Regional
![Aerial view of the Friendship Park concept plan [courtesy rendering]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/friendship_park.jpg?itok=tvl_vTq1 "Aerial view of the Friendship Park concept plan [courtesy rendering]")
Apia, SAMOA — Based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Friendly Cooperation between City of Huizhou, the People's Republic of China and the Independent State of Samoa co-signed by Mayor Mai Jiaomeng of Huizhou and Honourable Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi of Samoa in 2015...
Apia, SAMOA — Mother’s Day came early for the elderly mothers of Mapuifagalele Home for the Elderly in Vailele yesterday.
This was after they were presented 30 gift hampers from Chan Mow Supermarket.
The 25 elderly mothers sang songs of thanksgiving as they accepted their gifts.
“On Mother’s Day...
![Ambassador Wang Xuefeng of China expressed his appreciation to those who worked to ensure the completion of the airport upgrade. [screenshot from Observer video]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/pac_news-ambassador_wang_xuefeng_copy.png?itok=whcn5mSl "Ambassador Wang Xuefeng of China expressed his appreciation to those who worked to ensure the completion of the airport upgrade. [screenshot from Observer video]")
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa has moved a step further to becoming the aviation hub of the South Pacific.
The new and improved Faleolo International Airport was officially declared open yesterday in a grand ceremony.
The opening was attended by the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Cabinet...
Apia, SAMOA — A 53-year-old-man who impregnated his friend’s 14-year-old daughter has been sentenced to jail.
Lupematasila Ta’i, a fisherman of Siufaga Falelatai, appeared before Supreme Court Justice Mata Keli Tuatagaloa to be sentenced on eight counts of sexual connection with a girl who was...
PAHOA, Hawaii (AP) — A Hawaii volcano is threatening to blow its top in coming days or weeks after sputtering lava for a week, forcing about 2,000 people to evacuate, destroying two dozen homes and threatening a geothermal plant.
Experts fear Kilauea volcano on the Big Island it could send ash and...
![A reddish-brown ash plume after the magnitude 6.9 quake. [Photo: U.S. Geological Survey]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/volcano.jpg?itok=ZZhUl6ur "A reddish-brown ash plume after the magnitude 6.9 quake. [Photo: U.S. Geological Survey]")
THE BIG ISLAND — A large explosion in Hawaii's Kilauea volcano could mark the beginning of more violent activity, geologists say.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the volcano could spray rocks for miles and dust nearby towns in ash.
Kilauea, Hawaii's most active volcano, erupted last week...
![The U.S. Army Reserve command and 9th Mission Support Command welcomed Soldiers and families of the U.S. Army Reserve from Guam, American Samoa and Hawaii April 27-29 for a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. [1st Sgt. Crista Mack]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/web051-550x367.jpg?itok=pG1ITkre "The U.S. Army Reserve command and 9th Mission Support Command welcomed Soldiers and families of the U.S. Army Reserve from Guam, American Samoa and Hawaii April 27-29 for a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. [1st Sgt. Crista Mack]")
HONOLULU — An old oak tree may not be available to tie a yellow ribbon around in Hawaii, but the Yellow Ribbon Integration Program, supported by U.S. Army Reserve Command, found palm trees and banyans to symbolically tie on for the U.S. Army Reserve ohana, or family, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village...
![[Gloal News]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Screen%20Shot%202018-05-09%20at%2012.21.56%20PM.png?itok=BA86ENdc "[Gloal News]")
Upolu, SAMOA — Coral reef coverage off the main Samoan island of Upolu sank to less than 10 per cent due to global warming and other local factors in the area, according to findings by researchers published in the scientific journal Marine Pollution Bulletin in April.
Scientists participating in...
![Habitat for Humanity national campaigns manager Ben Ross says the organization is creating two teams of volunteers to travel to Samoa to rebuild homes there following the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Gita. [photo: Chris Harrowell]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/habitat%20for%20humanity%20mgr%20Ben%20Ross.jpg?itok=Dv7A9c1y "Habitat for Humanity national campaigns manager Ben Ross says the organization is creating two teams of volunteers to travel to Samoa to rebuild homes there following the damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Gita. [photo: Chris Harrowell]")
Auckland, NEW ZEALAND — Know how to swing a hammer and have a bit of free time? If so, Habitat for Humanity wants to hear from you.
The charity in Flat Bush, south Auckland, is recruiting volunteers to help repair homes in Samoa that were damaged by Tropical Cyclone Gita in February.
It plans to...
![The double shooting was reported in the 3700 block of 26th street in San Francisco, which is where the First Samoan Congregational Church was holding a funeral. May 7, 2018 [photo: KTVU]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/CD62B-SF%20DOUBLE%20SHOOTING.jpg?itok=bYUMKBK_ "The double shooting was reported in the 3700 block of 26th street in San Francisco, which is where the First Samoan Congregational Church was holding a funeral. May 7, 2018 [photo: KTVU]")
San Francisco, CALIFORNIA — San Francisco police are searching for a gunman who shot at two people outside of a church in the Mission District.
The shooting was reported on Sunday night in the 3700 block of 26th street, which is where the First Samoan Congregational Church was holding a funeral....