AGP Executive Report

Guam Arts & Community: The Tower for Humanity replica of the Twin Towers is lit at Micronesia Mall Center Court for the 25th anniversary of 9/11, built in 12 days with toy timber logs and hundreds of volunteers, with a lighting and remembrance ceremony drawing local families. Dance & Festival: Registration is open for the 2026 Guam International Dance Festival (Dec. 4–6), with a new international folk dance invitational division and plans to be sanctioned by FIDAF for added judges and global recognition. Sports (CNMI): Leigh Gases’ Sports Leigh-Out spotlights CNMI Labor Day champions in Portland—Isao 67OLD2, Lady Tribe, Pacific Hustlers, and KoMPai—plus a Labor Day golf win by Marco Peter and Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola. Film & Human Rights: A Pacific human rights film festival at USP Labasa uses movies and talanoa discussions to spotlight women’s rugby empowerment and ocean communities’ stories. Culture & Heritage: Traditional navigation is being pushed as living heritage for Pacific leaders to protect, with a declaration heading into the Pacific Islands Forum. Travel Costs (Micronesia routes): EVA Air will raise excess baggage and other international baggage fees from Sept. 29, including Micronesia destinations like Guam and Palau.

Sports Leigh-Out: CNMI’s Lady Tribe, Isao 67OLD2, Pacific Hustlers and KoMPai took Labor Day softball titles in Portland, Oregon, with standout finals including Lady Tribe’s 6-5 win and KoMPai’s 9-8 finish, plus a new CNMI Labor Day golf tradition where Marco Peter and Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola won in Oregon. Dance & Culture: Guam’s Visitors Bureau opened registration for the 2026 Guam International Dance Festival (Dec. 4–6), aiming to bring local, regional and international performers and seek FIDAF sanctioning. Commemoration & Community Arts: Micronesia Mall’s Tower for Humanity lit up Twin Towers replica remembrance for the 9/11 25th anniversary, built in 12 days from toy timber logs, with the tower set to stand through Sept. 20. Creative Livelihoods: FSM launched plastics repurposing training workshops across Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae and Pohnpei, turning PET waste into jewelry and décor tied to Micronesia Clean Up Day. Film & Heritage: A Palau-led push seeks regional recognition of traditional navigation as living heritage, while Naoero’s first feature film “Far End of the Sea” goes viral online. Food & Identity: FFA and SPC’s “Tuna Bites” campaign spotlights tuna for Pacific food security via a multi-country culinary competition.

9/11 Remembrance in Guam: The Tower for Humanity Project lit up a Twin Towers replica at Micronesia Mall Center Court, built from 108,515 toy timber logs by the Aydlett brothers and volunteers, with the towers standing through Sept. 20 and planned disassembly starting Sept. 21. Dance & Culture: Guam Visitors Bureau opened registration for the 2026 Guam International Dance Festival (Dec. 4–6), aiming for FIDAF sanctioning and featuring multiple competition divisions; deadline is Oct. 21. Sports Spotlight: CNMI athlete Destiny Pangelinan shared her post-Labor Day pause from competing after medals at the 2024 Micronesian Games, while supporting her younger sisters and keeping an open door to represent the islands again. Sustainability Workshops: FSM rolled out Plastic Repurposing Training Workshops across Yap, Chuuk, Kosrae and Pohnpei, teaching participants to turn PET waste into jewelry and decor as part of Micronesia Clean Up Day. Pacific Film & Rights: A Pacific human rights film festival at USP Labasa used screenings and talanoa discussions to spotlight women’s rugby empowerment and ocean community stories. Food Culture: FFA and SPC launched “Tuna Bites” for World Tuna Day, with country-by-country tuna dish competitions and TV broadcasts across multiple Pacific nations including FSM.

Pacific Human Rights on Screen: A free Pacific Human Rights Film Festival screening at USP Labasa used movies and talanoa discussions to spotlight women’s rugby empowerment and ocean peoples’ stories, with organizers saying film can shift minds and spark regional dialogue. Traditional Navigation as Living Heritage: Micronesian Voyaging Society and Palau chiefs are urging Pacific leaders to treat traditional navigation as a living cultural heritage, tying preservation to the 2050 Blue Pacific strategy. Tuna Bites for Food Culture: The FFA and SPC launch a “Tuna Bites” campaign for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, with country-by-country tuna dish competitions across Fiji and Micronesia plus TV broadcasts. Saipan Fall Culture & Dining: Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan is promoting September dining specials and cultural shows, positioning island staycations as part of the season’s arts-and-entertainment calendar. 9/11 Remembrance at Micronesia Mall: Tower for Humanity is building and lighting a Twin Towers replica for the 25th anniversary, inviting residents to a lighting and remembrance ceremony. Film From Naoero Goes Viral: Naoero’s first feature, “Far End of the Sea,” has drawn global attention online, blending local history, landscape, and cultural pride. Regional Arts & Sport Picks: A weekly “Sports Leigh-Out” highlights CNMI’s Labor Day softball tournament and Carol Lee’s U.S. Open debut, adding a local sports spotlight to the week’s entertainment mix.

Prehistory & Culture: A new Science Advances report from Sulawesi, Indonesia, points to the earliest known drug use: hunter-gatherers chewing betel nuts as far back as 16,000–25,000 years ago, with researchers linking it to disrupted flying and navigation in fruit-bat “drunk” behavior. Micronesian Heritage: Pacific navigators are pushing for traditional navigation to be recognized as living heritage, with a declaration headed to the 55th Pacific Islands Forum and framed as ocean-connected identity, not just travel skills. Commemorative Arts: Tower for Humanity is building a 9/11 Twin Towers replica at Micronesia Mall, using toy timber logs and internal lights, with a lighting and remembrance ceremony inviting the community in. Food & Music-Adjacent Spotlight: The “Tuna Bites” campaign launches across Pacific countries (including FSM) to celebrate World Tuna Day with a TV-broadcast culinary competition highlighting local tuna dishes. Local Sports: CNMI’s Leigh Gases spotlights the 21st Labor Day Softball Tournament and Carol Lee’s U.S. Open debut as a landmark for island tennis. Travel Costs: EVA Air will raise excess baggage fees and other international baggage charges starting Sept. 29, with Micronesia destinations listed in a new pricing zone. Film Buzz: Naoero (Nauru) has gone viral with its first feature film, Far End of the Sea, now drawing global attention on YouTube.

Pacific Arts & Culture: Traditional navigation is getting a push at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum, with leaders urged to treat it as living heritage and keep star-and-sea knowledge alive for future generations. Community Remembrance: Tower for Humanity is building a 9/11 Twin Towers replica at Micronesia Mall for the 25th anniversary, with a lighting and remembrance ceremony inviting residents to gather. Film Spotlight: Naoero’s (Nauru) first feature film, Far End of the Sea, has gone viral online, putting a tiny island’s culture and landscape on the global screen. Food & Music-Adjacent Culture: The “Tuna Bites” campaign launches across Pacific countries, using a TV-broadcast culinary competition to celebrate tuna’s role in Pacific cuisine and food security. Sports Leigh-Out: CNMI coverage highlights the Labor Day softball tournament and Carol Lee’s U.S. Open debut as a major local sports milestone. Travel Notes: EVA Air will raise excess baggage fees from Sept. 29, including routes covering Micronesia destinations like Guam and Palau.

Island Dining & Culture: Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan is rolling out September specials, including birthday celebrant “dines free” offers, kids eat free at The Terrace, and a month of cultural entertainment and beachfront staycation vibes. Traditional Navigation as Heritage: Pacific voyaging leaders are pushing a declaration to recognize traditional navigation as a living cultural heritage, aiming to keep star, swell, wind, and bird knowledge alive through regional policy. 9/11 Remembrance at Micronesia Mall: Tower for Humanity is building a Twin Towers replica using toy timber logs, with a lighting and remembrance ceremony inviting residents to honor victims and first responders. Pacific Film Breakthrough: Naoero’s first feature film, Far End of the Sea, is going viral online, spotlighting island history, culture, and landscape through a homegrown drama. Tuna Bites Campaign: FFA and SPC launch a Pacific-wide tuna celebration tied to World Tuna Day, featuring country culinary competitions and TV broadcasts across Micronesia and beyond. Local Sports Spotlight: CNMI’s Labor Day softball tournament ramps up with a 66-team lineup, while Carol Lee’s U.S. Open debut is hailed as a landmark moment for island tennis. Pro Basketball Milestone: Saipan’s E’Anna Palacios Won is drafted fifth overall into South Korea’s KB Stars, reporting to the team on Sept. 4. Travel Costs Update: EVA Air will raise excess baggage fees and adjust other international baggage charges starting Sept. 29, including higher rates for Micronesia routes like Guam and Palau.

Island Culture & Hospitality: Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan is rolling out September dining deals and cultural entertainment, from birthday celebrant “dines free” offers to kids eat free at The Terrace, plus seafood buffet highlights. Traditional Navigation: Pacific voyaging leaders are urging the Pacific Islands Forum to treat traditional navigation as a living heritage and a regional preservation priority. Commemoration in the Mall: Tower for Humanity is building and lighting a 9/11 Twin Towers replica at Micronesia Mall in Palau, marking the 25th anniversary with a public remembrance ceremony. Film Spotlight: Naoero (Nauru) has gone viral with its first feature film, “Far End of the Sea,” bringing local culture and history to a global audience. Food & Music of the Sea: The FFA and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, featuring country tuna-dish competitions broadcast on TV across multiple Micronesia and Pacific nations. Sports & Talent: CNMI’s E’Anna Palacios Won has been drafted into South Korea’s pro women’s basketball league, while the week’s Sports Leigh-Out covers local tournament and athlete updates. Regional Politics (Arts-adjacent): The Pacific Islands Forum’s outcomes show shifting engagement patterns and ongoing geopolitical pressure, with leaders also seeking stronger EU ties.

9/11 Commemoration in Micronesia: Tower for Humanity is inviting residents to a lighting and remembrance ceremony at Micronesia Mall Thursday as its 9/11 Twin Towers replica nears completion, with the South Tower already finished in the mall center court and the North Tower set to rise with an 8-foot spire. Living Heritage Navigation: Pacific voyaging leaders are urging Pacific Islands Forum action to recognize traditional navigation as living cultural heritage, tying star-and-swell knowledge to regional identity and the Blue Pacific 2050 strategy. Regional Food Culture: The FFA and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, using country-by-country tuna dish competitions (including in FSM and Palau) to spotlight tuna’s role in food security and livelihoods. Sports Spotlight: CNMI’s E’Anna Palacios Won has been drafted fifth overall into South Korea’s KB Stars, reporting to her team Sept. 4. Pacific Forum Politics: Coverage from Palau highlights ongoing geopolitical pressure around China and Taiwan at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum, plus leaders’ absences and the forum’s cautious stance on missile testing.

Pacific Islands Forum in Palau: The 55th PIF Leaders Meeting ended with clear signs of shifting regional engagement—less “bilateral deal-making,” more “systemic integration”—as China-U.S. rivalry shaped talks, while Australia and New Zealand drew criticism for doing little on climate. Geopolitical Pressure & Taiwan: Taiwan’s participation remained a flashpoint, with China warning of “consequences” and Taiwan’s foreign minister calling it “wolf warrior diplomacy,” as several leaders reportedly skipped parts of the summit amid pressure concerns. Security & Diplomacy: PIF again stopped short of condemning China’s missile test, opting for “registering concern,” and also moved to reform dialogue-partner structures and add a police ministers gathering. Arts & Culture Spotlight: Naoero (formerly Nauru) went viral with its first feature film, “Far End of the Sea,” putting local history and culture on a global stage. Food & Community: The FFA and SPC launched “Tuna Bites” for World Tuna Day, pairing national tuna-dish competitions with TV broadcasts across Micronesia and the wider Pacific. Sports: CNMI’s Carol Lee’s U.S. Open debut and E’Anna Palacios Won’s pro basketball draft in South Korea both highlight Pacific talent moving onto bigger stages. Travel Costs: EVA Air announced higher excess baggage fees from Sept. 29, with Micronesia routes included in the updated pricing zones.

Pacific Islands Forum: Palau’s summit ended with clear China–US friction, while PIF leaders largely avoided condemning China’s July missile test, instead “registering concern,” and several leaders skipped the meeting amid claims of Beijing pressure. Sports & talent: CNMI’s E’Anna Palacios Won was drafted fifth overall into South Korea’s KB Stars, and Australia announced $15.6M to help Pacific athletes reach Brisbane 2032 and other major events. Culture on screen: Naoero (Nauru) went viral with its first feature film, Far End of the Sea, spotlighting local history, landscape, and Nauruan language. Food & TV: FFA and SPC launched the “Tuna Bites” campaign for World Tuna Day, pairing country tuna-dish contests with TV broadcasts across Micronesia and the wider Pacific. Travel costs: EVA Air will raise excess baggage fees and other international baggage charges from Sept. 29, with Micronesia routes included in its new pricing zones. Heritage navigation: Four Hawaiian women became the first known female Pwo master navigators in Micronesian tradition, charting a new path for ocean voyaging.

Air Travel Costs: EVA Air says it will raise excess baggage fees and other international baggage charges starting Sept. 29, with increases of about US$20–US$90 per piece depending on route, including higher extra-bag pricing for travel to and from Taiwan (with Micronesia destinations like Guam and Palau in its pricing zone). Film & Culture: Naoero (Nauru) has gone viral with its first feature film, Far End of the Sea, now topping 820,000 YouTube views, spotlighting island history, landscape, and cultural pride. Food & Community: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and Pacific Community launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, featuring a tuna-dish competition across eight Pacific countries with TV broadcasts. Sports Spotlight: CNMI’s E’Anna Palacios Won is drafted fifth overall into South Korea’s 2026–2027 Women’s Basketball League, reporting to her KB Stars team on Sept. 4. Regional Arts-Adjacent Heritage: Four Hawaiian women become the first known female Pwo master navigators in Micronesian tradition, using star-and-wave wayfinding to inspire a new generation of voyagers. Regional Politics (Context): Pacific Islands Forum coverage continues to highlight China–US tensions, plus leaders’ no-shows reportedly linked to outside pressure.

Pacific Film Spotlight: Naoero (Nauru) has gone viral with its first feature film, Far End of the Sea, putting island history and culture on the global map. Food & Culture: The FFA and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day, with country-by-country tuna dish contests across Pacific nations including Micronesia, broadcast on TV. Sports Pathways: CNMI’s E’Anna Palacios Won is drafted fifth overall into South Korea’s Korean Women’s Basketball League, while Australia announces $15.6m to help Pacific athletes chase Brisbane 2032. Traditional Navigation: Four Hawaiian women become the first known female Pwo master navigators, keeping wayfinding alive without GPS. Regional Politics & Arts-Adjacent Diplomacy: At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, leaders’ no-shows and Beijing pressure are in focus, while Taiwan’s participation underscores Palau’s diplomatic stance. Local Legal Careers: Palau’s Attorney General’s office opens four Assistant Attorney General roles in Koror. Travel Costs: EVA Air raises excess baggage fees from Sept. 29, with Micronesia destinations included in revised pricing zones.

Film & Identity: Naoero (formerly Nauru) has gone viral with its first feature film, Far End of the Sea, now topping 820,000 YouTube views, spotlighting local history, language, and landscape through a 1842 drama starring homegrown actor Cramer Cain. Food Culture: The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and SPC launch “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, with country-by-country tuna dish competitions across Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu—plus TV broadcasts. Sports & Talent: CNMI’s E’Anna Palacios Won is drafted fifth overall into South Korea’s KB Stars, reporting to the team Sept. 4 after years of development and a prior draft setback. Arts & Heritage: Four Hawaiian women become the first known female Pwo master navigators in Micronesian tradition, keeping wayfinding alive without GPS—by reading waves and sky patterns. Regional Arts-Adjacent Spotlight: Palau hosts the Pacific Islands Forum amid Taiwan-China diplomatic friction, with leaders’ no-shows linked by experts to outside pressure.

Pacific Food & TV: The FFA and SPC are rolling out “Tuna Bites” for UN World Tuna Day and Pacific Tuna Month, with one-day culinary contests in Fiji, FSM, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu—each country’s best tuna dish will be judged by chefs and broadcast on TV. Sports Spotlight: CNMI’s “Sports Leigh-Out” highlights the 21st Labor Day Softball Tournament (66 teams) and Carol Lee’s U.S. Open debut as a landmark for local tennis. Pro Basketball Pathway: Saipan’s E’Anna Palacios Won was picked fifth overall in South Korea’s 2026-27 Women’s Basketball League draft and reports to the KB Stars on Sept. 4. Olympics Funding: Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese announced $15.6 million over four years to help Pacific athletes and officials train and qualify for Brisbane 2032 and other major events. PIF Diplomacy & Culture: Palau’s hosting of the Pacific Islands Forum spotlights Taiwan’s participation amid claims of Chinese pressure and leader no-shows, while four Hawaiian women became the first known female Pwo master navigators in Micronesian tradition. Arts & Exhibitions: LACMA’s new David Geffen Galleries in Los Angeles are opening with a cross-cultural “Oceans Not Borders” approach to Oceanic art and history.

Sports Leigh-Out: CNMI’s Labor Day Softball Tournament kicks off Sept. 3 in Portland with 66 teams, and tennis standout Carol Lee’s U.S. Open debut is hailed as a historic high point for CNMI sport. Pro Basketball: Saipan-born E’Anna Palacios Won goes fifth overall in the 2026-27 Korean Women’s Basketball League draft, reporting to the KB Stars on Sept. 4. Pacific Diplomacy: Pacific Islands Forum leaders leave Palau after failing to condemn China’s July missile test, choosing “registering concern” instead, while Taiwan’s presence and Beijing’s “wolf warrior” warnings keep tensions front and center. Regional Politics: A third of PIF leaders skip the summit, with experts pointing to Chinese pressure behind the no-shows. Arts & Heritage: Four Hawaiian women become the first known female Pwo master navigators, spotlighting living Micronesian wayfinding traditions. Sports Funding: Australia announces $15.6 million to help Pacific athletes and officials chase Brisbane 2032 and other major events.