Ads by Google Ads by Google

Community Briefs

ULU AND MISILUKI WILL BE INCLUDED IN SCHOOL LUNCH MENU NEXT YEAR

 

The local Department of Agriculture has received the nod from the local School Lunch Program and the US Dept. of Agriculture to include ulu (breadfruit) and misiluki (local ripe banana) to the list of menu items for local school children when the new school year begins later this year.

 

DOA Director Lealao Melila Purcell announced that the next step is to notify the local farmers of the good news. He said not only will the new addition help local farmers but the school children will also benefit, as the misiluki and the ‘ulu are healthy menu items that will fulfill the daily requirements of starch and fruit.

 

In other news from DOA, Lealao also announced that the hydroponics program is still going strong, and their goal is to have a program similar to that of the ASCC Land Grant, and systems already in place by Larry Hirata and Duke Purcell.

 

Hydroponics is the use of water and nutrients to feed the plants in a closed system.

 

Currently, the DOA is harvesting both cherry and beefsteak tomatoes. Meanwhile, they are still distributing seeds to local farmers.

 

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, DPS BAND TOGETHER AGAINST SCHOOL VIOLENCE

 

They are known as the Futuristic Turbo Blasters and their goal is to televise commercials and skits that send messages regarding school violence.

 

Lately, fights between local high schools have become frequent and more dangerous. The scuffles have ended up in rock-throwing incidents and violence that resulted in the DOE canceling school sports for a lengthy period of time.

 

Now, a group of Samoana High School kids has teamed up with the Dept. of Public Safety to film a skit that will be aired on KVZK-TV. The project has been ongoing since December 2013 and the goal is to promote unity on island among the local high schools.

 

SOFIAS DONATE $1,000 TO AMERICAN SAMOA RED CROSS

 

The Society of Faafafines in American Samoa (SOFIAS) has donated $1,000 to the American Samoa Red Cross and Poe Mageo, speaking on behalf of the Red Cross, was more than ecstatic for the generous gift.

 

Mageo thanked the SOFIAS and everyone in the community who support the SOFIAS pageant, from which the donation monies come. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who purchased tickets to the SOFIAS pageant and said, “Now you know where your dollar is going”.

 

Every year, the SOFIAS hold an annual pageant and the proceeds are donated to the Hope House at Fatuoaiga, and the American Samoa Red Cross. (Last week, the SOFIAS donated $2,000 to Hope House).

 

The donation was presented by Shevon Matai, the current Ms. SOFIAS Maya Blaque, and members of the SOFIAS organization.

 

NMSAS LOOKING FOR ADVISORY COUNCIL APPLICANTS

 

The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is seeking applicants for five primary seats on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.

 

“The members of our advisory council represent an extremely important element of our community,” said Gene Brighouse, sanctuary superintendent. “Their input, experience and expertise assist the sanctuary in making informed and timely decisions on how to best manage our wildlife and habitats.”

 

Applications are being accepted for the following seats: Aunu’u/community-at-large, Manu’a/community-at-large, diving, and fishing (two).

 

Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve a three-year term.

 

The sanctuary advisory council was established to ensure continuous public participation in the management of the sanctuary. The council’s 17 voting members and eight non-voting members serve on a volunteer basis; represent a variety of local user groups, the general public, and territorial and federal governmental jurisdictions.

 

Applications are due June 30. Application kits can be obtained by contacting Joseph Paulin via email at joseph.paulin@noaa.gov or by calling 633-6500.

 

LOCAL USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY EMPLOYEE HONORED IN WASH. DC

 

In a time when most local agencies and government departments are working hard to improve customer service, one local girl has proven that providing exceptional service with a smile is really not that hard to do.

 

Former DOE elementary school teacher Letisha Vaivao Gaoa, a farm loan program technician of five years with the US Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is in Washington DC with her husband where she is being recognized for exceptional customer service.

 

Letisha is a 2000 graduate of Leone High School who was presented the highest honorary award for which an FSA employee can be nominated: the Administrator’s Award for Service to Agriculture. Hers is in the category of Support Services.

 

Letisha is the first local USDA Farm Service Agency employee to be nominated for the award and she is one of only three employees from the Pacific Basin to receive the honor.