Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Rowing in American Samoa is entering an exciting new chapter, following a recent development visit from September 25 to October 2, 2025. The visit marked a key milestone in expanding youth participation, strengthening local capacity, and laying the groundwork for future...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Fono leaders have made it clear to Governor Pulaalii N. Pula that they will take “necessary measures” if he pursues his intention to appropriate excess funds from the final FY 2026 budget without prior legislative approval.
This is outlined in a letter dated October 22...
The Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium was filled with excitement this past Saturday, October 25, 2025, as family, friends, and supporters gathered to witness three contestants take the stage to compete for the coveted title of Miss Moso'oi 2025-2026. They were Alisi Siniva Mataafa of Poloa, sponsored...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 15, 2025, authorities received a call regarding a minor who was allegedly raped by a 31-year-old male who works for the victim’s family and who claimed it was consensual.
The suspect was later arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Rape (DV), a class B felony...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 12, 2025, a man called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) and reported two men for allegedly stealing from his plantation.
Both suspects fled the scene but were later charged with:
Count 1: Stealing, a class C felony punishable by a term of imprisonment not...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific in the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), is congratulating Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, and highlighting the significance of the first ever female Prime Minister...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Cook Islands is still a long way from being ready to mine its seafloor, says ocean scientist and executive director of the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, Professor Adam Soule.
Professor Soule made the comment after returning from a 21-day research cruise, "Deep...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As Massachusetts celebrates STEM Week, one Harvard freshman is standing out for her creative approach to renewable energy, using resources from the island where she grew up, oceans away.
Her name is Amelie Chen, and she's already thinking about how to power the future.
"...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The ‘war of words’ isn’t letting up between American Samoa Medical Center Authority Board of Director Afamasaga Dr. Talifa Talifa Jr. and the governor’s office legal counsel Barry Pfundt.
In a letter dated Oct, 23, 2025, Afamasaga Dr. Talifa respectfully disagreed “with...
The new portable MRI that will be used as part of the Puipui Malu Manatu (PMM) Program, which offers brain scans for individuals 65 years and older of Samoan ancestry who participate in their research study. The scan is simple, non-invasive, and takes only 20–30 minutes — with no radiation,...

![Students from Pacific Horizons School and South Pacific Academy took part in interactive Rowing sessions, led by (right) World Rowing Development Coaching Expert for Oceania, Laryssa Biesenthal OLY, in collaboration with local coach Paula MacDonald and the American Samoa Rowing Federation, the program focused on introducing beach sprint Rowing to schools, revitalizing equipment, and engaging the broader community. [photo: World Rowing.com] Students from Pacific Horizons School and South Pacific Academy](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/picture2.jpg?itok=gdVzGDoD)




![Takaichi is known for her deeply conservative views. [AP photo] Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/prime_minister_takaichi.jpg?itok=MNXqIJOM)
![Ocean scientist and executive director of the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, Professor Adam Soule. [Photo: Cook Islands News] Professor Adam Soule](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/prof_adam_soule.jpeg?itok=H-3snivD)
![Now studying environmental engineering and economics, Amelie Chen hopes to scale her biofuel project and one day launch her own company focused on algae-based renewable energy. [SN file photo] Amelie Chen](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amelie_chen_.png?itok=2fNXDynV)

