Green Tourism & Marine Protection: Hilton Hotel Tahiti in Papeete has earned Green Globe certification, highlighting its partnership with local NGO OceanIA and a solar-powered observation platform aimed at protecting local waters. Whale Rights Lawmaking: The Moananui Sanctuary Trust released two model legislative frameworks for public consultation on whale protection, framing whales as kin and pushing for ocean guardianship through a mix of Indigenous tradition and modern legal tools. Ocean Day Conservation: A World Ocean Day feature spotlights how French Polynesia blends marine protection with tourism, pointing to Marine Protected Areas and bans on seabed exploitation and shark fishing, with Tainui Ātea described as the world’s largest marine protected area. Decolonisation & Nuclear Legacies: Pacific leaders say decolonisation is still unfinished decades after nuclear testing, linking environmental harm and self-determination to ongoing disputes over who benefits from regional resources. Air Connectivity for Outlying Islands: Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti activated a codeshare from June 3, letting travelers book one ticket for international flights plus inter-island connections across French Polynesia and beyond. Regional Ocean Governance: A broader Pacific debate on seabed mining centers Indigenous sovereignty and the risks to deep-sea ecosystems, with New Caledonia’s 50-year commercial seabed mining ban cited as a major Indigenous-backed step. Culture & Sport on the Water: Cook Islands paddler Reuben Dearlove won the Masters Men 50 division at Te Aito 2026 in Tahiti, adding another milestone to the va’a racing circuit.