Archive - Jul 2012 - Article (News Story)

The development of the Manu’atele cannot be achieved and maintained without a reliable means of transportation, both air and sea. The possibility of Samoa Air — a private enterprise operating out of independent Samoa — of flying to Ofu Manu’a from Tutuila, an extension of its flights from Maota Savaii to Tutuila, is welcome news to Manu’a, and Ofu residents in particular. 

The plague of sexual abuse in American Samoa is slowly penetrating through our carefully guarded and tended religious and cultural boundaries. Revered faces are replacing faceless gossip and stories whispered behind hands. Also revealed are the silent struggles of victims to be heard and demanding justice.

Former ASG Assistant Attorney General, Lisa Teesch-Maguire has been appointed to enforce the rights of victims in the Aurora, Colo. theater shooting that killed 12 people including a 9-year old girl and injuring more than a dozen.

In a statement yesterday, District Attorney Carol Chambers, who is the chief law enforcement officer of the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office based in Centennial, Colo., announced Teesch-Maguire was named the case’s victims’ rights specialist and advocate.

Commissioner of Public Safety Tuaolo Manaia Fruean has again issued a memorandum noting “dishonesty in job performance, immoral behaviors and/ or alleged criminal conduct” against some of the Correction Officers at the Tafuna Correctional Facility.

The Department of Public Safety moved forward with temporary assignments within the department to resolve the recent issues at the TCF, according to a memorandum issued last Friday, effective the same day.

A school bus driver with the Department of Education, Ioane Atanoa will be sentenced on August 16, 2012 following a guilty verdict rendered by District Court Judge Elvis Patea last week. Atanoa was found guilty of third degree Assault for hitting a 12- year old female student in the face while he was dropping her off from school.

Assistant Attorney General Blake Hanley told Samoa News they have been receiving information concerning this bus driver using physical force against other students.

The Fono reconvened yesterday following a two-week mid-session recess and the first question raised during the House session was the status of the budget for fiscal year 2013, which begins Oct. 1, 2012. The main reason for the recess was to save session days while awaiting the final budget from the Togiola Administration.

At yesterday’s House session Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen inquired with House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale as to when the Fono leadership expects to receive the FY 2013 budget.

Fa’amausili Mau Mau Jr. has been reinstated as the Manager for the Office of Motor Vehicles.

Last month, when Fa’amausili was off island, Commissioner of Public Safety Tuaolo Manaia Fruean issued a memorandum dated June 6, 2012 appointing Police Commander Afui’ai Lee Vaouli as the new manager for OMV.  

The memorandum stated Fa’amausili’s contract had expired and it was not being renewed. According to the June memorandum, the contract dated June 2009 was rescinded, and American Samoa Administrative Code title 4 was referenced.

The federal court in Washington D.C. has denied New Zealand based Sanford Limited’s motion to exclude evidence regarding the alleged monetary proceeds obtained by Sanford as a result of the offload of fish cargo from the fishing vessel San Nikunau at the Port of Pago Pago in American Samoa.

FEMALE CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING ANOTHER WOMAN WITH BEER BOTTLE

A 20- year old female is facing charges of second degree assault, public peace disturbance and underage possession of an alcoholic beverage, following an incident where the defendant struck another female with a half full beer bottle.

Natasha P. Uia of Pava’ia’i is being held on bail of $10,000.

HONOLULU - It's the first-ever tattoo convention in Hawaii -- the Pacific Ink & Art Expo.  But, not everyone who like to ink is welcoming this event.

Robert Hackney has owned A Tiki Tattoo in Waikiki for 11 years now.  While he supports the business, he questions the effects of a tattoo convention in Hawaii.