The Cook Islands Meteorological Service, in partnership with The Disaster Resilience for Pacific Small Islands Developing States (RESPAC) with UNDP, or RESPAC-UNDP, held an inauguration for one of nine Climate Information Early Warning Systems (CLEWS) installed in the Pa Enua.

The occasion was held in Tukao, Manihiki at the Bluesky premises with the Manihiki Island Council, led by the Manihiki Executive Officer, Mrs Jane Kaina, the Deputy Mayor, Mr Tarau Kaina and Island Councillors on February 4th, 2019. The Cook Islands Meteorological Service team was led by the Director, Mr Arona Ngari, and UNDP Representative, Mr Tanuvasa Ioane Iosefo, who was afforded the privilege of removing the palm leaves from the inauguration plaque, along with a team of seven from Rarotonga.

Mr Iosefo thanked the stakeholders, the people of Manihiki, Government representatives and the landowners for agreeing to let this site for CLEWS. He also said that UNDP will be considering similar projects for the Pa Enua if they meet the expected criteria.

CLEWS form part of the installation and monitoring of climate and weather on all inhabited islands of the Cook Islands in a bid to reduce the impacts of severe weather and climate change. The funds are provided through the RESPAC-UNDP to enhance the resilience of the Cook Islands to such changes and to also promote sustainable development in the islands.
Future plans are for the installation of such equipment on the islands of Palmerston, Nassau and Suwarrow. This equipment will also facilitate the provision of required weather information for the safe flying of our domestic airline to the Pa Enua.

The Cook Islands Meteorological Service, through its parent Ministry, the Ministry of Transport, is indebted to the assistance rendered by RESPAC-UNDP and especially the people of the Pa Enua as well as stakeholders and partners such as Bluesky Cook Islands for this joint venture, in taking this resilience initiative to the Pa Enua.