgramm said the trip to Samoa will create episode 104. The story should help Samoans in New Zealand, who have never been here, to understand their culture and way of life.

“There are some people in our team who are part Samoan but have never been here so there have been a few tears shed,” he said.

Episode 104 will feature cultural activities like the slap dance, tuiga, the plantation and the traditional shell game, taulafoga.

Here for a week, the group is staying at Vavau Beach fales, managed by Warwick Hotel.

Source: Samoa Observer / Image: Samoa Observer

Source: STA / Image: STA

Polynesian Airlines is getting close to buying a Twin Otter from a Canadian company, Chief Executive Officer, Taua Li’ali’alefao Fatu Tielu, said yesterday.

“No agreement has been signed, but it’s getting close to it,” Taua said.

“Perhaps April,” he said, referring to the delivery date of the aircraft, if negotiations result in a purchase agreement.

If they buy the aircraft, it will be handed over on 11 April.

Flying it from Canada would take four to five days, so that it would be expected to arrive on the 15th or 16th. Polynesian is negotiating with PPS Aircraft for a Twin Otter, which would pair with another of that sort currently in service. It is highly likely the company will sell its Islander, which is currently serving as a stand-by aircraft.

Source: Samoa Observer / Images: Samoa Observer

Warwick Internationals Hotels is building a four and half star hotel at Vavau, president Richard Chiu announced yesterday.

“We are drawing up the plans for the first phase of the hotel through our architects,” Mr Chiu said.

He said they hope to begin construction by the end of this year.

“I visited the site (Vavau) yesterday (Wednesday) and it is a good location,” said Mr Chiu.

“It’s a very beautiful site and I’m sure you all know it, it’s probably the most beautiful site in the Pacific.”

They are also interested in a site at Mulifanua.

“But we are still discussing that with your esteemed government,” Mr Chiu said.

“We would be interested to proceed on that, of course with an agreement with the authorities.

“But the site in Vavau is finalised,” said Chiu, who described the as “unique.”

“We certaintly want to do something unique with Vavau that is different, that people from different parts of the world want to come and see it once it’s finished.”
The cost of the hotel has not yet been calculated.

“That is something that we are working on that’s why the architects are here.

“We obviously need to make a calculation because the cost of construction is different from other countries.”

“A lot of materials need to be imported of course, so the cost of developing a resort here is somewhat different from other countries.”

“But we should be able to give a final estimate probably in two to three months time.”

The construction work of the hotel will have two phases, each involving 60-100 units. “The first phase will probably be between 60-100 units, and then the next phase ... the second phase, will probably be about the same size,” Mr Chiu said.

“We don’t want to make the hotel too formal, we don’t want to make something traditional or classic, we want something that is easy, comfortable and showing people the uniqueness and the natural beauty of Samoa.”

“So we are working on that.”

Mr Chiu and his delegation visited the Head of State, Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, at Government House, Vailele. Warwick International Hotels owns more then 40 hotels worldwide, including Fiji and Vanuatu.

Source: Samoa Observer / Image: Samoa Observer

The Government’s plans to develop the tourism industry took another step forward yesterday when it christened Lady Filifilia, at the Matautu wharf.

Named after Masiofo Filifilia Tamasese, the wife of Head of State, His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the 24-meter-vessel will be operating under Talofa Cruises, a division of Samoa Shipping Corporation Ltd.

Prime Minster Tuilaepa Lupesoli’ai Sa’ilele Malielegaoi christened the vessel. He applauded the decision to name it after a woman, rather than a man. Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau said the ship was bought from Cairns, Australia.

Lady Filifilia would create more job opportunities for sailors and students in the tourism and hospitality industry, he said. Signing over of the vessel took place in February this year.

The vessel will take cruises to four areas. The cruises are Atua Cruise to Manua, A’ana Cruise to Manono and Apolima-tai, Salafai Cruise to Savai’i and Tumua Cruise to Mulifanua, Nu’usafee, Aleipata and back. He said the vessel can also be charted and reserved for weddings and conferences.

Lady Filifilia is 24 meters in length, 7.5meters in breadth overall, 2.00meters in depth. It is built from Aluminum and has a service speed of 21knots.

The vessel was built in 2000 and can carry 130 passengers, four crew members and four diving instructors.

Lady Filifilia is equipped with three decks with a fuel tank capacity of 3,670litres and sewerage capacity of 2000litres.

Source: Samoa Observer / Images: Samoa Observer