Local News
![[l-r] Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources director Va’amua Henry Sesepasasra along with Christinna Lutu-Sanchez and Taotasi Archie Soliai, are American Samoa’s three members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) pictured last Friday in Honolulu on the final day of the three-day 172nd Meeting of the Council. Samoa News was able to follow the 3-day meeting via live-stream and is reporting the issues throughout the week. [photo: WPRFMC]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AS%20Council%20members.jpg?itok=Qh2d3qfG "[l-r] Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources director Va’amua Henry Sesepasasra along with Christinna Lutu-Sanchez and Taotasi Archie Soliai, are American Samoa’s three members of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) pictured last Friday in Honolulu on the final day of the three-day 172nd Meeting of the Council. Samoa News was able to follow the 3-day meeting via live-stream and is reporting the issues throughout the week. [photo: WPRFMC]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The ongoing dispute in the territory between two fishery groups over the Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) “is a local problem... an American Samoa problem” to be resolved locally, declared Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources director Va’amua Henry Sesepasara...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/EOB_1web_40.jpg?itok=Ip8MVZ9i "[SN file photo]")
Utulei, AMERICAN SAMOA — More than $600,000 in tax refunds for tax year 2017 is scheduled to be released today, according to ASG Treasurer Ueligitone P. Tonumaipe’a in a brief statement yesterday afternoon.
All those who filed taxes between Jan. 1st and 24th will have checks released Tuesday, Mar...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With more than 600 residents who have already registered and asked questions about federal assistance following last month’s Tropical Storm Gita, contracted inspectors with the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be conducting field inspections soon....
![Less than a year after it was commissioned, the American Samoa Power Authority's (ASPA) new operations building in Tafuna has achieved LEED platinum status. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASPA%20Operation%20bldg%206976_0.jpg?itok=1PUjWKNF "Less than a year after it was commissioned, the American Samoa Power Authority's (ASPA) new operations building in Tafuna has achieved LEED platinum status. [SN file photo]")
Tafuna, AMERICAN SAMOA — Less than a year after it was commissioned, the American Samoa Power Authority's (ASPA) new operations building in Tafuna has achieved LEED platinum status, making it one of only two buildings in the territory to be certified as such. The AS Environmental Protection Agency...
![ASCC-ACNR Forestry staff (left) Galutau Aga and Tony Maugalei demonstrate proper tree planting techniques to Fagalii Elementary School students during the Forestry Program 2018 Review. [Courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Land%20Grant_0410_1.jpg?itok=fOOMeq5i "ASCC-ACNR Forestry staff (left) Galutau Aga and Tony Maugalei demonstrate proper tree planting techniques to Fagalii Elementary School students during the Forestry Program 2018 Review. [Courtesy photo]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Forestry Program of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) - Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources (ACNR) Division successfully completed its program review earlier this month and reviewers call it, one of the best programs in the Pacific.
“With the...
![Rendering of proposed new Fono Building [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_33.jpg?itok=AKKku2BN "Rendering of proposed new Fono Building [SN file photo]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Manu’a #2 Faipule, Rep. Toeaina Faufano Autele told the House of Representatives last week that there are many essential issues lawmakers should bring to the Fono’s attention for discussion, instead of wasting their time talking about nonsense issues, over which they...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Government voted “no” on all four recommendations relating to the Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA), at last Friday’s final day of the three-day 172nd meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council in Honolulu.
Department of...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Red Cross has provided assistance to American Samoa residents since before Tropical Cyclone Gita made landfall on February 9. Caseworkers have already opened more than 1,200 cases for affected families. Appointment-based casework is planned to continue...
![ASCC student Feliciamere P. Elisara, whose Vailoa home was destroyed by Cyclone Gita, receives food, water and clothing during the College’s assistance drive last week for students affected by the cyclone. The ASCC Marketing Committee organized effort, with assistance from the Student Government Association and the College’s student clubs. [Photo: J. Kneubuhl]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASCC%20Cyclone%20Assistance%201.jpg?itok=DtpIDt4q "ASCC student Feliciamere P. Elisara, whose Vailoa home was destroyed by Cyclone Gita, receives food, water and clothing during the College’s assistance drive last week for students affected by the cyclone. The ASCC Marketing Committee organized effort, with assistance from the Student Government Association and the College’s student clubs. [Photo: J. Kneubuhl]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) Marketing Committee, in collaboration with the Student Government Association (SGA) and student clubs on campus, last week concluded an a food drive to provide assistance to students at the College whose homes were damaged by...
Interior requests proposals from U.S. territories for Energizing Insular Communities Program funding
WASHINGTON — U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary of Insular and International Affairs Doug Domenech is requesting proposals for its Energizing Insular Communities Program for FY2018 funding. Those eligible to apply are local government entities, independent authorities, and educational institutions...