RED CROSS AMERICAN SAMOA RESPONDS TO RECENT FLOODING

American Red Cross in American Samoa responded to calls for assistance from families on the Western side of Tutuila during last month’s heavy rain, that prompting flooding in some villages.

The local Red Cross responded to calls from its partners the local Department of Homeland Security/TEMCO as well as some of the families calling in themselves to report flooding to their homes, says local Red Cross manager Val V. Tuilefano, responding to media inquiries.

“Our American Red Cross Disaster Teams were able to visit and provide Emergency assistance to 9 families from the villages of Malaeimi, Mapusaga, Mesepa, Fagaima and Kokoland for the recent flooding” that occurred the middle of last month, Tuilefano said early this week.

The Red Cross, however, didn’t get any calls or referrals from partners Homeland Security/TEMCO regarding any Emergency Red Cross assistance for the mudslide incident in Maloata, on the far west side of Tutuila.

GROUND BREAKING FOR NEW FONO BUILDING SET FOR NOVEMBER

The Executive Branch is providing support for the proposed new Fono building, to replace the current two-story structure, which has deteriorate over the years and costly to repair.

At last week’s cabinet meeting, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said that in the previous three to four weeks there have been several leadership meetings, including the Fono and officials of Public Works and Commerce Department regarding the proposed new Fono building. He asked American Samoa Power Authority for their help for the Fono project, which includes taking down the current structure.

Lolo then revealed that the proposed “timeline” for the project is to have by Thanksgiving this year the ground breaking for the new Fono building, which is funded with proceeds from the sale of the American Samoa Economic Development Authority bonds.

As previously reported by Samoa News, about $1.5 million is allocated from the bonds for the Fono project; and that when the Fono convenes in July this year for the Second Regular Session of the 35th Legislature, the Senate will use the newly renovated Samoan Guest Fale at the Fono compound for its sessions and hearings, while the House of Representatives will utilize the North Wing of the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium.

AMERICAN SAMOA TO BE SHOWCASE AT INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SHOW

American Samoa being a tourist destination and a place to visit, will be showcased during the four-day International POW WOW (IPW) 2017 held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Organized and sponsored by the US Travel Association, this year’s IPW, set for June 3-7, will have more than 1,100 exhibitor booths held by U.S. suppliers of USA travel products and destinations and more than 5,000 attendees who are international travel buyers, domestic travel buyers and international journalists representing more than 70 countries, according to the association.

“This is American Samoa's third year at IPW with a full schedule of meetings with buyers confirmed,” says American Samoa Visitors Bureau.

U.S. Travel Association says the IPW is the “travel industry's premier international marketplace and the largest generator of travel to the U.S. — it is NOT a typical trade show.”

DHS MONTHLY TERRITORY-WIDE EMERGENCY SIREN TEST SET FOR TODAY

The Department of Homeland Security wishes to remind the public that the monthly territory-wide emergency siren test for the month of June will be conducted Friday, June 02, 2017 at 12 noon. This is our regularly scheduled monthly siren test on the first Friday of every month.

Do not be alarmed in hearing the sound of the emergency sirens this Friday at noon. It is only a test.

The public is encouraged to call 699-0411 or 699-3800 to report any issues with respect to test on Friday.  We further humbly request the government offices, schools, private sector establishments and village mayors (Pulenu’u) to call 699-0411 or 699-3800 to advise/ report results of siren testing from within your respective locations.