Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A young man convicted of sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl over four years ago was arrested by police last week on the allegation that he raped a 16-year-old girl who had run away from home.
Rene Finau appeared in District Court last week for his initial appearance.
He...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Since the COVID-19 emergency declaration in March last year, the basic food costs increased from April to July of 2020, followed by a 1% drop in August and “then continued to increase throughout the rest of 2020 to current, suggesting that food cost is on the rise,”...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa News first reported of a man allegedly assaulted by another man in front of an Asian store for attempting to steal his groceries that were in the back of his vehicle last month. The man was arrested by police last month and further information of the assault has...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga and Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale have “made their full commitment to serving the people of Manu’a” and the commitment was made during their trip late last month to the island group along with several cabinet members according...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 39-year-old taxi driver who was convicted of receiving stolen goods has been sentenced to 5 years probation.
Pasee Fuifatu was initially charged with one count of conspiracy to steal, a class C felony, punishable by imprisonment of up to 7 years, a fine of up to $5,000...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is commemorating Flag Day 2021:
“Happy Flag Day to everyone in American Samoa! This holiday means so much to our people. On this day (April 17), our ancestors first raised the American flag in our islands. We celebrate being part of the United...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In proclaiming Apr. 16th, today, for the celebration of 2021 Flag Day Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga is calling on the government and the people of American Samoa to participate wholeheartedly in this year’s celebration.
The proclamation, dated Apr. 14th,...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Last week Friday, April 9th, local environmental group Finafinau hosted an event entitled Meal with a Mentor at the Lee Auditorium. Generally, Meal with a Mentor is meant to be a catalyst for the community to take a more active role in guiding the youth. The goal is to...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a memorandum issued yesterday afternoon, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Mauga declared tomorrow, Apr. 16th a “Training Holiday”.
All government offices and public schools will be closed and normal activities will be suspended.
“ASG employees are encouraged to attend the...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga, First Lady Ella Pelefoti Mauga, Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale and his wife, Marian McGuire Ale and other guests attended last Friday’s launching of the Suicide & Mental Health 9-8-8 Helpline call center, at its temporary...




![Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga last month, deplaning for the ground breaking of the Ofu Runway project. The Governor and First Lady arrived in Ofu, Manu’a on Friday, March 26 with other ASG Cabinet Members as well as the Lt. Governor. Gov. Lemanu is pictured here on the soon-to-be closed Ofu airport runway. [Manu’atele Community Worldwide Facebook page] Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/gov_lemanu_in_ofu_0.jpg?itok=Iu5zHxu2)

![Amata dancing on the field during the closing of the Nua and Se’etaga performance at the Veterans Memorial Stadium to celebrate American Samoa’s Flag Day 2015. [SN file photo] Amata dancing Flag Day 2012](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata_dancing_at_flag_day_2015web.jpg?itok=v5D28_i0)

![Finafinau partnered with the AS Department of Commerce for the Meal with a Mentor at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium. The event created a space where youth in American Samoa are able connect with an adult from the community. (See more photos & story inside.) Bottom row (L-R) Kacey Iloilo, Siumu Faaiuaso, Top row (L-R) Eileen Iosefo-Ale, Petti Matila, Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, and Elizabeth Fano. [courtesy photo] (L-R) Eileen Iosefo-Ale, Petti Matila, Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, and Elizabeth Fano](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/2_mwm_2021.jpg?itok=piNxP8yw)
![The governor during last week Thursday’s cabinet meeting, followed by a memo the following day, announced that the 2021 Flag Day would be celebrated on Apr. 16th with the Flag raising ceremony at Malaeoletalu in Fagatogo. [SN file photo] Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Mauga](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/gov_lemanu_at_desk_0493_16.jpg?itok=TnaG6ikf)
![Dr. Siitia Soliai-Lemusu, administrator of the Behavioral Health Services of the Health Department giving a briefing on the operations to the first group of VIPs in the Suicide & Mental Health 9-8-8 Helpline call center last Friday. [photo: FS] Dr. Siitia Soliai-Lemusu, administrator of the Behavioral Health Services of the Health Department](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/doh_soliai-lemusu.jpg?itok=bTcui4O0)