Pacific

Islands

Monthly

Vol 59. No. 8

Voice Of The Pacific

August, ’BB

Cover Story ie

As Tonga’s ruler, Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, celebrates his 70th birthday and 21 years as monarch of Polynesia’s sole remaining kingdom his people pay homage to a man who has maintained stable government and a modest degree of prosperity amid an ocean of turmoil.

Yet all is not as it seems in Tonga, and the commoners’ search for greater representation is becoming louder. Although His Majesty can assert with some confidence that the breakdown of the monarchy and majority rule will not happen in his lifetime, he is widely believed to be supportive of change in the Pacific’s most conservative nation.

Cover Photograph: Rizzoli/Austral International

WINGTI OUSTED AND NAMALIU STEPS IN 10

PNG has a new PM, but stability may still be far off

Diro To Face Criminal Prosecution 13

Controversial minister admits “wrongdoing”

NUCLEAR VICTIMS FIGHT FOR A NEW HOME 14 Rongelap’s ailing people claim they were used as guinea-pigs

New Caledonia’S New Deal 18

Michel Rocards compact with the territory could spell peace

Special Report: What Future

For Transport? 21

Aviation and shipping face growing problems

Conserving The Region’S Botanical

Heritage 28

Hawaii strives to save endangered species

Page 10

Page 52

Marshalls Overwhelmed By

A Junk-Food Diet 44

How cola won out over coconuts on island tables

Aggie Grey Remembered 52

Stuart Inder pays tribute to a South Seas legend

Marimed’S “Floating Doctors”

Bring Health 30

A gift of life to remote islands from the USA

Forum: Indonesia’S Deadly

Diplomacy 32

A controversial analysis of a gift gone wrong

Tonga’S Rebel Journalist Tilts

At Nobles’ Privileges 35

Akilisi Pohiva is threatening the status quo

New Caledonian Heritage On

Display 36

An overworked curator’s battles

Acting Editor Carson Creagh Art Director Warren Scott Editorial Adviser John Carter Contributors Robert Aldrich Robin Bromby David Hyndman Stuart tnder David Robie Nicolas Rothwell Peter Schroeder Frank Senge Rodney Smith Gabriel Singh Phil Twyford Deborah Woodside Gabriel Singh Publisher and Managing Editor Geoffrey Hussey Advertising Sales Sydney & Melbourne — Warren Grey (02) 288 3521 Fergus Maclagan (02) 412 3918; Brisbane — Robert Walker (07) 371 0533 Adelaide — Hastwell Williamson Representations (08) 79 9522

Cover prices are recommended retail only. Registered by Australia Post, publication No. NBPI2K). Copyright, Fiji Times Limited, Suva, Fiji.