August 2025
TALA I LE LOTOIFALE
Pago Pago - AMERIKA SAMOA
FA’AAUAU ONA PAGATIA A’OGA MAUALUGA A TAFUNA I TULAGA O FALEA’OGA
NZ's status as a 'cash cow' of Pacific meth market driving drug crises in region
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A transnational crime expert says New Zealand and Australia's status as the "cash cows" of the Pacific methamphetamine market is a driving factor in the drug cr
Daughter arrested after allegedly causing trouble at her mother’s home
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 23, 2025, a distressed mother called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) requesting assistance regarding her daughter who was allegedly causing problems
Young man allegedly threatens to kill his older brother
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 21, 2025, a call came into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) from a mother seeking assistance regarding her younger son who was allegedly causing a dis
Amata provides Washington update at Pacific Consular Roundtable
Washington, D.C — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was made welcome at a roundtable meeting of the Pacific Consular Corps for Pacific Islands nations at the East-West Center in Hawaii, and s
Amata honors the U.S. Coast Guard’s founding
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is celebrating the 235th birthday of the United States Coast Guard.
CEPAC officially welcomed
Pago Pago, American Samoa — The Catholic Diocese of Pago Pago on Monday had the honor of welcoming His Excellency Mosese Vitolio Tui, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia, who is at
Cost.U.Less celebrates 30 years in American Samoa
Pago Pago , AMERICAN SAMOA — Cost.U.Less is proud to celebrate 30 years of serving the American Samoa community!
Public concern prompts Senate hearing on ‘Wall of China’ vehicles
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate convened a hearing on July 24, 2025, to address the impounding of 32 unauthorized foreign vehicles from China, which have been held by Customs since



![About 1.1 tonnes of methamphetamine was found concealed in containers in the Fijian town of Nadi last year highlighting the Pacific drug crisis. Jose Sousa-Santos, associate professor of practice at the University of Canterbury's Pacific Regional Security hub, told Pacific Waves the "red flags" for the drug crisis were evident at least five years ago. He believes that “when you look at the issue of drug usage and criminality in Pacific Island countries and Pacific Island states themselves, the approach has to be different. It has to be culturally appropriate. It has to be context specific.” [Photo: Supplied/ Fiji Police] About 1.1 tonnes of methamphetamine](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fijimethbust.jpeg?itok=K_aiVlIv)





![COST.U.LESS is celebrating 30 years in American Samoa with a 3-Day Anniversary Celebration, taking place August 7th – 9th, featuring a $30,000 Shopper Giveaway. [courtesy photo] COST.U.LESS](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/cul_cooler.png?itok=w5zr3l_S)
![DOC Director Magdeline Lina Petaia, Treasurer Donald Kruse, and ASEPA Deputy Director William Sili, testified at a Senate hearing on the 32 unauthorized vehicles impounded by Customs at the airport warehouse since May. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau] DOC Director Magdeline Lina Petaia and others](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_3184.jpg?itok=XlTDRzU1)