Archive - Jan 9, 2012

Gov. Togiola Tulafono has publicly advised government workers regarding the possibility of not getting their paychecks at the end of the week  if there is not sufficient revenue in the government’s coffer for this expenditure.

Speaking on his weekend radio program, Togiola says he was advised last week by the Treasury Department about a drop in customs revenues which places the government's payroll in jeopardy. He said the payroll is to be distributed this Friday instead of next Monday - which is the Martin Luther King Day holiday.

A Manu’a man is scheduled to appear today in the High Court for arraignment on several sexual charges.

Tau Malae, in his 50’s, is accused of performing sexual acts upon his wife’s two nieces last year. 

He’s charged with two counts of sodomy, two charges of first degree sexual abuse, and two counts of deviate sexual assault and rape.

The total number of comments submitted on the proposed rule by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand the current Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary (FBNMS) remains unclear, with last Friday the final day for comment submission. There has been a call, however, to extend the comment period for another 30-days.

The federal regulatory website receiving comments shows more than 100 comments but some of them are duplicates, while others came from comment cards given to residents who attended local public hearings on the proposals.

Ua ‘ata’ata Lameko ma fa’apea ane i lona to’alua, “Ia o le a fai fua e a Queen Charlotte latou.” Ua alu nei le talie a Lameko ma Tagiilima. Ua fa’asolosolo nei a la tala i le uso la’ititi o Lameko, le tama o Lipine.

Ua ‘ata’ata Lameko ma fa’apea ane i lona to’alua, “Ia o le a fai fua e a Queen Charlotte latou.” Ua alu nei le talie a Lameko ma Tagiilima. Ua fa’asolosolo nei a la tala i le uso la’ititi o Lameko, le tama o Lipine.

Ua ‘ata’ata Lameko ma fa’apea ane i lona to’alua, “Ia o le a fai fua e a Queen Charlotte latou.” Ua alu nei le talie a Lameko ma Tagiilima. Ua fa’asolosolo nei a la tala i le uso la’ititi o Lameko, le tama o Lipine.

In November of last year, ACE American Industries program, the ‘2011 Helpful Hands’ program, formerly known as, ‘New Faces for Helpful Places’, awarded donations of building materials up to $10,000 (which included electrical, plumbing, lumber, paint, etc.) for repairs of public and private schools.

A Samoan businessman recognised for his success in software development only realised he had a talent for computers after getting a new calculator at university.

Cogita founder Uluomatootua Aiono has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year honours list for his services to business.

Mr Aiono says it's an honour to be recognised.

Young Samoan men raised in the ways of their forefathers are born into a life of service to the church, family and community.

The pinnacle of that service comes when they take on a matai or chief title in the family.

Names are passed down through generations of men and sometimes women.

A person who inherits a matai title is called by that name as a mark of respect which is central to the tradition.

Respect is paid to those who hold status including people older than yourself, matai, ministers, politicians, doctors or teachers.

The crew of Samoa’s Vaatele Gaualofa will seek the blessings of the Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi before they leave on their next voyage this Saturday.

Led by Aiga Folau o Samoa (Samoa Voyaging Society) president Tuatagaloa Joe, the crew of 16, will travel to San Diego, USA, to pick up their canoe that was left there after their journey across the Pacific last year.