Latest news with #FrenchPolynesia
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hōkūleʻa to leave Hawaiʻi for three years June 2
HILO, Hawaii (KHON2) — Traditional voyaging canoes Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia are tentatively scheduled to leave Hilo on the morning of June 2, weather permitting, to embark on their Moananuiākea Voyage to circumnavigate the Pacific. The boats have been in Hilo for several days, where they were welcomed with celebrations from the local community. Mapunapuna FBI raid ends with state eviction notice for tenant Crews in Hilo are working to identify favorable wind and weather conditions, so the canoes may make a safe voyage to their next stop in French Polynesia. The voyage to French Polynesia lasts approximately three weeks, with the boats to stop in Taputapuātea on Raʻiātea, a sacred voyaging hub, and Papeʻete in their month-long residency in French Polynesia, the boats will continue to the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Aotearoa. Crews hope to spread the message of 'Mālama Honua,' or caring for Island Earth, through their voyage. The canoes' circumnavigation of the Pacific will span around 43,000 nautical miles and stop at over 345 ports. The voyaging duo are scheduled to leave Hawaiʻi for a total of three years. To follow their journey, click here and follow them on Instagram. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Why Some Islands Have More Sharks Than Others
Reef sharks and rays are in trouble. Around the world, their numbers continue to drop, with overfishing being the biggest reason for their decline. But in order to bring them back, scientists need to know where these animals naturally belong and what shapes their different communities. A new study led by shark ecologist and University of Washington post-doctoral researcher Dr. Naomi F. Farabaugh is helping do just that by focusing on the coral reefs of French Polynesia, home to some of the most protected waters in the world. The study was published in Marine Ecology Progress Series. As the world's largest shark sanctuary, French Polynesia offers scientists a place to study sharks and rays without the intense fishing pressure found in most other parts of the world. By surveying 34 coral reefs across 17 different islands using baited remote underwater video stations (also known as BRUVSs), the research team was able to get a clearer picture of how species vary between islands and what might be influencing those patterns. These underwater cameras record which animals swim by without the noise usually associated with a person at the end of that capture, providing snapshots of reef life that are difficult to capture otherwise. Between 2016 and 2017, the team documented 16 different species (10 sharks and six rays). At least one shark appeared on every reef. Rays, on the other hand, were absent from nearly half of the reefs surveyed, likely due to the specific types of habitat studied. But even in this protected sanctuary, shark and ray diversity wasn't spread out evenly. Some island groups had unique combinations of species, and a few species were found only in certain locations. This raised an important question: If not fishing, then what's causing these differences? The answer lies in the islands themselves. Physical features like the shape of the island, the kind of reefs present and even latitude all played a role in determining which species were found where. The Marquesas Islands — a remote and rocky group in the northeast of French Polynesia — had the highest average number of species per reef. In contrast, the Austral Islands in the south had the fewest. The team of scientists believe that the Marquesas' productive waters, high latitude and rocky underwater structure give sharks and rays more shelter, better hunting grounds and a wider range of resources to thrive. Latitude also appeared to matter; the farther south the reef, the fewer species were found, likely because of colder water temperatures or less productive environments. Islands farther north, closer to the equator, had higher diversity, hinting at the influence of environmental conditions like warmth and nutrient availability. Even the geology of the islands seemed to make a difference! High volcanic islands with steep, rocky shorelines tended to support more diverse shark and ray populations. These environments offer crevices to hide in, slopes to hunt along and a range of habitats packed into a small area. Meanwhile, low-lying islands with flat fringing reefs (where coral hugs the shore) hosted fewer species. Guess the saying, 'Location, location, location' also applies to animals in the marine world! Understanding these patterns is more than just academic, or having a stake in the marine housing market. It has real-world conservation implications. 'If we want to rebuild reef shark and ray populations, we need to understand which species naturally live in which places, and why,' said Farabaugh. Similarly, she says the relationships between species also matters. How sharks and rays interact with each other — whether they compete for food, avoid one another or even benefit from sharing space — is still poorly understood. Yet, these interactions may influence where different species can live, and how many of them a reef can support. Florida International University marine ecologist Dr. Michael Heithaus points out that conservation often overlooks these dynamics. 'Despite the dramatic global declines in shark and marine predator populations, management rarely considers their potentially important ecological roles,' the dean of the College of Arts, Sciences & Education (CASE) and Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at FIU said. 'That's partly because we don't yet know enough about how these animals interact with each other and their environment.' By factoring in island shape, reef type and location, scientists and policymakers can make smarter, more effective decisions. Farabaugh argues that recovery efforts that don't consider these environmental details risk setting unrealistic goals or protecting areas that were never meant to support certain species in the first place. In a time when global populations of reef sharks and rays are shrinking fast, having this sort of place-based knowledge could mean the difference between failure and a real path to recovery. She just hopes those in charge listen before it's too late.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Sail In The Tropics—When You're Not A Sailor Yourself
Off the island of Raiatea in Tahiti, an impossibly blue bay sits empty save for a single sailing catamaran. It anchors on the sandy bottom, against a wildly scenic backdrop of soaring mountains draped in jungle. The occupants of this custom yacht charter can fill their afternoon however they see fit: snorkel off the back of the boat in nearby coral, swim, lounge in the sun with a cocktail, practice yoga on deck, motor to shore in the boat's dinghy to hike, or read a book inside the plush cabin—all of it crowd-free. This is the stuff adventure travel dreams are made of. And the people aboard didn't even have to master the craft of sailing themselves to get to experience it. A captain handles the sailing and navigation along a custom route, and a chef handles all meal preparation. These travelers are part of a growing trend of non-sailors opting for ocean-based vacations. Travelers increasingly want more personalized, sustainable, and adventurous travel experiences, and there's little that fits that bill more than sailing on your own custom itinerary. Sailing tourism can be a new way to experience a place for people who otherwise don't have the skills to make that experience happen on their own. It also holds the delicious luxury of privacy. Hotspot destinations in French Polynesia, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean can often feel overcrowded on traditional travel itineraries, from hotels and restaurants to tour operators for snorkeling, diving, and wildlife watching. But sailing on your own private adventure yacht charter represents the ultimate serenity and freedom. Marc Pedrol, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Dream Yacht, which offers yacht charters worldwide, explains that when the sailing charter industry started in the 1960s, charters from the few professional charter companies were largely reserved for the rich. Most were booked by avid sailors who could sail the boats themselves, and even those had limited availability. 'Advances in boat building technology, the internet, and globalization led to rapid growth in the industry by the 2000s,' Pedrol said. 'Since its beginnings, Dream Yacht was one of the pioneers in making ocean-based vacations accessible for non-sailors. First through skippered and fully crewed charters on private yachts and then through other more social models, like our cabin cruises, where you have a private ensuite double cabin on board one of our sailing catamarans that you share with like-minded travelers.' Dream Yacht has been seeing increasing demand for this vacation model—so much so that it now offers twenty-three different itineraries in twelve countries around the world, with plans to add others. For U.S. travelers, the Caribbean and Bahamas are good 'starter' destinations thanks to their proximity to the States—and, of course, their natural beauty, rich culture, and coveted climate. But Dream Yacht has also seen an increasing interest in yacht charters for more exotic locations, 'where sailing on a more organized experience provides confidence and more depth in the exploration of the destinations,' Pedrol said. He cites Thailand, the Seychelles, and French Polynesia as destinations that have seen a significant increase in bookings in recent years. There's not much that compares with watching the sun set over the sea from the deck of a sailboat. If the romance of sailing through the tropics has always appealed, but you don't know the first thing about sailing, a custom private yacht charter might just be your next adventure travel vacation.
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28-05-2025
- Health
I'm Planning Two Big Beach Trips This Summer and This Is Everything I'm Packing
As someone who lives in Los Angeles and travels often for work, both with and without my family, I spend a lot of time at the beach—from weekday escapes around California beach locales like Santa Monica and Malibu, to sun-soaked beach destinations around the world. I most recently visited French Polynesia and Mexico and will be heading to Bodrum and Kos next. Over the years, I've honed my beach bag essentials down to what really works: items that are functional, durable, and make the day more enjoyable. I've tested countless products on sand, in the surf, and on the go, and this is everything I personally rely on again and again. Whether you're heading to a tropical resort, your local shore, or planning a full-on beach vacation, these are the must-haves I never hit the sand without. Credit: Raen $150 at Amazon View on View on Anthropologie With my sensitive eyes, I never head to the beach (or anywhere outside, frankly) without sunglasses—and I've learned the hard way that my good sunnies must be protected in a real case, not just tossed into a tote bag. Between the sunscreen spills (that can often strip lens coatings), rogue granules of sand, and the chaos of kids and miscellaneous accidents, flimsy fabric pouches don't cut it. I always pack my sunglasses in a sturdy hard case, so they actually survive the trip. I also love big sunglasses for eye-protection—not to mention coolness and style. This Raen pair are chic and modern, but still timeless, bound to last season after season. Just as important: they come with a structured case that makes it easy to keep them safe when you're not wearing them. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Factory I've tried a lot of beach hats over the years—and I've also accidentally destroyed many after getting them wet or cramming them into my bag or into overhead bins. This hat remains on Survivor Island. It's classic, stylish, durable, and actually provides real sun protection thanks to the wide brim. I also love that it's eminently packable, so I can toss it in a tote or even checked suitcase without worrying about it getting crushed. The straw is soft, but structured, and the shape holds up beautifully even after being stuffed into a beach bag or carry-on. It adds just the right amount of polish to a simple swimsuit-and-shorts look—and helps me avoid too much sun exposure, especially on my face. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Walmart $20 $19 at Amazon $23 at Walmart I always seem to require more coverage than a standard beach towel provides—and that's even more true when I'm hitting the beach with kids (who are not known for their spatial awareness)—so an oversized beach towel is a must. This microfiber towel measures a generous 71 by 32 inches, so it's spacious enough for lounging without my feet or belongings touching the sand. Despite its generous size, it folds down compactly, making it easy to fit into a beach bag without taking up much space. What I particularly appreciate about this towel is its quick-drying microfiber material. After a swim, it dries fast, so you don't have to deal with a soaked-through towel for the rest of the day. The fabric is also soft against the skin, adding to the comfort. Plus, the vibrant colors and patterns are lively and easily recognizable on the beach. Credit: Amazon $16 $13 at Amazon View on I've become less heat-tolerant as I get older, so I travel with a portable handheld fan these days. This compact, foldable version is incredibly lightweight and fits easily into my beach bag or even a travel purse. Despite its diminutive size, it delivers a meaningfully powerful breeze with two speed settings, and it really helps keep you cool. This fan's 180-degree foldable design lets you use it as a handheld fan or set it on a flat surface (like a towel or cooler top) for hands-free cooling. Plus, it doubles as a power bank with its 1800mAh battery, so it's a great backup to charge your phone in a pinch. The soft, safe blades are also a thoughtful touch, especially when using it around kids. It charges reasonably quickly—in about 2.5 hours—and the battery lasts between 14 to 21 hours, depending on usage. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure No matter where I travel—whether it's to the Mediterranean or a Tahitian island—I always spot chic Europeans carrying some version of a Longchamp bag. This highly practical and elegant mesh style is timeless, elegant, and endlessly versatile. It's lightweight, breathable, and easy to shake the sand out, so it stays on the beach where it belongs. The bag holds way more than it looks like it should and still manages to feel polished, not bulky. The classic leather trim gives it that signature upscale vibe, and the whole thing folds up flat, so it's easy to pack for vacation. It's the kind of bag that never goes out of style—and somehow works just as well at the beach as it does in the city. (Just make sure your small, loose items are in smaller pouches so they don't fall out of the mesh holes.) Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $25 at Amazon View on Walmart View on When I'm at the beach, I want to be able to take photos, check messages, or even just carry my phone without constantly worrying about sand or water damage—and this waterproof phone pouch gives me extra peace of mind to use my tech. It's ultra-secure, genuinely waterproof, and still allows full touchscreen access, so I can snap pics or scroll to stay updated without taking my phone out, which is key when my hands are sandy or wet. It comes with a lanyard and has a snug, easy-to-grip design, so I don't worry about dropping it in the ocean or pool. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $249 $199 at Amazon $250 at Target $239 $199 at Walmart Wireless headphones are a beach-day essential for me—I don't want any cords to get tangled, wet, or sandy. I prefer something compact, durable, and that actually works well; for me, that's these AirPods. Huge bonus is they work seamlessly with the Find My app, so you don't have to panic if they go missing in the shuffle. The sound quality is great, and the noise-cancellation properties help block out wind and chatter when I just want to zone out. The snug fit and water-resistance also mean they work equally well for lounging or walking along the shore. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon Nothing is more decadent for a beach day than a good book, but packing paperbacks or hardbacks just isn't practical for me. They can get warped by humidity, smudged with sunscreen, or crumpled in the bottom of a tote. Of course, they're also heavy for travel. That's why I always bring an e-reader instead. It's lighter than a single book and lets me carry an entire vacation's worth of reading in one slim device. I've had great luck with the glare-free screen of the Amazon Kindle that is easy to read even in bright sun, and the battery lasts for weeks—not hours. Plus, this model is surprisingly durable, but there are plenty of Kindle cases to choose from if you want extra protection. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $129 at Amazon $100 at Target $259 at Music just makes any beach day more fun, but not every portable speaker is equipped to handle sand, water, and actual outdoor use. This one is up to the task. It's compact enough to toss in my bag without a second thought, but powerful enough to deliver clear, punchy sound across a wide area, even with waves crashing in the background. (Do be mindful of your beach neighbors, of course.) The Wonderboom 3 is waterproof, dustproof, and it even floats, and it has a loop for clipping to a beach umbrella or chair. The 14-hour battery life means you can charge it once and use it all day. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Amazon $12 at Amazon $12 at Nordstrom $28 at Target With a very fair-skinned son and a family history that makes us especially cautious, sunscreen is mission-critical over here. We reapply often, and we slather it on. This version goes on quickly and evenly, even on my son who'd rather be doing anything on the planet other than holding still for SPF application. I love that it's reef-friendly, water-resistant, and doesn't leave that chalky white cast that some mineral sunscreens do. Plus, it smells great and doesn't irritate sensitive skin. The ease of application is key because when it comes to sun protection, convenience makes a big difference in how well we actually stick to the routine. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Ulta View on Amazon $14 at Ulta View on My lips tend to get dry and sunburned faster than anything else at the beach—and not all SPF lip balms are created equal. I keep coming back to Lanolips Sun Balm because the texture is so smooth and hydrating, thanks to the lanolin-based formula. It feels like a rich, nourishing treatment rather than a waxy layer, and it actually lasts even through salty beach air and hours in the sun. The SPF 30 protection is solid, and I love that it doesn't have that weird sunscreen taste or chalky finish. It's one of those tiny things I never leave out of my beach bag—and it makes a big difference in how comfortable I feel all day. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Calpak In some parts of the world, the beach is alive with vendors selling snacks and drinks and everything else—but they can be pretty sparse in my home city of Los Angeles. So I never head to the beach without my own snack and drink inventory, and a soft cooler is the ticket to keeping items fresh and chilled (and saving money at the beach snack bars). I love this soft-sided Calpak cooler because it's surprisingly roomy without being bulky, and the design is so chic it actually looks like a weekender bag. It keeps everything cold for hours, even on the hottest days, and the easy-to-carry shoulder strap makes it practical for longer treks from the car to the sand. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: YETI $40 at Amazon $40 at REI $40 at L.L. Bean I have several of these Yeti Ramblers because they really are the gold standard for keeping drinks cold—like, forever . Even after hours in the hot sun, the ice inside is still clinking around. Plus, the 26-ounce size is generous enough that I don't have to constantly refill it to stay hydrated. I also love the wide mouth and sturdy handle, which is super easy to carry (or clip to a wagon or bag). Fair warning: it's on the heavy side, especially when it's full—but to me, the long-lasting chill is 100-percent worth it. I always bring at least one for myself and one for each of the kids. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Beek $280 at Amazon View on $280 at When it comes to beach footwear, you need something that's easy to slip on and off, won't fall apart if it gets wet, and ideally still looks polished enough for a seaside lunch (with pics!). My Beeks are way more supportive than flip-flops, with a cushioned sole and a subtle lift that gives a little height without sacrificing comfort—even when you're walking on boardwalks or uneven paths to the beach. They're also beautifully made, with buttery leather straps that feel luxe and get even better with wear. (Bonus: Beek donates meals to children in need with every pair sold, so you can feel good about the purchase, too.) Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: TA3 I've been wearing TA3 swimsuits since the brand first launched, and I've tried tons of styles; over time and iterations, the engineering gets better—better structure, more comfort, and smarter shaping. This suit in particular offers an incredible cinching effect thanks to a lace-up back that sculpts without digging in, and the fabric feels supportive in all the right places. This plunging version is bold yet flattering, and still feels secure enough for swimming. I also love that the leopard print somehow works as both a statement and a neutral—stylish, but easy to mix and match with any cover-up, hat, or sandal I throw on. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure I've tried all kinds of beach cover-ups over the years, but I keep coming back to a button-down style for versatility. A shirtdress-style cover-up works as a top layer over a swimsuit, but it can also double as an actual outfit—whether I'm grabbing lunch, walking through town, or heading through the hotel lobby. I love that I can throw one on and instantly feel put together, even if I'm still wearing a bathing suit underneath. This version is lightweight and breathable, but still has a nice texture that elevates it from the usual beachwear. The longer length offers great coverage, and the relaxed silhouette makes it super easy to wear. Dress it up with jewelry and sandals or keep it casual with flip-flops and a beach tote—it works either way. Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure Credit: Travel + Leisure
The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
France spent €90,000 countering research into impact of Pacific nuclear tests
France's Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has spent tens of thousands of euros in an effort to counter research revealing that Paris has consistently underestimated the devastating impact of its nuclear tests in French Polynesia in the 1960s and 1970s. Days before a parliamentary inquiry presents its report on the tests, documents obtained by the investigative outlet Disclose, and seen by Le Monde and the Guardian, suggest the CEA ran a concerted campaign to discredit the revelations. A 2021 book, Toxique, which focused on just six of the 193 nuclear tests that France carried out from 1966 to 1996 at Moruroa and Fangataufa atolls, drawing on 2,000 pages of declassified material and dozens of interviews, concluded that they contaminated many more people than France has ever acknowledged. The latest documents show that a year after the book's publication, the CEA published 5,000 copies of its own booklet – titled 'Nuclear tests in French Polynesia: why, how and with what consequences?' – and distributed them across the islands. As part of an operation costing more than €90,000, the commission also flew a four-man team by business class to French Polynesia, where they stayed at the Hilton hotel, to meet local dignitaries and give interviews to the media. The CEA's booklet, printed on glossy paper, claimed to provide 'scientific responses' to the 'allegations' contained in Toxique, whose authors it said did not have 'the same level of expertise'. It claimed contamination had been limited and that France always behaved transparently and with respect for local inhabitants' health. The publication of Toxique – based on the investigation by Disclose, Princeton University's science and global security programme and Interprt, an environmental justice research collective – caused a furore in France, prompting visits to French Polynesia by a minister and the president, Emmanuel Macron, who acknowledged France's 'debt' to the region. In one 1974 test alone, the scientific research found, 110,000 people – the population of Tahiti and its nearby islands – could have received a radiation dose high enough to qualify them for compensation if they later developed one of 23 different cancers. Toxique alleged the CEA has long underestimated the radiation levels involved, significantly limiting the numbers eligible for compensation: by 2023, fewer than half the 2,846 compensation claims submitted had even been judged admissible. The parliamentary inquiry, which has so far called more than 40 politicians, military personnel, scientists and victims, is due to report before the end of May on the social, economic and environmental impact of the tests – and whether France knowingly concealed the extent of contamination. The CEA's military division, CEA/DAM, the inventor of France's atomic bomb, has repeatedly called this a 'false assertion'. But France's nuclear safety body, the ASNR, has since acknowledged 'uncertainties associated with [the CEA's] calculations' and confirmed to the parliamentary inquiry that it was impossible to prove people received radiation doses lower than the compensation threshold. The CEA said in a statement that the aim of its booklet 'was to provide Polynesians in particular with the elements to understand' the tests and their impact. It said the booklet applied 'the necessary scientific rigour' to explain 'the health and environmental consequences of the tests' in a 'factual and transparent manner'. Vincenzo Salvetti, a former head of the CEA/DAM and a member of the 2022 mission to French Polynesia, denied the booklet was intended as the CEA's official version of events or a response to Toxique. He said previous CEA publications – particularly a 2006 report that the Toxique researchers calculate underestimated the actual radioactive contamination levels of one nuclear test by a factor of three – had been 'much too technical'. Salvetti confirmed, however, that the booklet stated that the health of Polynesia's inhabitants had been a 'constant concern' of the French state and that France had behaved throughout 'with a transparency without precedent or international equivalent'. Nonetheless, the inquiry has heard that the CEA/DAM has so far declassified only 380 documents in the four years since Macron demanded 'greater transparency' around the tests and their consequences – compared with 173,000 declassified by the army. Jérôme Demoment, the director of CEA/DAM, told the parliamentary inquiry earlier this year that it was 'highly likely, if we were to have to manage [nuclear tests] today, that the system put in place would respond to a different logic'. Forty-six of France's nuclear tests were atmospheric, exposing the local population, site workers and French soldiers who were stationed in Polynesia at the time to high levels of radiation before the testing programme was moved underground in 1974. Radiation-related thyroid, breast and lung cancers, as well as leukaemia and lymphoma, are prevalent across the islands. For its part, the French army has said up to 2,000 military personnel could have been exposed to enough radiation to cause cancer. 'The notion of a 'clean bomb' has generated controversy, which I fully understand,' Demoment told the parliamentary inquiry. 'No nuclear test generating radioactive fallout can be considered clean.'
