Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Off island news outlets were abuzz yesterday afternoon, reporting that the Wise Honest — which has been docked in American Samoa waters since the earlier part of this year — had been sold for scrap metal and was being towed away from American Samoa.
Samoa News contacted...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — There was lots of commotion at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) in Tafuna this past weekend.
Samoa News confirmed with a DPS source, that there is an ongoing investigation into a reported break-in at the TCF cafeteria. According to the source, inmates...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Because the US Congress prohibits members in both houses from requesting “congressionally directed spending for a specific discretionary” funding, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is unable to assist in Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga’s request for more than $20 million in federal...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young woman accused of stealing more than $40,000 from her former employer says she used the money to pay for her ex-husband’s medical bills, personal expenses, church donations, and a family trip to Savai’i.
Marieta Lafitaga was arrested last week pursuant to an...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA) board members, re-nominated for another 4 year term, appeared last Friday morning before a Senate committee for their confirmation hearings. Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele; ASG Treasurer...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — That means there are no surgeries done with the proper medication needed; and the risk of surgeries done may result badly — causing death.
There are also no de-wormers, no flea & tick medicine, no vaccinations, no antibiotics.
Please stay clear of the veterinary...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lolo Administration has identified a funding source for the construction of a “new cement perimeter wall” around the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) and a seawall from Aua village going east along the coastline of Tutuila.
According to an administration bill...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — This morning, an estimated 160 inmates and detainees at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) in Tafuna are planning to take their complaints about what they describe as ‘horrific’ prison conditions to the Fono.
“There are so many things going on at the TCF that...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 50-year-old man accused of sexually abusing his 15-year-old niece was arrested after authorities were tipped off by the victim’s aunty.
(In the interest of protecting the minor victim, Samoa News is withholding the name of the defendant, who is her uncle. The court...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga is calling on all residents of American Samoa — from all sectors — to work collaboratively in the upcoming 2020 Census for American Samoa.
Speaking at Wednesday’s official opening ceremony for the US Census Office in the territory,...

![Seen here in this photo is the Wise Honest being towed by an off-island tugboat out of the harbor. [photo: LF] Wise Honest being towed by an off-island tugboat out of the harbor](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/wise_honestweb.jpg?itok=5R6Pxhf5)

![The Fono building site [SN file photo] The Fono building site](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono_bldg_site_4.jpg?itok=XlmHUghX)

![[l-r] Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele; ASG Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a; and Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale. [photo: FS] [l-r] Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele; ASG Treasurer Ueligitone Tonumaipe’a; and Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale.](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/aseda_board_3551.jpg?itok=KsgbaapE)
![[SN file photo] Mother cat with kittens](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/catsweb.jpg?itok=WzfBUmFa)
![Construction workers seen last Friday afternoon, working on erecting a perimeter wall at the Territorial Correctional Facility. [photo: FS] Construction workers seen last Friday afternoon, working on erecting a perimeter wall at the Territorial Correctional Facility.](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/workers_3556.jpg?itok=lwbE5nzP)
![Work on erecting a perimeter wall at the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) has already started — as seen in this Samoa News photo taken last Friday afternoon — the Fono has not yet approved a proposed allocation of $900,000 for the project. An ASG distribution list provided to cabinet members shows that the project contractors are “Paramount / Nana’s” with a start date of Sept. 30th. Details in separate story in today’s edition. [photo: FS] Perimiter wall at TCF under construction](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/wall_3555.jpg?itok=GhANIBh5)

![Pictured [l-r] Commerce director Keniseli Lafaele; 2020 Census Advisor to American Samoa, Jason Kopp; Rev. Nepo Pu’a; Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Mauga T. Asuega; Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga; and US Census Bureau officials James Treat and Jennifer Kim, following Wednesday’s official opening of the Census Office in American Samoa . [photo: FS] Pictured [l-r] Commerce director Keniseli Lafaele; 2020 Census Advisor to American Samoa, Jason Kopp; Rev. Nepo Pu’a; Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Mauga T. Asuega; Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga; and US Census Bureau officials James Treat and Jennifer Kim](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/census_group_3543.jpg?itok=GlqGTPf6)