Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Inmates who have completed their jail sentences and are sentenced to deportation to Samoa are to depart the territory on the Lady Naomi sailing of March 4th.
So says Attorney General Fainu’ulelei Ala’ilima Utu who testified at a House hearing last week, along with Acting...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Current and former senior ASG officials who are defendants in a federal lawsuit, contend that congregate activities such as worship services, where large numbers of people interact, can become “super-spreader” events for the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the defendants...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man from Happy Valley is now in custody after he was arrested last month in a traffic stop. William Lavea was taken into custody and held for 48 hours after police allegedly discovered a quantity of illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash inside the vehicle.
The...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The fono took an unusual step for voting a Governor’s nominee this week when the House of Representatives approved acting Police Commissioner Lefiti Falelaulii Pese by a public show of hands instead of a secret ballot. The vote was 17-0.
Lefiti appeared before the House...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The driver of a vehicle pulled over by police last month for a traffic violation was arrested and charged for violating local drug laws.
Anthony Faamanatu made his initial appearance in court last month.
He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a memorandum issued yesterday, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga ordered flags in the territory to be flown at half-staff, until sunset on Friday, Feb. 26th, “as a mark of solemn respect and remembrance of the 500,000 American lives lost due to the deadly COVID...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Territory of American Samoa — through ASG and the Governor’s Office — has petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States to review a federal appeal’s court ruling, which reversed a lower court decision dealing with the Large Vessel Protected Area (LVPA) in...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Vice Speaker of the House, Fetu Fetui Jr is calling out for an immediate investigation into the allegation that certain supplies and goods in many of the local stores are being offered at exorbitant prices.
A case of chicken was $9 but it’s now $15 — Fetu, a former cop...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A settlement agreement has been reached in the federal lawsuit filed by three local residents against ANZ Guam, Inc. — based in the US territory of Guam — and its local subsidiary, ANZ Amerika Samoa Bank on behalf of certain homeowners with residential mortgages with ANZ...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A Senate bill, sponsored by Sen. Magalei Logovi’i, if enacted into law will address long standing complaints from several lawmakers in the past years, over the American Samoa Economic Development Authority issuing new bonds and spending these revenues without Fono...

![Attorney General Faimealelei Alailima Utu and Acting Police Commissioner Fo’ifua Fo’ifua appeared before the House Public Safety Committee last week for a hearing on what the government is doing to help return Samoa inmates who’ve completed their sentences and face deportation orders. [photo by AF] Attorney General Faimealelei Alailima Utu and Acting Police Commissioner Fo’ifua Fo’ifua](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ag_dps_0088.jpg?itok=7EPjljBC)
![“The High Court of American Samoa is competent to adjudicate claims arising under the laws of the United States and is the only proper forum available to plaintiff,” the defense said and noted that the High Court is “the only proper forum to decide plaintiff’s federal civil rights.” [SN file photo] American Samoa High Court building](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/high_court_117.jpg?itok=brUdsbQo)

![Despite Lefiti telling the committee that if there was any member with doubts about his nomination, he would try his best to address their concerns, he didn’t have to answer any questions as none were asked during his 15 minute appearance before the House Public Safety Committee. [photo: AF]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/_dps_lefiti_2232.jpg?itok=j6rCRe70)

![“As we reflect on the loss of life and the impact on the affected survivors, let us take a moment to be grateful to the Lord’s continued protection and blessings on our Territory,” Lemanu said, as American Samoa remains the only US jurisdiction without a COVID-19 case, although there are individuals of Samoan ancestry that reside in the US and have passed away due to the deadly pandemic. [SN file photo] Flags at half staff in front of EOB](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/flags_half_staffweb_4.jpg?itok=SjAr0Bhl)
![“The Ninth Circuit’s decision threatens to disrupt the relationship between the United States and one of its longstanding territories— a relationship predicated upon voluntary agreements that had served both sides well for more than a century,” American Samoa said in written arguments in it’s 119-page petition to the Supreme Court. [AP photo] U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/supreme_court.jpeg?itok=gWcZcQ5x)
![Vice Speaker of the House, Fetu Fetui Jr, a former cop told fellow lawmakers that price gouging is against the law and needs to be prosecuted. [photo by AF] Vice Speaker of the House, Fetu Fetui Jr](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/rep_vice_speaker_fetu_0299.jpg?itok=Hi30RwDg)

![ASEDA “shall present its projects to be paid by the bond proceeds and its plan for repayment to the Legislature for approval prior to the issuance of new bonds,” according to proposed amendments to the law, in the Senate bill, introduced by Sen. Magalei. [SN file photo] Sen. Magalei Logovi’i](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/sen_magaleicropped_5.jpg?itok=rXVOntW5)