Pacific News In Brief For 6 January

Monday, 6 January 2025, 7:30 pm
Article: RNZ

Hawai'i - fireworks explosion

Six people with severe burn injuries from a massive fireworks explosion in Aliamanu, Hawai'i, have been flown to the US mainland for further treatment.

Three people died on New Year's Eve due to the explosion.

Hawai'i News Now reports the six patients were to be taken to the Diane and Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Centre.

In Hawai'i, the investigation into the explosion continues.

According to Civil Beat, aerial fireworks like the kind that went off across Honolulu on New Year's Eve are prohibited.

Tonga - volcano

The Tonga Geological Services says there is no current indication of a possible major eruption of the Home Reef Volcano.

The island continues to grow, with a newly formed lava lobe covering 67,000 square metres discovered on January second.

But the geological service said "there are no indicators for major explosive eruptions at this point."

It says it will continue to monitor activities on the site and is advising mariners to remain at least 2 nautical miles away from Home Reef until further notice.

Fiji - sunken vessel

The sunken MV Suilven in Fiji has stopped leaking oil and fuel in Suva Harbour but a court case over the wreck remains unresolved after ten years.

The head of Fiji's Maritime Safety Authority, Joeli Cawaki said divers have plugged the holes in the hull of the MV Suilven and heavy rain and wind has dissipated the spill.

However, he said a court case continues over the removal of the wreck, which ran aground at the entrance to the harbour in 2015.

"The court case is between the Fiji Ports Corporation and this company, Venu Shipping, that owns the vessel," Cawaki said.

Officials will continue to monitor the site and the Water Authority will be testing water quality in the area.

Fiji - weather

Fiji's Meteorological Service says a trough of low pressure lies slow moving over Fiji, with more rain expected to affect the Southern and Eastern parts of the group.

There are possibilities of flash flooding in some areas.

CNMI - EPA grant

The CNMI has been awarded more than US$48,690 from the US Environmental Protection Agency, EPA.

The grant, from the Agency's Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, aims to speed up the transition to zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and infrastructure.

The CNMI's award is part of a US$735 million funding pool designated for the purchase of over 2,000 zero-emission vehicles nationwide.

The grant program, the first of its kind, is designed to replace internal combustion engine vehicles with zero-emission alternatives.

Fiji - netball

Fiji men's netball head coach, Jioweli Vakamoce has been named interim coach for the Fiji Pearls.

Netball Fiji president RubyAnn Sorovaki said Vakamoce will be in charge for the PacAusSports series in Brisbane in February.

Sorovaki said this is a temporary measure as Netball Fiji re-advertises the head coach position.

She said the Fiji Pearls head coach position is a critical part of their strategic plan in fostering talent and creating clear pathways in the High-Performance arena for players and coaches.

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