Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two reasons cited for the tragic accident where two men died after an alia carrying passengers between Auasi and Aunuu island capsized in rough waters in June of this year were — not only “the alia was overloaded with passenger” but also “the alia continued carrying...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Taase and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the American Samoa Telecommunication Authority (ASTCA) Fala Sualevai appeared before the House Telecommunication Committee last week to testify on a bill to establish ASTCA as a...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation, who was taken in for questioning and later released from the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) when the 48 hour detention period expired‚ was arrested by police last week and now charged with violating local...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Executive Leadership Development Program Class of 2021 held its Kick-Off Session with a virtual meeting on September 4, 2020. Participants got to meet each other, their instructors, and their support team for the first time. They also received a high-level overview...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A bill that would authorize the Chief Election Officer to propose procedures to enable voters currently stranded off island due to the COVID-19 pandemic to vote absentee in the November 3rd election was passed by the Senate last week.
The Senate bill, sponsored by...
Pago Pago — Monday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata released the following statement for Labor Day 2020:
"This year’s economic interruptions helped emphasize how everyone’s job is important, and what a blessing a job can be. Many jobs are part of the food and supply chain, or important to the survival...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The driver of a vehicle pulled over by police in Vailoa for blacked out tail lights is now charged with violating local drug laws.
On July 24, 2020 about 11p.m, a vehicle was pulled over by traffic officers on the Vailoa Public Highway, westbound, after they observed it...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 32-year-old man from Mesepa arrested for making threatening remarks to his neighbor is now charged with violating local drug laws. Philip Naotala made his initial appearance in court last week.
He is charged with one count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The E-Rate Office, which comes under the purview of the local Education Department (ASDOE), will be relocated to the lower campus site of Tafuna High School, while the Department of Public Works is working on a blueprint for the new location.
Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Speaking at Sunday’s government COVID-19 Task Force meeting, Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua says a three-month immunization campaign is underway for all students — at both public and private schools — to receive their required vaccinations.
Motusa says DoH wasn’t...

![Police Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson and Director of the Department of Homeland Security (HLS) Alfonzo Pete Galea’i appeared before the House Public Safety Committee last week to discuss issues regarding the safety of transportation between Auasi and Aunu’u. [photo by AF] Police Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson and Director of the Department of Homeland Security (HLS) Alfonzo Pete Galea’i](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/asg_officials_0435.jpg?itok=ZkiHYALB)
![American Samoa Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Taase and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the American Samoa Telecommunication Authority (ASTCA) Fala Sualevai testifying before the Fono on the bill to establish ASTCA as a semi-autonomous agency. [photo by AF] American Samoa Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Taase and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the American Samoa Telecommunication Authority](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/astca_ceo_ag_0400.jpg?itok=C5Hqg74H)



![Congresswoman Aumua Amata said, "Our local economy and funding is impacted by the status of the U.S. economy, and we can be thankful for the four months of improvement in national job statistics since the unprecedented interruption to the nation’s businesses early this year." [SN file photo] Congresswoman Aumua Amata](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata_new_photo_002_12.jpg?itok=-31Vfc45)


![ASDOE deputy director Philo Jennings in a 2016 You Tube screenshot [photo: You Tube] ASDOE deputy director Philo Jennings](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/philo_jennings.jpg?itok=j4Xry6E_)
![Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua says a three-month immunization campaign is underway for all students — at both public and private schools [SN file photo] Health director Motusa Tuileama Nua](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/motusa_0198web_6.jpg?itok=EB6AnnKx)