Posted on: Saturday, May 21, 2005

Island nations study tsunami risk

Associated Press

Tonga's prime minister said Thursday that his country is concerned about tsunamis and low living standards, and noted the island kingdom's slow steps toward democracy.

Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, a prince who also serves as Tonga's prime minister, was one of a host of dignitaries attending the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders at the East-West Center this week.

The conference included a tour of the Pacific Disaster Center on Maui, whose scientists have already advised Tonga on developing a natural disaster information system, Ata said.

"They were very concerned about the tsunami risk," said Stanley Goosby, chief scientist and senior manager of the center.

All nations in the region have at least some tsunami risk, but the countries which should take the highest precautions are Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia, Goosby said.

A 1998 tsunami in Papua New Guinea left nearly 3,000 dead and a 1953 tsunami in Fiji caused about a dozen deaths, he said.

Pacific leaders also discussed economic development in a region where annual growth generally has been slow for many years. The islands' geographic isolation, few resources, and small populations contribute in part to low living standards.

"Everybody realizes the problems and we all have ideas about what to do, but we don't know sometimes what choices to make," said Ata, who acted as spokesman for the group.

Tourism has been growing in the last few years into a major industry for some small island states, generating much-needed jobs and foreign exchange income.

Visitor arrivals in 2004 reached record highs in the Cook Islands, Papua New-Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. Tourism fell in New Caledonia and Tahiti.

"Tourism has gone up because people see the Pacific as a safer destination, especially after the tsunami (in Asia)," Ata said.

He also spoke briefly on an ongoing struggle by democratic leaders in Tonga to convince the last ruling monarchy in the South Pacific to adopt a fully democratic government.

King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV appointed two pro-democracy lawmakers to his Cabinet in March.

"I think it's evolving. That's all I can say," Ata said. "If it works, probably he'll have more.