Spurned habitats ‘would be ready’
Just having a ball
Wall has health benefits
Vancouver flight dreamin’
Where does the fat batch go?
Are they all Demo members?
Spurned habitats ‘would be ready’
Spurned habitats ‘would be ready’
Wed
29 Sep
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Concrete foundation and columns awaiting next stages.
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The show house on Aitutaki.
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Following Cyclone Pat’s path of destruction through Aitutaki a little over seven months ago – and with the new cyclone season a month away – a smoke signaller writes: “None of the replacement houses being built on Aitutaki are even close to being finished except for the show house which finally has walls and windows. At best they have a slab and block pillars. The replacement houses are no larger than the ones originally proposed by Habitat for Humanity, which were rejected. If Habitat had been allowed to build them, most people would be in their new houses now. Well ahead of the cyclone season.”
CRIME IN EVERY COUNTRY
Responding to the front page article yesterday titled Trust Lost about a weekend burglary, a smoke signaller writes: “I would have thought that a person coming from crime central of the world, California, would never lose trust in the Cook Islands. I would think that crime here in Raro in comparison does not come close to that of California. Would it be safe to say that crime is everywhere not just the Cook Islands? In fact I would think a person from California would know more about how to protect themselves from becoming a crime victim. Having a purse readily available for a thief does sound real smart. I hate crime as much as anyone, but you can be a little more responsible and protect your valuables. I do hope the Police apprehend the thief or thieves.”
SUPPORTING VALLEY FOLK
A smoke signaller writes: “In the letters columns on Monday it was pleasing to note that the (un)Happy Valley residents spoke out against the intrusive religious cult which has invaded their territory and shown no consideration for the peace and tranquility of the village. The police should apprehend these rowdy, fanatical Bible-bashing interlopers for creating excessive noise within the community they have infiltrated.”
IN A ROUNDABOUT WAY
“The Monday letter from Joseph Ka re the forthcoming referendum was a masterpiece of circumlocution,” writes a smoke signaller. “Could somebody please explain what Mr Ka was trying to say?”
Just having a ball
Thu
23 Sep
A smoke signaller writes in response to the recent article ‘The last waltz looms’ published prior to the Tereora College Ball: “In the articles about the school ball it clearly says that males cannot wear black skinny jeans, but then in the ‘Top Ten Tips’ for the ball it says something clearly different. It suggests that you should try mixing it up and wear black skinny jeans with your tuxedo. Is this sending a different message or what?” Cadet reporter Peka Fisher responds: I actually did that on purpose. I didn’t agree with the ball committee’s decision to ban skinny jeans because I think with the right styling they could not only be more flattering than your regular baggy suit pants but also more modern and allow the male students to have as much fun with their outfits as us girls were! So I wanted to sort of encourage the guys to wear it with my reasoning being the more guys wearing them the less likely they’ll all be turned away. And actually on the night a couple of guys did wear skinny jeans and were allowed entry and they looked great! They still looked formal so yes the night was a success!”
Keep the smokies rolling in! Smoke Signals and interesting island photos will be accepted by e-mail (smokesignals@cookislandsnews.com), or text to 188 or a phone call to the newsroom.
Wall has health benefits
Fri
24 Sep
A smoke signaller writes tongue-in-cheek: “The Small Wall of China recently installed in the courthouse has two admirable qualities, clearly designed to enhance the health of us all. When a member of the public rings to speak with someone, the receptionist cannot see if the person is at their desk. This means that the receptionist must hike around the Small Wall, getting some healthy exercise. The second effect of the Small Wall is that the cross ventilation that has been keeping staff and customers reasonably cool since the air conditioners died, is a thing of the past. No more cooling breeze. This too has health benefits for staff and customers are shedding kilos in perspiration.”
SEPARATE RUBBISH, COMBINE LATER
A smoke signaller said they just watched once again “as our rubbish guys picked up all the separated green bottles etc, supposedly for recycling, being thrown into the main truck and squashed with all the rest of the rubbish. If they don’t believe in recycling, then perhaps someone else who cares for our environment should get their contract.”
WHAT’S THE TIME?
“May I kindly ask the person responsible for the Tupapa Health Clinic to please put the wall clock back to where it was before they did the renovation?” a smoke signaller asks. “Just need the clock so I know I’m not following the Maori/kokonati time.” SmokeSignals: The renovations at both the Tupapa clinic and the wards at the main hospital have been a great improvement, and our medical staff provide an excellent service.
WEIRD AND WONDERFUL COINS
Following the recent sale of the Philatelic Bureau, a smoke signaller is curious to find out about the country’s numismatic (coins and banknotes) business. “There are currently about 400 Cook Islands coins for sale on eBay celebrating weird and wonderful happenings around the world. You can buy an uncirculated 5 cents silver Cook Islands ‘sex fertility’ coin issued in 2000 for NZ$10 or you can also buy a 2009 Silver and gold Mona Lisa $20 Cook Islands coin for NZ$3600. There are masses of these types of Cook Islands coins for sale and I wonder if the general Cook Islands citizen is aware of these many coins that have been issued?” SmokeSignals: Coins issued for the collectors market are revenue earners for a country, although those trying to collect one specimen of every coin minted by the Cook Islands (under the control of MFEM) would need fairly deep pockets to do so and be happy to pay for a fairly eclectic range of themes... There’s a Playboy commemorative dollar (Her Majesty on the obverse and a Playboy bunny on the reverse!) issued in 2003, and a dollar issued the same year with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former US President George W Bush on one side, with big bold letters above: ‘Leaders of the Free World’.
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
A smoke signaller sends in this recipe and says it’s a healthy way to start the day: “Breakfast: Fried green tomatoes are good for you, full of vitamin C and vitamin D plus being an anti-oxidant. Fry the green tomatoes in a little vegetable oil, one tablespoon for four tomatoes. Cut the tomatoes in thick slices, sprinkle with a little sugar and chop basil over them. Fry gently until soft, about 10 minutes, serve on lightly buttered toast. A tasty, filling, and good healthy start for your day.” If you’ve got a healthy recipe, send it in!
Vancouver flight dreamin’
Sat
25 Sep
A Canadian writing from the capital of the province of British Columbia says one of his dreams will come true if a direct flight operates between Vancouver and the Cook Islands. Ray Powell from Victoria, BC (“near Vancouver!”) says travelling to Rarotonga via Los Angeles in the United States “is a royal pain!” Cook Islands Tourism’s recently released strategic plan states that ongoing negotiations with airlines include getting links to a seasonal direct flight in from Vancouver when Canadians are enduring freezing conditions during their winter months. One of the country’s former airlines Canada3000 operated a charter flight to Rarotonga during Canada’s winter months about 10 years ago, which provided a significant boost to Canadian visitors holidaying in the Cook Islands. Vancouver is the largest city in BC and third largest in Canada and is located on the mainland. Across the straits sits Vancouver Island, which is 460 km long and 80 km at its widest point, with a land area of 32,134 sq km.
Keep the smokies rolling in! Smoke Signals and interesting island photos will be accepted by e-mail (smokesignals@cookislandsnews.com), or text to 188 or a phone call to the newsroom.
Where does the fat batch go?
Mon
27 Sep
A smoke signaller writes in response to the article ‘Palm apologises for fat batch’ in last week’s CINews:
“McCallum Industries (Palm Corned Beef) states ‘Regular Palm Corned Beef is not a mass produced product and specific recipes are applied to our various markets. The product we produce for the Cook Islands has a lower fat level than other markets’...’a small quantity of Palm Corned Beef destined for another market was sent to Rarotonga’ – this being the batch containing a higher than normal fat content. I would be interested to see McCallum Industries publish a list of markets which demand a high fat content. I mean really, I can’t believe it!” SmokeSignals: How do you adjust the fat content of a tin of bully beef – do you look around for a farm with fattier cows? Is a corned beef manufacturer’s profit margin higher if there’s a higher ratio of fat relative to red meat? Does the nutrition information printed on the side of a can differ when the recipe for fat content is changed for the various markets?
HERE’S LOOKING AT US
In a light-hearted glimpse at the Cook Islands titled ‘Here’s mud in your eye’, Rachel Tiffen writes for the New Zealand Herald about her recent fun-filled outing with Coconut Tours. “Our first stop on this two-team tour was at the island’s noni juice plant. A noni is a fruit that smells like armpit and tastes like sweat mixed with urine. But apparently it’s good for you. Tony [the guide] says Asian countries are the biggest importers and, from memory, 90 million odd litres of the stuff leaves the island each year.” SmokeSignals: Hmmm, equating to almost 250,000 litres a day it would be fair to say that figure’s a tad overly optimistic! In an earlier article Tiffen writes: “Hitherto, Rarotonga has not been renowned for its luxury accommodation. Bungalows-for-rent are commonplace among the roadside stalls and ragtag roosters. The ill-fated Sheraton Hotel, which might have filled the gap, has been a white elephant since work stopped a quarter of a century ago. Nowadays, security guards keep a sleepy watch over the graffittied eyesore that is the butt of many a local joke. “ SmokeSignals: Not a quarter of a century yet, but getting close to that unenviable milestone.
‘NOTHING BUT SQUALOR’
In Dominique Fourie’s article for Pacific Scoop titled ‘Down side of package tourism stacks up for Pacific nations’, there’s a
reference to Danielle and Ben Fentiman who booked a package holiday to Rarotonga for their honeymoon in January this
year. One single payment covered airfares, accommodation and some meals... “We ended up getting so bored at the resort, so
we hired scooters for a couple of days and just drove around exploring. We ended up in a totally different area of Rarotonga and
there were hardly any tourists there, just old run-down shacks, and a small make-shift shop. We stopped to buy a couple of drinks – they were all out of date and ridiculously overpriced. The shop itself was buzzing with flies and the fruit had all gone rotten in the crates. I have no idea how they survive down that side of
the island, there’s just nothing to see besides the squalor.” SmokeSignals: No village is mentioned, so who knows where they’re referring to?
Keep the smokies rolling in! Smoke Signals and interesting island photos will be accepted by e-mail (smokesignals@cookislandsnews.com), or text to 188 or a phone call to the newsroom.
Are they all Demo members?
Tue
28 Sep
There’s been a flurry of activity in Ngatangiia in the past weeks as the two contenders vying for the Democratic Party candidacy and their committees have been chasing as many potential voters as possible to ensure they are fully paid-up members of the party. The $2 membership fee (closes at 12 noon today apparently) means a paid up member is entitled to cast a vote in the run-off tomorrow for either the incumbent MP Sir Terepai Maoate or his rival Mann Short. The victor will then go up against the Cook Islands Party’s Atatoa Herman in the November 17 general election. But don’t be surprised if a good number of those casting their vote at the Demo run-off tomorrow are actually staunch CIP supporters who have paid the $2 fee to give them a chance to influence who eventually stands against Herman...word on the street from a number of sources is that Atatoa Herman’s chances in the general election will be greater if his rival is Sir Terepai rather than Mann Short. Pass the popcorn!
NO BIG DRAMAS
Following on from yesterday’s snippets of how the Cook Islands is portrayed in New Zealand, in an article for the Taranaki Daily News ‘Kiwis packing their bags for spring breaks’, Lyn Humphreys writes: For those who were travelling, the Cook Islands were emerging as a favourite in the past couple of years, both for regular holidaymakers and as a wedding venue. “There’s no big dramas. It’s an ideal little spot,” says Hawera Travel Centre manager Dianne Tosland.
Keep the smokies rolling in! Smoke Signals and interesting island photos will be accepted by e-mail (smokesignals@cookislandsnews.com), or text to 188 or a phone call to the newsroom.
Spurned habitats ‘would be ready’
Wed
29 Sep
|
|
|
Concrete foundation and columns awaiting next stages.
10092812
|
|
|
|
The show house on Aitutaki.
10092813
|
Following Cyclone Pat’s path of destruction through Aitutaki a little over seven months ago – and with the new cyclone season a month away – a smoke signaller writes: “None of the replacement houses being built on Aitutaki are even close to being finished except for the show house which finally has walls and windows. At best they have a slab and block pillars. The replacement houses are no larger than the ones originally proposed by Habitat for Humanity, which were rejected. If Habitat had been allowed to build them, most people would be in their new houses now. Well ahead of the cyclone season.”
CRIME IN EVERY COUNTRY
Responding to the front page article yesterday titled Trust Lost about a weekend burglary, a smoke signaller writes: “I would have thought that a person coming from crime central of the world, California, would never lose trust in the Cook Islands. I would think that crime here in Raro in comparison does not come close to that of California. Would it be safe to say that crime is everywhere not just the Cook Islands? In fact I would think a person from California would know more about how to protect themselves from becoming a crime victim. Having a purse readily available for a thief does sound real smart. I hate crime as much as anyone, but you can be a little more responsible and protect your valuables. I do hope the Police apprehend the thief or thieves.”
SUPPORTING VALLEY FOLK
A smoke signaller writes: “In the letters columns on Monday it was pleasing to note that the (un)Happy Valley residents spoke out against the intrusive religious cult which has invaded their territory and shown no consideration for the peace and tranquility of the village. The police should apprehend these rowdy, fanatical Bible-bashing interlopers for creating excessive noise within the community they have infiltrated.”
IN A ROUNDABOUT WAY
“The Monday letter from Joseph Ka re the forthcoming referendum was a masterpiece of circumlocution,” writes a smoke signaller. “Could somebody please explain what Mr Ka was trying to say?”
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