Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a general memorandum, dated April 4th, the Office of the Governor lays out the scheduled events for the 125th Flag Day Celebration 2025 that Gov. Pulal’i’i Nikolai Pula expects all government Directors and Deputies to attend. They are:

Flag Day Service — that happened this past Sunday afternoon;

Fa’afiafia- Arts Council Night that began last night Monday and continues to Wednesday, Apr. 16th;

Fautasi Race — scheduled for either today, Tuesday, Apr. 15th or tomorrow Wed. Apr. 16th depending on the weather;

Flag Raising Ceremony — Thursday, Apr. 17 at the Malae o le Talu; and,

Parade & Fa’afiafiaga - Thursday, Apr. 17 at 10:30am at the Veterans Memorial Stadium.

(Source: Office of the Governor General Memorandum No. 085- 25)

MEASLES ALERT

The local Department of Health this month is alerting the community to be proactive about and make sure that their children receive the MMR vaccine to prevent measles.

With measles cases spreading in the United States, to date the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 607 confirmed measles cases in 22 jurisdictions.

The last outbreak of measles in American Samoa was recorded in April 2023 and led to schools being closed until May 12, 2023, with mass vaccine events held for babies and children older than six months during the outbreak.

In the meantime, officials in Hawaii have confirmed Hawaiʻi’s first measles case in two years, underscoring the urgency of a health department campaign announced last week to get more children vaccinated for the highly contagious disease. Of note, the measles patient is under 5, recently returned to Oahu after traveling abroad, and unvaccinated. (See Pacific Briefs for more details.)

Anyone who tests positive for measles or has been exposed to it must stay away from other people for 21 days, according to the local DOH.

DENGUE FEVER WARNING

DOH is also getting the word out about dengue fever, with a current outbreak of dengue in Fiji and also in Tonga being reported.

Dengue is spread by mosquitoes and symptoms include a fever, headache, muscle bone or joint pain, nausea and vomiting.

Eliminating containers and items such as old tires that collect water is recommended to prevent breeding areas for mosquitoes.

UPDATE: ASPHO DIRECTOR COURT CASE

The Attorney General’s Office is applying to the High Court to appoint an Independent Prosecutor for the case of the Director of the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office, Epifania Suafoa-Tauai.

At a status hearing on Suafoa-Tauai’s case early this month, in District Court, Ass’t Attorney General Alex Theohares informed the court that the AG’s Office is terminating its prosecution of this case and is applying to the court to appoint an independent prosecutor to handle the matter.

Suafoa-Tauai is charged with two misdemeanor charges, third degree assault and public peace disturbance. The government alleges that the defendant punched the arm of a cashier at Kruse Store in Leone on the morning of February 16, It also alleges that she grabbed a metal stapler and attempted to strike the cashier with it; and, then she grabbed a metal shopping cart and rammed it into the cashier‘s stomach.

District Court Judge Jon Clemens granted the government’s request for a continuance and has set a status hearing for May 8th. The judge told the AAG that the defendant is entitled to a speedy trial and the government should work fast on its application for an IP.

Suafoa-Tauai’s attorney Neil Connors informed the court that the defense has not received any discovery from the government for this case.

(Source: Talanei.com)

GOVERNOR ASKS FOR RESIGNATION OF LBJTMC BOARD

Governor Pulaal’ii Nikolao Pula has asked for the resignation of all board members of the LBJ Tropical Medical Center so that the administration can begin the process of submitting nominations to the Fono for confirmation.

Two board members confirmed to KHJ News that they have received identical letters from the governor, dated April 2, asking them to resign.

The Governor’s letter thanks the board members for their service and notes that he is asking that the newly elected administration be given “the opportunity to give other members of our community the same opportunity to serve as you have had during the previous gubernatorial administrations.”

The letter points out that “a formal resignation letter will allow the Fono to schedule confirmation hearings for new board members.

“So we humbly ask you to email a resignation letter to Boards@go.asg.gov so that we may begin the process.”

The letter adds that if no email or letter is received within 5 working days of the date of this letter, “your resignation will be presumed to have been submitted.”

Members of the current Hospital Authority Board are:

Mualeava Dr Aifili John Tufa-Chairman, Fonoti Douglas Jessop, Afamasaga Dr Talifa, Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen and Dr Patrick Pedro.

(Source: Talanei.com)

NEW ASTCA BOARD NAMED

Five (5) individuals have been named to serve on the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, according to a memorandum, dated April 7, 2025, signed by Governor Pulaali’i Nikolai Pula.

The five are Avamua Dave Haleck; Alex Sene, Jr.; Andrew Berquist; Ella Gurr; and Lewis Seau.

Effective immediately as of date of memo, board members will serve a two-year term or until replaced by the Governor of American Samoa. The chairperson is chosen by the governor.

The board is composed of two business people — Avamua and Gurr, with Sene Jr., Berquist and Seau noted as individuals that have tech backgrounds.

Sene Jr. served as Chairman on the previous Board. Avamua has been chosen by Gov. Pula to serve as Chairman on the current one.

(Source: Office of the Governor General Memorandum No. 091- 25)