Prime Minister calls for commitment & support for Boxing’s future
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, SAMOA – 7 September 2026: One of the key factors raised by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt at the welcoming ava ceremony for all Oceania boxing teams, was to ensure that the future of boxing is secured. Delivering the keynote address, he said sports has always played an important role in [...] The post Prime Minister calls for commitment & support for Boxing’s future appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-07 00:56:56

Former Miss Samoa Iliganoa signs off in emotional farewell
By Jeannie Penehuro / Apia, SAMOA – 7 September 2026 – Outgoing Miss Samoa, Iliganoa Feagaimaalii Soti Mapu delivered an emotional farewell speech as she concluded her reign during last Saturday’s pageant. Reflecting on her experience, Iliganoa spoke openly about not fitting the conventional image some people may have of a Miss Samoa. “A significant truth [...] The post Former Miss Samoa Iliganoa signs off in emotional farewell appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-07 00:46:58

Bias & favouritism allegations against Prosecutor withdrawn
By Lagi Keresoma Apia, SAMOA – 7 September 2026: The bias and favoritism allegations against Prosecutor Leinafo Strickland have been withdrawn after the court found no evidence to support the allegations. The allegations were filed by Faleata 3 Member of Parliament Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi after Strickland decided not to appeal the decision of District Court [...] The post Bias & favouritism allegations against Prosecutor withdrawn appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-06 21:19:50

Poumau Ah Lam Tiufea Va’a crowned Miss Samoa 2026–2027
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 6 September 2026 – Poumau Astesclanalesusi Ah Lam Tiufea Va’a was crowned Miss Samoa 2026–2027 at the national pageant at Tuanaimato Gym 1 Saturday night. Poumau emerged the winner from a field of eight contestants and the new Miss Samoa said she looks forward to serving Samoa in whatever [...] The post Poumau Ah Lam Tiufea Va’a crowned Miss Samoa 2026–2027 appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-06 21:15:05

Samoa & Australia Test Disaster Preparedness in Exercise Longbeach
Samoa, Australia and Pacific partner nations have strengthened their collective disaster preparedness and regional resilience through Exercise Longreach in Apia last week. Samoa’s Disaster Management Office worked in close partnership with disaster relief specialists from the Australian Defence Force to plan for the Exercise. Through a series of tabletop and simulation activities, participants practised coordination, [...] The post Samoa & Australia Test Disaster Preparedness in Exercise Longbeach appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-06 21:09:16

Sua Fa’alogo Crowned Melbourne Storm Player of the Year
Sua Fa’alogo has been named Melbourne Storm’s Player of the Year after an impressive 2026 NRL season. Ryan Papenhuyzen stepped away from rugby league at the end of the 2025 season, which meant Fa’alogo became Melbourne’s starting fullback this year in his first full season as a regular starter. In his 24 appearances, the man [...] The post Sua Fa’alogo Crowned Melbourne Storm Player of the Year first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-09-06 15:51:01

Poumau Tiufea Vaa, Miss Sili Ecofarm is your Miss Samoa 2026
Miss Sili Eco Farm, Poumau Tiufea Va’a is the new Miss Samoa 2026-2027, following a night of competition celebrating Samoan culture and talent. Poumau proudly represented Vaimoso, Safotu, Taufusi, Fagaloa and Falelima in Savai’i. Miss Samoa won two other awards, taking the Best Swimwear and Best Siva Samoa. Contestant No. 8, Millie Ronda Samuelu, representing [...] The post Poumau Tiufea Vaa, Miss Sili Ecofarm is your Miss Samoa 2026 first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-09-06 06:05:02

Cabinet Approves Samoa Rugby Football Union as Official Rugby Governing Body
Samoa Rugby Football Union Approved as Official Governing Body for Rugby in Samoa Cabinet has approved the Samoa Rugby Football Union (S.R.F.U.) as the official body responsible for governing and leading rugby in Samoa. In a press release yesterday evening, the Government stated that the Ministry of Sports and Recreation is spearheading the restructuring and [...] The post Cabinet Approves Samoa Rugby Football Union as Official Rugby Governing Body first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-09-05 21:56:39

Savea Ruled Out, Tupaea in Doubt as Springboks Take a 2-1 Series Lead
New Zealand captain Ardie Savea will miss next weekend’s fourth Test against South Africa after suffering a shoulder injury in the All Blacks’ 29-24 loss to the Springboks. The 32-year-old was forced from the field nine minutes before halftime on Saturday in a major blow for the All Blacks, who fell 2-1 behind in the [...] The post Savea Ruled Out, Tupaea in Doubt as Springboks Take a 2-1 Series Lead first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-09-05 21:27:41

ASCC students arrested following campus fight
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 25, 2026, local authorities responded to a reported disturbance at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) campus involving four students who were allegedly involved in a physical altercation with two other students. The incident led to the arrest of four students however, only two suspects, Kenneth Teoni and Krishna Tusipa were later charged with: Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. Both defendants were held without bail. According to the police affidavit, the four suspects allegedly initiated a fight with the two victims (students) on school grounds. Police said the individuals exchanged punches using their bare hands. No visible injuries were observed on either victim, and both declined medical assistance. The incident was reported to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) at approximately 10:21 a.m. by an ASCC representative, who told police that a fight had broken out among students and that the involved individuals were being held in the campus security office. The reporter requested immediate police assistance. Upon arrival at the college at approximately 10:46 a.m., authorities entered the campus security office, where they observed several male individuals gathered in the main office and additional individuals in another room with campus security personnel. The reporter informed police that everyone in the office had been involved in the fight. The officers subsequently detained six individuals and transported them to the TPS. Police were also informed that the incident had been captured on campus surveillance cameras. The reporter was instructed to provide the footage on a flash drive for police to collect and use as part of the investigation. At the TPS, officers separated the individuals to prevent any further escalation and interviewed the victims and suspects separately. VICTIMS' ACCOUNTS According to the first victim, he was sitting in class on the morning of Aug. 25, when two male students entered the classroom and began punching and kicking him while he was on the floor. The victim told police that the two students struck him multiple times in the head and face before running back outside the classroom. The second victim told police that the incident had its origins in an encounter the previous day, Aug. 24th. According to his account, he was walking down the stairs of the ASCC- CAPP building after being released from class when one of the suspects approached him and asked whether he had a problem with him. The suspect allegedly began walking towards him as though challenging him to fight. The victim said he then removed his backpack and asked the suspect whether he had a problem with him. The suspect allegedly suggested that they go to the bathroom, but the victim said nothing happened there. Later that day, while the victim was walking towards the school parking lot, he said the same suspect and approximately four or five other males approached him and began assaulting him. Campus security intervened and brought the individuals to the office. The victim said everyone eventually made amends, and he believed the matter had been resolved. However, on Aug. 25th, while walking to class, the victim said he heard from a neighboring classroom that the same individuals from the previous day were beating his friend. He said one of the suspects entered his classroom and began punching him in the head. As he attempted to protect himself, campus security intervened and moved the individuals outside.The victim alleged that while outside, one female suspect punched him as he attempted to push her away. He further stated that another male suspect wearing a white shirt followed and punched him in the face. Police examined both victims but reported that no visible injuries were observed. Both victims declined medical treatment. SUSPECTS' ACCOUNTS Police subsequently interviewed the four suspects after advising them of their constitutional rights. The first suspect told police that the confrontation began after the first victim approached her and her friends on the morning of Aug. 25 and asked about the individuals who had allegedly tried to fight the second victim the previous day. According to her account, she told the victim that she did not want any further problems. She said the victim cursed at her and threatened to bring his sister to fight her. She said that later, while she was in class, a fight broke out. According to her, her cousin, another one of the suspects, attempted to stop the fight but was punched. She said that when the altercation moved outside the classroom, she punched the second victim. The second suspect told police that the dispute stemmed from a mobile game — Call of Duty. He said that on Aug. 24th, the second victim approached him near the ASCC-CAPP building stairs and wanted to fight him. He said he initially told the victim that he would not waste his time fighting, but later became angry and told him to fight off campus because he did not want to fight on school grounds. According to the suspect, campus security witnessed the confrontation and brought them to the office, where they discussed the situation and were told not to engage in any further fighting. He said the matter appeared to have been resolved. The suspect said however that on Aug. 25th, the first victim approached him and indicated that he wanted to fight. He said he and another suspect then went into the victim's classroom, where a fight began. The third suspect provided a similar account, telling police that on the morning of Aug. 25th, the two victims approached him and attempted to start a fight. He said he agreed to fight them, and after they went into a classroom, he followed them inside, where the altercation continued. The fourth suspect told police that the dispute also originated the previous day and was connected to the Call of Duty game. He said he was not involved in the incident on Aug. 24. According to his account, on Aug. 25th, he was with the other suspects in a waiting area when the two victims approached them and attempted to start a fight. He said they did not respond because they believed the previous day's matter had already been resolved. He continue that while he was sitting in class, the other students began fighting in another room, and the altercation eventually continued into his classroom. He told police that he attempted to intervene and break up the fight but was punched in the process. He said he then tried to move the confrontation outside the classroom, where the victims again approached them and the fighting continued before the individuals ended up in the security office. At approximately 12:26 p.m., all four suspects were booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending their next appearance in the District Court. As indicated by the affidavits, it would seem only two of the suspects have been charged. The affidavits were filed in the District Court on Aug. 26, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-09-04 18:00:17

PITA Jr. 2026 Summer STEAM Bootcamp Program concludes
Source: Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation press release Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On Friday, August 14, 2026, the Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation successfully concluded its inaugural Pacific Innovation Technology Academy Junior (PITA Jr.) Summer Bootcamp at the Uifaatali Peter Tali Coleman Elementary School. The three-week STEAM initiative introduced young students to emerging technologies and engineering fundamentals, inspiring the next generation of pilots, developers, and robotics engineers for the Territory. PITA Jr. was created as a prevention strategy under the Foeoletini Foundation’s Prevention Starts With You(th) initiative, made possible mainly through a partnership with the American Samoa Department of Health Behavioral Health Services Division, with support from other government departments, the private sector, and non-government organizations. PITA Jr. expanded the Foeoletini Foundation's mission by adding technology and education as outreach tools for substance abuse prevention. “The targeted age group was 10- to 12-year-olds, students entering grades 6 through 8. We continue to witness the success of our high school students competing in off-island national and world competitions for drone and robotics, and we wanted to bring that same exposure and experience directly to our village kids. “Prevention does not always have to begin with talking about drugs. Sometimes, prevention begins by giving a child something positive to dream about, investing in their journey, and pushing them to their limits. We began this pilot program in my home district and gave our village kids the opportunity to see that these technologies and future careers are within their reach,” stated Hon. Trude Ledoux-Sunia on behalf of the Foeoletini Foundation Board of Trustees. Ledoux-Sunia continued. “We are grateful to everyone who believed in our program by giving our village youth an opportunity to experience technology in a practical and meaningful way.” Students participated in hands-on lessons that focused on 3D printing, drone technology, and robotics. For most students, the program introduced them to emerging technologies for the first time and taught them how to apply “the engineering process.” Fiafia Sunia, PITA Jr. Administrator, said the students' ability to retain a great amount of information in the last three weeks demonstrated their interest in technology and engineering, and that we should value exposing young people to technology through these opportunities early on. He also noted that the students are equipped to work in teams, understand the importance of communication, develop efficient planning skills, and know it's OK to fail and try again. “We had an average of about 33 students for the three-week program, and the takeaway of the bootcamp was witnessing how fast the students were able to comprehend and pick up the basic fundamentals. This sets them up for the next phase of routine sets of repetitions. Piloting, computer-aided design, autonomous coding, and communication skills are important because they transcend the STEAM space and will help them in other areas of their lives. My only regret is that because it is a Bootcamp, we are only scratching the surface.” Sunia stated. The boot camp closed, and each student received a book bag, school supplies, and startup robotics kits donated by The Foeoletini Foundation. They also completed a 3D-printed keychain project during the boot camp. Lastly, they received their own CODRONE Mini Drone, donated by the American Samoa Department of Education Technology Integration Division. The Foeoletini Foundation congratulated the students of the inaugural PITA Jr. Summer Bootcamp for their creativity and willingness to learn. The Foundation looks forward to creating more opportunities for American Samoa's youth to explore technology, develop new skills, and discover the possibilities of their STEAM future. The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the American Samoa Government partners, the American Samoa Department of Education, the American Samoa Department of Health, private donors, community organizations, instructors, volunteers, parents, and supporters who contributed to PITA Jr.'s success. The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for victims, families, and communities affected by substance use disorder, through initiatives such as the Pacific Innovation Technology Academy (PITA), PITA Jr., Elevate Sports 684, Heart through Art, and Prevention Starts with You(th). PITA and PITA Jr. have launched a page on the Foeoletini Foundation website: www.foeoletini.org , featuring photos, videos, and background information about these programs and their impact on the Territory. Also visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/foeoletinifoundation . Section: Local News Tags: STEAM Bootcamp Program
2026-09-04 17:46:41

Western Pacific scientists to review fishing rules and bottomfish catch
Source: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council HONOLULU — Where can large fishing vessels operate around American Samoa? How much bottomfish can be sustainably caught there in the coming years? What science will guide the future of fishing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands? These are some of the questions the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will discuss Sept. 8–10, 2026, in Honolulu. The public can attend in person or online to hear how scientists review the information behind upcoming Council decisions affecting fisheries in Hawai‘i and American Samoa. AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS FOR AMERICAN SAMOA Fishing Rules in American Samoa The SSC will review possible changes to the American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area around Rose Atoll. The discussion will focus on whether and how fishing access for larger vessels should change around Rose Atoll. The LVPA was established to reduce competition between large longline vessels and smaller-scale alia vessels. American Samoa Bottomfish Catch The SSC will consider an acceptable biological catch (ABC) for American Samoa bottomfish for 2027–2030. A 2026 stock assessment update found that the fishery is not overfished and is not experiencing overfishing. The ABC is the SSC’s science-based recommendation for how much can be caught sustainably, accounting for scientific uncertainty. The Council then considers management uncertainty and other factors when setting the annual catch limit, which may be lower than the ABC. What Science Is Needed for Upcoming Management Decisions? The SSC will also identify research, monitoring and analysis needed to meet Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements and address emerging fishery management needs and priorities. These include future management of areas recently reopened to commercial fishing, as well as developing pelagic fishery actions identified under the federal Executive Order on “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” Potential changes aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on domestic fishing include revisions to sea turtle measures in the Hawai‘i shallow-set and American Samoa longline fisheries and to the swordfish retention limit in the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. The SSC will also rank regional research priorities to help focus future scientific work on the questions that matter most for fishery management. HOW TO JOIN In-Person: Council Office, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI Online: Via Webex: https://tinyurl.com/161SSCMtg , Event password: SSC161mtg Get the Full Agenda & Documents: www.wpcouncil.org/event/161st-scientific-and-statistical-committee-meeti... The SSC provides advice to the Council, which will meet virtually Sept. 15-17, 2026, with host sites in Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam and the CNMI. More information is available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/208th-council-meeting. Section: Regional Tags: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
2026-09-04 17:37:38

OP ED: AMATA CONGRATULATES U.S. SEN. MARKEY ON HIS HUGE WIN
Koror — (9/3/26) Following Tuesday's primary in Massachusetts, I woke up to the news that the voters gave a resounding vote of confidence to 80-year-old Senator Ed Markey, along with two long serving House members. All had younger challengers running against them and ignoring the value of seniority, relationships, experience, and track records of accomplishments. Those challengers got a lot of headlines and TikTok videos, but the voters chose seniority by a wide margin, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said. Of course, Sen. Markey is 12 years younger than Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa! He's 92, and long known as one of the hardest working senators. Amazingly, he just completed his 46th straight year of visits and meetings in all 99 counties in his state, which is an area over 56,000 square miles. He still holds regular press conferences in the Capitol, attended by a radio voice you know from KHJ's Washington correspondent, where the Senator puts a big focus on judges and the Farm Bill. His voters ignore complaints about his age and watch the work he does. I've worked with Sen. Markey, and in 2022 I traveled the Pacific with him at his invitation. These are the kind of invites I accept to maintain friendships with influential leaders of both parties. I've traveled with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, also at his invitation, and many more. In this way, I'm prepared no matter what for the leadership of each Congress! Legislatively, it's the best way to have a say in the bipartisan bills that are most likely to make it all the way through the process and become law. Those who are passionate about politics sometimes misunderstand why I'm bipartisan in Congress. Republicans might wonder how I work with Members with beliefs far to my left; Democrats wonder how I can work with President Trump. It's simple: It is what is best for American Samoa. We are a small territory and sending a partisan to Washington to antagonize one side of the aisle is not in the best interests of our people! Our islands' Republican Party dates back to President Eisenhower, who famously worked with both sides of Congress. In working with everyone, I'm a throwback to less partisan times, because that's what American Samoa needs from our Representative.” [Editor’s note: Ed Markey is the Democratic U.S. Senator from Massachusetts who assumed office on July 16, 2013 and has served 20 terms.] Section: Opinion Tags: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata
2026-09-04 17:31:58

THREE-DAY WEEKEND, WITH LABOR DAY HOLIDAY ON MONDAY
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Acting Governor, Lt. Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr has declared Monday, September 7 Labor Day, which is also a federal holiday, with all ASG offices closed. Federal offices here and in the US are also closed for the special day to honor workers throughout the nation. Labor Day honors the dedication and resilience of the hard-working men and women who serve as the backbone of our territory. This day is an opportunity to pay tribute to the workforce that has built the foundation of our proud community, and to those who carry forward the enduring legacy of improving our way of life. May you all be blessed. The Governor and I wish you all a safe and meaningful Labor Day Holiday, the Lt. Governor said in a release issued this week. President Donald Trump did not issue a stand alone official White House Proclamation or formal address specifically dedicated to Labor Day during the week of the holiday in September 2026; instead focusing his public remarks and briefings around midterm election campaign preparations and foreign policy. Writing on Truth Social ahead of the holiday week, Trump stated that keeping businesses closed for working holidays harms the country financially. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following for Labor Day 2026: “Labor Day is a federal holiday in honor of you and all your work in your jobs, where you faithfully serve your families, and in doing so, make our communities better, and keep our economy moving. Your job is important! Labor Day is a nationwide thank you for your entire year of dedication and efforts, as well as a well-deserved day of rest and relaxation with family or friends. Our local economy is influenced by the larger U.S. economy and decisions in Washington that can affect our small businesses, our fishing, or the costs of the imports we need, policies that impact family budgets. I will keep focused to ensure that American Samoa is treated fairly in legislation. May God bless your diligence, your health, your families and faith in the year ahead. Happy Labor Day!” With Monday a holiday all government offices will be closed as well as some in the private sector. The U.S. Post Office will also be closed on Monday, as well as all federal offices in the territory. In observance of the Labor Day holiday, Samoa News will not publish on Monday. Have a safe holiday and we’ll be back on Tuesday. Section: Local News Tags: labor day holiday
2026-09-04 17:24:10

Senate bill proposed for a Critical Guest Worker Amnesty Program
By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A new Senate bill is proposing a one-time amnesty program for foreign nationals living in American Samoa without valid immigration status, so they can work for StarKist Samoa and other employers deemed critical to the Territory's economy. The proposal comes as the Administration is pushing a separate bill that would place a 12-month moratorium on a controversial special provision in American Samoa's Immigration Law, pending approval by the House of Representatives. For years, American Samoa's immigration law has included a special provision that gives the Immigration Board the power to approve the entry of foreign nationals outside the legal quota, or cap, set by law. In practice, critics say the clause has been used to allow thousands of people to live and work in the territory without going through the standard immigration system. Supporters have argued it was necessary to fill labor shortages. The Administration's bill would pause the use of that provision for one year. While the moratorium is being debated, a new bill sponsored by Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono would create a different path: a Critical Guest Worker Amnesty Program. Here is how it would work: Any foreigner who is currently in American Samoa with an invalid or out-of-status immigration status would have 90 days to apply for a new Critical Guest Worker permit. The amnesty would be open to people from any country, regardless of country of birth, nationality, or ancestry. To qualify, an applicant must show proof that they have been continuously present in American Samoa since January 1st, 2025, and must present a valid five-year employment contract. The permit would only be valid to work for StarKist Samoa or any other business that the Governor designates as a critical industry employer. The permit would be issued for one year at a time and could be renewed annually, for a maximum of five years total. People granted this permit would not be counted against the numerical limits and quotas in the current immigration law. No immigration bond would be required. Instead, the bill states that the critical industry employer assumes all financial responsibility for the workers they hire under this program. The amnesty program itself would be temporary. According to the bill, it would expire one year from the date the Act goes into effect, unless the Legislature votes to extend it. If passed, the bill would create a formal, time-limited pathway for out-of-status workers already in the Territory to gain legal status, but only if they are tied to industries the government considers critical. Section: Local News Tags: Guest Worker Amnesty
2026-09-04 17:18:49

House raises ARPA fund interest investment issue, as well as Fono’s weak oversight power with ASTCA
By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The handling of millions of dollars in interest earned from federal ARPA funds came under sharp scrutiny in the House of Representatives Tuesday, with lawmakers demanding a full accounting of how the money has been invested. The issue was raised on the House floor by Representative Faimealelei Anthony Allen. He said lawmakers have been told that the Administration has invested the interest, which had already grown to about $10 million two years ago. But so far, he said, the Fono has not seen any report on where the money went or how it is being used. Allen said the only way to get a straight answer may be to issue a subpoena requiring the Administration to produce a detailed report on the investment and the use of the earnings. Without that, he argued, the House has no way to verify what happened to the funds. He noted that Representative Fagaima Larry Sanitoa had previously suggested that the interest should be used to pay down the American Samoa Government's long-standing debt to the ASG Employees' Retirement Fund. Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu backed the call for action, saying talk alone is not enough. "If we just keep speaking and do nothing, our words mean nothing," Fetui said. He warned that if reports are true that the Governor invested the $10 million without informing or getting approval from the Fono, the House has a responsibility to investigate. The government, he said, is not run by one person, and the Executive Branch cannot spend or invest public funds without the Legislature's approval. The Chairman of the House Budget and Appropriations Committee, Representative Vailoata Eteuati Amituanai, said his committee is already pursuing answers. He told members that information on the $10 million has been requested from the Director of the ARPA Office, who was scheduled to testify before his committee the following day. The Senate is also looking into the matter. The Senate Government Operations Committee held a hearing earlier that morning with Acting Treasurer Carri-Lee Magalei-Tulafono testifying on the investment of the ARPA interest. In other business, Representative Fagaima said recent developments at the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority point to the need for stronger legislative oversight. He urged the House to revive a bill that would formally establish ASTCA as an authority by statute. Right now, he said, aside from reviewing its budget, the Fono has little say over how ASTCA is run. He pointed to the recent dissolution of the ASTCA Board, which he said was done without any communication to the Fono. "It feels like the government is being run by the Executive alone, and the Fono is being kept in the dark," Fagaima said. Fagaima and Representative Vailoata also objected to language in ASTCA's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which stated that some financial information is confidential. ASTCA is a public entity, Fagaima argued, and it should not be deciding what information the Fono is allowed to see. That decision, he said, belongs to the Fono. Section: Local News
2026-09-04 17:13:37

Fia malamalama auiliili ia le Fono i tupe a le malo ua inivesi
[ata: foa'i] By Lali Staff Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA I le iloiloga a le Komiti a le Senate o le Faagaioiga o le Malo, i le aso Lua, Setema 1, 2026, sa alia’e ai se vaegatupe e $10 miliona (pe sili atu foi), o tupe a le malo, ua ta’ua le inivesi i atunu’u i fea, ae e leai seisi faamatalaga auiliili o iloa ai. Ma e lua ni igoa sa faapea ona ta’ua, o lo’o ogatotonu i lenei faaiuga mo le aveina o tupe a le malo, e inivesi, o le afioga i le Kovana Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula ma le susuga ia Brett Butler, ae i le ogatotonu, o iai le sui Tausitupe. Sa na’o le sui Tausitupe a le malo, le faletua ia Carri-Lee Magalei-Tulafono, na molimau i le iloiloga, ma i le amataga o le iloiloga, sa faapea ona fa’amalosi’au atu ai ia le afioga i le Peresetene o le Senate, le Tofa Tuaolo M. Fruean, ina ia faamaoni i lana molimau. Sa tatalaina e le afioga i le Senatoa Togiola T.A. Tulafono, le taitaifono o le komiti, ia le iloiloga, e ala i le faaleoina o le autu o le iloiloga. Sa saunoa Togiola, sa fa’ao’oina atu e le malo, i le Fono, ia pili mo se tupe fa’aopoopo, e toe fa’apolokama ai vaegatupe, e totogi ai manaoga lotoifale. O nisi o nei vaegatupe, e mai i polokalama feterale, e pei ona ta’ua e Togiola – aemaise lava le Medicaid – ma sa fesiligia e Togiola, le fa’atulafonoina o ia tulaga. Sa saunoa foi le afioga i le Taitaifono, o se tasi o fesili o lo’o fia fesiligia ai e le komiti ia le malo, pe aisea ua o latou a’apa mai ai i nei tupe, ae ua iai tupe, o lo’o ta’ua, sa inivesi e mafai ona fa’aaoga, e toe totogi ai nei tulaga, aemaise ai le aitalafu a le Teugatupe o le Ritaea – e aunoa ma le toe faia o ni aitalafou fou. Sa ta’ua foi e le afioga i le Senatoa, ia le fia malamalama o le Fono, i le tupe a le malo lea ua inivesi. Pe $10 miliona, po o seisi $10 miliona faaopoopo, e atoa ai le $20 miliona. O fea o lo’o inivesi ai. O ai sa faatagaina ona faia o lenei inivesi. Ma po o iai se tulafono, e faatagaina ai lea tagata, ona inivesi lea tupe. Sa saunoa Togiola, e foliga mai o lo’o sau le tupe mai i le malo feterale, ma ia fesiligia po o fea o teu ai, ma po o anafea foi. Peitai, i le molimau a Magalei-Tulafono, i se taimi mulimuli ane, sa faamanino mai ai, o le tupe, o initeresi sa maua mai i tupe feterale a le ARPA, ma na teuina i se teugatupe, i lalo o le igoa o le malo o Amerika Samoa. Na amataina ia le molimau a le sui Tausitupe, i lona faapea mai, e na te le o nofo malamalama i faaupuga o le pili mo se tupe fa’aopoopo, ona sa le iai o ia, i le tu’ufaatasiga o lea pili, e ui ina sa ia fa’ailoa mai, ina ua fesiligia o ia e Togiola, sa avea o ia ma sui Tausitupe, i le taimi na tu’ufaatasia ai le pili. Sa fesiligia foi e Togiola ia le tofiga o Brett Butler, i totonu o le Ofisa o Tupe. Sa molimau Magalei-Tulafono, o ia sa filifilia e Brett Butler, e avea ma sui Tausitupe, a'o iloiloina Butler, e avea ma Tausitupe, e ui ina sa ia le mana’o i le tofiga, ae sa na’o mo sina taimi pu’upu’u, se’ia pasia ia Butler. Ina ua avea o ia ma sui Tausitupe, sa faapea ona se’e mai Butler, mai i le Ofisa o le Kovana, i le Ofisa o Tupe, i lalo o le tofiga ‘Executive Treasury Specialist’. Ona sa le pasia e le Maota o Sui, ia Butler, sa faapea ona tumau ai le tofiga o le sui Tausitupe, ia Magalei-Tulafono. Ae o lo’o totogi o ia, i le totogi a le Tausitupe. Sa faamanino foi e Magalei-Tulafono, sa iai se initeresi e $11 mai i le ARPA, sa teuina i le faletupe a Siona, i Salt Lake, Utah, ia Mati 2026. I se imeli mai i le kovana, sa ia faatonuina ai Magalei-Tulafono, e ave le $10 miliona – mai i le $11 miliona – ma tu’u i totonu o se faalapotopotoga inivesi, e ta’ua o le McKinley Beech Tree, e inivesi ai mo galuega a le Ofisa o Uafu ma Malaevaalele. Peitai sa ta’ua e Magalei-Tulafono, e na te le iloa tonu ia se tulaga, i ia poloketi. Ae o lo’o tumau pea le $1 miliona i totonu o le Faletupe a Siona. Na fesiligia e Togiola ia tulaga auiliili o lenei kamupani, ua inivesi ai le $10 miliona, sa tali Magalei-Tulafono, e na te le iloa. Ae sa fa’aaogaina upega tafa’ilagi, e ave’ese atu ai le tupe, ma sa na’o Butler, le kovana ma ia, na fa’atagaina le faia o lea tulaga. Na saunoa foi le sui Tausitupe, e na te le iloa, se tulaga, po o iai se maliliega faaiu ma lea kamupani, ae o lo’o ia te ia, ia pepa faamaumau ma sa ia tu’uina atu le kopi o ia faamaumauga, i sui o le komiti a le Senate. Sa toe fesiligia e Tuaolo, ia le sui Tausitupe, pe sa ia fa’afeso’ota’iina ia le Loia Sili, ae e na te le’i ioe, i le ave’eseina atu o le tupe. Sa tali muamua Magalei-Tulafono, e leai, ona sa fai atu Butler, ia te ia, o le a gafa o ia (Butler) ma tulaga uma, o lenei faaiuga. Peitai, i se taimi mulimuli ane, a’o la talanoa ma lona toalua, sa faatonu ai o ia, e aumai se tusi e faamautu ai lea tulaga. O iina na ia maua mai ai se tusi mai i le Kovana, e faamautu ai le faatonuina o ia, i le tulaga e faia i le tupe. Ae fa’ato’a ia talanoa i le Loia Sili, e tusa ai ma lenei mataupu, i se vaitaimi lata mai. Sa fesiligia e Tuaolo, ia tupe maua mai i lenei inivesi. Tali Magalei-Tulafono, e o’o mai i le aso o le iloiloga, e leai se tupe ua toe maua mai. Sa faamanino e le peresetene o le Senate, ua mae’a ona talanoa atu ia le kovana, ia te ia ma le afioga i le Fofoga Fetalai, e tusa ai ma le totogia o le aitalafu i le Teugatupe ale Ritaea, i se taimi lata mai. Ae o lea ua fa’aaoga le tupe, e inivesi ai i atunu’u i fafo. Ona fa’agata ai lea iina o fesili a le afioga i le Peresetene, ona sa ia ta’ua e faapea, ua amata ona sau lona maalili, i mea ua ia faalogo iai. Sa fesiligia e le afioga i le Senatoa ia Utu Sila Poasa,ia le sui Tausitupe, e tusa ai ma tulaga o le tupe sa inivesi, sa tali Magalei-Tulafono, sa tatau ona toe fa’afo’i mai i le 30 aso, na soso’o ai - 0 Aperila 30 po o Me 1. E $10 miliona na inivesi, e $10 miliona sa tatau ona toe fo’i mai, ma se $10 miliona fa’aopoopo. Na fa’ate’ia le afioga i le Senatoa, i le tali a le sui Tausitupe. Sa ia toe fesili pe sa iai se tusitusiga o le maliliega, ma le kamupani inivesi. Na saunoa mai Magalei-Tulafono, na ia tapaina ia pepa mai ia Butler, ae o lo’o i atunu’u i fafo. Ae e o’o mai ia Aukuso, e na te le o vaai i se tupe fo’i mai. Sa fesiligia e le afioga i le Senatoa ia Magalei Logovii, ia le sui Tausitupe, pe sa a’afia le kovana, i le faatonuga, e tatala le $10 miliona ia Brett. Sa tali Magalei-Tulafono, na o’o atu se imeli ia te ia, e faatonu ai o ia, e saini le wire transfer. I lea tusi (sa faitauina leotele e Magalei-Tulafono, i luma o Senatoa), na tu’uina atu ai e le kovana, ia le faatagana ia Magalei-Tulafono, e saini pepa o lo’o manaomia, e inivesi ai le $10 miliona, mo galuega a le malaevaalele. Sa tapunia e le afioga i le taitaifono, ia le iloiloga, e ala i lona fa’ailoa atu ia Magalei-Tulafono, e leai se nu’u po o a’ai, e igoa ia Leawood, i totonu o le setete o Kansas. Na faaleoina e Togiola, ia lona agaga fa’afetai i le sui Tausitupe mo lana molimau. E le o mautinoa i le taimi nei, po o fea o le a agai iai lenei suesuega. Peitai, i tala feavea’I, e foliga mai o le a valaauina ia le pule o le ofisa o le ARPA faapea ma Butler, i luma o le komiti a le Senate, mo nisi a latou su’esu’ega. Section: Le Lali
2026-09-04 03:55:21

E SOLA LE AMIOLEAGA AE TULILOAINA
[ata: SN] By Okalani Etuati VAEGA 43 E toe fa’atalofa atu i a tatou pa’aga i so’o se tulimanu o le kelopo o lo’o maua mai ai lenei auaunaga. Aemaise i nai o tatou tama ma tina matutua i Amerika Samoa. E tatou te tau fai si’i faatasi ia le viiga ma le mua, i lo tatou Tapa’au Sili i le Lagi, ona o Lana pule faasoifua ma Lana tausiga alofa, ia i tatou taitoatasi, ua mafai ai ona o tatou toe fesilafa’i ma le manuia i lenei taeao fou. Ia ae se’ese’e mai loa i ou se’etaga malu, mo le fa’aauauina o le tatou Fagogo – E SOLA LE AMIOLEAGA AE TULILOAINA. ************************************************ Ua savali tautevateva atu le teine o Selema, i le fale taele ma amata ona sauni mo le aso. Ina uma ona sauna Selema, ona ia alu loa lea e fa’asavali ia le ta’ifau o Popo, ma fafaga. Ona agai atu loa lea o Selema, i le fale a ona matua, e piki mai Tomasi mo le aoga. E taunu’u atu Selema, i le fale a ona matua, o lo’o tu mai lona tina, i le ogaumu, o lo’o gasese le ti o le taeao a le aiga. Ae o lo’o saofafai mai lona tina matua faapea ma le alii o Tomasi, i le laulau ‘ai. Ina ua mae’a le ti o le taeao, sa feosofi loa ia Tomasi ma Selema i le taavale ma fa’asasa’o atu Selema, i le aoga a Tomasi. Ona agai atu loa lea o Selema i le latou ofisa. E taunu’u atu ia Selema i le ofisa, o lo’o matamata ia Lula, i ni tusi o iai ata o teine faaipoipo. Sa tilotilo atu ia Selema ia Kuini, le pule o le ofisa, ae fa’ata’avavale polo o mata a Kuini, ma o la talie ma Selema. A’o talatalanoa ia Lula ma Selema e uiga i le faaipoipoga, na tatagi le telefoni a Selema. “Hello”, o le tali lea a Selema i totonu o lana telefoni. “Selema, o Mom. E iai le tamaloa lea ua sau i le fale, e su’e oe. Na ou fai iai, o la ua e alu e faigaluega, ae lea e nofo mai lava,” o le tala lea a le tina a Selema. “O le a le lanu o lona lauulu?” o le fesili atu lea a Selema. “Paepae. Ma mata tioata tetele lava,” o le tali mai lea a le tina a Selema. “Ia lea la’a ou toe alu atu,” o le faapea atu lea a Selema ma tu i luga, ma toe savali i fafo o le ofisa. Ae tamo’emo’e atu ai ma Lula, i on atua. [E FAIA PEA] Section: Le Lali
2026-09-04 03:53:56

Molia ni alii gaoi na osofa’ia fa’afia se fale i le po e tasi a’o faia malologa a le aiga
[ata: SN] By Lali Staff Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA O le aso 7 o Aukuso, 2026, na valaau atu ai se tagata mai i le afioaga o Fagatogo, i le ofisa a leoleo, e ripotia ia le gaoia o lona fale. O se taimi mulimuli ane, na molia ai Baoa Aiono ma Filipo Neueli, i le Gaoi ma le Faomea, ona o lea faalavelave. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, sa faamautuina i su’esu’ega a leoleo, ia le osofia fa’atolu, e le ‘au gaoi, ia le fale o le aiga, i lea lava po, a’o tofafa ia le aiga. Sa taumafai ia le tama ole aiga, e faamatala i leoleo, ia le faalavelave na tupu, i totonu o le latou fale fogafale lua, pa’epa’e, lea o lo’o i tua tonu lava o le fale faamasino, mo Faamasinoga Maualuluga. E pei ona ta’ua e le tama o le aiga, sa pu’eina e le latou masini pu’eata, ia ni alii se to’alua, o osofa’ia lo latou fale. Ina ua ulufale atu leoleo, i totonu o le fale a le aiga na a’afia, sa va’aia ia le paepae solo o meatotino i totonu o le fale. I se tasi o potu, lea e latalata i le faitoto’a pito i luma, sa va’aia e leoleo, ia le ta’atitia solo o ‘hangers’, ae na fa’ailoa iai e le tama o le aiga, le gaoia o ofu sa tautau ai. I totonu o le potu malolo, sa foliga mai na su’e solo e se tagata, ia pepa ma fa’ava’a na ta’atitia solo, i luga o se laulau faigaluega, le fola o le fale ma isi itu o le potu. Sa ta’ua foi e le tama o le aiga, ia le gaoia o ni ato fa’afafa se lua. O le tasi o ato, sa iai ni pepa taua mo lana pisinisi, teugatupe, laisene avetaavale, tusi folau, ma se vaegatupe, e le o mautinoa le aofaiga. O le tusi folau lona lua, o iai faamaumauga mo lana fanau e to’afa, e aofia ai pepa femalagaiga, Visa ma faamaumauga mo le kamupani. O isi meatotino na gaoia, sa aofia ai se masini fa’aleotele (JBL speaker), e $499 lona tau, o ni iPad mini 5, e $199 lona tau ma seisi masini, e $279 lona tau. O ni lavalava ma se’evae, taumateina lo latou tau, i le va o le $100 ma le $200. Sa faaleagaina ai foi ma se MacBook, pe a ma le $2,099 lona tau. Ina ua su’esu’eina e leoleo, ia masini pu’e ata mai i le fale o le aiga na tupu ai le faalavelave, faapea le Faamasinoga Maualuga, sa fa’amaonia ai le osofa’ia fa’atolu, o le fale, e ni tagata se to’alua. O le 2:33 i le vaveao, ia le osofa’iga muamua. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, sa mafai ona fa’amaonia e leoleo, ia Filipo Neueli, mai i ata vitio, o savali atu i fasitepu, e agai i le fogafale lona lua, o le fale. E faapena foi i ata vitio mai i le masini pu’e ata a le fale faamasino, ia le va’aia o se alii, i le 2:32 i le vaveao, o fai sona ofutino lima ‘u’umi ma sona ofuvae pu’upu’u, o savali atu, agai i le fale sa tupu ai le faalavelave. Sa va’aia le taumafai o le alii, e tatala le faitoto’a pito i luma, ae sa le mafai. Ona ia savali lea i autafa o le fale ma tatala se fa’amalama, ma oso ai i totonu o le fale. I ata vitio sa pu’eina i totonu o le fale, sa molimauina ai le iai o Filipo (le na molia), i totonu o le fale ma sa ta’ua e leoleo, o ofu na la’eiina e le tagata, e tutusa ma ofu sa la’eiina e le tagata sa maua lona ata i totonu o ata vitio, le alii o Filipo (le na molia). Sa molimauina foi, e ala i ata vitio, ia le agai atu o le tagata, i totonu o le potu moe ma e foliga mai sa ia taumafai e vaai po o iai seisi i totonu o le potu, ona amata lea ona faia ana sailiga ma ave ai le ‘JBL Speaker’. Sa toe va’aia, ia lona toe fo’i atu i totonu o le potu ma se ato fa’afafa o i lona tau’au, ma nisi ato ma le ‘speaker’. O le 3:42 i le vaveao, o le aso na tupu ai le faalavelave, sa toe va’aia ai ni tagata se to’alua, o toe savali atu i luma o le fale na tupu ai le faalavelave. O le tasi, sa fai sona ofuvae puupuu, ae o leisi, sa fai sona ofuvae umi. Na tutu nei alii i luma o le fale na tupu ai le faalavelave, ona o la toe savali lea i le itu o se faleoloa, i leisi itu o le fale na tupu ai le faalavelave. O sina taimi puupuu ane, na va’aia ai le alii lea na fai lona ofuvae u’umi, o toe fo’i atu i le fale na tupu ai le faalavelave, ma tu i le pito i lalo o le fasitepu. Ona ia toe tilotilo mai lea, i leisi alii, lea o lo’o tu atu i tafatafa o le faleoloa, ma faasino agai i luga o le fogafale lona lua, o le fale sa tupu ai le faalavelave. I le 3:43 i le vaveao, sa pu’eina ai e le masini pu’e ata, ia le ata o le alii ofuvae vae u’umi, ua i luga o le fogafale lua, ma o lo’o savali atu i se fa’amalama, ma oso i totonu o le fale. I le 3:48 i le vaveao, sa maua ai se ata o se alii, o fealua’i i totonu o le potu malolo ma na manino mai i le masini pu’e ata, ia foliga, o le alii, lea na mafai e leoleo, ona fa’amaonia, o Baoa Aiono (le na molia). O lo’o ta’ua foi i faamaumauga a le faamasinoga, ia le faamaonia e leoleo, ia le a’afia foi o Baoa (le na molia), i nisi foi osofa’iga o fale, i totonu o Fagatogo. I le 3:42 i lea lava vaveao, sa pu’eina mai ai e le masini pu’eata, a le faamasinoga maualuga, ia ni alii se to’alua, o savavali atu i le faleoloa, lea e i leisi itu o le fale na tupu ai le faalavelave. Ma e tusa ai ma ripoti a leoleo, sa tutusa ia le ata na pu’eina mai e le masini pu’eata a le fale faamasino, ma ata sa pu’eina e masini pu’eata, i totonu o le fale na tupu ai le faalavelave, faapea faamatalaga sa tu’uina atu mulimuli, e Baoa (le na molia). I se taumafaiga, ina ia saili ia tagata na osofa’ia le latou fale, sa tu’uina ai i luga o ‘upega tafa’ilagi, e le tina o le aiga, ia ata vitio sa pu’eina i le taimi na osofa’ia ai le latou fale ma na avea lea ma mafua’aga, na o’o atu ai se tamaitai, i le ofisa a leoleo. O lenei tamaitai, sa osofa’i foi lo latou fale, i se taimi ua tuanai. Ma ina ua ia matamata i le ata vitio na tu’uina e le tina, i luga o le ‘upega tafa’ilagi, sa fa’amautu ai e le tamaitai molimau, o Baoa ma Filipo, lea na pu’eina i ata vitio. O le aso 8 o Aukuso, na maua ai e leoleo ia Filipo, i Fagatogo ma o latou agai atu ai loa i le ofisa a leoleo mo le faia o se latou faatalanoaga. O iina na fa’amaonia ai e Filipo, ia lona osofa’ia fa’alua o le fale a le aiga, e pei ona ta’ua i luga. Ma o le tasi o a latou osofa’iga, sa tu ai i fafo ia Baoa, e va’ai pe alu atu se tagata. Na faamatala e Baoa, ia le fa’ailoa atu e Filipo ia te ia, ina ua la o ma le uso laititi o Filipo, i le latou fale, ia lona (Filipo) fa’ato’a fo’i mai mai i lana osofa’iga, ae la e matala le faamalama e tasi, i le pito i luga. Ma o ia (Baoa) na alu i luga o fasitepu, ae o Filipo sa tu i tafatafa o le faleoloa, lea e fesaga’i ma le fale na osofa’ia. Sa faamatala e Baoa (le na molia), e faapea, ina ua ia o’o i totonu o le fale, sa ia alu atu ma ave’ese lona mitiafu na fai, ae fa’amaulu se mitiafu mumu na i luga o le moega, ona ia toe fa’amaulu lea o lona mitiafu lima u’umi. Sa faamaonia e Baoa ia lona ulufale i totonu o se potu, e pei o se ofisa ma ia va’aia se ‘ato fa’afafa i luga o le foloa, sa ia pikiina ma toe agai atu i le fa’amalama. Ae ona va’aia ia se pea seevae (Crocs), ma ia pikiina foi, ma ia toe oso ai i fafo mai i le faamalama. Ae sa ia iloa atu, ua leai ia Filipo (le na molia) i tafatafa o le faleoloa. Ae savali atu i tafatafa o le faleoloa, sa ia faalogoina o miti mai le tagata, ma ia iloa atu Filipo (le na molia) ma seisi alii, e suafa ia Faisea, o saofafa’i mai i tafatafa o fasitepu ale fale mata’aga, i luga o le malae. Sa ta’ua e Baoa ia lona tu’uina atu o le ato fa’afafa ia Filipo ma amata ona la’u i fafo e Filipo o mea sa i totonu o le ato. Ae na fautua atu foi ia Filipo ia Baoa ma Faisea, e uiga i masini pu’e ata. O iina i le fale mata’aga, sa nofonofo ai le to’atolu lea ma auaua’i mai i fafo o ato, ia le la uta na ave’esea mai i le fale o le aiga, lea na aofia ai se telefoni feavea’i, o se tupe, o pepa faamaumau, tusi folau ma ‘flash drives’. Sa tu’uina foi e Filipo (le na molia), ia Faisea se tinoitupe e $10, ma faatonu, e aua ne’i ona faamatalaina ia le mea na tupu, i seisi. Sa fa’ailoa atu foi e Baoa, i leoleo, na tu’u e Filipo ia le tupe, se’evae uliuli (Crocs), telefoni feavea’i ma ‘flash drives’, ae o ia (Baoa) na alu ma le ato fa’afafa na iai ia pepa ma tusi folau. O le 6:00 i le taeao, o le aso na tupu ai le faalavelave, na toe fo’i ai ia Baoa, i le fale lava e tasi, ma ia toe ulufale i totonu, i le auala lava e tasi. Ma o lana malaga lea, sa ia aoina ai ni ofu a tamaiti, sa ta’atitia i lalo o le fola o le potu. Sa ta’ua foi e le na molia, ia lona va’aia o se komepiuta feavea’i, ma ia iloa atu ai lona ata. O le mea lea na ia fa’aleagaina ai le laptop ma se’i le palaka o le masini pu’e ata. E le gata i lea, sa ave’esea e Baoa (le na molia), ia lona mitiafu na fai, ae sui i se mitiafu lanu uliuli na i uga o le moega. Ona ave’ese lea o ona se’evae na se’e atu, ma toe oso mai i fafo o le faamalama. Ona agai lea o le na molia, i le fale o sona tausoga tamaitai, i Fagatogo, ma tu’u iai ia le ‘ato fa’afafa sa iai i totonu ia ofu, mo le tama teine a lona tausoga. Sa faapea ona agai atu leoleo, i le fale a le tausoga a le na molia, ma maua mai ai le ‘ato fa’afafa. Ma na ia faasino foi i leoleo, ia se fale tu’ufua, sa ia (le na molia), nanaina ai leisi ‘ato fa’afafa. Peitai, sa le maua e leoleo ia le ‘ato fa’afafa lea. I le fa’atalanoaga a leoleo ma Filipo (le na molia), sa ia te’ena tu’ua’iga, o lona alu i totonu o le fale na osofa’ia. Ae sa ia fai atu i leoleo, na o la fetaui ma Baoa po o Winky (lona igoa tauvala’au), o saofai i tafatafa o se pa, ma sana JBL speaker ma se iPad. Ina ua fesiligia o ia e leoleo, po o fea sa ia maua mai ai le speaker ma le iPad, sa tali ia Filipo (le na molia), na ia ave’esea mai ia Baoa (le na molia). Sa molimau foi Filipo, sa ia faatauina atu ia le speaker i se tagata, ae o le iPad, o lo’o i lona fale. Na fa’aauau pea ona te’ena e Filipo, ia tu’ua’iga, i lona alu i totonu o le fale o le aiga na a’afia i le faalavelave. E o’o lava i meatotino lea na faamatala e Baoa (le na molia), sa ia ave’esea mai i le ‘ato fa’afafa. Na tete’e ai foi ia le na molia. Peitai, o se taimi mulimuli ane, na ia fa’amaonia ai lona aveina o se tinoitupe ma tufatufa i le va o ia, Faisea ma Aiono. Ae o le aso 8 o Aukuso, lea na o’o atu ai se tamaitai i le ofisa a leoleo, e tusa ai ma lenei mataupu. Ma na ia fa’ailoa atu i leoleo, ia lona toe fa’afo’ia o se ato fa’afafa e tasi, na iai pepa faamaumau, ae o le a alu e toe su’e lona fale, po o iai nisi meatotino. O le aoauli o lea aso, na toe fo’i atu ai le tama o le aiga, e ana le fale na osofa’i, i le ofisa a leoleo ma aveina atu nisi o ata vitio, ma faailoa atu i leoleo, na alu atu se tamaitai ma se ato na iai nisi o ana meatotino. Sa faaleoina e le tamaloa ia lona agaga fa’afetai, ua toe maua nisi o pepa taua. Ae o lo’o iai lava nisi faamaumauga taua, e pei o ni tusi folau e fa, o pepa Numera Saogalemu, o pepa aso fanau e lima, o nisi faamaumauga taua, o pepa siaki (cheques), flsh drives ma se komipiuta taua. I le aso 9 o Aukuso, na toe fo’i atu ai ia le tamaloa e ana le fale sa osofa’i, i le ofisa a leoleo i Fagatogo, ina ua toe maua e leoleo, nisi o ana meatotino. O moliaga na faia faasaga ia Filipo Neueli, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1: Faomea i lona tulaga e lua – O se vaega ‘I’ i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, i le le sili atu ma le fitu tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 2: Gaoi – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e le silia ma le fitu tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. O moliaga na faia faasaga ia Baoa Aiono, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1: Faomea i lona tulaga muamua – O se vaega ‘E’ i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, i le va o le lima ma le 10 tausaga. Faitauga 2: Faomea i lona tulaga e lua – O se vaega ‘I’ i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e le silia ma le fitu tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 3: Gaoi – O se vaega ‘I’ i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e le silia ma le fitu tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 4: Faaleagaina o mea totino, i lona tulaga e lua – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e le silia ma le lima tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Sa lokaina uma ia Baoa ma Filipo, e aunoa ma se tinoitupe faatulagaina, e mafai ona tatalaina ai i tua, a’o faagasolo a la faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-09-04 03:52:20

Queensland Legend Darius Boyd Named New Maroons Coach
Queensland great Darius Boyd has been unveiled as the next Maroons coach after Billy Slater’s exit. Boyd, who represented the Maroons 28 times in the State of Origin arena as a player, has signed a two-year deal. He is second on Queensland’s all-time tryscorers list behind Greg Inglis. Boyd, 39, said he is “extremely honoured” [...] The post Queensland Legend Darius Boyd Named New Maroons Coach first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-09-04 01:40:47

Don’t Repay Wrong With Wrong
1Thessalonians 5:15 “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” When someone hurts us, our natural response can be to hurt them back. We may retaliate with angry words, gossip, rejection, humiliation, or by looking for an opportunity to [...] The post Don’t Repay Wrong With Wrong first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-09-03 23:11:45

Women Master Weavers Stress the Importance of Upholding Traditional Arts
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 04 September 2026 – Matua’u’u – the traditional Samoan master weavers are stressing the importance of continuing the traditional Samoan art of weaving despite the changes and modern mats entering Samoa. Master weaver Repeka Tautala of Siutu, Salailua, Savai’i, said the Samoan traditional fine mats have a significant place [...] The post Women Master Weavers Stress the Importance of Upholding Traditional Arts appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-03 20:05:02

Lene Luaono Crowned Fire Knife Champion of the 2026 Measina Festival
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 03 September 2026 – Lene Luaono of Gagaifo Lefaga and Tufuiopa emerged as Champion of the Ailao Afi – Fire knife dancing competition – one of the highlights of the Measina Festival 2026. Always a crowd pleaser, the performers took to the stage showing their agility and skills in [...] The post Lene Luaono Crowned Fire Knife Champion of the 2026 Measina Festival appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-03 19:26:22

Tribute to the Legacy of Clara Reid
Source: Democratic Party of American Samoa Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — We are heartbroken and deeply honored to pay tribute to Clara Reid, whose lifetime of service was a testament to her dedication, leadership, and commitment to the people of American Samoa. Clara was a proud daughter of American Samoa and demonstrated an enduring belief in the power of civic participation, democratic values, and responsible leadership. Her contributions extended far beyond her official duties, leaving a lasting influence on the political and governmental institutions that continue to serve our community today. We also recognize Clara's role in advancing the vision as one of the original founders of the American Samoa Democratic Party during the Administration of Governor A.P. Lutali. She carried forward its mission of empowering the people through democratic principles, civic engagement, and public service. Clara helped to build and strengthen the foundation, ensuring that future generations would continue to have a voice in shaping the future of our territory. Her service in Government reflected the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and commitment. Whether working behind the scenes or in positions of responsibility, she approached every challenge with wisdom, grace, and a deep sense of purpose. She understood that public service is a sacred trust, and she fulfilled that trust with honor and distinction. Those who worked alongside Clara remember not only her accomplishments but also her character. She was a grandmother, mother, aunty, mentor, a trusted colleague, and a compassionate friend. Her kindness, humility, and willingness to help others earned her the admiration of all who knew her. She believed that leadership was not about recognition, but about service, and she led by example every day. She has served as Chair of the AS Democratic Party and in many other roles including numerous American Samoa delegations to various Democratic National Conventions and most recently serving as a delegate for past presidential nominees including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Fa'afetai tele lava, Clara. Your service, leadership, and love for the people of American Samoa will forever be remembered. Your legacy will continue to guide and inspire future generations to come. Section: Local News Tags: Clara Reid
2026-09-03 18:34:52

Suspect charged with rape of underaged girl
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 10, 2026, an individual called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that a suspect allegedly entered her home unlawfully and snuck into her niece’s room with alcoholic beverages. The suspect was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Rape, a class B felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years but not more than 15 years; Count 2: Deviate Sexual Assault, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 3: Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both; and, Count 4: Sodomy, a class B felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years but not more than 15 years. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identity of the victim who is also a minor.) According to the court affidavit, a woman contacted the TPS and reported that a man (later identified as the suspect) unlawfully entered her home and went into her niece’s room while holding and consuming alcoholic beverages. Authorities responded to the scene and upon arrival, they met up with the woman (later identified as the reporter/ victim’s aunt) who briefed the officers about the incident. The reporter stated that on July 10, 2026 she called the police regarding a different matter. However, when the officers arrived they questioned the female individual about her age and they found out she was 15 years-old. Authorities later identified the suspect from prior run-ins with law enforcement. He was apprehended and placed into the police unit and transported to the TPS for processing. The suspect allegedly had a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his breath during his arrest. The victim and her aunt were also transported to the station for further investigation. Upon arrival at the station, authorities interviewed the minor in the presence of her aunt, who is her legal guardian. According to the victim, the suspect came to her residence around 1:00 am and knocked on her window and called out her name. She went out and opened the door and let the suspect in — where they proceeded into the bedroom. Once in the bedroom, the suspect kissed her, and allegedly had sex with her. The victim mentioned that at one point she told the suspect to stop but the suspect continued against her will. Officers contacted the Child Protective Services (CPS) and informed them about the matter. The social worker later reported to the authorities that the minor was also the victim of another sexual assault. As a result, the social worker explained that after the previous assault the victim was placed at her aunt’s house in Maleimi after her release from the shelter. The social worker requested that the victim be transported to the CPS shelter for safekeeping pending a doctor’s examination of the victim. The suspect was Mirandized and he agreed to provide a statement. The suspect’s verbal account corroborated the victim’s statement concerning the sequence of events on the day of the incident. He confessed to engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim and claimed that he was invited to the victim’s residence. He also acknowledged being intoxicated. The suspect clarified that although he initially stated they were going to “hang out” in the victim’s room, he stated that he meant engaging in sexual intercourse. The suspect further alleged that he asked the victim for consent to have sexual intercourse and she initially agreed. He noted that this was his first sexual encounter with the victim. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 21, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-09-03 18:26:54

Assault occurs during disturbance over alleged missing money
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 19, 2026, a concerned family member called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported an alleged assault in Leone. The suspect was arrested and charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court records, police officers from the TPS responded to a reported disturbance at approximately 8:30 p.m. after receiving information about an assault. Upon arrival, the officers encountered the victim outside the residence. The victim reportedly had a laceration on the left side of his forehead. Officers asked whether he needed emergency medical treatment, but he declined EMS assistance. The victim told police that the incident involved Filemu Amiga, who was identified as his father-in-law and the owner of the residence. Police also learned that Mr. Amiga had allegedly been drinking earlier in the evening and had started a disturbance inside the home. Based on information provided to officers, the incident began after the victim and his wife returned home from work. They reportedly went directly into their bedroom, where they lay on the bed. Amiga allegedly opened the bedroom door and confronted them about missing money — approximately $4,000 — that he believed was missing. The victim and his wife denied knowing anything about the money and told Amiga that they had just arrived home. According to the police report, Amiga continued accusing them of taking the money and calling them liars. The victim later left the bedroom to smoke a cigarette. When he returned inside, Amiga allegedly demanded to know where his money was. The victim reportedly did not respond, and Amiga became angry and threw a teacup at him. The teacup allegedly struck the victim in the forehead, causing the reported laceration. The victim also told officers that Amiga threatened or attempted to frighten him with a machete during the confrontation. The victim noted that Amiga used profanity and accused him of lying about the missing money. Moreover, a witness told police that she was inside the bedroom when she heard a loud noise coming from the living room, similar to glass breaking on the floor. She went outside to investigate and allegedly saw the suspect throw the teacup at the victim. She also observed that the victim had been injured in the forehead. Police documented damage to the resident from the incident and the victim’s injury with photographs. The police report stated that Amiga had allegedly pushed or damaged the windows in the house during the disturbance. The victim reportedly told officers that the confrontation was not an isolated incident. He stated that similar problems had occurred previously but that he had not reported them because of the suspect’s age, his respect for his wife, and the fact that Amiga regularly remained at home to watch the children while the victim and his wife went to work. Officers escorted Amiga to the police unit and transported him to the TPS for further investigation. Amiga was Mirandized, and he acknowledged that he understood his rights and agreed to provide a statement. During the interview, he reportedly admitted that he became angry after the victim responded that he had not taken any money and had just returned home from work. He also admitted to throwing a teacup at the victim and attempting to scare the victim with a machete. Following the interview, Amiga was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility. The defendant is identified as a 67-year-old citizen of Samoa. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 21, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-09-03 18:22:23

Chicken and turkey tail prices down in August while other popular umu items increase
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Basic Food Index increased to 0.2% in the month of August and American Samoa shoppers have been experiencing this upward trend for two months now. Of the twenty food items monitored, six commodities experienced price increases this month. These items include rice (0.4%) $4.95 per 5 lbs , milk (1.2%) $2.62 a carton, fish (2.5%) $5.34 lb, and 2 ltrs ice cream (3.9%). Prices for taro and bananas are reportedly the highest. These two items are priced per pound. Average cost of taro (5.5%) $2.30, which is 12 cents higher than last month, while bananas cost $1.69, 13 cents higher this month. The good news is food commodities such as butter (-0.2%) $4.97, chicken (-0.2%) 10 lbs $19.79, soda (-0.9%) $1.09 a can, eggs (-2.1%) $1.85 a dozen, turkey tail (-3.8%) $2.50 lb, and sugar (-4.2%) 2 kg $3.43 — have all experienced a price drop. Eight food products remained unchanged this month including corned beef $5.86 a can, bread $3.60 a long loaf, mayonnaise $4.95, pork spare ribs $1.96 lb, saimin 60¢ a package, sausage $2.31 lb, tuna $2.39 a can, and water 50¢ a bottle. The Basic Food Index is a monthly rapid assessment of basic food items, to monitor the cost and availability of these 20 food products throughout the community. The BFI is not to be confused with the Quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is a comprehensive standard measure of inflation and the cost of living in American Samoa. A major upgrade to the survey coverage was implemented at the beginning of 2022, when 7 additional stores were included in the data collection process, extending coverage from Se'etaga in the West to Amouli in the East. In total, 14 major to mid-size retail stores have been selected for the monitoring of basic food costs. Section: Local News Tags: Basic Food Index (BFI)
2026-09-03 18:16:40

Election Office names candidates eligible for 2026 Midterm Election
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Upon review of the Nomination Petitions and other pertinent documents in possession of the Election Office, it has been ascertained that the following individuals are currently deemed eligible to be considered as candidates for the Midterm Election scheduled for November 03, 2026. A. DELEGATE TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS Aumua Amata Fualaau Rosie Tago Lancaster Meleagi Suitonu Chapman Samana Semo Veavea Sandra King Young Tuifagaloa Dr. Afu Lefaoseu B. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES District #1 - Manu'a Fetui F. Fetu Jr. Mana oimalo Fa' aaliga Matagi Paepaetele Mapu Jamias Satia Aokuso Satia Vala Porotesano Liusamoa Representative District Distric #2 - Manu'a Niuatoa Loleni Faiai Tiaoali'i Fauagiga T. Sai Representative District Distric #3 - Vaifanua Shaun O. Va'a Tiapula Dr. Toafa Vaiaga'e This is according to Uiagalelei Lealofi, ED.D Commissioner of Election and Tavai Fiti Tavi, Deputy Director of the Electors of American Samoa Chief Election Officer. Section: Local News Tags: midterm election
2026-09-03 18:10:33

Board of Higher Education names next ASCC President
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Community College Board of Higher Education has chosen a new ASCC president, replacing Interim President Sonny J. Leomiti, who had taken the position vacated by former President Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato when her contract was not renewed by the Board this year. In a memorandum, dated September 2, 2026, the BHE Chairperson Dr. Oreta Mapu Crichton announced to ASCC Faculty, Staff, and Students that the new ASCC President is Ti’alemasunu Tupuola Dr. Mikaele Etuale, effective Sept. 8, 2026. Dr. Crichton expressed a special note of thanks to Interim President Leomiti for his leadership during the past months, as well as to the faculty, staff, and students for their patience, resilience, and dedication through “this period of institutional transition”. She noted that the newly chosen ASCC president brings an outstanding track record in education and public leadership across American Samoa; and, shared the following message from the incoming president to the ASCC community: “Saili le Atamai — To Seek Knowledge. I am incredibly honored to return to the American Samoa Community College as its President. I look forward to collaborating closely with the Board, our talented faculty, dedicated staff, and inspiring students to build upon our legacy of academic excellence and service to our territory.” The BHE chairperson concluded her announcement with a request to “please join us in giving a warm welcome to Ti’alemasunu Tupuola Dr. Mikaele Etuale and his family as we begin this exciting next chapter together.” BACKGROUND It was in April this year that the BHE formally notified then ASCC president Dr. Makaiwi-Pato, who had served as the President of ASCC for nearly 26 years, in a formal letter, signed by all eight members of the Board, that, “after careful consideration, the Board has determined that it will deny your contract renewal request.” The letter acknowledged her extensive contributions over her long tenure, noting, “We recognize and sincerely appreciate your 25 years and 9 months of leadership and service to the college.” However, it also highlighted that, following recent changes in Board membership, the Board is working to establish a clear strategic direction and shared priorities for the institution's future. Dr. Makaiwi-Pato addressed ASCC faculty and staff in a heartfelt thank-you and farewell email sent out on the following Monday. In her message, she expressed sincere gratitude for their efforts in organizing a well-planned and executed graduation ceremony the previous Friday, highlighting their vital role in preparing graduates for both further education and successful entry into the workforce. In her email, she also conveyed her appreciation for their unwavering support and belief in her leadership throughout her time as ASCC president. Dr. Makaiwi-Pato also shared an important update regarding her contract status, indicating she received a notice of non-renewal effective May 18, and attached the Board's letter for transparency. “In all professional transparency, I share this with you as the Board works toward recruitment of a new President. This comes with mixed emotions – a sadness at leaving an institution where we have worked toward our mission as a family of educators, friends, and colleagues, and at this chapter now coming to an end in my leadership. Yet I leave with a joy that I have been blessed so abundantly to have worked with professionals and dedicated, committed, and talented individuals who have left their mark in my heart.” In closing, Dr. Makaiwi-Pato urged her colleagues to support the BHE in its upcoming search for a new President who will lead ASCC to even greater heights. She also encouraged faculty and staff to consider taking on leadership roles themselves, emphasizing the importance of continuity and a shared vision for the college's future. Section: Local News Tags: ASCC President
2026-09-03 18:04:38

Little Rina Scoops Inaugural Measina Festival Longboats Race
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, Samoa – 03 September 2026 – In choppy and windy conditions, the much anticipated Longboats Race for the inaugural Measina Festival, witnessed Little Rina from Toamua village take home the first-place in an exciting five mile race. Little Rina, led by Captain Matuaotofiga Faagalu Fonoti from Toamua, was quick to start [...] The post Little Rina Scoops Inaugural Measina Festival Longboats Race appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-02 23:46:34

Samoa’s Strategic Engagements at PIFLM55 in Palau
As part of Samoa’s participation in the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM55), the Head of Delegation, the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister, commenced a series of strategic bilateral engagements with key international partners. These engagements included productive discussions with government representatives of New Zealand, Chile, Spain, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, Canada, European Union and [...] The post Samoa’s Strategic Engagements at PIFLM55 in Palau appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-02 23:11:09

Burglars allegedly enter home multiple times in one night while owner sleeps
Two men have been charged in the incident By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 7, 2026, a Fagatogo resident contacted the local authorities reporting a burglary at his home. Two men were later identified in alleged connection with the investigation. The suspects were identified as Baoa Aiono and Filipo Neueli, and were later charged as follows: Filipo Neuli was charged with: Count 1: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment not to exceed seven years and fine not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment not to exceed seven years and fine not more than $5,000, or both. Baoa Aiono was charged with: Count 1: Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years and not more than 10 years; Count 2: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment not to exceed seven years and fine not more than $5,000, or both; Count 3: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment not to exceed seven years and fine not more than $5,000, or both; and, Count 4: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment not to exceed five years and fine not more than $5,000, or both. Both defendants were held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the police investigation subsequently found that burglars entered a family residence on three separate times in the early morning hours, on the same day/ night, while the homeowner and his family were asleep inside. Officers responding to the call went to the residence and met with the homeowner (later identified as the victim), who was standing on his porch with his children and holding his cellular phone. The victim reportedly appeared shaken and spoke with a stutter while explaining to officers what had occurred. The residence is described as a two-story white-colored home with two levels of living space and a front porch, located behind the High Court of American Samoa. The victim informed police that his home surveillance system had captured footage of two unknown males entering the residence. He agreed to provide the surveillance footage to the authorities as evidence. Officers conducted an inspection of the residence and observed signs that the home had been disturbed. One of the rooms near the entryway was reportedly in disarray, with clothing hangers scattered across the floor. The homeowner told police that clothing was missing. Officers also observed a pair of red slippers near the entryway and a dirty mark on the wall near a window. The investigation continued into the living room, where papers and folders were reportedly scattered across the floor. The victim’s work desk and the surrounding area also appeared to have been disturbed. The victim also reported that two black backpacks had been stolen. He explained that one backpack contained documents and property associated with his business, including financial documents, personal credit cards, bank cards, driver's licenses, immigration identification, U.S. passports, business records, daily sales reports and an undetermined amount of cash. The second backpack contained important personal documents belonging to his four children, along with company documents and immigration- and visa-related paperwork. Other property reported stolen included a JBL speaker valued at approximately $499, an iPad Mini 5 valued at approximately $199 and a Samsung T1 2TB solid-state drive valued at around $279. The victim also reported missing clothing and shoes, which he estimated had a combined value of approximately $100 to $200. In addition, a 16-inch MacBook Pro M1 laptop valued at about $2,099 was reportedly damaged beyond repair during the incident. Police reviewed surveillance footage from the residence as well as footage from the High Court area. The footage revealed three primary timeframes of interest, involving what police described as three separate unlawful entries by two different individuals. The first entry occurred at approximately 2:33 a.m. According to the affidavit, police identified Filipo Neueli, born March 19, 2005, as the individual seen approaching the residence and going up the exterior stairs toward the second floor. The High Court surveillance footage reportedly showed a male wearing a long-sleeve shirt and shorts walking along the roadway toward the residence at approximately 2:32 a.m. The individual initially attempted to open the front door but was unsuccessful. He then reportedly moved toward the front side of the residence and opened a window that appeared to have been unsecured before entering the home through the window. Police stated that the clothing worn by the individual was consistent with clothing seen in the surveillance footage from inside the residence, and the individual was identified as Neueli. Additional footage from the residence reportedly showed an individual wearing a gray long-sleeve sweater and shorts entering through a window of a room near the entryway. The individual allegedly moved through the hallway and into the living room, where he appeared to look around to determine whether anyone was present. The individual then reportedly searched the living room and removed a black JBL speaker. He was also seen returning to the room, which he entered carrying a black backpack, additional bags and the speaker. Police identified the individual in this footage as Neueli. A second entry occurred at approximately 3:42 a.m., this time by two individuals. According to surveillance footage, two males wearing sweaters were seen walking along the roadway in front of the residence. One was wearing shorts while the other wore long pajama-style pants. The two individuals reportedly stopped in front of the residence. The individual wearing shorts appeared to be carrying a black, square-shaped item believed to be a speaker. The two then walked toward the side of a store located across the roadway from the residence. Moments later, the individual wearing the long pajama-style pants reportedly returned to the residence and stopped at the bottom of the stairs. He looked back toward the other male, who remained near the store. Police observed the male near the store pointing upward toward the second floor of the residence. At approximately 3:43 a.m., surveillance footage reportedly captured the individual wearing the long pajama-style pants on the second floor of the residence. He allegedly walked to a window and entered through the open window without apparent difficulty. Additional footage from inside the resident captured at approximately 3:48 a.m., showed a male walking around inside the living room. The footage provided a clear view of his face. After reviewing the footage, officers identified the individual as Baoa Aiono, born November 12, 2006. The affidavit also stated that Aiono was known to officers from previous stealing/ burglary incidents reported in Fagatogo. High Court surveillance footage from approximately 3:42 a.m. also reportedly showed two males walking toward the store across from the residence. One male wearing a long-sleeve shirt and long pants was seen walking toward the residence, going up the stairs and approaching the open window. Police stated that the footage was consistent with footage from the residence and with statements later provided by Aiono. IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUSPECTS The victim later provided police with additional surveillance footage. His wife also gave officers a gray and navy-blue reversible long-sleeve sweater that she had found inside the home. She told police that the sweater appeared to be associated with the individuals who entered the residence and did not belong to either her or her husband. In an effort to identify the individuals captured on camera, the victim posted images and videos from the incident online. At approximately 12:05 p.m. on Aug. 7, a woman who had previously been a victim in a stealing case involving Aiono went to the Central Police Station and spoke with one of the officers. After viewing the surveillance videos with police, she reportedly identified the two individuals as Aiono and Neueli. AIONO'S INTERVIEW On Aug. 8, police located Aiono in Fagatogo at approximately 11:15 a.m. He agreed to accompany officers to the Fagatogo Central Police Station (FPS) for questioning. Upon arrival at the station, Aiono was Mirandized and he stated that he understood his rights, waived them and agreed to provide a statement. During the interview, Aiono reportedly admitted that he entered the residence twice. He also stated that during one of the entries, Neueli remained outside and acted as a lookout. Moreover, Aiono admitted that he and Neueli's younger brother had gone to Neueli's residence in Fagatogo to drop off the younger brother. As he was leaving, Neueli allegedly approached him and said he had just come from the victim's residence and that one of the upstairs windows remained open. Aiono also told police that as he and Neueli walked toward the residence, the two exchanged sweaters. Aiono reportedly gave Neueli his white sweater, while Neueli gave Aiono a reversible jacket or sweater that was navy blue on one side and gray on the other. Neueli allegedly showed Aiono the open window. Aiono stated that he went up the stairs while Neueli remained near the store across from the residence. Once inside, Aiono reportedly observed clothing scattered across the floor and searched through it. He said he went to a pile of clothing on a bed, removed the sweater he was wearing and put on a red shirt he found on the bed before putting his sweater back on. Aiono then reportedly entered another room that appeared to be an office. He said he saw a black backpack on the floor, picked it up and began making his way back to the window. Aiono also reported seeing a pair of black Crocs, which he picked up before leaving through the second-floor window with the backpack and shoes. ALLEGED DIVISION OF STOLEN PROPERTY After leaving the residence, Aiono reportedly noticed that Neueli was no longer near the store, and he told police that he went to the side of the store to look for Neueli. While walking behind the store, he stated that he heard someone whistle and saw Neueli and another male, identified as Faisea, sitting near the stairs by the pavilion. Aiono claimed that he then handed the black backpack to Neueli who began removing items from it. Neueli allegedly warned Aiono and Faisea that surveillance cameras in the area might have captured them. The three reportedly moved to the pavilion bathroom area, where Neueli continued removing property from the backpack. Aiono told police that he saw Neueli remove a Samsung cellular phone, an undetermined amount of cash consisting of one-dollar bills, paper documents, several passports and several flash drives. Aiono further stated that Neueli counted $10 in dollar bills and gave the money to Faisea, while instructing him not to tell anyone what had occurred. Aiono also claimed that Neueli kept the cash, black Crocs, Samsung phone and flash drives, while he retained the backpack containing documents and passports. Aiono also told police that Neueli insisted that they exchange footwear. Neueli allegedly took Aiono's white Crocs and gave him a pair of white-and-red flip-flops. The three individuals then separated. SECOND ALLEGED ENTRY BY AIONO Aiono told investigators that he later returned to the residence at approximately 6 a.m. He reportedly went back up the stairs and entered the home through the same second-floor window. Inside, he allegedly collected several items of children's clothing that were lying on the floor and placed them inside the backpack. While inside the residence, Aiono reportedly observed an open laptop. He told police that the laptop displayed his own image through the home's surveillance system and he admitted that he damaged the laptop and then unplugged the surveillance cameras. He also removed the sweater he was wearing and left it inside the residence. Before leaving, he reportedly took a black T-shirt from a bed and put it on. He then removed the flip-flops he was wearing and exited through the second-floor window. Aiono subsequently went to the residence of a female cousin in Fagatogo and gave her the backpack containing the clothing. He reportedly told her that she could use the clothing for her daughter. Aiono also provided police with information about where additional stolen property could be located. Officers accompanied Aiono to the residence in Fagatogo, where they recovered a black backpack. Aiono also directed police to an abandoned two-story structure where he claimed another backpack had been hidden. Officers searched the structure but were unable to locate it. Aiono was subsequently released following the investigation. NEUELI QUESTIONED On Aug. 8, officers located Neueli at his residence in Fagatogo, and he agreed to accompany officers to the FPS for questioning. After arriving at the station, he was advised of his constitutional rights and stated that he understood his rights, waived them and agreed to provide a statement. Neueli denied entering or trespassing into the residence. He reportedly told investigators that he encountered Aiono, whom he knew as “Winky,” sitting near a gate in the vicinity of Chiko with a JBL speaker and an iPad. When questioned about where Aiono obtained the speaker and iPad, Neueli reportedly stated that he had taken the items from Aiono. Neueli admitted to police that he sold the JBL speaker to someone and said the iPad was at his residence. When questioned again about whether he had entered the residence, Neueli continued to deny doing so. Investigators also questioned him about property removed from the backpack that Aiono allegedly handed to him. Neueli initially denied removing any items. However, he later changed his statement and admitted removing cash consisting of one-dollar bills. He reportedly told police that the cash was divided among himself, Faisea and Aiono. Officers later accompanied Neueli to his residence, where the iPad was recovered. Neueli was subsequently released. ADDITIONAL PROPERTY RECOVERED The investigation continued as police worked to recover property taken from the residence. On Aug. 8, an individual voluntarily went to the FPS regarding possible involvement in the investigation. According to the affidavit, the individual initially denied knowing about a backpack that Aiono had allegedly brought to the residence and hidden there. She later stated that she may have returned one of the backpacks containing files to the victim and said she would check her residence for additional property. Police instructed the individual to bring any property belonging to the victim to the station. Later that afternoon, the victim returned to the police station after being contacted regarding recovered property. He also provided additional surveillance footage and told officers that a woman had dropped off a bag containing some of his property, which was consistent with information provided during the investigation. The victim expressed relief that some of the property had been recovered. However, he told police that several important items were still missing, including four passports, four Social Security cards, five birth certificates, important documents, paper checks, flash drives and a small black external hard drive. At approximately 7 p.m. on Aug. 8, additional property was returned to the FPS. On Aug. 9, the victim returned to the station and examined the recovered property. He confirmed that the items belonged to him and his family. The recovered property included four passports, a merit certificate, a tradesman certificate, a paper check totaling $2,193.75, a checkbook, an immigration identification card, five birth certificates, four health/ birth certificates and a book. Despite the recovery of the property, the homeowner told police that approximately 10 or more small flash drives and a small black external hard drive remained missing. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 21, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The information did not say when the suspects were taken into custody. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision. Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-09-02 18:33:02

Leaders missing and China ‘furious’: the Pacific Islands Forum off to a decidedly shaky start
By Michael O’Keefe, Source: The Conversation Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The annual Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting is underway in Palau, and already there has been controversy. First, it’s a leaders meeting with a distinct lack of leaders. Second, China is reported furious that Taiwan is represented at the meeting in its own right. The fact the leaders of five of the forum’s 18 members are absent – Kiribati, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and Solomon Islands – has raised questions about China’s role in their withdrawal. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the collective absence was “highly suspicious” but did not make any direct accusation. It has come at a time when there are many pressing issues facing Pacific Islands nations, which the forum is ideally placed to tackle. THE FORUM’S IMPORTANCE The leaders meeting is central to Pacific diplomatic architecture. It’s the preeminent regional diplomatic institution providing a platform to voice a Pacific agenda. On occasion, Australian prime ministers have been criticized for non-attendance and the excuse has usually been domestic politics. This is clearly the case for several Pacific Island countries this year. For example, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale returned home to respond to a no confidence motion . It is a reminder that all foreign policy is driven by domestic considerations. Nonetheless, non-attendance is regionally significant. It has been suggested that some of the missing leaders may have been influenced by China. Beijing has threatened “consequences” over the Taiwanese delegation’s participation in Palau. All this means this year’s meeting theme, “Building Economies: Life, Action, Unity”, is looking shaky. The Pacific prides itself on unity. The “Pacific way” of diplomacy focuses on consensus. It is distinctive and effective in managing diverse interests in a culturally sound way. But the Pacific way is being challenged by outside forces and from within. GEOPOLITICS CAUSING REATIONS IN THE REGION Geopolitics is the prime reason, and its influence can be seen at all levels in this crisis. Core issues are China’s increasing assertiveness in the Pacific and the unintended consequences of Australia’s successful bilateral approach. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would have been looking forward to this year’s meeting, but Canberra’s recent geopolitical successes may be a double-edged sword. China competes with Australia by attempting to gain influence through persuasion. Aid is used to benefit Pacific Island countries. China challenged Australia in the 2010s, but Canberra responded and never lost its position as the top donor. The Lowy Aid map has clearly tracked the rise and decline in Chinese aid. Within aid budgets a key battleground was infrastructure, which Australia largely avoided to focus on capacity-building in governance, education and health. China’s approach directly benefited elites. It was also electorally useful as benefits trickled down to ordinary Pacific islanders through their leaders. Canberra met China’s infrastructure challenge, albeit with rigorous engineering and anti-corruption standards. Another issue is the threat of China establishing a military “base” in the Pacific. Rumours led to panic by some elements in the Australian media and a firm diplomatic response from Canberra. Australia ensured this diplomatic “red line” was never crossed through rigorous military and policing diplomacy. China signed a security arrangement with the Solomons in 2022. Australia then secured security treaties with Tuvalu (2023), Naoero (formerly Nauru) (2024), Papua New Guinea (2025), Vanuatu (2026) and Fiji (2026). Many Pacific Island leaders have embraced Australia’s bilateral entreaties that elevate Canberra’s geopolitical concerns. This is in contrast to the forum’s multilateral approach and could be viewed as contrary to the Pacific way. Meanwhile, China was planning an intercontinental ballistic missile test that splashed into Pacific waters while the Ocean of Peace treaty was being signed in Suva. Needless to say, Pacific Islands leaders were not impressed, but taking sides in a geopolitical contest has consequences. WHY UNITY IS KEY Much of China’s assertiveness is focused on combating the diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. The Pacific is a central battleground in this contest. Palau is one of the few countries that recognizes Taiwan. So it is difficult to separate China’s geopolitical motives with respect to competing with Australia or countering Taiwan. Without unity, a Pacific agenda cannot be furthered. Sustainable economics is certainly a worthy focus for leaders. The Pacific has been disproportionately affected by the disruption of global supply chains caused by the US-Iran War. Belts have been tightened, and the transition to renewable energy accelerated. But the reality is the wellbeing of Pacific islanders has been adversely impacted. Pacific governments have had fewer resources to respond. The long shadow of COVID still hangs over the region, so coordinated regional action is needed. The forum secretariat in Suva handles routine diplomacy between Pacific Islands countries. Without the unity of Pacific leaders, it loses the authority to further core agendas on vital issues such as climate change, the Blue Pacific strategy and the Ocean of Peace Alliance between Australia and Fiji. Pacific Island leaders can benefit from engaging in the geopolitical contest between China and Australia. But ultimately, this is distraction from the pressing issues facing the Pacific. Michael O’Keefe is Director, Master of International Relations, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University Section: Regional Tags: Pacific Islands Forum
2026-09-02 18:22:24

U.S.House passes funding extension that prevents gov’t shutdown
Sources: Associated Press & Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives passed a short-term measure Tuesday to fund the federal government into early December, a move designed to avoid a chaotic shutdown as lawmakers campaign for reelection. Lawmakers needed to act before the fiscal year concludes at the end of September to avoid a funding lapse. They were determined not to bump up against that deadline during the campaign season following this past year’s historic shutdowns The House passed the bill by a bipartisan vote of 370-48. The Senate has already overwhelmingly approved the measure, so it now moves to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature. Upon signing, the government will be funded through December 11. “It gives the nation and our constituents certainty, certainty that the government will remain open, certainty that our service members will be paid,” said Rep. Tom Cole, the Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming Tuesday’s final passage saying, “This is good news because it prevents a shutdown at the end of September, and preserves our current funding. American Samoa relies on federal funding for essential services, and I’m very pleased we won’t have a shutdown at the end of the fiscal year. Instead, this provides more time to work on full year appropriations.” Congresswoman Amata supports passage of the full appropriations bills for planning and stability, and especially because they include two of Amata’s requests for American Samoa: $1 million additional for American Samoa operations through OIA, and $1 million for port infrastructure requested cooperatively as a community project by Congresswoman Amata with Governor Pulaali’i and Director Barney Sene. The House has completed committee work on all 12 appropriations bills, including Amata’s requested funding projects, but bicameral passage of all 12 is required to fully fund the government for 2027. Under the extension, American Samoa’s current 2026 funding levels continue an additional two and a half months. BACKGROUND A record 43-day shutdown occurred last fall when the two parties disagreed on renewing an expiring tax credit that lowers the cost of health coverage obtained through Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Then came the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which lasted 76 days before lawmakers agreed to fund much of the department but not its immigration enforcement operations. Lawmakers were wary of a repeat before voters go to the polls. They also blamed the other party for the recent impasses. “We’re going to avoid the threat of another Democratic shutdown,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters in advance of the vote. After the vote Johnson said the House delivered, despite those who doubted the Republican majority would be able to push past its own divisions and rally support. “We’re continuing to do the grown-up thing, get the job done,” he said. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the lead Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, encouraged her Democratic colleagues to vote for the measure during a closed-door meeting Tuesday morning. She said the bill was much improved from the product that passed the House earlier this summer on a mostly party-line basis. For example, she said it prevents the Department of Homeland Security from transferring funds to the Border Patrol, and it delays a proposed rule that would give political appointees in the Trump administration more authority to stop federal grants from going out for programs they view as not in line with the president’s agenda. Those changes were made when the Senate approved its version of the bill. Republicans are seeking hundreds of billions of dollars in additional spending for the military while cutting most non-defense programs. Democrats say that’s a non-starter and insist on a bipartisan approach that treats domestic programs with parity. Section: Local News Tags: federal govt shutdown
2026-09-02 18:13:48

Amata in Palau for PIF Meetings with Leaders
Source: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is in Palau this ]week at the invitation of Pacific Islands Forum Chairman, Republic of Palau H.E. President Surangel Whipps, Jr., for meetings and events surrounding the 55th PIF Leaders Meeting, which brings Pacific leaders and representatives together in Koror, Palau from August 30 through September 4. This year American Samoa is represented by Special Envoy High Chief Salanoa accompanied by ASTCA CEO Folasaitu S. Thomas and Department of Port Administration Deputy Director Michael McDonald. Amata is Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific as well as the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, both of which have jurisdiction over U.S. issues regarding island countries and territories which are represented at the PIF, where discussions are likely to include the recent China missile tests into the South Pacific. Amata arrived in Palau Saturday evening and attended a Sunday ceremony with Palauan President Whipps and Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung marking the transfer of a fleet of electric buses donated by Taiwan to Palau. The ceremony highlighted the longstanding development partnership between Taiwan and Palau and Taiwan’s broader contributions to Pacific development. “American Samoa has always believed that the Pacific is strongest when our island nations work together and when our friends and partners contribute in ways that directly benefit our people,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It was good to see firsthand the practical results of Taiwan’s partnership with Palau, particularly in areas such as clean energy, transportation, and resilience.” On Monday, Amata participated in the Small Island States Leaders Meeting, where Palau formally assumed the chairmanship of the Small Island States group, previously held by Kiribati. President Whipps called on Small Island States leaders to focus on practical outcomes that improve the lives of their people. Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Baron Waqa likewise urged leaders to turn decisions made at the previous year’s meeting into practical action. Among the issues before the Small Island States leaders was work to modernize the group’s membership criteria while retaining the principle of structural smallness as its foundation. “Small island states face many of the same challenges, but we also bring a unique perspective to the international community,” Amata said. “Our size does not diminish the importance of our voice. In many cases, it makes our cooperation even more important.” Amata also participated in the Polynesian Leaders Group meeting, one of the subregional gatherings taking place in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting. The gathering provides Polynesian leaders an opportunity to discuss issues of particular importance to Polynesian peoples and communities. Monday evening marked the official opening of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror. This year’s Forum is hosted by Palau under the theme “B.E.L.A.U. – Building Economies. Life. Action. Unity.” The official Forum program runs through September 4. “The Pacific Islands Forum is one of our region’s most important institutions,” Amata said. “For American Samoa, participation in the broader Pacific family is especially important. We have much to contribute, much to learn from our neighbors, and a strong interest in seeing the Pacific remain peaceful, prosperous, resilient, and united.” Amata’s participation reflects her work in Congress to strengthen the partnership between the United States and the Pacific Islands. On August 27, she joined Representatives Ed Case, Jill Tokuda and Kimberlyn King-Hinds as an original cosponsor of a bipartisan House resolution reaffirming the enduring partnership between the United States and the Pacific Islands Forum and its 18 members. The resolution calls for continued U.S. engagement toward stability, prosperity, and peace in the Pacific. “American Samoa is proud to be part of the United States and proud to be part of the Pacific,” Amata said. “Those two reationships are not in conflict. They reinforce one another, and I will continue working in Congress to make sure that the United States remains a strong, reliable, and respectful partner in our region.” Amata will continue participating in meetings and engagements in Palau throughout the week. Section: Local News Tags: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata
2026-09-02 18:07:23

Funkfit American Samoa claims a First at the 11th Annual Toa Games — in the Scaled Division
APIA, SAMOA — Funkfit American Samoa celebrated a historic achievement after claiming first place in the Scaled Division at the 11th Annual Toa Games, a CrossFit-inspired competition hosted by CrossFit Fatu Toa in Apia, Samoa. Competing against 12 teams, Funkfit delivered a strong and consistent performance throughout the competition to secure a top spot. The winning team was led by Team Captain Kennedy Nofoagatotoa, alongside teammates Jarret Sunia, Olivia Hogarth, and Alzy Mailei. Together, the four athletes demonstrated strength, endurance, teamwork and determination across the competition’s challenging events. The victory marks a monumental moment for Funkfit American Samoa, representing the gym’s first Toa Games win in any division. The team extended special acknowledgement to Coach Claude Young of Funkfit and Walterlee Imo of CrossFit Apia for their leadership, coaching and continued commitment to preparing the athletes leading up to the Toa Games. Funkfit also thanked their families, friends and the wider community for the tremendous love, encouragement and support they received throughout their journey. [Courtesy photo] Section: Local News Tags: Funkfit American Samoa
2026-09-02 18:00:23

Fono wants to know specifics about money ASG has invested
Ops Hearing highlights two names that seem to be the main players By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pgo, AMERICAN SAMOA — During the Senate Government Operations Committee hearing held yesterday, Tuesday, September 1, 2026, explosive information was revealed about the long rumored $10 million or more of government funds that was allegedly invested, with no specifics available. Yesterday’s hearing, however, ended the drought and highlighted two names that seemed to be the main players in the decision to invest ASG funds — Brett Butler and Gov. Pulaali’i Nikolau Pula, with the Acting Treasurer caught in the middle. Mrs. Carri-Lee Magalei-Tulafono, the Acting Treasurer, was the committee’s only witness. The hearing was carried out mostly in English, due to English being her first language, although she does speak Samoan. She seemed to be nervous during the hearing, and at one point was assured by Senate President Tuaolo M. Fruean to not be nervous — just to be truthful in her testimony. Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono, chairman of the committee began the hearing with a summary of the purpose of hearing. He stated that the government has submitted to the Fono a Supplementary funding bill, asking to reprogram funds to pay for local needs. Some of the funds are from federal programs, Togiola noted — Medicaid was specifically mentioned — and he wondered if that was even legal. He continued that among the questions the committee wanted to ask was why ASG is tapping into these funds when there is allegedly money that it has invested that could be used instead to pay these obligations down, as well as others, such as the money owed to the Retirement Fund — all without incurring more debt. The senator pointed out that the Fono wants to know about the money ASG has invested. Is it $10 million or an additional $10 million for a total of $20 million? Where is it invested? Who authorized the investment? Is there a statute that granted this authority to invest the money? Togiola alluded to the money coming from the federal government, asking when the funds were deposited, and where. However, Magalei-Tulafono later in her testimony clarified that the funds were interest-earned from federal ARPA money deposited into a bank account under ASG’s name. The Acting Treasurer opened her testimony by saying that she was not aware of the Supplementary bill’s content, as she was not part of its inception; even though she said when asked by Togiola that she was Acting Treasurer at the time. Togiola also asked about Brett Butler’s role at Treasury. Magalei-Tulafono noted that she was recommended by Brett Butler to become Acting Treasurer while he was being confirmed, and that she had not wanted the position, but it was supposedly only until Butler was confirmed. When she took the position, she said Butler moved from the Governor’s Office to Treasury under the title of Executive Treasury Specialist. Butler, who was not confirmed by the House, has led to Magalei-Tulafono still holding the position of Acting Treasurer. She later acknowledged she was being paid the Treasurer’s salary when asked. As Acting Treasurer, Magalei-Tulafono clarified that there was $11 million of accumulated interest from ARPA money deposited at the Zions Bank in Salt Lake City, Utah, as of March 2026. And via an email, the governor authorized her to move $10 million of the $11 million (interest) to McKinley Beech Tree, an investment firm, to invest for DPA (Department of Port Administration) projects. She did not know any specifics about the projects. She noted that the balance of $1 million remains in the interest account at Zions Bank. Togiola asked why that particular investment firm, to which Magalei-Tulafono responded that she didn’t know. She explained that the money was moved using a wire transfer, and that Butler, the governor and she were the authorizing parties. She added that she does not know if a final agreement exists with the investment firm, but that she does have a draft document of it; of which she has a copy. She okayed that a copy of the document be made for the Senate committee from her copy. Magalei-Tulafono was asked by Senate President Tuaolo if she had contacted the Attorney General before she agreed to the transfer. She said that originally no, as Butler said he was taking full responsibility for the transaction. However, later at home, she spoke with her husband, who told her to get verification and that is when she got the Governor to send her a letter authorizing her to transfer the money. (She mentioned later that she had recently spoken to the AG on the issue.) Tuaolo asked about returns on the investment. To which Magalei-Tulafono said there were none to date. The Senate president explained that the governor had spoken with the Speaker of the House and him about paying the Retirement Fund the outstanding amounts owed soon. And yet, here they have used the money to invest off-island. Tuaolo said he was now going to stop his questions, because he was getting ‘cold shivers’ hearing about what was going on. Sen. Utu Sila Poasa asked the Acting Treasurer about return terms on the investment. Magalei-Tulafono said she was told it would be 30 days for the first return, on April 30th or May 1st. The amount was to be $10 million of the original investment returned and an extra $10 million. Utu’s response was one of astonishment, noting a 100% return. He asked if there was a write-up of the agreement with the investment company, to which Magalei-Tulafono said she asked Butler for the paperwork, but he is currently off-island. She told Utu that as of August, she has not seen a return on the investment. Magalei-Tulafono confirmed to Togiola that it was Butler who told her about the return rate, and she reiterated that as of August, she has not seen a return on the investment. Senator Magalei Logavi’i asked Magalei-Tulafono pointedly if when she refused to release the $10 million was the governor “involved in this order to release that money to Brett?“ The Acting Treasurer replied that she had an email that authorized her to sign the wire transfer for it. She then read out loud the copy of the email during the hearing: “Carrie-Lee, as Governor of American Samoa, I authorize you, the Acting Treasurer of the American Samoa Government, ASG, to sign the necessary documents to invest $10 million for purposes of ASG airport infrastructure with McKinley. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Governor Pulaalii.“ A copy of the email was also obtained by the committee via her copy. The chairman of the committee brought the hearing to an end by pointing out to Magalei-Tulafono that there is no such city or town known as Leawood in Kansas state. There’s a Leadwood, but no Leawood, he said. However, the Acting Treasurer stated — and spelled the city’s name out — that it was name of the city used on the wire transfer. Togiola responded, “That’s interesting...“ Togiola during the conclusion of the hearing acknowledged Magalei-Tulafono as a daughter of the Territory and as one of the stalwarts that has served as the backbone of the Treasury. He thanked her for testifying truthfully. Where the inquiry will now head, is unknown. However, during the hearing, comments could be heard in the background by senators of the need to bring the head of the ARPA as well as Butler before the Senate committee for further questions. Section: Local News Tags: Senate Government Operations Committee
2026-09-02 17:27:11

Miss Taumeasina Island Resort Inspired by Her Grandparents
Miss Taumeasina Island Resort, Laurissa Pona-Baker, says her grandparents are the biggest reason she decided to enter this year’s Miss Samoa competition, adding that she wants to help preserve Samoa’s stories and traditions for future generations. The 25-year-old, who hails from the villages of Vaigaga, Vaipuna, Solosolo and Mulifanua, said she grew up between Australia [...] The post Miss Taumeasina Island Resort Inspired by Her Grandparents first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-09-02 07:11:17

Fa’afefe e se alii se tamaitai i le faamalosia o ia i le pakaga a le Bowling
[ata: SN] By Lali Staff Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA Ia Aukuso 2, 2026, na valaau atu ai se tamaitai i le Ofisa a Leoleo i Tafuna, ma ripotia se alii i le faia o ni amioga mataga ia te ia (tamaitai), i le pakaga a le fale kalapu o le Bowling Alley, i Tafuna. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, na tu’ua’ia e le tamaitai na a’afia, ia Miracle Alailima, i le una’i o ia (tamaitai) i se taavale ma folafola le faamalosia o ia (tamaitai). E taunu’u atu le tamaitai na a’afia, i le pakaga a le McDonald’s, ae taunu’u atu ai loa ma leoleo. Na fesiligia e leoleo, ia le tamaitai na a’afia, po o iai pea, ia le na molia, i le eria. Sa faasino le tamaitai na a’afia, i le ‘drive-thru’, i se alii sa lae’i i se ofutino lanu moana. A’o agai atu ia leoleo, i le itu o iai ia le na molia, sa faasino ifo foi e nit agata sa iai, ia le mea o iai Miracle (le na molia) ma ana uo. Na savavali atu leoleo, i le na molia, a’o mulimuli atu ai le tamaitai na a’afia, ma ana uo. Sa amata ona ‘e’e leotele ia le tamaitai na a’afia, ma faasino lona lima, i le na molia, ma amata ona lu’i e le tamaitai na a’afia, ia le na molia, e la te fufusu, ma fesiligia o ia (le na molia), pe aisea ua filemu ai. Na ave faapagotaina e leoleo, ia le na molia, ma fa’ailoa atu iai, o le a ave o ia i le ofisa a leoleo i Tafuna, mo le su’esu’eina o ia. A’o taumafai isi leoleo, e fa’ato’ato’a le tamaitai na a’afia, sa fautuaina o ia e leoleo, ina ia agai atu foi ma ia, i le ofisa a leoleo, mo le fa’aauauina o a latou su’esu’ega. E tusa ai ma le faamatalaga a le tamaitai na a’afia, i leoleo, sa savavali atu i lana taavale ma ana uo, mai i le fale kalapu, ae pasi ifo ni alii ma amata ona lafo atu ni faamatalaga mataga, ia te ia ma ana uo. Sa tali mai nei tamaitai, e ala i le lauina o nei alii. Ae alu atu loa le na molia, a’o taumafai le tamaitai na a’afia, e oso i totonu o lana taavale, ma taumafai e talanoa atu i le tamaitai na a’afia. Na ta’ua e le tamaitai na a’afia, ia lona taumafai e una’i ‘ese ia le na molia. Peitai, sa taumafai ia le na molia, e faamalosi o ia (tamaitai), a’o ia fa’aauau pea ona taumafai e una’i ese le na molia. Sa ta’ua foi e le tamaitai na a’afia, ia le tago atu o le na molia, i ona itutino sa, ma fa’ailoa atu, o le a ia (le na molia) faamalosia o ia (tamaitai). Na fa’ailoa atu e le tamaitai, na a’afia, i leoleo, ia lona tago i le tu’i ia le na molia ma ta i lana ato, ae ‘a’apa mai le na molia, i le u’u lona ua ma fa’aauau ona fa’amata’u o ia, i faamatalaga. Sa ta’ua e le tamaitai na a’afia, ina ua mafai ona oso i totonu o lana taavale, sa ia valaau loa i leoleo. Na fa’atalanoaina foi e leoleo, ia ni molimau se to’alua, na iai i le taimi na tupu ai le faalavelave. E tusa ai ma le faamatalaga a le molimau muamua, sa o latou tutu ma a latou uo, e pu’e se latou ata, a’o latou agai atu i le latou taavale, ae pasi if oni alii talavou ma amata ona taufa’alili ma faifai atu ia latou. Ae ina ua o latou fesili atu i le autalavou, pe aisea, ae palauvale ma fai mai faamatalaga mataga. Sa ta’ua e le molimau muamua, ia lo latou taumafai e tuli’ese ia nei alii, ae peitai, na si’i mai o latou lima ma folifoli mai o le a fai se latou fusuaga. Na ta’ua foi e le molimau muamua, ina ua ia oso i totonu o le taavale, sa tago ia le na molia, i itusa a le tamaitai na a’afia, ma amata ona fa’afefe o ia. Ma sa ia lagonaina foi le ‘e’e o le tamaitai na a’afia. O le mea lea na ia (molimau) toe oso mai ai i fafo o le taavale, ma taumafai e tuli ‘ese ia le na molia. Ae na fa’aauau ona fa’amata’u i latou e le na molia ma faailoa atu, o lana teritori, ia le eria lea o lo’o latou iai. Sa ta’ua foi e le molimau muamua, ia lona faamalosia o le tamaitai na a’afia, i totonu o le taavale, e tago ia le na molia, i le tu’i ia le fa’amalama o le taavale, a’o agai ese atu le latou taavale. I le faatalanoaga o le molimau lona lua, sa ia ta’ua lona iai i totonu o le taavale ma le molimau muamua, ina ua ia lagona le ‘e’e o le tamaitai na a’afia ma palauvale i le na molia. Ina ua ia tilotilo mai i fafo, sa ia va’aia le u’uina e le na molia, o le ua a le tamaitai na a’afia. O le mea lea na ia oso mai ai i fafo ma una’i ‘ese ia le na molia, mai i le tamaitai na a’afia. Ina ua mafai ona o latou o ese ma le pakaga a le falekalapu, sa o latou o sa’o lava i le pakaga a le McDonald’s ma valaau leoleo. O moliaga na faia faasaga ia Miracle Alailima, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1: Faia o amioga mataga, i lona tulaga muamua – O se vaega ‘O’ i solitulfono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le lima tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 3: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu – O se vaega ‘I’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 3: Taumafaina o ‘ava malolosi ae e le’i atoa tausaga fa’atulafonoina – O se vaega ‘E’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le ono masina, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $500; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Section: Le Lali
2026-09-02 03:57:10

Pacific communities urged to guard against surging online scams
Community and family connection remain the strongest defense for Pasifika households By Elenoa Turagaiviu, PNM News Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As online scams become increasingly sophisticated, cybersecurity experts are urging Pasifika across the moana to slow down and protect themselves online. The call comes alongside the launch of the Fearless Planet Index (FPI), a new real-time intelligence hub tracking digital threats globally. Speaking 531’s Pacific Days, cybersecurity company Norton New Zealand’s spokesperson Luke Makutu says in this country alone, security systems have identified over 90,000 e-shop scams in a single 30-day period. He says the surge represents an 87 per cent increase in local online shopping fraud, as scammers aggressively target everyday consumers. Makutu is highlighting how the current cost-of-living crisis makes Pacific families particularly vulnerable. New Zealand recorded an 87 per cent increase in local online shopping fraud, as scammers aggressively target everyday consumers. "We’re living in a cost-of-living crisis where people are struggling to pay bills or buy petrol. "A $50 scam here and there can mean the difference between feeding our kids each week. It’s a big deal." According to Makutu, the rapid rise of AI has given cybercriminals tools to generate highly convincing fake e-commerce websites, social media pop-ups, text messages, and phishing emails in seconds — mimicking trusted global consumer brands and government agencies to trick everyday internet users. He says no one is immune to AI, regardless of background, age, or tech experience. "Technology is moving faster than we can keep up with," he says, invoking a traditional Pacific legend to illustrate the community's needed response. "I like to think of Māui, how he slowed down the sun. Cybercriminals are using AI at a pace we can't keep up with. I just want to throw a net over the sun and slow it down so we’ve got more time to take a breath and ease our way through this digital world." While digital security tools such as secure browsers, antivirus protection, and parental controls provide crucial technical barriers, Makutu is stressing that community and family connection remain the strongest defense for Pasifika households. He says that for families navigating multi-generational internet users, from the young on mobile devices to elders keeping in touch with family across the Pacific, open dialogue and caution are vital. “We need to be connected to real people in the real world in order to navigate the digital world. Talk with your children. “I would really encourage parents to, you know, do their best before they hand that device over to have some guidelines in place ....like software that actually knows what threats are out there and is blocking them so your kids are safe online.” The newly launched Fearless Planet Index aggregates data from over 500 million users across 245 countries and territories. A United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report has put the spotlight on Pacific communities. It says they are increasingly in the sights of global scam networks through the use of technology largely involving artificial intelligence and social media. The latest assessment across the region estimates scam operators have stolen somewhere between $150 billion and $194 billion last year alone through the exploitation of vulnerable people. Section: Regional Tags: online scams
2026-09-01 19:10:06

Senator Muagututi‘a Tauoa delivers strongest public rebuke yet to governor
By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula’s sudden decision to dissolve the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) has triggered one of the strongest public rebukes yet from senior Senator Muagututi‘a Tauoa, who accused the Governor of disrespecting the Fono, misusing public funds, and undermining the constitutional balance of government. Speaking during a Senate Government Operations Committee hearing on Monday morning, December 31, 2026, Muagututi‘a delivered a blistering tirade in Samoan that escalated into an outright call for the Governor’s removal — a rare and extraordinary step in Fono proceedings. “I have monitored the Governor’s actions from the beginning,” Muagututi‘a said, opening his remarks with a stern tone. “We should not be afraid to tell him that he has overstepped his authority because we put him where he is. How many times has he gone against the Fono’s decisions? We should not be afraid of him.” Turning directly to the camera live streaming the hearing, Muagututi‘a addressed the Governor personally: “Pula, if you are watching this broadcast, I’m telling you now that you are full of disrespect. I remind you that the government consists of three branches — the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. I am certain a significant amount of funds have been misused, and that is the reason he has dissolved the Board.” The senator went further, accusing the Governor of lacking cultural grounding and respect. “Pula, you have been disrespectful and rude to the people of this Territory. This is what happens when someone who has been living off-island becomes a matai and is not fully versed with the dictates of being a matai — especially respect.” He also criticized the Governor’s treatment of Lt. Governor Pulu, saying: “Why did you select Pulu as your Lt. Governor and now you disrespect him? This is not your government that you can rule from wherever in the world you travel to. This is the government of Tutuila and Manu‘a. We should elect a governor who truly cares for the people of American Samoa. Change the governor. Don’t vote for Pula.” The remarks were broadcast live on the Senate website and YouTube, reaching thousands of viewers on social media. Muagututi‘a is known for his sharp critiques of the administration, but Monday’s comments marked his most severe condemnation of Governor Pulaali‘i to date. Section: Local News Tags: ASTCA BOARD
2026-09-01 18:13:38

Samoan Healers Collaborate to Safeguard Traditional Knowledge
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 02 September 2026 – Samoan Traditional Healers are collaborating with government agencies to develop a national framework to safeguard traditional healing knowledge passed down through generations. Representatives from the Traditional Healers Association; Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL); Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS); Ministry of Health (MOH); [...] The post Samoan Healers Collaborate to Safeguard Traditional Knowledge appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-01 18:00:50

Man arrested after assaulting woman over pig’s head
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 20, 2026, a man contacted the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) and reported that a suspect assaulted his wife. The suspect was later charged with: Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than a year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not more than $300, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the defendant, later identified as Viiga Ta’ala, allegedly punched the woman twice in the face and struck her in the back with a white plastic chair. Upon their arrival at approximately 6:13 p.m., officers reportedly encountered the injured woman beside the roadway. The officers described the victim as being extremely distressed, anguished and injured, and pleading for help. When asked what had happened, the victim reportedly pointed toward the public highway in the direction of her husband, who had left the residence to seek assistance. Officers subsequently located the husband walking back toward the residence. The victim’s husband initially told police that the victim's brother, Ta'ala Viiga, had assaulted her inside the house. Police returned to the residence and met with the victim. Officers immediately observed blood on the victim’s mouth and hands, while she was also experiencing difficulty seeing clearly. The affidavit also stated that the victim was having difficulty speaking because she was sobbing and shaking. While one officer remained with the victim to calm her and obtain information about what had occurred, other officers proceeded to the residence where the defendant was reportedly located. The victim was instructed to have her husband take her to FPS so she could receive medical attention from EMS. Police said the defendant was also encountered as he walked out of the residence and was instructed to go to the police vehicle for transportation to headquarters for further investigation. Upon arrival at FPS, EMS personnel were waiting for the victim and treated her for her injuries. The defendant was subsequently taken inside the police station, where he was Mirandized.The suspect acknowledged that he understood his rights but declined to provide a statement regarding the incident. The victim required additional medical treatment and was transported to LBJ Hospital. At approximately 10:50 p.m., police officers went to the hospital to obtain her written statement and check on her medical condition. Police were informed by a physician that the victim would remain at the hospital overnight for further treatment and that her eyes would be examined after 24 hours. ALLEGED CONFRONTATION In her written statement to police, the victim reportedly described the confrontation as beginning after she returned home from church practice. According to her statement, she heard the defendant speaking to her grandmother about something she could not understand. While her grandmother was attempting to explain what was happening, the defendant allegedly interrupted and asked where the pig's head was. The victim reportedly told the defendant not to interrupt her grandmother while she was speaking. The defendant then allegedly became angry, where he swore and approached the victim before punching her twice in the face. The first punch allegedly struck her in the mouth, while the second was directed to her left eye. The victim reportedly raised her hand to protect her face, at which point the defendant allegedly grabbed a plastic chair and struck her in the back. An aunt then intervened and held the defendant back, allowing the victim to run outside in search of her husband. Police photographed the woman's injuries during the investigation. The victim's husband also provided a written statement to police. According to the victim’s husband, he told investigators that he and his wife (victim) had returned home when the defendant confronted them and began arguing with them over food. The husband reportedly said his wife told the defendant that the food was finished. The defendant allegedly became angry and aggressive, particularly over the pig's head. The husband alleged that the defendant picked up a chair and struck his wife with it, causing her to fall. He then allegedly punched her. The husband further alleged that the defendant threatened to kill them that night. He told police that an elderly woman at the residence instructed everyone to stop, after which he called 911 for assistance. The grandmother who was present at the residence also provided a statement to police. According to the grandmother, she said the defendant had returned home after choir practice and became upset because he believed food had not been prepared for his children. The witness reportedly told police that the defendant complained that the children were hungry and questioned why the family had gone to practice without feeding them. The disagreement reportedly involved leftover food and a pig's head. The witness said the defendant became increasingly upset and eventually charged toward the victim. She alleged that he threw a plastic chair and punched the victim in the face. The witness also reportedly told police that the defendant used profanities and went after the victim's husband during the confrontation. The witness also described concerns about the defendant's involvement in caring for his children, stating that he had allegedly been sleeping much of the time over the previous two days. Following the incident, the defendant was treated by EMS at a later time before being booked and confined. He was then transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he remained pending his next appearance in District Court. The defendant is identified as a 36-year-old U.S national. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 21, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] . Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-09-01 18:00:26

Nepal Flood Death Toll Tops 1,000, More Than 3,900 Missing
The death toll in Nepal from devastating floods on the border with Tibet has crossed 1,000, according to the country’s disaster agency. More than 3,900 people remain missing, of whom more than 600 are workers believed to be trapped in a vast network of mud-filled tunnels at hydropower sites along the Trishuli River. Engineers have [...] The post Nepal Flood Death Toll Tops 1,000, More Than 3,900 Missing first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-09-01 17:21:29

AI companies look to the ocean as a place to put more data centers
By Nir Kshetri, University of North Carolina Source: The Conversation Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The artificial intelligence boom is driving unprecedented demand for data centers, raising concerns about their growing energy consumption, water use and carbon footprint. These challenges are making companies look beyond traditional land-based data centers. Some developers are now exploring the ocean as a new location for AI infrastructure in the hopes that underwater data centers could improve energy use and cooling efficiency while using less fresh water and land area than onshore buildings. My research focuses on the societal, organizational and environmental implications of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and the digital infrastructure – including data centers – that supports its development and deployment. I see underwater data centers as a promising new approach for supporting the growth of AI. But moving servers into the ocean does not make other underlying environmental challenges such as energy consumption and carbon emissions disappear. And it creates new concerns about harm to the marine environment, as well as questions about how these data centers can be regulated – and how companies can maintain and expand them if needed. Whether underwater data centers can become sustainable alternatives to traditional data centers depends on solving these economic, technical and environmental problems. The rise of ocean-based AI infrastructure In 2015, Microsoft launched a research project to explore the feasibility, benefits and challenges of underwater data centers. Part of that effort included setting up a waterproof data center on the seafloor near Scotland’s Orkney Islands in 2018. It contained 864 servers and was connected to shore by an underwater cable. After two years, Microsoft reported that the servers in the underwater data center failed at about one-eighth the rate of servers in comparable land-based data centers. The company is still studying the possible reasons but hypothesizes that in a sealed underwater environment the equipment is less exposed to oxygen, humidity and temperature fluctuations – as well as less jostling from people working to replace broken components. However, Microsoft ended the project in 2024 and chose not to build more underwater data centers. The company didn’t say why, but others’ analyses suggest the reasons could include regulatory concerns, including the need for environmental permits, as well as a desire for faster upgrades and replacements for the computer equipment inside. Instead the company has focused on land-based data centers, which can be larger and easier to expand, and also easier to access to repair or replace equipment. Others have moved ahead, though. China built what may be the world’s first wind-powered underwater data center in Shanghai. The facility launched in June 2025 and began full commercial operations in May 2026. The US$226 million project uses seawater as a coolant rather than have to refrigerate fresh water, reducing the electricity required to cool the computers. It uses at least 30% less electricity than traditional data centers, and offshore wind turbines reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut the data center’s carbon emissions. Japan is testing a different approach: Data centers housed in containers on floating platforms at sea can use seawater for cooling, have unobstructed conditions for solar panels and wind turbines, and reduce demand for land. In 2025, a data center in shipping containers opened on a floating platform near Yokohama. Its power comes from solar panels installed on the same floating platform, with batteries providing energy storage. The test will continue through March 2027. Singapore is also moving toward commercial-scale floating data centers. In 2026, infrastructure company Keppel began building a four-story floating data center, scheduled to open in 2028. The project will use seawater for cooling, reducing reliance on treated water and improving cooling efficiency. And the fact that it floats means it won’t take up any of Singapore’s limited land availability. In 2025, Ulsan, South Korea, began planning an underwater data center that could house more than 100,000 servers and use 30% less power than land-based centers by using seawater for cooling. In Maine, DeepGreen Western Passage has proposed a submersible AI data center in the Bay of Fundy, powered by tidal turbines designed to harness the area’s strong tidal currents. Land-based data centers could also take advantage of seawater cooling. In Portugal, the SIN01 AI data center in Sines uses seawater from the Atlantic to cool its servers before returning it to the ocean. The promise of ocean-based data centers These various approaches offer ways to reduce demand for grid-supplied electricity for powering data centers’ computers and cooling equipment, as well as using less fresh water. The distance from people’s homes could also be an advantage for data centers in or on the ocean. A Gallup poll in March 2026 found that 70% of Americans oppose building AI data centers in their communities. However, more than half of the world’s population lives within 120 miles of a coast. Underwater could be another way to keep data centers physically close to users for speedy service. Maintenance, though, is a major challenge. If a computer fails underwater, it cannot be repaired or replaced on site. The entire sealed data center module may need to be brought to the surface, even if just one computer needs work. Can the ocean sustain AI? The main environmental concern about ocean-based data centers involves the seawater used for cooling. Discharging warm or hot water can potentially affect oxygen levels, pH and marine life in the surrounding waters. That heat is already apparent at the few seaborne data centers now operating. HiCloud, the engineering contractor for China’s Hainan underwater data center, has reported a temperature increase of less than 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in the seawater near the facility. SIN01 in Sines, Portugal, also returns seawater about 1 C warmer. Many marine species depend on stable water temperatures for breeding, feeding and migration, raising concerns that heat released by multiple underwater data centers could create localized thermal pollution and alter marine ecosystems. And the ocean is already under pressure. UNESCO, the United Nations agency for international cooperation, including in conservation, estimates that about 60% of marine ecosystems are already degraded or used unsustainably. The ocean is already warming along with the atmosphere, without additional waste heat from data centers. That additional heat is already threatening coral reef and mangrove ecosystems, seagrasses and other aspects of the marine food web. As that warming continues, ocean waters will be less useful for cooling electronic equipment in some regions. Underwater data centers could help AI grow while easing some of the pressure on land, energy and water. But the real test is whether the ocean can become AI’s next computing frontier without becoming its next environmental problem. Section: Regional Tags: data centers
2026-09-01 17:19:57

Senate president questions legality of governor’s dismissal of six ASTCA board members
ASTCA Senate hearing postponed, after no witnesses By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean raised concerns regarding the legality of the Governor's decision to dismiss six members of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) Board of Directors while he is overseas, during yesterday’s Senate Government Operations Committee hearing that was seeking clarification on the funding sources for the recent America 250 celebration held in July of this year, organized by ASTCA. The ASTCA hearing was convened by Senator Togiola Tulafono, chairman of the Committee, who had asked for a detailed explanation of how exactly the celebration was funded — ASTCA versus federal versus private. The inquiry was a result of public complaints. The hearing opened with the Chair notifying the Senate of three letters he had on hand concerning the ASTCA inquiry; and that no witnesses had arrived for the hearing. Togiola stated that the first letter, dated August 27, 2026, was from the Governor’s Office, endorsed by Chief of Staff Leonard Seumanutafa. The letter was addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Operations and requested that the hearing be postponed until September 8, 2026, to allow the ASTCA Chief Executive Officer to attend. However, Togiola said that the hearing scheduled for Monday was meant for the ASTCA Board of Directors, not the CEO, and he has yet to respond to this letter. The second letter Sen. Togiola cited, dated Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, was from ASTCA board member Moli Lemana, informing the Senate that he is unable to attend because of a correspondence dated Aug. 28, 2026, from the Governor announcing his removal from the ASTCA Board, along with others. Togiola read out the third letter in full — it was the governor’s ASTCA board members “removal“ letter — and he included reading out the names of the six members of the ASTCA board to which it was addressed, that it seemed to be signed by governor, and cced to the ASTCA CEO. The Chair raised several concerns about the Governor’s letter. He noted that it was signed by the governor, on the 28th, and yet he is traveling overseas. Togiola pointed out that this raises significant questions, particularly concerning the appropriateness of the Governor's actions during his absence. Togiola expressed astonishment that the letter from the Governor had arrived so fast in the post — as he is off-island — and he, Togiola, has never seen the post arrive this fast. In particular, he pointed out that the two letters, the one signed by the Chief of Staff, and the other by the Governor highlight a disarray within the administration. Togiola spoke of a noticeable lack of common courtesy in how these communications were handled — how the governor is “looking down“ at the Lt. Governor and the Fono. He specifically queried the Lieutenant Governor's whereabouts and engagement, as he has the authority to act and represent the Governor in his absence. Togiola emphasized that this situation clearly indicates a troubling lack of respect for the Lieutenant Governor and the Legislature, raising concerns about overall governance and communication within the administration. Togiola then expressed concern about the Governor's recent decisions to remove members of the ASTCA Board of Directors. He pointed to the drastic action coming on the heels of their request to clarify the funding mechanisms used for the America 250 celebration, which was organized by the American Samoa Telecommunication Authority (ASTCA). In light of these developments, Togiola suggested that subpoenas be issued to individuals from both the Governor’s office and the outgoing ASTCA board members to ensure accountability. He pointed out that witnesses have not appeared before the Committee because they are no longer on the ASTCA board. He highlighted that while the outgoing members are no longer on the Board they can still testify as to the knowledge they have concerning ASTCA matters. DISCUSSION Senate President Tuaolo spoke of the unprecedented action by the governor to bypass the Lt. Governor in decisions related to government operations when the Governor is out of the territory. He noted that he has seen nothing like this in his 60 years of public service. Tuaolo asked Togiola directly if the governor’s letter was legal — that the governor could travel outside, and still fire people, while the Lt. Governor was present on island. Sen. Togiola, a lawyer by profession, explained that ASTCA was established by an Executive Order in 1999. Tuaolo interjected, “The executive order that you (Togiola) did! And now we are troubled by it!“ Togiola responded quietly that the executive order was done by Gov. Tauese Sunia. He acknowledged changes during Lolo Moliga's tenure as Governor, but he is not familiar with the specifics; but pointed out that the Board is appointed and can be dismissed at the will of the governor because of its EO beginnings. Togiola said however, while the governor has the right to appoint or dismiss ASTCA board members, he is concerned that the Government seems to be run from overseas/ outside, even while the Lt. Governor is present and capable of acting on behalf of American Samoa. Tuaolo asked what then be done about this? Togiola replied that he does not think there is anything much to worry about. Their (Legislature) work continues and there is no need to fear the beating of this tin can from the Governor. He continued that this is just the beating of a tin can (noise) used to call animals, not people — so this tin can belongs to the Governor, so let him use it to call animals; but, because it has caused problems with their work (Monday’s hearing) he asked again that subpoenas be sent out to outgoing ASTCA board members as private citizens to be witnesses. He asked for a mau/ resolution to request the subpoenas. Tuaolo brought up his concern about the government budget, asking who would testify for ASTCA’s budget, since there is no longer a Board. Togiola replied that while the CEO and CFO can testify for the budget, the question is how the budget can be justified, as under the EO, it is the Board that verifies/ certifies the authority’s proposed budget. He further noted that with the dissolution of the Board, he believes the Authority, which is run by the Board has now also been dissolved. Togiola said this is what the hearing will query when held. Tuaolo urged the Senators to take corrective measures to address what he described as “this madness” surrounding ASTCA's governance. He highlighted a troubling pattern in which the Lt. Governor has been consistently kept in the dark regarding important decisions and actions, while the CEO of ASTCA has been included in relevant communications. He pointed to the dismissal letter cced only to the ASTCA CEO. “This is an insult to the Lt. Governor and the entire Legislature,” Tuaolo remarked, indicating that such disregard for the Lt. Governor undermines the integrity of the government. A call for it to be investigated by the SSIC was also brought to the floor by one of the senators. Senator Magalei Logavi’i introduced the resolution to send subpoenas out. He added that the ASTCA budget should be put to the side until the issues are resolved — especially as there is no Board chairman. Samoa News should point out that two members of the ASTCA board were not addressed in the dismissal letter — the Chairman of the Board, Avamua Dave Haleck and the Secretary of the Board, Andrew Berquist (ASG Broadband director). It is unknown if they are still on the Board, which would mean the Board is still ongoing — it just doesn’t have a quorum? Shortly thereafter, during the hearing, Senator Muagututi’a Tauoa took the floor to voice his own concerns, stating that the Governor has shown a blatant lack of respect for both the office of the Lt. Governor and the citizens of American Samoa. He elaborated on the Executive Branch's role as one of the critical arms of government, emphasizing that respect for its functions is essential to proper governance. Muagututi’a called out to the Governor, asserting that his actions reflect a disrespectful attitude toward the people. He remarked, “We have chiefs who return from America only to behave as if they possess all the answers.” He continued, addressing the Governor directly: “If you are listening, Pula, this is not your government. This government belongs to the people of Tutuila and Manu’a. You cannot run it as if it is your personal domain. No one should vote for you, Pula. “It is high time we consider changing our Governor and take steps to subpoena the outgoing board members of ASTCA. We are aware that something is amiss, as evidenced by the recent dismissals of the ASTCA Board of Directors,” said Muagututi’a. The hearing concluded with the Senate moving to subpoena the outgoing ASTCA Board members to appear on September 14, 2026. Section: Local News Tags: ASTCA BOARD
2026-09-01 17:05:10

$800,000 medical bill for 18 patients’ overseas treatment
Apia, SAMOA – 01 September 2026 – Cabinet last week approved overseas treatment for 18 patients at a cost of approximately $800,000 tala. Of the 18 patients, 11 will receive medical treatment in Fiji, six in India and one in New Zealand. The Government has allocated $12m annually for the Overseas Medical Treatment Programme. The post $800,000 medical bill for 18 patients’ overseas treatment appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-01 10:42:04

Lise Schmidt pleads guilty to misleading police
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, SAMOA – 01 September 2026 – Lise Marie Schmidt has pleaded guilty to 9 charges of misleading police. She originally entered a not guilty plea however, defense counsel Mapusua Tanya Toalioa applied to the court today to vacate her clients not guilty plea and replace it with a guilty plea. The [...] The post Lise Schmidt pleads guilty to misleading police appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-01 10:28:36

Canada’s High Commissioner to Samoa presents credentials
Apia, SAMOA – 01 September 2026 – The Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, today accepted the credentials of His Excellency, Keith Smith as High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Samoa, with residence in Wellington, New Zealand. Samoa and Canada have enjoyed warm and cordial relations since the establishment of formal [...] The post Canada’s High Commissioner to Samoa presents credentials appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-09-01 10:22:28

Former PM security officers drilled on their presence at her private meetings
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, SAMOA – 01 August 2026 – Two former security officers of former Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa were questioned in court by defence counsel on their presence at her private meetings. The officers were two of the five police witnesses who took the stand yesterday in the case against Lise Marie [...] The post Former PM security officers drilled on their presence at her private meetings appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-31 19:13:32

BSP Samoa Officially Opens New Branch at Matautu
Apia, Samoa | Tuesday 01 September 2026. BSP Samoa celebrated the official opening of its new Matautu Branch, on Monday 31 August with an intimate ceremony led by Rev Elisaia Kolia of CCCS Matautu Uta who blessed the new branch in the presence of BSP Management and staff. The opening marks an important milestone in [...] The post BSP Samoa Officially Opens New Branch at Matautu first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-31 18:49:18

DHSS to issue end-of-year benefits to ASNAP participants
By Eric Cabrera, KSL News Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — ASNAP Director Panisia Neueli has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration (USDA FNA) has approved DHSS’ request to issue a one-time payment of end-of-year (EOY) benefits for 2026. With this USDA FNA approval, on September 1, 2026, in addition to their regular monthly benefits, each ASNAP participant will receive an additional $110 loaded onto their EBT card. EOY benefits are funded through ASNAP’s unspent funds from the current Federal Fiscal Year. All ASNAP benefits, including the $110 EOY benefit, will expire at 11:59 pm on September 30, 2026. Therefore, all ASNAP participants are reminded that you must use all your benefits before midnight on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Director Neueli conveyed appreciation to USDA FNA Western Regional Administrator Dr. Muzafar Makhdoomi, Grants Management and Administrative Services Director Terry Gunnell, and their colleagues at the national and regional levels for their continued support of ASNAP and for helping to sustain vital food assistance for vulnerable members of our population. She also extends her fa’amālo and fa’afetai tele to Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula and Lt. Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae, Jr. for their support of DHSS and its Programs. In closing, Director Neueli urges all participants who will be receiving EOY benefits to prioritize the purchase of healthy food items for better health outcomes. Contact the ASNAP office at 633-7720 / 633-7451 / 633-7591 for more information. Section: Local News Tags: ASNAP BONUS PAYMENT
2026-08-31 18:18:34

American Samoa is attending Pacific Islands Leaders Forum
Some Pacific nations have pulled out By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Folasaaitu Sorepa Fata-Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, is leading the American Samoa delegation at the 55th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting, which is being held in Palau. This year's forum centers on the theme “BELAU – Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity,” which aims to foster collaboration and growth among Pacific nations. Folasaaitua is accompanied by Michael McDonald and Lealaisalanoa Ricky Salanoa. Reports from various Pacific Islands indicate that several leaders have pulled out of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ meeting in Palau at the last minute. The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Matthew Wale, has canceled his appearance following a no-confidence motion lodged against him by the Minister of Home Affairs, Manasseh Maelanga. Australia has been negotiating a security treaty with the Solomon Islands and hopes to continue discussions on the sidelines of the summit. Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, and Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, will also be absent, along with the leader of Samoa, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt. However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed his attendance Pacific leaders are expected to discuss security and climate issues during the summit. Albanese stated that Australia would also emphasize its support for Pacific workers coming to the country. Recently, there has been considerable debate on how the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility Scheme would be affected by the immigration cuts proposed by various parties. Rooted in BELAU’s cultural and historical context, the theme underscores the significance of the region’s shared identity as Pacific Islanders. It reminds the region of the collective journey as Big Ocean States, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities faced navigating the Pacific’s vast resources and interconnected futures. The theme also emphasizes the importance of upholding the shared values, which are essential to promoting harmony and resilience within our communities and cultures. During the forum, representatives from 18-member states will engage in in-depth discussions and collaborative planning to strengthen relationships among Pacific nations. Key topics include strategies to strengthen local economies, protect shared marine environments, and promote sustainable development initiatives. The meeting began on Sunday, August 30, 2026, and will conclude on September 4, 2026. Throughout this period, participants will work together to develop actionable steps and initiatives that will benefit the Pacific region now and for generations to come, ensuring a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for the Blue Pacific. Section: Regional Tags: 55th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting
2026-08-31 18:09:44

Man allegedly threatens to rape a woman in Bowling Alley parking lot
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 2, 2026, a victim of an alleged sexual assault contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported a male individual who had sexually assaulted her at the Bowling Alley parking lot in Tafuna. The suspect was arrested and later charged with: Count 1: Sexual Assault in the First Degree, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 3: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both; and, Count 3: Underage Consumption of Alcoholic Beverage, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both. According to the court affidavit, the victim called the TPS and reported that the suspect, later identified as Miracle Alailima, had sexually assaulted her in the Bowling Alley parking lot. The victim stated that the suspect grabbed her chest area, pushed her against her vehicle and threatened to rape her. Authorities were dispatched to the call and met with the victim in the McDonald’s parking lot entrance. The victim appeared visibly shaken and briefed the authorities regarding the incident. The responding officers asked the victim if the suspect was still in the area and she pointed towards the drive-thru area on the opposite side of the parking lot. The victim identified the suspect as a male wearing a blue shirt. The officers then proceeded to locate the suspect. Bystanders also pointed towards the suspect and his group of friends. As the officers approached the suspect, the victim and her friends also walked towards the group. The victim was hysterically upset and yelled while pointing out the suspect. The victim challenged the suspect to a fight and asked him why he was quiet all of a sudden. The officers apprehended the suspect and informed him that he was to be escorted to the TPS for further questioning. Meanwhile, the other officers proceeded to calm the victim and asked her to accompany them to the station for further investigation. Upon arrival at the TPS, the officers interviewed the victim. According to the victim’s written statement, she was walking to her vehicle with her friends after leaving the bar, when a group of men walked past them and shouted derogatory comments at her and her friends. The victim explained that, in response, she and her friends also retaliated by calling the men names. The victim continued that a few seconds later, the suspect approached her vehicle as she was trying to get inside. The suspect allegedly attempted to flirt with her and she told him to get away from her. However, the suspect then tried to force himself on her while she continued to push him away. She claimed the suspect allegedly grabbed her inappropriately and told her that he was going to rape her. The victim said that she then punched the suspect and hit him with her bag. In response, the suspect grabbed her neck and continued to threaten her with his comments. The victim also mentioned that the suspect kept calling her “blood” and referring to her as a gang member even though she is not gang affiliated. The victim stated that when she was finally able to get into her car, she called the police for help. The authorities were also able to interview two witnesses who were present during the incident. According to witness #1, their group of friends stopped to take pictures while on the way to their vehicles, and a group of youths walked past them and began to tease and insult them. When asked what the problem was, the youths began cussing and hurling slurs. WItness #1 claimed that he told them to leave but they raised their fists and attempted to instigate a fight. Witness #1 continued that after he got inside the car, the suspect allegedly touched the victim inappropriately and threatened to rape her. He also claimed that he heard the victim screaming, and he exited the car and chased the suspect away. However, the suspect continued to threaten them and tried to fight, claiming the area was his territory. The witness stated that he then forced the victim into the car and the suspect punched the car window as they drove away. They immediately called the authorities for assistance. Witness #2 was also interviewed and she stated that she was inside the car with witness #1 when she heard the victim yelling and cussing at the suspect. When she looked out, she saw the suspect grab the victim by the neck. She then exited the vehicle and rushed to push the suspect away from the victim. She alleged the suspect then tried to fight them while they continued to tell the suspect to leave them alone. However, the suspect refused to comply and kept advancing. At this time, they got into the victim’s car from the driver’s side in an attempt to get away. The suspect then punched the car window but fortunately they were able to escape. At that time, they drove straight to the McDonald’s parking lot and contacted the police. Witness #2 also noted that before they drove away, she heard the victim screaming that the suspect had grabbed her inappropriately, and also threatened to rape her. The affidavit does not state whether the suspect was taken into custody on the day of the incident and does not provide further information regarding the suspect. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 21, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision. Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-31 18:04:09

Mother alleges that son assaulted her while causing disturbance in the home
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 25, 2026, a mother in distress contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) regarding her son who was allegedly causing a disturbance in their residence in Faleniu. The suspect was later charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 2 & 3: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both; and, Count 4: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not more than $500, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the incident was reported to the TPS by the defendant’s mother, who reported that her son was causing a disturbance inside their residence, becoming angry after she told him not to eat food she had prepared for herself. She reportedly told him she needed the food because she was sick. The defendant allegedly responded by yelling profanities repeatedly inside the home. The situation reportedly escalated when the defendant went outside, picked up rocks, and threw them at the side door of the residence. Police later observed the door and reported that it had small dents on its surface and had become detached from its frame. The mother also alleged that she attempted to stop her son during the incident, at which point he punched her multiple times with a closed fist. Police stated they did not observe any visible injuries on the woman. Another occupant of the residence, identified in the affidavit as the defendant’s wife, also provided a statement to police. She reportedly said she was in a bedroom when she heard the disturbance and came outside to see what was happening. According to her statement, the defendant continued yelling and walked toward a door before pulling it forcefully, causing the door to become detached from its frame. She further alleged that the defendant brandished a machete and challenged his uncle to fight. She added that after the defendant entered the residence, he attacked his younger brother, striking him several times with his fists. She alleged that both the defendant’s mother and brother were struck during the incident. The police investigation determined that the defendant and the other parties involved reside together in the same home. After receiving the initial report and speaking with witnesses, officers went to locate the defendant. He was observed walking towards the police unit and was subsequently apprehended and transported to the TPS for further investigation. At the station, the defendant was Mirandized and he indicated that he understood his rights but declined to provide a statement to investigators. The defendant, Seanpaul Chin-Tong, was arrested and booked at the TPS before being confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending his appearance in the District Court. The defendant is identified as a 20-year-old U.S national. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 26, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-31 17:55:26

NZ-backed climate mobility initiative launched across Pacific
By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A New Zealand government-backed regional climate mobility program has been launched to help ensure Pacific people remain at the centre of decisions about their homes and futures in the face of climate change. The NZ$17.9 million Pacific Climate Mobility Partnerships Program (PCMP) has been established to help Pacific Islands strengthen regional cooperation and implement practical, people-centred responses to climate mobility challenges. Climate mobility can be described as the movement of people, whether through migration, displacement or planned relocation, in response to the impacts of climate change. Fiji's permanent secretary for environment and climate change Dr Sivendra Michael said the initiative, which would support a dozen islands, was an important step as Pacific peoples confront the impacts of the climate crisis. He said the region was on the frontlines of increasing climate-related hazards, sea-level rise, environmental degradation, and displacement. These impacts were placing a growing pressure on livelihoods, wellbeing and human security across island communities. The launch of the regional initiative in Suva brought together stakeholders from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP). IOM chief of mission and sub-regional coordinator Solomon Kantha stressed that no single government, organisation or community could address climate mobility alone. "Our strength lies in the breadth of this partnership and in our shared commitment to Pacific-led, rights-based and people-centered action," he said. He said the program was designed to advance Pacific-led solutions that were culturally appropriate, gender-responsive, and disability-inclusive, and ensure communities most affected by climate change are at the centre of decision-making and action. The program marks the third phase of regional support for climate mobility in the Pacific and builds on the achievements of the Pacific Climate Change Migration and Human Security Program. It will support climate mobility priorities in Fiji, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, while contributing to broader regional efforts under the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (PRFCM) 2025-2030 and its accompanying implementation plan. The Pacific Islands Forum leaders endorsed the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility (PRFCM) in 2023 to serve as a guide for governments and communities, ensuring that any movement related to climate change is grounded in leadership and collaboration, human rights, protecting cultural identity and dignity and continuing statehood, nationality and associated rights. The PRFCM outlines 'Planned Relocation' as one of the five core areas for priority action, including staying in place, safe migration, displacement from extreme weather, and the long-term impacts of sea-level rise. The climate change crisis, disasters, and other natural calamities present a profound challenge to communities across the Pacific Islands. As sea levels rise and extreme weather events intensify, many communities are reaching the limits of adaptation and are confronted not only with the prospect of leaving their ancestral lands, but also with the deep disruption, loss, and trauma that accompany such movement. That includes low-lying islands in Tuvalu and Kiribati, two of the worst affected so far. Other islands in Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Tonga are also experiencing slow washouts as sea level rise continues. Section: Regional Tags: CLIMATE CHANGE
2026-08-31 17:48:44

After spate of fires Search & Rescue urges residents to take proactive measures
Currently investigations have determined these incidents are isolated By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Search and Rescue (DSAR) issued an urgent statement after two major fires last week in the Nuʻuuli area — one at a residential family home and another at a commercial building. In their announcement, DSAR- Fire Department highlighted a concerning trend within the community: an increase in fires affecting not only homes but also businesses and surrounding brush areas. While thorough investigations have determined these incidents are isolated and not linked to one another, both the DSAR and its Fire Division take this trend seriously and emphasize the need for community vigilance. To enhance safety, the DSAR- Fire Department is urging every resident and business owner to take proactive measures. They recommend that individuals closely supervise cooking areas to prevent accidents, stay alert for unusual odors or signs of smoke, and unplug appliances when not in use. Additionally, residents are encouraged to test their smoke alarms monthly and ensure all family members know a clear, unobstructed exit route in an emergency. For business owners, recommendations include keeping emergency exits clear and avoiding overloaded electrical circuits, which can pose a fire hazard. Also, remove dry brush and dead leaves from around building perimeters to prevent fires from spreading. Last Wednesday night, a fire erupted around 10:30 PM in the Lions Park area on Lima Street, becoming the latest incident in a troubling series of approximately two dozen fires reported across American Samoa over the last three months. The fire began within a small, three-building compound situated adjacent to an ASTCA tower and communications building. Eyewitnesses at the park's ball courts, alarmed by the flames, quickly rushed over to assess the situation and determine whether anyone needed assistance. Witnesses reported that the blaze's intense heat ignited not only a building and a nearby gazebo, but also nearby palm trees. In addition to the tireless efforts of first responders, ASTCA employees joined the effort to safeguard nearby communications equipment from potential damage. Workers from Samoa Motors also arrived promptly to help relocate vehicles parked in their lot across the street, ensuring emergency vehicles had unencumbered access. Then, on Friday morning, tragedy struck again when a house fire broke out in Nuʻuuli, located behind the pool hall next to Alora’s restaurant. The incident sent one person to the hospital, making it the fourth major fire in American Samoa this month. Neighbors reported that the house was occupied when the fire ignited around 7:30 am. Photographs posted to facebook taken at the scene showed the residence fully engulfed in smoke, with flames licking through cracks in the roof. One eyewitness recounted the dramatic scene, noting that one person was successfully removed from the burning home and subsequently taken away by ambulance for medical care. Emergency responders extinguished the fire within about two hours, working diligently to prevent further damage. Firefighters later confirmed that the fire was linked to a vehicle parked near the house, underscoring the need for public awareness about fire safety. This statement and the subsequent incidents underscore the heightened fire risks the community faces and the importance of preventive actions to protect lives and property. Section: Local News Tags: fires
2026-08-31 17:10:44

Governor ‘dismisses’ 6 members of ASTCA board
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a stunning move to many in the community, Gov. Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula has notified six (6) members of the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority in a letter last Friday of his decision, “effective immediately” — to reconstitute the Board. He gave no specific reason. Dated August 28, 2026, the letter is addressed to 6 members of the 8-member Board, and cc’ed to ASTCA CEO Folasaitu Sorepa Fata Thomas. The Board members notified are Vice Chairman Maota Alex Sene Jr., Ella Gurr, Lewis Seau, Omar Shalhout, Karen Satele and Molitogi T. Lemana. Not on the list of Board members addressed in the letter are Board Chairman Avamua Dave Haleck and Board member Andrew Berquist. It’s unknown at this time if the two men officially remain on the Board. The full text of the letter is as follows: “After careful consideration, I believe it is in ASTCA's best interests to reconstitute the Board at this time. This was not an easy decision and is the result of many factors. My decision is effective immediately, which means you are not to represent ASTCA in any capacity moving forward. Please also coordinate any necessary close out processes with ASTCA management and HR. I want to thank each you for your service and contributions. Your knowledge and insight helped ASTCA navigate a critical time with multiple high-level projects underway. However, as ASTCA continues to make progress in all areas there are new challenges that must be met to keep momentum moving in the right direction. I am grateful for your willingness to serve and wish each of you the best moving forward.” A member of the Fono, who wishes to remain anonymous, remarked of the Governor’s move, “Crazy stuff by this Administration!” ASTCA HEARING Of interest, the Governor’s move to reconstitute the ASTCA board last Friday, comes as the Senate Government Operations Committee has scheduled a hearing with ASTCA to scrutinize its July 4th spending and general finances for today. Earlier this month, Committee Chairman Sen. Togiola T.A. Tulafono requested that ASTCA CEO Folasāitu submit a detailed report outlining the funding sources used for the celebrations. Togiola said the committee wants to know whether ASTCA relied on local revenues, federal funds, or a combination of both. He noted that several members of the public have questioned the use of local funds for ceremonial events at a time when the government faces pressing financial obligations. One example he cited is the mounting debt owed to the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund, a long‐standing fiscal concern that lawmakers have repeatedly urged the administration to prioritize. What affect this move by the governor will have on the Senate hearing today, if it is held, is unknown — but will no doubt be an explosive part of the scrutiny the Committee will bring to bear on ASTCA officials who appear to testify. It should be pointed out the ASTCA CEO is currently leading the American Samoa delegation at the 55th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting, which is being held in Palau. The meeting will not end until Sept. 4th. Meaning, there is a good possibility that the hearing will be postponed. Samoa News should point out that the House Communications and Information Committee had also planned to question the ASTCA CEO regarding the authority’s finances and its spending on the July 4th celebrations at the beginning of August, but postponed the hearing because the CEO was off‐island. At the time, it was noted that the ASTCA second-in-command was available instead, however it was decided that the ASTCA CEO is who was needed to answer questions. Section: Local News Tags: ASTCA BOARD
2026-08-31 17:04:34

AG’s Office announces largest Big Tech settlement in history
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde announced a landmark $17.1 billion multi-state settlement with Meta Platforms, Inc., the largest state consumer protection settlements in history outside the Big Tobacco settlements of the 1990s. In addition to the payment, Meta must implement a sweeping set of safety features designed to protect children on Instagram and Facebook. The agreement resolves claims by 47 States and D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands that the company designed Instagram with addictive features, knowingly exposed young users to serious mental harms, and intentionally misled the public about the safety of its platforms, among other things. This settlement is a monumental victory for the protection of America’s children and will fundamentally transform how the entire social media industry designs products for kids and teens. Under the settlement, American Samoa will receive $1.1 Million. Attorney General Tauiliili-Langkilde also acknowledged that this problem extends well beyond one company and credited Meta for being the first major platform to reach a comprehensive resolution on youth safety. The settlement requires Meta to implement a series of safety features on Instagram and Facebook, including: • Hard cap daily time limits and “Productive Pauses” for children: for its two platforms, Instagram and Facebook, a combined two-hour daily time limit with mandatory pauses after 15 minutes of continuous use and again at 60 and 90 minutes to interrupt endless scrolling. These limits remain in effect for five years. If Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube adopt comparable terms, the daily limit on each platform will drop to 60 minutes for 10 years. • “Nighttime blocks” restricting children’s access from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. • Limited school-time access for children, eliminating push notifications on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the school year. • Robust age assurance measures to more effectively verify the age of young users. • Safer, age-appropriate content controls, including stronger safeguards against bullying, content promoting eating disorders, and content related to suicide and self-harm. • Stronger, more user-friendly parental controls. • Limits on social comparison features, including beauty filters and visible “like” counts, have been linked to poor mental health outcomes in kids and teens. • Both the implementation and efficacy of the features will be regularly assessed by an independent auditor and the settling states. • These are groundbreaking changes to Instagram and Facebook and more significant and comprehensive than previously ordered by any court. And perhaps most importantly, this settlement represents a down payment toward an industry-wide social media experience that allows kids to connect in a healthy way. Beginning in 2021, nearly every attorney general in the country cooperated to investigate the social media industry for designing and promoting platforms to children and teens despite known harms. After a bipartisan, nationwide investigation found that Meta designed Instagram’s features to addict children while internally documenting the resulting mental health harms and failing to warn parents, attorneys general across the country sued Meta individually or as part of a consolidated federal lawsuit. This settlement resolves those cases and claims by the other settling states and territories. The settlement also resolves the states’ claims against Meta for its sharing of nonpublic information about Facebook users with third parties, like Cambridge Analytica, leading up to the 2016 election. The attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming joined the settlement. Section: Local News Tags: Big Tech
2026-08-31 16:58:10

Samoa Joins Pacific Leaders 55th Meeting in Palau
Samoa’s delegation at 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM55) in Koror, Palau, is actively participating in the Forum that provides an important opportunity for Pacific leaders to strengthen regional cooperation and advance the shared vision of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The meeting from 30 August to 3 September 2026, is [...] The post Samoa Joins Pacific Leaders 55th Meeting in Palau appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-30 19:05:50

Two Health ACEOs suspended over alleged theft of oxygen gas
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, SAMOA – 31 August 2026: Three senior health employees have been suspended pending the outcome of a Public Service Commission investigation. The suspended employees include two Assistant Chief Executive Officers (ACEO) and a senior official. The Minister of Health, Va’aaoao Salu Alofipo said the suspension is based on allegations that the [...] The post Two Health ACEOs suspended over alleged theft of oxygen gas appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-30 18:33:26

Ombudsman and Ministry of Education Discuss Friendly Schools Programme
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 31 August 2026 – The Ombudsman Vui Clarence Nelson met with the Minister for Education and Culture, Afioga Aiono Alec Ekeroma, to discuss continued cooperation between the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ministry of Education and Culture. The Ombudsman and the Minister also discussed the Office’s Friendly Schools [...] The post Ombudsman and Ministry of Education Discuss Friendly Schools Programme appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-30 18:02:26

Government donates $30,000 to the Miss Samoa Pageant
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, SAMOA – 31 August 2026: The Government has donated $30,000 to assist with the staging of the Miss Samoa Pageant 2026/2027 as one of the events of the weeklong Measina Arts and Cultural Festival. The donation was announced at the launch of the Miss Samoa Pageant at the Robert Louis Stevenson [...] The post Government donates $30,000 to the Miss Samoa Pageant appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-30 17:57:25

Attorney General Acknowledges Phillipa Currie’s Contribution
Apia, SAMOA – 31 August 2026 – The Office of the Attorney General of Samoa wishes to publicly express its deepest appreciation and sincere gratitude to Ms Phillipa Currie of Raymond Donnelly & Co, Christchurch, New Zealand, who generously volunteered an entire month of her time to work alongside, mentor and train the lawyers of [...] The post Attorney General Acknowledges Phillipa Currie’s Contribution appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-30 17:49:01

Faagasolo Suesuega a Leoleo i le Maliu o se Alii i le Vili Ma’a i Alafua
Ua amata faagasolo suesuega a leoleo i le maliu o se alii na maua lona tino i le nofoaga o loo iai le vili maa i Alafua, i le Aso Toanai o le vaiaso talu ai. Sa faamaonia mai e le Sui Komesina o Leoleo, Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga, o le Aso Toanai 22 Aukuso 2026 [...] The post Faagasolo Suesuega a Leoleo i le Maliu o se Alii i le Vili Ma’a i Alafua first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-30 17:47:35

Tuilaepa says the Ifoga is meant to Heal and Unite, Not Threaten, Embarrass or Subjugate Our People
Letter to the Editor, Sunday 30th August 2026 Apia Samoa. Letter to the Editor by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Demeaning the value of the Ifoga This week, we all read about the traditional apology by the village of Saleapaga, seeking the Prime Minister, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt’s forgiveness for one of [...] The post Tuilaepa says the Ifoga is meant to Heal and Unite, Not Threaten, Embarrass or Subjugate Our People first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-29 18:44:46

Maliu Maddy Kofe ina ua Mae‘a le Osofa‘iga a Leoleo i Sinamoga; Teena Tuua‘iga o le Faaoolima
Ua faamaonia mai e le Sui Komesina o Leoleo ia Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga, le maliu o Mateo Peseta Kofe, e 44 tausaga le matua o Sinamoga,, ina ua mae‘a se osofa‘iga a Leoleo i lona fale i le Aso Faraile 28 Aukuso. O osofa‘iga a Leoleo i mataupu tau fualaau faasāina. Ma o lē ua [...] The post Maliu Maddy Kofe ina ua Mae‘a le Osofa‘iga a Leoleo i Sinamoga; Teena Tuua‘iga o le Faaoolima first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-29 11:07:39

Photo of the Day: Thank God for His Love, Mercy and Grace
As the sun sets in its resting place, We thank God for guiding us through this week. The post Photo of the Day: Thank God for His Love, Mercy and Grace first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-29 05:42:07

Police Brutality Alleged after Sinamoga Father Dies Following Drug Raid
A 44-year-old father and drug related suspect died on Friday afternoon following a police raid of his home in Sinamoga. Mateo Peseta Kofe affectionately known by his friends and family as “Maddy” was the target of a police drug bust when they raided his home at Sinamoga on Friday His death has come as a [...] The post Police Brutality Alleged after Sinamoga Father Dies Following Drug Raid first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-29 02:33:03

Police Brutality Alleged in Death of 44-year-old Father from Sinamoga
A 44-year-old father of Sinamoga died on Friday afternoon following a police raid at his home. Mateo Peseta Kofe affectionately known as “Maddy” was the target of a police drug bust when they raided his home at Sinamoga on Friday. His family and friends were shocked to learn of his death after the raid, where [...] The post Police Brutality Alleged in Death of 44-year-old Father from Sinamoga first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-29 02:33:03

44-year-old Father Dies Following Police Drug Raid at Sinamoga Home
A 44-year-old father and drug-use suspect died on Friday afternoon following a police raid of his home in Sinamoga. Mateo Peseta Kofe affectionately known as “Maddy” was the target of a police drug bust when they raided his home at Sinamoga on Friday. His death has come as a shock to his family, friends and [...] The post 44-year-old Father Dies Following Police Drug Raid at Sinamoga Home first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-29 02:33:03

Maua le Tino Maliu o se Alii i le Nofoaga o le Vili Maa i Alafua
Ua faamaonia mai e le Sui Komesina o Leoleo ua amata faagasolo suesuega i le maliu o se alii na maua atu lona tino i le nofoaga o loo iai le vili maa i Alafua i le Aso Toanai o le vaiaso talu ai. Sa faailoa mai e Leiataua ina ua uluai fesiligia i lea [...] The post Maua le Tino Maliu o se Alii i le Nofoaga o le Vili Maa i Alafua first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-29 00:19:07

Lokaina ni alii talavou se to’alua i le faatupu vevesi i luma o le alatele
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA O le vaveao o Aukuso 1, 2026, na agai atu ai leoleo, i se pisinisi i Malaeimi, ina ua ripotia mai e se leoleo po, ia ni alii talavou, o lo’o fa’atupu vevesi i luma o le alatele. E ui ina to’atele ni alii talavou sa faatupuina le faalavelave, peitai, sa na’o le to’alua ni alii 18 tausaga, na ave faapagotaina ma molia, i le Faatupu Vevesi i nofoaga faitele – O se vaega ‘E’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le ono masina, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $500; po o faasalaga uma e lua. E tusa ai ma faamaumauga a le faamasinoga, sa auai ia la’ua ua molia ma nisi alii talavou, i le fa’atupuina o se faalavelave i luga o le alatele, i Malaeimi, e ala i le fa’aumu, lu’i o tagata feoa’i e latou te fufusu, po o le tau’ai ma’a i taavale sa feoa’i i luga o le auala. Ae o se leoleo po o se pisinisi latalata ifo i le nofoaga na faia ai nei tulaga, e i la’ua ua molia ma alii talavou, sa na vala’auina leoleo ma sa ia (leoleo po) faailoa i leoleo, ia lona iloa o le toatele o alii talavou na faatupu vevesi. Sa ta’ua e le leoleo po, ia lona taumafai e taofi ia le fa’avevesi a nei alii, peitai, sa le fa’alogo mai i latou. Ma na ta’ua foi e le leoleo po, e le o se taimi muamua lea ua faia ai e nei alii, lea tulaga i luga o le auala. Ina ua taunu’u leoleo, i le nofoaga na tupu ai le faalavelave, sa va’aia ia le toatele o le ‘au fa’atau fua o fa’ato’aga, o lo’o tutu i autafa o le auala ma foliga popole, e tusa ai ma le faalavelave sa tupu. Sa faasino e le leoleo po, i leoleo, ia le itu na sosola iai ia alii talavou sa faatupu vevesi. A’o agai atu isi leoleo, e tuliloa nei alii talavou, sa nofo le to’atasi, e faatalanoa le leoleo po ma se molimau. I le faamatalaga a le molimau, sa ia va’aia ia i la’ua na molia ma alii talavou, o laulauvavale leotetele ma fa’atupu vevesi i luga o le alatele. Sa faasino e le molimau, i leoleo, ia le fale o se tasi o i la’ua ia na molia. I le tuliga a leoleo ma alii talavou na masalomia i le faalavelave na tupu, sa faapea ona agai atu ai i auala galue i fanua o Fanene. Na fiu leoleo e fa’atonu ia nei alii talavou, e tu tu mai, peitai, sa fa’aauau pea ona tamomo’e ‘ese ma leoleo. Sa fa’aauau ia le su’esu’ega a leoleo pe a ma le 30 minute. O lo’o ua ta’ua foi i faamaumauga a leoleo, ia le fa’afaigata ona maua ia alii talavou, ona o le pogisa ma le le masani o leoleo, i lea eria. O se taimi mulimuli ane, na agai atu ai loa leoleo, i le fale, o le tasi o alii na molia, ma maua atu le na molia, o i totonu o se taavale, e foliga mai o le a alu ‘ese ma le fale. Sa iai faatasi o ia ma lona tina ma lona tuafafine. Na iai se talitonuga i leoleo, o le tagata lea sa o latou sailia, ona e le gata i le afu ma le sela, ae sa palapala uma ona vae, e foliga mai sa tamo’e mai i le togavao. Sa faapea loa ona ave faapagotaina le alii e leoleo, ma aveina atu o ia i le ofisa a leoleo mo le su’esu’eina. I lana fa’atalanoaga, sa ia faamaonia ai lona iai i le auala ma seisi alii 18 tausaga, faapea ni alii talavou se to’alua. Peitai, sa ia te’ena ia tu’ua’iga sa faia faasaga ia te ia. Sa ta’’ua e le na molia, sa na’o na o latou savalivali i luga o le auala. O le 3:37 i le aoauli o le aso Sa, Aukuso 2, 2026, sa agai atu ai leoleo, i le maota o se tasi o tamalii o le afioaga o Malaeimi, ma talosagaina lana fesoasoani, i le sailiga o i latou ia sa faatupuina le faalavelave. Na faapea ona fa’ailoa iai e le matai, i leoleo, ia fale o isi alii na aofia i le faalavelave. Ma na agai atu iai leoleo, i fale o nei alii ma fautuaina matua, e aveina atu o latou alo, i le ofisa a leoleo, mo le fa’atalanoaina. Sa lokaina ma molia ia alii e ta’i 18 tausaga, e to’alua, e aunoa ma se vaegatupe faatulagaina, e mafai ona tatalaina ai i tua, a’o faagasolo a la faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-28 20:20:39

E FAI O LENEI AE O LENA
[ata: SN] By Alofa Sefo “O LE LOI, O LE MANOA MA LE A’OA’OGA” Sa matamata se alii talavou, i se loi na mau i totonu o se pu. E ui ina sa le maualalo tele le pu, i le vaai a le alii talavou. Peitai, i le loi, o le matua’i maualuga lava o puipui o le pu, ua pa’u iai. Na fiu le loi e pe’a mai i luga, ae e o’o mai loa lava i le ogatotonu, toe pa’u i lalo. Toe taumafai le loi. Ae o’o mai lava i le ogatotonu, ma toe pa’u. Ma ia toe taumafai foi. Sa leai se taimi na tu ai le loi ma tau mafaufau, pe ua lava lea, pe leai. E na’o na pa’u lava i lalo, tu i luga, toe taumafai foi. Ona tepa atu lea o le alii talavou, i ona tafatafa, o ta’atia mai ai se manoa. Ua ia tago atu ma u’u mai le manoa, ona tu’utu’u ifo lea o leisi itu o le manoa, i totonu o le pu lea o lo’o taumafai le loi, e pe’a ese mai ai. O se mea ofoofogia tele, sa va’aia e le alii talavou. Ona sa le tago le loi, e fa’aaoga ia le manoa, e fesoasoani, e toso mai ai o ia i luga. Ae ua fa’aaoga e le loi, ia le manoa, e fai ma ta’iala, e pe’a mai ai i luga. Sa pe’a mai le loi, i autafa tonu lava o le manoa, e pei o se auala, o lo’o ta’ita’iina mai ai i luga o ia. Ma na o’o lava ina taunu’u i luga ia le loi, e aunoa ma le a’apa atu i le manoa, sa tu’uina atu e le alii talavou, e fesoasoani ia te ia. [IA MANUIA FUAFUAGA O TOTOE I LE FAAIUGA O LENEI VAIASO] Section: Le Lali
2026-08-28 20:19:05

Taofia faigamalaga a le malo mo aso o totoe o le Tausaga Tupe 2026
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA I le feagai ai o le Malo o Amerika Samoa, ma le siitia o tupe fa’aalu, e le o fetaui ma tupe aoina, ua taofia ai e le Faigamalo, ia faigamalaga uma, o lo’o totogi i tupe a le malo, ina ia mafai ona fa’aleleia ai tulaga o tala o le tupe, ae ua toeititi fa’amae’aina ia le Tausaga Tupe o le 2026. O le masina fou lea o le a amataina ai iloiloga fai faatasi a le Maota Fono, mo le paketi fuafuaina o le Tausaga Tupe 2027. Na fa’ailoa mai e le malo ia la latou faaiuga, e ala i se tusi, na tusia ia Aukuso 25, 2026, lea sa sainia e le sui Tausitupe ia Carri-Lee Magalei Tulafono ma le Faatonu o le Ofisa o Tupe ia Tauaisafune Niualama Epenesa Taifane. Ma sa tufatufaina ia lenei tusi, i totino uma o le kapeneta, sui Faatonu, ulu o ofisa ma matagaluega, a le malo. O lea ua amata faamamalu lenei suiga, e pei ona pasia mai e le Kovana, se’ia o’o i le faaiuga o le Tausaga Tupe 2026, ia Setema 30, 2026. O le faamoemoega o lenei faaiuga, ina ia mafai ona fa’asao puna’oa tau tupe, ae e le’i amataina ia le Tausaga Tupe fou. Peitai, o lo’o iai ni fa’atagana mo lenei sa, e aofia ai faigamalaga faatonuina mai i le faamasinoga, faapea ma faigamalaga a le Kovana ma le Lutena Kovana. Faapea ai ma faigamalaga e faatupeina, i tupe feterale. Ona o lenei suiga, ua faapea ona fautuaina ai ofisa ma matagaluega, ina ia saili nisi auala e mafai ai ona faataunu’u feso’ota’iga ma galuega ‘aufaatasi, e aofia ai le fa’aaogaina o ‘upega tafa’ilagi. I le amataga o le masina, sa ripotia ai ulua’i ripoti mo le kuata lona tolu o le Tausaga Tupe 2026, ma ua fa’aalia ai le fa’aauau pea ona sili atu tupe fa’aalu a le malo, nai lo tupe aoina. E le gata i lea, sa tufatufaina foi i Ofisa ma Matagaluega a le malo, se fa’aaliga mai i le Ofisa o Tupe Faasoasoa, ia le taofia o le paketi, pe a mae’a Iulai 30, ina ia mafai ona kilia ma limiti ia tupe fa’aalu o le kuata. O lo’o ua faapea foi ona taumafai le Ofisa o Tupe, e fofoina ia le pa’u o le aofaiga o tupe aoina, e pei ona ripotia, i le kuata ma faia feso’otaiga ma Matagaluega faapea pisinisi. E tusa ai ma ripoti, na fai sina lelei o le tupe aoina i le kuata lona tolu, pe a fa’atusatusa atu i le kuata lona lua, peitai, sa maualalo i le kuata muamua. Ae na sili atu le maualuga o tupe sa aoina i le kuata muamua, i lo le kuata lua ma le kuata tolu. O le aofaiga o tupe fa’aalu, mo le kuata tolu, e $39,720,956; I le kuata lua, sa $38,227,661; ae i le kuata muamua, sa $37,731,274. Ua ta’ua foi i le ripoti, e pe a ma le $5 miliona ia le tele o le ‘ese’esega o le tupe sa taumate, ma le aofaiga tonu o tupe aoina, lea sa faamautu i le $91.5 miliona. E mafua lea tulaga ona o tupe sa fa’aaluina i totonu o le Ofisa o Tupe, Ofisa o Malaevaalele ma Uafu, Matagaluega o le Sailiili ma Laveai, faapea isi vaega. O lo’o ta’ua foi i le ripoti, ia le sioti o le Teugatupe Lautele, e mafua ona o le pa’u o le aofaiga o tupe aoina mai i lafoga tagata taitoatasi -$9,033,198); lafoga a pisinisi (-$3,706,189), lafoga fa’ae’e (-$2,113,474) faapea ma isi tulaga (-$1,709,109). E le gata i lea, sa va’aia le ese le aofaiga o le tupe aoina sa taumateina ($1,570,545) mai i le tupe na aoina ($17,565,610). Section: Le Lali
2026-08-28 20:16:08

National Park of American Samoa celebrated during National Park Week
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the beautiful National Park of American Samoa during National Park Week. Typically held in April, park week was moved to August this year to align with this week’s National Park Service’s 110th birthday, celebrated August 25th. National Park Week is an annual celebration of gorgeous natural landscapes, viewpoints, hiking trails, shorelines, historic battlefields, and protected wildlife and woodland areas. “Our National Park of American Samoa emphasizes special places within our beautiful islands, showcases our ancient culture, and protects wildlife and bird habitat,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “Thank you to our entire Park team, and happy birthday to the National Park Service and all its personnel. Thank you also to all our people who take personal care and responsibility in the seemingly small choices that cumulatively do so much to help our islands stay beautiful, whether in or out of the Park borders.” American Samoa and its National Park has birds such as the Ti’otola (bright-plumed Pacific kingfishers and flat-billed kingfishers of regional varieties that differ from those elsewhere), while rugged Pola Island, offshore from Vatia, is among American Samoa’s nesting sites for tropical seabirds including the Fua’o (brown and red-footed boobies), and Ta’i’o (shearwaters) as part of a rich diversity of species, with local and migratory birds from as far as Alaska, like the Bristle-thighed Curlew. In villages like Vatia, the fua'o holds strong traditional and cultural significance tied to the local heritage and environment. [Facebook photo] The National Park of American Samoa has several unique and rare features within the national system. It is the only one in the South Pacific, so it has plants and species not found anywhere else in the United States. It is also a multi-site Park, within several islands, and it protects certain offshore coral reefs. The NPS is part of the Department of the Interior, under the jurisdiction of the Natural Resources Committee, where Amata serves as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, and serves on the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. The United States has 63 National Parks and 433 total sites, and National Park Week is an initiative of the NPS and the National Park Foundation. In related legislation, Amata is an original cosponsor of the Committee-passed bipartisan America the Beautiful Act, H.R. 9250, also known as the Great American Outdoors Act 250, which has since its introduction attracted the public support of well more than half of the House of Representatives. This bill builds on the original GAOA, signed into law in 2020, a landmark generational investment in national parks and public lands, and reauthorizes its Legacy Restoration Fund at $1.9 billion yearly to maintain, restore, and improve parks and related infrastructure. Notably, the bill states that “amounts remaining in the Fund after the allocations required under subparagraph (A) may be allocated for transportation projects of the covered agencies, including paved and unpaved roads, bridges (etc.) ...” Also, Amata is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan EXPLORE Act (Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act), which became law on January 4, 2025. This Congress, the bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act was passed by the House 279-141 and awaits a Senate vote. Section: Local News Tags: national park week
2026-08-28 18:42:06

Molia se alii i lona sauaina o ni fanau talavou se to’alua
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA I le aso 12 o Aukuso, 2026, na o’o atu ai se valaau i le Ofisa a Leoleo, i Tafuna, e tusa ai ma se fa’alavelave na tupu i se aiga, sa a’afia ai ni fanau talavou se to’alua. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, sa tupu lenei faalavelave i le te’a o le 8, i le taeao, i le afioaga o Malaeloa. Ina ua taunu’u leoleo, sa o latou talanoa ma le tamaitai sa ripotia atu le mataupu, i le ofisa a leoleo. Ma e tusa ai ma lana faamatalaga, sa ia ta’ua ai le fai o se la mu m a seisi tagata, i luga o le tu’ugamau, i luma o le fale. Ae o le taimi lea, o lo’o ta’a’alo ai le fanau talavou e to’alua, i tafatafa o le pa o le tu’ugamau. Sa ta’ua e le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, ia lona lagona atu, o le ‘e’e mai a le na molia, i le fanau talavou, mai i lona fale, pe a ma le 50 futu le mamao, i luga o le a’ega, mai i le mea o ta’a’alo ai le fanau. Ona ia va’aia lea o le na molia, o savali mai i le fanau talavou ma se paipa uga (PVC) ma togi ai se tasi o le fanau talavou, ae na misi. Ma sa lafoina e le na molia, ia se faamatalaga taufa’amata’u, i leisi o le fanau talavou, ma ia tago atu, i le u’u mai le lima o le fanau talavou ma toso agai i luga o lona fale. Sa faamatala foi e le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, ia le palauvale o le na molia, i le taimi sa ia tosoina ai le tasi o le fanau talavou, agai i lona fale. Ona o lona popole tele, sa u’u mai ai e le tamaitai na valaau, i leoleo, ia se pate pesipolo ma ia mulimuli atu, i le na molia ma le tamaititi, ma fai ai se la misa i luma o le fale a le na molia. Sa ta’ua e le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, ia le taumafai o le na molia, e se’i atu le pate pesipolo ma sa ia (le na molia), fasi i le talavou lea sa ia aveina i lona fale. Ina ua fa’atalanoa e leoleo, ia le tamaititi na tupu ai le faalavelave, sa faamatalaina e le tamaititi, ia le faia o se la taaloga ma seisi tamaititi, ae ‘e’e atu ai le na molia, ia la’ua, faapea ma le togiina e le na molia, o leisi tamaititi, i se paipa uga, ae misi. Ona faamatala lea e le tamaititi na a’afia, ia le tosoina o ia, e le na molia, i lona fale ma le sauaina o ia. I le mae’a ai o le faamatalaga a le alii talavou, e tusa ai ma le fa’alavelave na tupu, sa ia fa’ailoa atu i leoleo, ia le mea ua alu iai, ia le na molia. E to’alua ni leoleo sa o e tau saili ia le na molia, ae o isi leoleo, sa fa’aauau ona o latou fa’atalanoaina, ia tagata na iai i le nofoaga sa tupu ai le faalavelave. Sa faamatala e se tasi o molimau, lea na fai le la mu ma le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, ia le faamaonia uma o faamatalaga a le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, ma le tamaititi talavou na a’afia. I le faamatalaga a seisi molimau, lea sa i le fale a le na molia, i le taimi na tupu ai le faalavelave, sa ia ta’ua ai, ia lona iai i totonu o le fale ina ua ia lagonaina ia le pisa mai i le fale o le tamaitai sa valaau i leoleo. Na ta’ua e lea molimau, ia lona faalogo mai, o fai se tauga’upu i le va o le na molia ma le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, ae ina ua ia savali mai i fafo ma le fale, sa ia va’aia le to’alua lea, o taufao i se pate pesipolo, a’o taumafai se tuaoi, e vaovao le misa. Sa ta’ua foi e le molimau, ia le faasaga o le na molia, i le fasi le tamaititi talavou, ina ua uma le la misa ma le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo. A’o faia faatalanoaga a isi leoleo, ae o le taimi lea, ua maua atu ai e isi leoleo, ia le na molia, i tafatafa o se fale faatali pasi, ma ave sa’o ai loa o ia i le Ofisa a Leoleo i Tafuna, mo le fa’atalanoaina. Sa fai sina ese o le faamatalaga a le na molia, ina ua faatalanoaina e leoleo. I lana faamatalaga, sa ia ta’ua ai lona tapena e fai sana galuega i le auala a le nu’u, ae ona vaaia ia le fanau talavou, o ta’a’alo i tafatafa o le pa lea e siomia ai fanua maliu. Ona o lona popole i le saogalemu a le fanau, sa ia vala’au atu ai, e tu’u le la ta’aloga ma ia fa’aeteete, ae peitai, sa ata ma ula mai se tasi o le fanau ia te ia. Ma o le mafua’aga lea na ia alu atu ai ma se paipa uga, i le fanau talavou, ma ona togia ai se tasi o le fanau. Sa fa’aauau le faamatalaga a le na molia, e faapea, na toe fo’i i lona fale, ma lona le iloa, o lo’o mulimuli atu ia le tamaitai na valaau, i leoleo, ia te ia. Ma ina ua ia (le na molia), alu i totonu o lona fale, sa sasa mai e le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, ia le faitoto’a o lona fale, i le pate pesipolo. Ma na fa’atolu ona sasa o ia, e le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, i le pate. Na ta’ua foi e le na molia, ia lona u’u mai o le pate ma taumafai e taofi le sauaina o ia ae peitai, ua amata ona po e le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, ia ona foliga. Ma o le mae’a o le la misa ma le tamaitai na valaau i leoleo, sa ia iloa atu ai leisi alii talavou, o savali ane, ma ia (le na molia) valaau atu ai i le alii talavou, e alu atu. Sa ioe le na molia, i lona fa’ao’olima i le alii talavou, ae na’o na ia po, e na te le’i tu’iina ia le alii talavou. Ina ua mae’a ona faatalanoaina e leoleo, ia le na molia, sa fa’afeso’ota’i loa, ia le tama a le alii talavou na a’afia, o le uso a le na molia, e fa’ailoa I ai le faalavelave na tupu. Sa fa’ailoa e le tama o le alii talavou, i leoleo, le iai o sona talitonuga, sa sauaina ai e le na molia, ia lona atalii, i taimi ua tuanai. Ma sa talosagaina e le latou aiga, ia se fa’atonuga mai i le faamasinoga, e fa’asa ai ona toe latalata atu ia le na molia, i le latou aiga. O moliaga na faia faasaga, i le na molia, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1: Faatupu Vevesi i nofoaga lautele – O se vaega ‘E’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le ono masina, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $500; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 2 & 3: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu – O se vaega ‘A’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le tasi tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $1,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Sa lokaina ia le na molia, e aunoa ma se vaegatupe fa’atulagaina, e mafai ai ona tatalaina o ia i tua, a’o fa’agasolo lona faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-28 04:51:53

Half Moon Pies now available in Fitiuta!
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Ai Pai Bakers’ popular half moon pies have officially made their way across the ocean from San Diego CA to Fitiuta, Manu’a! “Much Alofas to the people of Manu’a for the tremendous support.“ Section: Local News Tags: Half Moon Pies
2026-08-27 22:36:11

5 Samoans Receive JICA Scholarships to Study in Japan
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 28 August 2026 – Five Samoans have been awarded scholarships under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) SDG Global Leader Programme to pursue tertiary studies at Japanese universities. The scholarship recipients are: Manu Solomona. A Senior Scientific Officer with the Samoa Meteorological Services, will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in [...] The post 5 Samoans Receive JICA Scholarships to Study in Japan appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-27 19:01:44

POLITICAL OPINION: When Truth Becomes the Casualty of Political Power
(Governments response to the Leader of the Opposition) In his latest Letter to the Editor of 23 August, the Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi engages in his old game of shifting the blame on someone else. When he lost the 2021 general election and again in 2025, and all the ensuing by-elections, he found an [...] The post POLITICAL OPINION: When Truth Becomes the Casualty of Political Power appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-27 18:56:49

Alleged PPD incident lands two in jail, juveniles also involved
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 1, 2026, a security guard at an audio store in Malaeimi contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) regarding a group of males who were allegedly causing a disturbance along the main road in Malaeimi during the early morning hours. The adult suspects were both arrested and charged with Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both imprisonment and fine. Both defendants were held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the two suspects were among a group of young people allegedly involved in a disturbance that included shouting war cries (fa’aumu), challenging passesrby to physical altercations, and throwing rocks at vehicles traveling along the main road. The incident was reported to the TPS by a security guard working at a business in Malaeimi as a disturbance involving a group of teenagers from the neighborhood, who were allegedly on the public highway. The reporter also stated that he recognized most of the individuals as residents of the neighborhood. No injuries or vehicle damage were reported as a result of the alleged rock throwing. The reporter said he attempted to intervene by instructing the group to stop. However, the individuals allegedly continued shouting profanities and throwing rocks towards the roadway. The reporter also told officers that similar disturbances involving the group had reportedly occurred during the preceding days. At approximately 2:11 a.m., responding officers proceeded to the area and upon arrival they reportedly observed several market vendors along the roadside who appeared concerned about the disturbance. The reporter approached officers and directed them toward the area where the group had fled. While one officer interviewed the reporter, other officers began searching for the individuals. Police also interviewed a market vendor who reportedly witnessed the incident. The witness told officers that she observed the two adult defendants, one of the juveniles, and several unidentified individuals yelling profanities and causing a disturbance along the main road. The witness reportedly recognized some of the individuals as being from the neighborhood and instructed them to return home. According to the witness, the individuals refused to comply and continued yelling profanities and throwing rocks onto the roadway. The witness then waited for police to arrive and reportedly pointed out the residence of one of the adult defendants. As officers searched for the individuals, they reportedly observed a group of teenagers running through the bushes along a back road toward the Fanene area. Officers ordered the group to stop, but the individuals allegedly continued running. The individuals then hid from police and taunted the officers as they attempted to locate them. Officers initiated a foot pursuit that lasted approximately 30 minutes. The affidavit further states that locating the individuals was difficult because of limited visibility and the officers' unfamiliarity with portions of the area. Police eventually remembered the location of one of the adult defendant's residences and proceeded there. Officers reportedly observed one of the [adult] defendants sitting in the back seat of a vehicle that appeared to be preparing to leave the area. He was reportedly accompanied by his mother and sister. Officers approached the vehicle and confirmed his identity. The officers also observed that the defendant's face appeared sweaty and that he was shaking. Officers also noted that his feet appeared dirty, which they believed was consistent with having recently run through bushes. The defendant was taken into custody and transported to the TPS for further investigation. Because of the late hour and concerns regarding neighborhood residents, officers discontinued the search for the remaining individuals. The defendant arrived at the TPS at approximately 3:20 a.m., where officers advised the defendant of his constitutional rights where he acknowledged that he understood his rights and agreed to answer questions and provide a statement. During his interview, the defendant admitted that he had been on the main road with a second adult defendant and the two juveniles. However, he denied the other allegations contained in the report. The defendant reportedly told officers that they were simply walking along the main road. He was subsequently booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility until the 48-hour period ended. The investigation continued into the identities and involvement of the remaining individuals. On Sunday, August 2, 2026, at approximately 3:37 p.m., police officers went to the residence of a high-ranking village chief in Malaeimi to request assistance in locating the remaining individuals involved in the incident.The village chief agreed to assist officers and identified the residences of the other individuals. Officers then contacted the parents of the individuals and explained the purpose of their visit. Police requested that the individuals be brought to the TPS for further investigation. Because two of the individuals were minors, officers also requested that their parents be present during the investigation. The affidavit further stated that the second adult defendant was also interviewed as part of the continuing investigation, after being advised of his constitutional rights. The investigation identified four individuals who were reportedly present during the alleged disturbance — two adult defendants and two juveniles. Both defendants are identified as 18-year-old U.S. nationals residing in Malaeimi. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 14, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-27 17:32:14

WestPac meeting to take up commercial fishing prohibitions including at Rose Atoll
Honolulu, HI — The 208th meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene by web conference (Webex) on September 15-17, 2026. Summary of Action Items at the 208th Council Meeting • Options for Amending the Large Vessel Prohibited Area in American Samoa (Final Action) On June 11, 2026, President Trump signed Proclamation 11035, “Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific.” This Proclamation mirrored the Council’s 206th meeting recommendation to remove the fishing prohibitions within the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument from 12-50 nm. While the NMFS works on the details to implement the proclamation, the Council may be faced with additional barriers to fishing in this same area. At its 206th meeting in March 2026, the Council took final action recommending that commercial fishing prohibitions be lifted in portions of several Pacific marine national monuments, including a recommendation to open the 12–50 nm zone at Rose Atoll to commercial fishing, subject to existing federal permit, reporting, gear, catch limit, and protected species requirements. However, existing regulations implemented under the MSA and under the Council's Pelagic FEP may still prohibit commercial fishing in the waters around Muliava through the American Samoa large vessel prohibited area (LVPA), which prohibits vessels 50 ft and greater from fishing within 50 nm seaward of Rose Atoll (and other parts of American Samoa). In order to abide by the proclamation, the Council may consider options for modifying commercial fishing access within the LVPA. The Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) was established in 2002 through a regulatory amendment under the Pelagic FEP to reduce competition of large (greater than 50 feet length) longline vessels with small-scale domestic fisheries, including longline vessels under 50 feet length and trolling vessels. Concerned that the LVPA might be unnecessarily reducing the efficiency of the larger American Samoa longline vessels by displacing the fleet from a part of their historical fishing grounds and given the lack of direct high seas access from the U.S. EEZ around American Samoa, the Council began exploring ways to assist the longline fishery, while ensuring conservation of affected stocks and minimizing impacts to other fisheries. To address current and recent fishery conditions, the Council recommended in 2015 that NMFS provide a limited exemption from the LVPA based on vessel size, and allow federally permitted U.S. longline vessels 50 ft and longer to fish in portions of the LVPA, and NMFS implemented the exemption effective January 2016 (81 FR 5619). That action allowed large U.S. vessels that hold a federal American Samoa longline limited entry permit to fish within the LVPA to within about 12-17 nm from shore around Swains Island, Tutuila, and the Manua Islands. Large vessels continued to be restricted from fishing within the remaining portions of the LVPA, including Rose Atoll. • Options are being proposed for Council consideration to meet Proclamation 11035 and to ensure sustainable harvests of fishery resources by amending fishing regulations to provide commercial fishing access within 12–50 nm around Muliava (Rose Atoll). Under each of the options, the LVPA would continue to apply in the existing areas of American Samoa that are not part of the area around Muliava and fisheries would continue to be monitored and regulated through the existing regulations. The options for the Council to consider would include 1) No Action, 2) Providing a Rose Atoll exemption, and 3) Reducing the LVPA. Option 1: No Action (Status Quo): Under Option 1, current regulations would remain in effect. The Council at the 206th meeting in March 2026 recommended authorizing commercial fishing throughout the 12–50 nm zone under the Pelagic FEP implementing regulations for Rose Atoll Marine National Monument (50 CFR 665.962), and the Executive Proclamation 11035, June 11, 2026, directed the restoration of commercial fishing in those monument waters. However, this area remains closed to large vessels due to the LVPA established under the Pelagic FEP in 2002 (50 CFR 665.806(b)). Limited commercial, non-commercial and recreational charter fishing would continue to be available only to American Samoa residents and permitted charter operators under the existing permit system. Vessels under 50 feet, including traditional alia, would be able to commercially fish in the area under this no action option due to the previous recommendation, for all regulated species. Option 2: Amend the regulations implementing the Pacific Pelagic FEP to include Rose Atoll as part of the vessel size exemption to the LVPA: Under Option 2, the implementing regulations for the Pacific Pelagic FEP would be amended to include an additional exemption area from 12-50 nm around Muliava for large-vessel American Samoa Longline Limited Entry permit holders. Vessels greater than 50 feet would be allowed to fish in the LVPA from 12–50 nm around Rose Atoll. The area of the LVPA from 0-12 nm around Muliava would continue to be off-limits to fishing by AS longline limited entry large-vessel permit holders. Option 3: Reduce the LVPA around Muliava to 0-12 nm: Under Option 3, the implementing regulations under the Pacific Pelagic FEP would be amended to reduce the Large Vessel Prohibited Area as around Muliava to 0-12 nm. This would open commercial fishing to all U.S. fishing vessels (longline and purse seine) that hold the applicable federal fishery permits (e.g., American Samoa longline limited entry permit, or other applicable Western Pacific pelagics permits, U.S. purse seine) outside of 12 nm around Muliava. Fishing in this area would be restricted to the existing regulations under the American Samoa and Pacific Pelagic FEPs. • Revising the American Samoa Longline Fishery Sea Turtle Measures The ASLL fishery is required to follow a longline gear configuration aimed at setting hooks deeper than 100 meters to reduce interactions with green sea turtles. Specifically, the fishery is required to use float lines (line between floats and the suspended horizontal mainline) at least 30 meters in length, have a minimum of 15 branch lines between any two floats, and requires that the distance from each float to adjacent branch lines be at least 70 meters. This measure was implemented in 2011 under Amendment 5 to the Pelagic FEP, and developed in response to a request from the NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office to reduce green sea turtle interactions in the ASLL fishery in advance of reinitiating consultation under ESA Section 7. Since the implementation of this measure, the Council has requested that the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) conduct an evaluation to determine whether it has been effective. PIFSC has declined on the basis that there are too few sea turtle interactions to conduct a robust analysis to statistically evaluate the effect. This measure has also been difficult to enforce as there is no practical way to measure the 70-meter distance from the float to the first branch line once the gear is deployed, and this specification cannot be enforced through dockside inspections. ASLL vessels use a line setting device (or line shooter) to deploy the mainline at consistent speed throughout the setting, which allows crew to adjust the distance between the float line and the first branch line using the time it takes for the line shooter to deploy 70 meters of mainline, which is approximately 17-18 seconds. The ASLL fishery is experiencing economic hardship due to high costs, low catch rates of the target species (albacore tuna) and foreign competition. Restrictions on gear configuration limits flexibility for the industry in making adjustments according to oceanographic conditions or catch rates, and may be suppressing operational efficiency. In response to the Seafood EO, the Council identified the removal of the ASLL sea turtle measure as a medium priority action for reducing burdens on domestic fishing. NMFS in July 2026 announced this action as one of the three high priority actions for the Western Pacific region. The Council at the 208th meeting will consider an options paper for determining the scope of Council action associated with modifying these ASLL sea turtle mitigation measures. In addition, the Council will review the options and consider final action to amend the American Samoa LVPA regulations under the Pacific Pelagic FEP. The Council’s Pelagic Plan Team Working Group conducted a review of fishery performance under the trip limits with data through the 2022-2023 fishing season, and concluded that additional years of monitoring is warranted before the Council considers any revisions to the trip limits. The Council at the 199th meeting in June 2024 endorsed the Pelagic Plan Team Working Group report and directed the Pelagic Plan Team to conduct the next review in 2-3 years, pending update of the loggerhead turtle population model. The Council further requested NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office to continue to maintain 100% observer coverage for the shallow-set longline fishery to allow for a robust evaluation. In response to the Seafood EO, the Council identified the removal of the SSLL leatherback turtle hard cap and the “strike two” provision of the SSLL trip limit measure as high priority actions for reducing burdens on domestic fishing. The Council at the 208th meeting will consider an options paper for determining the scope of Council action associated with modifying these SSLL sea turtle mitigation measures. The Council will review the following range of preliminary options and associated considerations:Option Option 1: Status Quo/No Action Option 2: Remove the “Strike Two” Provision from the Trip Limit Measure Option 3: Remove the Trip Limit Measure Option 4: Remove the Leatherback Turtle Hard Cap • Revising the Swordfish Retention Limit in the Hawaii Deep-Set Longline Fishery The Hawaii deep-set longline swordfish retention limit caps the number of swordfish a vessel may possess or land on an unobserved deep-set trip north of the Equator: 25 fish with circle hooks, 10 fish with other hooks, no limit with an observer aboard. This measure was originally implemented in 2002 through an emergency interim rule and later made permanent in 2004 to limit swordfish retention to 10 swordfish per trip. The measure was later modified through Regulatory Amendment 1 to the Pelagic FEP in 2012 to provide a higher limit of 25 swordfish when using circle hooks and without an observer, and no limit with an observer on board. The average catch of swordfish per deep-set trip since then has been less than 3 swordfish per trip. At-sea discards of swordfish in the deep-set sector is 2.7%, with discards likely due to catch conditions. In response to the Seafood EO, the Council identified the removal of the Hawaii deep-set swordfish trip limit as a candidate for regulatory reduction. In July 2026, NMFS announced this as one of the three high priority actions for the Western Pacific region. The Council, at its 208th Meeting, may consider: 1) retaining the status quo; or 2) removing the limit entirely, consistent with the 2020 removal of the parallel limit in the American Samoa longline fishery. • Annual Catch Limit Specifications for American Samoa BMUS for 2027-2030 (Initial Action) The Council will consider specifying multi-year harvest limits for the American Samoa bottomfish management unit species (BMUS) for fishing years 2027-2030. Currently, there are 11 BMUS in American Samoa: eight snappers, one emperor, one jack, and one grouper. At its 202nd meeting, the Council took final action to revise the American Samoa BMUS list to six species, including the giant palu-malau (Etelis boweni). To date, the proposed and final rules for the revised BMUS list have not been published, and to comply with the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA) and the American Samoa FEP, this proposed action may specify annual catch limits (ACLs) for the 11 BMUS. Working Groups and the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) evaluated the scientific, social, ecological, economic, and management uncertainties and recommended a risk level to the Council. The risk of overfishing informs the Council’s consideration of ACL specification, and the management uncertainty informs the Council’s consideration in setting the annual catch target (ACT). At its 208th meeting, the Council will review the following alternatives and consider taking initial action to specify harvest limits and the accountability measures that will prevent the fishery from overfishing the stock. • No Action. No harvest limits will be specified for fishing years 2027-2030. • Specify ACLs for the current BMUS list utilizing the 2023 and 2026 stock assessments based on the councils P (Risk of Overfishing) and SEEM (Social, Economic, Ecological and Management Uncertainty). • Specify ACLs for the current BMUS list utilizing the 2023 and 2026 stock assessments lower than the P (Risk of Overfishing) and SEEM (Social, Economic, Ecological and Management Uncertainty) analysis. The following venues will be host sites for the 208th Council meeting: Council office, 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, Hawaii Tedi of Samoa Building Suite 208B, Fagatogo Village, American Samoa Cliff Pointe, 304 W. O'Brien Drive, Hagatna, Guam BRI Building Suite 205, Kopa Di Oru St. Garapan, Saipan, CNMI The Webex link is https://tinyurl.com/208CouncilMtg (if prompted, enter event number: 2861 417 6739; password: CM208mtg). Specific information on joining the meeting, instructions for connecting to the Webex and providing oral public comments during the meeting will be posted on the Council website at: www.wpcouncil.org/event/ 208th-council-meeting The Council will consider and may take action on the issues summarized above, including any public comments on them. Written public comments on final action items should be received by the Council’s executive director by 5 p.m. (HST), Thursday, September 10, 2026, via postal mail, fax or email as indicated below. Mail: Ms. Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400 Honolulu, HI 96813 FAX: (808) 522-8226 E-mail: info@wpcouncil.org Section: Local News Tags: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council
2026-08-27 17:26:53

Conservative think-tank supports power of Congress to limit citizenship in U.S. Territories
By Right to Democracy staff Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Threats to birthright citizenship in U.S. territories continue to escalate following President Trump’s Executive Order 14418 and the End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act. A new report issued by the conservative think-tank Advancing American Freedom and the Edwin Meese III Institute states that Congress “can and should” take action “to limit U.S. citizenship” in U.S. territories. The report, titled Federal Policy Responses to the Supreme Court’s Birthright Citizenship Decision, states that Congress maintains this power after the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Barbara because of the Insular Cases and the idea that in “unincorporated territories, the Constitution does not fully apply,” even as “the United States exerts sovereignty” over these communities. The report concludes that because of the Insular Cases “the federal government has never considered persons born within the unincorporated territories to be U.S. citizens by virtue of the Fourteenth Amendment.” “The idea that Congress has the power to turn citizenship on and off in U.S. territories as it sees fit is a dangerous one that contradicts the clear command of the U.S. Constitution and the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Barbara,” said Neil Weare, Co-Director of Right to Democracy, which filed an amicus brief in Trump v. Barbara on behalf of 21 current and former elected officials from all five U.S. territories. “These ongoing threats to citizenship are just the latest example of how the colonial legal framework established by the Insular Cases can be used to justify the exercise of federal power over communities that have long been denied political rights and self-determination.” The report criticizes federal statutes that “bestow U.S. citizenship on virtually all children born within the relevant unincorporated territories, irrespective of the immigration status of the child’s parents,” arguing those statutes “should be amended” so that only “those persons born in the territories where at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident” would be recognized as U.S. citizens. As evidence of what it calls “the problems of universal birthright citizenship,” the report cites “30,000 Dominican nationals” it claims “illegally live in Puerto Rico,” and the Northern Mariana Islands, which it calls “a particularly alluring location for birth tourists.” “People who think these attempts are just about limiting the rights of particular groups of immigrants should really look closer at what is going on. These proposals uphold the legitimacy of a colonial power grounded in racism that can be used any time to deny rights to all of us,” said Adi Martínez Román, Co-Director of Right to Democracy. “Until the Insular Cases doctrine is reckoned with and overturned, the territories will remain laboratories of ‘un-democracy’ to test how both the President and Congress can expand their unilateral powers over people’s bodies and lives.” Zeno Deleon Guerrero, Jr., Right to Democracy’s Solidarity Director, added, “It is very telling how the report ignores that in the NMI’s Covenant with the United States, citizenship cannot be changed unilaterally by Congress, but requires mutual consent. This raises questions about whether Congress will respect the democratic commitments made in that negotiated agreement.” “It is also insulting that the report calls Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa ‘possessions’ of the United States. People are not possessions. That was what the Civil War and the Fourteenth Amendment were supposed to end. It is also what led the U.S. to make self-determination and decolonization key elements of the United Nations Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” added Weare. Right to Democracy has developed a Frequently Asked Questions page that addresses common concerns that have been raised about the Trump Executive Order and the End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act. It is also organizing a petition calling on “Congress, the President, and the Courts to reject the idea that the federal government has the power to deny U.S. citizenship to anyone simply because they were born in a U.S. territory.” And it has created an online survey to collect community feedback on whether Congress should have the power to limit citizenship in U.S. territories. Right to Democracy also represents Michael Pese and Tupe Smith, who each are facing up to 5-10 years in jail in Alaska as a result of federal statutes and policies that deny them recognition as U.S. citizens despite being born in American Samoa, a U.S. territory for over 125 years. Right to Democracy brings together people across the political status spectrum to confront the undemocratic colonial framework governing the U.S. territories and advance a future grounded in democracy, equity, and self-determination. Section: Local News Tags: CITIZENSHIP ISSUE
2026-08-27 17:19:10

'I was worried I would die': Cook Islands fisherman feared bomb, human remains before cocaine discovery
By Tiana Haxton, RNZ Pacific journalist Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A fisherman from a remote island in the Cook Islands says he feared for his life after a routine reef fishing trip led to the discovery of a mysterious package containing cocaine worth millions of dollars in street value. The fisherman, who RNZ Pacific has agreed not to name, discovered the package washed up on the reef in Mitiaro on 28 July, thinking it could be a body or a bomb. "I had two thoughts then: first, I thought this could be a human body chopped up ... [and] second, I was suddenly worried that I was wrong and this thing was a bomb and if it exploded right now I would die and no one would ever find me," he told RNZ Pacific. The contents of the package, weighing more than 26kg, have since been tested by Cook Islands Police, with preliminary testing indicating the presence of cocaine. The fisherman recalled he initially thought he was looking at a turtle that had been killed by a shark and washed onto the reef. But as he got closer, he realized it was not a turtle. While stricken with fear, he cautiously poked the package with his fishing rod to see if he could feel what it contained. "So I rolled it to the other side and something fell out; this packet fell out, and that's when it hit me, this was probably drugs." He then became concerned the package could be more dangerous than it looked, and still fearing it might be rigged with explosives, he left the package and continued fishing. But while cleaning his catch back on shore, he could not stop thinking about it. Worried the high tide might take it away, he reported his find to a local police officer who enlisted the help of a couple of young men to carry the package off the reef. They also discovered two loose packets believed to have been knocked from the main package and washed further ashore by rough seas. "We took the whole thing to the police officers house and then we cut into the package to have a proper look at what was inside. So there were 17 packets inside the sack and two found washed ashore, so there were 19 packets altogether." The material was taken to Rarotonga, where Cook Islands police said preliminary testing indicated the presence of cocaine. In a press statement, police confirmed there were 19 bricks found, weighing approximately 26.49kg, including packaging. Police are investigating where the package came from and whether it could be connected to other investigations. Cook Islands Customs has also strengthened vessel monitoring and searches. The fisherman said he was concerned about what the discovery could mean for Mitiaro and the wider Cook Islands. He said the finds indicated there could be vessels traveling through Cook Islands waters as part of a bigger drug operation. "We don't know what their plan was," he said. "Maybe they were throwing it in the sea for another ship or yacht to pick up, something like that, or maybe they planned it all along to throw it in the sea to wash up on Mitiaro." He worries such operations are not a new occurrence and this was only the first time they have been discovered in Mitiaro, which is roughly 50 minutes by air from Rarotonga. He wants the world to know that drugs should not be carried through the Pacific Ocean, and his island home and community needs to be protected. "So what do we want? We want to be protected," he said. "We don't want any more of this stuff landing in our paradise, otherwise maybe next time it'll be a young one that comes across a package while fishing, and maybe they'll hide it and keep it secret. "But the main message is we don't want this to happen again." Police thanked the fisherman and the Mitiaro community for their assistance and cooperation. They are reminding the public not to touch suspicious packages, and to contact police immediately if they find them. Section: Local News Tags: cocaine
2026-08-27 17:13:24

American Samoa deep-sea mining sale cleared without endangered species analysis, lawsuit alleges
By James Nanzo, Yahoo News Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Conservation groups are trying to stop what would be the first U.S. sale of deep-sea mining rights off American Samoa, arguing that federal wildlife officials approved the move without fully examining risks to endangered species. HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW As Courthouse News reported, opponents say the fight is not just about a mineral auction but the chain reaction from it. In the waters at issue, where Samoan families have long followed sacred sea turtles and viewed sharks as ancestral guardians, a sale could threaten both marine life and cultural ties, conservation groups cautioned. Set for November, the proposed sale would offer two seabed leases covering over 31 million acres northeast of the Manu'a Islands. In response, Earthjustice sued in federal court in Honolulu on behalf of Fa'asao Amerika Samoa and the Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, naming the National Marine Fisheries Service and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. "The United States has never opened its waters to deep-sea mining," Earthjustice said. "Until now." The lawsuit focuses on a four-page letter the fisheries service issued in February. In it, the agency said the lease sale was not expected to harm about 60 endangered or threatened species identified in its review, according to Courthouse News. Plaintiffs say that review skipped the central issue by focusing on preliminary activity instead of the mining the leases could permit. Officials reportedly looked at steps such as sonar surveys and seafloor sampling but not later exploration, testing, development, and production. "The machinery can destroy nearly all life in its path," the lawsuit states, as the outlet noted. MORE BACKGROUND Interest in nickel, cobalt, and manganese is part of why the planned leases target areas containing polymetallic nodules, which Courthouse News described as potato-sized deposits. The lawsuit says there is limited understanding of the ecological consequences of removing them from the deep ocean. The outlet noted that no commercial seabed mining operation exists anywhere in the world. Even so, the United States could be moving toward a major offshore mining sale before the potential effects are understood. According to Courthouse News, the plaintiffs cite testing elsewhere that showed mining can send sediment plumes that smother coral reefs over 60 miles away. They also say ecosystems could take over a century to recover from a single disturbance. For American Samoa, the concern goes beyond environmental damage. Harm to whales, turtles, coral, and other marine life could ripple through ecosystems that shape community identity and the health of waters that hold deep importance for local families. WHAT’S BEING DONE? The response is the lawsuit, which seeks to pause the lease sale until federal officials complete a more thorough endangered species review. Before the sale can proceed, the National Marine Fisheries Service has a required gatekeeping role. As Courthouse News reported, the agency must determine whether the action would put Endangered Species Act-listed species at risk or damage critical habitat. The auction is expected to be run by the Marine Minerals Administration, created by combining the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Section: Local News Tags: deep sea mining
2026-08-27 17:07:19

ASG suspends all government funded travel for remainder of FY 2026
Some exceptions are noted including travel by governor and Lieutenant Governor By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With the American Samoa Government (ASG) facing rising expenses that are not in step with its revenue collections, it has officially suspended all government-funded local travel to enhance fiscal responsibility and optimize budgetary constraints, with a little over a month left until the end of FY 2026. Samoa News points out that the proposed FY 2027 joint Fono budget hearings are set to begin next month September and what affect this move by the ASG — if any — will have on these deliberations will be seen. The government communicated its decision in a formal letter dated August 25, 2026, jointly signed by Acting Treasurer Carri-Lee Magalei-Tulafono and Budget Director Tauaisafune Niualama Epenesa Taifane. The letter was distributed to all Cabinet members, Deputy Directors, Office Heads, and Agency Managers throughout the government. The directive states that, effective immediately, all government-funded local travel will be halted for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2026 [ends September 30, 2026]. The Governor has explicitly approved this decision, highlighting the need to conserve financial resources during this period. However, specific exceptions apply. Court-appointed travel will still be permitted, as will official travel undertaken by the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor. Additionally, travel funded through grants remains exempt from this suspension, allowing for essential engagements vital to ongoing projects or initiatives. In light of this suspension, departments are strongly encouraged to explore alternative communication and collaboration methods. Virtual meetings and other digital platforms are recommended to ensure that essential discussions and decisions can continue without the need for in-person travel. This shift towards remote engagement aims to maintain productivity and ensure effective government operations during this time. Earlier this month, the preliminary results for the 3rd quarter of FY2026 reported that the American Samoa Government's expenditures continued to exceed its revenues. As previously reported by Samoa News, Treasury noted in its report that if spending is not controlled, the spending trajectory may outpace actual revenue collections. It was reported that spending was more than 2% unfavorable to the budget, which required the Governor to inform the Fono of the need for cost-containment measures across the ASG. Furthermore, the Budget Office issued a notice to Departments and Agencies stating that, after July 30th, the Budget will halt processing for FY 2026 to clear expenses and limit expenditures in the quarter. The Treasury is also addressing the revenue shortfalls observed in the quarter and is following up with Departments and associated vendors. According to the report, ASG's revenue performance improved during the 3rd quarter compared to the 2nd quarter; however, it was down from the 1st quarter, which had higher revenues than both the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Total actual expenditures for the 3rd quarter amounted to $39,720,956, compared to $38,227,661 in the 2nd quarter (a 3.9% increase) and $37,731,274 in the 1st quarter (a 5.3% increase). As a result, the year-to-date shortfall versus the budget stands at $15,787,969, or 12.5%. This represents a slight improvement from the 2nd quarter, which had a year-to-date shortfall of 13.2% due to a marginal improvement in the 3rd quarter. The report states that the General Fund faced an unfavorable variance of about $5 million from actual revenues collected totaling $91.5 million, mainly driven by expenditures in the Treasury, Port Administration, Search & Rescue, and Miscellaneous Non-Departmental sectors, which together account for 90% of the shortfall. The report noted, “the majority of the year-to-date shortfall from the General Fund came from Individual Tax collection (-$9,033,198), Corporate Tax collection (-$3,706,189), Excise Tax collection (-$2,113,474), and Indirect Cost (-$1,709,109).” It added, “Other Fund revenue measures are net unfavorable by $1,570,545 from actual revenues collected of $17,565,610, or 8.9%, mainly driven by Fund 46 Airport expenditures,” which accounts for the remaining 10% of the shortfall. In summary, the Treasury reports a year-to-date shortfall of -$6,572,110 based on the FY 2026 budget that was passed into law. The total year-to-date budget is $123,695,750, with budgeted expenses and encumbrances of $115,679,891. In terms of the actual performance: - Actual Revenues: $109,107,781 - Budget Difference: -$15,587,969 - Actual Expenditures and Encumbrances to Revenues Difference: -$6,572,110 The report noted that unfavorable spending primarily came from Treasury ($923,063), driven by “unbudgeted“ Property Insurance; Port Administration ($274,066); Miscellaneous Non-Department ($193,073); Search & Rescue ($100,251); and Visitor’s Bureau ($80,417). Additionally, special programs running at a loss year-to-date include Ceremonial Activities, EOB Electricity/Water, and the Airport General Fund Subsidy. Section: Local News Tags: FY 2026
2026-08-27 16:58:28

Ombudsman Pays Tribute to Maiava Iulai Toma
I am honored to deliver this short eulogy as the current Ombudsman of Samoa, in tribute to the life and legacy of Maiava lulai Toma, a dearly departed friend and colleague and one to whom this office meant alot. Maiava was the third and longest serving Ombudsman of the Samoa Ombudsman Office, yet he humbly [...] The post Ombudsman Pays Tribute to Maiava Iulai Toma first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-27 06:32:46

Molia se tina i lona fa’ao’olima i sona toalua
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA O le aso 8 o Aukuso, na agai atu ai leoleo, i le afioaga o Petesa, ina ua o’o mai se vala’au, i fa’alavelave o tupu i se aiga, ona o se tina ua fa’asua’ava ma taumafai e fasi lona to’alua. E tusa ai ma faamaumauga a le faamasinoga, na o’o atu le valaau i le ofisa a leoleo, i Tafuna, i le te’a o le 10 i le po. Ma e lua ni taavale leoleo, sa agai mai i Petesa, e tali le valaau. Ina ua taunu’u leoleo, i le nofoaga na tupu ai le faalavelave, sa lagonaina ia ni tagata o fe’ei ma le pa’o mai i totonu o le fale. Pe a ma le to’avalu i le to’aiva tagata, o iai i le faalavelave. Ma na taumafai leoleo, e tau fa’afilemu le mataupu. Na nofo malamalama leoleo, o le to’atele o i latou na iai, o tuaoi, sa lagona le ‘e’e ma le faatupu vevesi o le na molia – Melissa Bernard. E o’o atu leoleo, i le nofoaga o iai Melissa (le na molia), o lo’o tagi ma ua masae lona mitiafu. Sa taumafai leoleo, e fa’afilemu ia le na molia, ma faatonu o ia, e tu’u atu le mataupu i leoleo, e latou te taulimaina. Sa ta’ua i le ripoti a leoleo, ia le maitauina o foliga a le na molia, e fa’amaonia ai lona fa’asua’ava, e pei o le mumu o ona mata, faatosotosololoa o lana tautala faapea ma le malosi o le manogi ‘ava malosi. E ui ina sa taumafai leoleo e fa’afilemu, ia le na molia, peitai, na fa’aauau lava ona ia le usita’ia fautuaga a leoleo ma i’u ai ina ave faapagotaina o ia e leoleo, ma tu’u i totonu o le taavale a leoleo, ma aveina atu loa o ia i le ofisa a leoleo, i Tafuna. Sa faatalanoaina e leoleo, ia le to’alua a Melissa (le na molia) ma sa faamatala e le tamaloa, i leoleo, le faia o se la inuga pia ma Melissa (le na molia), i le latou fale, ae tula’i mai ai se la tauga’upu. I le fa’aauauina o le faamatalaga a le to’alua a le na molia, na ia tu’ua le fale ma savali atu i le fale a le latou tuaoi, mo le talosagaina o se auala e mafai ona alu ai i lona fale, i Fogagogo. Peitai, sa mulimuli atu ia Melissa (le na molia), ia te ia ma taumafai e taofi o ia. Sa ta’ua e le tamaloa na a’afia (to’alua a le na molia), ia le tu’i faalima o ia e le na molia, a’o ia taumafai e u’una’i ‘ese ma taofiofi ona lima. O le fa’aauau pea ona ‘e’e ma fa’atupu vevesi, o le na molia, na i’u ina valaau ai e le tuaoi, ia leoleo. O se taimi mulimuli ane, na fa’amaumauina e leoleo ia manu’a o le tamaloa na a’afia (to’alua o le na molia), lea na aofia ai ni manu’a i lalo o lona mata taumatau, o ona lima e agai i lona tau’au ma nisi o manu’a, i le pito i luga o lona tino. Na ta’ua foi i ripoti a leoleo, ia le fa’aauau pea ona fa’amisa ma pisa, ia le na molia, a’o aveina atu o ia, e leoleo, i le ofisa a leoleo. E le gata i lea, ona o le fa’asua’ava o le na molia, sa le mafai ona ia faitauina ma malamalama, ona aia tatau fa’aletulafono. Na molia Melissa Bernard, i moliaga, sa aofia ai: Faitauga 1: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu (sauaga i totonu o aiga) – O se vaega ‘A’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le tasi tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $1,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 2: Faatupu Vevesi i nofoaga faitele – O se vaega ‘E’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le ono masina, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $500; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Sa lokaina ia le na molia, e aunoa ma se tinoitupe faatulagaina, e mafai ona tatalaina ai i tua, a’o faagasolo lona faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-27 05:54:02

Folafola le Faatonu o Aoga o le a iai tupe fa’aagaga mo polokalama tau taaloga a aoga
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA I le mae’a ai o le molimau a le Faatonu o Aoga, le susuga ia Maefau Dr. Mary Taufete’e, i se iloiloga a le Komiti o A’oa’oga a le Maota o Sui, i se taimi ua tuanai, e tusa ai ma le leai o se paketi mo ta’aloga a a’oga, i totonu o le tala o le tupe a le Ofisa o Aoga, mo le Tausaga Tupe 2027, ua folafola mai ai e le Faatonu o Aoga, ia le iai o tupe o le a fa’aagaga mo ta’aloga a aoga, i lenei tausaga aoga fou, ma o le a fa’aauau pea polokalama tau ta’aloga mo a’oga, e pei ona masani ai. O le aso 19 o lenei masina, sa folafola mai ai e tamaitai faatonu, ia le tu’uto o le latou matagaluega, i le fa’aauauina o nei polokalama. Na tauala mai le folafolaga a le tamaitai fa’atonu, e ala i se fa’aaliga aloaia, na fa’ao’oina atu i fanau aoga, faiaoga, aiga, taitai o aoga ma le mamalu lautele. Ma sa fa’amautu ai e le tamaitai faatonu, ia le taua o ta’aloga, i le soifuaga a’oa’oina o fanau aoga. Na fa’apupulaina, e le tamaitai fa’atonu ia le maumaututu o le lagolago a le Ofisa o Aoga, mo fanau aoga, o lo’o i totonu o ‘au ta’a’alo a a’oga taitasi. Ma ua tu’uto la latou matagaluega, ina ia iai tupe fa’aagaga mo polokalama tauta’aloga. E le gata i lea, o lo’o galulue faatasi lo latou ofisa ma le Ofisa o le Kovana, faapea isi, mo le fa’atulagaina o se paketi mo ta’aloga. Ma talosagaina le agaga onosai i le mamalu o le atunu’u, faapea le loto malamalama, a’o folasia le faagasologa o le latou paketi. Ae na fa’amamafaina foi e Dr. Taufete’e, ia le leai o se faaiuga maumautu, ua faia, e tusa ai ma tupe fa’aagaga mo polokalama tau ta’aloga a aoga, se’ia mae’a ona iloiloina e le Maota Fono, o le latou paketi. Ma sa toe faamautuina e Dr. Taufete’e, i lana fa’aaliga, ia le ave o le faamuamua a lo latou ofisa, i fanau aoga o lo’o auai i ta’aloga. I le iloiloga a le Komiti o A’oa’oga, a le Maota o Sui, na molimau ai le Faatonu o Aoga, i atugaluga, ua faaleoina, i le tapunia o le Ofisa o Ta’aloga. Na ia faamanino mai e faapea, e ui i le tapunia o lea ofisa, ae e le faapea, o le a taofia ai ta’aloga i lenei tausaga aoga fou. Ae o lo’o tagataga’i lo latou ofisa, i nisi auala, e mafai ona fa’aauauina ai lenei polokalama, ma ia aoga mo fanau aoga. Sa faaleoina foi e le afioga i le Lutena Kovana, le matua ia Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr., e faapea, e mafai ona aoina se tupe, mo le polokalama o ta’aloga mo aoga, e ala i se foa’i $2, a tagata faigaluega uma o le Ofisa o Aoga – aofia ai taitai o aoga, faiaoga, ma aufaigaluega eseese – i masina ta’itasi. O lea fuafuaga, na faaleoina e le afioga Pulu, i se fa’atasiga na faia i le vaiaso ua tuanai, lea sa folasia ai le fuafuaga mo leisi lima tausaga, a le Ofisa o Aoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-27 05:46:06

Valaau e se tina i Tutuila ia leoleo Manu’a
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA I le aso 10 o Aukuso, 2026, na agai atu ai leoleo i Ta’u, Manu’a, e su’esu’e se mataupu, na ripotia atu e se tina na valaau atu mai i Tutuila, ma ripotia ia le sauaina o lana tama teine, e lana uo tama, ma fa’afefe i le oti, faapea ma le alu atu o le na molia, ma se aga’ese i lona aiga. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, sa o’o atu le vala’au i le ofisa a leoleo, i le 6:59 i le afiafi, mai i se tina i Pago Pago, e ripotia ai le sauaina o lana tama teine ma le fa’afefeina o le latou aiga, i Ta’u, Manu’a, e Sosaiete Fasavalu. Na fa’ailoa atu e le tina, i leoleo, e to’alua isi tagata o le aiga, o lo’o nonofo i le fanua, ua manunu’a i le latou misa ma Fasavalu. I le fesoasoani a Leoleo o le Gataifale, sa faapea ona agai atu ma leoleo e ala i le fa’aaogaina o se va’a a Leoleo o le Gataifale, i le nofoaga na tupu ai le faalavelave. E taunu’u atu leoleo, ae fa’ailoa iai e tagata o le aiga, ua o ‘ese ia Fasavalu m a se tasi o le aiga, ae e latou te le iloa, po o fea ua o iai. Sa faamatalaina e tagata o le aiga, i leoleo, ia le faalavelave na tupu. Ma e tusa ai ma le ripoti, sa ta’ua ai le o, o nisi o le aiga, i le faleoloa, i lea afiafi. Ae e toe fo’i atu i le fale, o lo’o tagi mai le tamaitai na a’afia. Ina ua fesiligia le tamaitai na a’afia, e lona aiga, po o le a le mea sa tupu, sa tali mai le tamaitai na a’afia, na u’una’i o ia e Sosaiete (le na molia), i se la tauga’upu, ma fai atu, o le a alu e aumai se aga’ese, e fasioti ai o ia (tamaitai na a’afia). Na fa’ateteleina le mataupu, ina ua toe fo’i mai ia le na molia, ma se aga’ese, ma savali sa’o atu lea i le nofoaga na iai tagata o le aiga. Ona o le popole o le aiga, sa oso atu ai se tasi o le aiga, ma tu’i le gutu a Sosaiete (le na molia), ma pa’u ai i lalo ia le na molia, ae na mau lava lana u’u i le aga’ese. Ona feosofi atu ai lea nit agata se to’alua, o le aiga, e taumafai, e se’i ese le aga’ese mai ia Sosaiete (le na molia). Ae peitai, sa mafai ona toe tu mai i luga Sosaiete (le na molia), ma amata ona sasau le aga’ese, ma o iina na manunu’a ai tagata e to’alua o le aiga. Ma valaau ai loa e le aiga, ia leoleo. Sa aveina e leoleo, ia tagata o le aiga, i le falema’i Ta’u, mo le togafitia o latou manu’a. A’o latou taumafai foi, e saili ia Sosaiete (le na molia). O se taimi mulimuli ane, na maua atu ai e leoleo, ia le na molia, i le fale a le latou aufaigaluega, i Ta’u ma lokaina mai ai o ia, ma aveina atu i le ofisa a leoleo, i Ta’u, mo le su’esu’eina. Ina ua taunuu leoleo ma le na molia, i le ofisa a leoleo, sa maitauina e leoleo, ia le malosi o le manogi ‘ava malosi. I le faamatalaga a le tamaitai na a’afia, sa fai se inuga ‘ava malosi, a le na molia, i fafo o le latou fale, i lea afiafi ae peitai, sa suia le tulaga na iai le inuga, ina ua o le to’atele o le aiga, i le faleoloa. O iina na tupu ai se tauga’upu, i le va o le na molia ma le tamaitai na a’afia, ona ua le fiafia ia Sosaiete (le na molia), ma fu a, i talanoaga a le tamaitai ma se tasi o tama o lona lava aiga. Na fa’ateteleina le tauga’upu a le na molia ma le na a’afia, ma i’u ai lava ina una’i i lalo, e le na molia, ia le tamaitai na a’afia. Ma sa fa’ailoa atu foi e le na a’afia, i leoleo, ia le u’uina e Sosaiete (le na molia), o se aga’ese, i ona luga ma lafo atu ni faamatalaga taufa’amata’u. Ma e foliga mai, e le o se taimi muamua lea ua faia ai e le na molia, ia nei tulaga. O le aso na soso’o ai, sa aveina atu ai e leoleo, ia nisi sa a’afia i lenei faalavelave, i le ofisa a leoleo i Ta’u, mo le fa’amaumauina o faamatalaga ma molimau. Sa fautuaina e leoleo, ia le tasi o le aiga, lea na tu’iina muamua ia Sosaiete (le na molia), e tusa ai ma ona aia tatau faaletulafono. Ina ua faatalanoaina e leoleo ia Sosaiete (le na molia), sa ia ta’ua ia le pulea o ia, e lona ita ma na ia tago i le aga’ese, ona ua iai sona talitonuga, o le a taui ma sui atu aiga, o le tamaitai na a’afia, ona o le faalavelave na tupu, i lo la va. E tusa ai ma ripoti a leoleo, o Sosaiete ma le tamaitai na a’afia, sa amata mai le la faigauo, ia Mati o le tausaga nei. E ui ina o la nonofo i le fanua e tasi, ae ‘ese’ese fale e faamautu ai le tagata. O moliaga na faia faasaga ia Sosaiete Fasavalu, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1 & 2: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e lua – O se vaega ‘O’, i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e le silia ma le lima tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5000, po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 3: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu (sauaga i totonu o le aiga) – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 4: Fa’atupu Vevesi i nofoaga tuma’oti – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Sa lokaina ia le na molia, e aunoa ma se vaegatupe faatulagaina, e mafai ona toe tatalaina ai, a’o faagaosolo lona faamasinoga. The defendant was held without bail. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-27 05:26:03

Put on Faith, Love and Hope
1Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” Previously, Paul reminded us that we are children of the light. Now he tells us how to live in a spiritually dark world. We are to [...] The post Put on Faith, Love and Hope first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-27 01:53:08

Five Samoan Scholars Set to Pursue Higher Education in Japan
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has announced the 2026 recipients of the S.D.G.s Scholarship programme, who have successfully earned spots to study in universities across Japan enhancing their academic knowledge and building their skill sets in their various fields of study. The five were announced in a small but moving ceremony that was held at [...] The post Five Samoan Scholars Set to Pursue Higher Education in Japan first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-27 01:45:44

Measina Arts & Cultural Festival 2026 Logo Launch
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA — 26 August 2026 — The logo that encompasses the Measina Cultural & Arts Festival was unveiled by the Deputy Prime Minister, Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo after the keynote address delivered by Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt at the STA Fale this moorning. The Prime Minister stressed that [...] The post Measina Arts & Cultural Festival 2026 Logo Launch appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-26 19:03:48

Man charged with assault and PPD
Witnesses’ accounts differ from suspect’s over what happened during incident By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 12, 2026, an individual contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported a family disturbance that allegedly involved the assault of two minors. The suspect was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2 & 3: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the incident was reported to the TPS, at approximately 8:09 a.m. Responding officers proceeded to a residence in Malaeloa that reportedly involved a family member. Upon arrival, they made contact with the reporting party in front of her residence. She provided officers with both a verbal and written account of what she said occurred. According to the reporter, she had been playing chess with another individual inside the pavilion covering a grave located in front of the residence. At the same time, two juveniles were playing and wrestling near the cement gate in front of the pavilion. The reporter told police that she heard the suspect yelling at the two juveniles from his residence, which was located approximately 50-feet uphill from where the children were playing. She said she then observed the suspect approach the juveniles while carrying what appeared to be a white PVC pipe. The suspect allegedly threw the PVC pipe at one of the juveniles, but it missed him. The reporter continued that the suspect then made a threatening remark at one of the juveniles before grabbing one of them and dragging him uphill towards the residence. The reporter told officers that the suspect was yelling profanities as he took the juvenile toward the house. Concerned about what was happening, the reporter said she grabbed a baseball bat and followed them to the residence. Once she arrived at the house, an altercation allegedly developed between her and the suspect. She told police that the suspect attempted to wrest the baseball bat from her. During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly turned his attention to the juvenile and began striking him. The reporting party alleged that the suspect slapped and punched the juvenile repeatedly. She also told investigators that the incident was particularly concerning because she believed the suspect's behavior was part of a pattern of aggressive conduct toward family members. Police subsequently interviewed the juvenile who was allegedly assaulted. The juvenile reportedly told officers that he had been playing with another child when the suspect began yelling and cursing at them. He stated that the suspect then charged towards them and threw a white PVC pipe at the other child, but missed. According to the juvenile's account, the suspect grabbed him and dragged him uphill toward the residence. Once they reached the house, the juvenile alleged that the suspect slapped him and struck him several times with his fists. The juvenile also provided officers with information for his parents and later helped officers identify the suspect's whereabouts.Officers also noted that the juvenile did not have any visible physical injuries at the time of their interview. The juvenile in addition told police that an argument developed between the suspect and the reporting party, who had been playing chess nearby. While two officers went to locate the suspect, other officers remained at the scene and interviewed individuals who reportedly witnessed portions of the incident. One witness told police that she had been playing chess with the reporter inside the grave-pavilion when she overheard the suspect cursing and yelling at the juveniles. The witness reportedly observed the suspect confront the children and attempt to strike one of them with a PVC pipe, but missed. The witness said the incident then led to an argument between the suspect and the reporting party over his conduct toward the juveniles. Another witness, who was at the suspect's residence, reportedly provided additional information about the confrontation. She said she was inside the house when she heard a commotion coming from the area of the reporting party's residence. She said she heard the suspect and the reporting party arguing and exchanging profanities; and when she exited the house, she reportedly observed the two involved in a struggle over the baseball bat. The witness said a neighbor attempted to separate them. After the confrontation between the two adults ended, the witness reportedly observed the suspect direct his aggression towards the juvenile. She told police that the suspect repeatedly struck the juvenile in the face. Meanwhile, officers searching for the suspect located him near a bus stop in front of another residence in Malaeloa at approximately 9:25 a.m. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and transported to the TPS. At approximately 10:04 a.m., the suspect was Mirandized to which he acknowledged that he understood his rights and signed a waiver indicating that he was willing to answer questions and provide his account of the incident. During his interview, the suspect provided officers with a different version of events. He told police that he had gotten up that morning and was preparing his belongings for village roadwork when he noticed the two juveniles playing near the gate in front of the grave-pavilion. The suspect said he was concerned about the children's safety and called out to them, telling them to stop or be careful. According to his statement, one of the juveniles laughed and mocked him. The suspect told officers that he became upset and rushed towards the juveniles, throwing a PVC pipe at one of them. He claimed that he then returned to his residence and did not realize that the reporting party had followed him. The suspect claimed that once he entered his house, the reporting party struck the door with a baseball bat. He said she subsequently struck him with the bat three times. According to the suspect, he grabbed the baseball bat during the third strike in an attempt to stop the assault. He further claimed that the reporting party continued slapping him in the face after he had taken hold of the bat. The suspect said that after the situation with the reporting party had calmed down, he noticed the juvenile passing by and called him over. The suspect acknowledged to police that he slapped the juvenile but denied punching him. Following the interview, the suspect was booked and confined at approximately 10:09 a.m. Police then contacted the juvenile's father, who is also reportedly the suspect's brother, to inform him about the incident. During the telephone conversation, the father reportedly told investigators that he believed the incident was not an isolated occurrence. According to the report, the father said there had been multiple previous incidents involving alleged violence by the suspect towards his son. The father reportedly stated that the family had previously sought a restraining order against the suspect approximately two to three years ago because of the earlier incidents. After the suspect was processed at the TPS, officers transported him to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he was secured at approximately 11:12 a.m. Officers later returned to the reporting party's residence in Malaeloa to conduct a follow-up interview regarding the suspect's account of the incident. However, the reporting party was not at the residence when officers arrived. Police also attempted to contact her by cellphone but were unsuccessful. The officers subsequently returned to the station. The police report documents the conflicting accounts from the parties involved. The defendant is identified as a 46-year-old U.S national. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 13, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-26 18:00:32

Last week for public comments on APA National Museum
Source: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting the last week of public comments for the National Asian Pacific American Museum, the next step in a major project that Congress created to honor Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and their achievements, progress, and lasting impact in strengthening the United States. Congresswoman Aumua Amata was an original cosponsor of the bipartisan bill that started the project, the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture Act (H.R. 3525), which was signed into law by President Biden on June 13, 2022. That commission, now generally known as the National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission, was charged by Congress with a plan of action to lay the groundwork for a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. Now, the Commission is seeking public comments – up to 500 words – by the extended deadline of August 31, 2026. The Commission has posted five questions to facilitate comments about their upcoming decisions to present to Congress, including how best to represent history and culture, the location of the Museum, its potential impact on regional museums, and if it should become part of the Smithsonian Institution. “I am happy to see this project take shape, with the next steps coming into view. Now is the time to give commissioners your opinion for these important decisions highlighting our stories and cultures. I am friends with some of these dedicated commissioners and I’ve worked with Commissioners Chiling Tong and Tina Wei Smith, and have every confidence in their passion and vision for this effort,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I look forward to the day when visitors see Pacific Islands cultures and history among the exhibits.” Go to: https://nationalapamuseum.org/ And click on ‘Submit Comments’ Section: Regional Tags: APA National Museum
2026-08-26 17:52:41

Could the Covid-19 vaccine also fight cancer?
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — New research reveals the Covid-19 vaccine could help boost the survival rate of cancer patients. A US study from last year 2025 showed patients with lung cancer or melanoma were almost twice as likely to survive for three years when they had the Covid mRNA vaccine within 100 days of taking cancer drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). University of Auckland professor John Fraser has been testing whether the study from last year could apply to a New Zealand context. "I'm excited because the Covid vaccine wasn't meant for treating cancer, it was meant for providing protection against the Covid virus," Fraser said. He said the mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) molecules in the Covid vaccine might better recognize tumors because it’s believed to sensitize a patient's immune system. "I'm interested in whether you can improve cancer survival even more by designing a different type of mRNA vaccine. Increasing the effectiveness might be as simple as administering the vaccine closer to the tumor, rather than in the arm muscle." Fraser has launched research looking at outcomes for melanoma patients who received immune checkpoint inhibitors and had the Covid vaccine between August 2021 and March 2022. During this period of the pandemic, 95 percent of New Zealanders received the Covid mRNA vaccine. “There was such intense controversy around the Covid vaccine, despite it being highly effective, so it would be wonderful if something good could come out of that difficult period," says Fraser. Fraser played a key role in establishing the New Zealand RNA Development Platform, because of the promise that harnessing RNA could result in new treatments for a range of health problems. He is now a science advisor for the platform and is developing an mRNA vaccine against staphylococcus. As soon as funding can be found, Fraser and his team plan to launch a clinical trial for people with lung cancer. The trial would test a combination of the Covid mRNA vaccine and ICI drugs. Fraser had hope that if the trial proves the vaccine improves survival rates for lung cancer patients, it could then be used to help people with other types of cancer. “There's new evidence emerging that mRNA helps the immune system fight many types of cancer, including cancers that wouldn't usually be susceptible to immune checkpoint inhibitors." Fraser explained that ICI drugs work by activating the body's immune system to fight cancer. Meanwhile the mRNA in vaccines guides cells to make proteins that trigger an immune response against disease. He said currently ICI only helps about 30 percent of patients with lung cancer or melanoma to survive for three years or more with no progression of their cancer. Fraser added that Māori have a 30 percent higher death rate from lung cancer than other New Zealanders, which would have an important role in the trial. Public funding for ICI drugs has been available since 2016 for patients with metastatic and advanced melanoma in the country. The plan was to compare anonymized data about melanoma patients who received ICI but did not get the Covid vaccine with data for patients who received both. Results from that study are expected by the end of July next year. The research team includes Dr Laird Cameron, Dr Daisy Mak and Dr Gareth Rivalland from the University's Department of Cancer Sciences, and University General Practice and Primary Healthcare researchers Dr Janine Paynter and Dr David Broderick. Fraser's study has received $60,000 of funding from the Li Liangren Family Trust which donated $10 million for cancer research at the University in 2015. Section: Local News Tags: covid vaccine
2026-08-26 17:48:09

13-Year-Old Handel Makes His Mark at Va’a World Sprints
Source: Samoa Lifestyle Magazine. At just 13 years old, Handel Tupu Fua ,the youngest member of Team Samoa, has made an impressive World Sprints debut, racing his way into the semifinals of the Junior 19 Men’s V1 500m at the 2026 IVF Va’a World Sprint Championships in Singapore. The young paddler from Vaitele was one [...] The post 13-Year-Old Handel Makes His Mark at Va’a World Sprints first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-26 09:24:43

Dolly Parton Dies Aged 80 as Family Reveals Cancer Battle
Dolly Parton died aged 80 “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer”, her family has announced. The country icon’s loved ones raced to be by her side at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre in her final moments, after her health took an unexpected turn before her death at age 80. The type of cancer she had [...] The post Dolly Parton Dies Aged 80 as Family Reveals Cancer Battle first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-26 07:57:58

Maua le gaoi a se alii na tau saili e leoleo i le sauaina o lona to’alua ma’itaga
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA I le aso 7 o Aukuso, 2026, na vala’au atu ai se tuaoi loto alofa, i le Ofisa a Leoleo, i Tafuna, e ripotia ia se misa a se ulugalii, lea na i’u ina sauaina ai e le tamaloa, ia lona to’alua, a’o la e ma’itaga le fafine. O se taimi mulimuli ane, na maua ai le gaoi a le tamaloa lava lea, i le Kolisi a le ASCC. [Ua le lomia suafa o i latou na a’afia ma molia, i lenei fa’alavelave, aua le puipuiga o fanau iti, sa a’afia.] E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, na o’o atu se ripoti, i le ofisa a leoleo, i le 10:45 i le taeao, e tusa ai ma se misa a se ulugalii, i Mapusaga. Ma na fa’ailoa atu e le tagata na valaau i leoleo, ia le sauaina e le na molia, o lona to’alua, ae e le’i ona tu’ua le latou fale, i se taavale. Na agai atu leoleo, i le nofoaga na tupu ai le faalavelave ma tau atu i se tina matua, o savali mai i fafo, ma le fale agai mai i le taavale leoleo. Ma na maitauina e leoleo ia foliga fefe ma le loto mafatia, o le tina matua. Ina ua fa’atalanoaina e leoleo, ia le tina matua, sa ta’ua e le tina matua ia le alu atu o le na molia, i le potu moe sa iai lona toalua (le tina na a’afia) ma le la pepe a tasi le tausaga. O le tina na a’afia, ua iva masina, o lona ma’itaga. Ina ua tatala mai e le tina na a’afia, ia le faitoto’a o le potu moe, sa faapea ona po e le na molia, ia ona foliga ma pa’u atu ai agai i tua, ia le tina ma’itaga. Sa ta’ua foi e le tina matua, ia lona taumafai e oso atu e fa’afilemu le mataupu, peitai, nao so mai le na molia, ia te ia (tina matua) ma taumafai e po foi ma ia, ae e le’i pa’i atu le lima o le na molia, na’o na fa’afua lava o lana po. Na fa’ailoa atu foi e le tina matua, i leoleo, e faapea, o le tina ma’itaga, e gugu ma e na te fa’aaogaina ona lima e talanoa ai. O lo’o ta’ua i faamaumauga a le faamasinoga, ia le savali mai i fafo o le tina ma’itaga (le na a’afia), ma talanoa ma leoleo, ma sa maitauina foi e leoleo, ia foliga fefe ma le loto mafatia, o le tina ma’itaga. Ma sa foliga mai, na tagi. Na fesiligia e leoleo, ia le tina ma’itaga, pe mana’omia ia le vaega a le EMS e siaki o ia, peitai, sa tali le tina ma’itaga, e leai. Na fesoasoani ia le uso a le tina ma’itaga, i le talanoaga a leoleo ma le tina ma’itaga. Sa faamatala e le tina ma’itaga (e ala i le fesoasoani a lona uso), ia le sauaina o ia, e le na molia, i totonu o le la potu moe, a’o iai le la pepe e tasi le tausaga. E fa’afa ona po o ia (tina ma’itaga), i lona alafau, ma pa’u atu ai agai i tua, ma tau lona tua i le fa’amalama. Ma sa ta’ua foi e le tina na a’afia, e faapea, e le o se taimi muamua lea, ua sauaina ai o ia, e le na molia. Na fautuaina e leoleo, ia le tina ma’itaga, e alu i le falemai, e fai sana siaki, ona o lona maitaga. FA’ALAVELAVE I LE ASCC O lea lava taeao, na maua ai e leoleo ia sa i Mapusaga, ia se ripoti, e tusa ai ma ni alii o lo’o solivale fanua o le Kolisi a le ASCC, ma e foliga mai, o lo’o taumafai e ave ni meatotino a le kolisi. E tusa ai ma ripoti, sa agai atu leoleo i le ASCC mo le faia o a latou su’esu’ega, ma maua atu ai le tamaloa lava lea e tasi, sa tu’ua’ia, i le faalavelave i le taeao lava lena, i Mapusaga. Sa aveina o ia e leoleo, i le ofisa a leoleo ma fautuaina ai o ia, e tusa ai ma ona aia tatau fa’aletulafono. Ona sa fa’aaoga e lenei alii ia gagana faatino (sign language), sa a’ami ai e leoleo, ia se tagata o lona aiga, e fesoasoani i le faaliliuina o ana faamatalaga, mo leoleo. Ina ua mae’a ona fautuaina ia le na molia, i ona aia tatau fa’aletulafono, sa ia fa’ailoa mai i leoleo, e le faia sana faamatalaga e tusa ai ma le faalavelave na tupu. O lo’o iai se faamoemoega i le malo, e faila ni moliaga, e faasaga i le na molia, e tusa ai ma le faalavelave na tupu i le ASCC, ae sa na’o le faalavelave na tupu i lona aiga, i Mapusaga, na faila ai ona moliaga. O nei moliaga, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1: Faatupu Vevesi i nofoaga tuma’oti (sauaga i totonu o le aiga) – O se vaega ‘I’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 2: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu (sauaga i totonu o le aiga) – O se vaega ‘A’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le tasi tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $1,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Sa lokaina ia le na molia, e aunoa ma se tinoitupe faatulagaina, e mafai ona tatalaina ai i tua, a’o faagasolo lona faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-26 04:46:42

Don’t Let Your Faith Fall Asleep
STAY AWAKE AND BE SOBER 1Thessalonians 5:6-7 “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.” Because we are children of the light, Paul tells us how we should live [...] The post Don’t Let Your Faith Fall Asleep first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-26 04:33:14

Loka se alii i lona faia o ni amioga mataga i ni teineiti talavou se to’alua
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA Ia Iulai 30, 2026, sa o’o atu ai se tama loto mafatia, i le Ofisa a Leoleo, i Tafuna, ma ripotia ia se faalavelave na a’afia ai nai ona alo tamaitai, e 10 ma 12 tausaga, le matutua. [Ua le lomia suafa o i latou na a’afia ma molia, i lenei mataupu, aua le puipuiga o nai tamaitai talavou, sa a’afia.] E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, na o’o atu le tama loto mafatia, i le ofisa a leoleo, i le 6:15 i le afiafi, ma ripotia le mataupu sa a’afia ai lana fanau teine. Sa faapea ona agai atu loa leoleo, i le fale o le aiga, na tupu ai le faalavelave, ma aumai ia ia teineiti sa a’afia, i le ofisa a leoleo. O iina i le ofisa a leoleo, sa fa’aleoina ai e teineiti na a’afia, ia le igoa o le tagata, sa faia ia uiga mataga ia i la’ua. Na mua’i faatalanoaga a leoleo ma le tamaitai e 12 tausaga, i luma o lona tama. Ma na ia faamatala i leoleo, ia lo la o ma lona tuagane laititi, i le 2 i le aoauli, i le fale o lona ‘aunty’, e le mamao mai i le latou fale. E o atu i totonu o le fale, o lo’o moe ia le na molia, i luga o le laulau ‘ai. Ae na te’i mai i luga, ona o le tauvala’au a le tamaitai na a’afia, i lona tuagane laititi. O se taimi mulimuli ane, na faatonu ai e le na molia, ia lona tuagane, e alu i fafo e ta’a’alo ma ana uo. Ae sa fai atu le teineititi, i lona tuagane, e la te nonofo i totonu, peitai, na toe taumafai ia le na molia, e tuli i fafo ia le tamaititi laititi. Sa ta’ua e le teineititi 12 tausaga, ina ua alu i fafo ia lona tuagane, sa savali atu ia le na molia, a’o iai o ia (teineititi) i totonu o le umukuka, ma taumafai e toso mai o ia (teineititi), i totonu o le potu moe a lona ‘aunty’. O le ‘e’e leotele o le teineititi 12 tausaga, na lagona mai e lona tuagane ma toe tamo’e mai i totonu o le fale, sa mafai ai ona sola ‘ese le teineititi na a’afia, mai totonu o le fale. I le faatalanoaga a leoleo ma le teineititi 10 tausaga, sa faamatala ai e le teineititi, ia le valaau atu a le na molia, a’o ia savali atu i le fale a lona ‘aunty’. Na fesili atu le na molia, i l e teineititi, po o fea a alu iai, sa tali mai le teineititi, o la e alu i le fale a lona ‘aunty’. Ona valaau atu lea o le na molia, i le teineititi 10 tausaga, e faatali mai, e la te o faatasi. Ina ua o la taunu’u i le fale o le ‘Aunty’ a le teineititi, sa faatonu o ia, e le na molia e alu i le fale le ta’ua, e fa’amama ona lima. Ae peitai, sa fa’ate’ia le teineititi, ina ua mulimuli atu ai ma le na molia, i totonu o le fale le ta’ua ma loka le faitoto’a. Ona taumafai lea o le na molia, e milimili ma sogi atu i le ‘alafau a le teineititi na a’afia. Sa fa’ailoa atu foi e le teineititi, i leoleo, ia le taumafai o le na molia, e fa’amalosi o ia, a’o ia taumafai e u’una’i ‘ese le alii ma ulufafo mai i le fale le ta’ua. Sa fa’alua ona taumafai le teineititi, e sola ‘ese mai i totonu o le fale le ta’ua, ae peitai, sa tu le na molia, i luma o le faitoto’a. Ina ua faamanuiaina taumafaiga a le teineititi na a’afia, ma sao mai i fafo, sa ia fai atu i le na molia, o le a ia (teineititi) alu e ta’u i lona tama le mea sa tupu. Ia Iulai 31, 2026 i le 2:32 i le aoauli, na agai atu ai leoleo, i le fale o le na molia, ma aumai o ia i le ofisa a leoleo, mo le fa’atalanoaina. Sa fa’amaonia e le na molia, ia molimau a teineiti uma e to’alua, e tusa ai ma lona taumafai, e fa’amalosia i la’ua. O moliaga sa faia fa’asaga i le na molia, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1, 2 & 3: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 4: Taofiofi o se tagata - O se vaega ‘A’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le tasi tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $1,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 5: Faia o amioga mataga, i lona tulaga muamua – O se vaega ‘O’ i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e le silia ma le fitu tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 6: Taumafaiga e faamalosi se tamaitai – O se vaega ‘I’ i solitulafono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e le silia ma le fitu tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Sa lokaina ia le na molia, e aunoa ma se tinoitupe faatulagaina, e mafai ona ai ona tatalaina i tua, a’o faagasolo lona faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-26 03:19:23

Taxi named Gold Sponsor of Measina Festival 2026
Taxi has been announced as the Gold Sponsor of Samoa’s Measina Festival 2026, backing the biggest national celebration of arts and culture with a $50,000 tala sponsorship. The announcement was made as the Government officially launched this year’s Measina Festival and unveiled the festival’s new logo, marking the start of a new chapter for the [...] The post Taxi named Gold Sponsor of Measina Festival 2026 first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-26 03:08:41

Maiava Iulai Toma Remembered for Lifetime of Service to Samoa
One of Samoa’s longest-serving public servants and former Ombudsman, Afioga Maiava Iulai Blakelock-Toma, is being remembered for a lifetime devoted to public service, diplomacy, accountability and human rights. Maiava passed away on Saturday 22 August 2026, leaving behind a distinguished record of service to Samoa spanning several decades. He held some of the most senior [...] The post Maiava Iulai Toma Remembered for Lifetime of Service to Samoa first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-26 01:56:39

Maiava Iulai Toma Remembered for a Lifetime of Service to Samoa
One of Samoa’s longest-serving public servants and former Ombudsman, Afioga Maiava Iulai Blakelock-Toma, is being remembered for a lifetime devoted to public service, diplomacy, accountability and human rights. Maiava passed away on Saturday 22 August 2026, leaving behind a distinguished record of service to Samoa spanning several decades. Maiava was also known as Reverand Maiava [...] The post Maiava Iulai Toma Remembered for a Lifetime of Service to Samoa first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-26 01:56:39

Boy, 13 at the time, Stands Trial Over Alleged Rape of 13-year-old Girl with Intellectual Disability
A rape case is being heard before the Supreme Court of Samoa, where a young boy is accused of raping a girl with an intellectual disability in alleged incidents that occurred when the victim and the accused were both 13 years old. They are now both 16. The accused, now 16, faces one charge of [...] The post Boy, 13 at the time, Stands Trial Over Alleged Rape of 13-year-old Girl with Intellectual Disability first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-25 17:13:01

Mother in Pago calls Manu’a police to report that her daughter was in danger
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 10, 2026, police responded to a reported domestic disturbance in Ta’u, Manu’a, after a woman on Tutuila island reported that her daughter’s boyfriend had allegedly physically assaulted her daughter, threatened to kill her and later approached her family members while armed with a machete. The suspect, Sosaiete Fasavalu, was charged with: Count 1 & 2: Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not to exceed five years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 3: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both; and, Count 4: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the incident was initially reported at approximately 6:59 p.m. by a family member who contacted police from Pago Pago. She reported that her daughter had allegedly been assaulted and threatened at the family residence on Ta’u, Manu’a. The caller also informed police that two other family members living on the same property had sustained open wounds to their hands during an altercation involving Fasavalu and a machete. Police officers, assisted by Marine Patrol personnel, responded to the report using a police unit and a Marine Patrol vessel. Officers arrived at the residence at approximately 7:12 p.m. and began speaking with individuals present at the property. Police were met by a relative of the family, who reportedly told officers that Fasavalu and another family member had left the residence and that he did not know where they had gone. The relative then provided officers with information about what had allegedly occurred before police arrived. According to the report, several family members had gone to a nearby store earlier that evening. When they returned to the residence, they reportedly found the alleged victim crying. When the family members asked what had happened, the victim reportedly told them that Fasavalu had pushed her during an argument and threatened to get a machete and kill her. The situation allegedly escalated shortly afterward when the suspect approached the group while holding a machete. The relative told police that he asked Fasavalu what had happened, but instead of stopping, the suspect continued walking toward the group while holding the machete. Concerned about the situation, the relative reportedly struck Fasavalu in the mouth with a closed fist. The blow caused Fasavalu to fall to the ground, but according to the account provided to police, he continued to hold onto the machete. Two family members then reportedly attempted to remove the machete from Fasavalu's possession in an effort to prevent anyone from being injured. During the struggle, Fasavalu reportedly got back to his feet and attempted to swing the machete. The movement allegedly resulted in two individuals suffering cuts to their hands. One individual sustained an open cut to the left hand between the fingers, while another suffered an injury to the left hand. The family then requested police assistance because of the escalating situation and the injuries. Officers transported several individuals from the residence to the Ta’u Clinic for medical attention. Those who had sustained hand injuries were treated by medical personnel. While officers were dealing with the injured individuals, police continued searching for Fasavalu. Investigators later located him at a residence associated with his employment in Ta’u. He was detained and transported to the Ta’u Police Substation. The alleged victim was also transported to the station so officers could obtain additional information about the incident. When Fasavalu arrived at the substation, officers reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol on him. He was booked and placed in a holding cell while police awaited further instructions from the Department of Public Safety. The investigation continued with an interview of the alleged victim. According to her statement, she and Fasavalu had been drinking alcohol outside their residence earlier that evening. The situation reportedly changed after several family members left the property to go to the store. The woman told investigators that she and Fasavalu became involved in an argument. She alleged that Fasavalu became angry and jealous over the way he perceived her interactions with one of her male relatives. The argument reportedly escalated when Fasavalu allegedly pushed her to the ground. She further alleged that Fasavalu threatened to retrieve a machete and kill her. The victim also told police that the suspect had previously held a machete over her and made similar threats, indicating that the incident was allegedly not the first time she had experienced such behavior from him. In addition, the victim explained that when Fasavalu went to get the machete, other family members returned to the residence and found her crying. She told them what had reportedly happened before going inside the house because she was uncertain about what would happen next. When she later returned outside, she allegedly saw Fasavalu holding the machete while her sister and other relatives were attempting to take the weapon away from him. The investigation continued into the following day. On August 11, officers transported the individuals involved in the incident to the Ta’u Police Station as investigators continued gathering statements and documenting the circumstances surrounding the reported assault and machete incident. Investigators interviewed several of the individuals who had been present during the confrontation. Written statements were obtained from those involved. One individual who had reportedly confronted the suspect at the scene was advised of his constitutional rights before being questioned because investigators identified him as the initial person who confronted Fasavalu during the incident. Investigators also advised Fasavalu of his constitutional rights before conducting hisinterview. During questioning, Fasavalu reportedly stated that his anger had gotten the better of him. He also told investigators that he held onto the machete because he believed the woman's relatives were going to confront him in retaliation for what had occurred between him and the alleged victim. Fasavalu later provided investigators with a written statement regarding his account of the incident. The police report also noted that Fasavalu and the alleged victim had been in a relationship since March of this year. Although they lived on the same property, investigators noted that they occupied separate households on the property. The defendant is identified as a 39-year-old citizen of Samoa . The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 12, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-25 16:59:22

Tuilaepa’s New Defamation Case Adjourned to October as AG Finalises Charges
25 August 2026 Apia Samoa. Former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi will have to wait until October to enter a plea to four new charges of defamation and one charge of harassment using electronic communications relating to comments allegedly made about Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt. Tuilaepa’s [...] The post Tuilaepa’s New Defamation Case Adjourned to October as AG Finalises Charges first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-25 04:33:47

Peseta Noumea Simi Steps Down after 47 Years of Service to Samoa
25 August 2026, Apia Samoa. Peseta Noumea Simi has stepped down from her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) following a distinguished public service career that spans close to 47 years. Her journey in the public sector began in 1979 when she joined the Prime Minister’s Office. [...] The post Peseta Noumea Simi Steps Down after 47 Years of Service to Samoa first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-25 03:14:24

Faamavae le Ofisa Sili o le Matagaluega o le Va-i-Fafo ma Fefaataua’iga: Afioga Peseta Noumea Simi
O le aso ua faamautinoa mai ai e nisi o sui o le aufaigaluega a le Matagaluega o le Va-i-Fafo ma Fefaatauaiga (Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade) le faamavaega a le afioga i le Ofisa Sili, ia Peseta Noumea Simi, o se tasi o tamaalii ua lata i le 50 tausaga lana tautua i le [...] The post Faamavae le Ofisa Sili o le Matagaluega o le Va-i-Fafo ma Fefaataua’iga: Afioga Peseta Noumea Simi first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-25 02:43:53

TALA O LE VAIFANUA
[ata: foa'i] By Leua Aiono Frost HAYLIE JEANETTE TUAISOSOPO - AUAUNAGA OFISA FAIPULE KONEKERESI: Avatu le fa’amalo fa’ala’ua’itele a le afioga le Sui Faipule i le Konekeresi mai Amerika le Malo Tele, Uifa’atali Aumua Amata, ona o lana tautua a’o tu’ua fo’i a’oga, i le mamalu o le atunuu, mai lona Ofisa Fa’aitumalo i Amerika Samoa lava. Ona o lea o le a toe taliu o ia e fa’aauau ana a’oa’oga, o lea ua maua le avanoa lelei e fa’afetaia ai lana a’ua’unaga i ona tiute fai sa ia so’ota’ua’u ai ma nisi uma o le aufaigaluega sa latou galulue fa’atasi. Ua matauina fo’i e le aufaigaluega le maualuga o le ala na tautuaina ai e Haylie le atunuu sa autova’a atu mo ni fesoasoani ma ni fa’afesili. Ua iloga le soifua fa’aaloalo ma ma saunoa fo’i ma le fa’aaloalo o ia a’o tautuaina le atunuu. O se mea sili ona lelei ona o le talileleia fo’i e le mamalu lautele o lea alo o le atunuu ma lana auaunaga sa fa’atino. Ua iloga lava le maualuga fo’i o le tomai o lenei alo o le atunuu, ona o lona talileleia o nai o tatou tagata sa ia tautuaina. O le fa’afetai lea ua faafiafiaina ai fo’i le tatou Faipule i le Konekeresi, ona o lo’o ua aga’i i luma le tomai o fanau, i ala o lo’o mo’omia ai e le mamalu lautele ona tautuaina i latou. Taua ia te ia lona iloa lelei o ona tiute fa’atino, ma ua talileleia fo’i lana fesoasoani tele e le matou Ofisa fa’aitumalo i Amerika Samoa, o iina e tatau lava ina mautu lelei ala uma e fa’ao’o atu ai le tautua i tagata o lo’o tula’i le Tama’ita’i Faipule e suia i le Fonotele a le Konekeresi. E le’i fa’atamala Haylie i ona tiute fa’atino, o se tasi sa maufa’atuatuina e mafai ona ia faia le auaunaga sa tu’uina atu ia te ia e fa’atino. Na amata lana auaunaga ia Iuni, ma ia sa nafa ma sui uma e ulufale atu e mana’omia se fesoasoani. Ua aoga fo’i ia Haylie lona galue ai i le matou Ofisa Fa’aitumalo, ua ia silafia ai fo’i nisi o matou galuega e ao ina fa’atino mo sui uma o lo matou itumalo, e mea e ao ina faia i lea aso ma lea aso. E le gata i lea ae ua mafai fo’i ona malamalama ai o ia i le fa’atulagaga ma le tautuaina o le mamalu lautele ma ona polokalama fa’atulaga mai e le Feterale ina ia mautu ma sa’o lelei lona fa’atautaiga, i le va feutaga’i ma le US Department of State, IRS, ae maise o le talosagaina o Sitiseni Amerika, atoa ai ma le talosagaina o Tusi Folau. “Ua tele le aoga ia Haylie o lona faigaluega ai i le matou Ofisa, ae matauina, ua tele fo’i le aoga o ana galuega fa’atino sa faia mo i matou i aso sa matou galulue ai, ma ia lava!” O se tala fiafia lea a le tama’ita’i sa feagai tonu Haylie ma lana puipuiga malu. O se faamatalaga mai a Haylie i lana galuega mo lenei tu’uaga umi o a’oga, sa ia fa’ailoa ai, “Ona o lea sa ola a’e lava i Amerika Samoa, ua aoga tele ia te a’u lo’u tago lava e fai feuiuia’iga ma talosaga o mea na mo’omia e le mamalu o le atunu’u sa o’o mai e fia maua le fesoasoani, ona o lo’o tauavea ma mataupu e aoga mo feso’ota’iga o tautua lautele ma ala o feso’ota’iga eseese, o lea ua matua tele le aoga o lo’u galue ai i le Ofisa Fa’aitumalo o le tatou Faipule i le Konekeresi, ua ou tautuaina ai tagata, ma ua oo ai le tautua e ala e fa’atino ai mea o a’oa’oina i potua’oga.” “Ou te fa’afetaia ai lenei avanoa sa ou mauaina mai le Ofisa o le tatou Faipule Congresswoman Uifa’atali Aumua Amata, ona ua toina mo a’u le avanoa taua tele. Fa’afetai tele lava!” “Ua aoga tele lenei tu’uaga mo a’u ma la’u taumafaiga i le lumana’i o a’u a’oa’oga, aua o lea ua loloto atu lo’u iloa nai lo le faailoa mai i tusi, ae le faia le galuega feso’ota’i e fitoitonu ma le matou matafaioi!” Ua fa’afetaia fo’i e le Sui Faipule ma lana aufaigaluega le avanoa sa latou galulue ai fa’atasi ma Haylie Jeanette Tuiasosopo, aua ua fa’asoa atu fo’i lona iloa fa’aonapo nei i ala o feso’ota’iga mautu, mo i latou sa latou galulue fa’atasi ai i le Ofisa fa’aitumalo i le Tedi of Samoa, Fagatogo Square! SPC MALUAFOU-MORGAN, CAROL – FA’AE’E TOFIGA FOU 2LT ‘CHEMICAL OFFICER’ Talu mai le aso 7 Aokuso 2026, ua mae’a ai ona avea aloa’ia lenei alo o le atunuu, 2LT Maluafou Carol ma Lutena o e latou te fautuaina le vaega au ina ia taumamao mai le fa’aaogaina o mea tau e ono a’afia ai le si’omaga ma le soifua lautele o tagata. O lona tofiga sa tautua ai muamua i le USArmy, o lona tofiga Sgt First Class [SFC] ma sa faatautaia lea sauniga mamalu i Maneuver Center of Excellence [MCoE] i Fort Benning Georgia. O nisi o sui mamalu sa auai mo lea sauniga e fa’apine ai lenei alo o Amerika Samoa sa aofia ai SFC John Morgan, le to’alua o Carol, CW4 Luis Vargas, CW3 Ret. David Fletcher, SFC Zeke Nelson, Aunt Mary & Uncle Steve, Denise & Ricky Nelson & Ketzzy Vargas. Na mua’i atofaina lona faailoga lenei ia Ianuari 1, 2026, ae na taumafai mai ona fa’atulaga le sauniga e aloa’ia ai ia Ianuari 11, 2026. O le nofoaga e faigaluega mai ai o ia o North Houston Army Reserve Center, Houston Texas. O ona tiute fa’atino WO1 Wright & 1SG Solis. O nisi o lona aiga, sa auai ua aofia ai lona to’alua pele o SFC John Morgan, o lona tuagane o Kilifi Maluafou & Audrey Maluafou o lona tuagane ma lona to’alua ma le la’ua tama o Isaac Maluafou. I le taimi nei o lo’o tiute o ia I Houston Texas, peita’i ua fa’atulagaina, o Oketopa 1, 2026 o le a siitia ai lana auaunaga i Fort Shafter i Honolulu Hawaii. O ona matua, o le tina o Sesilia Maluafou ma si ona tama o Neemia Apisaloma Maluafou, ua mapu mai i ti’asa. O leTama’ita’i Lutena o se sui totino o le Autalavou a Ierusalema Fou o le Ekalesia Fa’apotopoga Kerisiano i Samoa, i Petesa, lea o lo’o avea ai le Susuga le Fa’afeagaiga Rev, Alapi Eti ma le Faletua Teuila Eti ma latou matua fa’aleagaga. O sana fa’amalosi ua ofoina mai mo nisi o lo’o tausinio ina ia maua ni galuega e aoga ai o latou olaga talavou, e tautua ai e sailia ai le tamaoaiga tausi mo tatou aiga, Ekalesia ma tatou nuu, ae maise o se toe tali atu i le moomia o le tausiga o nai o tatou matua! O sana fa’asoa mai, “O le vaega ‘au ua le na’o se galuega, ae o se alavai e te utuvai ai mo sou lava manauia, mo lou lumana’i, ia fa’aaoga tatau penefiti uma ua maua mai i le vaega au, e totogia ai a’oa’oga maualuluga, mo oe lava, a’o e tiute, aoga tele fo’i i le a’otauina o i tatou ina ia avea ma ta’ita’i lelei.” “I le tele o taimi o lenei auaunaga i le vaega au, e matele ina u’una’ia ai avanoa e fa’aleleia atilli ai lou lava tagata, i tomai eseese, aua e fa’amalosia lou tagata i lu’iga e tele, ia le faatuai ona fa’atino ou faiva, ia tumau lou naunau e faatino ou tiute tusa pe ua tiga le tino maile tele o koleniga.” “O le tino malosi e mo’omia, ma e oo fo’i i le mafaufau ua kolenia e faia fa’ai’uga lelei, e ono suia ai le tele o mea o o’otia ai le loto, o le ala lea e fa’amautu atili ai le tulaga lelei o lau ta’ita’iga o nisi ina ia sofa’i pea ma aga’i i luma le taumafaiga, aua lava ne’i malolo i le fa’avaivai, ae ia tu ma fa’ataututu i fa’afitauli!” “O lona uiga e u’una’ia malosi fitafita uma ina ia autasi i le fa’amoemoe e malo ai, ae le o le fetoa’i aua e le maua ai se mea lelei, ae na’o le fa’avaivai. A’o e auai i le vaega au, fa’aaoga uma a’oa’oga lelei, e atina’e ai lou tagata, ia mautu atili lou fa’amoemoe e fa’aleleia oe e tapena ai mo nisi auaunaga e sili atu nai lo le vaega au.” “Fa’aaoga lau penefiti mo le totogia o lau a’oga, saili ai sou fa’ailoga maualuga a’o e tautua, e tele fo’i tulaga e si’itia pe afai e te agava’a i ni fa’ailoga maualuluga. O le si’itia lava fo’i o lou tulaga e te aga’i atu i ai, pe a o’o ina lelei lava lau taumafaiga i au a’oa’oga, ae totogia e le vaega au a’u a’oa’oga.” “O le isi mea ua matele ina ta’atele i tatou fitafita talavou mai Samoa ma Tonga, ua latou va’ai i le tulaga o ma’i e avea ma alofaga mai tiute. Ua manatu ina ia faia le vala’au ua fa’anoi ma’i, ae ua iloga ai le vaivai, ia tausia lelei lou tino, ia malosi lelei oe i au koleniga. A malosi lou tino, o le lelei fo’i lena o le fa’atinoga o ou tiute! E le gata i lea, ae ua leleia ai fo’i ma le fa’atinoga o ou faiva e puipuia ai isi uma o tou tiute fa’atasi.” “Aua ne’i galo le vaega a le Atua le Tama i lou olaga, o le fa’avae lea o tatou olaga na ola a’e ai i totonu o tatou aiga, le mafutaga vavalalata ma le Atua e ona mea uma, o le malosi ma le ola o tatou maua, ia fa’afoi ia te ia le fa’afetai ma lona vi’iga!” Ia mautinoa o lo ua fa’afiafiaina oe i mea fa’atauva’a, itiiti pe tele ae ia le omia ai le lagona. I le tele o taimi e mafai ona e fa’apea, ua tele na’ua mea e mo’omia e le Militeri, ona avea lea ma mea e te augata ai.” “O le tele o mea e omia ai lagona ma le a’ua’u ai lau fa’alogo i ona lagona. Ia to’afilemu lou loto ma fa’asoa lelei ou lagona i so’o se mea, ua fa’atulaga au sini i lea mea e ao ina e ausia, ia fuafua tatau ma lou malosi. Tatalo i le Atua mo lana fa’amalosiga i lou agaga ma lou loto. Fa’afetai i le Atua i so’o se taumafaiga ua mafai ona e ausia. O le isi lena fa’amalosiga e toe fa’aosofia ai se isi amataga fou.” “Mata’i ou autafa, va’ai patino poo le isi se mea e te fia mana’o e lu’ia ai lou tagata e te fia ausia, e mautinoa e le faigofie, ae tuu i ai lou mafaufau ma lou loto, e le mafai ona e le ‘ausia.” Fa’afetai mo i latou o lo’o fai ma aumea mamae, i latou o lo’o fa’amalosi’au ia te oe i lau folauga. Ia e fa’amasani ma le Atua e te manuia ai.E te le o to’atasi i lau savaliga, mafaufau i le tapua’iga a nai ou matua ma aiga! O se mea sili e te faia e ta’uleleia ai i latou o fa’amuli mai i o tatou aiga. E pei ona a’otauina i tatou i le vaega au, ua e naunau e aga’i i luma mea uma e te faia! O mea uma o feagai ma oe, e te gafataulimaina!” “O le toe fesili, sa fesiligia ai lenei tama’ita’i Lutena, pe a fa’afaigata mea uma i la le tino, o le a se mea e te faia e toe fa’afouina ai lou lagona e te gafatia so’o se fa’afitauli?” O lana tali na fa’ailoa mai, “A oo ina to to tetele fa’afitauli ma ua fa’afaigata ona fa’atini se fa’amoemoe, e na’o Le Atua lava le tali! Pe a tu ma toe tepa i le amataga, e le’i i ai se faigofie, peita’i, ou te matua fa’afetaia le Atua i lona fa’amaoni! I lona tali mai i le taumafaiga, ua maua ai lenei manuia!” Section: Le Lali
2026-08-24 20:11:49

American Samoa Bar Association announces 2026-27 Legal Education Scholarship
Source: ASBA Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Bar Association is pleased to announce the opportunity to apply for 2026-2027 ASBA Legal Education Scholarship. If you graduated from an American Samoa high school or have personal ties to American Samoa, you may be eligible to receive a scholarship from the American Samoa Bar Association. The ASBA Legal Education Scholarship is for those who are currently enrolled as a law student in good standing at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Scholarship application materials must be received no later than 4 p.m. (AS Time) on September 25, 2026. To apply for the ASBA Legal Education Scholarship, please submit a resume and cover letter that includes the following information: 1. The name of your high school and year of graduation. (If you did not graduate from an American Samoa high school, please describe your personal ties to American Samoa.) 2. The names of the colleges and universities that you attended, degrees attained, major courses of study, graduation date, honors, and grade point average at graduation. Please attach your college/ university transcripts. 3. The name of the law school that you are presently enrolled in. If you are entering your first year of study, please provide written evidence of enrollment. If you are a current/ returning student, please provide your year of study, honors, and current grade point average. Please also attach a copy of your most recent law school transcripts if you are a current/ returning law student. 4. Description of your academic background, work experience, and extra-curricular activities. 5. A brief description of your law-related goals and plans for the future. Please submit scholarship application materials to the ASBA Executive Committee via email to bernadine@meredithsunia.com no later than 4 p.m. AS time on September 25, 2026. Please include the name of the scholarship and your name in the subject line. Section: Local News Tags: AMERICAN SAMOA BAR ASSOCIATION
2026-08-24 17:49:15

Father reports alleged sexual assault of his two daughters ages 10 and 12
Little girls report inappropriate touching By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 30, 2026, a concerned father walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported an alleged sexual assault matter involving two of his daughters ages 10 and 12. The suspect when interviewed by police confirmed what the two young girls said he did. The suspect was larrested and charged with: Count 1, 2, & 3: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 4: False Imprisonment, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up t0 one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both; Count 5: Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than $5,000, or both; and, Count 6: Attempted Rape, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than seven years, a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identities of the victims who are minors in this case.) According to the court affidavit, the father of the victims walked into the TPS at approximately 6:15 p.m and reported a possible sexual assault involving his two daughters ages 10 and 12. Local authorities were dispatched to the alleged victims’ home and upon arrival they were directed towards where they were. Both girls were taken and interviewed separately at the TPS where they both identified the suspect. Investigators first met with victim #1, a 12-year old female, and interviewed her in the presence of her father. According to victim #1, earlier in the day at around 2 p.m., she and her little brother went over to their aunt’s house not far from their house to play with their friends. Upon entering their aunt’s house, she saw the suspect sleeping on the kitchen table. She explained that the suspect woke up when he heard her calling her brother’s name. Later on, the suspect instructed her little brother to go and play with his friends outside. The victim stated that she asked her brother to stay with her but the suspect repeatedly tried to send him out and make her stay. Moreover, the victim stated that when her little brother left, the suspect walked toward her while she was in the kitchen and grabbed her wrist attempting to drag her into her aunt’s bedroom. She continued to explain that the suspect’s first attempt failed because she managed to pull her hand back. The suspect then grabbed her wrist and again and she remembered being scared that she screamed out loud. Her brother then heard her and ran back into the house to see what was happening and she was able to run outside of the house. Victim #2 — a 10-year-old girl — was also interviewed with her father present and verbally stated that she was walking towards her aunt’s house when the suspect called out to her and asked her where she was going. She told the suspect that she was on her way to her aunt’s house and the suspect called out for her to wait for him to walk with her. Furthermore, when they got to her aunt’s house, the suspect instructed her to go into the bathroom. She walked into the bathroom and washed her hands. She then noticed the suspect following her into the bathroom and he locked the door behind him. The minor told the officers that the suspect rubbed his hands slightly on her cheeks which made her feel uncomfortable. She stepped back to avoid contact with the suspect but he kissed her on the cheek instead. Victim # 2 also told investigators that she figured that the suspect was trying to ‘force’ her and she attempted to push him away and tried to exit the bathroom. She said she tried twice but the suspect barricaded the door with his body and that’s when he touched her inappropriately. She reacted by shoving him away from the door and finally being able to exit the bathroom. When she got outside of the bathroom, the victim stated that she told the suspect that she was going to tell her father about what he did to her. The victim stated that she was so upset; and, then she went and joined the other kids playing in the yard. On July 31, 2026, at about 2:32 p.m., the suspect was brought into the TPS being a victim of an assault. The officers made contact with the suspect and Mirandized him. The suspect waived his rights and stated that he wished to make a statement and answer questions. According to the suspect, he was woken by victim #1 and her little brother when they entered the house. He explained that the little brother then left and he followed victim #1 and tried to take her to their aunt’s bedroom. He admitted that he grabbed the victim and attempted to push her into their aunt’s room but the victim pushed his arm away. The suspect added that during his third attempt, he leaned forward and tried to wrap his arms around the victim but the victim screamed out loud. The suspect explained that “he was startled and worried that he might get caught by the kids outside so he held back from pursuing the victim when she ran outside of the house.” Furthermore, the suspect also admitted that he was hanging out by the tree and he saw victim #2 walking towards the aunt’s house. He then called out to her to wait for him. When they arrived at the house, he guided the 10 year-old to the back of the house and told her to go to the bathroom. He continued that once they entered the bathroom, he used his body to block the door so the victim was not able to exit. He then essentially echoed what victim #2 told police during her interview about he did in the bathroom, including inappropriately touching her. The suspect stated that the victim was able to shove him aside and escape. The suspect also mentioned that victim #2 told him after she got out of the bathroom that she was going to tell her father about what happened. The suspect was further questioned regarding his intention prior to these incidents and he replied that he intended to take victim #1 into the aunt’s bedroom and perform sexual intercourse on the aunt’s bed. In addition, he also admitted that he intended to lure victim #2 so he could have sexual intercourse with her on the bathroom floor. During the interview, the investigators noticed the suspect’s demeanor with his slurred speech, rapid jerking of the eyes, sweatiness and overall appearance of being nervous. The suspect was booked for 48 hours and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to await his court appearance. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 03, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-24 17:42:39

Man caught in burglary also wanted for allegedly assaulting his pregnant wife
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 7, 2026, a concerned citizen contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported a domestic dispute that allegedly led to the assault of a pregnant woman by her husband. The suspect was later arrested for assaulting his wife, after he was caught in a separate burglary incident at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC). The suspect was charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up t0 one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld the names of those involved to protect the identities of the minors in this case.) According to the court records, police received a report at approximately 10:45 a.m. regarding an alleged assault at a residence in Mapusaga. The caller reportedly informed police that the suspect had assaulted his wife (victim #1)before leaving the residence in a vehicle. Local authorities responded to the residence to investigate the matter and upon arrival, they observed an elderly woman exiting the residence and walking toward them. The woman appeared frightened and visibly distressed. Police interviewed the woman (later identified as victim #2), who told officers that she was present during the alleged assault. According to her statement, the suspect went to the bedroom where his wife, who was nine months pregnant, and their one-year-old daughter were sleeping. Victim #2 stated that victim #1 did not immediately open the door because she and the child were asleep. However, when victim #1 eventually opened the bedroom door, the suspect allegedly approached her and slapped her in the face.The force of the alleged assault reportedly caused victim #1 to lose her balance and fall backward hitting the her side against the corner of a window frame. Victim #2 stated that she attempted to intervene and hold the suspect back from victim #1, but, the suspect turned towards her and allegedly attempted to slap her as well, although no contact was made. Victim #2 continued that the couple's one-year-old child was present in the room and roaming around while the alleged assault was taking place. She also told police that victim #1 is mute and communicates using sign language. Court documents state that victim #2 exited the house to meet up with police officers. It reports that she appeared visibly shaken, frightened, and distressed; and, was allegedly crying when officers spoke with her, outside the house. Officers asked if she needed medical assistance, in which she responded using sign language that was interpreted for her to officers by her sister. She allegedly replied that she was okay did not need medical help. Her interview continued with the help of her sister — interpreting the sign language. Victim #1 allegedly told police that the suspect assaulted her inside their bedroom, while their one-year-old child was present. He reportedly slapped her approximately four times on her cheek, causing her to fall backward and striking her lower back waist area against the wooden window sill and window. The victim also reportedly told officers that the Aug. 7 incident was not the first time she had allegedly been assaulted by the suspect. Photos were taken of the room. Police advised her to seek medical attention and visit the hospital for a checkup, particularly in light of her pregnancy and the injuries she reportedly sustained during the incident. After securing the scene, officers left the residence at approximately 11:45 a.m. SEPARATE INCIDENT AT ASCC At around 10:50 a.m. police who were at the domestic incident, also received a report from the ASCC concerning two male individuals who were allegedly trespassing on the ASCC campus and in the process of taking property owned by the college. According to the report, police responded to the ASCC call at approximately 11:50 a.m. Upon arriving at the college, officers reportedly identified the same man from the earlier domestic violence investigation as one of the individuals involved in the ASCC incident. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the TPS at approximately 12:15 p.m. Court documents state that the suspect was placed in the station lobby while officers attempted to advise him of his constitutional rights. The suspect, who also communicates through sign language, reportedly indicated that he did not understand what was being communicated to him. Police then brought in a family member, who was also involved in the separate ASCC matter, to assist with interpreting the suspect's constitutional rights through sign language. After his rights were interpreted, the suspect acknowledged them and indicated that he did not wish to make a statement to police. The suspect was later booked and processed at the TPS and then transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he was held pending further court proceedings. The government is expected to also proceed with charges related to the alleged ASCC incident, but currently has only filed charges concerning the domestic violence issue. The defendant is identified as a 30-year-old citizen of Fiji. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 10, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-24 17:38:04

ASCC expresses condolences at the passing of Cherylmoanamarie Ripley
By ASCC Staff Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Community College has joined the family and friends of Ms. Cherylmoanamarie “Cherie” Ripley in mourning her passing earlier this month. Until her retirement in 2024, Ms. Ripley contributed decades of service to the College, and was recognized by many as one of the pillars of its day-to-day operations. She was by far the most experienced of the College’s administrative staff, and is remembered for her in-depth knowledge and congenial personality. Ms. Ripley’s tenure with ASCC dates all the way back to 1977, when she took the position of Secretary to the President. After three years with the Office of the President, Ms. Ripley transitioned to another secretarial role with the Instructional Support Division, under which she also served as an Administrative Assistant and Computer Lab monitor. In 1985 she joined the College’s Adult Education Department, once again as an Administrative Assistant, a title she took with her in her next transition to the Office of the Dean of Instruction in 1997. In 2003, Ms. Ripley joined the Institutional Affairs Division as its Website Administrator, serving until she became Special Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs four years later. Ms. Ripley remained with the Division of Academic Affairs until her retirement in 2024. ASCC Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Siamaua Ropeti, with whom Ms. Ripley spent her final years at the College, still expresses appreciation for her expertise. “As my special assistant”, recalled Dean Ropeti, “Cherie faithfully executed her role in all capacities, encompassing responsibilities such as initiating contracts, submitting time sheets and memos on behalf of the Division, doing waivers, assisting with graduation, preparation for Orientation and so much more. “Even after she retired, she continued to visit ASCC and mingle with her friends and colleagues until she was no longer able to do so. We still feel her presence, and take inspiration from her selfless dedication, her tautua to any fa'alavelave involving ASCC employees, and her commitment to order, instruction and quality service. “To people who knew her, she was the epitome of professionalism. Our office considered her the elder sister, the advisor, and the glue that held the Division of Academic Affairs Office together. She will never be forgotten.” Looking back on her decades with ASCC, as she prepared to retire, Ms. Ripley wrote in a 2024 letter to then-President Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato, “I will be tossing in the towel from my post as ASCC Special Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Academic Affairs. I will be leaving the Halls of Ivy of the American Samoa Community College after almost 50 years of dedication and returning to Sogi, Leone, Fofo County to focus wholeheartedly on my Ripley family, my village of Leone functions, and Siona Le Mauga Pa’ia Congregational Christian Church of Leone until I am called home to serve our Heavenly Father.” Ms. Ripley received that call in August 2026, bringing full circle a career during which she played a vital supporting role in the evolution of ASCC. The administration, faculty and staff of the College offer their most sincere condolences to the Ripley family, and in the words of Interim President Sonny J. Leomiti, “Those of us who knew Cherie, and that is practically all of us, will always remember her with great fondness.” [Editor’s Note: Samoa News offers its sincere condolences to Cherie’s family at her passing. She was a friend from days we all began by respecting the journey we each chose to take, the road traveled. While, we did not always stay in contact, whenever met, we greeted each other with a smile full of grace, acknowledging respect for our choices. Manuia lou malaga Cherie — may God’s blessings be yours.] Section: Local News Tags: Cherie
2026-08-24 17:25:32

Amata urges environmental impact study of DSM extraction
Again, expresses concerns to Secretary Burgum Source: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata has urged Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to conduct an environmental impact study to determine “how an at scale deep-sea mineral extraction operation will affect the ocean ecosystem around American Samoa.” In calling for the environmental impact study, she also once again formally expressed her concerns. “I am writing to express concerns over the proposed mineral lease sale in the waters near the American Samoa continental shelf,” she said, noting her letter in July of 2 025 in which she stated that she “cannot support this proposal.” She complimented the Department’s efforts at transparency through reports, letters, presentations, and hearings on this issue, before stating her main reason for concern: “Unfortunately, many of my constituents and I remain unconvinced that the material benefits of deep-sea mining are going to outweigh the risks that it will cause to the waters around American Samoa. This concern is strongly embedded in our culture; neither Samoans nor the United States are the true owners of that water, but merely the stewards of it for generations to come.” She then issued a call for the environmental impact study. “Therefore, I ask that the Department of Interior, in conjunction with NOAA and/or the EPA conduct an environmental impact study on how an at scale deep-sea mineral extraction operation will affect the ocean ecosystem around American Samoa.” She further requested that if a study needs to wait until receipt of final proposals from the potential lessees, then “a public statement from your office that a sale will not move forward without strong environmental protections and oversight would go a long way in strengthening public trust.” She closed with a request that the voice of the people should be heard and this reminder: “The care of our ocean remains deeply emotional and spiritual issue for my people.” In addition to Secretary Burgum, Amata’s letter is copied to Matthew Giacona, Acting Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM); The Honorable Dr. Neil Jabobs, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator; and The Honorable Pulaali’i Nikalao Pula, Governor of American Samoa. Section: Local News Tags: deep sea minerals
2026-08-24 17:11:32

Four Manu Samoa 7s Internationals Crowned RugbyTown 7s Champions in Colorado
Four Manu Samoa 7s internationals — Uaina Sione, Johnny Vaili, Dan Patelesio and Paul Scanlan — have helped Tsunami Rugby claim the RugbyTown 7s Cup in Glendale, Colorado. The Samoan quartet were part of the Tsunami Rugby side which included Joe Mano (USA Eagles international) that emerged as champions of the prestigious tournament at Infinity [...] The post Four Manu Samoa 7s Internationals Crowned RugbyTown 7s Champions in Colorado first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-24 02:06:56

Mo’unga Makes All Blacks Return After Two-Year Absence
Richie Mo’unga will make his return to the All Blacks on Wednesday morning, more than two years after his last Test appearance in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. The 56-test first-five has been named to start against the British & Irish Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg after joining the All Blacks squad earlier [...] The post Mo’unga Makes All Blacks Return After Two-Year Absence first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-24 01:17:43

Today in history 24 August 1814 British Burn Down Washington D.C. ...
Today in history On August 24, 1814, British troops led by Major General Robert Ross, accompanied by Rear Admiral George Cockburn, attacked the capital city with a force of 4,500 “battle hardened” men.[18][19] The plan to attack Washington had been formulated by Rear Admiral Cockburn, who predicted that “within a short period of time, with enough [...] The post Today in history 24 August 1814 British Burn Down Washington D.C. ... first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-23 21:52:40

All Blacks Stun Springboks to End 12-Match Winning Streak
New Zealand outscored hosts South Africa ‌five tries to one to win the first Test 33-16 at Ellis Park on Saturday and go one-up ‌in the four-match series. The Boks led 13-12 at half-time, but New Zealand took over in the second half to close it out and end South Africa’s unbeaten streak. The All [...] The post All Blacks Stun Springboks to End 12-Match Winning Streak first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-22 21:10:20

Loka ni alii se to’alua ona o se fusuaga ma nisi o le aumaga a Vailoa
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA O le afiafi o Aperila 21, 2026, na tupu ai se faalavelave i le afioaga o Vailoa, a’o faia le sa o le afiafi a le nu’u, ma ua molia ai nei Risati Mapu ma William Manning, i le Faatupu Vevesi ma le Fa’ao’olima. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, sa fa’afeso’ota’i e se tamaitai ia le Ofisa a Leoleo i Leone, ona o se fusuaga na tupu i luma o le faleoloa a Samu, i le afioaga o Vailoa. E le’i umi ona valaau atu le tamaitai, ae toe o’o atu foi seisi valaau, i le ofisa a leoleo, e tusa ai ma le faalavelave lava e tasi, ae sa ta’ua i le valaau lona lua, ia suafa o i la’ua na molia, o Risati Mapu ma William Manning, po o ‘B-Boy’, o lona igoa valaau lea. Ina ua taunu’u leoleo, i le nofoaga na tupu ai le faalavelave, sa muamua ona o latou talanoa ma i latou na iai ma sa fa’ailoa iai e tagata o le nu’u, ua tu’ua e i la’ua na molia, ia le nofoaga na tupu ai le misa. O le aso na soso’o ai, na o’o atu ai ni alii se to’alua, sa a’afia i le fusuaga, i le ofisa a leoleo, i Leone mo le faia o a la faamatalaga, e tusa ai ma le fa’alavelave na tupu. E tusa ai ma ripoti a leoleo, sa o latou maitauina ia le fula ma le uno’oa o le mata tauagavale, o le tasi o alii na a’afia, faapea ni manu’a i ona tuli ma lima. Ae o leisi, sa na’o ni nai ma’osia, i ona foliga ma lona tuli taumatau. Sa vala’auina e leoleo ia le vaega a le EMS, ina ia mafai ona siaki ia nei alii. I le faamatalaga a se tasi o alii na a’afia, o le fa’ato’a manava mai ma auai atu i le leoleoga o le Sa, sa savalivali atu ai i le auala, i tafatafa o le faleoloa a Samu, lea e i leisi itu auala o le aoga maualuga a Leone, ae ona va’aia se taavale o paka i tafatafa o le alatele. Sa ta’ua e le na a’afia, ia lona savali atu i le taavale, ma faatonuina Risati (le na molia), e fa’atu ai iina le la taavale, ona o lea o le a ta le Sa. Ae peitai, e ta le sa, ae va’aia ia Risati (le na molia), o savalivali atu ma ni isi, i luga o le auala, e pei e leai se sa o faia. O le mae’a o le Sa, na toe savali atu ai le na a’afia, ma toe fa’amanatu atu ia Risati (le na molia), ia tulafono o le sa a le nu’u. Ae fesili mai Risati (le na molia), po o le a le mea o manao iai ia le na a’afia. Sa faapea ona amata ai se finauga, i le va o alii e to’alua. Na ta’ua foi i le ripoti a leoleo, ia le oso atu o William (le na molia) ma taumafai e tu’u’ese’ese ia Risati (le na molia) ma le alii sa a’afia. Peitai, na ta’ua e le alii na a’afia, ia le tu’i mai o ia, e Risati (le na molia) ma ia pa’u ai i lalo, i luga o le auala. Sa ta’ua foi e le na a’afia, ia le fa’aaogaina e Risati (le na molia), ia se ‘spanner’, e ta ai lona mata tauagavale. Ae na mafai ona toe tu i luga, ma savali atu i le faleoloa, lea sa iai lona uso, ae na mulimuli atu ai ia Risati (le na molia) ma fa’aauau ona taumafai e fasi o ia, faapea ma le palauvale atu ia te ia. Sa faamatala e le alii lona lua, na a’afia, ia lona taumafai e fautuaina ia Risati (le na molia), e soia, peitai, na oso atu ia William (le na molia) ma taumafai e una’i ese o ia, lea na mafua ai ona manu’a lona tuli. Na fa’ailoa atu foi e le alii lona lua, na a’afia, e foliga mai sa fa’asua’ava ia Risati (le na molia), i le taimi na tupu ai le faalavelave, ma sa ia u’uina i lona lima, ia se apa pia. I le aso 23 o Aperila, sa fa’aauau ai su’esu’ega a leoleo, e ala i le sailia o ni molimau, i le faalavelave na tupu. E le gata i lea, sa faatalanoaina e leoleo ia le tagata lea na valaau atu lona lua, i le ofisa a leoleo, i le aso na tupu ai le faalavelave, mo sana faamatalaga tu’u gutu ma tusitusia. E tusa ai ma le faamatalaga a le tagata lea na valaau lona lua atu i le ofisa a leoleo, i le aso na tupu ai le faalavelave, na alu e piki mai tagata o le aulotu mo ni a latou a’oga mea, ae sa taofia o ia i tafatafa o le a’oga maualuga a Leone, ina ua ta le sa. A’o ia nofonofo ai i lea eria, e faatalitali le mae’a o le sa, sa ia va’aia ai ni alii se to’alua, o tu tu, i tafatafa o se taavale. O se tasi o alii, sa u’uina ia se apa pia, ma e foliga mai, o lo’o faia talanoaga a nei, e pei e leai se sa o faia. Na ta’ua e le na valaau i le ofisa a leoleo, ia lona va’aia o se tasi o le aumaga, o agai atu i nei alii, ma fautuaina i latou, e tusa ai ma le sa. Ae peitai, sa foliga mai, na le fiafia ai ia Risati (le na molia) ma ia ave’ese ai lona mitiafu, ma olioli atu i le aumaga. Sa faamatala atili e le mmolimau, ia le palauvale o Risati (le na molia), i le aumaga ma mau o Risati (le na molia), i se tasi o le aumaga, ma pa’u ai le aumaga ma tau ona foliga, i luga o le auala. Ona oso atu lea o le alii lona lua, na a’afia, i le taumafai e taofiofi le misa, ae na toe savali atu ia Risati (le na molia) ma tu’i ma pa’u ai i lalo ia le alii lona lua, i luma o le faleoloa. O moliaga na molia ai ia Risati Mapu ma William Manning, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1: Fa’atupu Vevesi i nofoagai faitele – O se vaega ‘E’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le ono masina, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $500; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 2: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu – O se vaega ‘A’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le tasi tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $1,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Na lokaina ia Risati Mapu ma Wililam Manning, e aunoa ma se tinoitupe fa’atulagaina, e mafai ona toe tatalaina ai i tua, a’o fa’agasolo o la faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-22 08:21:49

Vala’au e se aiga ia leoleo ina ua fa’alala atu e se tasi o le aiga ia le fasiotia o i latou
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA O le aso 5 o Aukuso, 2026, na agai atu leoleo, i le fale o se aiga, i Nu’uuli, ina ua maua mai ai se ripoti, i se tasi o tamaitai o le aiga, ua nofo ma fa’amata’u tagata o le aiga, i le fasiotia o i latou, ma le fa’aaogaina o se agaese. Na ave faapagotaina ma molia ia le tamaitai o Racey Ma’ai, i le Faatupu Vevesi i nofoaga tuma’oti (sauaga i totonu o le aiga), o se vaega ‘I’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Na lokaina ia le na molia, e aunoa ma se tinoitupe fa’atulagaina, mo le toe tatalaina i tua, a’o fa’agasolo lona faamasinoga. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, ina ua taunu’u leoleo, i le fale o le aiga na tupu ai le faalavelave, sa o latou lagonaina ia le vevesi mai o totonu o le fale. Sa ulufale atu leoleo, i le fale ma na fa’ailoa mai iai e le aiga, ia le mea o iai ia le na molia. Na agai atu loa iai leoleo, ma lokaina mai o ia, ma tu’u i totonu o le taavale leoleo. Na ta’ua e leoleo i totonu o le latou ripoti, ia le fa’afitauli o Racey (le na molia), i le taimi sa taumafai ai leoleo e lokaina mai o ia, ma lona palauvale i leoleo. Ina ua mae’a ona tu’u ia le na molia, i totonu o le taavale leoleo, sa liliu atu loa sui malu o le malo, e fa’atalanoa le aiga. Ma e tusa ai ma le faamatalaga a le uso, a le na molia, na amata mai le latou mataupu, i lena taeao, ina ua palauvale Racey (le na molia), i le latou tina. Ma sa taumafai le tama o le aiga, e fa’afilemu le mataupu, ae peitai, sa le usita’i Racey (le na molia), i faatonuga a lona tama, e fa’aaloalo i lona tina, ma fa’aauau ai ona ‘e’e atu i isi tagata o le aiga. I le aoauli o lea aso, na toe tupu ai leisi faalavelave, ina ua manava atu le tuagane a matua a Racey (le na molia), ma ona maua faamatalaga, i le faalavelave na tupu. Ina ua fesiligia e le tuagane matua ia Racey (le na molia), e tusa ai ma lana mea sa faia i lea taeao. Ae oso le ita o le na molia, ma amata ona toe ‘e’e ma leotele i tagata o lona aiga. O iina lea sa fa’alala ai e le na molia, ia lona fasiotia o lona uso, tuagane ma le latou tama, ma le fa’aaogaina o se agaese e fasioti ai latou. Ma vala’au ai loa e le aiga, ia leoleo. Na fa’ailoa atu e le tuagane ma le uso a le na molia, i leoleo, e faapea, e le o se taimi muamua lea ua fa’aalia ai ni uiga faapea, e le na molia. Ina ua aveina e leoleo ia le na molia, i le ofisa a leoleo, ma fa’atalanoaina, sa faamatala e Racey (le na molia), e faapea, na mafua ona ita, ona ua manava atu lona tuagane, ma fa’aleagaina lona filemu, e ala i le fesiligia o ia, i le faalavelave na tupu i le taeao. Ma na ta’ua foi e Racey (le na molia), ia le fa’ao’olima o lona tuagane ia te ia. E ui ina sa fa’amaonia e le na molia, ia lona lafoina o ni faamatalaga tau fa’amata’u, peitai, sa ia ta’ua, ua na’o ni faamatalaga taufa’afefe, ae e na te le faia. O le aso 6 o Aukuso, na o’o atu ai lenei mataupu, i luma o le faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-22 08:13:54

TALA O LE LOTOIFALE
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA TOE TOLOPO FONO MO LE FANUA I ATU’U INA UA NA’O LE LIMA MATAI NA AUAI O le aso Toonai lona lua o Setema, lea ua toe tolopoina iai le fonotaga sa fuafuaina, e faataunu’u i le aso Faraile o le vaiaso ua tuanai, i le Ofisa o Mataupu tau Samoa, mo le soalaupuleina o le fanua i Atunu’u, ina ua na’o le to’alima ni matai na mafai ona auai atu. Mai i nei matai e to’alima, e to’atolu o afioga i Senatoa mai Manu’a – le afioga Ma’o Faauma Gogo, le afioga Tuialu’ulu’u Vaimili Tuialu’ulu’u ma le afioga Misaalefua Hudson – ma na fautuaina ai le toe tolopoina o le fonotaga. Sa fa’apea ona ‘auai le afioga i le Kovana o le Itumalo a Manu’a, ia Poumele Apisa Galeai, lea sa ta’ita’ifono i le fontaga, e toe tolopo le fonotaga, ae sa ia fa’ailoa atu i le laulauafono, o ia o lo’o fuafua e faimalaga i Niu Sila, i le aso Gafua, mo ana talavai, ae toe taliu mai i le amataga o Setema. I se fa’atalanoaga ma le afioga Poumele, na fa’aalia ai e le taitaifono, ia le tatau ona auai o To’oto’o o Manu’a, aua o i latou ia e faia faaiuga mo latou aiga potopoto. Ma na fa’amamafaina e Poumele, ia le taua o lenei mataupu ma e mana’omia uma Fa’atui ma To’oto’o, ina ia mafai ona fa’amautuina ia le malilie uma o itu, ma tapunia ai loa lenei mataupu. E to’a 40 matai ma tagatanu’u o Manu’a, sa auai i le uluai fonotaga lea sa faia i le amataga o le masina. Ma na ta’ape ma se maliliega, o le a toe fono i le aso Faraile o le vaiaso ua tuanai ma o le ‘auai mai taitai o Manu’a, ina ia mafai ona maua se tasi i mataupu e faatatau i fanua i Atu’u. Peitai, sa na’o le to’alima ni matai, na mafai ona auai atu i le fono, i le aso Faraile, Aukuso 14, 2026. FA’AMAUTUINA E LE KOMISI O PALOTA IA LE ASO PALOTA IA NOVEMA 3 I se fa’aaliga ia Aukuso 17, e tusa ai ma tulafono tau palota lotoifale, ua fa’amautuina mai ai e le Afioga Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei, lea o lo’o fa’auluulu iai le Ofisa Palota, ia le faataunu’uina o le Palota ia Novema 3, 2026 mai i le 6 i le taeao se’ia pa’ia le 6 i le afiafi, i nofoaga ua mae’a ona filifilia, i totonu o itumalo ‘ese’ese o le teritori. I tausaga palota ua tuanai, sa mafai ona fa’ailoa mai ia le lisi o nofoaga, o le a faataunu’u ai palotaga, ae e le’i o’o i le aso Palota, ina ia mafai ona nofo malamalama ia tagata palota. E pei ona sa fa’alauiloa mai e Dr. Uiagalelei, o le palota mo lenei tausaga, e mo le filifiliga o se sui Faipule mo le Konekeresi i Uasigitone, lea e amataina a latou nofoaiga ia Ianuari 3, 2027 se’ia o’o ia Ianuari 3, 2029. E le gata i lea, o le sailiga o Faipule mo le Maota o Sui lotoifale, e amata mai le latou nofoaiga, ia Ianuari 3, 2027 se’ia o’o ia Ianuari 3, 2029. O se faamanatu mo i latou ua fuafua e avea ma sui tauva, o le a faagataina ona fa’aulufale ia talosaga ma isi tulaga, i le faaiuga o le aso muamua o Setema, i le Ofisa Palota, i Tafuna. Mo le Maota o Sui, e to’a 20 ia Faipule mo le Maota o Sui, ma le sui lona 21, mo le motu o Swains. I tausaga palota ua tuanai, sa masani ona fa’ailoa mai ai e le Ofisa Palota, ia le aso, taimi ma le nofoaga, mo le fono, mo tagatanu’u uma o Swains, e filifili ai so latou Faipule. O sui tauva mo le Konekeresi, e mana’omia ia ni saini po o suafa o tagata palota, e to’a 300; ae mo sui tauva mo tofi Faipule, e 25. Ua fa’amanatu mai foi e le Ofisa Palota i tagata palota, e na’o le tasi lava le ‘petition’ a se sui tauva, e mafai ona saini ai lou suafa. Afai ae lua ni sui tauva e te saini ai, o le a tu’u le suafa o le tagata palota, i le sui tauva, na muamua fa’ao’o atu lana lisi. E 13,503 ia tagata palota o lo’o fa’amaumauina i le Ofisa Palota, ae o lo’o iai se talitonuga, o le a si’itia lena fuainumera, ae e le’i tapunia le aso lesitala, ia Oketopa 5. FAUTUAINA E LE SUI KOVANA NI AUALA E SAILIA AI TUPE MO TA’ALOGA A AOGA I sana saunoaga i le Sauniga Lotu na tatalaina aloaia ai le tausaga aoga fou, 2026-2027, na fautuaina ai e le Afioga i le Matua ia Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr., ia se auala e mafai ona sailia ai se seleni, e faatupeina ai polokalama tau ta’aloga a a’oga. Na fa’aleoina e le afioga i le sui Kovana, ia faamanuiaga ua ausia e alo ma fanau o le teritori, ona o ta’aloga. Ma ua mafai ai foi ona maua e fanau aoga ia se avanoa e fa’aauau ai a latou a’oa’oga, i atunu’u i fafo. I se iloiloga lata mai, a le Komiti o A’oga ma Sikolasipi a le Maota o Sui, sa fa’aleoina ai le leai o se tupe fa’aagaga mo ta’aloga, i totonu o le Tausaga Tupe 2027, i le paketi a le Ofisa o Aoga. Na fa’aalia e le Faatonu o Aoga, ia Maefau Dr. Mary Taufete’e, ia le feagai nei o le ODW ma feso’ota’iga ma pisinisi faapea faalapotopotoga tua, mo se fesoasoani. Sa fautuaina e Pulu ia le pulega a le Ofisa o Aoga, Taitai ma ‘au ofisa o a’oga ‘ese’ese faapea le aiga faiaoga, ina ia aua le fa’anofonofo a’i. Ma ia fautuaina se tipi ta’i $2 mai i totogi o tagata faigaluega uma o le malo, i masina taitasi, e mafai ona fa’atupe ai polokalama tau taaloga a aoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-22 07:28:04

Ifoga a Saleapaga agai i le Palemia ma le Malo
So’o’upu a le Mālō O le taeao o le Aso Faraile, 21 Aokuso 2026, na fa’atino ai le ifoga aloā’ia a le afio’aga o Sale’apaga i lumā maota o le Maota o le Mālō, FMFMII i Matagialalua, aga’i i le afioga i le Ta’ita’i o le Mālō, Susuga i le La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polāta’ivao Fosi Schmidt [...] The post Ifoga a Saleapaga agai i le Palemia ma le Malo first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-21 18:48:57

Domestic argument allegedly becomes violent when man brings children into it
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 6, 2026, Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a victim of a domestic dispute alleging that her husband threatened and assaulted her during an argument. The suspect fled the scene and was later charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than $1,000, or both. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld the names of the individuals involved to protect the identity of the victim of domestic abuse.) According to the court affidavit, the victim told officers when they responded that the suspect ran toward the rear of the residence and hid before leaving the area. Officers conducted a foot search of the surrounding area in an attempt to locate him, but were unable to find him. An officer assessed the victim's condition and asked whether she required medical assistance. She declined treatment and told officers that she was okay. While officers searched for the suspect, another officer remained at the residence and interviewed a witness who reportedly heard and observed portions of the incident. According to the victim’s statement, she was asleep when the suspect woke her in an aggressive manner and demanded a cigarette. She said she complied with his request and gave him a cigarette. The woman explained that the suspect suddenly became enraged and began yelling at her while directing profane and derogatory remarks at her. She told police that the argument escalated when the suspect began making derogatory remarks about her children. The victim confronted the suspect about bringing the children into the dispute and told him to leave them out of the argument. The victim continued that the suspect then threatened to strike her with a machete if she did not remain quiet. The victim stated that she continued to defend herself verbally, after which the suspect allegedly struck her on the back with the flat side of a machete. She further alleged that the suspect also threw a gas cylinder in her direction before pouring hot water from a cooking pot onto her. The hot water spilled over her body, particularly around the back of her neck. The victim informed police that she became frightened and fled the residence after the suspect allegedly chased her while repeatedly threatening to cut her. She subsequently sought refuge at a nearby residence and contacted the TPS for assistance. During the investigation, the woman showed police the area of her back where she said she had been struck with the machete. The investigating officer reported that there was no visible injury consistent with a machete strike. However, an area of rash or possible skin irritation was observed on her back. The woman declined medical treatment and told police she did not require assistance. No emergency medical transport or treatment at LBJ Tropical Medical Center was reported to the investigating officer at the time of the investigation. A witness also provided police with a statement concerning the incident. According to the witness, she was awakened by a woman screaming, crying and pleading for help. The witness reportedly heard the suspect repeatedly threaten the woman while directing profane and derogatory remarks at her and her children. The witness also told police that the woman eventually ran to their residence while crying and seeking a safe place to stay. Moreover, the suspect continued yelling and making threats after the woman had fled the residence. The witness also told investigators that the incident was allegedly not the first time the suspect had hurt the victim. The witness stated that there had been previous incidents involving the suspect and the victim, but that the victim had previously chosen to overlook the incidents or had not reported them to police. After completing the initial investigation and failing to locate the suspect, the officers advised the victim to immediately contact the TPS if the suspect returned to the residence. The defendant is identified as a 52-year-old citizen of Samoa. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 10, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-21 16:53:01

Boy calls 911 when his mother’s boyfriend allegedly threatens her
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 8, 2026, local authorities responded to a 911 emergency call from a 14-year-old minor reporting that his mother's boyfriend was causing a disturbance at their residence in Aua. The minor contacted emergency services after becoming frightened by the suspect's behavior toward his mother. The defendant was later charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not more than $300, or both. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld the names of the individuals involved to protect the identity of the minors in this case.) According to the court records, the officers responded to a residence, arriving at approximately 8:26 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered the minor, who approached the police vehicle and explained that his mother's boyfriend had allegedly behaved inappropriately toward his mother on multiple occasions. The minor reportedly told officers that the suspect was yelling profanities at his mother, and explained that he had become frightened by the situation, causing him to run out of the residence and contacted 911 to request police assistance. Police also spoke with another family member who was present at the residence. According to the witness, the incident had reportedly begun earlier that morning when the suspect woke up and became involved in an argument with the victim. The witness stated that the suspect began arguing with the victim for reasons that were unclear. During the argument, the suspect allegedly threatened to kill the victim and cut her into pieces. The witness also informed the authorities that the suspect subsequently approached the victim and allegedly struck her near the ear. The suspect then reportedly left the residence but returned several hours later and went to bed. The situation reportedly escalated again later that evening. The witness told police that she and the minor could hear another argument taking place inside the residence. At one point, the victim reportedly came to the bathroom and told the children that the suspect was looking for something with which to beat her. The witness further alleged that the suspect again laid hands on the victim and continued yelling profanities from inside the residence while the victim was speaking with the children. The victim also provided police with her account of the incident. According to the victim, the problems began in the morning when the suspect initiated an argument with her. She reportedly said that she did not understand why the argument began, but the two continued arguing verbally and the suspect threatened to kill her and cut her into pieces. However, she denied that the suspect had physically assaulted her, reportedly giving her account hesitantly. The victim told police that although her feelings had been hurt earlier in the day, she had forgiven the suspect. However, she stated that another argument occurred later that evening, prompting her to tell her children to contact police. The children reportedly told officers that they were afraid of the suspect and did not feel safe because of his repeated threats toward their mother. The children also expressed concern that their mother was attempting to protect the suspect by minimizing or denying what they claimed to have witnessed during previous incidents. According to the police report, the children were concerned that the situation could eventually result in serious harm to their mother, particularly because of her existing medical issues. Following the investigation at the residence, the suspect was transported to the Fagatogo Central Police Station. At approximately 9:15 p.m., the suspect was Mirandized and declined to provide a statement. The suspect was subsequently booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending further court proceedings. The defendant is identified as a 45-year-old citizen of Samoa. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 10, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-21 16:48:34

National Park of American Samoa wild-land fire crew deploys to U.S. Mainland
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A nine-member wild-land fire crew from the National Park of American Samoa departed Pago Pago on Aug. 17 for a monthlong assignment supporting wildfire response on the U.S. mainland. The crew, composed primarily of National Park Service employees and supported by Administratively Determined, or AD, firefighters, will work alongside federal, state and local partners responding to wildfires and helping protect communities, natural and cultural resources, and other values at risk. Throughout the year, the National Park of American Samoa's wild-land firefighters train and maintain the qualifications and readiness necessary to support fire operations beyond American Samoa. Their deployment is part of the broader interagency wild-land fire response system that moves trained personnel and resources to areas where they are needed. For the nine firefighters who left American Samoa, the assignment will also take them thousands of miles from their families and island community. They carry with them the values of service, teamwork and community that are central to fa‘asamoa, the Samoan way of life. Those values remain part of the crew even while working far from home. National Park of American Samoa firefighters have shared Samoan songs and chants during previous assignments, strengthening camaraderie and morale while sharing their culture with fellow firefighters from across the country. "We are incredibly proud of these nine firefighters and grateful to the families and community supporting them while they are away," said National Park of American Samoa Superintendent PT Lathrop. "When they answer the call to help communities thousands of miles from American Samoa, they represent not only the National Park Service, but the strength, professionalism and spirit of our islands. We wish them a safe and successful assignment and look forward to welcoming them home." The crew is expected to return to American Samoa following completion of its approximately monthlong assignment. Section: Local News Tags: wild-land fire crew
2026-08-21 16:42:37

Fagalii Tinifu members celebrate completion of ASCC-ACNR Sewing Program
By Pauliana F Vitale, ACNR Media Specialist Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The young women of the Fagalii Tinifu have successfully completed a 12-session Basic Sewing Program offered through the American Samoa Community College–Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources (ASCC-ACNR) Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Program. The sewing program began in May 2026 and is part of the FCS community outreach initiative, which provides sewing workshops every three months in partnership with villages and community organizations throughout American Samoa. Held once a week, the hands-on program teaches participants essential sewing skills, including taking body measurements, cutting fabric, operating a sewing machine, and constructing garments using basic sewing techniques. The workshops are designed to equip participants with practical skills that promote self-sufficiency, reduce household expenses, and encourage creativity. After completing all 12 sessions, the Fagalii Tinifu participants proudly sewed their own puletasi (outfits) for graduation. In addition to their graduation attire, participants also created dresses, shirts, curtains, and pillowcases for their homes, demonstrating the range of skills they developed throughout the course. According to FCS Sewing Instructor Ms. Diana Tarrant, "It's not easy when you are not committed to learning because it delays the process, but the twelve participants were able to complete the sewing sessions in 12 weeks, mastering all the skills and knowledge acquired in the program." The graduation ceremony was held on July 29, 2026, at the CCCAS Fagalii Hall following the theme, "Stitched with Hard Work, Finished with Pride." The event was attended by Rev. Fa'alili Otineru, the Pulenu’u (Mayor) of Fagalii Village, members of the Fagalii Tinifu, ASCC-ACNR FCS Manager Adi Willis and staff, and the ASCC-ACNR Agricultural Program Manager Autagavaia Alfred Peters, who congratulated the graduates on their achievement. Congratulations to the twelve members of the 2026 Fagalii Sewing Cohort: Fa'asiu Tapeni, Beauty Ale, Logovii Pasami, Maliana Senio, Maletina Tu'ufuli, Maryann Pese, Talalelei Pu'a, Serena Tu'ufuli, Claradyn Pu'a, Tuao Mapu, Maria Mapu, and Rosie Sakaria. For more information about the ASCC-ACNR Family and Consumer Sciences Program, email m.willis@amsamoa.edu or call (684) 699-1575, extensions 258 or 222. Section: Local News Tags: ASCC ACNR
2026-08-21 16:36:34

Passing ancestral knowledge down
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Recognizing the inaugural class of graduates from the Seafood Academy American Samoa: Lui Lesa, Pasene Kitiona, Mark Phillip Hallig, Tafoti Tami, Brandan Pualau, Francis Stowers, Salamo Tailele, Donald Alefaio Jr., and Rep. Alexander Jennings. In his special remarks Lt. Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. emphasized the importance of safeguarding and utilizing the ocean's generous gifts while passing ancestral knowledge down to future generations of local fishermen. Section: Local News Tags: Seafood Academy
2026-08-21 16:31:48

Amata highlights Congressional reforms to Medicaid, appreciates CMS Visit
Source: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s District Office staff, led by her District Director, Dr. Uta Laloulu Tagoilelagi, met earlier this month with officials from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to discuss Medicaid services, travel, needs and priorities. “In recent years, in Congress, we have increased our highest possible availability of Medicaid federal dollars for American Samoa by about ten times the amount it was 12 years ago, and boosted our FMAP from 55 to 83 percent, the highest rate in the nation,” Congresswoman Amata said. “While Congress has improved the big picture, I’m always concerned that the results reach the people who need it most. I appreciate the ongoing work of CMS and ASG to strengthen services and care for our people, but health care challenges here are a constant priority due to our geography and population size,” she continued. “Thank you to CMS for sending officials to our islands, their willingness to discuss services, and I ask them to continue to look for any and all support they can facilitate for our people. They had a productive discussion in my office, as well as their meeting with ASG officials and Governor Pulaali’i.” Congressional Medicaid Improvements for American Samoa • Historic reform: Congress passed major bipartisan Medicaid reforms and improvements for American Samoa in 2019, with the support of Congresswoman Amata and other territory representatives. • Ten-fold Increase: This sweeping change went into effect in 2020 and greatly expanded American Samoa’s total available federal funds under the ceiling from $12 million in fiscal year 2019 to over $80 million the very next year, plus yearly increases since indexed to medical inflation rates, currently estimated at $88-90 million – approximately an increase by ten times the amount since fy2015. • 83% Match: Under that bipartisan legislation, Congress raised American Samoa’s standard Medicaid federal match (FMAP) to 83 percent under federal statute, up from just 55 percent where it had been for many years. • Long-term Change: Then in 2022, Congress followed up with another major improvement (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023), again with the bipartisan support of Amata and all the territory’s representatives, making American Samoa’s standard 83 percent FMAP rate permanent, no longer at risk of reverting back to 55 percent. This breakthrough means it no longer must be passed over again every few years. • Nation’s Best Rate: American Samoa’s standard federal match (FMAP) is now secure and the highest in the nation – at a better rate than any of the 50 states. The only time the rate can be higher is under a major disaster scenario such as after Storm Gita or during Covid’s peak. • Next effort: Finally, in ongoing work, Amata is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Medicaid Improvement for Insular Areas Act, H.R. 3154, working together as territories toward removing the Medicaid ceiling entirely, a forward-thinking goal so that American Samoa’s ceiling could never become a future problem. American Samoa’s Medicaid program began in 1983 under a federal funding cap that does not apply to states in the same way, so it is also a matter of principle, to bring about parity with the states on this remaining reform. Section: Local News Tags: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata
2026-08-21 16:24:09

At Second Education Summit acting governor proposes plan to raise funds for sports programs
Raises concerns about proposed budget reductions on Sports programs By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. has proposed an innovative plan to raise funds for sports programs under the Department of Education (DOE). During his address at the Second Education Summit, where participants convened to examine the DOE's strategic five-year plan, Pulumataala strongly advocated actively seeking financial support to enhance sports events for children across the territory. The Acting Governor emphasized that the administration must ensure adequate funding for sports programs, and they cannot afford to be complacent on this matter. To support this goal, Pulumataala proposed a practical solution: implementing a $2 deduction from the monthly paychecks of all government employees, directing those funds specifically towards enhancing DOE sports programs. As the new school year approaches, the Acting Governor underscored the vital role teachers play in shaping students' futures. Our children's success and development depend heavily on their educators, he stated. Pulu highlighted the remarkable achievements of numerous sons and daughters from the territory who have successfully turned their passion for sports into livelihoods that support their families. He also noted that engagement in sports has opened doors to educational opportunities for local youth, allowing many to attend off-island colleges and universities to further their academic pursuits. He raised important concerns regarding the potential impact of the proposed budget reductions on student participation in athletic programs. During a recent meeting, he reassured attendees that he is considering viable solutions to address the financial difficulties these cuts may pose. His remarks followed testimony from Dr. Maefau Taufetee, the Director of Education, who offered insights at a recent House Education Committee hearing. Dr. Taufetee said the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 does not include funding for sports events, which could significantly affect the school's athletic offerings. She underscored the critical role that sports play in the educational curriculum, emphasizing that participation in athletic activities is vital for fostering students’ overall development. This includes not only physical fitness but also social skills, teamwork, and discipline, all of which contribute to a well-rounded educational experience. In addition, Dr. Taufetee addressed concerns regarding the recent closure of the Athletics Office. She clarified that, despite this closure, it does not necessarily mean sports events will be completely absent in the upcoming school year. The department is exploring alternative ways to continue offering athletic programs, ensuring students still have opportunities to participate in sports and benefit from the invaluable life skills that come with athletic involvement. Section: Local News Tags: sports programs
2026-08-21 16:18:28

Commonwealth Medalists Honored by Vodafone Samoa with Gifts
Apia, Samoa 21 August 2026. Vodafone Samoa proudly celebrated and honoured Samoa’s two medalists, Seine Stowers and John Lautafi Tafi, following their remarkable performances at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Seine Stowers claimed Gold in a record-breaking performance to take out the Women’s 77kg Weightlifting event. The 18-year-old from Fa‘ala Palauli and the Sasa‘ai, Savai‘i [...] The post Commonwealth Medalists Honored by Vodafone Samoa with Gifts first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-21 05:08:19

22-year-old Swears in Court after being handed 10-Year Sentence for Kidnapping and Rape
A 22 year-old male was heard yelling out a loud “K€£€” (se’i tulou) just after His Honour, Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke had handed down a 10-year prison sentence for the rape and kidnapping of a 17-year-old girl in 2024. The Supreme Court judge had just left the courtroom when the defendant was heard yelling out [...] The post 22-year-old Swears in Court after being handed 10-Year Sentence for Kidnapping and Rape first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-21 04:15:48

Central Bank Amendment Bill 2026 passes 2nd reading and moves for Committee review
Staff Reporters/ Apia, SAMOA – 22 August 2026 – The Central Bank of Samoa Amendment Bill 2026 passed its second reading yesterday despite strong opposition from the HRPP Opposition Party and independents. The Bill provides an Independent Chairperson who leads the Board in carrying out its governance and oversight responsibilities. Under the existing Act, the [...] The post Central Bank Amendment Bill 2026 passes 2nd reading and moves for Committee review appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-20 22:34:27

21 August 1911: The Mona Lisa is Stolen from the Louvre in Paris
On August 21 1911, the Mona Lisa vanished under mysterious circumstances from the Louvre in Paris. Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian artist who had been working at the gallery took the painting from the Salon Carré where it hung to a nearby service staircase, where he removed the protective case and frame. It is believed that [...] The post 21 August 1911: The Mona Lisa is Stolen from the Louvre in Paris first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-20 20:20:00

Two men held without bail after members of Vailoa aumaga allegedly assaulted
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 21, 2026, a dispute during a village curfew in Vailoa allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation that left two members of the village aumaga with visible injuries. The incident led to the arrest of two men later identified as Risati Mapu and William Manning who were both charged with: Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine. Both defendants were held without bail. According to court records, the incident was reported at approximately 6:11 p.m. after a woman contacted the Leone Police Substation (LPS) to report a fight in front of Samu Store in Vailoa. About one minute later, another caller contacted the station regarding the same incident and identified Risati Mapu and William Manning, also known as “B-boy,” as the individuals allegedly involved in the assault. Police officers responded to the scene and upon arrival they spoke with bystanders who informed them that the individuals involved in the fight had already left the area. The following day, April 22, two victims went to the LPS to formally report the incident and provide statements concerning what had occurred the previous evening. According to the report, both men provided verbal and written statements. Officers also documented the visible injuries on the two brothers. Victim #1 was observed with swelling and bruising around his left eye, along with scratches on both knees and his hands. Victim #2 reportedly had minor scratches to his facial area and right knee. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was requested to evaluate both men following their arrival at the police station. According to one of the victim’s statements, he had just finished work and was following his normal routine of attending the village curfew. While walking along the road near Samu Store, across from Leone High School in Vailoa, he reportedly noticed a truck parked alongside the road. He stated that he approached the vehicle and told Mapu to stop what he was doing because the village curfew was about to begin. After the curfew began, he then observed Mapu and others walking along the road as though the curfew was not in effect. He then waited until the curfew had ended before approaching Mapu to speak with him about the earlier incident. The victim continued that he approached Mapu calmly and reminded him that he had already advised him about the village curfew. Mapu allegedly responded by questioning him about what he wanted. An argument reportedly followed between the two men. Police reports stated that William Manning then allegedly intervened during the confrontation and attempted to separate the men. However, according to the victim’s statement, Mapu punched him, causing him to fall onto the roadway. The victim, one of the brothers, further alleged that Mapu then struck him three times in the area of his left eye with a spanner wrench. The victim stated that he managed to get back up and walked to Samu Store, where his brother (victim #2) was located. Furthermore, the suspect followed him to the store and allegedly punched him several more times in front of the business, causing him to fall again. Mapu allegedly yelled profanities at him during the confrontation. Victim #2 also provided police with an account of the incident. According to his statement, after the village curfew began, he approached Mapu and attempted to advise him to stop what he was doing. However, Manning then intervened and pushed him away, causing him to sustain bruising to his knees. Victim #2 also informed the police that Mapu appeared to be intoxicated while walking along the roadway during the curfew and was carrying a can of an alcoholic beverage. On April 23, investigators continued the investigation by attempting to locate witnesses who may have observed the confrontation. Police later contacted reporter #2 at his residence in Vailoa where he provided investigators with a verbal and written statement regarding what he had allegedly witnessed on April 21. According to reporter #2, he had gone to pick up church members for practice but became delayed near LHS because the village curfew was in effect. While waiting in the area, he saw two men standing near a vehicle. He said one of the men was holding a can of an alcoholic beverage and that the men appeared to be conversing as though the village curfew was not in effect. He also stated that one of the village aumaga members subsequently approached the men and advised them that the curfew was in effect. According to the witness, Mapu became angry during the interaction and removed his shirt before becoming physically aggressive toward the aumaga members. The witness further stated that Mapu directed profanities toward the aumaga and allegedly grabbed one of the men and caused his face to strike the roadway. The witness also reported that when victim #2 attempted to intervene and assist his brother, Mapu allegedly approached him again and punched him, causing victim #2 to fall in front of the store. The investigation determined that the victims are brothers and both are members of the village aumaga. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 07, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-20 18:19:31

Family contacts police after sister allegedly threatens to slit their throats
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 5, 2026, local authorities responded to a residence in Nu'uuli after a woman allegedly threatened several family members during a disturbance, including a threat to slit their throats with a machete. The suspect, identified as Racey Ma’ai was later arrested and charged with Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, officers responded to the residence and upon arrival, the officers could hear a commotion coming from inside the home. The officers entered the residence and made contact with the reporting party, who directed them to the location of the suspect. Officers subsequently apprehended her and placed her inside the police vehicle. Police reported that Racey remained disorderly during her apprehension and repeatedly shouted profanities at the responding officers. Following the arrest, officers interviewed the reporting party and other family members regarding what had led to the disturbance. According to the report, Racey's sister told police that the confrontation had begun earlier that morning when Racey allegedly directed profanities at their mother. The victim stated that their father intervened and told Racey to stop and to be mindful of how she was speaking to their mother. However, Racey allegedly refused to listen and continued yelling at members of the household. The situation reportedly resurfaced later in the day when Racey's older brother returned home from work and learned about the earlier incident. The suspect’s brother confronted Racey about what had happened that morning, reportedly causing Racey to become angry again and begin yelling at family members. During the argument, Racey allegedly threatened her sister, her brother and their father, telling them that she would slit their throats with a machete.The reported threat prompted the family to seek police assistance. The suspect’s brother also provided police with a statement concerning the incident. According to his account, he came home from work and was informed by his younger sister about the disturbance that had occurred earlier in the morning. He said he subsequently approached Racey and confronted her about the matter. During the confrontation, he was reportedly surprised when Racey allegedly threatened to slit his throat, as well as the throats of his sister and their father with a machete. The family then contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) for assistance. Both the suspect’s brother and sister reportedly told police that the incident was not the first time Racey had displayed similar behavior. However, they indicated that previous incidents had not been reported to law enforcement. After interviewing the family members, officers transported Racey to the TPS for further investigation. At the station, Racey was Mirandized and indicated that she understood her rights and waived them before agreeing to provide a statement. During her interview, Racey gave a different account of the confrontation. She reportedly told police that she became angry with her brother after he came home and disturbed her peace while confronting her about the earlier incident. Racey also alleged that her brother slapped her during the confrontation. Regarding the alleged threats, Racey reportedly acknowledged that she did threaten to slit the throats of her brother, sister and father. However, she told investigators that the statements were made only to scare them and that she did not mean them. Following the interviews, Racey was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending the next available sitting of the District Court. The defendant is identified as a 20 year-old U.S national. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 06, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-20 18:14:03

Samoa oxygen supply issue resolved after supply arrives from American Samoa
By RNZ Pacific reporter Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa's main hospital was running low on oxygen supplies earlier this week, which reportedly resulted in the cancellation of surgeries, including those for breast cancer and kidney conditions. According to the Samoa Observer, patients "awaiting critical surgeries" at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (also known as Moto'otua Hospital) were demanding answers from health authorities. The newspaper reported that patients it spoke to were alerted by hospital staff just before they were scheduled to undergo their operations that there were insufficient oxygen supplies. However, a staff member from Samoa's Health Ministry told RNZ Pacific on Thursday that the issue had been resolved after "lots of [oxygen] supplies" arrived from neighboring American Samoa aboard a Samoa Police patrol vessel on Wednesday night. The ministry staff member said that Moto'otua Hospital had oxygen supplies, "but not enough". The staffer reassured the public that "we are OK" and that there was no need for concern among Samoans undergoing surgery. Eseta Faalogo, whose kidney surgery was cancelled, told the Samoa Observer that she wanted to know when the procedure would go ahead. "We understand that these situations can happen, but patients need information," Faalogo was quoted as saying by the newspaper. Section: Regional Tags: samoa
2026-08-20 18:08:35

CNMI leader urges caution as US advances Pacific seabed mining plan
By Mark Rabat, RNZ Pacific Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Governor David Apatang says protecting Pacific waters and island communities must come first as the United States moves ahead with plans that could eventually open a vast area of seabed around the Mariana Trench to mineral development. The US Marine Minerals Administration, formerly the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, has issued a proposed leasing notice which has triggered a 60-day review by the governor. Apatang said his administration would approach the proposal with "extreme caution". He said the territory wants safeguards in place before any final leasing decisions were made. Apatang's administration is seeking independent, peer-reviewed environmental baseline studies, protections for commercial and subsistence fishing, local workforce development, port infrastructure investment, contracting opportunities for island businesses, and a role for Northern Marianas officials and traditional leaders in reviewing survey plans and monitoring data. "We must ensure that no activity, survey or otherwise, takes place without rigorous scientific baseline studies, complete transparency, and explicit protections for our marine resources," Apatang said. The proposal comes as seabed mining emerges as a wider Pacific issue, with governments and environmental groups across the region debating the potential economic benefits against risks to largely unexplored deep-sea ecosystems. "We welcome dialogue with the Department of the Interior and the Marine Minerals Administration, but our priority remains unchanged," Apatang said. "We will thoroughly examine the proposed terms over the next 60 days to ensure that the ecological integrity of our waters and the long-term well-being of the CNMI are fully safeguarded." Advocate warns of 'permanent and irreversible risks' Northern Marianas environmental advocate Angelo Villagomez, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, said the risks would be borne by Pacific Islanders while the economic rewards could flow elsewhere. "Trump's attempt to mine the seabed of the Mariana Trench will only benefit far off corporate interests, while the people who call these islands home will be left with all the costs and none of the benefits," Villagomez said. "Any damage that happens from mining in this area presents permanent and irreversible risks to fragile ecosystems." The Center for American Progress said the Proposed Leasing Notice covers about 69 million acres of federal seabed surrounding the Mariana Trench, an area roughly the size of Nevada. The proposed lease sale involves federal waters offshore the Mariana Islands and next to the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. Villagomez also accused the US administration of ignoring opposition from island communities and local governments. "The administration is again ignoring the overwhelming concerns voiced by the people and local governments," he said. The Center for American Progress said about 60,000 public comments were submitted before the Proposed Leasing Notice was issued. Its release also cited Apatang as telling AFP earlier this month: "There have been no consultations with the people of the Northern Mariana Islands." The Northern Marianas now has 60 days to review the proposal before the federal leasing process moves to its next stage. Section: Regional Tags: seabed mining
2026-08-20 18:01:03

'The best at being ourselves': Māori-Pasifika choir wins gold at World Choir Games
By Coco Lance, RNZ Pacific Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The United Auckland Gospel Choir has cemented its place among the world's leading choirs after winning gold at the 2026 World Choir Games in Sweden, an event once known as the "Choir Olympics". "No one can beat us at being us," Seumanu Seuoti Simon Matāfai JP, who is the choir master and pianist, said. "We are the best at being ourselves, as indigenous, Pasifika, Māori, and Oceania as a region." The 50-strong group, who are predominantly Māori and Pasifika, was the only New Zealand and Pacific team to compete in a competition traditionally dominated by teams from the United States and the United Kingdom. The last World Choir Games were held in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) back in 2024, with each competition hosting two levels: an open competition, and the Champions competition, which is the event's top tier. "We were invited to welcome the international community when Auckland hosted the World Choir Games for the first time it came to New Zealand, and so that was about 11,000 singers from roughly over 150 choirs in 40 countries who came in 2024," Matāfai said. "We were invited to compete in the open competition because there's two competitions: an open competition and a champions competition. And because we were not eligible for champions, we went into the open," he said. "So we entered ... and we won gold for the open competition and the entire category for the gospel." Off the back of their success in 2024, the group was able to compete in this year's champions competition. Matāfai said this tier of the competition was typically dominated by American choirs, the origins of gospel. "We were always nervous about these big countries, America and Great Britain, with their big choirs and experienced choirs who have been in the Champions League for a long time." ‘WE SING FOR EACH OTHER’ The group collaborated with Temple View Gospel Choir from Hamilton. "We maintained a United Auckland Gospel Choir brand, but this time encompassing Temple View from Hamilton," Matāfai JP clarified. Amongst other performances, they performed a four-part Pacific/Oceania gospel medley arranged by Matāfai JP, built around Māori (He Honore), Tongan (Himi 114), Fijian (Noqu Masu) and Samoan (Ia Vi'ia le Atua) pieces. The choirs perform in front of seven judges and are scored on a 0-100 scale. "Every judge is a doctoral professor in their field, and we scored nearly 100% by one gospel professor from Yale University, he was a big fan of us," Matāfai said. When asked what set them apart from other groups, Matāfai said the choir's multigenerational, multicultural make‐up - and the way they sing from the heart - remains their "greatest strength". "A lot of them (judges) commented on our wairua. They gravitate towards us offstage ... We meet and greet. We form new relationships and friendships. We exchange gifts. We sing for each other, inspire each other, and celebrate each other," he said. "And it was for the first time I really saw the beauty of humanity despite, you know, the chaos around the world right now." Auckland's deputy mayor Desley Simpson wrote: "The most remote participating choir and they bring home GOLD in the Gospel division...So incredibly proud of them all." "We pride ourselves in being multigenerational, multicultural, and multidenominational. We come from all sorts of churches, We are all in this together. We are stronger together, better together," Matāfai added. "Having the wisdom of our elders, the energy of our young ones, and the dynamism of our middle age, it was lovely. It was really nice having the young ones travel for the first time ... and they are coming back now with a different worldview that it is beyond their little community in South Auckland." Matāfai said the trip was only made possible thanks to the whānau and friends. "We are indebted to our families and the sacrifices, the fundraising... from baking, you know, bake sales to our Christmas caroling," he said. "We did concerts, we did fundraisers. It was a real ... something is sweeter when you know you've put in the hard work. It's more rewarding because you know you've put in the mahi and the sacrifice." Section: Regional Tags: Māori-Pasifika choir
2026-08-20 17:55:09

Atu‘u land trusteeship meeting moved to September
Only five Manu’a matai attended most recent one By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The meeting intended to bring Manu‘a chiefs and residents together to address the Atu‘u land trusteeship has been moved to the second Saturday of September after just five matai arrived at the Office of Samoan Affairs last Friday, prompting officials to postpone the discussion. Of the five matai who attended, three were Manu‘a’s senators — Ma‘o Fa‘auma Gogo, Tuialu‘ulu‘u Vaimili Tuialu‘ulu‘u, and Misaalefua Hudson — who recommended that the meeting be rescheduled. Manu‘a District Governor Poumele Apisa Galea‘i, who chaired the session, agreed to the postponement but informed them he would be traveling to New Zealand on Monday for a medical checkup and would not return until early September. In an exclusive interview, Poumele said the meeting must include the To‘oto‘o — Manu‘a’s orators who make decisions on behalf of their extended families. “The To‘oto‘o and senior matai should be present so it will be a meeting of substance and not one where we just talk, and then nothing happens,” he said. “High Talking Chiefs Malemo and Vaitautolu should have been here today to discuss this issue and bring it to some kind of conclusion.” He stressed that trustee authorization is the central issue that must be addressed and finalized when the meeting reconvenes for the issue to even move forward. The initial meeting earlier this month, attended by about 40 Manu'a chiefs and residents, ended with an agreement to reconvene last Friday, August 14, 2026, bringing Manu‘a leadership together in hopes of reaching a consensus on how the Atu‘u trust should be administered going forward — and how lease revenues should be safeguarded for the rightful beneficiaries. However, only five matai attended. The Manu‘a District Governor commended the Zoning Board for bringing the issue to the forefront. He said individuals have been signing as the Lessor and collecting lease payments for land that PC Mauga Moimoi conveyed for all the people of Manu‘a under the 1911 trust. “It’s supposed to be a residential area, but over the years it has been leased out to businesses,” Poumele said. “There shouldn’t be any businesses established there unless authorized by Tufele, who was the Trustee and also the Manu‘a District Governor at the time.” He noted that the Tufele title has been vacant since Tufele Li‘amatua passed away, and most of the matai and residents who attended the initial meeting agreed that the District Governor should assume the trustee role in the interim. Poumele added that he is also a descendant of the Tufele family through his mother. Poumele emphasized that serving as Trustee on behalf of an entire community carries responsibilities and obligations to act in the best interest of the people. In this case, he said, lease revenues from the Atu‘u trust land should benefit all Manu‘a residents as stated in the 1911 indenture — not a select few. “There is so much we can do for the people of Manu‘a using this trust money,” he said, “like establishing scholarships for Manu‘a’s sons and daughters, creating a credit union to help families develop their homes and livelihoods, and funding healthcare services for our elderly.” Poumele said he has received numerous requests from elderly residents in Manu‘a asking for a dentist to be sent to the island, noting their complaints about having to travel all the way to Tutuila and then wait for hours at LBJ Hospital before receiving any service. It was agreed that the next meeting should be held on a Saturday, when more people are free to attend, rather than on a weekday. As a result, it has been scheduled for the second Saturday of September — on the 12th — at the Office of Samoan Affairs. BACKGROUND As reported in June by Samoa News, the long‐standing question of who is legally entitled to receive lease payments for land in Atu‘u currently occupied by foreign‐owned businesses resurfaced during a meeting of the American Samoa Zoning Board that month. The Board reviewed several applications for commercial land lease variances bearing signatures of individuals other than the designated Trust Administrator. Board members questioned whether such private leasing aligns with the 1911 indenture that placed the land “in trust, for the use and benefit of the People of Manu‘a.” They argued that the 1911 indenture — a formal, legally binding agreement executed by Paramount Chief Mauga Moimoi, his wife Fa‘apio, and then Manu‘a District Governor Tufele of Si‘ufaga — clearly designates Tufele “as Trustee for the People of Manu‘a.” The indenture conveys the land known as Atu‘u to the trustee and “his successors and assigns forever...IN TRUST, for the USE and BENEFIT of the People of Manu‘a,” establishing that the trustee’s authority overrides any individual’s claim to lease the land. This prompted Zoning Board member Taesali Sam Matagi — who also chairs the American Samoa Land Commission — to call the initial meeting with the assistance of Secretary of Samoan Affairs Fai‘ivae A. Godinet. “It was an eye‐opening experience for many Manu‘a residents who did not know the specific terms of the 1911 indenture or the communal rights it established,” Taesali told Samoa News. He added that the lack of awareness may not have been accidental. “I suspect the people who were benefiting from lease payments knew,” he said, “but didn’t want to disclose those details. Others may have known but didn’t want to rock the boat because of family ties, or they were receiving some sort of compensation on the side.” Section: Local News Tags: Atu‘u land
2026-08-20 17:47:36

Chief Election Officer officially proclaims Nov. 3 as Mid-Term Election date
Including Swains Island delegate By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Through an Aug. 17 public notice, and in accordance with local election law, Chief Election Officer Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei officially proclaimed that the 2026 Midterm Election for American Samoa will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026 from 6a.m to 6p.m, at designated polling places in Representative Districts throughout the Territory. As in previous election years, the list of the polling stations, which are usually church halls and guest houses, are released in advance of Election Day given time for voters to familiarize themselves with the polling stations. Uiagalelei, also proclaimed, in the notice, that the mid term elections are held for: • Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, for a term commencing January 03, 2027 and expiring on January 03, 2029; • All seats for members of the House of Representatives, Legislature of American Samoa, for a term commencing January 03, 2027 and expiring on January 03, 2029. Candidates wishing to run for public office are reminded that deadline for submission of petition and other required paperwork is at the close of business on Sept. 1 at the Election Office in Tafuna. For the local House race, there are 20 elected members and the 21st member, is the delegate for Swains Islands. In past election years, the Election Office issued an official notice for date, time and venue of the “public meeting” for all Swains Islanders to select their delegate. Candidates for Congress need 300 signatures of voters while candidates for the local House need 25 signatures of voters from their district. Election Office reminds that voters may only sign one candidate’s petition for each office. If a voter signs petitions for two different candidates running for the same office, that signature will be credited for the candidate who submitted their petition first. The Election Office puts the current number of registered voters at 13,503 and it is expected the number will increase before the voter registration deadline on October 5. Section: Local News Tags: mid-term election
2026-08-20 17:40:54

Court Denies Discharge Without Conviction for Former Manu Samoa Player who Admitted to Possession of Utensil
Former Manu Samoa 7s international, Joe Perez who had pleaded guilty in June to possession of a utensil namely a straw, has been handed a conviction by Senior District Court Judge, Talasa Atoa-Saaga. Perez was charged after police found a white plastic straw in his pocket during a drug raid at his home in Vaigaga [...] The post Court Denies Discharge Without Conviction for Former Manu Samoa Player who Admitted to Possession of Utensil first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-20 10:40:45

Payne Haas in doubt for Rugby League World Cup
Samoa international Payne Haas is in doubt for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup after Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire confirmed the star prop will require surgery on a finger injury during the post-season. Haas has been playing through the issue since at least Round 2, when strapping was first spotted around his left ring [...] The post Payne Haas in doubt for Rugby League World Cup first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-19 20:55:48

Pacific Islands unite in addressing Seasonal Workers challenges
By Lagi Keresoma/ Port Vila, Vanuatu: Representatives from Trade and Workers Unions around the Pacific are conducting a week-long workshop in Vanuatu to share and discuss challenges faced by workers under the New Zealand seasonal workers and Australia’s Pacific-Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) schemes. Spearheading the workshop is the Pacific Islands Council of Trade Union (PICTU) [...] The post Pacific Islands unite in addressing Seasonal Workers challenges appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-19 19:11:52

Woman allegedly refuses to leave residence where she is not permitted
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 3, 2026, an off-duty police officer contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) requesting assistance to pick up a suspect at a store in Iliiili. The caller reported that she had removed the suspect from her parent’s house after she refused to leave. The suspect was later arrested and charged with Count 1: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both imprisonment and fine. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the incident began when Mamea was reportedly at the home of a family in Mapusaga despite allegedly knowing that she was not permitted to remain there. Police were later contacted after a family dispute reportedly developed at the residence. An off-duty police officer became involved after receiving a request for assistance from a family member (suspect’s boyfriend), who wanted Mamea removed from the home. The police report stated that Mamea had been brought to the residence by a family member who is allegedly the suspect’s boyfriend. It was known that Mamea was not allowed to be at the home. A verbal dispute subsequently developed between Mamea and her boyfriend, who reportedly instructed her to leave the residence. According to police records, Mamea refused to leave despite being told to do so. The disagreement reportedly continued, prompting the boyfriend to contact the off-duty officer for assistance. At approximately 9:23 p.m., the off-duty officer contacted the TPS and requested police assistance. She advised police that she had removed Mamea from the residence and was requesting officers to respond to a store in Ili‘ili, where Mamea was located. Police officers responded to the location and upon arrival at approximately 9:46 p.m. they observed the reporting officer in her personal vehicle with Mamea seated in the passenger seat. The reporting officer then spoke with the responding officers and explained what had occurred at the residence. According to the report, she had received a call from a family member at approximately 9:20 p.m. asking for her assistance in removing Mamea from their parents' home. The officer reportedly learned that Mamea had been brought to the residence even though she allegedly knew she was not permitted to be there. The situation reportedly became more serious when Mamea and the family member became involved in a verbal confrontation. Subsequently, the family member allegedly told Mamea to leave the residence, but she refused to comply and continued the verbal dispute. The reporting officer subsequently went to the residence and was able to remove Mamea from the property. After speaking with the reporting officer, police conducted a pat-down of Mamea before placing her inside the police unit. She was then transported to the TPS for further investigation. Mamea arrived at the station at approximately 9:53 p.m. and was escorted into an interrogation room. She was Mirandized and acknowledged that she understood her rights but declined to provide a statement to investigators. Police reported that Mamea continued to behave in a disruptive and uncooperative manner while at the station. During the course of her detention, she allegedly became increasingly disorderly and eventually flipped over a table inside the station. Following the incident at the station, Mamea was formally booked and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where she was confined pending her appearance before the District Court. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 04, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-19 17:48:40

Brother allegedly breaks TV screen after being asked to turn it down
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In August 2026, local police were contacted regarding a disturbance at a residence in Kokoland after a man allegedly became angry and damaged a 65-inch television belonging to his sister. The suspect, later identified as Tafaese Ilalio was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court records, on August 4, 2026 at approximately 11:57 a.m, authorities arrived at the scene and observed that the victim appeared shocked and was attempting to open her vehicle while seeking assistance. She briefly explained the situation to the officers and directed them to the areas where the property had allegedly been damaged. Officers observed the damaged television as well as a dinner plate that had reportedly been shattered during the incident. Police subsequently apprehended Tafaese Ilalio and placed him in a police vehicle for transportation to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) for further investigation. An officer also photographed the damage to the television as part of the investigation. According to the victim's statement, the incident began earlier that morning when she asked Ilalio to lower the volume of the television. She reportedly told police that she made the request at approximately 10:00 a.m., but Ilalio refused. The victim alleged that Ilalio then became angry, grabbed a dinner plate and threw it at the television. The plate reportedly struck the television and damaged its screen. The situation allegedly continued when Ilalio grabbed another plate and threw it outside the residence, causing it to shatter. The victim reportedly became fearful that her brother might physically harm her. She also told police that she was unable to calm the suspect down and decided to contact police for assistance. The affidavit further stated that Ilalio then walked outside and entered the victim's vehicle through the driver's side door. He allegedly locked himself inside the vehicle and appeared to be searching for something.The victim reportedly became concerned that Ilalio might damage the vehicle as well. The victim also told police that this was not an isolated incident and alleged that her brother frequently becomes angry and damages property inside their home, including furniture. The victim further informed the police officers that she wanted to pursue charges against Ilalio because of the repeated nature of the alleged conduct. She reportedly informed investigators that Ilalio had previously been brought to the police station in February 2026 for a similar matter. After being transported to the TPS, Ilalio was Mirandized and acknowledged his rights and agreed to provide a statement. During his interview, Ilalio denied breaking the television and stated that he did not remember throwing a plate outside the residence. Ilalio also made statements to police concerning his state of mind, telling investigators that at times when he looked at his sister and brother, they appeared different to him and he did not recognize their faces because of where they lived. He also reportedly told police that he had not slept for approximately two days. The responding officer further documented that Ilalio had bloodshot eyes and an unusual odor on his body and clothing at the time of the investigation. Following the investigation, Ilalio was booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility pending his appearance in District Court. The defendant is identified as a 34-year-old U.S national. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on August 08, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-19 17:46:08

US State Department forms ‘birth tourism’ task force
compiled by Samoa News staff Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Radio New Zealand Pacific reports that US Pacific territories are under the microscope as Washington is launching a task force to fight birth tourism, where foreigners come to the country to have children. Key hotspots for birth tourism include Guam and the Northern Marianas. The US State Department says the task force will review the birth tourism space — and either kick out those who come in for it, or shut the gate on them when they try. So far it says it has revoked more than 600 US visas from foreign nationals across the globe, calling birth tourism a pervasive practice. Republicans have targeted special visa waivers allowing Chinese nationals to travel to these territories. Samoa News notes that in American Samoa, the Fono has touched upon this issue when discussing the high influx of foreigners into the Territory — especially Asians. However, Samoa citizens are also very much a part of ‘birth tourism’, that is: Giving birth in American Samoa for US national status; and, then mother and child returning to Samoa within months, if not weeks. Local lawmakers have discussed solutions such as the newborn child not being entitled to birthright status if both parents are foreigners and are not legal residents. The child would then have a choice of either of their parent’s citizenship. According to a Reuters report this month, US President Donald Trump has recently signed two executive orders in a new but narrower attempt to curtail birthright citizenship, renewing his challenge to a provision of the US Constitution after the Supreme Court rejected his previous effort. Limiting birthright citizenship has been one of the top priorities in the Republican president's crackdown on immigration, with the White House taking particular aim at what it calls "birth tourism," in which pregnant foreigners travel to the US to give birth. After his 30 June setback in the Supreme Court, Trump called on Congress to act, but on Thursday (local time) he opted for executive orders, which set policy but are not legally binding. The Supreme Court said Trump's earlier effort to restrict birthright citizenship was unconstitutional. "That practice of birth tourism is, as of the signing of this order, hereby banned. What that means is that no one in the world is anymore allowed to obtain a visa for this fraudulent purpose," White House aide Stephen Miller said at the Thursday signing ceremony in the Oval Office. The Center for Immigration Studies, which supports lower levels of immigration, estimated in an analysis in 2020 that between 20,000- 25,000 mothers came to the US for birth tourism in a year-long period between 2016- 2017. There were 3.6 million births in the US in 2025. The executive orders also limit the rights of children born to foreign government employees in the US and children of people who are classified as alien enemies. The orders could also affect people born in US territories, should Congress enact a proposed law to end automatic citizenship there. Trump's new orders are likely to be challenged in court. The 14th Amendment has long been interpreted as guaranteeing citizenship for babies born in the US with only narrow exceptions such as the children of foreign diplomats or members of an enemy occupying force. "This was done for a different reason. This was done right after the Civil War. This was for the babies of slaves, and what's happening now?" Trump said in his White House remarks on Thursday. There are no official figures tallying the number of foreigners who come to the US for the explicit purpose of giving birth and obtaining citizenship for their children, or the cost to taxpayers. In any case, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the Supreme Court ruling that the authors of the 14th Amendment extended that promise to every free-born person in the land. "Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights — to freely participate in our political community. We keep that promise today," Roberts wrote. The 14th Amendment provision known as the Citizenship Clause states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." No US law outright bars birth tourism, but a federal regulation implemented in 2020 during Trump's first term prohibits using temporary tourist and business visas for the primary purpose of obtaining US citizenship for a newborn. People who engage in birth tourism schemes could be prosecuted for fraud or other related crimes. It remains to be seen whether or not the Fono will pick up the issue again, after it completes it review of the FY 2027 budget. Section: Local News Tags: birth tourism
2026-08-19 17:42:08

'Teeming with life': Cook Islands officials enthuse over NOAA deep dive
By Tiana Haxton, RNZ Pacific reporter Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 26-day deep sea expedition in the Cook Islands by a United States scientific agency has uncovered new information about marine life and seabed minerals within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ship Okeanos Explorer returned to Rarotonga this week after carrying out research in the western Cook Islands where little to no prior data exists. The expedition conducted 14 remotely operated vehicle dives, collecting more than 400 samples and sub-samples, exploring seamounts, abyssal plains and areas of the Manihiki Plateau. Researchers aboard collected more than 23 biological specimens, some of which are believed to be new to science. The information is being gathered at a time when the US administration has made no secret of its desire to explore the potential of minerals on the Cook Islands' deep seabed. EVALUATING POTENTIAL US Geological Survey scientist Amanda Demopoulos said building an understanding of underwater life will help form a baseline that the local community can reference when making decisions about resources in their oceans. But the ecologist pointed out the information can also impact the wider region, as the wider Pacific Islands grapples with whether to allow deep sea mining for valiuavble polymetallic nodules on the deep seabed. "Countries have borders, but our ecosystems do not. By working together across international borders and boundaries, we can better understand how the full deep-sea ecosystem functions," Demopoulos said. The expedition also confirmed the presence of extensive polymetallic nodule fields in parts of the Cook Islands ocean territory that scientists did not expect. NOAA's deputy assistant secretary Erik Noble said the findings provide important baseline data for future decisions about seabed resources. "High-quality data is the essential first step towards evaluating resource potential. That baseline data collected on this cruise has given us concrete advancements in understanding deep-sea marine ecosystems. "And yes, it confirmed the presence of rich polymetallic nodule fields, vast fields in this region, even in places where they were not expected, even from our own scientific team." BUILDING RELATIONS Noble said he wants to build on the expedition through further relations. "The US is looking forward to long-term, lasting partnerships with nations that are actively committed to using world-class science to move forward’. "Specifically, using this foundation of data to build out a secure, responsible critical minerals industry for the future. The goal is to see this data translated into active economic development, strengthening global supply chains and creating real-world opportunities." He announced a new science fellow position will be established at NOAA though the US Embassy in New Zealand - with the person to be based in the Cook Islands to support and guide scientific and regulatory processes. Cook Islands caretaker Prime Minister Mark Brown, fresh off a resounding victory in the country's election last week, welcomed home the vessel and its crew. "What has returned to these shores is more than a research vessel. It is knowledge," he said. Brown said the expedition showed how much remains unknown about the Cook Islands ocean. He described it as a "humbling and inspiring" experience to sit alongside scientists as they sent an ROV, remotely operated vehicle, below the waves and watched its discoveries in real time on screen. "It reminded me that, even as an ocean nation, there is still so much about our own waters that we are only beginning to understand, and that understanding matters." The new US Ambassador to the Cook Islands Jared Novelly said more than 60,0000 people around the world tuned in to the expedition's ROV dives through live-streams. "People around the world followed this expedition live. They watched scientists become genuinely excited about sand, rocks, and the occasional deep-sea creature that appeared surprised to be on camera. The discoveries were shared as they happened." EARLIER EXPEDITION The expedition builds on earlier work by the Okeanos Explorer that helped the Cook Islands establish its rights over a much larger area of seabed. A Cook Islands public servant Joshua Mitchell said the vessel was instrumental in gathering evidence for the Cook Islands' revised extended continental shelf submission to the United Nations. In 2017, the Okeanos Explorer mapped unusual underwater ridges known as the Spurs, which extend from the Northern part of the Manihiki Plateau. "The expedition was a resounding success. We sent the coordinates through to the Okeanos Explorer, and they mapped it thoroughly using sophisticated multibeam equipment. They even flew an ROV up and along the feature, broadcasting the high-definition footage in real time for all to see." "I'll never forget sitting at my desk one day when Alan messages me and tells me to click on a link to follow the ROV expedition. "What I saw unfold on my screen was just incredible: soft corals, invertebrates, and all manner of unusual sea creatures. The Spur was teeming with life, an amazingly diverse ecosystem some 4000 metres down in the deep." Mitchell said the information ultimately formed part of the Cook Islands revised submission to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. In 2025, the UN accepted the technical arguments and endorsed it's claim, adding 396,900 square kilometres of extended continental shelf - and expanding the countrys total national jurisdiction to more than 2.3 million square kilometres. Mitchell said this also makes the Cook Islands the first Pacific Island nation to finalise all of its maritime boundaries and extended continental shelves under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. For him, the Okeanos Explorer returning to the Cook Islands for its most recent expedition is very special. "She represents opportunity for people from two different nations working together for the betterment of both countries. "She represents the importance of scientific knowledge to the ultimate expression of sovereignty in our maritime space, our Marae Moana, and she represents legacy from inspiring school kids in a classroom on a remote atoll to someday become marine scientists and researchers themselves." COOK ISLANDS SEABED MINERALS AUTHORITY The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority commissioner Beverly Ataera said that having NOAA taking members of her team on board for the expedition has helped build local scientific capability. "One of the things I particularly value about this expedition is that the Cook Islanders have not simply been observers... That capability that you shared with them will remain in the Cook Islands forever. This is how we build long-lasting capability." While there is significant concern in the Pacific Islands region about the potential environmental impact from deep sea mining, Ataera said the sort of knowledge gained in the NOAA expedition can only help better inform the debate. She believes the value of the expedition lies not only in what it discovered, but what it allows the Cook Islands to do next. "They help us to understand our ocean a little better. They help us to identify what we know and what we don't know yet, and where we need to focus our efforts to learn a little more. And that matters enormously for us in the Cook Islands. "If we are going to make good decisions about that ocean, those decisions must be grounded in good science and good information." Ataera concluded by reiterating that the information gathered must also be made accessible to Cook Islanders. The expedition data, video logs and sample analysis will be processed and shared with the Cook Islands Government and wider scientific community. Section: Regional Tags: Okeanos Explorer
2026-08-19 17:27:09

Nonprofit sues US as it pushes to auction massive tracks of water around American Samoa
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A legal environmental group sued the U.S. government on Tuesday, a month after the Trump administration announced plans to auction off massive sections of water surrounding American Samoa for potential deep-sea mining. Earthjustice filed the federal lawsuit against the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on behalf of two groups: Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i. The legal nonprofit is requesting that a judge order the National Marine Fisheries Service to stop moving forward with its plans and to comply with the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws. “The United States has never opened its waters to deep-sea mining. Until now,” the lawsuit stated. It noted that the U.S. plans to sell leases with the intention of allowing mining across some 33 million acres (about 51,560 square miles) of seabed off American Samoa that is rich in minerals including nickel, cobalt and manganese that are used to build batteries, electronics and other products. The lawsuit stated that the U.S. first must ensure that such activity will not destroy critical habitats or push species closer to extinction. The environmental group called a recent decision by the National Marine Fisheries Service that leases would not affect critical habitat or endangered or threatened species “a wholly arbitrary and capricious determination.” “The Samoan people rely upon a healthy ocean ecosystem,” the lawsuit reads. “This ecosystem feeds Samoan households, protects shorelines, and has formed the basis of many cultural practices that have existed for over a millennium.” It noted that many animals around American Samoa also migrate to Hawaiian waters, including sea turtles known as “i‘a sa,” which means “sacred fish.” American Samoa views whales, sharks, giant manta rays and other animals as sacred, and there’s a ban on catching or harming such species. The environmental group asserted that failure to comply with U.S. acts is harming “professional, scientific, educational, aesthetic, spiritual, and cultural interests” in American Samoan and Hawaiian waters. It said that waters surrounding American Samoa support “rare and diverse marine species” including shallow and mesophotic coral reefs, sponges, crabs, deep-sea cucumbers, sea turtles and hundreds of coral and fish species. The organization noted that the waters serve as habitat to five sea turtle populations and four types of whales that are all endangered, as well as five coral species and four animals including the giant manta ray that are threatened. The area that the U.S. envisions leasing is located 57 miles (92 kilometers) from the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to expedite mining permits even as dozens of countries have called for a moratorium or ban on deep sea mining because of environmental concerns including noise, light and suffocating dust storms. “To date, there has not been a commercial seabed mining operation established anywhere in the world,” Earthjustice said in its lawsuit. The International Seabed Authority, a Jamaica-based U.N. body that oversees deep international waters, has authorized exploration licenses for nearly two dozen contractors, but it has not allowed any commercial mining. Much of the ongoing exploration is centered in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, which covers 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometers) between Hawaii and Mexico. The U.S. has not ratified the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, so the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regulates U.S. exploration and commercial recovery of minerals. A spokesperson with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service told The Associated Press on Tuesday that it was unable to comment on litigation matters. The U.S. Department of Commerce did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Section: Local News Tags: deep sea mining
2026-08-19 17:20:12

AS DEMS praise clergy’s joint stance on deep-sea mining
Source: AS DEMS Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Democratic Party commends the Catholic Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago and the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (CEPAC) for their joint stance on addressing the dire issue of deep-sea mining and protecting the Pacific Ocean from industrial exploitation. “As shepherds and stewards of God’s creations, we are deeply concerned about activities that could threaten the health and integrity of our oceans. The Pacific Ocean is not merely a resource to be exploited. It is part of our common home, a source of life, culture, food, livelihoods, and identity for our Pacific people”, stated Bishop Bishop Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale Nationally and across the region, support for American Samoa has been swift and strong. Pacific civil society, faith institutions, scientists, and communities across other Pacific U.S. territories have stood in solidarity with American Samoa, arguing that “any approval of deep-sea minerals leasing plans would be contrary to the wishes of the local people.” Party Chair Patrick Ti’a Reid applauds “the courageous faith leaders and denominations whom have stepped forward and utilized their platform to express their support and advocacy for climate justice, ocean guardianship, and calls for protecting the moana for generations to come” Editor’s Note: At its XXXVI General Assembly in July 2026, the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) officially adopted a resolution strongly opposing deep-sea mining (DSM) in the Pacific. Representing over 600 delegates, the church declared the ocean a sacred trust tied to Samoan identity and faith, demanding legislative bans and permit denials from local and U.S. federal authorities. Section: Local News Tags: deep-sea mining
2026-08-19 17:10:38

JOIN THE TAULA TEAM – TRUCK DRIVER

2026-08-19 12:46:10

Loka e le tina o ia ma sana fanau teine se to’alua i totonu o se potu
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA O le aso 26 o Iulai, 2026, sa o’o atu ai se ripoti i le Ofisa a Leoleo i Tafuna, mai i se tina loto mafatia, i le fa’asua’ava o lona to’alua ma le fa’atupu vevesi i totonu o le latou aiga, faapea ai ma lona (le na molia), taumafai e fa’asasa le tina na a’afia ma lana fanau teine, mai i le tu’ua o le latou fale. [Ua le lomia suafa o i latou ua a’afia i lenei faalavelave faapea ma le na molia, aua le puipuiga o le tina ma lana fanau teine.] E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, o le umi na inu pia ia le ua molia, o le amata foi lea ona sui lana amio. Sa faamatalaina e le tina na a’afia, i leoleo, le amata ona fa’amisamisa atu le na molia, ia te ia (tina) ma fai atu o le a alu, ae tia’i o ia ma lana fanau teine, e to’alua. O lona popole tele, ina ne’i o’o atu le la tauga’upu i se tulaga pagatia, o lea na ave ai e le tina na a’afia, ia lana fanau teine e to’alua, ma loka i latou i totonu o se poka, ina ia le o’o atu ai le na molia, ia i latou. Sa ta’ua e le tina na a’afia, ia le tu’i leotele, e le na molia, ia le faitoto’a o le potu. Ma ina ua o latou taumafai, e o ‘ese ma le fale, sa tu ia le na molia, i le faitoto’a o le fale ma fa’asasa latou. Sa taumafai foi le tina na a’afia, e tatala le faitoto’a o le fale, peitai, sa fa’aaogaina e le na molia, ia lona malosi atoa, e tapuni ai le faitoto’a. Sa fa’aalia e le tina na a’afia, i leoleo, ua ia lagonaina le pei i latou o ni pagota, i totonu o le latou lava fale. Ae o le taeao na soso’o ai, ia Iulai 26, 2026, sa maleifua mai ai le tina a’afia, ma maitauina, le fa’aauau ona inu pia ia lona to’alua (le na molia). Ae ina ua amata ona ‘e’e ma palauvale leotele atu, ia le na molia, ia te ia ma le la fanau teine e to’alua, sa ia vala’au loa leoleo mo se fesoasoani. O lo’o ta’ua i ripoti a leoleo, e faapea, o le faalavelave na tupu ia Iulai 26, e le o se taimi muamua lea ua o’o mai ai se valaau i le Ofisa a Leoleo, mai i le tina lava lea, e fa’atatau i lona toalua. E foliga mai, o se faafitauli e tupu so’o i le va o le ulugalii. Ina ua mae’a ona fa’atalanoaina e leoleo, ia le tina, sa agai atu loa i tua o le fale, i le nofoaga o lo’o inu pia ai le na molia. E o’o atu leoleo, o lo’o tautulemoe ia le na molia, ae o lo’o ta’atia ia ni apa pia, ua uma ona inu, i ona autafa. Ona o le fa’asua’ava o le na molia, sa faafaigata ai i leoleo ona fai se latou talanoaga manino. O lea na ave faapagotaina ai loa o ia, ma momo atu i le ofisa a leoleo i Tafuna. O moliaga na faia faasaga i le sa lokaina e leoleo, na aofia ai: Faitauga 1: Faatupu Vevesi i nofoaga faitele (sauaga i totonu o le aiga) – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 2: Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu (sauaga i totonu o le aiga) – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Na lokaina ia le na molia, e aunoa ma se vaegatupe fa’atulagaina, e mafai ona toe tatalaina ai o ia, a’o fa’agasolo lona faamasinoga. LOKA SE TAMAITAI I LE 20 TAUSAGA ONA O FUALAAU FAASAINA O le aso Faraile o le vaiaso ua mavae, na lauina ai le faasalaga a Ollie Schuster, e le Faamasinoga Maualuga, ona o moliaga, i lona umia ma le faamoemoe e faatau atu, ia vaega o fualaau faasaina. E 20 tausaga ua faasala ai e le faamasinoga, ia Ollie, i le falepuipui. O le faalavelave ua faasala ai Ollie, sa tula’i mai i le masina o Novema, o le tausaga ua tuanai atu, ina ua maua e le aufaigaluega a le Ofisa o Tiute, ia se afifi, na fa’atuatusi mai i le ua ta’usalaina, ia ni vaega o fualaau faasaina, lea na su’esu’eina ma faamaonia, o le Aisa. O le aso 26 o Iulai, 2024, sa agai atu ai le ua ta’usalaina, i le falemeli i Fagatogo, e piki mai lana afifi lea sa maua ai vaega o fualaau faasaina, ma ave faapagotaina ai loa o ia. O lo’o fa’asalaina ia Ollie, i solitulafono mamafa, o le umia ma le faamoemoe, e faatauina atu, ia vaega o fualaau faasaina, ae fa’aleaogaina leisi ona moliaga mama. O le afioga i le sui Faamasino Sili ia Elvis Patea, faatasi ai ma le lagolagosua a ona soatau, I afioga i Faamasino Lagolago ia Faamausili Pomele ma Paepae Joseph Faiai, sa tu’uina mai le faasalaga, o le na molia. I le gagana o le tulafono, o so’o se tasi e ta’usalaina i le solitulafono o le umia ma le faamoemoe e fa’atau atu o vaega o fualaau faasaina, e mafai ona faasala i le falepuipui, i le va o le lima ma le 20 tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $20,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-19 02:39:33

Gourmet taro chips from home
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Comfort food for Hurricane Lala from Amerika Samoa, available at Foodland, Aina Haina, Hawaii... and maybe a bush store near you. The Moana gourmet taro chips are made by a family-run business from American Samoa. They use hand-harvested, non-GMO taro sourced from local island farmers with simple ingredients like sea salt, oil, and seasonings. Section: Local News Tags: MOANA TARO CHIPS
2026-08-18 17:06:03

Update: Joint Ops team completes complex extraction and relocation of Samoa Airways plane at Fitiuta
Source: ASG Fitiuta, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Port Administration of American Samoa (PAAS), in close partnership with Samoa Airways, has successfully completed the complex extraction and recovery of the Twin Otter aircraft (5W-FAY) from the operational safety zones at Fitiuta Airport, Manu'a Islands. The high-precision recovery operation was led by Samoa Airways' technical team from Samoa, working alongside specialized aircraft engineers from Unity Aviation Canada Ltd, who mobilized from Canada to American Samoa on Wednesday night. Crucial heavy equipment assets, tactical manpower, flatbed logistics, and necessary civil engineering materials were provided by local contractor Silva Group. To ensure maximum safety during these complex maneuvers, official Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) runway closures were strategically put in place. On Thursday morning, Aug 13, 2026, a Samoa Airways Engineer, the engineering crew from Canada, and PAAS Senior Manager of Engineering flew directly into Fitiuta to immediately commence critical on-site prep works. During these initial ground operations, the designated crane operator performed an exhaustive site walk to calculate the vehicle’s exact outrigger positioning relative to the runway. shoulders. To guarantee a stable lift platform for the crane and safeguard the airfield's infrastructure, a critical segment of the unpaved terrain was leveled using specialized backfill materials. On Friday, Aug 14, 2026, the joint technical team utilized a 12-ton mobile crane to execute a multi-phase rigging and hoisting sequence. The initial lift extricated the aircraft from the crash site onto leveled ground, where the broken nose wheel assembly was temporarily stabilized using a configuration of pallets and tires. The crane then executed a second lift, rotating the airframe 180 degrees to align and secure the front section onto a Silva Group flatbed transport vehicle. While in this position, mechanical crews successfully replaced one of the damaged main landing gear tires. Once secured, the aircraft was slowly and meticulously towed down the airfield network to the concrete apron. A final crane sequence lifted the aircraft off the flatbed, re-stabilizing the nose section on pallets and tires within the secure apron staging footprint. The aircraft was secured to the apron using straps. Over the next few days, the Canadian engineering team will systematically dismantle the airframe on-site while comprehensively documenting structural and systems damages. The components will be securely packed into two 40-foot shipping containers and transferred to the seaport for maritime transit back to Samoa. "This successful operation is a testament to international and local inter-agency collaboration," stated Barney Sene, Director of Port Administration. "Thanks to the swift arrival of the joint preparatory team on Thursday morning, the tactical mechanical adaptations executed during the dual-lift sequence, the robust asset deployment from Silva Group, and the proactive airspace management through our NOTAM alerts, the aircraft was removed safely without any further impact to our airfield infrastructure." Normal flight operations continue at Fitiuta Airport. PAAS engineering personnel have concluded final visual and physical sweeps of the runway clear zones to officially lift the temporary flight advisory. Section: Local News Tags: SAMOA AIRWAYS
2026-08-18 16:58:09

Man accused of taking his ex-wife’s truck without permission
Police reportedly use iPhone translation application to question him By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 25, 2026, a man was arrested after allegedly stealing or taking his ex-wife's truck without her permission, driving it to her business in Pavaiai, and later attempting to gain entry into a locked room after she told him to leave. The suspect who was previously arrested for stealing money from his ex-wife’s business was arrested and later charged with: Count 1: Tampering in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Trespass (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine not to exceed $500, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the suspect, later identified as Dang Huu Lanh went to the victim’s property, which is part of her business holdings, and demanded that an employee give him the keys to the truck. The employee initially refused to hand over the keys. However, the suspect allegedly became increasingly loud and demanding. The employee was reportedly serving a customer at the time and became concerned that the situation could escalate and potentially place both himself and the customer at risk. Fearing that Lanh might cause a scene, the employee eventually handed over the vehicle keys. The suspect then allegedly drove away from the property in the truck. The employee immediately contacted the victim and informed her that Lane had taken the vehicle. Police officers responded to the report and met with the victim at her business in Pavaiai. Investigators obtained a description of the vehicle, which was identified as an old black Nissan Titan pickup truck. The victim also told police that shortly after the truck was taken, the suspect arrived at her business. The victim reported that she was inside a locked room at approximately 12:12 p.m. when she heard loud banging. Initially, she did not pay much attention to the noise because she believed it could have been caused by children running around the property or construction work taking place nearby. The banging reportedly stopped for several minutes before she heard the door knob being shaken and rattling noises coming from the locked door. Concerned, she checked her security cameras, which were positioned toward the hallway. The victim stated that she saw her ex-husband attempting to get inside the room. The suspect reportedly called out to her from outside and said that he wanted to talk. The victim told investigators that she instructed Lanh to leave and made it clear that she did not want him around her business but he refused to leave. The victim alleged that the suspect then picked up a lash tweezer and attempted to use it to pick open the lock on the door. The victim continued that she was scared for her safety after seeing Lanh’s actions on the security camera and contacted the Department of Public Safety. The victim stated that when the suspect realized she was calling police, he left the property and fled in her pickup truck that he had allegedly taken earlier without her permission. Officers subsequently began searching for the vehicle. Police units were patrolling the area when they spotted a truck matching the description provided by the victim near KS Mart. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver turned into the KS Mart parking lot and appeared to attempt to evade the police units. Officers moved to block the entrances and exits of the parking lot to prevent the vehicle from leaving. Police then approached the truck and identified the driver as Lanh. The suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS), where the was Mirandized. Because investigators needed assistance communicating with the suspect, an iPhone translation application was reportedly used. Officers conducted a test using the application, and the man indicated that he understood. The same translation application was then used to Mirandize the suspect. Lanh indicated that he understood his rights and waived them. Investigators subsequently attempted to interview him about the allegations. During questioning, the suspect denied taking the vehicle without permission and denied attempting to force his way into the locked room. He stated that he only wanted to speak with his ex- wife, but that she refused to speak with him or involve herself with him. The investigation also confirmed that the pickup truck was registered to the victim. The victim later explained to investigators that she and the suspect had previously been married and share children together. Because of their children, she said the suspect had continued living on the same compound with the family for a period of time. However, the victim told police that an incident in July, in which she alleged that the suspect stole money from her, led her to banish him from the property. She also stated that she ended his employment with her business and informed her employees that he was no longer permitted to be around the business. According to the affidavit, employees were also instructed not to provide him access to any of the company's vehicles or merchandise. The woman acknowledged that before the suspect was removed from the property and business, he had occasionally used the Nissan Titan to run errands for the company. However, the victim stated that he was only permitted to use the vehicle when she specifically authorized him to do so. Police subsequently booked the man and confined him at the Tafuna Correctional Facility. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 29, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-18 16:52:26

Man allegedly drives into tent where uncle and his young grandson were sleeping
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 26, 2026, a man contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported his nephew allegedly drove onto his family's property while intoxicated, striking a large tent where his uncle and his 7-year-old grandson were sleeping, and then threw unopened beer cans during a confrontation. The suspect was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine of not more than $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both. The defendant was held without bail. (Samoa News has withheld the names of the individuals involved to protect the identity of the minor involved.) According to the court affidavit, police officers were dispatched to the Tafeta residence in response to the report. Upon arrival, officers met with the uncle, who provided investigators with an account of what had allegedly occurred. The victim informed the authorities that his nephew (suspect) drove his vehicle up the driveway at an estimated speed of approximately 20 to 25 miles per hour. The vehicle allegedly struck an approximately 80-by-60-foot tent that had been set up near the area where he and his 7-year-old grandson were sleeping. The victim further explained that he approached the suspect to address what had happened and the situation quickly escalated. The suspect exited his vehicle and began yelling profanities at him. The suspect also allegedly threw unopened cans of beer at the victim while he was still accompanied by his 7-year-old grandson. The victim informed the officers that he was concerned about his nephew’s behavior because his grandson was present during the confrontation. The victim also stated that this was not the first time the suspect had allegedly behaved in a similar manner, noting that police had previously been called to deal with his nephew's behavior. After completing the initial interview, officers proceeded to the suspect's residence with additional officers assisting in the response. The uncle had directed police to the residence, which is located on the same family land. Although the two men live on the same family property, they reside in separate houses. As officers approached the suspect's residence, the suspect reportedly came outside and again began yelling in the direction of the victim. Police then apprehended the suspect and placed him inside a police unit. During the arrest, officers reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol coming from the suspect's breath. Officers also observed that his eyes appeared bloodshot. While the suspect was being detained, officers spoke with the victim’s wife. She told police that she did not personally witness the incident but heard loud noises, including the sound of tires screeching outside their residence. The woman told officers that she became concerned for the safety of her elderly mother, who is bedridden and lives on the same family property. She reportedly told police that she feared something could happen to her mother because the suspect had displayed similar behavior in the past when he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The suspect was transported to the TPS for further investigation. At the station, the suspect was placed inside the briefing room and was Mirandized. The suspect acknowledged that he understood his rights but refused to provide a statement concerning his alleged involvement in the incident. He was subsequently booked and confined at the Tafuna Correctional Facility. The matter did not end with the initial police report. On July 27th, the victim submitted a signed letter to the Department of Public Safety further detailing what he claimed occurred during the confrontation. According to the letter, the suspect allegedly rushed toward him and his 7-year-old grandson after throwing the beer cans at them. The victim stated that the suspect fell down while allegedly rushing toward them. He also identified a caregiver as a witness who he said had observed the incident. In his written statement, the victim said he felt threatened by his nephew's actions and expressed his desire to pursue criminal charges. The case remains subject to court proceedings. The defendant is identified as a 42-year-old citizen of Samoa. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 30, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-18 16:46:32

Muddy cleanup ahead as Tropical Storm Lala moves west of Hawaii
Sources: Associated Press, Hawaii News Now HONOLULU — Tropical Storm Lala left behind a muddy mess Monday caused by intense rainfall and flooding as it moved past Hawaii’s main islands. Lala weakened from a hurricane to a tropical storm Sunday after lashing the state without making landfall. The storm was projected to continue moving westward and was forecast to become a hurricane again at sea and far from land by Wednesday. There were no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Hawaii on Monday as cleanup efforts were expected to begin, but life-threatening surf and rip current conditions remained, according to the National Hurricane Center. Saturation caused heavy rainfall could still cause some landslides, but winds were no longer a threat, National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick Blood said. “There’s no real looming hazards that we’re facing now,” he said. “Lala’s off to the west.” Laupahoehoe, on the northeast coast of the Big Island, saw the heaviest recorded rainfall at 43.54 inches (1.1 meters). The highest winds were atop the towering Mauna Kea volcano, where gusts hit 140 mph (225 kph). At the lower elevations, residents all across the island chain experienced tropical storm force winds of 30 to 40 mph (48 to 64 kph) with gusts up to 60 mph (97 kph), Blood said. The storm felled trees and power lines and caused serious flooding that swept some 100 homes from their foundations on the Big Island, authorities said. Gov. Josh Green said Sunday that no one is believed to have died when the homes washed away. Meanwhile all state offices, public schools, and court facilities across the islands were closed on Monday, Aug. 17. The closure affected all Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) schools, public charter schools, and state Judiciary facilities. The state said in a joint news release that all county offices were also closed on Monday. Non-essential state and county employees affected by the closures were granted administrative leave. All state offices, public schools, and court facilities across the islands were closed on Monday, Aug. 17, due to severe storm impacts from Lala. The closure affected all Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) schools, public charter schools, and state Judiciary facilities. The state said in a joint news release that all county offices were to be closed. Non-essential state and county employees affected by the closures were granted administrative leave. Section: Regional Tags: clean up
2026-08-18 16:41:15

NOAA and partners to explore, map deep waters of American Samoa
(Source: NOAA Research Public Affairs) d2-american-samoa-2017 The remotely operated vehicle, Deep Discoverer, imaging the seafloor off American Samoa during an expedition in 2017. Two expeditions in waters around American Samoa by NOAA Ocean Exploration and its partners are scheduled for August through October this year to map and characterize the deep seafloor for offshore critical mineral exploration. [Image credit: NOAA OER] Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — NOAA Ocean Exploration and its partners will conduct two expeditions in waters around American Samoa this summer and fall to map and characterize the deep seafloor in the nation’s highest-priority region for offshore critical mineral exploration. The expeditions will generate publicly available data and information to increase understanding of mineral potential, guide future exploration, and support federal and local decision-making. These expeditions will take place aboard NOAA Ship Oceans Explorer. The first will take place August through September 2026 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The second expedition will run from late September through October 2026. Throughout both expeditions, the team will deploy advanced mapping technology and observational sensors. “NOAA is dedicating our resources to providing scientific research and data that supports commerce,” said NOAA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Erik Noble. “We are investing in the thrill of exploration, tying scientific discoveries to data that industry, government and our partners can use to build prosperity, both at home and around the globe.” Real-time ROV operations will be streamed online daily.providing the public and shore-based scientists a unique window into the deep-sea environment. This data-driven approach is designed to provide authoritative science for decision-makers at federal and local levels. All data gathered will be made publicly available to support critical mineral assessments, future exploration decisions, and broader marine-resource planning. “The deep waters around American Samoa hold unknown secrets about our ocean, including unmapped habitats and potential mineral resources critical to our national prosperity and security,” said Captain William Mowitt, acting director of NOAA Ocean Exploration. “By exploring these areas in an open and transparent way, we are providing the authoritative and foundational science that decision-makers and local communities need to responsibly manage the marine environment and its resources.” ABOUT THE OKEANOS EXPLORER MISSION IN AMERICAN SAMOA American Samoa has been identified as the highest-priority region in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone for mapping and exploration due to its potential for polymetallic nodules and high industry interest. This work follows a successful 2026 NOAA-funded project to map and characterize over 30,000 square nautical miles in the region as well as two NOAA-funded expeditions on Ocean Exploration Trust’s Exploration Vessel Nautilus, which included exploration in the eastern American Samoa Exclusive Economic Zone. Section: Local News Tags: NOAA Ocean Exploration
2026-08-18 16:34:18

Senate vote to confirm new DPS Commissioner falls short
By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate on Thursday declined to confirm Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula’s nominee for Commissioner of Public Safety, Commander Lauti Tautalasoo Moliga, after the vote fell short of the required threshold. Only nine senators voted in favor of the nomination, while five opposed. Confirmation requires ten affirmative votes, leaving the nominee one vote shy. Four senators were absent during the session: Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, Togiola Tulafono, Gaoteote Palaie Tofau, and Tupuola Sopoaga. Earlier in the day, the Senate Public Safety Committee, chaired by Senator Olo Uluao Letuli, convened a short confirmation hearing for Moliga. The chamber was filled with relatives, supporters, and senior personnel from the Department of Public Safety, including former Commissioner Lefiti Pese, who attended to show solidarity. Senior Senator Muagututia Tauoa told colleagues he had spent several days reviewing Moliga’s résumé and service record. He said he was convinced the nominee possessed the experience and temperament needed for the role, adding that Moliga should have been appointed “long ago” following the departure of former Commissioner Taaga. Muagututia described Moliga as another “proverbial bird of the flock” whose moment to lead had arrived. He encouraged the nominee to rely on the wisdom of veteran DPS officers and to prioritize fairness, professionalism, and the public interest. Muagututia then moved to close the hearing. Senator Levu Iosia offered brief remarks, saying he had no questions for Moliga but wished to express his full support. He urged the nominee to confront the territory’s growing drug problem and said he believed Moliga was prepared to take on the responsibilities of commissioner. Senator Tuanaitau Malaki Togiola also endorsed the nomination, advising Moliga to uphold the rights of the public and ensure equal treatment of all DPS personnel. His only questions concerned Moliga’s age and length of service. Moliga responded that he is 53 years old and has served with DPS for 33 years. Committee Chairman Olo Letuli added his own endorsement, noting that he had served alongside Moliga in the American Samoa Army Reserve and could personally attest to his dedication and discipline. He said Moliga had the character and experience necessary to lead the department. Moliga thanked the senators for their comments, saying he was encouraged by their confidence in him. He pledged to apply their advice to strengthen the department and improve public safety. He also expressed gratitude to the Governor for nominating him and acknowledged the relatives, friends, and DPS staff who attended the hearing in support. With the confirmation vote falling short, Moliga’s future as the Governor’s nominee remains unresolved. The administration has not yet indicated whether it will resubmit his name, seek reconsideration, or put forward a new candidate. Section: Local News Tags: DPS Commissioner
2026-08-18 16:28:14

SFESA Contain Two Bush Fires in Savai‘i as Dry Conditions Raise Fire Risk
The Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) has successfully responded to two separate bush fire incidents in Savai‘i, including a recurring fire at Samalaeulu and another at Falealupo. The Samalaeulu fire was first reported at approximately 11:57am on Friday, 14 August 2026, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters from the Maota and Asau Fire [...] The post SFESA Contain Two Bush Fires in Savai‘i as Dry Conditions Raise Fire Risk first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-18 15:46:08

New Controller & Auditor General Sworn In
Apia, SAMOA – 18 August 2026 – After almost 20 years continuous service in various capacities with the Audit Office, Fa’amoetauloa Fa’asavalu Ah Siu Lin was sworn in by the Head of State, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Suālauvī II as Samoa’s new Controller and Auditor General in parliament this morning. He was appointed under Section 97 [...] The post New Controller & Auditor General Sworn In appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-18 10:18:31

Minister of Finance meets World Bank Division Director
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 18 August 2026 – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo hosted the World Bank Division Director, Ms. Proskuryakova and her delegation during a courtesy visit to Samoa from 11 to 14 August. The mission provided an opportunity for the Government of Samoa and [...] The post Minister of Finance meets World Bank Division Director appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-18 10:07:18

Senator calls new raised sidewalks and road signs illegal
Maintenance of road signs needed By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The installation of the new raised crosswalks and road signs by the Department of Public Works is illegal, according to Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono. He made the declaration last Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during the continuation of the Senate hearing on the raised crosswalk installations. After testifying in the initial hearing the previous week on Friday, August 7, 2026, Public Works Director Taeaotui Punaofoi Tilei and Deputy Director Falava‘i Ta‘ase appeared once again before the Senate Public Works Committee, this time joined by Department of Public Safety Deputy Commissioner Fo‘ifua Fo‘ifua and DPS Traffic Officer Byron Saifoloi. Togiola quoted Section 22.0302 (a) of the American Samoa Code Annotated which reads, "(a) The Commissioner shall place and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, such appropriate official traffic-control devices as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title or direct or warn traffic upon the highways." “Is the raised crosswalk a traffic‐control device?” Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono asked. “Yes,” Deputy Director Ta‘ase replied. “Are speed bumps traffic‐control devices?” Togiola continued. Ta‘ase again answered, “Yes.” “Are the yellow and white lines painted on the road traffic‐control devices?” “Yes,” Ta‘ase confirmed for a third time. Togiola then pressed him, “Did you know about this explicit stipulation of the law before?” Ta‘ase said he was not aware of the requirement under ASCA §22.0302(a), which places authority for all traffic‐control devices under the Commissioner of Public Safety. He explained that in previous years, DPW and DPS employees trained together during safety courses, ensuring both agencies understood their respective responsibilities. However, that joint training has since been discontinued — a change he said has contributed to employees in both departments not knowing this critical part of the law. Togiola emphasized that it is critical for the law to be followed to the letter, noting that improper installation of traffic‐control devices could undermine police enforcement. He explained that if an officer issues a citation to a driver for failing to obey a traffic‐control device — such as a posted speed‐limit sign — and the case goes to court, the driver could argue that the sign was installed by the Department of Public Works, which does not have statutory authority to place or maintain such devices. As a result, the driver could claim that no law was broken, because the device was not installed under the authority of the Commissioner of Public Safety, as required by ASCA §22.0302(a). Deputy Director Ta‘ase responded that the Federal Highway Administration provides the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which outlines the criteria for installing traffic‐control devices. He said the manual is also used by DPS traffic personnel. However, Togiola intervened, stressing that the law prevails, and that the MUTCD does not supersede statutory authority. “The law is very clear that the Commissioner of Public Safety shall place and maintain, or cause to be placed and maintained, such appropriate official traffic‐control devices as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title or direct or warn traffic upon the highways,” he said. “Nowhere in the law is the Public Works Department mentioned. So you should review the matter closely and ascertain your role, because if the law is to be obeyed, that means all the traffic‐control devices — including signage, speed bumps, and raised crosswalks — that your department installed without the DPS Commissioner’s approval are illegal.” Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean sought clarification on the 2016 Federal Highway Administration study cited by Public Works, which reported a 72% increase in pedestrians involved in accidents while using crosswalks. Tuaolo asked where the study had been conducted, and Deputy Director Ta‘ase confirmed it was carried out on the U.S. mainland, not in the Pacific region. Ta‘ase explained that during a 2023 FHWA summit in Hawai‘i, DPW was advised to begin installing raised crosswalks due to rising traffic accidents in American Samoa. He said the initiative was incorporated into the Islandwide Safety Project and was approved by then‐DPS Commissioner Ta‘aga Sa‘ite Moliga. Tuaolo then turned to Deputy Commissioner Fo‘ifua, asking whether there had been any collaboration between DPW and DPS on the project. Fo‘ifua replied that he was not aware of any coordination. Pressed further on whether DPS, from a policing standpoint, recommended raised crosswalks, Fo‘ifua said they were necessary for the safety of schoolchildren, especially in high‐traffic zones. The Senate President also raised concerns about ambulance safety, noting that patients being rushed to the hospital could be put at risk when ambulances strike raised crosswalks at high speed. He warned that patients not securely strapped to stretchers could flip or suffer spinal injuries due to the abrupt impact. Tuaolo further criticized the poor condition of roadside signs, including speed‐limit and cautionary markers. He said he had seen signs so covered in dirt and grime that they were barely recognizable, pointing to a long‐standing lack of maintenance. Tuaolo pointed out that there had never been any difficulty ensuring the safety of schoolchildren under the long‐standing School Safety Program, in which police work alongside teachers and selected students to manage traffic when children cross the road. “There were never any problems before,” Tuaolo said. “When motorists see the teachers and students tasked with controlling traffic movement, they obey their instructions. When motorists see a school bus stop in front of them, they stop as well until the bus moves forward again. People know what to do in these situations.” He then offered his recommendation: DPW should remove the raised crosswalks to put an end to the complaints coming from motorists and the public. Senator Magalei Logovii stated that the raised crosswalks have created significant traffic backups during the morning and afternoon rush hours. He argued that the funds used to install them would have been better spent hiring additional police officers to monitor and control traffic in school zones. Magalei noted that while the raised crosswalks were installed to improve the safety of schoolchildren, they have instead resulted in long, daily traffic blockages. He added that these delays will continue even after schools close, because the raised structures remain in place and continue to disrupt traffic flow. Committee Chairman Senator Levu Iosia Jr. concluded the hearing by recommending that DPW remove the raised crosswalks. Samoa News reached out to motorists and members of the public for their views on the issue. Toleafoa Silivetero Laumoli, a bus driver on the Fagatogo– Leone route, expressed strong opposition to the newly installed traffic‐control devices. He said the first and most important fact to consider is that American Samoa has only one main road running from one end of the island to the other, with a maximum speed limit of 25– 30 mph and steady traffic at all hours of the day and night. Toleafoa argued that the raised crosswalks have disrupted the flow of traffic, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours, when buses, commuters, and delivery vehicles are already navigating heavy congestion. He said the new crosswalks make drivers slow down suddenly, causing traffic to back up along the road. “Time is money, and everyone is trying to get to work on time or get home early after work for a specific reason,” Toleafoa said. “For us bus drivers, our job is to get people to their workplaces on time and bring them home safely every day. Now we’re dealing with another impediment that slows us down — not only during the school year, but even when schools are closed.” He noted that many buses are contracted by StarKist to transport workers to and from the cannery each day, and any delay along the main road affects both employee schedules and company operations. Toleafoa said that buses taking workers home after their 2 a.m. shift often travel above the 25‐mph speed limit because there is very little traffic on the road and police presence is minimal. He explained that officers are generally aware of this but enforcement is not strict, as they understand the road is quiet at that hour and workers simply want to get home quickly after eight hours of labor. “When we finally have the road to ourselves with almost no traffic or pedestrians, we still have to slow down unnecessarily for these raised crosswalks,” he complained. Toleafoa also pointed out that with double yellow lines running down the center of the road from Leone to Fagatogo, the raised crosswalks add yet another obstacle that slows motorists even further from reaching their destinations. “Toleafoa also pointed out that DPW, for reasons unclear to him, removed the single dotted yellow line at Faganeanea — the stretch running past Aveina Store and through the center of the village — by painting a double line over it. He said that was the only section of road where overtaking had previously been permitted. ‘This is ridiculous,’ he said. ‘Where are the accident statistics for this particular stretch of road that would justify putting in a double line? If a vehicle in front is crawling along, motorists should not be forced to trail behind like zombie drivers. Shouldn’t the public have a chance to voice their opinions before changes like this are imposed on everyone?’” Toleafoa said the same issue applies to the new raised crosswalks, which he argued were installed without informing the public or giving residents any opportunity to voice their concerns before the changes were implemented. Another disgruntled member of the public echoed Senate President Tuaolo’s criticism during the hearing regarding the poor condition of roadside signs, including speed‐limit and cautionary markers. Tuaolo said he had seen signs so covered in dirt and grime that they were barely recognizable, pointing to a long‐standing lack of maintenance. “Tuaolo was right,” said Lilomaiava Tagipo. “I took a ride westward after watching the hearing on YouTube, and it didn’t take long to find one of the dirtiest roadside signs I’ve ever seen — across from the tank farm at Gataivai. Then at Fagaalu, I came across a 25‐mph speed‐limit sign that was barely readable because of the dirt and grime, and the ‘5’ had peeled away.” Jerry Smith of Laulii, who works in Tafuna, was another frustrated member of the public who pointed to a particular sign in Fagaalu just before the turn‐in to LBJ Hospital. “This sign is upside down, and it’s got ‘American Samoa 004’ on it,” Smith said. “I drive by it every morning on my way to work, and it has been like that for the past four years. I’ve reported it to PWD countless times, but nothing has been done. Now they’re installing raised crosswalks without doing any maintenance on these important government assets designed to help the traveling public.” It remains unclear whether Public Works will accept the Senate’s recommendation to remove the three raised crosswalks already in place. Editor’s Note: Samoa News points out that for the funds to be used for other than installation of the raised crosswalks DPW needs the federal program’s approval or else it will have to pay the program back for the “misuse” of their funds, or it will not be reimbursed for use of the funds in such a manner. Section: Local News Tags: Raised crosswalks
2026-08-17 17:47:05

PUBLIC NOTICE — FALSE INFORMATION
Source: ASG Governor's Office Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Office of the Governor- American Samoa Government advises the public that a document currently circulating on social media claiming that missile strikes have occurred in American Samoa is FALSE and was NOT issued by the Office of the Governor. There have been NO missile strikes in American Samoa, and the memorandum being circulated is FAKE. We strongly urge the public not to share, repost, or distribute this fabricated document. False information of this nature can create unnecessary fear, panic, and confusion within our community. We also strongly urge the individual or individuals responsible for creating and circulating false government documents to STOP immediately. The unauthorized creation or misuse of official government names, seals, formatting, or communications to spread false emergency information is a serious matter. The public is encouraged to rely only on official American Samoa Government communication channels and authorized government agencies for emergency announcements and other important public information. If you receive information that appears questionable, please verify it through official sources before sharing. Please help us protect our community by stopping the spread of misinformation. Office of the Governor American Samoa Government Section: Local News Tags: public notice
2026-08-17 17:34:10

Police hold 49-year-old man for threatening to kill the PM
Apia, SAMOA – 18 August 2026 – A 49-year-old man is in police custody and charged for threatening to kill the Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt. He is identified as Aumaga Aloalii of Aua, American Samoa and Saleapaga villages and the threat was made in a social media post using offensive language. Police [...] The post Police hold 49-year-old man for threatening to kill the PM appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-17 16:00:00

Hawaii Faces Flood and Mudslide Threat as Hurricane Lala Moves South
Hurricane Lala has skirted Hawaii’s Big Island without making landfall and is expected to gradually weaken after lashing the region with strong winds and drenching rain that flooded roads and turned rivers into raging torrents. The possibility the island could witness its first direct hit from a hurricane in 155 years faded as the eye [...] The post Hawaii Faces Flood and Mudslide Threat as Hurricane Lala Moves South first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-17 12:31:03

Samoa Airways Aircraft Recovered After Complex Fitiuta Operation
The Port Administration of American Samoa (PAAS), in partnership with Samoa Airways, has successfully completed the complex recovery of the Twin Otter aircraft, 5W-FAY, from the operational safety zone at Fitiuta Airport in the Manuʻa Islands. The high-precision recovery operation was led by the Samoa Airways technical team, working alongside specialised aircraft engineers from Unity [...] The post Samoa Airways Aircraft Recovered After Complex Fitiuta Operation first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-17 12:15:54

14 Defendants in Latest Police Drug Raid Remain in Custody
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 17 August 2026 – The 14 defendants charged in connection with the last weeks Police drug raid, appeared in the Supreme Court today and have remained in custody as the legal process continues. Justice Ameperosa Roma denied one of the defendants’ request to be released on bail. The court [...] The post 14 Defendants in Latest Police Drug Raid Remain in Custody appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-17 10:40:04

16 Vessels of Interest in Major Regional Surveillance Against Illegal Fishing
HONIARA, 17 AUG 2026 – Sixteen vessels of interest (VOIs) were identified during Operation Island Chief 2026 (OPIC26), one of the higher numbers recorded in recent FFA coordinated regional surveillance operations, as Members and partners stepped up fisheries monitoring activities across the region. The two-week long operation, coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) [...] The post 16 Vessels of Interest in Major Regional Surveillance Against Illegal Fishing appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-17 10:02:49

Police Warn of Rising AI-Generated Fake Content and Misinformation Online
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 17 August 2026 – The Samoa Police has issued a clear warning to the public using social media and police concern over the growing spread of fake content created by AI, fake accounts, and false information posted online. The police urge people to be careful when they see posts [...] The post Police Warn of Rising AI-Generated Fake Content and Misinformation Online appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-17 09:51:05

LTA Clarifies Vehicle Assigned to Prime Minister’s Principal Adviser
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has clarified the ownership and registration of a vehicle assigned to the Prime Minister’s Principal Adviser following questions raised in a local newspaper article. The LTA confirmed that the vehicle’s registration plate has been changed to a private plate, while ownership of the vehicle remains with the Government of Samoa [...] The post LTA Clarifies Vehicle Assigned to Prime Minister’s Principal Adviser first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-17 03:42:23

Police Warn Public Over AI-Generated Fake Social Media Posts
The Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services (SPPCS) issues a strong and serious warning to all social media users regarding the increasing spread of AI-generated content, fake accounts, fabricated information, and misleading posts on Facebook and other online platforms. Members of the public are urged to stop, verify, and think carefully before believing, downloading, commenting [...] The post Police Warn Public Over AI-Generated Fake Social Media Posts first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-17 03:26:52

16 August 1977: Elvis Presley Found Unconscious in his Graceland Mansion in Memphis
16 August 1977: Elvis Presley was found unconscious in his Graceland mansion and rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Presley was later buried in a garden behind the mansion, where he rests with his mother and father, which was left to his daughter Lisa Marie Presley along with the rest of his [...] The post 16 August 1977: Elvis Presley Found Unconscious in his Graceland Mansion in Memphis first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-15 22:09:11

TALA MAI I LE MAOTA FONO
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA ILOILOGA A LE SENATE I TUPE SA FA’AAOGAINA E LE ASTCA I LE FAAMANATUINA O IULAI 4 Ua fa’atulagaina nei e le Komiti mo le Faagaioiga o le Malo, a le Maota o le Senate, e iloiloina ai le tala o le tupe, sa fa’aaluaina, e le ASTCA, i gaioiga mo le faamanatuina o le 250 tausaga, o le tutoatasi a Amerika, ia Iulai 4, ona o ni atugaluga ua o’o atu, mai i tagata o le atunu’u faapea sui faitulafono. I tauaofiaga masani a le Senate, i le aso Lua, sa tapaina ai e le Taitaifono o le Komiti a le Senate, le afioga i le Senatoa Togiola T.A. Tulafono, ia se ripoti auiliili, mai i o Faatonusili a le ASTCA, ia Folasaitu Sorepa Fata Thomas, i tupe uma sa fa’aaluina mo le faamanatuina o le aso 4 o Iulai. Sa saunoa Togiola, o lo’o fia malamalama le komiti, pe na mamafa i tupe aoina lotoifale, po o tupe feterale, ia po o tupe fa’ameaalofa atu, ia le fa’aaoga a le ASTCA, aua lea faamoemoe. Na fa’aalia e le afioga i le Senatoa, ia le toatele o le mamalu o le atunu’u, ua fesiligia le fa’aaogaina o tupe lotoifale mo fuafuaga faapenei, ae o lo’o feagai ia le malo ma faigata tau tupe. O se tasi o faataitaiga na faaleo e Togiola, o le aitalafu tele lea o lo’o nofo aitalafu ai le malo, i le Teugatupe o le Ritaea a Tagata Faigaluega o le malo, lea ua leva ona fautuaina e sui faitulafono, ia le faigamalo, ina ia ave iai le faamuamua. O le aso 31 o Aukuso, lea ua fa’atulagaina ai se iloiloga ma le Faatonusili a le ASTCA, pe a mae’a mai ia le malologa mo le lua vaiaso, a le maota fono. Sa talosagaina foi e Togiola, ia seisi ripoti mai i le sui Tausitupe a le malo, e patino i inivesi ma tulaga o initeresi, a le malo, ua mafai ona maua mai i tupe a le ARPA. Sa saunoa le afioga i le Senatoa, i le tele o ni faamatalaga ua o’o atu ia te ia, mai i le mamalu lautele, i le inivesi o tupe a le malo, i ni kamupani ma’oti, ae peitai, e leai se tulaga o ta’ua i totonu o pili mo le fa’aagaga o tupe fa’aopoopo, o faamanino mai ai le teugatupe. O le iloiloga ma le sui Tausitupe, ua fa’atulagaina i le taimi nei, mo Setema 1, 2026. Sa faaleoina e le afioga i le Peresetene o le Senate, le tofa ia Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, ia le agaga fa’afetai, ia Togiola, mo le fa’atula’i mai o lenei mataupu, ona ua salalau ia fa’asea, e tusa ai ma tupe fa’aalu a le ASTCA. Na ia faamamafaina foi le avea o iloiloga a le Senate, ma auala taua, e fa’ao’o atu ai i le mamalu lautele, ia tulaga o lo’o tutupu i totonu o le malo. Na ta’ua e Tuaolo, ia le toatele o tagata o le atunu’u – e aofia ai ma i latou o lo’o aumau i atunu’u i fafo – ua fa’aalia le agaga fa’afetai i le faaiuga a le Senate, e fa’asalalau tauaofiaga a le maota maualuga, aemaise o iloiloga. I totonu o le Maota o Sui, sa fuafuaina e le Komiti o Feso’ota’iga, ia se iloiloga ma le Faatonusili a le ASTCA, i le aso Lulu na se’i mavae atu, e tusa ai ma lea lava mataupu e tasi, Peitai, sa fa’aalia e le afioga i le Taitaifono o le komiti, le susuga i le Faipule ia Luaitaua Gene Pan, ia le toe tolopoina o lea iloiloga, ona o lo’o i atunu’u i fafo ia le Faatonusili. O lea ua toe tolopoina ai le iloiloga, se’ia toe taliu mai le Faatonusili. Na finauina e le afioga i le sui Fofoga Fetalai, ia Fetu Fetui Jr., ia le tatau ona fa’aauau pea le iloiloga, ma ua agava’a ia le sui Faatonusili a le ASTCA, e auai mai, e tali fesili a le latou komiti. Peitai, sa ‘au le manatu a le afioga i le Fofoga Fetalai, Savali Talavou Ale, i le ta’ita’I komiti, ina ia fa’atali le iloiloga, se’ia toe taliu mai le Faatonusili, ina ia tonu ma sa’o ripoti, o le a tu’uina mai i le Maota. TOE TE’ENA E LE MAOTA O SUI IA LE FILIFILIGA O BUTLER E AVEA MA TOTINO O LE ASEDA Ua toe te’ena e afioga i Faipule, o le Maota o Sui, ia le suafa o Brett Butler, e avea ma totino o le Komiti Faafoe o le Puleaga mo le Atina’eina o le Tamaoaiga, a Amerika Samoa (ASEDA). O le lona lua ai lea o palota a le Maota o Sui, i le tofiga a Butler, ua le pasia. O le masina o Iulai, o le tausaga ua mavae, sa mua’i palotaina ai e le Maota o Sui, ia le suafa o Butler, peitai, sa na’o le to’a 10 na palota i le ioe, ae to’afitu, le leai. Ae e manaomia ni ioe se 11, e pasia ai le tofiga. Sa fa’atula’i e le afioga i le Faipule ia Luaitaua Gene Pan, ia se lafo mo le toe faataunu’uina o se palota, lea na faia i le aso Lua na se’i mavae atu, peitai, e to’a 10 sa palota i le Leai, ae na’o le to’avalu na palota Ioe. O le susuga ia Butler, o se tagata ua loa ona galue, e le gata i totonu o le malo, ae faapea pisinisi tua, i totonu o ofisa e mataituina tulaga o tupe. Ua silia ma le 30 tausaga, o umia e Butler, ia tofiga fa’aleta’ita’i. Ma sa avea o ia ma ulua’i Pulesili a le StarKist, na tofia mai i totonu o le teritori. E iva tausaga sa galue ai o ia i totonu o lea tofiga, ae e le’i se’e atu e avea ma taitai i ofisa a le Bumble Bee Foods. I lona toe taliu mai i Amerika Samoa, sa avea ai Butler ma Faufautua Sinia mo tupe, i totonu o le ofisa a le kovana, ae e le’i filifilia o ia, e avea ma sui Tausitupe a le malo, ia Setema 2025. Ua mae’a ona pasia e le Maota o le Senate ia Brett Butler, mo le avea ma totino o le Komiti Faafoe a le ASEDA. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-15 02:12:45

US and several Pacific countries hit out at Chinese nuclear missile test
By RNZ Pacific staff Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A number of Pacific Islands countries have joined the United States in effectively accusing China of skirting the rules after Beijing's recent nuclear-capable missile test in the Pacific. A joint statement released by the US government on August 11th implicitly claimed that China gave the world less than 24 hours notice before launching a dummy warhead in South Pacific waters, near Tuvalu, in early July. The statement had four Pacific Islands Forum country signatures, including New Zealand, Australia, and two island states which both recognize Taiwan over China — the Marshall Islands and Palau. It comes just days after a PIF Foreign Ministers meeting last week in Suva failed to produce a joint statement condemning China's nuclear missile test. In the statement, the US and dozens of other countries said that "recent missile testing in the Pacific area" fell short of standard practices that most states use to avoid the appearance of an attack — and prevent a miscalculated strike-back. "Conducting nuclear-capable ballistic missile tests without sufficient advance notice and detail is dangerous and disrupts the peace and security of relevant nations in proximity to these tests. "We remain committed to working with all countries to strengthen the implementation of and expand notification frameworks and to hold accountable any state whose actions fall short of its responsibilities." Was there enough warning? The exact amount of warning time China gave to Pacific countries remains an open question. Beijing insists that it followed international law. New Zealand for one stated that the test happened "within hours" of China's warning, echoed by Australia, Japan and Papua New Guinea. A US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency issued a HYDROPAC navigational safety warning at 5:50am UTC on July 5th, around the area where the missile would finally land - at 12:01pm on July 6th, more than 30 hours later. Starboard Maritime Intelligence analyst Mark Douglas said that such area warnings aren't the same as forewarning a ballistic missile test - a navigational safety warnings are triggered by a range of activities, including satellite launches that don't have the same geopolitical impact. But he also said that, evidenced by the positioning of three Yuan Wang-class tracking ships, one of which was in Suva, the test had been planned for some time. "It's been widely reported that China provided limited notice to Pacific nations of the test - by which time China had prepared two possible launch options, and placed ships along the flight routes." All the same, Douglas said that the advanced notice that countries did have was unlikely to inspire trust in China. "These actions... will likely result in the closer monitoring of Chinese vessels, and particularly satellite tracking vessels, in the Pacific." Statement of influence The majority of countries in the Pacific Islands Forum have voiced concern about missile testing in the Pacific, which is a nuclear-free zone. But while some countries had been reluctant to single out China for its test, most countries were pushing for a joint statement on the issue at last week's Suva meeting of regional foreign ministers. It's understood Nauru and Kiribati, both closely aligned with China, stood in the way of full consensus on a statement. An outcomes document released by PIF downplayed this, saying that Ministers "recognized and reaffirmed the value of a consensus-based regional statement" - requesting that officials wrangle something together by the end of the month. But a frustrated New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters accused Nauru and Kiribati of gaming the system, as a way of showing support to "an external partner." "They were seeking to use the need for consensus as actually a veto provision, look at it that way," he told reporters on Saturday. In contrast, PIF Secretary-General Baron Waqa said that it was simply a case of finding the right formatting, and that they were "committed" to getting there in the end. "There are other ideas that it should be a general statement covering any tests in the Pacific," Waqa insisted. The Chinese embassy in New Zealand — perhaps incensed after Peters' told a Chinese MP to go back to his home country — lashed out on August 12th, stating Peters has "humiliated himself" in Suva. "The outcome delivered Peters a resounding slap in the face. Pacific Island countries clearly showed little interest in the agenda he promoted," it read. It went further, accusing New Zealand of a power grab, and an attempt to become the Pacific's "regional decision maker." "Peters' failure to achieve his goal fully demonstrates that Pacific Island nations do not want to be used as pawns by others." "They know very well who is sincerely helping them pursue development and who is placing geopolitical interests above regional well-being." Section: Regional Tags: Chinese nuclear missile test
2026-08-14 17:40:25

Neighbors come out of their houses after hearing shouted profanities in Samoan
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 25, 2026, a concerned citizen contacted the Fagatogo Central Police Station (FPS) and reported a man who was allegedly causing a disturbance in the village of Pago Pago. The suspect was later arrested and charged with Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both imprisonment and fine. The defendant was held without bail. According to the affidavit, a woman contacted the FPS to request police assistance after a suspect, later identified as Solefai Sitagata, was allegedly making unreasonable noises and repeatedly shouting profanities in Samoan. The disturbance was reportedly loud enough to alert residents throughout the surrounding neighborhood, with several neighbors leaving their homes to observe the commotion. Police responded to the residence in Pago Pago and upon arrival, the reporting party told officers that Sitagata had returned to his room. While officers attempted to locate Sitagata, the reporter provided police with additional information about what had occurred. According to her statement, Siatagata had left for work on July 24 and worked through the night before returning home on July 25. After returning home, the suspect allegedly sat on the bed and began yelling profanities. She reportedly stated that he continued yelling loudly and eventually left the residence while still shouting profanities. The disturbance allegedly continued outside the residence, attracting the attention of nearby neighbors. The reporter also informed the police that, shortly after leaving the home, Siatagata returned with blood covering the left side of his face. Police later located the suspect and brought him back to the area where the initial investigation was taking place. Police officers later observed visible injuries around the suspect’s left upper eyebrow. Police were reportedly informed that Siatagata claimed he had been attacked by several children after leaving the residence. The defendant agreed to receive treatment. He was detained and transported to the FPS, where medical personnel treated him and he was subsequently released. The affidavit also noted that the reporter and the suspect are first cousins. Sitagata was reportedly staying with the reporter while working for Starkist in American Samoa. After receiving medical treatment, Siatagata was booked. He was subsequently transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility for confinement. The defendant is identified as a 35-year-old citizen of Samoa. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 27, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-14 17:34:28

Woman afraid to go home from church after alleged threats from her husband
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 26, 2026, Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) received a call from a woman alleging that her husband threatened to beat her up. The suspect was later arrested and charged with: Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine; and, Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree (a class C misd.) (DV), a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both. The defendant was held without bail. According to the affidavit, the victim told police that she had left her residence earlier that morning with her daughter to attend church activities. While she was away, her husband allegedly called her and ordered her to return home. The woman reportedly told police that during the call, her husband threatened to harm and beat her if she did not return home. She also reported that the alleged threats and physical abuse were not an isolated incident. According to her statement, her husband had repeatedly beaten her in the past, including in front of their children. When she returned home with her children, the woman reportedly did not want to enter the residence because she was afraid of what her husband might do to her. After contacting police for assistance, she eventually went inside and reportedly saw her husband sitting on the bed. The woman told investigators that while she was sitting on the bed, her husband aggressively grabbed her by the hair and began cutting her hair with a sharp stainless-steel knife. She reportedly stated that he was yelling profanities at her during the incident and threatened her while holding the knife.The suspect told police that her husband made a threatening statement while cutting her hair, causing her to fear for her safety. She further told investigators that she and her children were afraid for their lives and no longer felt safe living with him. Daughter Provides Statement Police also interviewed the couple's teenage daughter, with the assistance and in the presence of her mother. According to the daughter's statement, her father had become angry the previous day and told her to return home to take care of him because he was sick. She reportedly stated that on the day of the incident, her father continued calling her mother and told her not to return home. He allegedly instructed her mother to go to Nuuuli, where her family was located. The daughter reportedly told investigators that her father had also threatened to cut her mother's hair if she returned home. According to her statement, when the family returned home, the defendant allegedly followed through with the threat and cut his wife's hair. The daughter reportedly told police that similar incidents occurred whenever her father became angry with her mother or when something upset him. She also alleged that the defendant had beaten her mother on other occasions. Defendant Arrested After obtaining statements from the victims, police approached the room where the defendant was located. Police officers observed the defendant sitting on the bed. He subsequently stood up and walked toward the officers. The defendant was identified as Talelei Lili’i and was taken into custody. He was transported to the FPS for further investigation. Upon arrival, Lili’i was Mirandized where he acknowledged that he understood his rights but declined to provide a statement to investigators. Lili’i was subsequently booked and confined before being transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility, where he was held pending the next available sitting of the District Court. Later that evening, police returned to the residence and recovered a stainless-steel knife that was allegedly used during the incident. The knife was identified as the ‘scissors’ allegedly used by the defendant to cut the victim's hair. The defendant is identified as a 45-year-old citizen of Samoa. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 27, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-14 17:29:01

EPIC announces AmeriCorps VISTA Award
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Empowering Pacific Island Communities, Inc. (EPIC) is pleased to announce that its AmeriCorps VISTA application for federal assistance has been approved, authorizing three AmeriCorps VISTA members to strengthen organizational and community capacity and expand economic opportunity for low-income individuals and families throughout American Samoa. The approved project, Empowering Pacific Island Communities, will operate from August 23, 2026 through August 7, 2027 under Project Grant #26VSIAS001.The initiative supports EPIC’s Comprehensive Economic Self- Sufficiency Model by strengthening workforce development, education, caregiver workforce development, community partnerships, outreach, data systems, and long-term organizational sustainability. EPIC is also pleased to announce the selection of Gina Coffin as its Community Outreach & Public Communication VISTA. Gina brings a background in Health Communications and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health from New Mexico Highlands University. She will strengthen EPIC’s outreach and communication systems, develop culturally responsive awareness materials and campaigns, enhance social media and stakeholder communications, and expand awareness of workforce, education, caregiver training, and economic self- sufficiency opportunities throughout American Samoa. Section: Local News Tags: AmeriCorps
2026-08-14 17:06:05

Treasury report shows ASG spending outpaces revenue in 3rd quarter
However, revenue performance improved slightly over the 2nd quarter By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The FY2026 3rd quarter year-to-date preliminary results report to Governor Pulaali’i Nikolau Pula shows that the American Samoa Government’s expenditures continued to outpace its revenues, with the Treasury commenting in its report that “spending trajectory may outpace actual revenue collections if not controlled.” In its report, the Treasury is advising the governor of the next steps that should be taken: 1 - With spending unfavorable to Budget more than 2%, by law, Governor will need to inform the FONO that as a result of spending activity and struggle with revenues, cost containment measures need to be enforced across ASG. 2 - Budget has issued a notice to Departments and Agencies that after July 30th, Budget will stop processing for the FY 2026 year to clear out expenses and limit expenditures in the quarter. 3 - Revenue (Treasury) is following up with revenue shortfalls seen in the quarter and addressing with Departments and associated vendors. The report comes as the FY 2027 budget bill is currently being scrutinized in the Fono for passage. BAD NEWS VS VERY SLIGHTLY GOOD NEWS Overall, the report delivers bad news, flavored with very slightly good news. The slightly good news, is that according to the report, ASG’s revenue performance improved during the 3rd quarter, as opposed to 2nd Quarter revenues, which were however down from 1st Quarter revenues that were incidentally higher than both 2nd and 3rd Quarters. The bad news is that total 3rd Qtr Actual expenditures tallied $39,720,956 versus 2nd Qtr Actual expenditures of $38,227,661 or (3.9)%; versus 1st Qtr Actual expenditures of $37,731,274 or (5.3)%. As a result, the YTD shortfall versus Budget is ($15,787,969) or (12.5)%. The report notes this is a slight improvement from the 2nd Quarter YTD of (13.2)%, due to a slight improvement in the 3rd Quarter. The report continues that the General Fund was unfavorable to the tune of around $5 million from actual revenues collected of $ 91.5 million, mainly driven by Treasury, Port Administration, Search & Rescue and Miscellaneous Non-Departmental spending. This accounts for 90% of the shortfall. “The majority of the YTD shortfall from the General Fund, according to the report “came from Individual Tax collection of -$9,033,198, Corporate Tax collection of -$3,706,189, Excise Tax Collection -$2,113,474 and Indirect Cost -$1,709,109.” It continues that “Other Fund revenue measures net unfavorable $1,570,545 from actual revenues collected of $17,565,610 or 8.9%, mainly driven by Fund 46 Airport expenditures.” This accounts for 10% of the shortfall. “With the Other Funds, these are earmarked revenue from gross revenue collections that fund these accounts, most importantly, the debit service account for ASEDA.” In summary, Treasury reports a YTD shortfall of -$6,572,110 based on the FY 2026 budget that was passed into law. In total, the YTD Budget is $123, 695,750 million, with Expenses & Encumbrances budgeted at $115, 679, 891. In terms of what is actually happening: Actual Revenues are — $109,107,781 vs. Budget Difference — ($15,587,969) Actual Exp & Encumb. to Revenues Difference — ($6,572,110) The report offers a detailed breakdown of revenues and expenditures & encumbrances as per department. Noted is that unfavorable spending came mostly from these departments: Treasury at ($923,063) — driven by Property Insurance that was not budgeted, Port Administration ($274,066), Miscellaneous Non-Dept ($193,073), Search & Rescue ($100,251) and Visitor’s Bureau ($80,417). Special Programs running unfavorable (or in the negative) YTD are mostly from Ceremonial Activities — ($172,127), EOB Electricity/ Water — ($63,000), and the Airport General Fund Subsidy — ($111,140). Section: Local News Tags: FY2026 3rd quarter
2026-08-14 16:52:41

ASGERF estimates IOU to retirement fund to be over $28 million
Says they’ve asked ASG to resolve it... soon By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The unpaid contribution payments owed to the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund (ASGERF) by the government has been the focus of the Fono and the public, especially those who are members of the Fund, for awhile now. The figure of $28 million had been the latest amount mentioned. A letter sent by ASGERF’s Executive Director, Vaitautolu I’aulualo to House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, dated Aug. 7, 2026, more or less confirms this amount. Dating back to August 2024 through to the most recent pay period ending (PPE) August 1, 2026, the Fund itself reports in the letter that it estimates the outstanding or unpaid amounts to total over $28.5 million. The letter is cc’d to ASGERF chair, Tuaolo Fruean, who is also Senate president, Chair of the House of Representatives Retirement Committee Representative Trude Ledoux-Sunia, and Representative Vailoata Amituanai’i, Chair of the House Budget and Appropriations Committee. The communication details the unpaid contribution amounts owed by ASG, ASCC and LBJ only. It does not include semi-autonomous entities such as ASPA and ASTCA. I’aulualo does not indicate if this means these ‘other’ agencies are up-to-date with their Retirement contributions or are a part of ASG’s reported unpaid contributions. It offers the following “summary of the estimated outstanding payments that are owed to the Retirement Fund from ASG and some of the other agencies:” ASG Employer Share — $24,505,855; ASG Employee Share — $976,305.49 ASCC Employer Share — $1,604,805.12; ASG Employee Share — $254,299 LBJ Employer Share — $843,243.23; ASG Employee Share — $361,389.95 The ASGERF Executive Director informed Savali that the Retirement Fund office “has been in communication with ASG officials to rectify the situation and hope that it can be resolved soon.” The letter includes an attachment of the ASGERF’s ‘detailed breakdown’ of the estimated unpaid amounts, dating back to PPE Aug. 03, 2024 through Aug. 1, 2026. Notably, the detailed breakdown report points out that the outstanding amounts are estimates only. COMMENTS: FOR ASG: PPE Aug. 03 through to Sept. 28, 2024 indicates Employer Share owed is for 12%; while Employee Share is 5%. For FY 2025, which begins with PPE Oct. 12, 2024 the Employer Share is noted at 14% with the Employee Share at 6%. Outstanding is indicated for Employer Share only, until PPE June 20, 2026, when Employee Share amounts are also listed as being unpaid. There are partial payments for Employer Share beginning in PPE Nov. 8, 2025 — they are for 8%, not 12%, with the balance shown as outstanding. These partial payments stop in PPE June 20, 2026, the same time when Employee Share starts to be listed as outstanding. They have not resumed. FOR ASCC: ASCC contributions for Employer Share are listed as unpaid beginning in PPE Apr. 12, 2025 and continues through to Aug. 01. 2026. Both Employer Share and Employee Share are listed as outstanding on PPE Feb. 14, 2026 and have continued to be unpaid through to Aug. 01, 2026. FOR LBJ: LBJ outstanding contributions begin in PPE April 25, 2026 and continue through to Aug. 01. 2026. Both Employer Share and Employee Share are noted as outstanding and average around $105,000 per payroll. ASG PROPOSED AMENDMENT The government has proposed a bill seeking to amend ASG’s contribution rate to the ASGERF from 14% to 8% for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027, citing the current 14% rate as unsustainable. The proposed rate reduction would begin from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. However, from October 2027 to Sept. 30, 2028 the rate would increase to 10%. After FY 2028 new rates would be tied to a new formula that is specified in the proposed amendment. The law setting the current contribution rate of 14% was enacted in 2021. The bill is pending in the House, awaiting requested reports. Governor Pulaali’i Nikolau Pula expressed his deep concerns regarding the current contribution rate of 14%, labeling it “clearly unsustainable” in his communication with the Fono when he proposed the bill. He reflected on the circumstances surrounding the 2021 decision to raise the contribution rate, pointing out that it was made during a critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, financial markets were extremely volatile, and there was an urgent need to fund various responses to the health crisis, which in turn were funded in part by federal assistance. However, as the Governor noted, “those economic boons are now gone,” indicating a shift in the economic landscape. In his communication, the Governor reflected on the difficult budget cuts implemented in the previous year, which, although painful, were necessary to maintain fiscal integrity. He asserted that in failing to make these adjustments, he would neglect his constitutional duty to the people of American Samoa. In addition to reducing the contribution rate, Governor Pulaali’i has noted he is working to establish a collaborative agreement with the ASGERF Board. This agreement would outline a payment plan for the government to address its outstanding financial obligations over time, reinforcing a commitment to fiscal responsibility. As indicated in the ASGERF letter to the House Speaker, no agreement has yet been proposed or in place. To further his goals, the Governor said he has reached out to the Fono leaders, requesting their support by passing this bill — a first step toward reforming the Retirement Fund. Section: Local News Tags: American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund (
2026-08-14 16:36:28

Miss Samoa Launches Child Vendors Education Assistance Programme
Miss Samoa, Iliganoa Feagaimalii Soti Mapu, has launched “Suamalie Faaniu A’ati,” a Child Vendors Education Assistance Programme aimed at supporting children who work to help their families while encouraging them to continue their education. Speaking at the launch, Miss Samoa explained the meaning behind the programme’s name based on the usefulness and resourcefulness of the [...] The post Miss Samoa Launches Child Vendors Education Assistance Programme first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-14 14:26:52

American Samoa: Fire has Destroyed the Manu’a Store building in Tafuna
Pago Pago, American Samoa — A major fire has destroyed the Manu’a Store building in Tafuna, American Samoa in a blaze that broke out on Thursday afternoon 13 August 2026 (Friday in Apia). Reports from bystanders and video footage showed thick smoke and flames engulfing the commercial building as firefighters responded to the scene. According [...] The post American Samoa: Fire has Destroyed the Manu’a Store building in Tafuna first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-14 13:57:19

Faasala lē sa avea ma Leoleo i le 10 Masina i le Falepuipui ina ua Maliu ai lona uncle i se Faalavelave tau Taavale
Ua faasalaina e le Faamasinoga Maualuga lē sa avea ma leoleo, Mautofu Aiono, poo Tony Aiono, mo le 10 masina i le falepuipui, ona o le ave taavale faatamala na mafua ai le maliu o lona uncle e 67 tausaga le matua. O le faalavelave na tulai mai i Fasitoouta i le aso 25 Fepuari [...] The post Faasala lē sa avea ma Leoleo i le 10 Masina i le Falepuipui ina ua Maliu ai lona uncle i se Faalavelave tau Taavale first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-14 12:44:12

Young Golfers Driving Samoa’s Rapid Growth in the Sport
Rajat Rai’s second consecutive Samoa Open Championship title may be the headline result, but Samoa’s golf authorities believe the bigger victory is happening away from the leaderboard. Rai, an amateur, finished four strokes clear of the leading professional after three rounds at Faleata Golf Course, carding a nine-under-par total of 207. His victory follows Aaron [...] The post Young Golfers Driving Samoa’s Rapid Growth in the Sport first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-14 06:35:04

Former Police Officer Jailed for Negligent Driving Causing Death
The Supreme Court has sentenced former police officer Mautofu Aiono, also known as Tony Aiono, to 10 months’ imprisonment in relation to the death of his 67-year-old uncle, the defendant’s mother’s brother. The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred at Fasitoouta on 25 February 2026, in which the defendant drove a Toyota Hilux utility [...] The post Former Police Officer Jailed for Negligent Driving Causing Death first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-14 06:25:51

Samoa Law Society Honours 10 Legal Professionals with Golden Jubilee Awards
The Samoa Law Society has honoured 10 leading lawyers for their outstanding contributions to Samoa’s legal profession as part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations. The recipients were recognised during the Society’s recent Gala Ball, held to mark 50 years since the establishment of the Samoa Law Society in 1976. The Golden Jubilee Lifetime Achievement Awards [...] The post Samoa Law Society Honours 10 Legal Professionals with Golden Jubilee Awards first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-14 06:22:14

Molia se tina ma sona alo ona o se fe’ese’esea’iga ma tuaoi i fanua
[ata: SN] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA I le aso 16 o Iuni, 2026, na o’o atu ai se valaau i le ofisa a leoleo i Tafuna mai i se tuaoi, e ripotia ia le fa’atupu vevesi o le tina ia Luisa Ah Young ma lona alo, o Tauivi Gaisoa, i le fanua a le tuaoi, i Mapusaga. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, ua fai sina leva ona tupu lenei fe’ese’esea’iga i le va o nei tuaoi, ma sa o’o atu ai foi leoleo, i se taimi ua tuanai. Ua o’o foi lenei mataupu, i luma o le faamasinoga. I se ripoti a leoleo, sa ta’ua ai le amataina o le fe’ese’esea’i o aiga, ina ua fauina se sai pua’a a se tasi o aiga, i luga o le fanua. Ae o le fa’alavelave na tula’i mai i le aso 16 o Iulai, sa ta’ua ai le taunu’u atu o le Sa’o o le aiga, ma lona tuafafine, ma faa’tonuina ia le aiga sa nonofo i le fanua, e ta i lalo ia se niu, e mafai ona fa’amautu ai ia le tuaoi, i le va o aiga e lua. Ma na fa’ailoa atu foi i leoleo, ua mae’a ona talanoa le Sa’o ma le tuaoi, ma faatonuina i latou, e alo’ese mai i le sopoia o le tuaoi, ua mae’a ona fa’atulaga. Ae peitai, sa tula’i mai le fe’ese’esea’iga, a’o tu’u i lalo le niu. E tusa ai ma se faamatalaga a se molimau, na alu atu se tina mai le tuaoi ma amata ona ‘e’e i le Sa’o ma lona tuafafine. Ona alu atu foi lea o Gaisoa (le na molia) ma amata ona fa’amisa i le Sa’o ma isi o le aiga, ma faatonu i latou, e ave’ese le latou sai pua’a. Sa ta’ua foi i totonu o le ripoti a leoleo, ia le fa’amata’uina e Gaisoa (le na molia) o le ave masini na alu atu e tu’u i lalo ia le niu. Na faatonuina e Gaisoa le ave masini, e tape le masini, a leai, o le a fasi o ia, pe tupu foi o seisi tulaga ia te ia (ave masini). Na fa’ateteleina ia le finauga a Gaisoa (le na molia), ma i’u ai lava ina togi e Gaisoa (le na molia), ia le masini, i se ma’a. O le ma’a lona lua na togi e Gaisoa (le na molia), i le masini, na ta’e ai faamalama o le masini, a’o iai i totonu ia le ave masini. Sa faamatala e le ‘ave masini, i leoleo, le fa’ate’ia o ia, ina ua tau le ma’a, i le fa’amalama o le masini, ma ia tilotilo mai, o lo’o tu Gaisoa (le na molia), i autafa o le masini ma ‘e’e atu ia te ia, e taofi lana galuega. O le ma’a lona lua, na togi e Gaisoa (le na molia), e pei ona faamatala e le ave masini, i leoleo, na ta’e ai le fa’amalama o le masini. E ui i lona (‘ave masini) fefe, ae peitai, sa fa’aauau pea ona faatino e le ‘ave masini ia lana galuega, e pei ona sa faatonuina ai o ia. Sa pu’eina e se tasi o le aiga, na molimauina ia le faalavelave, ia mea uma sa tutupu, i lana telefoni. Ma e tusa ai ma le ripoti a leoleo, na amata ona pu’eina ia le fa’alavelave, i le taimi na amata ona tau’upu ai ia itu e lua ma sa latalata atu foi le tamaitai lea sa pu’eina ia le ata vitio, ina ua amata ona fa’amata’u e Gaisoa (le na molia), ia le ave masini, ma le taimi na tau’ai ai e le ua molia, ia le masini, ma ta’e ai le faamalama o le masini. Ina ua fa’atalanoaina e leoleo ia se tasi o tuaoi, e tusa ai ma le fa’alavelave na upu, sa faamatala e le tina o Luisa (le na molia) , ia le o’o o lenei mataupu, i le faamasinoga, ae peitai, ua le fiafia tele lona alo i le latou tuaoi. Ina ua fesiligia e leoleo ia Luisa (le na molia), po o fea o iai lona alo (Gaisoa), sa tali mai le tina, e na te le iloa. I le faamatalaga a le sa’o a le aiga, i leoleo, ua mae’a ona ia talanoa i aiga e lua, ae e le’i tula’i mai lenei faalavelave, e tusa ai ma tuaoi o fanua ma sa iai sona talitonuga, na malilie uma itu e lua, i le faaiuga. Ae o le aso lea na tupu ai le faalavelave, sa valaau atu ai se tasi ia te ia, e tusa ai ma seisi fa’alavelave ua toe tupu mai, i tulaga o tuaoi. O le mafua’aga lea na ia o’o atu ai i lea aso. Ma sa ia ta’ua le fa’aauau pea ona le fiafia se tasi o tina, i lana faaiuga sa faia, ma o le autu lea o le finau ale tina. Na ta’ua e le sa’o o le aiga, ia lona toe faamanatu atu i le tina, o lana faaiuga sa faia, e tusa ai ma tuaoi i fanua, ae peitai, sa fa’aauau pea ona fa’aalia le le malie o le tina. Ina ua fa’atonuina e le sa’o o le aiga, ia le ‘ave masini, e amata lana galuega, i le ave’esea o ni niu se lua, sa punitia ai le tuaoi, sa ta’ua e le sa’o o le aiga, o iina na amata ai loa ona tau’ai e le na molia, ia le masini. O se taimi mulimuli ane, na maua ai e leoleo ia Gaisoa (le na molia) O lenei fanua na tupu ai le faalavelave, o se fanua a le aiga potopoto. O le faitau aofa’i, o vaega o le masini na fa’aleagaina, e pe a ma le $1,734. Na molia uma Luisa Ah Young ma Tauivi Gaisoa i le moliaga o le Faatupu Vevesi i nofoaga faitele – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. O isi moliaga na faia faasaga ia Tauivi Gaisoa, na aofia ai: Faitauga 2 & 3 – Fa’ao’olima i lona tulaga e tolu – O se vaega ‘I’, i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i aso e 15, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $300; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Faitauga 4: Faaleagaina o meatotino, i lona tulaga e lua – O se vaega ‘A’ i solitulafono mama, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le tasi tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $1,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. Sa lokaina ia Luisa Ah Young ma Tauivi Gaisoa, e aunoa ma se vaegatupe fa’atulagaina, e tatalaina ai i la’ua mai i le falepuipui, a’o fa’agasolo a la faamasinoga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-14 03:20:08

Sosola ni pagota se to’alua ina ua pe le uila
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA E toalua ni pagota, ua toe molia, ina ua sosola mai i le falepuipui, i le taimi sa pe ai le uila, ma toe fo’i atu, i se taimi mulimuli ane, e tusa ai ma se ripoti a leoleo. O Tobias Honowai, po o Titifalaula Siaumau, o se tasi lea o pagota na sola a’o pe le uila, ma ua toe molia ai nei o ia, i le moliaga o le Sola ‘ese mai i le falepuipui – O se vaega ‘O’, i solitulaofono mamafa, e mafai ona nofosala ai i le falepuipui, e o’o atu i le lima tausaga, po o se sala tupe, e le silia ma le $5,000; po o faasalaga uma e lua. O le pagota lona lua, o Anderson Taala, e leai se faamatalaga auiliili, e tusa ai ma lona moliaga fou. E tusa ai ma fa’amaumauga a le faamasinoga, na nofouta ia leoleo, i lenei faalavelave, i le te’a laititi o le 12, i le t ulua o po ma ao, ia Iulai 20, 2026, a’o faia leoleoga masani a sui malu o le malo, i le Paka i le Tafuna Industrial. Pe a ma le 12:30 i lea vaveao, na va’aia ai e leoleo ia se faapotopotoga a leoleo ma leoleo o le falepuipui, i fafo o le falepuipui. Ma sa o latou fa’ailoa mai i leoleo ia o lo’o faia leoleoga, i lea vaega o le paka, ia le sosola ‘ese o ni pagota se to’alua, mai i le falepuipui, i le aso ua tuanai, ae o lea ua toe fo’i atu. Ma na o la ui atu i le pa pito i luma o le falepuipui, ina ua o la toe fo’i atu. E tusa ai ma le ripoti, e le’i vave ripotia e leoleo o le falepuipui, ia le sola’aga a nei pagota e to’alua, ona o se faatonuga mai i le taitai leoleo o le falepuipui, ina ia faatali se’i o’o i le aso e soso’o ai. Na faapea loa ona fa’ailoa atu e leoleo auala, ia le ofisa a leoleo i Tafuna ma agai atu loa i le falepuipui, mo le amataina o a latou su’esu’ega. Sa mua’i fa’atalanoaina e leoleo auala, ia le aufaigaluega o le falepuipui ma iloiloina faamaumauga a le latou ofisa. Na ta’ua e leoleo auala, i la latou ripoti, le le’i nofo malamalama o le pule ma le sui pule o le falepuipui, e tusa ai ma le sola’aga a Honowai ma Ta’ala, se’ia o’o i le taimi na o la toe fo’i atu ai, i le 11:55 ma le 11:45 i le po. Na fa’aalia foi i su’esu’ega a leoleo o le auala, ia le tulaga faaletonu, o fa’amaumauga ma ripoti a le ofisa o le falepuipui, ma sa na’o le tasi le faitauga mautu, na faitau, i le amataga o le sifi. Ina ua toe fo’i atu ia Honowai ma Ta’ala (pagota na sosola), sa toe faia loa seisi faitauga o pagota, e fa’amautuina le le toe iai o nisi pagota ua sosola. Ma sa fa’amautuina i lea faitauga, e na’o le to’alua pagota, na sosola. E tusa ai ma faamatalaga a leoleo o le falepuipui, ina ua fa’atalanoaina e leoleo o le auala, o le faitauga muamua na faia i le 6:09 i le po. Ma sa tutusa fuainumera o le faitauga i lea taimi, ma le fuainumera a le sifi ua mae’a atu. Ae o le 7:33 i lea afiafi, na pe muamua ai le eletise, ma toe ola atu, pe a ma le lua minute mulimuli ane. Ona toe pe lea pe a ma le 8:17 i le po, se’ia o’o i le 9:56. O le toe ola atu o le Eletise, sa toe faitau ai e leoleo o le falepuipui, ia pagota, ae e na’o le tasi le fale na faitau. Sa fa’ailoa atu foi i leoleo, na faia le su’esu’ega, sa iai se pagota na fealualua’i i luma o le faitoto’a lea e pito i luma o le pa, i lena afiafi. Ma na fesiligia ai o ia e leoleo o le falepuipui ae sa tali mai le pagota, o la e fai sana faamalosi tino. Ina ua toe ola atu le Eletise, i le 9:56 i lea po, na o atu ai leoleo o le falepuipui, i fafo o le pa, e su’esu’eina po o tulaga lelei mea uma. O iina na maua ai e leoleo o le falepuipui, ia se vaega o le pa uaea, lea e i luga o le pa sima, i le pito i tua o le lotoa, ua fa’aleagaina. Sa faapea ona ripoti a lea faafitauli, i le supavaisa o le falepuipui ma sa fa’ailoa mai e le supavaisa, o le a logo ia taitai o le falepuipui. Ae o se taimi mulimuli ane, a’o iai leoleo o le falepuipui, i totonu o le potu e fai ai asiasiga a pagota, sa o latou va’aia ai se pagota, o savali atu i le faitoto’a o le pa pito i luma, tatala ma fa’aulufale mai ai ia le alii pagota o Tobias Honowai. Sa le taofia vave e leoleo o le falepuipui, ia Tobias ma le pagota lea na alu atu i le tatala ia le pa, se’ia faamautu lelei lona igoa, ona logo loa lea o le ‘watch commander’. O se taimi mulimuli ane, e pei ona faamautu i su’esu’ega, na toe tatala ai foi le faitoto’a pito i luma o le pa, mo le fa’aulufale atu o le alii pagota o Anderson Taala. Na faamaonia e le pagota lea sa tatalaina le faitoto’a mo Honowai ma Ta’ala, i leoleo, ia lona faia o lea tulaga. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-14 03:11:07

Police Issue Missing Person Report for Teenage Girl Last Seen 3 Days Ago
The Samoa Police have published a Missing Persons post seeking information from the public that could lead to finding 15 year old Iutita Faatonu of Leauvaa. The teenager was last seen on three days ago on Tuesday 11 August at Leauvaa wearing a white shirt and red skirt according to the notice. Missing teenagers has [...] The post Police Issue Missing Person Report for Teenage Girl Last Seen 3 Days Ago first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-13 22:57:29

Ofu man arrested for alleged assault with a firearm involved
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In July 2026, an Ofu man was arrested and brought to Tutuila for further investigation after he allegedly committed assault in the Third Degree that involved a firearm following an altercation involving his son. The suspect was charged with: Count 1: Unlawful Use of Weapons, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 2: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not more than $300, or both; and, Count 3, 4, & 5: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not more than $1,000, or both. The defendant’s bail was set at $15,000. According to the court affidavit, the incident occurred on July 22, 2026, at approximately noon in Ofu, Manu'a. Police received a report identifying So'oula Tamasga as the individual allegedly involved in the incident. The investigation began after a witness reported the matter to the Ofu/ Olosega Police Substation. The witness told police that he was at the wharf waiting for the cargo vessel Talitiga when he observed Tamasaga driving his vehicle toward another man (later identified as the victim). According to the witness, Tamasaga’s vehicle came close to the victim and nearly struck him. He reported seeing Tamasaga exit his vehicle while carrying a handgun. Police said the witness described the firearm as a ".38" handgun and reported seeing Tamasaga walk toward the victim and allegedly point the firearm at the victim’s head and threaten to shoot him, telling him that he would make a hole in his head. The witness further stated that after the alleged threat, the suspect returned to his vehicle and left the area. Another witness reportedly provided a similar account to investigators. According to police, the witness stated that he observed the suspect approach the victim with a handgun and place the firearm against the victim’s head. The second witness reportedly told police that Tamasaga was angry with the victim because of an earlier altercation between his son and the victim. The witness also stated that the suspect appeared to be intoxicated during the incident. A third witness reportedly provided an account similar to the first witness regarding the confrontation at the wharf. The alleged victim also gave a statement to police. According to the victim, Tamasaga’s vehicle nearly struck him before he approached him with a firearm, placing the gun against his head and questioned him about the altercation involving his son. POLICE TRAVEL TO OFU Because a firearm was allegedly used in the incident, police officials decided to travel to Ofu the following morning to investigate the matter and recover the firearm. On July 23, 2026, at approximately 6:07 a.m., authorities traveled by plane to Ofu. The officers were dispatched to retrieve the firearm and take the suspect into custody. Upon arrival in Ofu, the officers went to Tamasaga’s residence where they met with the suspect. He consented to a search of his vehicle and home for firearms. During the search, officers discovered three firearms and ammunition. According to the affidavit, the firearms included a .41-caliber revolver, a .22-caliber rifle, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Police also recovered .22-caliber ammunition. Investigators reported that the .41-caliber revolver was loaded with three rounds, and the .22-caliber rifle was also reportedly loaded with one round chambered. Tamasaga was subsequently taken into custody, and the firearms were secured by police. DEFENDANT ADMITS CONFRONTATION Tamasaga was transported from Ofu to Tutuila for further investigation. After arriving at the Fagatogo Central Police Station (FPS), the suspect was Mirandized and he indicated that he understood his rights and agreed to waive them. He subsequently provided investigators with both a verbal and written statement. According to police, Tamasaga acknowledged that he was angry with the victim because of the altercation involving his son. Tamsaga reportedly told investigators that he had gone to the wharf to wait for the cargo vessel, and while there, he saw the victim and approached him. The suspect admitted that he placed a firearm against the victim’s head. He reportedly said that he then lowered the firearm, returned to his vehicle and left the area, eventually going home. FIREARMS ALLEGEDLY NOT REGISTERED TO DEFENDANT During the investigation, police also questioned the suspect regarding the firearms found at his residence. The suspect stated that the firearms were not registered in his name. Tamasaga claimed that the .41-caliber revolver had been given to him by a reverend (faifeau) from Manu'a. He reportedly said that the .22-caliber rifle had been given to him by another man, while the 12-gauge shotgun belonged to his father-in-law. Investigators subsequently conducted an inquiry with the Department of Public Safety Records Division. The records check confirmed that Tamasaga did not possess a firearm license for any of the three firearms recovered during the search. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 24, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-13 18:24:12

Man allegedly steals money from his ex-wife to pay off gambling debts
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man was arrested and booked after allegedly stealing $2,000 from a safe at a business in Pavaiai. The defendant, Dang Hu'u Lanh, is accused of taking money from a safe at Michael's Spa, where funds belonging to the business and his ex-wife’s restaurant were reportedly kept. The suspect was charged with Count 1: Stealing (As a class A Misd.), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine. The defendant was held without bail. According to the court affidavit, police received information about the alleged theft on July 20, 2026. The victim told police that money had been missing from the safe for approximately two weeks but had not initially been reported because the owner of the money said she did not know who had taken it. On the morning of July 19, the victim reportedly contacted Lanh by text message and informed him that some of her money was missing. She allegedly told him that she suspected he may have taken the money because similar incidents had previously occurred involving him. The following day, July 20, Lanh allegedly responded by text message, apologizing for taking money from the victim without permission. The suspect then asked for forgiveness and promised that he would not xxxxc anymore. The victim also told police that she and Lanh were legally divorced before they came to American Samoa from Vietnam. The victim provided police with screenshots of the alleged text messages, along with translations, as part of the investigation. Police subsequently attempted to locate Lanh in the Vaitogi area but were initially unable to find him. Investigators later received information that he was staying at a friend's residence in Petesa. On July 23, the victim went to the TPS and provided additional information regarding Lanh's whereabouts. Police were able to locatedLanh in Petesa and brought him to the TPS for further investigation. According to the affidavit, Lanh was advised of his constitutional rights, and he reportedly acknowledged that he understood his rights, waived them, and agreed to provide a verbal statement. During his statement, Lanh allegedly admitted taking $2,000 from the safe. He told the police that he had been sleeping at the salon when his ex-wife left the keys to the safe on a chair inside the room where they slept. He allegedly stated that he got up, took the keys, opened the safe and removed $2,000. Lanh reportedly told investigators that he then left the business and went to a friend's house. The suspect claimed that he gave $1,000 to one friend to whom he owed money, and reportedly gave another $400 to a second friend in Petesa. Lanh also told police that the remaining $600 was still in Petesa. Police noted that Lanh declined to provide the names of the friends to whom he allegedly gave the money. The victim reportedly told police that she was concerned Lanh could return to her salon and steal additional money without her knowledge. Following the investigation, Lanh was booked and confined pending the next sitting of the District Court. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 27, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-13 18:18:39

Executive order on vaccines bypasses an evidence‐based process that has kept kids safe
By Jake Scott, Stanford University For the Conversation Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 10, 2026, calling for the combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to be given as three separate shots at three separate appointments. The combined MMR vaccine is currently given at 12 to 15 months of age and again between ages 4 and 6. In the order, Trump also urges states to revisit their school vaccination laws and instructs the Justice Department to challenge state rules on religious and medical exemptions. It is the latest move in the administration’s effort to dismantle the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, a set of recommended vaccines given from birth through adolescence to prevent a range of serious infections that has been in place in some form since 1995. The order endorses the January 2026 decision by the Department of Health and Human Services that cut universally recommended childhood vaccines from 17 diseases to 11 – despite the fact that those changes were blocked by a federal court in March 2026. An executive order cannot by itself change which vaccines are recommended or required, but it sets the administration’s direction and puts federal agencies to work on it. I am an infectious disease physician who treats vaccine-preventable diseases and reviews the clinical trial evidence behind immunization recommendations. The most important thing for parents to know is that this order changes nothing at the pediatrician’s office. Every vaccine on the schedule remains available and covered by insurance, the American Academy of Pediatrics continues to recommend the full set, and no new evidence prompted any of this. What the order will do is create confusion at a bad moment. It arrives as children return to school, when measles cases are at their highest number since 1991, and it tells parents that a vaccine their pediatrician recommends should be broken into three shots that no longer exist in this country. In the longer term, the order’s most consequential provisions are aimed at state school vaccination requirements, which is where American vaccine policy is actually made. A SCIENCE-BACKED SCHEDULE The U.S. childhood immunization schedule, the grid of colored bars that pediatricians share with parents and which explains when and what vaccines all children should receive, wasn’t designed in a single stroke. It was built gradually over decades, shaped by disease outbreaks, technological breakthroughs and hard-won lessons about reducing childhood illness and death. The U.S. adopted a coordinated, national vaccine policy in 1964, when the surgeon general established the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, to evaluate the evidence and issue recommendations on vaccine use to the Communicable Disease Center, later renamed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At that point, the CDC recommended children receive a vaccine against smallpox, a combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, known as the DTP vaccine, and a vaccine against polio. Most states did not yet require any of them for school entry; comprehensive school requirements came later, largely out of the measles elimination efforts of the 1960s and 1970s. Through the 1960s, vaccines against measles (1963), mumps (1967) and rubella (1969) were licensed and eventually combined into what’s known as the MMR shot in 1971. Each addition followed a similar pattern: a disease that killed or disabled thousands of children annually, a vaccine that proved safe and effective in trials, and a recommendation that transformed a seemingly inevitable childhood illness into something preventable. The rubella vaccine went beyond protecting the children who received it. Rubella, also called German measles, is mild in children but devastating to fetuses, causing deafness, heart defects and intellectual disabilities when pregnant women are infected. By 2015, rubella had been eliminated from North America and South America. In 1991, the CDC added the hepatitis B vaccination at birth to the schedule. Before then, around 18,000 children every year contracted the virus before their 10th birthday. But with the birth dose, since the early 1990s, hepatitis B infections in American children have fallen by 99%. The schedule continued to evolve: The ACIP recommended vaccinations for chickenpox in 1996; rotavirus in 2006, replacing an earlier version withdrawn after safety monitoring detected a rare side effect; and HPV, also in 2006. Each addition followed the same rigorous process: evidence review, risk-benefit analysis and a public vote by the advisory committee. MORE VACCINES — BUT FEWER ANTIGENS Vaccine skeptics, including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., often claim erroneously that children’s immune systems are overloaded because the number of vaccines they receive has increased. This argument is routinely marshaled to argue for a reduced childhood vaccination schedule – and to give credence to the thoroughly debunked link between childhood vaccines and autism. One fact often surprises parents: Despite the increase in recommended vaccines, the number of immune-stimulating molecules in those vaccines, called antigens, has dropped dramatically since the 1980s, which means they are less demanding on a child’s immune system. The whole-cell pertussis vaccine used in the 1980s alone contained roughly 3,000 antigens. Today’s entire schedule contains fewer than 160 antigens, thanks to advances in vaccine technology that allow precise targeting of only the components needed for protection. DISMANTLING WITHOUT EVIDENCE In December 2025, the ACIP reconstituted by Kennedy voted to drop a long-held recommendation that all newborns be vaccinated against hepatitis B, despite no new evidence that questions the vaccine’s long-standing safety record. Then, in January 2026, the CDC moved vaccines against rotavirus, influenza, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal disease from routine recommendations to “shared clinical decision-making,” a category that shifts responsibility for initiating vaccination from the healthcare system to individual families. Routine recommendations trigger automatic reminders in medical records and let nurses vaccinate under standing orders. Moving a vaccine to “shared clinical decision-making” puts a physician in the middle of every dose, which reduces the number of kids getting vaccinated – especially among the more than 100 million Americans without regular access to primary care. The executive order endorses and extends these changes, and none of them follow from new safety findings. They stem from a 33-page assessment comparing the U.S. schedule with Denmark’s, a country of 6 million people with universal healthcare and a registry that tracks every patient. The U.S. has 330 million people, 27 million uninsured, and a system where millions move between providers. The assessment’s authors, senior officials at the Food and Drug Administration and at HHS, are both longtime critics of the existing vaccine schedule. The executive order’s charge to split the MMR vaccine dose into separate injections, given at separate appointments, is similarly nonsensical. Single-disease measles, mumps and rubella vaccines have not been sold in the U.S. since 2009, when Merck stopped producing them. They were discontinued because the ACIP and the American Academy of Pediatrics held that separate shots would mean more needles, more appointments and children left unprotected for longer. Merck has estimated that producing these shots again would take more than a decade. The order also calls for childhood vaccines generally to be spread across separate visits rather than given at one appointment. That will discourage families further. Combination vaccines were developed to reduce needles and appointments, and children who receive them finish the series more often. Even families who want their children vaccinated can end up skipping their kids’ shots, simply because a third appointment is harder to reach than a first. For parents without paid leave, reliable transportation or a regular pediatrician, that is the difference between protected and not. INTERVENING IN STATES’ VACCINE POLICIES The provisions with the most practical force have nothing to do with medicine. They are aimed at the states. States write their own school vaccination laws. Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have said they will keep recommending the full set of childhood vaccines, and states including California, New York and Illinois will follow established guidelines rather than the new federal ones. Nothing in the order prevents that. It asks states to consider revising their requirements. Asking is all it can do. The exception is the section on exemptions. Every state requires certain vaccines for school entry, and every state allows some children to opt out, usually for medical reasons and in most states for religious ones as well. A handful of states, including California, have narrowed those exemptions in recent years. The order directs the U.S. attorney general to pursue legal challenges to states over their religious and medical exemption rules, and tells the Justice, Education and Health and Human Services departments to hold their contractors and grantees to the same standard, which could put federal funding in play. Whether any of that succeeds will be decided in court rather than in a clinic. (Jake Scott is Clinical Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases) Section: Regional Tags: the conversation
2026-08-13 18:14:09

Pacific tuna commission makes a critical shift in focus
By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific journalist Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Forum Fisheries Agency is shifting its focus to value retention and economic development for its members. FFA Director-General Noan David Pakop said the shift was critical for members as Pacific tuna stocks remain among the healthiest in the world. This was a key aim laid out in the Vakamanu Regional Pacific Fisheries Strategy 2026-2035, adopted by Fisheries Ministers in Wellington, New Zealand in July. The strategy was presented to Pacific Islands Forum Foreign MInister in Suva last Friday by Pakop and the Pacific Community (SPC) Deputy Director-General Dr Andrew Jones. The Vakamanu strategy includes both key elements of the East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) and the FFA Strategic Plan 2026-2031. Pakop said the Strategy provides Pacific Leaders with holistic oversight of the management and development of the region's fisheries and aquaculture resources. "Fisheries and aquaculture are not a sectoral issue. They are a strategic regional resource, underpinning government revenue, food security, livelihoods, and the practical expression of our Members' sovereignty and stewardship of the ocean," Pakop told the ministers in Suva. "It is therefore important that Leaders continue to have holistic oversight over the management and development of this critical resource. The Vakamanu Strategy is the vehicle by which Leaders are able to exercise that oversight." MAXIMIZING ECONOMIC RETURNS The East New Britain Initiative (ENBi) is a regional platform that was launched by FFA member countries in September 2023, while the FFA Strategic Plan 2026-2031 was approved in July. Both focus is to maximize economic returns from the region's shared tuna resources by shifting focus from exporting raw materials to local processing, value addition, and regional economic collaboration. The FFA said one of the main target is to increase local ownership and participation in the global tuna value chain. While over 50% of global tuna originates in Pacific waters, little is processed locally, with just a few island countries like Fiji and the Solomon Islands processing tuna products locally. The ENBi also targets shared island resources and securing investment in joint island ventures. Fiji and Tuvalu, for example, have been discussing partnerships in their fisheries sectors. The FFA said the Vakamanu Regional Pacific Fisheries Strategy 2026-2035 highlights the key fisheries and aquaculture agreed by the Ministers and it brings offshore fisheries, coastal fisheries, and aquaculture together under a single regional 10-year framework. The outcomes of the 2026 Fisheries Ministers Meetings, together with the Vakamanu Regional Pacific Fisheries Strategy 2026-2035, will now be considered by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders during their meeting in Koror, Palau from 30 August - 4 September. Section: Regional Tags: Forum Fisheries Agency
2026-08-13 18:07:31

Toe Mōlia fo’i Tuilaepa i Tu’uaiga o le Taufaaleaga i le Palemia
Aso Tofi 13 Aokuso 2026. English Version. Na toe molia fo’i e Leoleo le Ta’ita’i o le Vaega Faaupufai e Puipuia Aia Tatau a Tagata (HRPP), le Afioga ia Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, i moliaga o le taufaaleaga e mafua mai i ni faamatalaga na ia faia e faasaga i le Palemia, le Afioga ia Laaulialemalietoa [...] The post Toe Mōlia fo’i Tuilaepa i Tu’uaiga o le Taufaaleaga i le Palemia first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-13 09:00:28

Tuilaepa Faces New Defamation Charges over Remarks Against Prime Minister
Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was today arrested and charged with defamation towards Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt. The charges relate to allegations made by Tuilaepa during a televised press conference with local media held last week on Thursday 6th August 2026 at the HRPP headquarters. [...] The post Tuilaepa Faces New Defamation Charges over Remarks Against Prime Minister first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-13 08:16:17

Tuilaepa Arrested and Faces New Defamation Charges over Remarks Against Prime Minister
Leader of the Human Rights Protection Party, Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was today arrested and charged with defamation towards Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt. The charges relate to allegations made by Tuilaepa during a televised press conference with local media held last week on Thursday 6th August 2026 at the HRPP headquarters. [...] The post Tuilaepa Arrested and Faces New Defamation Charges over Remarks Against Prime Minister first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-13 08:16:17

Pasia e le Senate ia le pili a le Faigamalo mo femalagaiga – Tuuina atu i le Maota o Sui mo sa latou iloiloga
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA Na pasia i le faaiuga o le vaiaso ua mavae, ia le pili a le Faigamalo, mo le taofia o le Vaega Faapitoa i tulafono tau femalagaiga, i se palota 14-0, ma ua fa’ao’oina atu nei ia le pili, i le Maota o Sui mo le latou iloiloga. Ua finagalo le Faigamalo, ina ia taofia ia le Vaega Faapitoa i totonu o le tulafono tau femalagaiga, lea ua fa’aaogaina ma auala, e ulufale mai ai le to’atele o tagata mai atunu’u i fafo, ae se’i toe iloiloga tulaga o le tulafono. Sa faamalamalama auiliili e le Loia Sili, ia Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, i le iloiloga a le Senate, i le vaiaso ua mavae, i le tausaga atoa lea o le a taofia ai lea vaega faapitoa, i tulafono tau femalagaiga, o le a na’o tagata faigaluega mai fafo, e ‘sponsor’ e le malo lotoifale ma le malo feterale, o le a faatagaina ona ulufale mai. Ae mo isi pisinisi tua po o kamupani tuto’atasi, o le a fa’atalitali se’ia mae’a le 12 masina. I lea saunoaga a le loia sili, ua mafai ona fa’amautuina ai le agaga a le faigamalo, i le fa’alauteleina o lenei Vaega Faapitoa, i se tulaga, sa le tatau ona o’o iai, aemaise lava i kamupani tua. Na fa’aalia e le Loia Sili, e to’a 3,489 tagata faigaluega ua fa’aulufale mai i totonu o Amerika Samoa, i lalo o lea Vaega faapitoa. E to’a 3,092 o lo’o faigaluega i pisinisi po o kamupani tua, ae na’o le 397 o lo’o faigaluega i le malo. O le a le ave’esea ia nei tagata mai i le teritori, a’o taofia lenei vaega o le tulafono, peitai, o le a taofia ai le toe ulufale mai o nisi, e ala i le fa’aaogaina o lea Vaega Faapitoa, a’o feagai ai le faigamalo ma le iloiloga o tulafono tau femalagaiga ma auala e mafai ona faamalosia ai. Afai ae pasia e le Maota o Sui ia lenei tulafono, o le a faapea ona tu’uina atu i le kovana mo le sainia ma avea ai loa ma tulafono. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-13 08:07:12

Colombia declares three days of mourning after deadly earthquake
Sources: Aljazeera, AFP. Colombia has declared three days of national mourning after a powerful earthquake killed more than 200 people as rescue crews race against time to find people trapped beneath the rubble. The government said on Wednesday that flags would be lowered to half-staff at official buildings and Colombian embassies around the world “in [...] The post Colombia declares three days of mourning after deadly earthquake first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-12 20:16:11

Faaaogaina se Ata Tuai e Ta’uleagaina ai le Auaunaga a le Falema’i i Motootua
Apia, Samoa 12 Aukuso 2026 Ua tuuina mai se pepa o fa’amatalaga mai le Matagaluega o le Soifua Maloloina a Samoa, e faatatau i tusitusiga a le nusipepa o le Samoa Observer i le Aso Faraile 7 Aukuso 2026. I lena faasalalauga, o lo’o tuuina mai ai se ata o loo fa’aaogaina ai se fasila’au [...] The post Faaaogaina se Ata Tuai e Ta’uleagaina ai le Auaunaga a le Falema’i i Motootua first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-12 19:06:54

Land dispute erupts despite civil preliminary injunction allegedly filed
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 16, 2026, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a man reporting that his neighbor, Luisa Ah Young and her son, Tauivi Gaisoa were allegedly causing a disturbance on his land in Mapusaga. Both suspects were charged with Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine. Gaisoa was charged with additional charges of: Count 2 & 3: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both; and, Count 4: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. The defendants were held without bail. According to the court affidavit, the dispute had been ongoing for some time and had previously resulted in police being called to the area. The matter had also reportedly been taken to court, where a civil preliminary injunction had been filed. Police were told that the dispute originally began after one family started construction of a piggery on the property. On July 16, according to the report, the family’s designated leader, or Sa'o, arrived at the residence with his sister and instructed the occupants to remove a coconut tree from the property in order to establish a boundary between the two families. Police were also told that the Sa'o had previously spoken with members of the neighboring family and instructed them to remain on their side of a boundary that had already been identified. The situation reportedly escalated when a machine operator began removing the coconut tree. According to a witness statement, a woman from the neighboring family came out of her residence and began yelling at the Sa'o and his sister. Police were told that Gaisoa then became involved and allegedly acted aggressively toward the Sa'o and members of the other family. He reportedly yelled at them to take down their pig pen and used profanity during the confrontation. The police report stated that Gaisoa allegedly threatened the operator of the excavator and told him to stop operating the machine or he would be beaten or something would happen to him. The confrontation allegedly became more serious when Gaisoa picked up a rock and threw it at the excavator. According to the report, the first rock did not cause significant damage. However, Gaisoa allegedly picked up another rock and threw it at the machine, striking and shattering one of the excavator's windows while the operator was still inside. The machine operator told police that he was startled when the rock struck the side window of the excavator. He reportedly saw Gaisoa standing outside the machine and yelling aggressively at him to stop working while continuing to use profanity. The operator further stated that Gaisoa then picked up another rock and threw it at the machine, causing the window to shatter and pieces of glass to fall inside the excavator. The operator reportedly told police that he was frightened for his safety but continued performing the work he had been instructed to do. A family member who witnessed the incident also reportedly recorded portions of the confrontation with a phone. According to the police report, the witness began recording after hearing the parties arguing. She said she moved closer with her phone when Gaisoa allegedly began threatening the machine operator. The witness also stated that she recorded Gaisoa allegedly throwing a rock at the excavator. After the first attempt, Gaisoa allegedly picked up another rock and threw it at the machine, shattering the excavator's window. The witness reportedly yelled at Gaisoa that she had recorded the incident and that police would be contacted. The witness continued that Gaisoa allegedly became more aggressive and picked up another rock, which he attempted to throw at her. She also reported that he continued making threats. Police photographed the damage to the excavator following the incident. Officers also spoke with members of the neighboring family regarding what had occurred. One woman reportedly told police that the land dispute had already been addressed through the court system but said her son had become angry with the other family and became upset during the confrontation. When officers asked about Gaisoa's whereabouts, she reportedly told them that she did not know where he had gone. The Sa'o also provided police with his account of the incident. According to his statement, he had spoken with both families several days before the incident regarding the boundaries of the land, and he believed both sides had agreed to the decision. On July 16, he reportedly received a call concerning another dispute over the boundaries and went to the area. The Sa'o told police that one of the women involved continued to disagree with his decision and became verbally aggressive toward him. He said he reminded her of his decision regarding the land boundaries but the disagreement continued. The Sa'o reportedly instructed the excavator operator to proceed with removing two coconut trees that were in the way of the boundary. He also stated that Gaisoa then allegedly threw a rock that damaged the excavator's window while the dispute continued. The Sa'o told police that he was born and raised on the land and that previous generations of his family had worked the property for decades. Police later attempted to locate Gaisoa. On July 17, 2026, officers went to the family's residence in Mapusaga and Faleniu in an effort to locate him, but they were unsuccessful. The police report noted that the incident occurred on communal family land. A preliminary repair estimate for the damaged excavator window was subsequently obtained from EnviroTech, LLC. The estimate, dated July 21, 2026, placed the cost of repairing the damage at approximately $1,734. The excavator is reportedly owned by a local individual and was being operated at the property when the alleged incident occurred. The affidavit lists two suspects — the mother and her son — who are both noted as American Samoa nationals. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 22, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-12 18:56:51

AS-EPA hosts specialized Clean Water Act Training with USEPA Region 9
Tafuna AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA) hosted an intensive six-hour training last Friday led by Dr. Julie Song, Senior Permit Specialist from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9. The session brought together key regulatory and industry partners, including representatives from the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA), StarKist Samoa, and AS-EPA staff. The training focused on federal permits issued by Region 9 for discharges into waters of the United States, permits currently held by both ASPA and StarKist for their operations in the Territory. Participants received in-depth guidance on several core Clean Water Act components, including: ● Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification ● Mixing Zones and Reasonable Potential Analyses ● Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) ● Industrial Effluent Limitation Guidelines While comprehensive, the six-hour session highlighted the extensive scope of the Clean Water Act and the continued need for ongoing training to ensure full compliance and prevent violations. The event provided a valuable opportunity for local agencies to learn directly from federal experts and strengthen regulatory understanding across the Territory. In addition to the training, two members of the USEPA Region 9 team conducted inspections of ASPA’s wastewater facilities, StarKist Samoa, and the Shipyard during their four-day visit. These inspections support continued collaboration between federal and territorial agencies to protect water quality and uphold environmental standards. Section: Local News Tags: CLEAN WATER ACT
2026-08-12 18:50:54

Community News Briefs
compiled by Samoa News staff ATTENTION ALL FALL 2026 STUDENTS Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) officially accepting applications for the Marine & Fisheries Science Scholarship. Here are the updated details for the Fall 2026 semester: 6,000 of financial assistance will be awarded for the academic year. Two scholars will be selected and recipient selection will be based on: GPA, experience, workforce interest, initiative, and letters of recommendation. To apply: • Download forms at crag.as/opportunities • Submit your application via email to CRAG Coordinator Trevor Kaitu’u: • Email: trevor.kaituu@crag.as NEPA 101 WORKSHOP The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Program of the Office of the Governor is pleased to announce a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 101 Workshop hosted by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: DYWA Tafuna This workshop is open to all current and prospective applicants interested in pursuing grant funding through the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs. The session will provide valuable information on the federal grant process, with a primary focus on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements that are essential for OIA-funded infrastructure and capital improvement projects. The OIA and USACE representatives will present an overview of the NEPA process and discuss key topics, including: • Project timelines and environmental review requirements • Cumulative impacts and environmental considerations • Authorization to Proceed (ATP) requirements • The USACE regulatory permitting process To register for the NEPA 101 Workshop or to learn more about the OIA grant funding process, please contact the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Office at cip@go.as.gov or call 633-4121 for more information. AMERICAN SAMOA VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION The American Samoa Women’s National Volleyball Team home the brought home the SILVER MEDAL from the 2026 Oceania Zonal Volleyball Championships in Guam! From battling Australia in a five-set opener, to victories over Wallis & Futuna, New Caledonia, and Guam, our women showed the Pacific what American Samoa volleyball is made of — heart, strength, discipline, resilience, and PRIDE! And the journey continues! Our Women’s National Team is now ranked #74 IN THE WORLD by FIVB! What an accomplishment for our small island and a powerful reminder that we may be small in size, but we are mighty in spirit! The American Samoa Volleyball Association salutes the players, coaches, staff, families, supporters, sponsors, and everyone who stood behind Team ASA — FA’AFETAI TELE LAVA! OCEANIA SILVER MEDALISTS — FIVB WORLD RANKING: #74 ONE TEAM. ONE ISLAND. ONE NATION. This SILVER belongs to all of American Samoa. They represented our flag and our people with honor. BACK TO SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION OUTREACH 2026 The American Samoa Department of Health – Immunization Program is helping students get ready for the new school year by providing an opportunity to update required school immunizations before new school year begins. Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring their children in to review their immunization records and receive any needed vaccines to meet school requirements. Date: August 17–21, 2026 Locations: Utulei Su'igaula and Front of Tropical Pizza (Tafuna) Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm Don’t wait until the last minute, make sure your child is ready for a healthy and successful school year. Please share this information with your family and friends, and help us spread the word to parents who may need to update their child’s immunizations. For more information, contact: DOH Hotline: 219 or the Immunization Office: (684) 699-8464 Section: Local News Tags: COMMUNITY NEWS BRIEFFS
2026-08-12 18:45:44

Raised crosswalks draw widespread motorists and lawmakers complaints
DPW says they are part of federally funded Islandwide Safety Project By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senators were informed last Friday that the so‐called “speed bumps,” that are drawing widespread complaints from motorists and lawmakers, are not speed bumps at all, but raised crosswalks — a federally funded safety feature installed as part of the Islandwide Safety Project. The clarification came during a Senate Public Works Committee hearing, where Deputy Director of Public Works Falava‘i Ta‘ase explained that the raised crosswalks recently constructed in front of Manumalo Academy, SPICC, and Matafao Elementary School were approved and funded by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Ta‘ase told senators that FHWA’s push for raised crosswalks is based on national research. A 2016 nationwide study documented a significant rise in pedestrian‐related traffic accidents occurring at traditional painted crosswalks. A follow‐up study in 2023 found a 45% reduction in crosswalk‐related accidents in areas where raised crosswalks were installed. He said FHWA formally advised Public Works in 2023 to begin evaluating raised crosswalks for American Samoa. The department initially held back, conducting its own assessment of local traffic patterns and crash data. But with traffic accidents increasing last year and again this year, Public Works determined it was time to begin installing raised crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle speeds in high‐risk zones. Ta‘ase explained that the federal criteria for raised crosswalk placement include a speed limit that must be under 30 mph, the traffic volume must be at least 9,000 vehicles, and the roadway must have no more than three lanes. He said the locations selected so far meet these requirements, particularly school zones where pedestrian traffic is heavy, and vehicle speeds are often higher than posted limits. Two additional raised crosswalks are scheduled for installation in front of Samoana High School and Marist Saint Francis School in Lepua. Ta‘ase noted that construction had begun on a raised crosswalk in front of Laufou, but the department halted the project after extended traffic delays created significant congestion. Public Works has decided not to proceed with that location. Ta‘ase told senators the project was publicly bid, and Paramount Construction was awarded the contract. He estimated the cost of each raised crosswalk at approximately $11,000. Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean told the Public Works officials that in all his travels across the U.S. mainland, he has never seen road bumps like the ones recently installed. He questioned whether such structures were appropriate for primary roads and asked directly whether the raised crosswalks could be removed. Deputy Director Ta‘ase confirmed that removal was possible. Tuaolo then advised that they be taken out to put an end to the steady stream of complaints from motorists and community members. “It’s been nearly 50 years since American Samoa voted for their own governor,” he said. “The question that comes to mind is why now? Why wasn’t this done in all these years? This is very suspicious.” Senator Magalei Logovii pressed Public Works officials on whether the Department of Public Safety (DPS) had been consulted before the raised crosswalks were installed. He noted that DPS typically provides assessments for any road project, including whether a proposed design might create a traffic hazard or pose risks to pedestrians and motorists. Magalei repeatedly asked Ta‘ase whether the FHWA had formally approved the raised crosswalks. He requested written documentation from the federal agency confirming its authorization. Senator Muagututi‘a Tauoa raised additional concerns, warning that the newly installed raised crosswalks could slow or obstruct emergency response vehicles, including EMS ambulances, police units, and the Fire Division. He said any roadway feature that delays emergency response times poses a serious public‐safety risk. Muagututi‘a also questioned the cost of the installations, noting that at $11,000 per raised crosswalk, the price is “a lot of money” for a project that has already generated significant public frustration. He recommended leaving the three already constructed in place, but urged Public Works not to install any more until the Senate receives clearer justification and documentation from federal authorities. He also recommended painting the raised crosswalks at Fatu‐ma‐Futi and Matafao to ensure drivers can clearly see them from a distance and recognize when they are approaching a pedestrian zone. Muagututi‘a added that proper striping and visibility markings — similar to the treatment already applied to the raised crosswalk in front of Manumalo Academy — are essential for driver awareness and pedestrian safety. He said clear paint markings would help motorists recognize the crosswalks earlier and reduce confusion, especially given the complaints the installations have already generated. Senator Ma‘o Faauma Gogo, however, sided with Senate President Tuaolo’s recommendation to remove the three raised crosswalks, arguing that traditional street‐sign warnings are sufficient to alert drivers to slow down near schools. He said clear signage has long been effective in school zones and questioned the need for additional roadway structures that have already caused confusion and frustration among motorists. Ma’o also noted that teachers and students routinely assist with traffic control in front of their schools during morning drop‐off and afternoon pick‐up. He said this long‐standing practice has helped maintain safety without the need for raised crosswalks, and that the community’s involvement demonstrates that simpler, less disruptive measures can work. Senator Leatualevao Asifoa, who requested the hearing with Public Works, said that based on the photos presented to lawmakers, there appeared to be very little difference between the raised crosswalks and traditional speed bumps. He questioned whether the installations met the design standards described by Public Works. Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono echoed those concerns, pointing out that the FHWA design photos showed raised crosswalks with a flat pedestrian surface, whereas the three already constructed in the Territory did not match that profile. He said the discrepancy raised questions about whether the installations were built to federal specifications. Ta‘ase responded that additional work is planned to bring the crosswalks into compliance. He said the surfaces will be flattened to meet FHWA design requirements and will also be painted to improve visibility and pedestrian safety. Editor’s Note: Samoa News notes that raised crosswalks are common in other countries, especially in school zones. They are clearly marked, sometimes with special lights (large yellow round bulbs) on each side of the walkway, with the walkway itself characteristically raised and flat, with the traditional stripes defining its width and length. The ‘raised’ feature of the crosswalk is to make certain that a vehicle will slow down before proceeding. Signage include those designating the speed limit as well as warning of approaching crosswalk, and are usually posted on both sides of the road as the raised crosswalk is approached. There is also sometimes a small planted flower plot area on each side, enhancing the look of the raised crosswalk as a community beautification project. Section: Local News Tags: Raised crosswalks
2026-08-12 17:20:09

Molimau sui o le DOH i le u’una’ia faamalosi o latou e toe tatala pisinisi na tapunia ona o solitulafono
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA Sa fa’atula’i e afioga i Faipule ia ni atugaluga, e tusa ai ma fale’aiga ma pisinisi, ua toe tatalaina, i se iloiloga a le Komiti o le Soifua Maloloina a le Maota o Sui, i le vaiaso ua mavae. Peitai, sa molimau ia Eileen Solaita, lea o lo’o mataituina le vaega a le Ofisa o le Soifua Maloloina, e gafa ma le puipuiga o le siosiomaga, ia le galulue malosi o le latou aufaigaluega e faamalosia ia tulafono mo le saogalemu o taumafa, ae peitai, o se asi o a latou lu’itau, o le fa’alavelave o afioga i sui faitulafono, i la latou galuega. Sa saunoa sa’o lava ia le tamaitai pule ia Eileen, o so’o se aso lava e latou te tapunia ai ia se pisinisi, ona o le solia o tulafono, e fa’auilavea lava se faipule, po o se Senatoa, po o se faatonusili a le malo, ma faatonu le latou ofisa, e toe tatala ia le pisinisi, i le aso e soso’o ai. Ma o le tele lava o nei taitai o le malo, o ni ‘sponsors’ o tagata e ana ia nei pisinisi, na tapunia. E le gata i lea, sa fa’aleoina foi e Solaita, ia le iai o nisi o le latou aufaigaluega, ua ofoina iai tupe, e toe tatala ai pisinisi na tapunia ona o le solia o tulafono. Sa fa’aaogaina e Solaita, ia le mataupu i le tapunia o le fale’aiga a le Jade, lea na fa’ato’a te’a atu nei, e faamanino atili ai le mataupu. Sa faamanino e Solaita, e le i tapunia ia fale’aiga e lua a Jade, ona o ni solitulafono patino i fale’aiga, ae peitai, ona o le fale sa teuina ai a latou oloa e gaosi ai taumafa, e leai se pemita mai i le ofisa o le soifua maloloina, e le gata i lea, e le’i ausia vaega fa’atulagaina mo le saogalemu o le siosiomaga. Sa ese le fale na fa’aali i sui o le malo, ese le fale na fa’aaoga e le pisinisi. Ma na tapunia e le DOH ia fale’aiga uma e lua, ina ia fa’amautuina le la’uina uma o taumafa na gaosi mai i oloa sa teuina i le fale le pasia, i le lapisi. Ua mae’a nei ona toe la’uina sapalai a le fale’aiga, i le fale na pasia e le DOH ma mafai ai loa ona toe tatalaina ia fale’aiga e lua. Sa fesiligia e le afioga i le Faipule ia Lua’itaua Gene Pan pe na mafai faapefea ona toe tatalaina ia se pisinisi, ua soli so’o le tulafono. Ma sa ia fesiligia foi pe afai, ae gasegase se tasi, pe maliu foi, ona o le tulaga faaletonu o le taulimaina o taumafa. Sa faaleoina foi e le afioga i le Faipule ia Faimealelei Anthony Allen ia lea tulaga e tasi ma sa ia ta’ua ia le tigaina o le a’afia i se gasegase ona o taumafa e le lelei ona kukaina. I saunoaga a afioga i Faipule ia Fetu Fetui, le sui Fofoga Fetalai ma Fagaima Larry Sanitoa, i lalo o le tulafono, e faasala loa se pisinisi ona o tulaga o le soifua maloloina, e tatau loa ona fa’ao’o atu lea mataupu i le faamasinoga, ma e na o le faamasinoga e iai le malosiaga, e mafai ona faamasinoina ia mataupu ma faia faasalaga. Na faaleoina e le afioga i le Faipule ia Trudie Ledoux-Sunia ia se fa’asea mai i se pisinisi, sa faatonuina e tapunia ma totogi se sala e $5,000, ona fa’ato’a mafai ona toe tatalaina. E ui ina sa le faaleoina e le afioga i le Faipule ia le igoa o le pisinisi, ae sa ia ta’ua e faapea, na iai se lagona i le pule o lea pisinisi, e fa’aitu’au le faia o le faaiuga. E le gata i lea, o se fa’asea i ata o pisinisi ia e tapu’e e le DOH ma tu’u i luga o upega tafa’ilagi, sa iai se lagona a le faipisinisi, o nisi pisinisi ua tele ata ua fa’asalalau, ae itiiti ata, pe leai foi ni ata,o isi pisinisi. Sa faamalamalama e Solaita, e pe a ma le tolu vaiaso – pe umi foi – ona faatalitali se iloiloga i le faamasinoga. O lona uiga, o le umi foi lea o le a tapunia ai se pisinisi. Ma ua toatele ni faipisinisi, ua malilie e totogi le sala ma fa’aleleia tulaga ua faaletonu, ina ia mafai ona toe tatala vave a latou pisinisi. Ma sa faaleoina foi e Solaita, e faapea, o le fa’atulagaga o sala talu mai le 2023, e $5,000 le faasalaga muamua, a toe faasala, ua $7,000. A fa’atolu ona faasala, ua $10,000. Ae na fa’ato’a amata ona faamalosia ia nei faasalaga i le tausaga ua tuanai (2025) ma ua faia foi ni a’oa’oga mo faipisinisi ma a latou tagata faigaluega. Na fa’aalia e le toatele o afioga i Faipule, ia lo latou agaga fa’afetai ia Solaita ma lana aufaigaluega, mo la latou galuega aua le puipuiga o le soifua maloloina o le mamalu lautele ma sa o latou ioeina foi le tele o le latou aufaigaluega, ua feagai ma ni faasea mai faipisinisi. Peitai, sa faamamafaina foi e Faipule, le tatau ona tutusa uma ia le faatinoina o le tulafono ma faasalaga, i faipisinisi uma. Sa tapaina e le Afioga i le Faipule ia Fiu John Saelua ia se lisi o pisinisi uma ua mae’a ona faasala pe tapunia, mo sui uma o le Maota. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-12 06:42:26

Family Mourns Death of One-Year-Old Suspected of Drowning in River Nearby their Fugalei Home
A family is mourning the tragic loss of their one-year-old son who is suspected to have drowned in a river that runs behind their home at Fugalei. Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga says Police investigations are underway into the cause of death of the boy, who was found at around 4pm on Monday afternoon. Police [...] The post Family Mourns Death of One-Year-Old Suspected of Drowning in River Nearby their Fugalei Home first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-12 05:13:29

Siliga Diana Roma Sworn In as Acting Supreme Court Judge
Afioga Siliga Diana Roma has been sworn in as an Acting Supreme Court Judge of Samoa. The swearing-in ceremony was held this morning, Wednesday, 12 August 2026, before His Highness the Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II. Afioga Siliga Diana Roma took her oath before the Head of State as she begins her [...] The post Siliga Diana Roma Sworn In as Acting Supreme Court Judge first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-12 03:21:13

Siliga Diana Roma Sworn-In as Acting Judge of Samoa’s Supreme Court
Wednesday 12 August 2026. Afioga Siliga Lauano Matuāvao Diana Roma was this morning sworn in as a Acting Supreme Court Judge of Samoa. The swearing-in ceremony was held this morning, Wednesday 12 August 2026, before His Highness the Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II. The intimate ceremony was attended by all Supreme Court [...] The post Siliga Diana Roma Sworn-In as Acting Judge of Samoa’s Supreme Court first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-12 03:21:13

Team Va’a Samoa Set for International World Championship Campaign
Team Va’a Samoa will be heading to Singapore this Friday for the International Va’a Federation (I.V.F.) World Championship. The team will compete alongside the world’s leading va’a nations and paddlers in one of the sport’s most prestigious international championships. The majority of the team are local athletes, and for the Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association (S.O.C.A.), [...] The post Team Va’a Samoa Set for International World Championship Campaign first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-12 02:06:39

From Lemalu Semo to Wallace, Now Amarante: The Sititi Rugby Dynasty Grows
Amarante Sititi is set to follow in the footsteps of her brother Wallace Sititi after being named in the Black Ferns squad for the remainder of 2026. The Blues forward was one of five uncapped players selected by Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen on Monday. Sititi, who has been playing at loose forward but [...] The post From Lemalu Semo to Wallace, Now Amarante: The Sititi Rugby Dynasty Grows first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-12 00:29:31

IMF commended Samoa’s low public debt & financial stability
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 12 August 2026 – The Government has responded to recent public concerns regarding withdrawals from the District Development Programme (DDP) accounts that allege misuse of funds. A government statement also refutes claims that the recent IMF Article IV consultation found corruption in DDP funds. The Government emphasizes that it [...] The post IMF commended Samoa’s low public debt & financial stability appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-11 23:51:06

Samoa prioritizes monitoring, management of fish stocks & E-Zones at WCPFC meeting
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, SAMOA – 12 August 2026: The Samoa mission statement at the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Scientific session in progress in Samoa, is monitoring and management of fish stocks. Samoa’s representative at the meeting is the Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) of Fisheries Roseti Imo. He said there are [...] The post Samoa prioritizes monitoring, management of fish stocks & E-Zones at WCPFC meeting appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-11 23:20:27

Amata leads Foreign Affairs CODEL to Colombia Presidential Inauguration
City struck by devastating earthquake after departure Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, traveling at the request of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), led the Radewagen CODEL with Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) over the weekend to Colombia for the new President’s inauguration, ensuring that the Committee was appropriately represented there. Just hours after their arrival back in Washington, D.C., that region of Colombia was struck by a major 7.4 magnitude earthquake, causing many injuries, 111 deaths as of the early news reports, and the destruction of at least 20 buildings just in Cali alone. “My deepest condolences to the people of Colombia as they mourn, rescue and then face the long recovery effort from this severe disaster,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It’s a shock to see them go from their welcoming greetings to us and their celebratory occasion just a day before, to this major natural disaster and loss of life. They will need prayer and support.” Congresswoman Amata and Congressman Meeks attended the inauguration of President Abelardo de la Espriella in the city of Cali, near the Pacific coast in the western part of the country. Congressman Meeks is the Committee’s Democratic leader, who has built seniority, serving since 1998, and is on track to be Dean of the New York House delegation in 2027. Also in attendance were other U.S. officials including newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche, who was officially sworn in Monday after the trip. “Colombia is a $50 billion trade partner with the United States, as they import U.S. refined oil and corn, and export coffee and crude oil,” said Congresswoman Amata. “They are part of the Pacific Alliance economic integration, and as a Pacific coastal country, are located at one edge of the vast Indo-Pacific region that is essential to U.S. and worldwide commercial and security measures.” While there, Congresswoman Amata took part in a roundtable with Mayor of Cali Alejandro Eder, and the Civil Society at the Universidad Santiago de Cali, where she gave a statement. Section: Regional Tags: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata
2026-08-11 17:20:52

Store owner contacts police reporting a burglary in progress
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 20, 2026, Fagatogo Central Police Station (CPS) contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported an active burglary at one of the businesses located in the Tafuna Industrial Park. The report allegedly originated from the business owner who stated that the suspect was actively burglarizing his business. The suspect was later charged with: Count 1: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 2: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine not more than $5,000, or both; Count 3: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both; and, Count 4: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000. According to the court affidavit, the incident occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m., when police received a report of an active burglary at a business located in the Tafuna Industrial Park. Police were reportedly notified that a suspect, later identified as Matthew Antonio, was still inside the business, prompting officers from the Tafuna area to respond to the location. Officers arrived at approximately 11:34 p.m. and entered the property after gaining access through the main gate. Police said they eventually entered the main building and observed that the door to the main office was partially open. Upon entering the office, officers reportedly found Antonio lying in a concealed position, appearing to be attempting to hide from them. He was immediately apprehended. During a search of Antonio following his apprehension, police allegedly discovered approximately $10 worth of coins in his pockets. Investigators determined that the coins had reportedly been taken from a desk inside the office. Police also reported that Antonio made a spontaneous statement indicating that another person had accompanied him to the premises. Officers subsequently searched the compound and surrounding area for a possible second suspect. However, police said they did not locate another person or find evidence indicating that a second suspect was present. The investigation also revealed damage to several areas and items at the business. Police reported that two surveillance cameras located in a common area had been tampered with — one camera had reportedly been broken from its mount, while a second had been turned towards a wall. A third surveillance camera located in the kitchen area, which normally faced the entrance to the office, had reportedly been aimed downward towards the sink. Police reviewed surveillance footage obtained during the investigation that showed the suspect entering the building through a window located in the main office. Investigators also photographed the scene and documented the condition of the office and the property damage observed inside and around the business. After being taken into custody, Antonio was transported to the TPS where he was Mirandized. The suspect acknowledged and waived his rights and agreed to provide a verbal statement. Antonio declined to provide a written statement but agreed to speak with investigators. During the interview, the suspect allegedly told police that he had left his residence in Petesa and went to Lions Park to spend time in the area. He later walked toward the Le Afi Energy premises with the intention of stealing property. According to the police report, Antonio admitted entering the business compound from the northwestern side by crawling underneath a fenced gate. He allegedly then entered the building through a front window. Once inside, he reportedly searched through desks and drawers looking for money or other valuable property. Police said the office was left in disarray as a result of the search. Investigators reported damage to a sliding window, office door, cabinets, lockers, desk, safe, property gate and surveillance-camera systems. The total amount of property damage was reported to be more than $100. Police later received additional information regarding the incident and documented statements concerning the reported burglary and damage to the business. Antonio was subsequently booked at the TPS and transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility. He remained in custody pending the next available sitting of the District Court. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 22, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-11 17:16:12

11 August 1978: Funeral of Pope Paul VI
11 August 1978: On this day Pope Paul VI funeral was held at the Vatican in Rome, Italy. Pope Paul VI was the Pope from 1963 until 1978. In his tenure he was one of the most consequential Popes in modern history, enacting reform programs which affected the daily life of all aspects of the [...] The post 11 August 1978: Funeral of Pope Paul VI first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-10 20:07:55

Samoa welcomes Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission
By Lagi Keresoma/ “Ensuring the long-term sustainability of highly migratory fish stock in the region through science-based management and international cooperation.” – Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Apia, SAMOA – 11 August 2026: The Prime Minister and Cabinet welcomed delegates from 26 countries participating in the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Scientific [...] The post Samoa welcomes Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-10 19:12:18

Man identified as alleged burglar after police observe him on store’s surveillance cameras
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 13, 2026, an individual contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported a burglary at O&O Inc. in Nuuuli. The suspect reportedly fled the scene and remains at large but was later charged with: Count 1: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine not more than $5,000, or both imprisonment and fine; Count 2: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine not more than $5,000, or both; Count 3: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of not more than $500, or both; and, Count 4: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. The defendant’s bail was set at $5,000. According to the court affidavit, the incident occurred at approximately 7:00 a.m., with police identifying the suspect as Koga Siufo'a, who was allegedly captured on the store's surveillance cameras during the break-in. The investigation began after the general manager of O&O Inc., contacted the TPS to report the burglary and request immediate police assistance. At the store, police officers made initial contact with the store manager who directed them to the store's main office. As they made their way toward the third floor, where the main office was located, the investigating officer observed that the checkout counters throughout the store were in disarray. The checkout areas appeared to have been heavily disturbed, while the remainder of the store appeared to be relatively normal. The condition of the checkout counters immediately drew the attention of investigators. According to the reporter, the break-in was discovered that morning when employees arrived to open the store. She told investigators that at approximately 8:00 a.m. on July 13th, employees noticed the burglary. The first-floor checkout station was reportedly in complete disorder. Furthermore, the store manager stated that one of the cash registers had been pulled onto the floor, with items scattered throughout the area. When she went to open the main office, she reportedly discovered similar damage. The investigation found that multiple cash registers had been damaged and that two touchscreen phones used to provide ASTCA and Bluesky e-charge services were missing. Police photographed the scene before proceeding with their investigation. Investigators reviewed the store's surveillance-camera footage. According to the investigating officer, the footage showed an individual inside the store during the burglary; and the officer stated that the person in the footage was recognized as Koga Siufo'a. The surveillance video reportedly showed Siufo'a climbing or leaning over the first-floor checkout counter and rummaging through the checkout area. In addition, the suspect was seen searching the counters for keys and attempting to open one of the cash registers. Investigators reported that the surveillance footage provided a clear view of the suspect's face. Police instructed the store manager to preserve and retrieve a copy of the surveillance footage on a flash drive for evidence of the crime for their investigation. Police also searched for point of entry, and began canvassing the surrounding area to determine how the suspect entered the building. During their search, officers noticed what appeared to be a large dent in a warehouse door. However, investigators determined that the opening created by the dent did not appear large enough for a person to enter through. The officers continued searching for another possible entry point, and were assisted by the warehouse manager, who accompanied police as they inspected the building. During the search, officers discovered a loose board that was part of the store's wall. When the board was pulled back, it revealed a large opening. According to investigators, the opening was large enough for a person to fit through. The warehouse manager reportedly told police that the wall had never previously had a loose board. The discovery provided investigators with a possible point of entry into the business. O&O I nc. provided police with a list of the property that had been damaged or stolen during the break-in, along with the estimated dollar value of the loss. According to the report, three cash registers were damaged and the owner estimated the value of each damaged register at approximately $300, totaling an estimated loss of $900. The value of the two Samsung touchscreen phones allegedly stolen were valued at $169 for the one used for ASTCA e-charge services and $119 for the second one used for Bluesky e-charge services — totaling $288. Based on the values provided by the business, the reported property loss and damage totaled approximately $1,188.00. According to the investigation, at the time of the police report, the suspect was described as still being at large. The surveillance footage, photographs of the damaged property and evidence regarding the suspected point of entry were collected as part of the investigation. Police also documented the statements of the store manager and warehouse manager regarding what they observed after the break-in was discovered. With the suspect identified but reportedly having fled the scene, police continued their investigation into the burglary and property damage. The available report does not indicate that the suspect had since been arrested at the time the court affidavit was filed. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 22, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-10 17:07:24

Alleged assault happens over misplaced iPad power plug
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 14, 2026, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that a man allegedly assaulted her cousin in front of a store in Nu’uuli, injuring the victim. The suspect fled the scene but was later charged with Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (as a class A misd.), a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine. The defendant’s bail was set at $500. According to the court records, the incident happened in front of Island Engraving, across from the Shoe Tree in Nu’uuli at approximately 7:21 p.m. on July 14th. The defendant has been identified as Siufaga Moana. Police officers were dispatched to the area in a patrol unit after receiving the report. When officers arrived, they encountered a small crowd gathered in front of Island Engraving. Among the people at the scene was the alleged victim, who was bleeding from the back of his head. Police immediately requested emergency medical assistance while officers photographed the victim's visible injuries. According to the police report, the person who reported the incident told investigators that she was driving home when she saw Siufaga punch the victim. She reportedly parked her vehicle across from the scene and got out. The witness told police that she then saw Siufaga continue kicking the victim while he was on the ground. The witness yelled at the suspect, according to the report. Siufaga then reportedly ran behind the store and fled from the area. The victim told responding officers that Siufaga was wearing a red shirt and long black pants when the alleged assault occurred. Officers searched the surrounding area in an attempt to locate him, but their efforts were unsuccessful. While officers remained at the scene, another police unit arrived to provide assistance. The victim was placed inside a police vehicle while officers continued their investigation and waited for EMS personnel. The victim also provided police with information about where Siufaga reportedly lived. Officers subsequently traveled to the suspect's residence, however, when officers arrived, no one was home. The investigating officer stated that the residence was familiar from a previous case. Police later returned to the TPS and obtained additional information concerning the suspect from the lead investigator of the earlier case. The victim was eventually transported to the TPS to await medical assistance. EMS personnel did arrive and examine the victim and determined that the victim had suffered a minor laceration to the back of his head. The injury did not require stitches. After receiving medical treatment, the victim was interviewed by investigators. According to the victim's statement, the incident began with a verbal argument. The victim told police that he had borrowed an iPad charger belonging to Siufaga but had misplaced it. The disagreement over the charger reportedly led to a verbal confrontation. The victim said Siufaga then moved behind him and struck him on the right side of his face with his fist. The victim told investigators that someone helped him get back up after he was struck. It was then that he noticed he was bleeding. The victim said he did not remember being kicked while he was on the ground. However, after investigators gathered additional information, they determined that the victim had apparently blacked out to some degree after being struck in the face. The victim was later released after receiving medical attention. Police were unable to locate Siufaga after the alleged assault. Investigators searched the area immediately after the incident and later went to the suspect's reported residence, but he was not found. According to the police report, Siufaga remains at large. The defendant is identified as a 31 year-old U.S national. The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 22, 2026. As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. [Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.] Section: Local News Tags: court report
2026-08-10 17:01:00

Scientists explore Samoa to support the country’s plan protecting 30% of its Ocean ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Apia, SAMOA — National Geographic Pristine Seas begins an expedition this week in the South Pacific nation of Samoa to support the country’s pioneering legal protection of 30% of its ocean, home to nearly 1,000 recorded marine species.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ At the invitation of and in partnership with the government of Samoa, through its Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), the expedition will survey biodiversity in reef, mid-ocean, and deepwater sites spread across the country’s new marine protected areas (MPAs). Team members will also study locales outside the MPAs to understand ecological linkages and address broader data gaps. The research will inform the nation’s ambitious ocean protection plan, which seeks to sustainably manage all of Samoa’s waters.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ In 2025, Samoa endorsed the legal adoption of its MSP, following a multi-year consultation process involving government agencies, communities and other stakeholders. The MSP provides a national framework for achieving the sustainable management of 100% of Samoa’s ocean. In April 2026, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Schmidt signed the executive order bringing the MSP into effect. The plan expands Samoa’s national marine protections through nine new offshore MPAs and a formalized network of coastal community MPAs. Together, these areas protect 30% of Samoa’s ocean, approximately 36,000 square kilometers — roughly seven times the size of Grand Canyon National Park in the United States.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ NEW RESERVES HOME TO THE OCEAN’S WONDERS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Many of the newly-established MPAs have yet to be comprehensively studied by scientists. To address these knowledge gaps, Pristine Seas will conduct formal scientific surveys of sea life and geology under the waves. This includes the offshore seamounts of the Toamoana MPA, the deep reef slopes off northern Savai'i, and inshore areas around Upolu and Savai'i where scientific information remains limited.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ It’s already well known that the country’s fish life is among the richest in the world, with up to 991 species recorded. The waters of Samoa are also home to some 2,000 species of sea snails and 200 species of coral. The nation’s waters lie along important migration routes for the endangered ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​humpback whale​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ and other threatened whale species. The endangered hawksbill sea turtle also nests on Samoa’s beaches and breeds in Samoa’s waters.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ CUTTING EDGE SCIENCE Working aboard Pristine Seas’ research vessel, the Argo, the team of local and international experts will capture data and footage of marine life from above the ocean’s surface to the mysterious sea floor. Scientists will conduct surveys while SCUBA diving, drop deep sea cameras to the bottom of the sea to collect overnight footage, float video systems ten meters below the surface to document the marine life swimming by, and even survey bird life above the waves. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, the team will collect small bits of matter that can later be sequenced to identify organisms not always seen with cameras or the naked eye.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Scientists and partners from Samoa will plunge into the unknown in Pristine Seas’ state-of-the-art submersible, the Argonauta, to observe first-hand the “twilight zone,” a frontier of deep-sea biodiversity teeming with marine life. The Argonauta is outfitted with mud and water samplers, a nearly 360 underwater view, imaging sonar and more — allowing the team to gather valuable data from one of the least understood parts of the planet.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Throughout the expedition, Pristine Seas filmmakers will capture footage for a documentary film about Samoa’s stunning marine biodiversity. Filming in communities and aboard the Argo, the team hopes to highlight people’s special relationship to the ocean and illustrate the critical importance of ocean protection to people’s everyday lives. The documentarians will follow the Samoa Voyaging Society as its traditional voyaging canoe becomes a floating classroom, inspiring communities across Samoa to better understand and steward their land and ocean.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Samoa’s Ministry of Education and Culture and Pristine Seas are working together to extend ocean literacy into classrooms. With an eye on cultivating future ocean stewards, the partners hosted a Pacific Education subregional workshop in Apia earlier this week, in collaboration with The Pacific Community (SPC). Educators and Ministries of Education from six countries co-created resources for their national curriculum and attendees received training on eDNA analysis along with a tour of the Argo.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ BUILDING OCEAN LITERACY, COMMUNITIES, AND RESILIENCE​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ MPAs are a proven solution for countries looking to conserve their ocean. Reserves where fishing and other damaging activities are banned restore marine life within their boundaries. That, in turn, replenishes nearby fish populations and improves local fishing, provides jobs and economic benefits, and builds resilience against natural disasters and a warming ocean.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Many local communities, national organizations, scientific institutions, and regional and international partners have supported the development of Samoa’s MSP, strengthened the country’s marine knowledge base, and helped lay the foundation for this expedition.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ BACKGROUND Pristine Seas started its ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Global Expedition​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ in 2023 with a mission to spend five years exploring the tropical Pacific and supporting communities and governments in their efforts to protect the ocean. Since 2023, the team has explored and studied the ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Southern Line Islands​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tongareva​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Niue​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Republic of the Marshall Islands​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​the Federated States of Micronesia​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Palau​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Papua New Guinea​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Solomon Islands​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Fiji​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tuvalu​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ and ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Vanuatu​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ . For updates from the expedition follow @natgeopristineseas on ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Facebook​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Instagram​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​TikTok​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ and ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Threads​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ or read our ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Field Notes from Samoa​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Section: Regional Tags: National Geographic Pristine Seas
2026-08-10 16:54:11

Pacific artist Olivia Foa’i's emotional journey back to her ancestral home in Tokelau
By lena Pasilio By E RNZ Pacific Tokelau affairs correspondent Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In June of 2025, Olivia Foa'i boarded the MV Mataliki in Samoa bound for Fakaofo in Tokelau - a 24-hour voyage across a vast stretch of rolling Pacific ocean. She was returning to her grandfather's homeland for the first time since childhood. Although she had spent much of her life away, Fakaofo and Tokelau remained present through her family and the music of Te Vaka, the internationally recognized Pacific band founded by her father, Opetaia. By the time of her return to Fakaofo, Foa'i was already an established Pacific artist in her own right. She had travelled around the world with Te Vaka from a young age, before performing as a member of the band. Her vocals featured on the soundtrack of Disney's Moana, and she had released award-winning solo music, including songs recorded in the Tokelau language. As the vessel departed Samoa, she smiled for a photograph beside the uncle traveling with her. The image captured the excitement she felt, but not the nervousness she carried about returning to a homeland that was very much a part of her identity, yet geographically distant from the life she knew. "I was so nervous, anxious and excited," she recalled during a Zoom interview from her home in Australia in July. When the MV Mataliki reached Fakaofo on 5 June last year, the Fakaofo passengers transferred onto the smaller barge that would carry them through the channel between the reefs towards Fakaofo's wharf. And as the barge began moving towards Fakaofo, Foa'i pulled out her Super 8 camera and started filming. This would be one of her first acts on returning to the island, observing and recording the place that had lived in her imagination for years. Through the camera, she captured the shoreline, the movement of the ocean and the birds flying above the atoll. She later said the arch of their wings immediately felt familiar. It was a shape she had seen throughout her childhood in Te Vaka's artwork and designs, including the band's logo. "I was like, 'Oh wow,'" she recalled. "The birds here in Australia don't have that arch in their wings. The shape is not the same." One frame from those footages would later become the image behind her manu shirt — a visual connection between Tokelau, her family's creative legacy and her own experience of returning to Fakaofo. But Foa'i was not returning with the confidence of someone who felt completely at home in the remote atoll. Her understanding of Tokelau had been shaped through several layers of distance and places. Her father was born and raised in Alamagoto, a Tokelau community in Samoa where families from Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu lived together. He later carried that identity with him to New Zealand and Australia, while Foa'i grew up between Auckland and Sydney. She arrived in Tokelau, conscious that her Gagana Tokelau was limited and unsure of how she would fit into a culture she felt deeply connected to but had largely experienced from afar. "There was a real humility in coming back and being like, 'Okay, I'm here. What happens now?" she said. The uncertainty eased when she stepped onto Fakaofo and found that what awaited was not a test of how much language or cultural knowledge she held, but family willing to receive and welcome her. "We can easily build it up (negatively) in our minds," she said. "But, then it's really beautiful and humbling to just arrive and be like, "Oh, it's fine. You're accepted. Just come as you are, try your best." Returning as an adult also changed the way Foa'i saw the island she remembered from childhood. "When I was younger, Fakaofo was so much bigger," she said. "And then going back as an adult, I was like, 'Wow, this place is much smaller than I remember.'" But what stayed with her was not the size of the island. It was the time she spent with the elders in her family. "To sit with them there, that will stay with me," she said. "That's irreplaceable." She said their patience to listen as she searched for her words in the Gagana Tokelau and corrected her when she needed guidance was precious. Another memory that remained vivid was a picnic trip to the outer islet of Fenualoa with her close relatives. Leaving the main village of Fale behind, Olivia felt as though they had briefly stepped away from modern life. On Fenualoa, she watched as baskets and plates were woven from coconut leaves, coconut crabs were gathered and a fire was lit to cook the food. "It almost felt like we left modernity back in Fale," she said. "It was maybe a little taste of what it could have been like before we had all these modern things." The meal became one of her most memorable experiences of the visit. Through ordinary acts of gathering, preparing and sharing food, she was able to experience another side of Tokelau with her family. She returned to the fast-paced life beyond the reefs of Fakaofo, but she took with her the experience many Tokelauans and Pacific Islanders living abroad long for — the chance to return to their ancestral homeland and reconnect with family, culture and place. The trip to Tokelau has somehow brought some parts of her life into a full circle moment, because for the past almost 9 years, Olivia has also been working on a documentary about Te Vaka, tracing the journey of the band and the vision that drove her father, Opetaia, to take Pacific music to audiences around the world. The idea came after the release of Disney's Moana in 2016. Opetaia's work as a songwriter on the film brought him a new level of international recognition, but as Foa'i watched the attention surrounding him, she felt that many people were seeing only the success of that moment and not the decades of work that had come before it. "People didn't understand," she said. "People didn't know the story." She wanted audiences to know more about the man behind the music - his beginnings, his commitment to Pacific languages and storytelling, and the years he and the members of Te Vaka spent pursuing their vision long before Hollywood came calling. "I felt like no one really understood the 20 years prior that brought him to this point," Foa'i said, "and why this moment was so important to the Pacific and why it was so important to him and his life's work." With no previous experience making a documentary, she bought a camera and began filming her father, the band and the people around them — anyone who had anything to do with Te Vaka's journey. "I was like 'I don't have any experience, but I wonder if I could tell it,'" she recalled. What began as an attempt to document a defining moment in Opetaia's career soon became something more personal. Foa'i had grown up inside the Te Vaka story, traveling with her parents from a young age as they worked to build a dream and bring Pacific music to the world — she wanted to capture all that would tell this story. "I did this so I could have something for the documentary, but also so I could understand my own family," she said. The project eventually led Foa'i deep into her family's archives and in 2020, she spent countless hours digitizing hundreds of MiniDV tapes recorded by her mother, Julie, from the band's early days as far back as the 90s. And now, after almost nine years of filming, interviewing and digitizing MiniDV tapes, Foa'i said the Te Vaka documentary is close to completion. "I finally feel like I can express to people what my parents were trying to achieve with Te Vaka," she said, "and what it meant to get to where they got to." In the Tokelau language, Te Vaka means the boat or canoe — a fitting name for a band built on carrying Pacific languages, rhythms and stories across oceans and onto stages around the world. [Samoa News editor’s note: Te Vaka performed in American Samoa in 2019, including a dinner/ concert they gave at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei. A memorable moment of the event was when local waiters broke out in an impromptu group dance to one of the musical numbers Te Vaka was performing at the time. ] Section: Regional Tags: Pacific artist Olivia Foa’i
2026-08-10 16:48:03

DOH official blows the whistle on being pressured to reopen businesses with multiple health-safety violations
The court alone has the authority to adjudicate the case two lawmakers say By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Concerns raised by House Representatives (faipule) about restaurants and businesses reopening after repeated health‐safety violations backfired on the Fono when a senior Department of Health (DOH) official revealed that most of these re-openings were ordered by senators, faipule, or directors. This was openly stated by Eileen Solaita, manager of the DOH Environmental Health Services Division, during testimony before the House Health Committee last Friday. Solaita said her division works hard to enforce food‐safety and sanitation laws, but one of their biggest challenges is interference from senators, faipule, and directors. Solaita stated bluntly that on the very same day her office shuts down a business for health‐safety violations, a faipule, senator, or government director will often intervene and instruct them to reopen the establishment the next day. She said these officials are usually the sponsors of the business owners whose operations were closed. She further revealed that staff have even been offered money to reopen businesses that were shut down for violations. Explaining one of the most recent DOH cases to illustrate what transpires when a business is legally closed and then allowed to re-open — Jade Restaurant and Jade Fast Food — Solaita said that the two businesses were not shut down because of food‐safety or sanitation violations. Instead, DOH closed them after discovering that a storage area used to keep food supplies, including seafood, did not have a health permit and failed to meet environmental health standards. She said the facility that had been shown to inspectors — and approved — was not the one the business was actually using. Solaita said DOH closed both the restaurant and fast‐food operation and made sure all food items stored in the unapproved facility were condemned and disposed of. The business has since moved its supplies back to the storage area originally approved by DOH. Jade Restaurant and Jade Fast Food were then allowed to reopen after paying a fine and completing the corrective action plan required by the DOH. Faipule Lua‘itaua Gene Pan questioned how a business with repeated health‐safety violations could be allowed to reopen under the current system. He underscored the seriousness of the issue, saying, “You need to slaughter one lamb in order for the flock to follow.” Pan asked what would happen if unsafe food handling led to someone becoming seriously ill or even dying, emphasizing that the stakes extend far beyond administrative procedure. Faipule Faimealelei Anthony Allen echoed those concerns, noting that he has personally experienced food poisoning and described it as deeply unpleasant. “Imagine having your young children or your elderly grandparents eating at these places and becoming sick because the food is not safe,” he said, stressing that vulnerable members of the community would bear the brunt of lax enforcement. House Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui and Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa stated that under the statute, once a citation is issued for a health‐safety violation, the matter must proceed to the court, which alone has the authority to adjudicate the case and impose any penalties. During the discussion, Faipule Trudie Ledoux‐Sunia shared a complaint from a business that had been ordered to shut down and pay a $5,000 penalty before being allowed to reopen. Although she did not identify the business, Ledoux‐Sunia said the owner felt the enforcement was unfair and raised concerns about the disproportionate number of photos of their premises posted on Facebook. She noted that other businesses facing closure had only a few images shared publicly, while some had none at all. Solaita explained that it can take up to three weeks — and sometimes longer — for a citation to reach the court for a hearing. As a result, any business ordered closed remains unable to reopen during that entire period. She said many owners are eager to pay the penalty and complete corrective actions immediately so they can resume operations, but the current process leaves them waiting. She noted that under the 2023 penalty schedule, fines are set at $5,000 for a first closure, $7,000 for a second, and $10,000 for a third. She further revealed that they did not start enforcing the fines until 2025 and carried out outreach and training for business owners and staff. The majority of House members attending the hearing commended Solaita and her staff for their work to safeguard public health, acknowledging that their enforcement efforts often make them unpopular with business owners. Faipule emphasized, however, that the division must apply the law uniformly and ensure that all businesses are treated the same, regardless of political connections or public pressure. Faipule Fiu John Saelua asked whether the list of businesses cited or closed could be distributed to House members, and Solaita confirmed that it can be made available. Faipule Avagafono Maiava also requested access to the list. House Vice Speaker Fetu noted that he had spoken with Solaita last year when his own business was closed, reiterating that his understanding of the statute is that inspectors may issue a citation, but the case must then be adjudicated by the court. He emphasized that his conversation with Solaita at the time was made in his capacity as a businessman — not as a faipule — pointing out that he has operated a business for more than 30 years and believes that perspective deserves to be heard in discussions about enforcement and due process. Section: Local News Tags: health-safety violations
2026-08-10 16:29:26

Senate confirmation for nominees to Immigration Board put on hold
Governor’s nominees do not include a Fono member By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate’s confirmation vote for five nominees to the Immigration Board has been put on hold by Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, who is seeking clarification from the Pula‐Pulu administration on whether members of the Fono should continue serving on the Board. The issue surfaced during last week’s hearing on the bill proposing a 12‐month moratorium on the special provision in immigration law. It marks the second time in recent weeks that Fono leaders have clashed with Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula over the interpretation of government rules and regulations. Just last month, the Fono approved a concurrent resolution declaring that the Governor’s executive order transferring the Department of Corrections to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was invalid and without legal effect. This time, the Senate President admitted that while the law does not require Fono members to serve on the Immigration Board, previous administrations have consistently appointed lawmakers as a matter of courtesy and continuity. The long‐standing practice, he said, has been for the Senate President to forward a nominee to the Governor, who then submits the name to the Fono for confirmation alongside the rest of the Board appointments. During last week's moratorium hearing, Tuaolo noted that he had previously advised the Governor to retain Senator Levu Iosia Jr. as a member of the Immigration Board. However, when the Governor submitted his list of nominees, neither Senator Levu nor Rep. Vailoata Amituanai — the Fono’s representatives — were included. Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili‐Langkilde said she believed Senator Levu’s term on the Immigration Board had not ended. She also said she had not seen the Governor’s letter with the new nominees and would review the law before giving an official answer. The Senate held its first confirmation hearing in March for the Governor’s nominees to the Immigration Board: Tuiteleleapaga Filoalii Ioane Lamatia, Fa’alaga Su’e, Sina Ameperosa Samuelu, Taufetee Tanielu Taufetee, and Tago Tafaevalu Aumoeualogo. A sixth nominee, Anthony Aetonu, was off‐island at the time, and senators were informed that another nominee, Satele Lili’o Satele, had declined the appointment. Senate President Tuaolo said he did not want the current questions about Board membership to affect the confirmation vote. He said it would be better to postpone the vote until the issue is clarified. In March, Governor Pulaali‘i vetoed a bill passed by the Fono that would have required one Senator and one House Representative (faipule) to serve on the Immigration Board. The bill also sought to automatically remove any ASG employee from the Board once they leave government service. In his veto message, the Governor agreed with the Fono that the Immigration Board plays an important role in oversight, transparency, accountability, and responding to community needs. He also acknowledged that lawmakers bring valuable perspectives from their districts. However, he disagreed with the idea of placing Senators and Faipule on a board that performs what he described as an Executive Branch function. He argued that doing so would force lawmakers to divide their constitutional responsibilities between their constituents and the Executive Branch. He also said mixing Executive‐appointed members with Legislative‐appointed members creates problems for the separation of powers. According to the Governor, lawmakers appointed to the Board would either end up overseeing their own work or be overseen by the same legislative leaders who appointed them. “To me, this does not square with the necessary and proper design of our constitutional framework,” he said. Ironically, a similar situation unfolded last year involving Senate President Tuaolo, who also serves as chairman of the American Samoa Government Employees’ Retirement Fund (ASGERF) Board of Trustees, and board member Keniseli Lafaele. Their disagreement escalated to the point where Tuaolo sent Lafaele a letter stating that “the Board will proceed with the necessary steps to remove you from the board in accordance with governance procedures.” Lafaele later filed a court complaint challenging his removal before his term ended. The lawsuit named Tuaolo, Loa Tauapa‘i Laupola, Tony Togia‘i, and Toloa‘i Ho Ching as defendants, along with ASGERF and the American Samoa Government as necessary parties. In his final presentation in court, legal counsel Charles Alailima, who represented Lafaele, raised the issue of legislators serving as trustees, arguing that the American Samoa Government’s response on this point was vague and at times even contradictory. "A member in legislation who enforces law as an appointed member in an executive board, one could reasonably find legislative encroachment of Executive power based on the theory of distinct powers of branches. Legislative power, as distinguished from executive power, is the authority to make laws, but not to enforce them or appoint the agents charged with the duty of such enforcement. The latter are executive functions. "Where statutes outline the purpose and duties of an executive board which directly impacts government employees and their functions, one could find an imbalance in board members who have both the power to make and enforce those statutes. "In further review of the statute, ASCA 7.1420(d) and 7.1421(6) provide 'members of the fund' to include 'members of the legislature and judges. Thus, one could reason that members of the legislature or judges could therefore be appointed by the Governor as Trustees to the ASGERF Board because they are expressed in the statute as 'members of the fund.' "Additionally, given the authority vested in its functions of the executive branch, one could argue that the Governor determines whether a conflict of interest exists because the Governor holds the sole authority to appoint and terminate a member of the executive board under this statute." Counsel Alailima then addressed the court and offered his interpretation of ASG’s position. “ASG’s response, in essence, is saying, ‘No, we shouldn’t be doing this,’ but then at the end they add, ‘Maybe you could, if you clear up the conflicts of interest,’” he said. “You cannot have the President of the Senate sitting on a board whose actions will ultimately be reviewed by the standing committee of the Senate — of which he is the president.” “That is simply not appropriate, and I believe, Your Honor, that the court should make that ruling so that everyone stays in their lane. They need to know where the boundaries are, and that is especially important in this case because if the court does not make a ruling, no one else seems willing to take that step to ensure that the law governing this agency is enforced.” In its decision on the issue, the court ruled that the Retirement Board had overreached its authority to dismiss Lafaele, pointing out that only the governor has that authority through the governing statute of the government Retirement Fund. Of note, It did not directly address the issue of conflicts of interest by members of the Fono that serve on boards whose actions are reviewed by the Fono itself. Section: Local News Tags: Immigration Board
2026-08-10 16:24:23

Living to Please God: Why the Christian Walk Requires Continual Growth
LIVE TO PLEASE GOD 1Thessalonians 4:1 “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” Chapter 4 begins with Paul encouraging the Thessalonian [...] The post Living to Please God: Why the Christian Walk Requires Continual Growth first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-10 01:43:21

Brian To’o to Reunite With Jarome Luai at PNG Chiefs on Three-Year Deal
Penrith Panthers can confirm Brian To’o will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2027 NRL season to join the PNG Chiefs. The Panthers and Chiefs both confirmed the news on Monday morning, with To’o to join the NRL’s 19th franchise on a three-year deal from 2028. A Panthers junior, To’o made his NRL [...] The post Brian To’o to Reunite With Jarome Luai at PNG Chiefs on Three-Year Deal first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-10 01:34:25

Ma’a Nonu Set to Face All Blacks at 44
Ma’a Nonu is set for another special moment in his long rugby career when the 44-year-old former All Blacks star faces New Zealand with the Sharks in Durban on Wednesday. Nonu signed a short-term deal with the Sharks ahead of the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa. The two-time Rugby World Cup winner has been [...] The post Ma’a Nonu Set to Face All Blacks at 44 first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-08 14:00:09

Samoa Banks Explore More Financing for Solar and Green Investments
Samoa’s financial institutions are looking at ways to expand green financing, with growing interest in renewable energy projects such as solar power for households and businesses. The issue was a key focus of a one-day Green Banking and Sustainable Finance workshop hosted by the Central Bank of Samoa (CBS) in partnership with the United Nations [...] The post Samoa Banks Explore More Financing for Solar and Green Investments first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-08 13:54:41

U.S.A Supports Samoa’s Tsunami Preparedness and Early Warning Systems
Apia, Samoa – The United States continues to support Samoa in strengthening tsunami preparedness and helping communities become better equipped to respond to future tsunami threats. Experts from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC) and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) worked with Samoa from April to July 2026 [...] The post U.S.A Supports Samoa’s Tsunami Preparedness and Early Warning Systems first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-08 13:50:18

Happy Father’s Day from Taula Beverages
Taula Beverages Ltd are celebrating Father’s Day with the announcement of its Cheers Papa with Taula winners where 10 families have been blessed with $500 tala cash prizes. Taula Beverages Chief Executive Officer, Faumuina Enele Westerlund wished Samoa a happy father’s day long weekend on behalf of Taula’s management and staff. 🇼🇸 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY, [...] The post Happy Father’s Day from Taula Beverages first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-08 06:57:13

Heartbreak at Faleasiu: Young Schoolboy Dies after being Hit by a Bus
Samoa’s Father’s Day long weekend has started with the tragic death of a young boy after he was hit by a bus in a horrific road accident at Faleasiu after school on Friday. The grieving family have posted tributes and photos of 7-year-old Milo Salia Fatu Maselino of Faleasiu Uta, as they remember him as [...] The post Heartbreak at Faleasiu: Young Schoolboy Dies after being Hit by a Bus first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-07 20:46:00

Heartbreak at Faleasiu as Schoolboy Dies in Road Accident
Samoa’s Father’s Day long weekend has started with the tragic death of a young boy after he was hit by a bus in a horrific road accident at Faleasiu in Upolu on Friday. A heartbreaking video circulating on social media has sparked widespread community grief and fierce condemnation after the schoolboy tragically died on the [...] The post Heartbreak at Faleasiu as Schoolboy Dies in Road Accident first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-07 20:46:00

Thailand Shooting: Boy Kills Grandparents and Five Teachers before Taking his Own Life
Paweena Ninbut,Thanyarat DoksoneandKoh Ewe, BBC News. At least seven people have been killed and 23 injured after a 14-year-old boy opened fire at his home and school on the outskirts of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. The gunman – a student at the Debsirin School in Nonthaburi – killed his grandparents and five teachers before taking his own [...] The post Thailand Shooting: Boy Kills Grandparents and Five Teachers before Taking his Own Life first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-07 20:33:36

Is English a 'predator language?'
By Layla Bailey-McDowell Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — "The English Language Bill, it doesn't give English protection because it doesn't need it ." That's according to linguist Dr Julie Barbour who says English is already the dominant language in Aotearoa New Zealand, so making it an official language does little more than reinforce that dominance. The English Language Bill — which is just two pages long — states English "has long been a de facto official language in New Zealand, that is, widely used and accepted as an official language, but its official language status is not set out in legislation". The bill is part of the coalition agreement , brought forward by New Zealand First and passed its third and final reading at Parliament late July. Speaking at the third reading, MP Casey Costello said the bill was important to the "hard-working Kiwi battlers" her party represented, and denied it was a waste of time . She said the bill provided clarity and certainty in legislation, and changed none of the existing legal protections afforded to te reo Māori or New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). The bill drew the ire of the opposition, with Green MP Tamatha Paul calling the bill's proponents a "bunch of snowflakes that hear the word Aotearoa and cry themselves to sleep", and noted English was not an official language of England. Her speech has generated millions of views online, making headlines across the world. Paul called English a "bastard language" and criticized the legislation as unnecessary. While the wording may have been provocative, Dr Julie Barbour a senior lecturer of linguistics at the University of Waikato and secretary of the Linguistic Society of New Zealand, said there is truth behind the broader argument that English is a language shaped by contact, conquest and the languages it encountered. "The description of English as a predator language is quite a useful one because it's been carried with military powers often behind it," she told RNZ. "The language has come into new locations where there are existing languages, often many. In the case of Aotearoa, there was a single indigenous language already here when English was brought in. "And what has happened is that the language has kind of swallowed the indigenous languages of the different contexts where it's been taken to. And in many cases, those indigenous languages have been really actively suppressed by the colonial powers." Barbour said English itself was not a "particularly old and ancient language". "It's only been around for about 1500 years and it developed out of dialects of Germanic languages that were carried by the Germanic peoples from Western Europe when they travelled over to England. So they actually arrived in England after the Romans left. And so there's kind of a perception that English is a daughter language of Latin, but that's not actually the case. English is a Germanic language." She said English absorbed vocabulary from the languages and cultures it encountered. "The core of the English language is Germanic. And a lot of our simple vocabulary is Germanic in its origin, but a lot of the vocabulary that we have has been either acquired because English was ruled, governed by other countries, France in particular, or it's vocabulary that English has absorbed as it's come into contact with entire cultures," she said. "That vocabulary is not Germanic in origin. It originates from a whole lot of other languages that English speakers have come into contact with." Barbour said the history of English in Aotearoa is significant because early settlers relied on Māori language and knowledge to survive in an unfamiliar environment. Māori names for plants, birds, fish and places were adopted by English speakers, but the same willingness to learn te reo Māori did not last. "What didn't happen, what didn't stick, was the knowledge of te reo Māori that the earliest settlers had," she said. "The very earliest settlers, we know from written records that they learned Māori. They needed Māori in those really early years of contact. "But after Te Tiriti was signed, that all flipped and the discourse flipped. And that's where you get a swing towards English." Barbour said the English Language Bill needed to be understood within that wider history. She questioned what the legislation achieved when English already dominated almost every major institution in the country. "It changes absolutely nothing about the way English is already being practised as the dominant language of all of our major institutions... It changes nothing. It's literally five lines of something which already is true. It's a bizarre piece of legislation. "I find it utterly bizarre, and it's just another expression of that monolingualism." Barbour said the legislation risked reinforcing the idea that English needed to be protected, despite te reo Māori and NZSL requiring considerably more support. "It's problematic because it's so unnecessary, and it makes people think that it is necessary," she said, referencing Te Ture mō Te Reo Māori the Māori Language Act which recognized te reo Māori as an official language and taonga (cultural treasure). She also said that multilingulism was a "normal situation for human beings", and that we should be encouraging it. "The world is not naturally monolingual. The world is multilingual," she said "Monolingualism comes with that push for ultimate power and control. It's a form of control... I speak the language, I have the power. "When you learn a new language, with the people who speak that language, whose indigenous language it is, you have access to a different way of thinking about the world," she said. "And that different way of thinking about the world is so important in a world where we haven't gotten things right." RNZ has approached NZ First leader Winston Peters for comment. Samoa News Editor’s Note: American Samoa Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga signed into law the Samoan Language Commission Bill on April 5, 2022. This law establishes a Samoan Language Commission in American Samoa, and also establishes both Samoan and English as the official languages in the Territory. It amended the Languages of Instructions in the American Samoa Constitution Annotated. The former governor highlighted in his special remarks the long anticipation of “our ongoing quest to preserve our way of life, the fa’asamoa, and to preserve our language.” Prior to the law, English was recognized as the official language of the government with the Samoan language mainly used in daily lives, including ceremonial events. Section: Regional Tags: revitalizing indigenous languages
2026-08-07 18:01:07

Amata studies possibilities for American Samoa in international meetings
Source: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata accepted an invite from her House classmate, Chairman Brian Babbin, who leads the Committee on Science, Space and Technology, to take part in a series of discussions in a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to several nations over the weekend at the start of the House’s August work period. Amata’s visit expands on her service in the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), specifically in the Africa Subcommittee as well as the East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, allowing her to work with another committee’s issues, and she expressed her several purposes in relation to American Samoa: In their first stop, Cabo Verde, Members of Congress were briefed at a weather balloon facility and observed a weather balloon launch. Congresswoman Amata conveyed interest in American Samoa being the site of similar research and studies, highlighting key geographic comparisons and suitability. The Republic of Cabo Verde (meaning Green Cape) is an archipelago of ten islands west of continental Africa with a large majority Christian population. Their islands are just inside the Tropic of Cancer in the Atlantic, much as American Samoa is just inside the Tropic of Capricorn in the Pacific, and the islands share similarities in their meridian positions on opposite sides of the world. In Tanzania, also a coastal country which includes islands in the Indian Ocean at the far border of the Indo-Pacific region, while American Samoa is relatively near the center of the vast region, Congresswoman Amata and other Members of Congress met with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Wildlife Law Enforcement Attache Kathy Spengler, who is stationed at the U.S. Embassy through the Department of the Interior. They held productive discussions including the state of mineral exploration – which Amata opposes near American Samoa – and Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing in those waters, a shared concern in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Finally, starting the return trip with a rest and refueling in Lisbon, Portugal, a U.S. ally known for their own fishing industry focused on sardines, they met with the Portuguese Space Agency, which is actively implementing ambitious national strategic efforts. Amata highlighted American Samoa’s historic ties to the U.S. space program and numerous Apollo missions, and conveyed that, in cooperation with the U.S., American Samoa would make them welcome should a splashdown site on the earth’s opposite side ever be needed in their growing program and activities. On a personal level while briefly in Lisbon, Amata was delighted that the U.S. Embassy residence is named Casa Carlucci (the Carlucci House), a restored 1861 manor, in honor of her old friend and former employer, Frank Carlucci, who served there as U.S. Ambassador to Portugal, and later served as Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan, part of his career with four Presidents. Amata worked for him at the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. “I value these opportunities to emphasize American Samoa to colleagues and government officials, and build relationships while working with other committees, but my original reason for working with Africa Subcommittee issues is its jurisdiction over the most important religious freedom and human rights global efforts that Congress is involved in,” said Congresswoman Amata. “These efforts have a worldwide impact not at all limited to Africa, including oversight of American-supported international organizations that work in many nations from Africa to the Pacific. I wanted to continue working on these issues with respected Chairman Chris Smith, who has long been the foremost champion in Congress for religious freedom and human rights, and many of these efforts dovetail with issues in the Pacific. For instance, earlier this Congress, the House passed a foreign affairs bill I cosponsored, the bipartisan PARTNER Act, that enhances U.S. relations in both the Pacific Islands and Africa.” The House-passed PARTNER Act extends diplomatic privileges to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while also extending those privileges to the African Union’s Observer Mission to the United Nations. Amata is an original cosponsor co-leading the bill in a group of three Republicans and six Democrats. In another example of a global effort with Pacific ties to the HFAC Africa Subcommittee, Amata spoke on the House floor on September 23, 2024, while serving as Floor Manager for House passage of the reauthorization of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), S. 3764, a bipartisan effort which then passed by a vote of 365-20. Section: Local News Tags: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata
2026-08-07 17:48:10

Presidential Executive Order escalates attacks on Birthright Citizenship in U.S. Territories
EO follows recent congressional legislation seeking to revoke birthright citizenship in the Territories Source: Right to Democracy Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — President Trump has issued a new executive order targeting birthright citizenship, which, among other things, focuses on the question of citizenship for anyone “born in a territory ... of the United States.” It specifically targets anyone born in a territory “where citizenship is not conferred by Federal statute.” Under current congressional statute, people born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands are recognized as citizens, while those born in American Samoa are not. The Executive Order follows the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Barbara, which rejected the Administration’s attempt to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the States. It also comes on the heels of new legislation introduced in Congress that would end birthright citizenship in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands starting January 1, 2027. “This troubling Executive Order expresses the view that citizenship in U.S. territories is ‘conferred by Federal statute,’ while drawing a clear distinction between ‘the United States’ and “a territory of the United States.’ This suggests and perhaps even invites Congress to move ahead with legislation such as the ‘End Birthright Citizenship For Territories Act,’” said Neil Weare, Co-Director of Right to Democracy. “This is a clear escalation. What began as a legal theory advanced by successive administrations — claiming that the Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship does not apply in U.S. territories — is now being invoked as a roadmap for Congress to limit the right to citizenship in these communities.” Weare added: “Rather than accept the constitutional limits recognized by the Court, this Administration and some in Congress are looking to the Territories as a constitutional back door — one made possible by the undemocratic legal framework governing them.” Right to Democracy and its attorneys filed an amicus brief in Trump v. Barbara on behalf of 21 current and former elected officials and judges from each U.S. territory whose views on politics and status range the spectrum. The brief argued that neither Congress nor the President may use the territorial relationship to evade the Citizenship Clause and unilaterally deny citizenship to people born in the Territories. “Administrations past and present believe the federal government can do in the Territories what the Constitution prevents it from doing in the States,” Weare said. “That theory depends on the same dangerous premise underlying the Insular Cases: that fundamental constitutional protections can be switched on or off for people in the Territories at the discretion of distant federal officials who are not politically accountable to them.” The reported executive action would mark the latest in a rapidly escalating series of efforts to target citizenship in the Territories. On the day the Supreme Court decided Barbara, Vice President JD Vance said on national television that limiting birthright citizenship in the Territories was “a great idea” and confirmed that the Administration was “certainly looking at that.” Soon afterward, Rep. Morgan Griffith introduced the End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act , which would revoke statutory birthright citizenship in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands for people born beginning in 2027. Rep. Griffith expressly grounded his bill in the Territory Clause and the Insular Cases, explaining his view that Congress possesses the power not only to grant constitutional rights in the Territories, but also “to take them away.” The new Executive Order reflects a similar approach and understanding. “Regardless of one’s political party or preferred status, this action is evidence of a federal government that thinks it can do whatever it wants in the territories,” said Adi Martínez-Román, Co-Director of Right to Democracy. “Citizenship is the immediate target, but the larger danger is a territorial framework that invites federal officials to treat fundamental rights as privileges that they may grant, restrict, or withdraw without the consent of the people affected.” An executive order would be especially alarming in the Northern Mariana Islands, where citizenship was expressly negotiated as part of the Covenant establishing its political relationship with the United States. The Covenant provides that certain fundamental terms — including birthright citizenship — cannot be changed without mutual consent. Any attempt to alter those guarantees unilaterally would disregard not only constitutional limits but also the commitments on which the relationship was founded. “The Supreme Court has already declared this is unconstitutional. It is just as unconstitutional in the territories as it is in the states - period,” Martínez-Román said. “These attacks expose the territorial framework for what it is: a system of unaccountable, unilateral power. All this draws greater attention to the urgent need to dismantle a colonial system that permits fundamental rights to depend on the whims of Congress rather than the self-determination of our people.” Section: Local News Tags: BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP
2026-08-07 17:40:05

Samoan PM scolds more than 4000 NUS students after violent campus brawl
By Talaia Mika, RNZ Pacific Samoa correspondent Pago Pago, AMERICA SAMOA — More than 4000 students at the National University of Samoa (NUS) were given a dressing down by the country's prime minister after a violent campus brawl last month led to the arrest of four students on criminal charges. Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa (Laauli) Polataivao Leuatea Schmidt, accompanied by Cabinet ministers and representatives of the Ministry of Police, addressed students during a special assembly at the NUS Gymnasium on Thursday. He described the incident as a disgrace and warned that such behavior had no place at the country's highest institution of learning. Acting Police Commissioner Leiataua Samuelu Afamasaga confirmed to RNZ that four people have now been arrested over the incident. "We've arrested four individuals as a result of the brawl. Charged with causing injury, from throwing the bottles, assault, and disorderly conduct in a public place." Asked whether the student who was allegedly beaten had died, Leiataua said: "No, he's not dead." He also ruled out any further charges. "The major charge here is the causing injury and there is no higher charge based on the evidence collected." VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS The special assembly followed a series of violent confrontations on the university campus last month that were captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The violence reportedly began with an altercation at the NUS foyer involving a student who was allegedly intoxicated and swearing on campus. The incident later escalated into a retaliatory clash involving larger groups of students. Videos shared online showed one student lying on the ground while being repeatedly kicked and punched, while police alleged the victim was also struck in the head with a steel water bottle. The university later identified 18 students through CCTV footage and videos circulating on social media as part of its internal disciplinary investigation, while police launched a criminal investigation that has resulted in the four arrests. "I stand here this morning on behalf of the whole of Samoa. On behalf of the whole of Samoa as well as our government. We've left our work as a Cabinet to be here," the prime minister said, as he addressed the students. GOVERNMENT IS VERY DISAPPOINTED He reminded students how far the NUS had come since it was established. "In 1984, we started this and there were only 42 students. This year, there are over 4000 of you with the success that we've reached over 40 years since inception by our government and former prime ministers that have passed, the plan for Le Papaigalagala." Laauli also reflected on the meaning of "Papaigalagala", describing it as a spreading rock that symbolizes a bedrock of knowledge that disseminates learning and wisdom to all who study there for the future of Samoa. He then turned his attention to the conduct of students. "To all the youths that are present here today (Thursday), the government is very disappointed with what has happened. "Other generations have passed with their own shortcomings, but this sort of humiliation has never happened before like what is happening now. "What's wrong with you? Never mind those that are coming to school well behaved. Our teachings that were taught by our parents remain and now what is this? A Samoan boy or girl are nurtured with words while those of birds are fed with flower nectar. "If you are a Samoan boy or girl that is here in this campus well nurtured and behaved, you will also act respectfully, know the Samoan ways and traditions with the way you walk, talk, sit, and stand." He also reminded students that they had reached the highest level of education in the country and should be setting an example for younger generations. "The up-and-coming generations are observing your actions and you have reached the University of Samoa. Why? Because this is the country's highest education [institution]. "This is the pinnacle of all education levels from primary, secondary, college, and this is the final step of success where we anticipate success before you step further. "However, we have seen behaviors that shouldn't exist in our university and should never have happened. Why? Because you are making bad examples for the generations that are yet to come." He also spoke of the millions of tala invested by the government into the university each year to improve its facilities and academic standards, saying he hoped the next time he stood before students it would be to congratulate them on their academic achievements rather than to growl them over misconduct. RESPONSIBILITY NUS vice-chancellor Professor Tuifuisa'a Dr Patila Malua Amosa reminded students that every student is bound by the university's code of conduct. "I also remind our students that each of you have the university's calendars which has our 2014 NUS Student Conduct Statute that clarifies behaviors that are not accepted and allowed into this university. "Just because you register as a university student doesn't mean we'll let you do whatever you want. Even your dress code and what you wear is guided by our code of conduct which is, what you wear must align with our culture." He urged students to recognize that university education is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. "Becoming a university student is a privilege and that privilege goes with responsibilities as the prime minister has alluded to earlier, may you choose respect over disagreement and misbehavior, may you choose peace over trouble, may you choose what's right over being misled by other teenagers. "Remember, the choices you make today will shape your future and that of your families, villages, churches, and country." WAKE-UP CALL Students who attended the meeting said the messages delivered by national leaders served as a wake-up call. Sonjan Lalomanu Moti from Satapuala described the gathering as a refresher course not about studies but about how they should conduct themselves as university students and as Samoan future leaders. "It was like hearing from our parents about how we should behave and it was a good advice for me and hopefully for everyone else too that was present," she said. "What happened is terrifying and horrible and it's an ongoing challenge we see and have been seeing since college with schools fighting and ganging up on each other and so forth." She is hopeful that students will take note of the stern words from the prime minister. "The punishments for such behavior are serious hence why I don't get involved in such stupidity. But I do hope we can all learn from this because if we were to lose a life from this, then the story gets even more serious." Another student, Eteuati Junior Eteuati, said hearing directly from the leader of the country had reinforced the seriousness of the incident. "First of all, what happened is quite serious and I'm scared for the students that have been caught but also those that are thinking of continuing this on or avenging what has occurred. "But hearing from the prime minister himself today was really scary but also very helpful for me as a NUS student. I hope everyone else especially those involved in these groups of students, can also learn from this and become better." He emphasized that studying at the university level already comes with its own battles and challenged and thee should be no room for such behavior. Being raised in a cultural-oriented family in a village further away from town, Eteuati is optimistic about succeeding and doing something better for his family and for the future of Samoa. "If I was to conduct myself in such a behavior, that would be the end of me especially if my family hears about it," he said. "So today was a good reminder about the reasons why we're there and the struggles that our parents went through just for us to reach this level of academics. "I see a lot of this happening at the university where groups from college are carried on through university especially the ones that have beef with each other for whatever reason and see where that has led to? "It's disappointing indeed so I hope this can be a turning point for everyone so we can all make our families proud in the future especially at the end of our academic years." The police investigations continue on the matter with many anticipating more arrests to come in the coming days. Section: Regional Tags: NUS students
2026-08-07 17:05:21

Golfers welcomed to Samoa Open
Source: Samoa Observer Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa Deputy Prime Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio‘o welcomed players and officials to the Samoa Open 2026 during a cocktail reception at the Sheraton Aggie Grey’s Hotel on Wednesday evening. Delivering the keynote address, Mulipola wished all competitors success and highlighted the wider benefits of sporting events for Samoa. “The Samoa Open demonstrates how sport can unite people, create opportunities, inspire our youth and elevate Samoa’s profile internationally, while contributing to our vision of a highly resilient, safe and prosperous Samoa,” she said. Mulipola described the Samoa Open as one of the country’s flagship sporting events and a highlight of the national sporting calendar. She said the tournament strengthened sporting relationships across the Pacific. The Deputy Prime Minister commended Samoa Golf Incorporated for its leadership and commitment to developing the tournament, including its partnership with the Fiji PGA. She said the partnership had lifted the tournament’s standard and profile by attracting professional players and new partners from Fiji while giving local golfers greater exposure to regional competition and professional pathways. “Well-organized sporting events contribute to tourism, generate economic activity for local businesses, strengthen community participation and inspire healthy lifestyles among our young people,” Mulipola said. Mulipola encouraged competitors to uphold excellence, integrity, discipline and respect throughout the championship. “Success is measured not only by the trophies we win, but by the character we demonstrate and the positive impact we leave behind,” she said. Major sponsor Vailima also reaffirmed its support for the tournament and Samoa’s junior golf program. “Vailima is a proud sponsor of the Samoa Open and especially the junior program led by Asiata Van Wright, which we believe will produce our future stars,” Vailima Director Afoa Charlie Va‘ai said. “Vailima is proud to play a small part in that journey, and we look forward to seeing this tournament and junior program continue to grow from strength to strength.” Asiata Van Wright, president of the Samoa Juniors High Performance Program, said its work extended beyond developing talented golfers. “Our goal is much more than developing good golfers. We aim to build confidence, discipline, respect, sportsmanship and future leaders while giving our young people opportunities they may never have had before,” he said. The reception brought together professional and amateur golfers, officials, sponsors and supporters ahead of Thursday’s opening round at Faleata Golf Course. Section: Regional Tags: SAMOA OPEN
2026-08-07 16:54:34

Manu’atele says NO to deep sea mining
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — "Don't Mine the Moana" is a powerful rallying cry and peaceful protest movement led by Indigenous Pacific Islanders, environmental groups like Greenpeace, and organizations such as Finafinau. They are fighting against commercial deep-sea mining across the Pacific Ocean ("moana"). Section: Local News Tags: deep sea mining
2026-08-07 16:42:29

Manumalo Academy student and teacher represent the territory at National History Day Young People’s Continental Congress
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Last month a local student and teacher pair — Jaceyline Foketi Siliva and Ms. Grace Alesana from Manumalo Academy — represented American Samoa as one of 27 teams from across the US and the world to participate in the third annual Young People's Continental Congress, a joint program during National History Day (NHD). The event appropriately took place in Philadelphia from July 19 to 25, at Carpenters’ Hall, the home of the nation’s First Continental Congress in 1774. The Young People’s Continental Congress brought together 27 student-teacher teams from across the country in a study of America’s founding era and democratic ideals and to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This year’s delegates represent diverse communities across the United States, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Department of Defense (DoDEA) schools in the Netherlands and Puerto Rico. In preparation for the summer institute, student-teacher teams completed online learning modules throughout spring 2026 on the First Continental Congress and how our founding ideals evolved throughout U.S. history. Once in Philadelphia, teams experienced a week of special programming, including field learning opportunities at Carpenters’ Hall, Independence National Historical Park, the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. During sessions with lead historians and museum professionals, students and teachers participated in discussions about how the ideals of the founding era have continued to be debated and refined over the last 250 years. Delegates then co-created and signed a joint declaration of their aspirations for American democracy, just as their historical counterparts issued the Declaration of Colonial Rights and the Declaration of Independence. “Programs like the Young People’s Continental Congress are fundamental to fostering intergenerational dialogue and much-needed discussions of democratic aspirations from diverse perspectives,” said NHD Executive Director, Dr. Cathy Gorn. “This fantastic group of students and teachers is a reminder of hope for the future, that the next generation is eager to learn about our revolutionary history, reflect on its legacy, and become thoughtful, engaged citizens in the process.” “It’s so inspiring to watch our young delegates step up to embrace their role as citizens and find their voices,” said Carpenters’ Hall Executive Director, Michael Norris. “This Declaration of Aspirations is also a powerful way for us to remind policymakers and elected officials that young people care deeply about this country and want to be involved in strengthening our democracy.” Congratulations to all the students and teacher teams who participated in the 2026 Young People’s Continental Congress. Section: Local News Tags: NATIONAL HISTORY DAY
2026-08-07 16:33:05

Fono hears how moratorium on special provision is being used — and misused
Under special provision clause: 3,489 foreign workers are in the Territory By Asi Andrew Fa'asau andrew@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee was informed during a Wednesday hearing on an administration bill proposing a 12‐month moratorium on the special provision clause that a total of 3,489 foreign workers are currently employed in the Territory under that provision. Of the 3,489 foreign workers currently employed under the special provision, 3,092 are working in the private sector while 397 are employed by the American Samoa Government. According to the breakdown presented to the committee, the Philippines tops the list with 1,029 workers, followed by Samoa with 856. There are 449 from China, 374 from Fiji, 220 from Vietnam, and 191 from India, with workers from more than 15 other countries also represented. Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili‐Langkilde explained that immigration law includes a numerical quota allowing five individuals per country to reside in the Territory each year — except for Samoa, which is permitted 250 entries annually. However, she noted that no limit exists on the number of foreign workers a business may bring into American Samoa under the special provision clause, a loophole that has allowed companies to sponsor large numbers of employees without restriction. The special provision was originally intended to help businesses fill manpower shortages that could not be met locally. But because there is no cap on how many workers a company can sponsor, the number of foreign workers in the Territory has grown significantly. This information was detailed in a report submitted by Attorney General Tauiliili‐Langkilde, Chief Immigration Officer Aliitasi Sam Soliai Fuimaono, and Immigration Board Chair Fanene Edda Wyberski, who testified at the hearing. The officials recommended a comprehensive review of the special provision to determine how the Territory can better regulate the number of foreign workers companies are allowed to sponsor. AG Tauiliili‐Langkilde said the proposed 12‐month moratorium would allow the government to examine the benefits and costs of the provision, assess whether employees are being treated fairly, verify tax compliance, and establish clearer criteria for businesses seeking to sponsor foreign workers. At present, she noted, a company only needs to place an advertisement in the newspaper and demonstrate that no local applicant is available to fill the position in order to use the special provision — a minimal requirement that has contributed to the high number of foreign workers now residing in the Territory. The Attorney General noted that the Territory is already seeing serious negative impacts on local residents, particularly in terms of lost job opportunities. She said the government needs time to conduct a thorough review of the situation and determine whether additional criteria — or entirely new requirements — should be established before foreign‐owned businesses are allowed to sponsor and bring in more foreign workers. CIO Aliitasi, responding to Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fuean’s inquiry about whether his office is enforcing immigration law by monitoring foreign workers performing jobs that could be done by locals, explained that enforcement becomes difficult when those workers possess valid immigration IDs. He said many business owners justify hiring foreign workers by claiming that no local applicants responded to job advertisements. Aliitasi added that another contributing factor is that Samoans themselves are sponsoring some of these business owners, despite having no involvement in the operation or management of the businesses. This practice, he said, enables foreign‐owned companies to bring in additional workers under the special provision clause, further complicating efforts to ensure that job opportunities remain available for local residents. Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono expressed appreciation that the administration’s bill proposing a 12‐month moratorium had finally been submitted, and he voiced his full support for it. However, he pointed to another major loophole in immigration law: the authority granted to the Immigration Board to waive the numerical limit or quota. He said this waiver authority has directly contributed to the influx of Asian nationals into the Territory. “What is happening,” he said, “is that one person is brought in under the numerical limit, but under that same application they bring in their spouse, parents, and siblings. And if that person sets up a business, they hire their relatives — cutting out opportunities for locals.” Togiola added that the approval of permanent residency has become another loophole. He explained that, historically, the Immigration Board granted permanent resident status only to foreigners who had lived in the Territory for 20 consecutive years. But the law was later amended to give that authority to the Attorney General, and he believes the number of permanent residents has increased significantly since the change. He said some individuals who, in his view, have not lived in American Samoa for 20 years have nonetheless been granted permanent residency — which then allows them to sponsor additional relatives. Togiola cautioned that continued lax enforcement of immigration law will have long‐term consequences. “If we do not tighten enforcement now, our children and grandchildren will bear the burden in the future,” he said. He stressed that protecting land ownership is equally critical, noting that without American Samoa’s land laws, “we would be living on the mountains.” Senate President Tuaolo asked the Attorney General for her opinion on whether the Fono could enact a law to withhold U.S. National status from children born in American Samoa to parents from China, Korea, or the Philippines AG Gwen Tauiliili‐Langkilde responded that such a decision rests with the Fono, but emphasized that the designation of U.S. National is ultimately a federal classification, not a territorial one. She cautioned that any attempt to alter eligibility would need to align with federal law. Tuaolo then urged authorities to be more vigilant in monitoring the business activities of Asian‐owned companies — including whether they are filing taxes and whether the foreign workers they sponsor are also compliant with tax requirements. He agreed with Senator Togiola’s earlier warning that without American Samoa’s strict land‐ownership laws, “outsiders would have taken over the Territory.” He predicted that without stronger controls, the Territory could one day see Filipinos and Chinese “raising their own flags” in American Samoa. Tuaolo said future generations would look back and ask, “Where were our parents? Why didn’t they act to stop this?” Senators Magalei Logovii, Leatualevao Asifoa, and Gaoteote Palaie Tofau also contributed their perspectives to the discussion, raising concerns about how foreign‐owned businesses are expanding into local villages, how sponsorship arrangements are being misused, and how unchecked growth under the special provision clause continues to affect employment opportunities for Samoans. Leatualevao noted that many Asian‐owned businesses are now operating in Aoloau and Aasu, and that some locals who sponsor foreign workers have no actual role in the businesses they are sponsoring. “They’re just accepting money,” he said, “but they do not have any involvement in the business.” Magalei shared an example from his own village: a store where a Samoan once served as the cashier while an Asian employee stocked shelves. “Now,” he said, “the Asian is the cashier, and all the employees are Asians. There are no Samoan workers.” He added that while Asians previously operated stores and restaurants, they have now expanded into roadside stalls and rental car businesses. Local rental‐car owners, he said, cannot compete because these businesses offer lower rates and operate in large numbers. When asked what would happen to pending applications once the 12‐month moratorium takes effect, the AG explained that once the bill is passed by the Fono and signed by the Governor, the moratorium becomes effective immediately, and all pending applications must be halted. She clarified that the moratorium applies only to private companies — not to ASG or federal government agencies. Committee Chairman Senator Olo Uluao Letuli asked whether the proposed moratorium would affect major infrastructure projects the government is trying to complete. AG Tauiliili‐Langkilde said the administration had already considered this concern, and one possible solution would be for the government itself to sponsor foreign workers assigned to these projects, even if they are working for private contractors. Immigration Board Chair Fanene added that many companies are currently trying to finish ARPA‐funded projects, and often bring in foreign workers for short periods — typically two to three months at a time. She explained that in many cases, these companies are not increasing their workforce numbers but are simply replacing workers who leave the Territory, rather than bringing in additional employees. Her comments highlighted the practical challenges facing contractors and the government as they attempt to balance project deadlines with the need to regulate foreign labor under the special provision clause. Olo also raised concerns about the growing number of beauty parlors and hair salons “popping up” across the island, many of them operated by Asian business owners who are bringing in workers from their home countries and training them on the job. Senate President Tuaolo underscored the seriousness of the issue, noting that the chemicals used in cosmetology can cause significant harm if not handled properly. He asked whether the Cosmetology Board was active and ensuring that workers in these establishments were properly certified. Tuaolo recalled that the last time the board was visibly active was in the early 2000s, during the era of popular local hairdresser Helga, who operated the well‐known “Helga’s Beauty & Cosmetics” salon in Fagatogo. Tauiliili‐Langkilde responded that the Cosmetology Board — dormant for many years — was reconstituted about six months ago. She said her office has since been conducting training on the rules, regulations, and safety standards governing this international industry, with the goal of ensuring that all cosmetology workers meet certification requirements and that public health risks are minimized. (Samoa News should point out that an issue that has risen are the documents of certification that those working in cosmetology need. The Board requires US certification, which foreign workers would need to have or acquire. Apparently many foreign workers in the business allegedly do not have documents that even certify they are qualified in their own country of origin.) The government officials have been tasked with producing a comprehensive report within 90 days to give the Fono a clear picture of how the special provision is being used — and misused — and what reforms are necessary to protect local job opportunities and ensure proper enforcement of immigration law. Section: Local News Tags: special provision
2026-08-07 16:24:29

“Ou te lē Mana’o e Toe Aafia ai se Isi” – Lapata’iga a se Tinā na Se’etia
Ua salamō ma maasiasi se tinā sa seetia i se faiga taufaasese a se talavou i le Aso Tofi o le vaiaso nei, ma maimau au lana seleni e $200 tala. E le’i finagalo le tina na aafia e faailoa lona suafa, ae pau le itu na finagalo iai, ia ta’u atu le mea na [...] The post “Ou te lē Mana’o e Toe Aafia ai se Isi” – Lapata’iga a se Tinā na Se’etia first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-07 01:15:50

PM address recent violence and drugs with NUS Students & Staff
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 7 August 2026 – In a packed meeting with students and staff of the National University midday yesterday, Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt firmly urged students to stop the violence following recent brawls on the campus. The fighting required police intervention and investigation. The Prime Minister expressed [...] The post PM address recent violence and drugs with NUS Students & Staff appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-07 00:48:32

New K9 Unit at Faleolo Airport to Strengthen Border Security
By Jeannie Penehuro/ Apia, SAMOA – 7 August 2026 – The Samoa Police has opened a new K9 unit at Faleolo International Airport that will play a vital role in airport operations and enhancing the country’s border security efforts. The facility was funded with support from the Australian Government, and the opening was attended by [...] The post New K9 Unit at Faleolo Airport to Strengthen Border Security appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-07 00:34:19

Joseph Parker to return to ring after ban lifted
7 August 2026 – Boxer Joseph Parker is ready to take his frustrations out in the ring after nine months suspension following a positive test for cocaine last October. Speaking at an event to promote this weekend’s IBF cruiserweight world title eliminator fight in Auckland, Parker said having the suspension lifted was a huge relief. [...] The post Joseph Parker to return to ring after ban lifted appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-07 00:29:36

Warning: Fake Investment Scheme Preying on Low-Income Families
A local mother who fell victim to an investment scam has shared her story to warn others from falling into the same trap. While she asked to keep her identity and village confidential, she said she hopes her experience will prevent others from being deceived. According to the mother, the incident began yesterday when a [...] The post Warning: Fake Investment Scheme Preying on Low-Income Families first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-07 00:22:36

Ua Teena le Talosaga e Tolopō le Faasalaga seia tālia le faaiuga o le Apili
Translated from English version. teena e le Faamasinoga Maualuga le talosaga a Petaia Setu e tolopo ai lona faasalaga a o faagasolo lana apili, o loo ia teena ai moliaga o le toso teine ma isi solitulafono tau feusuaʻiga. Na faamaonia ia Aperila 2026 e le Faamasinoga Maualuga moliaga a le faifeau o le New [...] The post Ua Teena le Talosaga e Tolopō le Faasalaga seia tālia le faaiuga o le Apili first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-06 10:25:55

Ripotia e se Senatoa i le Maota o le Senate ia faafitauli i totonu o le potu fa’amama toto
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA I le iloiloga a le Komiti o le Soifua Maloloina a le Senate, i le vaiaso ua mavae, sa umi se taimi o talanoaina e Afioga i Senatoa, ia nisi o fa’aletonu, sa molimauina i totonu o le potu talavai mo le fa’amamaina o toto, i le falema’i a le LBJ. Sa taitaiina e le Afioga i le Senatoa ia Tuana’itau Malaki Togiola, o se tasi o gasegase o le potu fa’amama toto, ia le iloiloga o lea mataupu, ua ia talitonu, o lo’o a’afia ai le tausiga o gasegase uma. Na agai uma fesili a Tuana’itau, i le Pulesili a le LBJ, le susuga ia Papali’i Dr. Scott Anesi, le taitai o le Ofisa o Fomai ia Dr. Aitofele James ma le pule o le Ofisa o Tupe, ia tuiavatele Victor Tuiasosopo. Sa ia ta’ua pea lava pea, ia le fai ma leaga o le masini o lo’o faamamaina ai le vai, ma tuai ai a latou talavai, pe a ma le lua i le tolu itula, a’o taumafai le aufaigaluega e lipea ia masini. Sa saunoa Tuanaitau, ina ia fa’agasolo pea auaunaga a le potu talavai, o nisi taimi, e le uma atoa ai le taimi o talavai a nisi gasegase, ma o se tulaga, e ono a’afia ai soifua o gasegase o lo’o faamamaina o latou toto. E le gata i lea, sa saunoa foi le afioga i le Senatoa, i le le lava o le aufaigaluega, o le le lava o nofo ma masini fa’amama toto, e o’o lava foi i pakaga e tulata i le potu talavai fa’amama toto. E tusa ai ma se ripoti a Tuana’itau, sa masani ona ta’i fa i le lima tausima’i, i le sifi, ae o le taimi nei, ua na’o le ta’i lua. E le gata i lea, na gau se nofoa sa fa’aaogaina e se gasegase, a’o faamama lona toto ma o iina na fa’amautu ai, i lona talitonuga, e le o ave e le pulega a le falemai, ia le fa’amuamua i le potu talavai fa’amama toto, e pei ona manaomia. I le saunoaga a le alii Faatonusili ia Papalii Dr. Anesi, sa ia faamaonia ai le iai o ni fa’afitauli o lo’o feagai ma le potu talavai o toto faamama ma o lo’o taumafai le LBJ e toe fa’aleleia ia nisi o masini (filtration). Ae ua mae’a ona faapipi’i ia nisi masini fou (reverse-osmosis units), ae o lo’o faatalitali mo le pasiaina, ae e le’i fa’aaogaina. Ae o nei suiga fou, o le a faamautu ai le sapalai vai ma fa’aitiitia ai le fa’atuai o talavai. Sa fa’aalia foi e le Faatonu ia le to’a 274 gasegase, o lo’o tautuaina e le potu talavai faamama toto, ae i le amataga o le tausaga, sa na’o le 225. E ta’ilua pe ta’i tolu, o lo’o fa’aopoopo i vaiaso uma, mai i le ER. I le taimi nei, ua lima sifi i le aso Gafua, aso Lulu ma le aso Faraile, ae fa sifi i aso Lua, aso Tofi ma aso Toonai. I ‘nofoa e 38 a le potu talavai, e na’o le 32 o lo’o fa’aaoga i le taimi nei. Ae lima nisi nofoa fou o lo’o okaina. Ma o lo’o fuafua le LBJ, e toe fa’aopoopo seisi sifi i le aso Lua, aso Tofi ma le aso Toonai. E le o taliaina e le LBJ ia ni gasegase faamama toto mai atunu’u i fafo, e ui i le tele o talosaga ua o’o mai. O se tulaga ua faapea ona lagolagoina e le afioga i le Peresetene o le Senate, le tofa Tuaolo Manaia Fruean. Sa ia ta’ua e faapea, o le toatele o sui usufono a le EKFAS, mai atunu’u i fafo, sa faamoemoe e auai mai i le fonotele i Kanana Fou, i le vaiaso ua mavae. Peitai, sa le mafai ona auai mai, ona o le leai o se avanoa e fai ai a latou talavai iinei. Na fa’ailoa atu e Tuaolo i taitai o le LBJ, ua mana’omia ona fa’aleleia atili ia le auaunaga a le falemai ma ia fesiligia po o a risosi o lo’o mana’omia, e fa’aleleia atili ai la latou auaunaga. Sa tali mai Papalii, e manaomia nisi masini faaopoopo ae o se vaega mana’omia vave lava, o le toe faalautele o le potu talavai, e tautuaina ia le toatele o gasegase. Na fesiligia foi e Tuaolo ia ni polokalama e fesoasoani ia nofo malamalama ma fo’ia ai lenei gasegase faapea ai ma le aufaigaluega i totonu o le ER. Sa molimau Dr Sunia, o lo’o manaomia i totonu o le ER ia ni fomai se to’a 22, e mafai ai ona gasolo lelei ia le auaunaga, ae o le taimi nei, e na’o le to’a 10 o lo’o iai, ona ua to’atele fomai ua malaga ese atu. Na ia ta’ua foi le taliaina o ni fomai fou se to’alima, ae ona o tulaga i a latou pepa faigaluega, ua fa’atuai ai ona faigaluega. Ua mae’a ona talosagaina e le LBJ ia le Komiti Faafoe (Health Regulatory Board), mo le fa’avaveina o lenei tulaga. I le tulaga i le ER, sa saunoa le alii fomai, e ui ina agai atu le ER, o le tasi o auaunaga pito sili ona lelei, peitai, e fuafua lava lona lelei, i le lava o fomai. Sa fesiligia e sui faitulafono ia le faaiuga a le LBJ, e ave’ese mai o latou ofisa mai i Faga’alu. Sa saunoa Papalii, o lea ua se’e atu iina ia ofisa o tagata faigaluega, Billing and Coding, Grants ma ofisa a le pulega o le falemai, mo sina taimi puupuu, ae ua mae’a ia le ‘training center’ fou i Faga’alu. O lo’o iai foi se faamoemeoga i le LBJ, e tatala se potu talavai mo ‘urgent care’ ma le ‘medical’, I le fogafale muamua, i le masina fou, a’o toe faaleleia ia potu talavai i Faga’alu. E $60,000 i le masina, ia le tupe o lo’o totogia e le LBJ, e fa’aaoga ai le fogafale muamua ma le afa o le fogafale lona tolu. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-06 02:36:12

Appeal Does Not Stop Sentencing, Supreme Court Rules in Rape Case
The Supreme Court has dismissed an application by Petaia Setu to delay his sentencing while he appeals his convictions for rape and other sexual offences. Setu was found guilty on 16 April 2026 of one count of rape, three counts of unlawful sexual connection, and one count of indecent assault following a unanimous verdict by [...] The post Appeal Does Not Stop Sentencing, Supreme Court Rules in Rape Case first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-06 00:37:50

Tusi Pisi and Theo McFarland Write to the Prime Minister, Concerned about World Rugby Sanctions
The Manu Samoa Captain and Head Coach have written a letter to Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa appealing to him to resolve the current crisis affecting Lakapi Samoa, the governing body for Samoan Rugby. The Samoa Government announced last week that it was pulling recognition and its usual funding support of Lakapi Samoa due to “unresolved internal [...] The post Tusi Pisi and Theo McFarland Write to the Prime Minister, Concerned about World Rugby Sanctions first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-05 23:52:16

Drug Free Samoa Initiative Moves from Planning to National Action
Apia, Samoa, 5 August 2026, MFSA in Action. Samoa has taken an important step towards a coordinated national response to prevent drug-related harm and strengthen support for children, young people and families. The National Working Group for a Drug-Free Samoa: Prevention of Drug-Related Harm among Children and Adolescents held its inaugural meeting today to agree [...] The post Drug Free Samoa Initiative Moves from Planning to National Action first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-05 22:51:16

Safata 2 MP files a strike out motion against bribery allegations
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, SAMOA – 6 August 2026: The Safata 2 Member of Parliament, Tuia Paepae Pua Letoa through his lawyer Muriel Lui, has filed a strike out motion against the bribery allegations filed against him by Leleua Suataga Aso. Lui confirmed that they are not filing a counter petition but will only respond to [...] The post Safata 2 MP files a strike out motion against bribery allegations appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-05 19:44:37

Former Manu Samoa coach’s application for stay of sentence denied
By Staff Reporters/ Apia, SAMOA – 5 August 2026: Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke has denied the application by former Manu Samoa coach Mase Mahonri Schwalgers’ application to stay his sentence until after his appeal application is heard. Schwalger was convicted on 8 sex related charges by former Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson in May and [...] The post Former Manu Samoa coach’s application for stay of sentence denied appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-05 19:39:23

Amata congratulates Fatiatamai Puapa’e Folau on completion of APAICS Congressional Fellowship
Source: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s D.C. staff WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata congratulates Fatiatamai “Ma’i” Puapa’e Folau of Tafuna, American Samoa, on completing the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Congressional Fellowship, and now serving as a Legislative Correspondent in the U.S. House of Representatives. The daughter of Tapumanaia Elisaia Folau and Puapa’e Folau of Toamua, Upolu, Folau is fluent in English and Samoan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and was selected as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar. “Congratulations to Fatiatamai on this outstanding achievement,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Her dedication to public service and academic excellence reflects the remarkable talent of American Samoa. We are proud to see another Samoan serving with distinction on Capitol Hill and wish her continued success.” APAICS is a nationally recognized, nonpartisan nonprofit organization that develops Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders through congressional fellowships and leadership programs. Folau completed the prestigious fellowship as the only Pacific Islander in her cohort. She now serves in the office of Representative Burgess Owens (Utah’s 4th Congressional District), where she manages legislative correspondence, supports constituent engagement, works on aviation policy, and leads a prayer group on Capitol Hill. “It is an honor to serve in Congress and represent my community through public service,” said Folau. “I hope my journey encourages more young people from American Samoa to pursue opportunities in public service and leadership.” Section: Local News Tags: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata
2026-08-05 17:11:45

Community organizations urge U.S. Supreme Court to not let Air Force sidestep environmental review and public participation
Source: Right to Democracy Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Eighteen community-based environmental and cultural organizations from across all five territories have joined together in a Supreme Court filing urging that the U.S. Air Force be required to follow federal environmental and community engagement standards when making decisions about the open detonation of dangerous explosives that present significant risks to ecologically and culturally significant areas. The groups are represented by Right to Democracy, a non-profit organization that seeks to advance democracy and self-determination in U.S. territories. The amicus brief was filed in support of a legal challenge brought by Prutehi Guåhan and EarthJustice, which will be heard by the Supreme Court on October 7, 2026. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, Founder and Chair, Finafinau (American Samoa) said, “The public participation afforded by National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is critical to people in the territories. This isn't just about one project. It's about protecting the public's right to be heard before decisions with lasting consequences are made, especially as the federal government considers other extractive activities like deep-sea mining in our islands.” Maria Hernandez, Co-Executive Director of the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance (MCCA) , which helped organize the brief, explained what’s at stake: “This case is merely the most recent example of how the legacy of military contamination continues to affect communities across Guam and other territories. “We are proud to represent community organizations in the territories to make the case that when the U.S. military is developing plans to dispose of explosives and other toxic materials, it must seek public input and conduct environmental studies before any decisions are made,” said Neil Weare, Co-Director of Right to Democracy and one of the lead attorneys on the brief. “The Air Force argument that less ecological and community review are required when it disposes of hazardous waste than when it builds roads or warehouses defies not just federal law, but common sense.” The organizations argue that the Air Force must follow two federal environmental laws, the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which offer complementary legal frameworks that help advance meaningful environmental review and community participation. They also highlight how a history of undemocratic governance in each territory makes these procedural protections even more important. Finally, they emphasize that denying community participation and environmental review would conflict with U.S. international commitments to “Non-Self-Governing Territories” and Indigenous communities. “The federal government continues to deny people in the territories their basic political rights and self-determination. NEPA's public participation process is one of the only mechanisms local communities have for influencing federal decisions that affect their lives and lands,” said Adi Martínez-Roman, Co-Director of Right to Democracy. “As the history of each of our communities demonstrates, this case is important not just for Guam, but for every U.S. territory.” American Samoa community organizations involved include: Finafinau Pacific Global Citizens Inc. Puipui Measina A Amerika Samoa Section: Local News Tags: SUPEME COURT
2026-08-05 17:02:53

Public invited to shape conservation at Local Working Group Meeting
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Soil & Water Conservation District, together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, invites the public to attend the American Samoa Local Working Group meeting. Join us Aug. 18, 10 a.m., at the Pago Plaza in Pago Pago, American Samoa. This event encourages agricultural leaders, farmers and forest landowners to connect with agency representatives and share their views about American Samoa’s natural resource conditions and conservation needs. Participants’ input will help identify key concerns and inform NRCS’s local conservation program development and funding decisions. The Local Working Group advises NRCS, ensuring that conservation programs are tailored to American Samoa’s unique needs. Together, these stakeholders collaborate to strengthen conservation efforts throughout the region. Event Details & Participation American Samoa Local Working Group meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. NOAA Fisheries Conference Room, Pago Plaza, Pago Pago, Eastern District 96799 For additional event details or to submit feedback, please reach out to Brooke Gurr, District Conservationist, NRCS American Samoa Service Center, at (684) 633-1031, ext. 125, or brooke.gurr@usda.gov . Section: Local News Tags: Local Working Group Meeting
2026-08-05 16:58:08

Talamua Media & South Media sign Memorandum of Cooperation
By Lagi Keresoma/ Apia, SAMOA – 4 August 2026: The South Media Outlet under the Nanfang Media Group in Guangdong, China this week signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Talamua Media & Publications based at Togafu’afu’a. South has initiated a Maritime Silk Road Media Innovation and Cooperation Platform committed to promoting the coordinated development of [...] The post Talamua Media & South Media sign Memorandum of Cooperation appeared first on Talamua Online .
2026-08-05 08:48:19

Iloiloina e le komiti o le Saogalemu Lautele a le Senate ia faafitauli lotoifale a le Ofisa Tineimu
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA Sa iloiloina e le Komiti o le Saogalemu Lautele a le Senate, i le aso Lulu o le vaiaso ua tuanai, ia le tali atu o le Vaega Tineimu, i mu sa a’afia ai maota ma laoa, i le masina o Iulai. Sa fa’aalia e le Afioga i le Senatoa, Magalei Logovi’i, ua ta’ua i ripoti e faapea, o le tele o taimi na tupu ai nei faalavelave, e taunu’u atu taavale tineimu, ua mae’a ona fa’atafuina fale o aiga. E le gata i lea, sa saunoa foi le Afioga i le sui Peresetene o le Senate, sa ia matamata i le fa’atalanoaga o le Faatonu a le Matagaluega o Sailiga ma Lavea’i (DSAR), ia Utumoe Alefosio, i luga o le KVZK-TV, lea na saunoa ai Alefosio, o lo’o feagai le latou aufaigaluega ma faafitauli i le le lava o nit agata faigaluega. Faapea ai ma le leai o ni vai i totonu o pamu vai, i totonu o nu’u ma afioaga, ma ua avea lea ma tulaga ua fa’afaigata ai ona faatino la latou galuega, mo le tineia o mu. Na le ‘alo le saunoaga a le afioga i le Senatoa, i lona faapea mai, o lea tulaga, e le nofo lelei i lana fa’afofoga, ona e foliga mai, e le o faataunu’uina lelei ia tiute a le Vaega Tineimu. Ma sa saunoa Magalei, o le mafua’aga lea na taloina ai le auai mai o taitai a le ASPA, ina ia faamanino le mafua’aga ua leai ai se vai i totonu o pamu vai, ma va’ai po o ai e pa’u ai lea tulaga. Sa molimau ia Alefosio, i le amataga o le tausaga, e masani lava ona siaki e le Vaega Tineimu ia pamu vai ma le malosi o le vai. Peitai, na taofia lea tulaga, ona o se fa’aaliga mai i le ASPA, e na’o le latou aufaigaluega, e mafai ona faia nei suesuega. Sa fa’amaonia e le susuga ia Ryan Tuato’o, le COO a le ASPA, ia le moni ma le sa’o o lea tulaga, i taimi ua tuanai, ae ua nofo saunia le latou aufaigaluega, e galulue faatasi ma le DSAR mo le siakiina o pamu vai faapea le malosi o le vai. Na fa’amalamalama e Tuato’o, ina o faia e le DSAR a latou su’esu’ega, e aunoa ma le fa’ailoa atu i le ASPA, na amata ona vaivai ai le malosi o le vai i totonu o fale lata ane i le pamu. Ma i le silia ma le 500 pamu vai, i Tutuila, afai ae su’esu’e uma pamu vai i le taimi e tasi, o le a tele se a’afiaga o le malosi o le vai i totonu o maota ma laoa. Sa saunoa foi Tuatoo, o lo’o feagai nei le ASPA ma le pa’u o le pasene o le suavai (60%), ma o lo’o mana’o ia le latou ofisa, e mita le suavai, e fa’aaoga e le DSAR i taimi o a latou suesuega, ina ia mafai ona fa’amaumau lelei e le latou aufaigaluega. Sa ta’ua e le COO a le ASPA, ua mana’omia ona fa’ailoa atu e le DSAR i le ASPA, ia so’o se taimi e faia ai a latou su’esu’ega i pamu vai, ma o le a gafa le Vaega Tineimu ma le tausiga o pamu vai. E le gata i lea, o le a toe fa’aopoopo e le ASPA, ia nisi pamu vai fou, ae ave’ese mai pamu vai ia o lo’o tutu i nofoaga e le o toe manaomia ai. Na saunoa le afioga Magalei, e le tatau ona fa’alavelave ia tulafono, i le saogalemu o tagata lautele. Ma ia famamafaina e faapea, a tula’i mai se faalavelave (mu), o se fa’alavelave faafuasei, ma e manaomia ona fa’amautuina le tulaga lelei o pamu vai. Sa fa’aleoina e le afioga i le sui Peresetene, ia lona le malamalama. Aua afai e leai se vai, o lona uiga, o le a fa’atafunaina fale. O ai la o le a tu’ua’ia, pe a leai se vai i totonu o pamu vai, ae o lo’o mu se fale. Sa ia faamamafa mai e faapea, afai ae tupu se faalavelave faafuase’i, o le a lamatia ai soifua o tagata. Ma o taimi ia, e le toe aoga ni tulafono, aua ua lamatia le soifua o le tagata. Na ia fa’amanino foi e faapea, i se faalavelave lata mai, lea na mu ai se fale i le latou nu’u, sa va’aia ai le tele o ni tulaga faaletonu, na aofia ai le vaiti ma le faaletonu o le auala, e agai atu i le fale na mu. Ma na mafua ai ona tuai ona taunu’u ia taavale tineimu. E le gata i lea, o le latalata o fale o tuaoi, na fa’afaigofie ai ona sosolo ia le afi. Sa faamalamalama atili e le Afioga i le Senatoa ia Ponausuia Luce Ponausuia – o se tasi na faigaluega i le ASPA i taimi tuanai – o tausaga ua mavae atu, na limiti ia le vaega a le ASPA i le fa’asoaina mai o le vai, ae o le Vaega Tineimu, e gafa ma le tausiga o pamu vai. Afai ae maualalo le malosi o le vai, ona logo lea e le Vaega Tineimu, ia le ASPA ina ia mafai ona fofoina lea faafitauli. I le fa’aopoopoga a le Afioga i le Peresetene o le Senate, le tofa Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, sa ia ta’ua ai e faapea, mai lava i le 1900, e na te le’i va’aia lava o siaki ia le pamu vai lea e tu i tafatafa o lona laoa i Pago Pago. Ma sa ia faaleoina lona ioe i le saunoaga a Ponausuia, e tusa ai ma le siaki so’o o pamu vai, ina ia faamautu le iai o se vai, pe a o’o ina tupu mai se faalavelave. Ona fesiligia lea e Tuaolo, o le susuga ia Taulapapa William Sword, le Inisinia Sinia a le vaega a le ASPA o lo’o mata’ituina ia le suavai, po o iai sona talitonuga, e tatau ona faapipi’i ia ni ‘water sprinklers’ i totonu o maota ma laoa o le atunu’u, e fesoasoani i le tineia o afi. Sa saunoa Taulapapa, o sana fautuaga, ia faatulafonoina le iai o ni masini fa’ailo mo asu (smoke detectors), e mafai ona fesoasoani i le vave fa’ailoa, o se fa’alavelave. Sa fa’amanino atili e Taulapapa, o le maliliega (MOU) i le va o le ASPA ma le DSAR, o se ata ta’atia lea mo le galulue faatasi o nei matagaluega. Na ia fa’aalia foi lona lagolagoina o le manatu, i le tatau ona siaki i taimi uma, ia pamu vai, ae peitai, o lo’o tele le lusi o le suavai le totogia, ma e tatau ona fa’amita ia le suavai lea o le a fa’ataunu’u ai su’esu’ega a le DSAR, ina ia mafai ona mataituina e le ASPA. Sa fautuaina e Afioga i Senatoa ia Magalei ma Levu Tula Solaita, ia le ASPA ina ia su’esu’eina ia kamupani fau fale, ia o lo’o la’u mai a latou vai e fa’aaoga i a le paluina o a latou sima, atonu o se tasi lea o mafua’aga o le tele o le suavai o lo’o faaaogaina. Sa faamatalaina foi e Magalei ia ni nai tausaga ua tuanai, sa tapunia ai le auala e agai atu i Aoloau. Ae na fa’aaoga e se kamupani fau fale sa faia se latou galuega i tafatafa o se pamu vai, ia le suavai mai i le pamu vai, e faatumu ai a latou koneteina tetele, e palu ai a latou sima – ma e ta’u mai ai iina, e le o siakiina ia pamu vai ma puipuia lelei. Ae peitai, sa faamanino mai e faapea, o kamupani ia, e iai a latou mita ma e $1,000 le sal mo so’o se kamupani e fa’aaogaina ia le vai mai i se pamu vai, e aunoa ma se mita. Sa fa’amae’aina e le taitaifono o le Komiti mo le Puipuiga Lautele, le Afioga Senatoa Olo Uluao Letuli, ia le iloiloga i lea aso, i lona tapaina o se ripoti auiliili, e lisi mai ai uma pamu vai, i Tutuila ma Manu’a, ma le aso mulimuli na faia ai se su’esu’ega. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-05 04:03:21

Faaleoina e Faipule ia faasea a tagata o le itumalo i le auaunaga a le MV Manu’atele
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA Sa fa’aalia e le Afioga ile Faipule, ia Fetu Fetui, i iloiloga a le Maota o Sui, i le vaiaso ua tuanai, ia lona le fiafia, e tusa ai ma le tele o fa’afitauli ua feagai ma tagata o lona itumalo, talu ai le umi tele ona le toe fealua’i ia le MV Manu’atele. Na saunoa le afioga i le sui Fofoga Fetalai, e toatele aiga, e fuafua a latou faigamalaga, i fa’alavelave fa’alelotu, nu’u ma aiga, ae peitai, ona ua taofia ia le toe fealua’i o le va’a, ua fa’afaigata ai ona faataunu’u fuafuaga a aiga. O le amataga o le masina ua tuanai, sa taofia ai faigamalaga a le MV Manu’atele, ina ua mae’a se su’esu’ega a le vaega a le Coast Guard, ma maua ai ni faafitauli i luga o le va’a, e ono a’afia ai le saogalemu, e le gata i le pasese ae faapea le aufaigaluega o le va’a. Ma ua le mafai ai ona toe fealua’i le va’a, se’iloga e toe faaleleia nei faafitauli. E taofia ona toe femalaga’i ia le MV Manu’atele, ae o lo’o tapenapena Manu’a mo le latou Sisiga Fu’a, soso’o mai ai ma le Fonotele a le Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kerisiano a Amerika Samoa, i Kanana Fou – ma sa tau saili ai se auala e faimalaga mai ai le toatele o tagata Manu’a, i Tutuila, mo lea fuafuaga. Na faimalaga ia le Afioga i le Kovana Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula ma sui o le malo, i Ta’u, e faigamalaga togipau o vaalele, ae sa fa’aaogaina ia le MV Talitiga ma le MV Fotu o Samoa, e la’u ai oloa ma meataumafa. E ui ina sa togipau e le malo ia le MV Talitiga ma le MV Fotu o Samoa e fa’aauau ona la’uina oloa ma isi auaunaga, faapea ai ma femalagaiga a tagata sa fia malaga mai i le Fonotele a le EFKAS, na toatele na le mafai ona auai mai, ona e le tele ni nofoa o vaalele ma sa limiti foi faigamalaga faatulagaina. Ma sa avea lea ma tulaga, na faaopoopoina ai le le fiafia o tagata, lea na amata mai lava i le taofia o faigamalaga a le MV Manu’atele. Na saunoa foi Fetui, sa avea foi lea tulaga ma a’afiaga, i le toatele o tagata Manu’a o lo’o nonofo i atunu’u i fafo, na fuafua e fa’asao se tupe, e ala i le faimalaga atu i Manu’a pe a mae’a le Fonotele. Sa ia ta’ua le toatele o aiga na fuafua a latou asiasiga, i le iai o le va’a mo femalagaiga. Peitai, ona o le le toe femalaga’i o le MV Manu’atele, ua toe suia ai fuafuaga a aiga, e ala i le toe fa’aalu o nisi tupe, e totogi ai pasese i luga o vaalele, po o le le taunu’u ona o’o mai. Na fa’aleoina e le Faatonusili o le Matagaluega o Uafu ma Malaevaalele, le susuga ia Barney Sene, ia sana fa’amaualaloga, ona o fa’afitauli ua tula’i mai i le taofia ona fealuai o le MV Manu’atele. Ae peitai, sa ia faamamafaina mai e faapea, e sili atu le taua o le saogalemu o le va’a ma lana pasese, i lo seisi lava tulaga. Na toe fa’amanino mai e le alii Faatonu e faapea, e taua tele le fa’aleleia o tulaga uma, e pei ona fautuaina ai i latou e le vaega a le Coast Guard, ina ia mafai ona pasia le va’a e le Coast Guard. I se fa’atalanoaga ma le alii Faatonusili, i le vaiaso ua tuanai, sa ia fa’asoa mai ai e faapea, o le aso 14 o le masina nei, ua faamoemoe e fa’ata’ita’i ai le va’a, ae e le’i pasia e le Coast Guard, ma mafai ona toe fo’i le MV Manuatele, i ana faigamalaga masani. Na saunoa foi Sene, o lea fa’ata’ita’iga, o le a aofia ai ma pasese (tagata) ma ni uta, e fa’amautu ai pe ua pasia ai tulafono a le malo, ma e mafai ai ona toe fo’i le Manu’atele i femalagaiga i luga o le sami, pe a sainia e le Coast Guard ia le pepa e pasia ai. Ae i le folasaga a le Afioga i le sui Fofoga Fetalai, i le vaiaso ua mavae, sa ia fa’aleoina ai le le mautonu o tagata i le umi o le a le fealua’i ai le va’a ma sa ia ta’ua le fa’aauau pea ona fa’alagolago o tagata Manu’a, i auaunaga limiti a vaalele ma va’a. O le aso Lua ua mavae, sa faapea ona tula’i mai ai se faalavelave i le vaalele a le Samoa Airways lea na malaga atu i Manu’a, ma ua avea foi lea tulaga, ua atili ai ona a’afia femalagaiga i le va o Tutuila ma Manu’a. I ripoti a le malo, na se’e ese le vaalele mai i le malae sese’e, ina ua tulau’ele’ele i le malae vaalele i Fitiuta, ae peitai, e leai seisi na maliu i lea faalavelave. Sa ta’ua foi e le alii Faatonusili ia Barney Sene, ua mae’a ona o latou faimalaga atu ma nisi o lana aufaigaluega sinia e to’afa, i Ta’u, e Iloilo le nofoaga na tupu ai le faalavelave. O le a tatalaina i tua ia se ripoti o a latou su’esu’ega, i se taimi lata mai. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-05 04:00:42

TALA I LE VAIFANUA
[ata: foa'i] By LALI STAFF Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA TULAFONO TAUFA’AOFI E TAOFIA AI LE TOE AUMAIA O NI TAGATA FAIGALUEGA MAI FAFO, MO LE TASI TAUSAGA Ua mae’a nei ona fa’aulufale e le Ofisa o le Kovana ia se pili taufa’aofi, e fofoina ai le faafitauli, i le agai pea i luga o le fuainumera o tagata faigaluega o lo’o aumai mai fafo. Ma ua fautuaina e le Afioga i le Kovana, ia Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, ia le taofia o se vaega faapitoa, i tulafono tau i femalagaiga, mo le tausaga e tasi. O lea tulafono, e faatagaina ai kamupani ma pisinisi, ona aumai ni a latou tagata faigaluega mai i atunu’u i fafo. O le mafua’aga o lenei I’ugafono, ona o le to’atele o sitiseni o le atunu’u, ua fa’aleoina ni o latou atugaluga, e tusa ai ma le to’atele o tagata faigaluega, ua aumai mai atunu’u i fafo, ma e ono ave’esea ai galuega a tagata moni o le atunu’u, faapea ma le a’afiaga o le tamaoaiga lotoifale. Ua i luma nei o le Maota Fono lenei pili taufa’aofi, ma afai ae pasaia, o le a taofia ai loa le toe faatagaina e le Komiti Faafoe a le Ofisa o Femalagaiga, o le toe fa’aulufale mai o nisi tagata faigaluega mai fafo, i totonu o le teritori. I sana tusi na fa’ao’oatu i ta’ita’i o le Maota Fono, le Afioga i le Peresetene o le Senate ma le Fofoga Fetalai, sa fa’ailoa atu ai e le Afioga i le Kovana, ia le agaga o lenei iugafono, e faavae ai se avanoa, e mafai ai e le malo ona Iloilo auiliili, pe mafai ona fa’aauau pea ona tatalaina le avanoa e toe aumai ai nisi o tagata faigaluega mai atunu’u i fafo. Ua talosagaina ai foi i lenei I’ugafono, ia se ripoti mai i le Loia Sili ma le Komiti Faafoe o Femalagaiga, e mafai ona fesoasoani i le faia o se faaiuga, e tusa ai ma tulafono tau femalagaiga mo le lumanai. E le o ma’oti mai i le taimi nei, pe ono a’afia ai tagata faigaluega fa’avaitaimi a le StarKist Samoa, i lenei i’ugafono. E pe a ma le 2,000 i le 2,400 tagata faigaluega fa’avaitaimi a le StarKist, o lo’o aumai mai Samoa, o le 70% lena o le faitau aofa’i o le aufaigaluega a le kamupani i’a. LIMA MOTU O LE PASEFIKA O LE A SIITIA TUPE TOTOGI MO VISA E lima motu o le Pasefika o le a aofia i totonu o se polokalama o pone mo Visa a le Iunaite Setete, e faamalosia ai tagatanu’u o ia motu, e totogi se tinoitupe, e o’o atu i le ta’i $20,000, e mafai ai ona asiasi atu i Amerika. O lenei polokalama ua faapea ona fa’amaonia mai e le Matagaluega o le Setete o le Iunaite Setete, o le a fa’amautu ai le polokalama, e ta’ua o le ‘Visa Bond Pilot Program’. O le toatele o atunu’u ua aofia i lea polokalama, e mai i Aferika ma sa amata fa’amalosia lea polokalama i le faaiuga o Aukuso 2025, e taofia ai le toatele o tagata ‘overstayers’ i totonu o Amerika. O motu o le Pasefika, ua aofia i lenei polokalama, ua iai Fiti, Papua Niu Kini, Tonga, Tuvalu ma Vanuatu. Ua ta’ua e le malo o Amerika, ia le aoga o lenei suiga, e fa’aitiitia ai le fuainumera o tagata ‘overstayers’ i totonu o le Iunaite Setete. Section: Le Lali
2026-08-05 03:51:36

‘We Forgive, But We Cannot Forget’: Family Mourns 20-Year-Old
The family of 20-year-old Tito Malo, also known by many as Nila, is struggling to come to terms with his sudden death following a shoot-out at Vaitele Fou last weekend. The Ministry of Police reported that the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday and resulted in the tragic death of the 20-year-old. A [...] The post ‘We Forgive, But We Cannot Forget’: Family Mourns 20-Year-Old first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-05 02:57:59

Samoa to Host Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and LA 2028 Olympic Qualifier in March 2027
The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships, along with celebrations marking the event’s 80th anniversary, will be held in Samoa in March next year. The announcement was confirmed by the newly elected President of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation, Tuaopepe Asiata Jerry Wallwork, in response to questions from Samoa Global News about the significance of his new role, not [...] The post Samoa to Host Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships and LA 2028 Olympic Qualifier in March 2027 first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-05 02:49:42

Faith That Pleases God Is Faith That Never Stops Growing
ALWAYS GROWING 1Thessalonians 3:10 “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.” Paul had already praised the Thessalonian believers for their faith. He described them as a model to other churches, commended their love and perseverance, and rejoiced that they were standing [...] The post Faith That Pleases God Is Faith That Never Stops Growing first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-05 02:10:36

Supreme Court Adjourns Mase Schwalger Sentencing Pending Appeal
Former Manu Samoa head coach Mase Mahonri Schwalger will not be sentenced until after the Court of Appeal hears his appeal against his conviction, following a Supreme Court ruling delivered on Wednesday. Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke dismissed Schwalger’s application for a stay of sentence pending his appeal, ruling that the Supreme Court has no legal [...] The post Supreme Court Adjourns Mase Schwalger Sentencing Pending Appeal first appeared on Samoa Global News .
2026-08-05 02:05:23

UPDATE: American Samoa LVPA community meetings postponed
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) community meetings scheduled for August 6 and 7, 2026, have been postponed. We remain committed to engaging with fishermen, families and island communities on this important issue. New meeting dates will be announced once they are confirmed. Section: Local News Tags: LVPA
2026-08-04 19:00:09

Facebook page down amid uncertainty about Lakapi Samoa’s future
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Live coverage of the fourth round of the Chairman’s Cup was interrupted on the Lakapi Samoa’s official Facebook page this past Saturday, the Samoa Observer reported Monday. Sources said the organization’s social media administrators did not know why the Facebook page had been removed. An appeal was submitted to Facebook’s parent company, Meta, seeking an explanation and the restoration of the page, according to the report. A source familiar with the livestreams said, the page became inaccessible without warning while matches were being live streamed. Lakapi Samoa’s official Instagram account remains active. The Observer reported that a team is trying to determine whether the page may have been flagged for copyright violations involving music or other content. However, no infringement that could explain its removal has been identified. The Facebook page is one of the national rugby union’s main platforms for publishing announcements, match information and live coverage of domestic competitions. Its removal disrupted Saturday’s Chairman’s Cup broadcasts and prevented followers from accessing previously published material. The report said it is unclear whether the page was removed by Meta, deleted through an administrator’s account or temporarily disabled because of a technical or security issue. The other pages affiliated with the Lakapi Samoa remain open, such as the Manu Samoa and Manu Samoa Sevens, Manuma Samoa, Lakapi Samoa-Development, Manusina XV. The page’s removal comes amid uncertainty about Lakapi Samoa’s future following the Government’s withdrawal of its recognition and financial support from the union. World Rugby has proposed an independent review of the Government’s decision, but the Government had not responded to the proposal when the international body’s delegation departed Samoa on Saturday. A joint statement from World Rugby and Lakapi Samoa had been expected to be released on Monday, but no further information was available at press time. In the meantime, a new rugby union has been launched in Samoa, despite efforts by the sport’s global governing body to mediate a resolution to the current impasse between the Samoa government and Lakapi Samoa. Media reports out of Apia say the new Samoa Rugby Football Union (SRFU), a rival organization to Lakapi Samoa, was launched at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel on Friday evening. At the same time, Lakapi Samoa chairman Afioga Namulauulu Papali’i Leota Sami Leota and his board members have stepped aside pending a review, according to the Pacific Rugby Players Welfare (PRPW), in a Facebook post. The new body was launched just two days after the Samoa government anounnced it was withdrawing support for Lakapi Samoa, throwing the future of the sport in the country into disarray. Both the Samoa Observer and the Talamua Online News reported the new body was launched over the weekend. SRFU secretary Tafafunai Aialii Anapu stated the organization remained committed to its establishment and its vision of uniting Samoa’s rugby community. RNZ Pacific sources say World Rugby had given conditions to government, although World Rugby has denied giving an ultimatum , stating it was “in dialogue with all parties in a mediator role”. Section: Regional Tags: Lakapi Samoa
2026-08-04 18:55:18