Local News
![Rendering of proposed new Fono Building [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_35.jpg?itok=aug-USI3 "Rendering of proposed new Fono Building [SN file photo]")
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senate legal counsel Mitzie Jessop-Ta’ase says a proposed law to raise the marriage age of females from 14 to 18, “aligns” with other current laws, such as the criminal code and the age of a person who can vote in American...
![SG’s Budget Office director, Catherine D. Saelua. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Catherine%20Saelua%206467CROPPED.jpg?itok=k_pgxuP2 "SG’s Budget Office director, Catherine D. Saelua. [SN file photo]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite the impending uncertainties of reaching a consensus, ASG’s Budget Office and its director Catherine D. Saelua have presented a positive picture of local spending for the first three months of FY 2018 (Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2017).
“Thankfully, Congress has averted...
![Environmental Protection Agency Director Ameko Pato (center) with members of his staff who successfully completed a Leadership Training held last week by ASCC. Seventeen participants from the EPA attended the two-day training which covered the principles and practices of effective leadership. [photo: J. Kneubuhl]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASCC%20Leadership%20Training%20for%20EPA%20%202.jpg?itok=oC7S3Anr "Environmental Protection Agency Director Ameko Pato (center) with members of his staff who successfully completed a Leadership Training held last week by ASCC. Seventeen participants from the EPA attended the two-day training which covered the principles and practices of effective leadership. [photo: J. Kneubuhl]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A stated component of the Vision of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) is for the institution to have “an active impact in the development of the educational, social, cultural, political, economic, technological, and environmental well-being of American Samoa...
![Congresswoman Aumua Amata speaks out on funding for American Samoa during Tuesday’s budget oversight hearing of the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, noting the proposed cut of $1.2Mil in the FY 2018 insular operations for the territory cannot be easily absorbed, especially in light of Cyclone Gita’s impact. [Courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Amata%20speaks%20out%20on%20funding%20for%20American%20Samoa.jpg?itok=6tYg0u7f "Congresswoman Aumua Amata speaks out on funding for American Samoa during Tuesday’s budget oversight hearing of the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, noting the proposed cut of $1.2Mil in the FY 2018 insular operations for the territory cannot be easily absorbed, especially in light of Cyclone Gita’s impact. [Courtesy photo]")
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Aumua Amata strongly defended American Samoa’s federal funding needs on Tuesday, questioning the Interior Department’s 2019 reduced budget request for insular operations funding in the territory, and instead suggested an offsetting increase that includes recognition...
![House Speaker, Savali Talavou Ale says teachers shouldn't complain about not having a spring break, because they work 9 months and get paid for the whole year. See story for details. [photo: AF]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Speaker%20of%20the%20House_0981.jpg?itok=4QgnuRU0 "House Speaker, Savali Talavou Ale says teachers shouldn't complain about not having a spring break, because they work 9 months and get paid for the whole year. See story for details. [photo: AF]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In response to a request from Manu'a Rep. Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr., that the American Samoa Department of Education (ASDOE) should have a spring break so teachers can get time off from work, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale told lawmakers during yesterday's session...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Hawaiian Airlines will waive change fees and fare differences “for our guests” in Pago Pago, whose Spring break plans were impacted by Tropical Storm Gita last month, said airline spokesperson Ann Botticelli.
More than a week ago, Samoa News received calls from local...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pago%20Dist%20Court%20014_102.jpeg?itok=q03O3cYV "[SN file photo]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Taken into custody last Thursday night by police, was a mother of three from Fagaima, for allegedly assaulting her drunken husband, who had come home and wanted to cause trouble with her.
The 41-year-old woman made her initial appearance in District Court last Friday on...
![Rendering of proposed new Fono Building [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_34.jpg?itok=0nBei9-_ "Rendering of proposed new Fono Building [SN file photo]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Some lawmakers don't support the decision by Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga to allow deputy directors to appear during House hearings to answer questions from faipule, as directors who are being requested to appear are the ones with key roles in the government’s partnership...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Fish supply shortages remain a challenge at StarKist Samoa, which has encountered the same issues over the last two years, continuing into the first quarter of this year, according to company official Taotasi Archie Soliai, who told last week’s meeting of the Western...
![ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato and Dean of Affairs Letupu Moananu presented Fine Arts Department chairman Kuki Tuiasosopo with a letter of recognition from the headquarters of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honors Society. The PTK has recognized Tuiasosopo for five years of service as an advisor to the ASCC Alpha Epsilon Mu chapter of the society. [photo: J. Kneubuhl]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASCC%20Kuki%20Tuiasosopo.jpg?itok=PaiA9GPI "ASCC President Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato and Dean of Affairs Letupu Moananu presented Fine Arts Department chairman Kuki Tuiasosopo with a letter of recognition from the headquarters of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honors Society. The PTK has recognized Tuiasosopo for five years of service as an advisor to the ASCC Alpha Epsilon Mu chapter of the society. [photo: J. Kneubuhl]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Community College (ASCC) president Dr. Rosevonne Makaiwi-Pato recently received correspondence from the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society commending Kuki Tuiasosopo, advisor to the ASCC Alpha Epsilon Mu chapter of the PTK, for his five years of ongoing...