Regional
![Miss American Samoa - Matauaina Gwendolyn To’omalatai [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Miss%20AmSamoa.jpeg?itok=Q5tx6Msv "Miss American Samoa - Matauaina Gwendolyn To’omalatai [courtesy photo]")
The 31st Miss Pacific Islands Pageant officially began last night in the friendly Islands of Fiji, with the nine beautiful contestants taking to the stage for their first night of public judging.
The first appearance for the contestants was their introduction, where they came out firing with a...
![Penelope Iakopo Price with her younger sister, reigning Miss Samoa Alexandra Iakopo in the background. They recently lost their father in the middle of preparations for the Miss Pacific Islands pageant — which has served to strengthen their relationship even more. [courtesy photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/sisterly%20love.jpg?itok=A3g1HUfP "Penelope Iakopo Price with her younger sister, reigning Miss Samoa Alexandra Iakopo in the background. They recently lost their father in the middle of preparations for the Miss Pacific Islands pageant — which has served to strengthen their relationship even more. [courtesy photo]")
SHOCKING BREACH OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Pregnant women from Samoa with valid entry permits into American Samoa, who travelled over on MV Lady Naomi, were not allowed to disembark.
Instead they were “simply asked to take a return trip of the ship” to Samoa.
The treatment surfaced during the recent inter...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Samoa%20Air%20jet_1.jpg?itok=7tsb0Q7H "[SN file photo]")
The Samoa Airways chief executive and the Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi appear to be passing the buck over the cost of the lease for the airline's jet.
The Samoa Observer reported CEO Seiuli Alvin Tuala told them last week to seek answers from the prime minister regarding the...
![The uninhabited Henderson Island in the South Pacific [Photo: Jennifer Lavers]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/plastic%20on%20beach.jpg?itok=k0tZwUPk "The uninhabited Henderson Island in the South Pacific [Photo: Jennifer Lavers]")
The head of the UN Environment's Pacific Office says protecting the oceans from plastic pollution is a high priority at a global meeting in Kenya.
Norway has proposed a zero tolerance of plastic pollution and suggested a legal treaty banning plastic waste from entering the sea at the UN Environment...
Countries in Oceania are ranked among the most expensive broadband services in the world according to a worldwide ranking compiled by a UK cable company. Tonga was not ranked among the 13 Oceania countries surveyed due to limited information available.
Data from 3,351 individual broadband...
![Fiaalii Mariner, pictured here with wife Alei Leuluaialii, contracted dengue fever in Samoa and died weeks later. [photo: GIVEALITTLE]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/auckland%20father.jpg?itok=MqIGDcq3 "Fiaalii Mariner, pictured here with wife Alei Leuluaialii, contracted dengue fever in Samoa and died weeks later. [photo: GIVEALITTLE]")
A south Auckland father-of-two has died in Samoa after contracting dengue fever.
Mechanic Fiaalii Mariner and his family had moved to the South Pacific country for a year to start a car rental business and spend time with extended family.
But the 43-year-old, from Ōtara, fell desperately ill just...
![Angel Mulivai-Tobin, owner of Left Coast Promotions, left, and her brother Tevita “DJ Una” Hefa, who owns Misi Events, work together to promote the Polynesian culture through community events and festivals. [Heidi Sanders, the Mirror]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Angel-Mulivai-Tobin-M-1200x800.jpg?itok=ZlF-F6YV "Angel Mulivai-Tobin, owner of Left Coast Promotions, left, and her brother Tevita “DJ Una” Hefa, who owns Misi Events, work together to promote the Polynesian culture through community events and festivals. [Heidi Sanders, the Mirror]")
Federal Way resident Angel Mulivai-Tobin has made it her mission to share the Polynesian culture and help others regardless of their background.
The 2001 Thomas Jefferson High School graduate said the Polynesian culture – which includes American Samoa, Western Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti and Cook...
![[photo: Miss Pacific Islands pageant]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/9%20Pacific%20Beauties.jpg?itok=Sdq7W4h1 "[photo: Miss Pacific Islands pageant]")
The 31st annual Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2017 began with an official gathering in Nadi, Fiji the place where happiness meets you.
On the theme - ‘Climate Change Action to Sustain our Islands’, the nine Pacific beauties gathered and met for the first time at Novotel on Friday, 1st Decemberand...
![[SN file photo]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_police_6.jpeg?itok=pqsZmHC6 "[SN file photo]")
Thirty students have been arrested, reprimanded and released in relation to a brawl in the Apia township on Wednesday.
The students come from different colleges.
Police Media Spokesperson, Auapa’au Logoitino, confirmed the arrest.
He said the students were brought to the Police station because...
![Iva village store [Photo: Iva Village Facebook]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_Iva_village_store.jpg?itok=zYeyBsJH "Iva village store [Photo: Iva Village Facebook]")
The Samoan village of Iva has joined the list of villages, banning Chinese-owned shops from operating within their area.
Three village councils this year have banned Chinese nationals from opening businesses on customary lands.
Iva's mayor, Seve Luki, told the Samoa Observer the decision is not...