Land lease sounds like the usual, it's who you know By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu joy@samoanews.com The airport taxi stands — there’s three of them — that you see on the side of the road, across from the airport fire station, are about to be relocated, while the construction of the main highway to the airport is underway, according to an official with the governor’s...
CJ points out confusion engendered by local statutes By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu joy@samoanews.com The jury trial, which began on Monday, has been postponed after a plea agreement was filed by the Attorney General’s office in the High Court on Tuesday in the middle of the trial. The defendant, Faiva Hari is charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He was released...
By Fili Sagapolutele fili@samoanews.com For the first time in American Samoa, the territory is joining other U.S. jurisdictions in marking the first week of June as ‘Rip Current Awareness Week’, which coincides with the traditional start of the summer vacation season as well as graduation, according to officials of the local Department of Homeland Security (ASDHS). This new event,...
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer American Samoa Community College (ASCC) Dean of Academic Affairs Mrs. Letupu Moananu returned in early May after attending a successful series of meetings in Hawai’i, accompanied by Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Mrs. Evelyn Gibbs-Fruean, to re-articulate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ASCC and six Hawai’i universities regarding...
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer Ms. Mona Chang, a student at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) carries a double major in Nursing and Health Science, serves as the current President of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and has also taken an active role in the newly established International Students Organization. Even with all this activity on campus, for Chang the highlight of the...
By B. Chen blue@samoanews.com Public Safety Week kicked off this past Sunday with a special church service and will culminate with a “Department Ball” set for Saturday, May 17 at the Country Club in Ili’ili. A general inspection took place on Monday. This week, different divisions within the Dept. of Public Safety have been manning booths at the Fagatogo Malae (Malaeoletalu)...
By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com The Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary clinic staff, working alongside animal care organization Alofa mo Meaola is continuing to bring progress and better health to our furry friends who cannot help themselves. After a successful two-day clinic in Auto at the end of April, Dr. Brenda Smith, along with her staff and volunteer helpers turned...
By Radio New Zealand Health officials in American Samoa are warning the public about an amoebic dysentery outbreak which has so far affected 26 people, half of which have been admitted to the LBJ hospital. Amoebic dysentery is an infection in the bowels and in extreme cases can be fatal. A Pacific Island Health Officers' Association Epidemiologist, Mark Duran, says the department of health is leading...
Delivery still on track: by Manu’a Flag Day this year By Fili Sagapolutele fili@samoanews.com Another government delegation plans to travel to Washington state early next month for the sea trials of the catamaran passenger ferry, which is being built for the ASG to operate between the Manu’a islands, according to Wallace Thompson, who is a consultant to the Port Administration on various boat...
By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu joy@samoanews.com A Vailoa man in his 20’s, Faiva Hari is fighting the government’s case against him where he’s charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child and the jury trial started on Monday with jury selection. Hari is represented by the Public Defender Douglas Fiaui and prosecuting is Assistant Attorney General, Tony...
By Fili Sagapolutele fili@samoanews.com Two former senior officials of the U.S. Department of Interior have filed separate requests with the federal appeal’s court in Washington D.C. to participate as amicus curiae (or friend of the court) in the citizenship lawsuit now on appeal. The motions were filed yesterday by former assistant secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs, Tony...
On the issue of Custom’s OT — definitely not happening By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu joy@samoanews.com “When ASG and USDOL signed the MOU, it indicated that this partnership will enable more effective and efficient communication between the parties, however the matter with Custom’s overtime does not really reflect that,” said Human Resources Director, Sonny L Thompson. ...
By Fili Sagapolutele fili@samoanews.com Five students from the American Samoa campus of Argosy University have joined their fellow students across the country in voicing concerns over a proposed rule change by the U.S. Department of Education that would impact financial aid under the USDOE’s ‘Gainful Employment’ regulation. Among the local students are Celestine Faumuina-Nix,...
By B. Chen blue@samoanews.com Public Safety Week is May 11- 17 and the DPS Office of Highway Safety, along with the Fire Bureau, the Traffic Division, the Criminal Investigation Division (CID), and the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) will be manning booths on the Fagatogo Malae (Malaeoletalu) to provide the public with useful information on their operations and other safety issues....
The Department of Education, Vocational Education Division held its Annual Islandwide VocEd Fair on May 10, 2014 at the Samoana High School Gym in Utulei, from 8a.m. to 12noon. Tavita Elisara, Program Director for Trades and Technology, emceed the event, while Faauifono Vaitautolu, ASDOE Deputy Director for Instructional Services, gave the Official remarks for the program. The annual fair provides...
Manu’a to be the focus By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Manu’a Healthcare Foundation plans to establish an Advanced Cardiovascular Center of Excellence in American Samoa and focus on, among other things, delivering advanced healthcare and medical research to the Territory. Officials of the American Samoa-based non-profit group shared their plans last month in a meeting with...
By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu joy@samoanews.com “The Administrative Law Judge has erred by allowing parol evidence to be admitted to interpret the contract” was stated in the motion for reconsideration and a memorandum filed last week by Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale in the case between ASG and Whitehorn Construction Incorporation (WCI). (Parol evidence is testimony...
Commish says it’s not mandatory By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu joy@samoanews.com The request for monetary donations for the Department of Public Safety’s “Public Safety Week” is not sitting well with police officers, who claim it is not fair that officers — who are underpaid to begin with — must pay out of their own pockets for the activities of this event, although...
By B. Chen blue@samoanews.com PAGO PAGO VILLAGE IS A “NO GO” FOR SAMOA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY Next month, neighboring Samoa will be celebrating its Independence Day and among the list of invited performers are Pago Pago village and Bluesky Communications — both of which performed last month during American Samoa’s Flag Day festivities. But Pago Pago will not...
The U.S. Department of the Interior and The Junior Statesmen Foundation proudly announce the winners of scholarships to the 2014 Junior Statesmen Summer School. The scholarships, funded by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, cover all tuition costs and round trip transportation to the JSA Summer Schools in the USA, and the JSA Diplomat Summer School in Beijing,...