Regional
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In her role as a UNICEF Pacific Ambassador, Moemoana will use her platforms and community engagement to help raise awareness of children’s rights across the Pacific. This includes access to quality and inclusive education; health and nutrition services; water, sanitation...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The MV Lady Samoa III suffered no serious damage that would affect its operation after the inter-island ferry hit the Mulifanua Wharf while berthing on Monday afternoon.
The ship had just sailed in from Savaii and was berthing when it hit the wharf.
Samoa Shipping...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A new Auckland-based kava business has found itself at the heart of a cultural debate, with critics raising concerns about appropriation, authenticity, and the future of kava as a deeply rooted Pacific tradition.
Vibes Kava, co-founded by Charles Byram and Derek Hillen,...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — U.S. Congress, U.S. State Department, and U.S. Army members joined the German War Graves Commission, the Japanese American Veterans Association, local German mayors, leaders, and community members May 2, 2025, for a ceremony to honor the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Samoa has dropped in its media and information freedom world ranking from 22 in 2024 to 44 in 2025 in the latest World Press Freedom Index compiled annually by the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
For the Pacific region, New Zealand is ranked highest at 16,...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 3.6 million residents of U.S. territories are among the communities in the United States most impacted by climate change. Yet without voting representation in Congress, a vote for President, or representation in regional and international bodies, their ability to...
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – The official opening of the state-of-the-art Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) on April 25, 2025, marks a new chapter for Veterinary Readiness Activity, Hawaii (VRA, H). The organization, composed of just 45 Soldiers and Civilians, is responsible for all...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A well-placed source in the Samoa police says officers want their power to carry firearms widened.
The senior police officer says the fatal shooting of the former head of homicide last year sparked concern within the force.
However, a formal proposal has yet to be put...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — New Zealand women and South Africa men were crowned HSBC SVNS 2025 champions after securing stirring victories at the HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles.
South Africa claimed their fifth men’s Series title, and first since 2021 by beating a valiant Spanish side...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Criminal Investigations Department has taken over the investigation of the case that surfaced over the weekend, where a missing teenager was found gagged and tied, and now Samoa Observer is reporting that a suspect has been identified.
Deputy Commissioner Papalii...

![Samoan climate activist and former Miss Pacific Islands Moemoana Safa’ato’a Schwenke, has been announced as UNICEF Pacific’s Ambassador. The appointment, which has been made at the Pacific Early Childhood Development Forum, follows a two-day field visit to meet children and their families in Samoa. [photo: UNICEF/ MP Studios] Moemoana Safa’ato’a Schwenke](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/moemoana.jpeg?itok=gt6ChFQ7)
![The Lady Samoa III docked at the Mulifanua Wharf. [photo: flicker] The Lady Samoa III](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lady_samoa_iii.jpg?itok=oSx3AoFw)
![Vibes Kava founders, Charles (left) and Derek (right). The pair launched their kava business earlier this year, promoting it as a space for connection and community. [Photo: Brady Dyer / BradyDyer.com] Vibes Kava founders, Charles (left) and Derek (right).](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/kava_business_partners_copy.jpg?itok=HwmY5S-q)
![U.S. Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues Ellen Germain, U.S. Consulate Munich Consul General Dr. James Miller, U.S. Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Adam T. Ropelewski, and Command Sgt. Maj. Randy A. Rivera stand in front of a memorial on May 2, 2025, at a ceremony outside Waakirchen, Germany, for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of prisoners on the Nazi death march from the Dachau concentration camp. The event, presented by the German War Graves Commission, placed a plaque honoring the Soldiers of the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion, at the time part of 7th U.S. Army, who along with units of the 4th Infantry Division liberated thousands of prisoners near this location on May 2, 1945. [Photo by Maj. Jonathon Lewis] Amata and others](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amata_others_dvids_.jpeg?itok=4wcMtdCw)

![Participants of Right to Democracy’s Summit on U.S. Colonialism convened in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to focus on the intersection of climate change and the democracy deficit in U.S. territories. [photo: Jasmarie Hernández-Cañuelas] Participants of Right to Democracy’s Summit](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/environment_and_democracy_fellowship_.jpg?itok=V_6Bo1xR)
![The new Veterinary Treatment Facility’s surgical suite features modern equipment. [US Army photo: Robert Haynes] The new Veterinary Treatment Facility’s surgical suite](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/va_veterinary_hospital.jpg?itok=xYWq7d7p)
![Samoa police outside headquarters. [SN file photo] SAMOA POLICE](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_police_64.jpeg?itok=ABP2hsXs)
![The New Zealand Black Fern Women defeated Australia 31-7, the South African Blitz Bok Men defeated Spain 19-5 to both become HSBC LA 7's World Championship Cup Final Champions on Day 2, at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, CA [Photo by Barry Markowitz] New Zealand Black Fern Women AT Dignity Health Sports Park](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/la_7s_world_championship_2025.jpg?itok=_RXDNjXc)
![Tonga Ministry of Health personnel work to prevent the spread of dengue fever, after an alert was issued in February. [photo: via RNZ] SPRAYING TO PREVENT DENGUE FEVER](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tonga_spray_jpg_copy.jpg?itok=HCq0PkgQ)