DYWA STAFF CONDUCTS CLEAN UP OF EAST SIDE

Deputy Director of the Dept. of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) Pa’u Roy Ausage  and four of his male staff members carried out a much needed clean-up of the main highway from Aua to Faga’itua High School yesterday.

By 6:30 a.m., Pa’u and his staff were at the Paepaeulupo’o boat shed picking up trash on the shoulder of the main road, heading east. Samoa News caught up with them at 9:45 a.m., when they were in Lauli’i.

When asked why they were cleaning up, Pa’u said, “There’s just too much trash,” adding that they found a lot of aluminum cans, plastic bottles, papers, and cigarette butts.

He urged the members of the community to be mindful of their surroundings and do their part in keeping American Samoa beautiful and litter-free by disposing of garbage in trash bins and cans.

COMPENSATION OF DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICIALS

Chief Election Officer Tuaolo Vaivao Manaia Fruean issued a memo on Wednesday, Oct. 8, addressing the compensation of district officials.

According to Tuaolo, pursuant to the ASCA, district officials for the 2014 general election and, if necessary, a runoff election, “shall be paid a fixed rate between $8 and $12 per hour.”

He explained, “The exact rate in the $8 to $12 range shall be determined by the responsibilities assigned to each district official.”

‘ARTS FIAFIA’ SET FOR OCTOBER 20-24 AT THE MUSEUM

The American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture and Humanities will be hosting "Arts Fiafia" from October 20-24, to celebrate various Samoan culture forms and arts.

The program, supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, is an annual event that coincides with the Presidential declaration of October as National Arts and Humanities Month.

Last year’s event highlighted local artists with disabilities but this year, the spotlight will be on college students, as elementary and high school students have their own art shows throughout the year.

Rexx Yandall, a program coordinator at the Jean P. Hayden Museum, told Samoa News yesterday that the program has been offered every year since 1987 and as always, registration is free of charge. An art exhibit will be on display inside the museum and all participating artists will receive a stipend to help with the purchase of supplies.

The program is open to all local artists and gives them an opportunity to showcase their talent. Daily demonstrations will include weaving, flower arranging, siapo-making, elei (fabric printing), painting and drawing, wood carving, fagogo (story telling), ula making, and solo (poetry).

All the money collected from sales during the three-day event will go directly into the pockets of the program participants. Everyone is invited to show their support of our local artists by taking part in the week-long event.

More information on the program and how to register can be obtained by calling 633-4347/4490/5613

TODAY IS DOUBLE TEN, A CELEBRATION FOR THE LOCAL TAIWANESE COMMUNITY

The tenth day of the tenth month (10/10), otherwise more commonly known as “Double Ten” is today, and members of the local Taiwanese community will not be part of the grand festivities held in their homeland. Instead, they say,  they will be celebrating in their hearts and minds.

October 10 is the National Day of the Republic of China (ROC). It commemorates the start of the Wuchang Uprising of October 10, 1911, which contributed to the fall of the Qing Dynasty in China and the establishment of the Republic on January 1, 1912.

As a result of the Chinese Civil War, control of mainland China by the Government of the Republic of China was lost and relocated to Taiwan in December 1949.

National Day is mainly celebrated in Taiwan with the lion dance, drum teams and a colorful fireworks display.

Locally, the Taiwanese community members, some of whom have been American Samoa residents for over 40 years, will be celebrating today with a special meal and gathering with friends.

Some of the local Taiwanese business owners — past and present — include Perry and Jane Chen (founders of the Tutuila family of stores), Tony and Christine Chen (owners of the former Metro Enterprises), Dr. George Lee and JinLiang Lee of the Drug Store, the Chen brothers — one of whom owned and operated the former Sea Gull in Pago Pago while the other, with his kids own Fashion Boat in Fagatogo, and Michael Lin of the former Evergreen Store.

DoH BEGINS AFTER-HOUR PRIMARY CARE AND DENTAL SERVICES IN TAFUNA

Last night was the first time the primary care clinic and dental services at the DoH’s Tafuna Health Center was open after hours to the public, a service that will be available every Wednesday from now on.

For a fee of $10, west side residents can get medical assistance from the Tafuna Health Center every Wednesday from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The move will definitely ease some of the traffic to the LBJ Hospital’s Emergency Room.

In addition to primary care and dental services, the Tafuna Health Center (considering the new after-hour services) will also be offering medication, enough to help get patients through the night, until the pharmacy at the LBJ opens the next day.

FINAL SESSIONS OF SKILLS TRAINING CLASSES BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH

The last of the ‘elei making classes, the culinary arts course, and the flower arrangement training offered by the Dept. of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) will begin later this month.

The cooking class, with 30 available slots, will start on Monday, Oct. 20 and will be offered from 8 a.m.— 1 p.m., three times a week for ten weeks at the Ausage compound in Leone, on the way to Malaeloa.

The class will be taught by Malia Lemalu, a graduate of the American Samoa Culinary Academy, under the NEG program.

The flower arranging class will begin the next day on Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. - 12 noon and will be offered every Tuesday and Thursday for ten weeks. Malia Lemalu will be teaching the class that has 30 open slots and will be held at the old Election Office building in Utulei.

Also on Oct. 21, the ‘elei making class will begin from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and will be taught twice a week for eleven weeks. Tou Collins will be leading a class of 30 people at the Ausage compound.

All the classes offered by the DYWA are free of charge and interested persons can register by calling 633-2835 or visiting their main office on the second floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei.

Other courses offered by DYWA include hairstyling, Women on Wheels (Automotive), and sewing.

DYWA Deputy Director Pa’u Roy Ausage said yesterday that these are the last sessions for this year, although DYWA anticipates a full calendar of events for next year. He said these skills training courses are meant to arm local women - and interested men — with a skill that they can use to add to their list of achievements, or start a business of their own.