Archive - May 17, 2012 - Article (News Story)

MAMOE VAOGA DENIES CHARGES

A man who forged his paycheck last year November after he was fired denied the charges against him when he was arraigned in High Court yesterday. Presiding over the matter was Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond and Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr.

Mamoe Vaoga is charged with stealing and two counts of forgery.

An actuary report on the ASG Employees Retirement Fund says the current contribution levels by employer and employee to the pension plan is “sufficient” to pay for benefits of the fund and administrative costs.

The actuary report, by U.S. based Sage View Consultant Group is included in the ASGERF Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2011—from Oct. 1, 2010 through Sept. 30, 2011.

Forty teachers received bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Hawai’i Manoa during a ceremony at Governor Rex Lee Auditorium last week. The occasion was the 24th COHORT Graduation, whose motto is “Education Breeds Success.”

The Matai Alumni Association at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) has established a scholarship award every semester geared towards students not eligible for Federal Student Aid. The Association has announced Miss Genesis Alofaaga Seumalo as the recipient for the award this semester.

Enhancing law enforcement’s ability to tackle the territory-wide problem of underage drinking is the goal of training taking place this week through the efforts of a partnership of local and off-island agencies.

The Samoan culture is alive and strong in the States especially during May, officially proclaimed by President Barack Obama as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 

On Friday May 11, Multicultural Day was held at the California Academy of Mathematics and Science High School (CAMS). Miss Kolini Fepuleai Toomalatai Coleman performed the Samoan Taualuga with her brother Ulualofaiga as the Manaia. 

The two students founded the Pacific Islander Club at CAMS.

The impact of federal tax reforms on the insular areas was the subject of a U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing on Tuesday but there was no immediate information available from the committee about whether or not any of the territories submitted written testimony.

In addition to the impact on territories— American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico— the hearing also examined the impact of federal tax reforms on Native American tribes.

U.S. based StarKist Co., owner of StarKist Samoa cannery in American Samoa, along with two other major U.S. tuna brand names, have voiced their disappointment over a ruling by the World Trade Organization appeals court dealing with the U.S. regulations for a “dolphin-safe” label on its tuna canned products.

American Samoa’s application for full membership to the International Rugby Board (IRB), the governing body of world rugby has been approved and Gov. Togiola Tulafono has been informed through an official communication from the IRB.

Bruckner Chase and American Samoa’s newest ‘ocean athletes’ invite the public out to witness the first ever Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes, Ocean Lifeguard competition.

The lifeguard competition, which is part of the Bruckner Chase Toa o le Tai Ocean Heroes Youth Program will have participants competing in lifeguard events, that will be taking place this coming Saturday at the Utulei Beach Park, with a stating time of 9 a.m.

The events will consist of:

*Run/Swim: 200-meter run followed by a 300 meter swim