With each Christmas, the island of Rotuma prepares for its ‘fara’ season - a time marked by singing, dancing, feasting and fishing. It is a festivity synonymous to that of “Caroling” in Western society and for those who cannot make it to Rotuma, the stories brought back from the island make for great conversations shared over a meal. The past fara was of no exception and Alfred Ralifo of Läje Rotuma Initiative (LRI ) speaks of island exploration off of Rotuma’s main coast, fishing adventures, and the return of the clams, octopus and the strombus to the reefs. This was quite evident in the fish basket and the ensuing Christmas spread.

» Read more about the community interaction

An article posted on the SIDSNET Small Island Voice Forum by Ms. Imogen Ingram, of the Cook Islands shows how people on the island of Pukapuka in the northern Cook Islands chose diesel hybrid generators over solar power, because of short term advantages that the diesel system had over the solar system.

» Read more about why local residents want a hybrid diesel system

During the first weeks of my internship in the WWF South Pacific Programme I was able to join a field trip to the Lau Group, Kabara. Even only a few Fijians from WWF Office were able to visit this wonderful island. After a two day trip on a boat we arrived. The island seems like paradise: white sand, clear water and villages surrounded by palm trees. The beauty of the nature is only topped by the friendliness of the people. Staying for one week I got a very detailed impression of what life means for the people living on this island. Life is simple but in a kind of balance.

» Read more about Michaela's trip to Kabara

During February 2005, the Cook Islands suffered five cyclones during a four week period. Cyclone Meena struck on the 6th of February, mostly affecting the northern part of the island, where the main town of Avarua is situated. Cyclone Nancy struck just one week later, affecting the east coast severely. Two days later, Cyclone Olaf arrived, which affected the western part fo the island, where most of the bigger resorts are located. Two weeks later, Cyclone Percy's effects were felt, and lastly Cyclone Rae arrived only three days later.

» Read how they coped with the damage

Lately, the weather has been uncertain. The sound of pounding waves on the reefs were louder than normal and the big waves which sweep across the beach have been daring! Imagine this: big waves washing up the white sand and piling it up further where the coastal shrub grows, or in some places, shifting much of the beach elsewhere along the coastline. How about the wave of destruction which battered luxuriant coral growth at the foreshore? The branching Acropora coral and the foliose corals were now turned to rubble, the more robust brain coral colonies overturned by the impact of these big storm waves.

» Read more of Monifa's report