April 2021
Island of the Giants: "Big Momma” is Not Alone
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Big Momma is a massive Porites coral colony that lives in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa on the west side of Ta’u, American Samoa, in an area c
Man arrested for allegedly sexually abusing 16 yr-old niece
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of sexually abusing his 16-year-old niece was arrested last month pursuant to an arrest warrant from the court, after the victim’s aunt
Latest DoH health advisory: Get vaccinated!
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In it’s latest health advisory, the Health Department confirmed that the second drive-thru for COVID-19 vaccinations is this Saturday, Apr.
Samoan worker charged after fatal N.Z. crash
Apia, SAMOA — A 35-year-old Samoan seasonal worker has been charged after a car crash that led to the death of one of his compatriots.
Pre-polling in Samoa has ruling party with a slim lead
Apia, SAMOA — Pre-polling in Samoa's general election ended yesterday (Thursday in Samoa) with voting open in Samoa’s general election today (Friday in Samoa).
Accused pot seller takes a plea bargain
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of selling hand rolled marijuana cigarettes to two men last year has entered into a plea agreement.
CDC recommends that the fully vaccinated can travel with low risk
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Hawaiian Airlines says that it was pleased with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) determination that fully vaccinated people can safely
Coleman Elementary students and ASDHS photo & caption
Students from Coleman Elementary School in Pago Pago attended last week’s tsunami awareness program presented at the school campus by the local Department of Homeland Security (ASDHS), which contin


![The newly documented massive Porites measures about 73 feet across, 26 feet in height, and 226 feet in circumference at its base. It is located on the east side of the island of Ta’u, away from Big Momma, which before this discovery, was considered the largest coral found in American Samoa, and possibly the world. There’s a saying that goes “everything is bigger in Samoa.” This may be a sweeping statement, but when it comes to corals, it’s true that the waters surrounding Ta’u island in American Samoa are home to some of the largest known corals in the world. [photo: Mareike Sudek - NOAA] Newly documented massive Porites](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/first_photo_of_massive_porites.jpg?itok=mMaoayWR)

![The task force as well as health officials are urging the public to get vaccinated, with three sites on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8a.m to 3p.m at the DoH Tafuna Health Center, Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium and A.P. Lutali Executive Officer Building (EOB). [SN file photo] COVID-19 TASK FORCE MEMBERS AT FONO](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/task_force_0341_2.jpg?itok=9FY55klP)

![Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio reports that a few polling places opened late on Thursday because some of the co-opted election officials who were to man the booths changed their minds about working. [photo: SUPPLIED / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia] Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_acting_electoral_commissioner_faimalomatumua_mthew_lemisio.jpeg?itok=lXs7StyO)



