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Lanuola Amituanai Becomes First Female State Wrestling Champion from Seattle Public Schools
Seventeen-year-old Lanuola Amituanai has etched her name into history, becoming the first female state wrestling champion from Seattle Public Schools while representing Chief Sealth International High School. Undefeated at the state tournament, she dominated every match, pinning each of her opponents and defeating eight other state place winners over the… Listen ⇢
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Visa Ban Forces Tonga Football Team to Turn to Diaspora Players in the U.S.
Tongan soccer players scramble to find players already in the US to make up a whole team for the Outriggers Challenge. By Vaelei Von Dincklage for The New Atoll Tonga’s national football team, which has qualified for the Outrigger Challenge Cup in June, is now grappling with the impact of… Listen ⇢
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Mauritius Suspends Diplomatic Relations with Maldives Over Chagos Dispute
The Chagos dispute esclates amid continued tensions between the island states. By Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson New York, 27 February 2026 – The Government of the Republic of Mauritius has suspended all diplomatic relations with the Republic of Maldives with immediate effect, citing a dispute over sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago.… Listen ⇢
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Tongan Professor Dr. ‘Inoke Receives Top Researcher and Academic Author Award
Dr. ‘Inoke Hafoka, Assistant Professor and Program Lead of Pacific Studies at BYU–Hawaii, has received the university’s Faculty Scholarship Award in recognition of his excellence in research, publication, and teaching. The son of Tongan immigrants, Dr. Hafoka is a scholar of diaspora, identity, migration, race, and education, he has published… Listen ⇢
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Pacific Leaders welcome UN High Seas Treaty
Pacific leaders have welcomed the entry into force of the UN High Seas Treaty, marking a rare moment where global ocean governance reflects decades of Pacific advocacy and leadership. By Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson New York City: The Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas… Listen ⇢
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Yap Congress Welcomes Senator-at-Large Hon. Yatilman
Hon. Andrew R. Yatilman has been sworn in as Senator-at-Large for the State of Yap in the 24th Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia following his formal seating on January 13, 2026. PALIKIR, Pohnpei. The Office of the President issued a statement congratulating Andrew R. Yatilman on his assumption… Listen ⇢
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Bridging the divide: how Keyonce’s journey shapes a commitment to public service
Keyonce Tauli Lee Hang describes herself first as a proud fa‘afafine. Not as a qualifier, but as a grounding. Her identity is not separate from her academic path or professional ambitions. It is the lens through which she understands responsibility, service, and leadership. Born and raised in Samoa, Keyonce comes… Listen ⇢
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Tamara Vaifanua, first Samoan anchor in Utah wins Emmy Award for her reporting
Tamara Vaifanua, the first Samoan news anchor in Utah, has been awarded an Emmy Award for her coverage of the Maui wildfires, along with her team. For her, the honor belonged to the people of Maui. “I am humbled by this honor,” she said. “Being recognized for a piece about… Listen ⇢
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Kiribati’s Atiterentaai Rinimarawa Crowned First-Ever Miss Micronesia
NAURU – History was made this week as Atiterentaai Rinimarawa of Kiribati was crowned the first-ever Miss Micronesia, marking a proud milestone in regional unity and cultural expression at the inaugural Micronesia Musical Festival and Miss Micronesia Pageant in Nauru. The four-day festival, held from October 6–9, 2025, brought together… Listen ⇢
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