Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 16, 2026, the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) received a call from a man reporting that his neighbor, Luisa Ah Young and her son, Tauivi Gaisoa were allegedly causing a disturbance on his land in Mapusaga. 

Both suspects were charged with Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both imprisonment and fine.

Gaisoa was charged with additional charges of:

Count 2 & 3: Assault in the Third Degree, a class C misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to fifteen days, a fine not to exceed $300, or both; and,
Count 4: Property Damage in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both.
The defendants were held without bail.

According to the court affidavit, the dispute had been ongoing for some time and had previously resulted in police being called to the area. The matter had also reportedly been taken to court, where a civil preliminary injunction had been filed.

Police were told that the dispute originally began after one family started construction of a piggery on the property.

On July 16, according to the report, the family’s designated leader, or Sa'o, arrived at the residence with his sister and instructed the occupants to remove a coconut tree from the property in order to establish a boundary between the two families.

Police were also told that the Sa'o had previously spoken with members of the neighboring family and instructed them to remain on their side of a boundary that had already been identified.

The situation reportedly escalated when a machine operator began removing the coconut tree.

According to a witness statement, a woman from the neighboring family came out of her residence and began yelling at the Sa'o and his sister. Police were told that Gaisoa then became involved and allegedly acted aggressively toward the Sa'o and members of the other family. He reportedly yelled at them to take down their pig pen and used profanity during the confrontation.
The police report stated that Gaisoa allegedly threatened the operator of the excavator and told him to stop operating the machine or he would be beaten or something would happen to him.

The confrontation allegedly became more serious when Gaisoa picked up a rock and threw it at the excavator.

According to the report, the first rock did not cause significant damage. However, Gaisoa allegedly picked up another rock and threw it at the machine, striking and shattering one of the excavator's windows while the operator was still inside.

The machine operator told police that he was startled when the rock struck the side window of the excavator. He reportedly saw Gaisoa standing outside the machine and yelling aggressively at him to stop working while continuing to use profanity.

The operator further stated that Gaisoa then picked up another rock and threw it at the machine, causing the window to shatter and pieces of glass to fall inside the excavator.

The operator reportedly told police that he was frightened for his safety but continued performing the work he had been instructed to do.

A family member who witnessed the incident also reportedly recorded portions of the confrontation with a phone.

According to the police report, the witness began recording after hearing the parties arguing. She said she moved closer with her phone when Gaisoa allegedly began threatening the machine operator.

The witness also stated that she recorded Gaisoa allegedly throwing a rock at the excavator. After the first attempt, Gaisoa allegedly picked up another rock and threw it at the machine, shattering the excavator's window.

The witness reportedly yelled at Gaisoa that she had recorded the incident and that police would be contacted. The witness continued that Gaisoa allegedly became more aggressive and picked up another rock, which he attempted to throw at her. She also reported that he continued making threats.

Police photographed the damage to the excavator following the incident.

Officers also spoke with members of the neighboring family regarding what had occurred. One woman reportedly told police that the land dispute had already been addressed through the court system but said her son had become angry with the other family and became upset during the confrontation.

When officers asked about Gaisoa's whereabouts, she reportedly told them that she did not know where he had gone.

The Sa'o also provided police with his account of the incident.

According to his statement, he had spoken with both families several days before the incident regarding the boundaries of the land, and he believed both sides had agreed to the decision.

On July 16, he reportedly received a call concerning another dispute over the boundaries and went to the area.

The Sa'o told police that one of the women involved continued to disagree with his decision and became verbally aggressive toward him.

He said he reminded her of his decision regarding the land boundaries but the disagreement continued.

The Sa'o reportedly instructed the excavator operator to proceed with removing two coconut trees that were in the way of the boundary.

He also stated that Gaisoa then allegedly threw a rock that damaged the excavator's window while the dispute continued.

The Sa'o told police that he was born and raised on the land and that previous generations of his family had worked the property for decades.
Police later attempted to locate Gaisoa.

On July 17, 2026, officers went to the family's residence in Mapusaga and Faleniu in an effort to locate him, but they were unsuccessful.

The police report noted that the incident occurred on communal family land.

A preliminary repair estimate for the damaged excavator window was subsequently obtained from EnviroTech, LLC. The estimate, dated July 21, 2026, placed the cost of repairing the damage at approximately $1,734.

The excavator is reportedly owned by a local individual and was being operated at the property when the alleged incident occurred.

The affidavit lists two suspects — the mother and her son — who are both noted as American Samoa nationals.

The affidavit was filed in the District Court on July 22, 2026.

As with all criminal cases, the allegations outlined in court filings remain accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

[Editor’s Note: An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence in court. It is not a court decision.]