Looking back at 2016 — the good and the not so good
With the fishing industry in crisis both here and around the Pacific, American Samoa’s leaders are opposing expansion of Marine Monuments saying it takes away fishing grounds from U.S. flagged purse seiners, while ASG is firmly opposed to expansion of the LVPA to provide more fishing options to long liners, saying the fleet is encroaching on what has historically been preserved for local alia. Coupled with a new Tuna Treaty, American Samoa holds its breath and scrambles to find a viable option for the local economy.
Options this past year included successfully selling ASEDA bonds and instituting a Charter Bank and then the local election capped the current admin’s year with a decisive win at the polls. So now it’s on with the show and a look back at our highs and lows.
JANUARY
Territory welcomes New Years babies, a boy and a girl
Dept. of State urged to solve fishing dispute
School Lunch produce continues to be put out for bid
Governor focuses on finance and security in ‘State of the Territory’
Senate wants more info on ASEDA bonds
Canneries look to ASG for concessions as fishing crisis looms
Health Dept. issues Zika advisory — no cases reported yet
Audit alleges Retirement Fund’s director misappropriated funds
FEBRUARY
Preparations for Charter Bank move forward after funding secured
Nat’l Marine fisheries OKs U.S. longline fishing in LVPA
Public voices opposition to Fono pay raises
Series B Bonds sale finalized
Lolo quells rumors that he and Lemanu will run separately
ASHSAA sports canceled due to lack of buses, depleted funding
Former Retirement Fund director gets big payout
Local high school sports is back on despite transportation problems
Alleged sex crime victim now under protective care
200+ suspected Zika cases, a pregnant woman among those confirmed
Tropical Cyclone Winston a near miss
Debrina Alaia Su’a two-time winner of Territorial Spelling Bee
NOAA honors late Paramount Chief Tufele F. Li’amatua
MARCH
Flag Day boxing — a fight that isn’t settled
Let’s go fishing! Amended Tuna Treaty approved
Two Democrats ready to run for Delegate’s seat
Hike in biz license fees beefs up ASG revenue
Jury convicts Gold Conda gunman
Move to add Manu’a senate seats would face referendum
Siaumau Siaumau Jr.’s jury trial set for Mar. 14
ASG turns to fed court to overturn LVPA reduction
Gov decides — There will be 1 Flag Day Boxing Tourney
Jury selection in Siaumau trial moves forward slowly
DOE director says with high cost of text books just — “Google it”
Rotary swimming pool stops, starts … may stop again
Retirement Fund tapping into investments to cover losses
Siaumau trial over before it begins, he enters plea agreement
APRIL
Mother charged with hindering prosecution in child sex abuse case
StarKist to ASG: There is critical need for freezer space
Am Samoa is only territory with no comment on “same sex” marriage
Sophomore in AZ honors the late Sgt. Time at special event
Test results say students do better when taught in Samoan language
8-day Flag Day celebration has something for everyone
Executive wins against Legislative team in Flag Day fautasi race
Flag Day Heat #1 declared “NOT A RACE” by Fautasi Committee
Fautasi Committee draws line in water — Final 6 chosen
Bail set at $100K for former Retirement Fund director
Cancellation of Fautasi Championship Race mars festivities
End of Season? Tropical Cyclone Amos heads our way
Island-wide cleanup after Cyclone Amos moves south
Stars here to promote hit Samoan film, “Three Wise Cousins”
MAY
Retirement Fund projected to bankrupt in 2040 if nothing done
Gold Conda armed robber sentenced to 35 years
Chief Immigration Officer sentenced to 14 days in jail
Chapman announces bid for US Congress
American Samoa Citizenship case reaches Supreme Court
Jamais plans second run at Congressional seat
Dialysis unit in danger of losing Medicare funding for noncompliance, says CMS
Brother of Aute Bar owner, sentenced
Festival of Pacific Arts opens in Guam with celebration of cultures
US Army reservist from Am. Samoa wins distinguished leadership award
Dr. Daniel Aga heads new AS Political Status Office
JUNE
Transgenders in military — an issue hitting home
2Samoas Talks aim to ‘walk the talk’
Tunaboat Assoc. calls to restructure Tuna Treaty
Update: 12 pregnant women, 23 others infected with Zika
DPS works to comply with Federal Real ID requirements
Samoans targeted by email scam from Africa — in Samoan
BoH plans move to Tafuna branch
Research highlights role ocean policies play in Am. Samoa
Leases still on hold for Industrial Park
Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin announces run for Congressional seat
Supreme court rejects petition to hear Citizenship lawsuit
Aumua Amata confirms bid for second term
Faoa and Sanitoa launch bid for governor, lt. governor
Gov. Lolo and Lt. Gov. Lemanu will seek reelection
Phillip Ware chosen as first CEO for ASG-owned bank
JULY
Bluesky confirms sale negotiations with Fijian group
Nat’l Park crew heads to California to fight wildland fires
6 elementary schools receive WASC accreditation — a 1st for territory
VP Biden visits with local residents during refueling stop over
Genetic mutation found in Samoans is only part of obesity problem
Probation report shows deported rapist was never on “look-out” list
Territory proceeds with lawsuit to overturn LVPA rule
7-year-old Pemerika needs medivac to Honolulu — it is life or death
AUGUST
Poly Air flights to Ofu are losing money for the company
Nearly 10K raised online for little Pemerika Tauiliili so far
Little Pemerika now at Kapiolani Hospital in Honolulu
12-hour power outage on Eastside caused by fault in distribution lines
Judges return Tago title decision back to family
Plea agreement between gov’t and Le Aute Bar owner under court review
UN calls on US to promote self-government in Am Samoa
SOFIAS host fa’afafine pride festival — a first for Am Samoa
Little Peme doing well — long road to recovery
Vaitinasa resigns to concentrate on campaign, 2 deputies share director duties
Election law prohibiting free food has negative effect on voter turnout
Talofa Airways to begin flights between Pago and Samoa
Females dominate local population, total population now estimated at 60,200
Robert Ho Chee confirmed as Commissioner of Office of Financial Institutions
Bluesky Pacific’s parent company accepts offer from Fiji-based telecom
SEPTEMBER
Police Department budget — JUST NOT ENOUGH
Government’s LVPA lawsuit to be heard Jan. 9 in U.S. District Court
Local Fisherman Day promotes fresh fish market
Miss American Samoa 2016-17 — Congratulations Antonina Lilomaiava
ASHSAA football season seeing multiple student athlete injuries
Candidate Faoa raises voter issues with Election Office
House Speaker says media should be thankful they are ‘allowed’ to observe sessions
Territorial Bank chair responds to public’s concerns
Lolo clarifies, Gov and Lt Gov not entitled to OT or annual leave
Am Samoa cited as transit point in trafficking lawsuit
Rotary Club and Hawaiian Air hold memorial service for 2009 tsunami victims
Fish shortage causes StarKist shutdown set for Oct.
OCTOBER
Territorial Bank of American Samoa opens its doors today
HAL assigning seats by weight on PPG-HNL route
STP shutting down “indefinitely” in December
Native Hawaiian Holding Corp official sentenced to 7 years + hefty fine
American man wanted in Tonga for murder arrested in territory
US DOT says Hawaiian’s new seating police ‘not discriminatory”
McDonald’s Am Samoa donates $100,000 to community pool project
White Sunday — a time to hear your children celebrate their lives
BoH has not set a timeframe to officially close yet
Am Samoa’s first clinic to treat sleep apnea opens
Bond report shows just over half of proceeds expended
Samoa Tuna Processors CEO resigns
Ecuador looking to export StarKist tuna pouches to U.S
Homeland Security grants extension for ASG to comply with ‘Real ID Act’
DoA issues temporary ban on sale of local veggies to School Lunch Program
Big Palolo swarm this year — a huge harvest
Tatau Forum kicks off 12th Annual Tisa’s Tattoo Fest
Ursula Martin posts win at 2016 South Pacific Bodybuilding Championships
Little Peme doing well, released from hospital
NOVEMBER
Dr. Seth Galea’I resigns as President of ASCC
2016 Samoana Jazz & Arts Festival “O Measina — Our Treasures”
USDOE settles with ASDOE over civil rights complaints
Local company develops innovative milling process for breadfruit
Incumbent Aumua Amata going back to Washington, D.C.
Trump’s win a shock to the system
Lolo-Lemanu team wins the day
Ban still on: No local veggies for School Lunch
First time: Teacher charged under local child abuse law
Lolo appoints committee to look at ways to help displaced STP workers
StarKist to close down for 3 weeks, not usual 2-week annual shutdown
Army Corps says Aua petroleum contamination needs “no further action”
Rule raising exemption for salaried workers blocked by Federal judge
DECEMBER
Layoffs likely at ASPA next year
ASG’s goal: Support local canneries & home ported vessels
Miss Fiji is crowned Miss Pacific Islands, Miss Am. Samoa first runner up
In tradition of “fa’aaloalo” — Savali once again selected as Speaker
Extradition hearing for U.S. citizen wanted in Tonga set for January
Dana Love-Ili celebrated as 2017 Territorial Teacher of the Year
Some info in Leone sub station shooting case allegedly erased
GAO presents local min wage alternatives to U.S. Congress
1,026 suspected Zika cases in the territory
South Pacific Tuna Treaty signed, a way forward days DOC
Leone sub station shooting pled down to misdemeanor
Tafuna Warriors football program banned from next year’s playoffs
ASPA update: Reduction of hours vs. layoffs being considered
Deeds of Cession are focus of federal hearing next month
Territory’s living wage study says $5.67 min wage needed for family of 6
Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr., kicks off “Pay It Forward— Toy Drive Project”
Vui once again the only female faipule in the Fono
Disney’s Moana star stops over in Pago on way to visit Samoa
New scanning fees at P.O. and PPG now in effect
StarKist investing in U.S. flagged long line fleet based in Am. Samoa