Archive - Jun 27, 2012 - Article (News Story)

The American Samoa Under 19 Boys Baseball Team is now in the United States set to compete not only in the US, but in Canada as well. They are anticipating playing 20 plus games, as told to Samoa News by head of the American Samoa Baseball Association (ASBA) Victor Langkilde.

The Under 19 team arrived safely in Las Vegas on Monday night and will be playing against an Under 19 All Star team (the Outlaws) from St. George, Utah at Dixie State College (DSC) today.

(Continuation of Part 7, published in Samoa News, June 21, 2012, Thursday’s edition)

Sales Tax for Health Care

The aforementioned village farmer, Lokeni Nuusolia, eloquently suggested a sales tax for health care where everyone — from a king to a pauper — pays into a health fund to help pay for their health care at LBJ, but criticized the wage tax as an unfair penalty on formal workers (those who receive W-2 forms).

Gov. Togiola Tulafono and First Lady Mary Ann left the territory yesterday for Apia, Samoa to attend the dedication of the new central church of the Methodist Church of Samoa located in Fale'ula, Samoa.

The governor’s office says the dedication is set for June 28 (Samoa time) and the governor is attending on the invitation of the Methodist Church of Samoa. Togiola will attend the thanksgiving dedication church service, which includes a feast, entertainment, and cultural presentation.

PIO FAGAAUTAU RECEIVES SECOND CHANCE FROM HIGH COURT

A young man convicted of attempted burglary was given a second chance from the High Court, when he was sentenced last Friday by Chief Justice Michael Kruse who was accompanied on the bench by Associate Judge Fa’amausili Pomele.

Assistant Attorney General Jay Sales on behalf of the government has moved for the High Court to allow the government eminent domain powers for an emergency condemnation of a vessel which sank over a week ago.

The MV Alice, when it sank, spilled about 1,000 gallons of bilge oil in the harbor. 

The vessel had been abandoned for a very long time according to the government.

The matter was heard before Associate Justice Lyle L Richmond who was accompanied on the bench by Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr.

WASHINGTON D.C. —Congressman Faleomavaega attended the annual King Kamehameha Lei Draping Ceremony last Sunday in the nation’s capital and paid special tribute to King Kamehameha. 

Development Bank of American Samoa (DBAS) president Lolo M. Moliga has raised concerns over the timing of the Senate Investigative Committee’s probe into the federal Section 1602 program administered by DBAS, while also calling for the SIC chairman to recuse himself so the hearing can be ‘fair and impartial’.

The SIC committee hearing is set for this morning to hear testimony from Lolo and Pat Galeai, executive director of the American Samoa Economic Stimulus and Recovery Office (ASESRO) regarding federally funded Section 1602 program.

The federal court in Honolulu has issued a Writ of Execution against the American Samoa Government following a request by Marisco Limited, the Honolulu-based shipyard, that sued ASG for failure to pay some $800,000 in repairs and services provided some two years ago; and Bank of Hawai’i will turn the money over after its bank costs are approved and a certified copy of the final judgement is received.

The 9th Mission Support Command led by Brigadier General Michele Compton is currently conducting a Domestic Preparedness Site Survey in the territory, according to Army Colonel Marc Wilson, who told Samoa News that BG Compton has made American Samoa a command focus area. 

He explained that the CG’s intent is to reassure the American Samoan government and the people of American Samoa that the Army Reserve is committed as a partner when it comes to disaster and emergency management response.

The Protestant church in the Niue village of Hikutavake remains closed after the congregation was recently locked out by the local Member of Parliament.

It is the latest in a series of controversies in the village where last year several buildings were burned down.

Beverley Tse reports.