Local News
MANCHESTER, NH — It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following American Samoa students on being named to the Summer 2026 President's List. The summer terms run from May to August:
George Malaki, Stan Purcell, Misi Leo, Flora Atonio, Elaine...
HONOLULU — The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council on Tuesday advanced actions on fishing access in Pacific marine national monuments and reviews of Hawai‘i longline and American Samoa bottomfish regulations.
The Council deferred action on fishing regulations for the Northwestern...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula has submitted his formal comments to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the proposed PACM-1 offshore mineral lease sale.
The Governor’s comments were informed by public comments submitted to his office, the work of...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) CEO Folasaitu Sorepa Thomas faced direct questioning on Monday morning during the Fono’s joint budget hearing regarding the controversial child support payment made on behalf of former CEO Chuck Leota using ASTCA funds...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Renovations to the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building (EOB) in Utulei are now projected to be completed by February next year, according to Director of Administrative Services Tanya Maʻo Aab. She told lawmakers that this timeline reflects the 244‑day construction...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Ms. Christina Ieremia taking part in the ASCC Marine Science Program is nearing the completion of her Hokuala Kai Internship.
She is working as an Marine Science Technician Intern for the NOAA Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center, under the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two years, nine months, and five days. Two years and six days. That was how long Tupe Smith and her husband Michael Pese faced criminal prosecution and investigation by the state of Alaska for checking they were “U.S. citizens” on voter registration forms after having...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 6, 2026, Fagatogo Police Central ]Station (FPS) received a call from the village of Aua reporting multiple assaults involving several individuals.
Two women, Palepa Visesio and Vise Leifi, were later arrested and charged as follows:
Visesio was charged with...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A US foreign policy think tank is proposing a major shift in America's military strategy in Asia that would put Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other Pacific islands at the centre of Washington's regional military posture.
Defense Priorities, a Washington-based...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata attended a special meeting Saturday for the families of U.S. personnel missing from the Vietnam War, Cold War, Korean War, and World War II. The Family Member Update, held in Dover, Delaware, by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), included...



![The Governor’s comments make clear that American Samoa does not support commercial deep-sea mineral extraction at this time. [ASG photo] Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/gov.jpg?itok=zb1Nzo6K)
![During the earlier Senate hearing, former board vice chair Ella Gurr told lawmakers that Leota’s child support obligation had been discussed at board level, but the majority of the board did not support paying it, and the matter was tabled. [SN file photo] ELLA GURR](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ella_gurr_7.jpg?itok=-du3265x)

![Christina Ieremia is working as an Marine Science Technician Intern for the NOAA Daniel K. Inouye Regional Center. [Facebook photo] Christina Ieremia](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/christina_ieremia_.jpg?itok=d-frqud3)
![Michael Pese (left) and Tupe Smith (right) with their three children at the gravesite of their mother Miliama Suli. [courtesy photo] Michael Pese (left) and Tupe Smith (right) with their three children](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tupu_smith_family.jpg?itok=fd_W8QXh)

![Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank, said the US should move much of its military presence away from the "first island chain”. [photo:US Navy / Seaman Apprentice Nicolas Quezad] Plane on runway](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/plane_on_runway.jpeg?itok=u6b2CAUg)
![“It is moving to see a large room full of families that sacrificed a loved one for our country and the cause of freedom,” said HVAC Vice Chairman Amata. [courtesy photo] Amata with military families](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/dpaa_briefing.jpg?itok=uHWZp5Qy)