Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

PAST COMMENTARY
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

2012

• Parliamentary ‘Games’ Distract From Tonga’s Economic Woes
  Pesi Fonua
• Fiji Day: What Are We Celebrating?
  Ponipate Rokolekutu
• Fiji Day Offers Hope For Future Through United Community
  Graham Davis
• Helen Hughes May Have It Wrong On Land Tenure In Pacific
  Jim Hess
• Is West Papua Becoming Australia’s New Timor Leste?
  Jim Elmslie
• Recent Events Highlight Serious Problems In Tonga
  Pesi Fonua
• Australia’s Humiliating Backdown Over Failed Fiji Foreign Policy
  Graham Davis
• West Papua: Did The East Timor Tragedy Teach Us Nothing?
  Jennifer Robinson
• Australian Police May Return To Vanuatu, But Without Apologies
  Ricky Binihi
• A Response To Graham Davis’ "Edge Of Reality"
  Marc Edge
• Press Freedom, A Delicate Flower In The Pacific
  Matilda Bogner
• Finger Pointing Won’t Solve The Marianas’ Problems
  Anthony Pellegrino
• Aussie Journalist Reflects On Decades Of Working In PNG
  Sean Dorney
• West Papua: Did The East Timor Tragedy Teach Us Nothing?
  Jennifer Robinson
• Australian Police May Return To Vanuatu, But Without Apologies
  Ricky Binihi
• A Response To Graham Davis’ "Edge Of Reality"
  Marc Edge
• Press Freedom, A Delicate Flower In The Pacific
  Matilda Bogner
• Finger Pointing Won’t Solve The Marianas’ Problems
  Anthony Pellegrino
• Aussie Journalist Reflects On Decades Of Working In PNG
  Sean Dorney
• Despite Challenges, Solomons Arts Festival Shaping Up Well
  Annabel Norman
• Trading Pacific Livelihoods For Commercial Interest
  Adam Wolfenden
• Rollback Of The ‘Rudd Block’ On Fiji Policy Set To Begin
  Graham Davis
• We Must Hold American Samoa’s Leaders Accountable
  Keniseli Lafaele
• Papua New Guinea: Land Of The Unexpected
  Sean Dorney
• Reserve Seats For Samoa Women? Good Idea, Wrong Approach
  Mata‘afa Keni Lesa
• A Way Out Of PNG Deadlock
  Jon Fraenkel

2011

• Fiji’s Human Rights Situation In 2011
  Matilda Bogner
• Fiji Is To Be Commended For Committing To 2014 Elections
  Congressman Eni Faleomavaega
• As Defiance Grows In Papua, Indonesia Losing Control
  Alex Rayfield
• Kudos To Samoa’s Long-Reigning Political Party
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Tough Times Ahead In Paradise
  John S. DelRosario Jr.
• Tonga’s New Democracy An Elite Private Club
  Pesi Fonua
• Deadly Force Strengthens Cry For Papua Freedom
  Alex Rayfield
• Nearly Everyone Agrees: Visa Waivers Right For Guam
  Guam Sen. Tina Rose Muña Barnes
• Media Intimidation A Setback For Vanuatu Democracy
  Matilda Bogner
• Hawaii, Guam Face Possible Loss Of Ocean Carrier
  Michael N. Hansen
• In Defense Of The Bainimarama Popularity Poll
  Crosbie Walsh
• Guam Military Contractors Get Short End Of Stick
  Karl Pangelinan
• Bainimarama Popularity Poll: This Cannot Be
  Crosbie Walsh
• Fiji Poll: Concern Over Regime Mostly External
  Graham Hunt Davis
• Will Samoa’s Sick Culture Of Corruption Ever End?
  Savea Sano Malifa
• ‘I Shall Never Forget What Happened To You’
  Guam Senator Judi Guthertz
• Fiji Provident Fund: Milking Government’s Cash Cow
  Professor Wadan Narsey
• Journalists Must Be Allowed To Protect ‘Sources’
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Tongan Government Brushes Off Critical Report
  Kalafi Moala
• Yet Another Brilliant Idea From Samoa’s Leader
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Irony Upon Irony: Fiji Democracy’s New Apostle
  Graham Davis
• PNG Citizens Deserve To Know About Leader’s Health
  Peter Korugl
• Dilemmas Facing Australia’s Fiji Policy
  Jon Fraenkel
• Bravo Tuilaepa, For Solving Samoa’s Petition Problem
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Love, Don’t Hate The Chinese In Samoa
  Tupuola Terry Tavita
• Bainimarama’s Borrowing Will Come Back To Haunt Fiji
  Dr. Wadan Narsey

• Samoa’s Powerful Tuilaepa Slowly Losing Grip
  Savea Sano Malifa

• Corrupt Customs Agency Holds Tonga Back
  Kalafi Moala

• Tonga Tourism Won’t Fly Without Community
  Kalafi Moala

• Tonga In Good Hands On Rough Road To Democracy
  Kalafi Moala

2010

• Lest We Forget Struggling Pacific Nations
  Dennis McKinlay

• Tonga Needs A Coalition Of The Willing And Able
  S. Tualau Mangisi

• Betrayed Rapa Nui Needs World’s Help
  Forrest Young

• Hunger, Hardship And Poverty In Lovely Samoa
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Fiji’s Illegal Regime Puts Country In Red
  Wadan Narsey
• Church, State Unholy Partners In Vanuatu
  Winston Tarere
• Tonga Takes First Step On Road To Democracy
  Jon Fraenkel
• Thoughts On Tonga’s Experiment With Democracy
  S. Tualau Mangisi
• Democracy Advocate Pohiva Likely To Lead Tonga
  Alex Perrottet
• No Point In Samoa Elections: God Has Chosen Incumbents
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Pohnpei’s Diminishing Marinelife Needs Protection
  Josh Fuder
• Arrogance, Complacency Could Haunt Tuilaepa
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Waiting For ‘Outs’ To Become ‘Ins’ In CNMI Legislature
  Zaldy Dandan
• Fiji’s Chaudhry Needs To Be Part Of Solution
  Crosbie Walsh
• Questioning RAMSI’s Use Of Bullets On Solomons Mob
  Frank Short
• Independent Probe Called For In Honiara Killing
  Frank Short
• Greed Is What Voters Get From CNMI Legislature
  Tina Sablan
• A New Day For Free Speech Dawns In Apia
  Kalafi Moala
• Australia’s Gillard Could Mend Pacific Fences
  Anthony Bergin and Robin Nair
• Lethal Diplomacy
  Sanjay Ramesh
• Bainimarama Brings Melanesia To The Brink
  Russell Hunter
• Of Elections, Bulldozers And Samoa Tax Dollars
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Pulling The Pants Down On Solomons Election Rhetoric
  Dr. Tarcisius Kabutaulaka
• Deteriorating Situation In Fiji Alarms Region
  Tupuola Terry Tavita
• Bringing Balance To Guam Buildup Discussion
  Jay R. Merrill
• Fiji’s Loss Under Bainimarama Could Be Samoa’s Gain
  Russell Hunter
• Tuilaepa’s Bainimarama Diatribe Sheer Hypocrisy
  Savea Sano Malifa
• World Must Shun Orwellian Bainimarama Regime
  Russell Hunter
• Samoa Politicians Must Learn To Lead By Example
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Marianas Administration Stubbornly Clings To The Past
  Zaldy Dandan
• Pros And Cons Of Foreign Aid
  Russell Hunter
• Single Transferable Vote Is Best For Tonga
  Sitiveni Halapua
• Those Opposed To Guam Buildup Should Offer Alternatives
  Jay Rojas
• Clinton Pacific ‘Fly By’ An Opportunity Missed
  Russell Hunter
• Looking Back On Samoa’s Terribly Wonderful Year
  Savea Sano Malifa

2009

• Moti Debacle A Smudge On Aussie Government
  Patrick O’Connor
• Christmas In CNMI: Citizens Learn Santa Isn’t Real
  Zaldy Dandan
• Watchful Tongans Wait For Long-Sought Reform
  Jon Fraenkel
• Secrecy In Samoa Government: ‘It’s Procedure’
  Russell Hunter
• New Zealand’s John Key Rekindles ‘Pacific Way’
  Savea Sano Malifa
• PACER Must Have Pacific Development At It’s Core
  Andrew Hewett
• Challenges Ahead For Tokyo’s New Government
  Charles E. Morrison
• Samoa’s Economic Outlook: Two Takes
  Russell Hunter
• Note To Samoa’s Wayward Prime Minister
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Welcome To Samoa, Land Of The Dead
  Savea Sano Malifa
• China Steps Into Pacific Power Vacuum
  Paul G. Buchanan
• Why Bainimarama Will Fail
  Kalafi Moala
• No Free Lunch With Pacific Aid
  Russell Hunter
• Fair Elections Require Political Will In PNG
  Dr. Ray Anere and Katherine Wheen
• Australia’s Trade Goals Could Sink Pacific Islands
  Adam Wolfenden
• Samoa Road Switch A High Stakes Political Gamble
  Russell Hunter
• A Plea For The Common Good In Solomon Islands
  Collin B Ruqebatu
• Samoan Custom No Excuse For Taito Field
  Mata‘afa Keni Lesa
• World Is Magnet For Pacific Islanders
  Dev Nadkarni
• Keep Government Out Of Public Broadcasting
  Russell Hunter
• Pacific Forum Good At Making Plans
  Russell Hunter
• Samoa ‘Road Switch’ A Real Threat To Lives
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Looking For Divine  Guidance In Samoa
  Savea Sano Malifa
• Coal Is No Answer To PNG’s Energy Future
  Nalau Bingeding
• Forget Fiji, Bring Forum Headquarters To Samoa
  Russell Hunter
• Pity Samoa’s Right-Side Bus Companies
  Russell Hunter
• Australia Takes, Pacific Gives In Trade Talks
  Adam Wolfenden
• Doing Business In Paradise: Perils Of Foreign Investment In FSM
  Sherry O’Sullivan
• U.S. Must Right Wrongs In Guam Before New Buildup
  Tony Artero
• What Do Girl Drop-Outs Do In PNG?
  Dr Arnold Kukari
• The Chinese Connection In PNG
  Ilya Gridneff
• Support For Giving Land Ownership To PNG’s People
  Henzy Yakham
• PM Somare Helping Forge Relations With Japan
  PNG Post-Courier
• Climate Change Not Killing The Ocean, Nutrient Pollution Is
  John C Fairfax
• Australia PM Misses Boat On Fiji, Must Engage
  Pacific Institute of Public Policy
• Reducing Impediments to Girls Education In PNG
  Sebastian Mugup
• Making PNG’s State Owned Enterprising Successful
  Dr Ray Anere
• Fiji’s Conundrum
  Gerard A. Finin
• The Pacific Can Learn From PNG’s Land Reform
  Satish Chand
• PNG Must Protect It’s Forests
  Dorothy Tekwie
• CNMI Continues To Be Strategic In Age Of Asian Arms Race
  Ed Stephens Jr.
• Australia Must Act Now To Contain Fiji Economic Crisis
  Jenny Hayward-Jones
• Fiji Junta Lusts For Total Control
  Russell Hunter
• Exaggerated TVNZ Story Does Samoa Little Favor
  Newsline Samoa Newspaper
• Fiji: The Cruel Hoax
  Brij V Lal
• Lessons Pacific Islands Should Learn From Negotiations With EU
  Pacific Institute of Public Policy
• Ecotourism Should Be Developed In PNG
  Patrick Kaiku
• Fiji’s People Must Speak Out Of Love
  Reverend James Bhagwan
• Revisiting Micronesia
  Karen Knudsen
• Fiji: "When Things Fall Apart"
  Professor Biman Prasad
• Covenant Day Is Chance To Defend Unique Status
  Benigno R. Fitial
• Solomons Mines And Energy Minister ‘Prophet Of Boom’
  Solomons Star
• Guam Should Consider Appropriate Small-Scale Transit
  John A. Peterson
• Bainimarama Is A Raging Rhino
  Fiji Times
• China Strengthens Ties With Fiji
  Fergus Hanson
• Fiji Sugar: Can Bainimarama Save It Or Cremate It?
  Jagannath Sami
• What Federalization Means To Me
  Anthony Pellegrino
• Success In Samoa’s Economy Is Just An Illusion
  Cherelle Jackson
• Some Unsolicited Advice To CNMI Candidates
  Anthony Pellegrino
• China Strengthens Ties With Fiji
  Fergus Hanson
• Solomons’ Sir Allan A Free Man, And Political Pawn
  Alfred Sasako

2008

• Guam Military Buildup Offers Hope
  Joe Murphy
• Vulnerable Island Nations At Mercy Of World’s Polluters
  Holly M. Barker
• Freedom Of Press Takes Big Step Back In Samoa
  Savea Sano Malifa, Publisher, Samoa Observer
• Media Tread Lightly In Repressive Pacific
  Alex Kirby
• Democracy, Homogeneity Compatible In Fiji
  Jone R Baledrokadroka
• Crossed Namele Leaves Shadow Vanuatu Elections
  Dr. Wendy Stenberg-Tendys
• Access To Information Critical In Democracy
  Claire Cronin
• Something’s Got To Give In Cash-Poor Pohnpei
  Bill Jaynes
• A Very Un-Pacific Meeting Of Pacific Leaders
  T. K. Jayaraman
• Australia’s Scheme Won’t Ease Pacific Unemployment
  Gaurav Sodhi
• Fiji’s Resilient Media Again Face Government Censure
  Shailendra Singh
• 'Parachute Journalism' Paints Poor Picture In Tonga
  Kalafi Moala
• Kevin Rudd: Steady At The Helm Of Pacific Policy
  Dev Nadkarni
• Pacific Deserves More From New Zealand
  Gerald McGhie
• 30 Years Later, Solomon Islanders No Better Off
  Gaurav Sodhi
• Taiwan’s Kuomintang Victory Could Change Pacific
  T. Suka Mangisi
• Vanuatu’s Port Vila Has Become Hotbed Of Crime
  Marc Neil-Jones
• Was Tonga’s Nukuleka The Cradle Of Polynesia?
  Okusitino Māhina

2007

• Cohen Says He Is A Friend Of The CNMI
  Special To The Saipan Tribune
• Federal Policy On Guam Dump Makes No Sense
  Guam Senator Judi Guthertz
• Australia’s Rudd Brings Hope To Solomons
  Ashley Wickham
• Palau Education: Learning To Forget Culture
  Philip N. Haruo
• PNG’s Economic Boom Could Become A Curse
  Dr. Charles Yala
• Has Fiji Come Up With A ‘Good Coup’?
  Gerard Finin
• Price Caps In Palau Defeat Free Enterprise
  Palau Chamber of Commerce
• Read The Saipan Casino Act Carefully
  Tina Sablan and Glen Hunter
• Term Limits A Bad Idea For Guam Legislature
  Guam Senator Judi Guthertz
• Marianas Must Accept Harsh Realities
  Ricky Delgado
• Guam Tourism Has Done Well Over Years
  Joe Murphy
• Hard Times Ahead For Tiny Tokelau
  Antony Hooper
• CNMI ‘Federalization’ Would Tax Guam Resources
  Guam Senator Judi Guthertz
• Big Challenges Dominate Guam Relations With U.S.
  Guam Senator Judi Guthertz
• Guam Lawmakers Must Follow Spending Priorities
  Guam Sen. Ben Pangelinan
• Palau’s Greatest Challenge: Economic Self-Sufficiency
  Johnson Toribiong
• Moti Should Clear Name Before Solomons Post
  S. Alfred Sasako
• Fitial's Statement Before House Subcommittee
  Saipan Tribune
• Fiji Minister Evaded Taxes, Evidence Proves
  FijiSUN
• Fiji: Like A Duck Treading Water
  Brij V. Lal
• Raw Sewage A Scourge In Palau Villages
  Bonifacio Basilius
• Tribute To A Polynesian Renaissance Man
  Professor Ron Crocombe
• On Being Brown In America
  Liberty Afeaki
• Pollution A Growing Concern In Fiji Waters
  Akisi Bolabola
• Fiji Citizens Helpless In Face Of Military Rule
  Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi
• PNG Mining Boom Pushes Economic Recovery
  Brian Gomez
• On Samoan Culture And The Passing Of Malietoa
  Cherelle Jackson
• Guam Lawmakers Dodge Needed Budget Cuts
  Ben Pangelinan
• CNMI Energy Costs Are Off The Chart
  Ed Stephens, Jr.
• Misinformation: Nothing New In The Islands
  Kalafi Moala
• Real Women, Real Beauty
  Moana Uluave
• Looming Trade Agreement Bodes Poorly For Pacific
  Barry Coates
• Questioning Double Standards Over Fiji, Tonga
  Laisa Taga
• U.S. Will Pave Way For Marianas Reunification
  Jayvee L. Vallejera
• Thanks But No Thanks To Guam Gambling Proposal
  Senator Judi Guthertz  
• Compact 2 May Be The Root Of Marshalls' Problems
  By Fred J. Pedro
• Bainimarama Leading Fiji Down Dangerous Path
  Narendra P Singh
• U.S. Must Honor Its Covenant With CNMI
  Guam Senator Ben Pangelinan
• Benefits Of Caribbean Tourism Must Be Shared
  Sir Ronald Sanders
• Samoans Die For Nothing In Unjustified Iraq War
  Alan Ah Mu
• Little Known About Aids Impact On Pacific Children
  Zoe Bake-Paterson
• CNMI Illegal Alien List A Step In The Right Direction
  Jayvee L. Vallejera
• Why Not Tap Guam’s Homeless In Worker Shortage?
  Joe Murphy
• Indonesia Continues Bloody Retribution In Papua
  Joe Collins
• Let ‘Pacific Way’ Find Answers In Troubled Pacific
  Mike Flanagan
• Tongan Government Refused To Listen To People
  By ‘Akilisi Pohiva
• Tongan Government Did Best To Facilitate Reform
  Lopeti Senituli
• EU, Oxfam Lock Horns Over Pacific Trade
  Barry Coates
• New Threat Reveals Deep Divisions In Solomons
  Robert Iroga
• Fiji Coup: Things Fall Apart
  Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka
• Fiji’s Unique Coup Still Unfolding
  Steven Ratuva

2006

• Hypocrisy Taints Fiji Law Society Leadership
  Victor Lal
• Spare The Excuses For Surging Saipan Thefts
  Zaldy Dandan
• Tonga Editorials Fall Short Of Reality
  Kelepi Masa
• CNMI Must Improve Work Ethic
  Jayvee L. Vallejera
• CNMI Must Unite To Revitalize Economy
  Acting Gov. Timothy Villagomez
• In Praise Of Military Buildup On Guam
  Joe Murphy
• Rule Of Law Will Prevail In Tonga
  Tongan Prime Minister Fred Sevele
• Good Governance In PNG Requires Gender Equity
  PNG Post-Courier
• Trade Is More Effective Than Aid
  Helen Hughes
• Pacific Democracy: Dilemmas Of Intervention
  Jon Fraenkel
• Polluted Cooks Lagoon Calls For Sewage Treatment
  James A. Roberts
• Fiji ‘Qoliqoli Bill’ Would Right Historical Wrong
  Dr. Tupeni Baba
• Leave Vanuatu Marijuana Growers Alone
  (Drcnet)
• Better Times Ahead In CNMI - If We Use Our Heads
  Rik and Janel Villegas
• Pacific Island Forum Does Little For PNG Economy
  Brian Gomez
• Labor Investigators Needed To Curb CNMI Abuse
  Jayvee L. Vallejera
• Are Solomon Islands Ready For Federal System?
  Frank Short
• Honiara Crime Wave Should Send Warning Signals
  John Roughan
• Pacific States Show Promise With Biofuel
  Jan Cloin
• Time To Reflect On Marshalls Nuke ‘Atrocities’
  Jane Goodall and Rick Asselta
• Still Waiting For Justice In The Solomon Islands
  Frank Short
• Roughan’s Appointment Is Solomons’ Loss
  Phil Tagini
• Troubled Solomons Must See Changes Soon
  John Roughan
• Asian Communities Face Backlash In Pacific
  Michael Field
• Build A New Fiji On The Strength Of Diversity
  Rajendra Prasad
• Corruption ‘Normal’ In Complacent Vanuatu
  Marie-Noelle Patterson
• Honiara Riot Warrants Formal Inquiry
  Frank Short
• Fiji Multi-Party Cabinet Offers Way Forward
  Narendra P Singh
• Fiji Labor Party Needs Leadership Change
  Victor Lal
• Taiwan Payments Cloud Solomons Democracy
  Ashley Wickham
• Why Guam And Northern Marianas Are Divided
  Felix Aguon
• Solomons Must Embrace Democracy, Christianity
  Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare
• Rethinking Sovereignty In The Pacific
  Transform Aqorau
• Corruption No Secret In Solomon Islands
  Transform Aqorau
• Solomons Lawmakers Turn Deaf Ear To Citizens
  John Roughan
• Urging McDonald’s To Scrap Beachfront Plans
  Pago Congressman Eni Faleomavaega
• Fiji Goes To Polls Amid Uncertainty
  Sanjay Ramesh
• Is There A Way Forward In The Solomons?
  Transform Aqorau
• Seeking Answers In The Ashes Of Honiara
  Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka
• Marshalls Support Bikini Lawsuit Against U.S.
  Embassy Of The Republic Of The Marshall Islands
• Overfishing Threatens Pacific Tuna Stocks
  Robert Ovetz
• Same Old Has-Beens Crowd Solomons Elections
  John Roughan
• Taiwan Fund Secrecy Dangerous For Solomons
  Alfred Sasako
• Papua New Guinea: A Glass Half Full
  Mike Manning
• Historic Solomons Election A Chance For Change
  Johnson Honimae
• Taiwan Funds Fill Solomons Ministers’ Pockets
  Joses Tuhanuku
• Solomons Observers Needed – After Election
  John Roughan
• Cook Islands Budget Must Hear The People
  Geoffrey Henry
• Critical Times Still Ahead For Solomon Islands
  Transform Aqorau
• Pacific Fisheries Ignore UN On Longline Threats
  Robert Ovetz
• Bougainville Con Man Finds Home In ‘No Go Zone’
  Steven Ratuva
• RAMSI Long On Muscle, Short On Respect In Solomons
  John Roughan
• Moving PNG Economy Towards Its Potential
  Brian Gomez

2005

• Guam Boom Should Include Local Workers
  Sen. Edward B. Calvo
• Still Looking For ‘Big Fish’ Behind Solomons Discord
  Frank Short
• Fiji On Track For Amended ‘Unity’ Bill
  Maika Bolatiki
• Education As A Tool Of Integration In Fiji
  Dr. Steven Ratuva
• Good Governance Key To Development In PNG
  Solomon Kantha
• Military Buildup Is Good For Guam
  Joe Murphy
• New Caledonia Still A Colony Despite Accord
  Roch Wamytan
• Northern Marianas On Road To Ruin
  Ed Stephens, Jr.
• U.S. Might Does Not Make Right On Kwajalein
  Former President Imata Kabua
• French Government Behind Trouble On Wallis
  Pulotu Ilavalu
• An Expatriate Joins Tongans In Protest
  Anapesi L. Kaili
• Give Tonga’s King His Due Respect
  Sailosi Finau
• Church Leaders Silent On Tongan Gang Violence
  Richard Wolfgramm
• CNMI Must Address Doctor Shortage 
  Dr. David Khorram
• Military Threat ‘Unacceptable’ In Fiji Democracy
  U.S. Ambassador David Lyon
• Fiji Could Learn From New Caledonia 
  Jon Fraenkel
• PNG Must Show Better Face In Australia
  Allan Patience
• Renewing U.S. Joint Commercial Commission 
  U.S. Ambassador David L. Lyon
• A Plea For Restorative Justice In Fiji
  Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase
• Nuclear Nightmare Lingers In Marshalls
  Chiyoko Tamayose
• Fiji Reconciliation Bill An Insult To Coup Victims
  Sanjay Ramesh

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