Local News
![PAGO PAGO, American Samoa - U.S. Army Maj. Ullisses Taymes, Theater Support Group, loads luggage and supplies for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel that have arrived at Pago Pago International Airport to support relief operations for Tropical Storm Gita. The Theaters Support Group is a subordinate unit of 9th Mission Support Command based out of Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/web%202nd%209th%20support%20photo.jpg?itok=vMgYC_AS "PAGO PAGO, American Samoa - U.S. Army Maj. Ullisses Taymes, Theater Support Group, loads luggage and supplies for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel that have arrived at Pago Pago International Airport to support relief operations for Tropical Storm Gita. The Theaters Support Group is a subordinate unit of 9th Mission Support Command based out of Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii. [courtesy photo]")
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – When disaster strikes at home, who answers the call to clean up and rebuild? Immediately after a destructive storm, U.S. Army Reserve forces in American Samoa took immediate action to rebuild.
In concert and coordination with various federal, state, local, interagency,...
![In this Samoa News file photo, National Park crew works on reforestation on the Mt. Alava Trail. [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/webNational%20Park%20crew%20work%20on%20reforestation%20plot%20on%20Mt%20Alava%20Trail.jpg?itok=o5qvKpAQ "In this Samoa News file photo, National Park crew works on reforestation on the Mt. Alava Trail. [SN file photo]")
PAGO PAGO — The National Park of American Samoa has recently begun efforts to assess the damage done to park forests and reefs by Cyclone Gita. Early survey reports reveal extensive damage to park trails in the form of downed trees, mud and debris slides, and fallen rocks.
At this point all trails...
![ASPA replaces a power pole at ASCC this past Saturday. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASPA%20photo%20update%2002_17_18web.jpg?itok=wk9l2L2h "ASPA replaces a power pole at ASCC this past Saturday. [courtesy photo]")
ASPA Gita Update - February 17, 2018 at 6pm
POWER:
- All Feeders (Primary lines) are energized up to Fagamalo now.
Remaining areas are in Tualauta with broken poles and power lines
- Total of 9,900 out of 12,000 (82.5%) customers have power now
- Power restored to Samoa Baptist School today...
![Chief Justice Michael Kruse [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Kruse_0723_9.jpg?itok=To3yzCtE "Chief Justice Michael Kruse [SN file photo]")
TAUMALOTO AIAVA
Chief Justice Michael Kruse has ordered Taumaloto Aiava to immediately depart the territory and remain outside of its border for the duration of his probation term — which is five years, after the court found that Aiava failed to comply with conditions of his probation that was...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/responders%202-1130_n_0.jpg?itok=6hN6EhrC "[SN file photo]")
Gita Update - February 16, 2018 at 6PM
POWER:
- All Feeders (Primary lines) are energized up to Fagamalo now.Remaining areas are in small pockets of Tualauta with broken poles andpower lines
- Total of 9,550 out of 12,000 (79.6%) customers have power now
- Auma to Amanave has power to most...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/red%20cross0609_0.jpg?itok=1-qbYPM6 "[SN file photo]")
As recover continues on Tutuila in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Gita more than a week ago, residents are urged not to wait for the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “if you can take action yourself,” while all public schools will resume classes Tuesday, Feb. 20.
Samoa News points out...
![Congresswoman Aumua Amata [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata%20at%20podium_7.jpg?itok=gV8K491q "Congresswoman Aumua Amata [SN file photo]")
Washington, D.C. – Thursday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata urged the VA to keep an ongoing commitment to mental health research funding as a priority for veterans during the Committee’s examination of the Department’s budget plan.
“Along with our high enlistment rate in the Armed Forces, we naturally...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/bucket%20truck%20at%20night8974_o.jpg?itok=lAuLJEjD "[SN file photo]")
The American Samoa Power Authority would like to thank those customers who still do not have power for their patience and consideration. We understand that life without power is difficult and are working around the clock to restore power to territory. Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Gita wreaked...
![Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga [SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/GovLolo_0766_24.jpg?itok=evqC48iv "Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga [SN file photo]")
The American Samoa Government is moving to regulate money transfer businesses in the territory, with proposed legislation submitted to the Fono.
The move by the Lolo Administration to regulate this growing industry comes years after lawmakers and others in the community have discussed creating some...
![A black police unit inside the Pago Pago Harbor, that responded along with the fire truck and AS-EPA to an ammonia leak just after 10a.m yesterday prompting the temporary shutdown of entry into the main dock. [photo: FS]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/port%20ammonia%20leak_0842.jpg?itok=jPUgs0hd "A black police unit inside the Pago Pago Harbor, that responded along with the fire truck and AS-EPA to an ammonia leak just after 10a.m yesterday prompting the temporary shutdown of entry into the main dock. [photo: FS]")
Port Administration employees, along with workers from other ASG agencies and the private sector who work on the main dock, were evacuated to the other side of the street.The incident caused traffic to backup in the town area and the port was re-opened less than 30 minutes later.
During the port...