Nanuk will be highlighting cases big & small at InterDrone, a major 2nd year convention/educational seminars/gathering of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV aka Drones) professionals and aficionados in Las Vegas this week.
Nanuk and InterDrone's advocacy of UAV's are critical to American Samoa's future in the areas of first responder search & rescue (safer/cheaper to send a drone instead of a helicopter or put men & women at risk), agriculture (trees and hills are high, we old fat guys can't always climb either), building & utility tower inspections (climb a roof or a 400 ft. cell, radio, or electrical tower lately?), land documentation and mapping (no one ever encroaches on our family lands in Samoa, right?), and throw in the magic of mounted UAV infrared cameras...and the Territory will be hugely ahead of the curve to increase the quality of life and safety of its residents (at amazing cost effective costs).
For news coverage, reflect back to the tragic Samoa Tsunami and what we could have done with a drone.
All of we, Samoa News reporters and photographers, put our safety at risk to inform you local and overseas readers. We hiked to the back of destroyed villages, and interviewed devastated victims. We were confronted in our efforts by dangerous sheets of glass, torn roofing tins, chunks of concrete, smashed cars and holes everywhere.
A UAV would have allowed me to cover more villages faster, at significantly less risk (remember we all also faced the potential of aftershocks & subsequent further locally generated killer tsunami waves.)
My work for CNN, at the time, may have facilitated President Obama's expediting emergency financial and equipment assistance to American Samoa.
Increased efficiency in news coverage is good for all and another reason to support Samoa News efforts in the big picture (both embracing our coverage and support through advertising).
After InterDrone I will be sharing highlights in upcoming Cool Stuff columns and with American Samoa Government agencies on my next visit, if they seek my input.
Cool Stuff will personally advocate that the US Federal Government, Dept of Interior/Agriculture or whomever provide the ASG drones (UAV's) in Nanuk cases.
The Cool Stuff Drone recently did a South Pacific tour to promote the fantastic Ohana Cup Rugby League event hosted in Hawa’ii (I would have used the word "amazing" instead, but Donald Trump seems to have worn the word out).
Links to rough edits of Tonga & Samoa Ohana Cup promotions (with drones and co-production by Abraham Markowitz).
Tonga
https://youtu.be/ndV8Qtj6jUA
Samoa
https://youtu.be/2aMrV6Nj40c