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Looking back at 2016 — the good and the not so good

The Samoa News ‘photo of the year’ came from Facebook and was published on Jan. 22, 2016. The photo posted by a parent, asked the question: “The faipule are asking for a salary raise again, but what about this issue?” It points to a student sitting on books, as the lack of chairs and desks for students has been a sore point with the parents of many schools in the territory. [SN file photo]
reporters@samoanews.com

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