POLYNESIAN AIRLINES SEEKS ANOTHER 30-DAY EXTENSION FOR MANU’A FLIGHTS

The Samoan government owned Polynesian Airlines has filed for another 30-day cabotage extension to operate flights between Tutuila and Manu’a, saying that there is still no U.S. carrier operating American Samoa’s domestic air service.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has already granted two 30-day extensions for Polynesian Airlines with the latest set to expire at the end of this month. At this point, locally based Inter Island Airways continues to be out of service in need of an engine overhaul on its 19-seater Dornier aircraft.

In an Oct. 22 letter to USDOT, Polynesian’s Washington D.C. based attorneys requested “emergency cabotage” exemption for another 30-days, for the period of Nov. 1- 30, 2014.

“The Pago Pago- Manu'a Islands route remains without U.S. carrier service,” the letter states. “Polynesian is the only air carrier able to provide much needed transportation between the two points and thus prevent severe hardship to American Samoa residents.

“Indeed, in addition to operating regular service, Polynesian has been called upon to provide medical evacuation during the past thirty days. There is a clear need for continued service for an additional thirty days,” it says.

When Polynesian first sought cabotage exemption in August this year, it requested a 90-emergency cabotage waiver, but USDOT says it was only granting approval for 30-days and will continue to review the need for extending the waiver for another 30-days.

The move for another 30-days extension by Polynesian comes amid reports of a group of investors looking to start up a new locally based carrier, Tausani Airlines, to operate the Manu’a route. (See Oct. 25 edition of Samoa News for details).

SHRINERS DOCTORS COMING IN NOVEMBER

The Pago Pago Shrine Club (Shriners) will be offering, through the Orthopedic Medical Team from the Shriners Hospital for Children in Honolulu, free medical examinations for children up to 18 years of age. Requirement and consideration is for children who suffer from orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate problems.

For those who qualify, transportation to and care at the hospital is provided to the child, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

The examining team and staff will be at the LBJ Medical Center from November 4 through November 7 this year, and will see patients from 8am to 4pm.

For more information, contact Ed Custodio, 254-0831 or Dale Long, 733-2014

TOA BAR AND GRILL CITED BY USDOL

Locally based Toa Communications Inc., doing business as Toa Bar and Grill restaurant, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) for not paying employees in accordance with federal labor law.

USDOL said in a statement Thursday that the Toa Bar and Grill, a full-service restaurant, has agreed to pay $50,819 in back wages to 58 employees. This followed a WHD investigation covering a two-year period in which the federal agency found that the employer failed to pay employees an overtime premium for hours worked beyond 40 hours in a work week.

In addition, Toa Bar and Grill unlawfully paid a base wage rate of $4.20 per hour, which is below the $4.60 rate required by law.

SWAINS ISLAND MEETING POSTPONED TO THIS WEEK THURSDAY

The Swains Island open meeting that was originally set for this past Saturday to select its delegate to the local House of Representatives has been postponed to later this week.

Chief election officer Tuaolo M. Fruean in a notice late last week says the new open meeting date is now set for Thursday, Oct. 30 at 5p.m. at the Election Office in Tafuna. He urged all adult residents of Swains to attend this meeting, but no reason was given as to why it was postponed.

Incumbent Rep. Su’a Alexander Eli Jennings of Swains Island confirmed over the weekend that the meeting had been postponed to this week Thursday. 

Although it's been the practice in past election years to hold the open meeting on a Saturday, it was decided by the Election Office at the request of some who cannot attend because of religious beliefs — specifically, members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church — to change the date to next Thursday, according to Su'a, when asked why the meeting had been postponed.

Su’a, who first entered the House following the 2004 general election, is the only known candidate at this point for the Swains Delegate race.

Local law requires the Chief Election Officer to give notice about the open meeting to all adult permanent residents of Swains Island who are U.S. citizens or nationals.

The Swains Island delegate is able to vote in committee — but not on the House floor —which is similar to American Samoa's Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.