Opinion
[Source note: Exposing autocracy from military-ruled Fiji to democratic Samoa, seasoned journalist Shalveen Chand has faced cell blocks, state censorship and physical assaults for holding Pacific powers accountable. Now joining the Cook Islands News as senior journalist, Chand, the former editor of...
Dear Editor,
Congratulations to Major Si'imoa Malaefono Galoia of Tafuna High School, American Samoa’s 2026- 2027 Territorial Teacher of the Year awardee! Your Territorial recognition, coupled with Regional and National Awards In leading the Tafuna High School JROTC cadets to back-to-back...
Dear Editor,
As we count down to the upcoming November election, I have a humble request and plea for both the incumbents seeking to retain their seats and the new candidates vying for the opportunity to serve in public office.
I am looking for legislators in the next regular session who are...
Dear Editor,
October 13, 2026 — In a recent Samoa news article, the story focused on the alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl, and why every parent, grandparent, teacher, church leader, and community member in American Samoa should be worried.
When I see Samoa News articles, like this, I...
We are in the midst of the mid-term elections. Unfortunately, incumbents and some candidates are career politicians accustomed to making promises without consequence. We, as voters, have enabled this through a selective memory - we have allowed their lies to be repeated at every election. In this...
Dear Editor,
In American Samoa, we speak often of the importance of family. But honoring families must mean more than praising their love and sacrifice. It must also mean listening to those who provide care every day and helping them carry the weight of that responsibility.
The invitation to...
Samoa News apologizes to its readers for its erroneous reporting of numbers concerning the Office Expense allowance that lawmakers receive to reportedly do their legislative work, in the Tuesday, October 6, 2026 article titled, “Final review of Fono furniture and fixtures held just ahead of Friday’...
Local news outlets have reported that the House-approved Fiscal Year 2027 budget reduced the Governor’s proposed Medicaid subsidy from $6 million to $3 million — a 50 percent reduction.
As the budget moves toward final approval, this decision deserves urgent reconsideration and a clear explanation...
Dear Editor,
There is a familiar, good-natured contention that people from Manu‘a are especially smart. Ask someone from Ofu, and they may tell you that Ofu produces the smartest of them all. Our good Doc, Iotamo Saleapaga, was a proud son of Ofu — and he certainly gave his people something to...
Aua, AMERICAN SAMOA — The family of Bishop Fomai Amituanai Sr. announces his peaceful passing on August 11, 2026, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, after a courageous battle with Stage 4 Stomach Cancer. He was surrounded by his beloved wife, family, and friends.
He was born to Aiava...