Archive - Dec 26, 2011

MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- The death toll from flash floods that swept away entire villages in the southern Philippines climbed to nearly 1,500 on Tuesday, as authorities widened their search for bodies.

The Office of Civil Defense's latest tally listed 891 dead in Cagayan de Oro and an additional 451 in nearby Iligan city. The rest came from several other provinces. Most of the dead are unidentified.

"The search will continue as long as we are recovering bodies," said Civil Defense head Benito Ramos.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies,  William Falakiseni received Academic Honors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00-3.49. Attending his graduation ceremony from Norfolk State University on Sat., Dec. 10, 2011 were his families from L.A. also from Tonga and American Samoa.  Also attending were some of his Virginia Aiga the "Aiga o Toa Pasefika."

William is a Tafuna High School grad and attended Community College in Hawthorne, CA for his AA Degree.

We’re having some false starts and problems getting the comments section set up so that it is ‘user friendly’.  Sorry for the delay in getting this remedied, we have been short staffed during the holidays.

Here’s how it works as of today (Monday, Dec. 26, 2011):  We removed the sign in, but since there is no sign in there won't be a place for you to put your name or the ‘screen name’ you like to use for comments. 

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard is searching for a recreational boater aboard the 36-foot sailboat who departed Kauai Dec. 17 and was expected to arrive on Oahu Dec. 18

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu personnel were notified at 3:15 p.m. Saturday that 66 year-old Ira Foreman was missing. Foreman’s wife made the notification and explained that her husband departed Port Allen, Kauai late in the morning Dec. 17 and was expected to arrive at Keehi Lagoon, Oahu Dec. 18.

As a 9-year-old boy, Bruckner Chase came close to drowning.

“Someone pulled a kickboard out from under me and I went straight to the bottom of the pool,” the Bay Avenue resident recalls.

Chase was rescued and now, at 45, he is one of 12 nominees for World Ocean Water Swimming Association's Man of the Year — for his work in 2011 as an ambassador for ocean awareness. You can vote for Chase before Dec. 31 at openwaterswimming.com.

Kahlil Bell recalls when his cousin Sam Poueu told him he was accepted to be a contestant on NBC's "The Biggest Loser" with another cousin Koli Palu.

"He was always 'big Sam'" Bell said of his Samoan brother.

But Poueu didn't stay big for long. He went from 372 pounds during Season 9 of the show, to 238 pounds, a loss of 142 pounds.

"It's been a great transformation to see where he is now," Bell explained.

But Sam came close to not being able to watch his cousin Kahlil perform in Sunday Night's football game. Sam nearly died the weekend before the NFL season began.

A Senikai Rejuvenation and Wellness Spa is opening at The Tanoa Tusitala Hotel in Apia, Samoa.  The spa, which will open early next year, will be located at the front entrance of the resort overlooking the sea wall and the harbor.

A brave fighter, a leader and a caring man with a big heart. These words echoed around Lalomanu yesterday where hundreds gathered to farewell the Tuiatua Fa’anofonofo, Fuataga Tuita'alili Tuvaifale Suemalo Kasimani Lautusi.

Among the mourners were the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Efi, Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, members of the business community, friends and relatives.

Auckland's iconic giant Santa has been branded the world's creepiest Christmas ornament by a popular American website.

The 20 metre Santa, which used to feature a winking eye and beckoning finger, has been a feature of Auckland Christmases since it first appeared in downtown Auckland in 1960.

Website cracked.com today told the rest of the world what many Aucklanders already knew: The giant Santa is creepy.

The logo for Samoa’s 50th Independence Celebration, next year, has been unveiled. This was done during a ceremony held at the Foreign Affairs conference room, last week.

Hosted by the Independence Committee, joint-chair and Minister of Women, Tolofuaivalelei Falemoe Lei’ataua said the logo was created by Skylite Productions based on the two top entries in the logo competition.