Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) has successfully located and removed a drifting Fish Aggregating Device (FAD). This particular drifting FAD was discovered at Alega Beach, thanks in part to the vigilance and cooperation of the local community....
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Four outstanding students from American Samoa are heading to Southern Utah University (SUU) for the 2025-2026 academic year: Jireh Mauigoa, Kailel Ngiraiwet, Kathleen Sagapolutele, Dizon Danju Aemanuelle Jagon, and Kailel Ngiraiwet. These exceptional graduates have...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Apia, SAMOA – August 19, 2025 — The high-profile murder trial of celebrated Samoan poet and playwright Papali‘i Sia Figiel opened this week in the Supreme Court of Samoa.
Papalii stands accused of the killing of Sinavaiana Dr. Caroline Gabbard, a distinguished American...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 5, 2025, a woman contacted the authorities and reported an unknown man who was allegedly trying to break into her home.
The suspect was later apprehended and charged with Count 1: Trespass, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six months, a...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 5, 2025, the Leone Police Station (LPS) received a call regarding an alleged domestic dispute between a couple.
The woman was later arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A detailed flyer has been released by the American Samoa Government (ASG) providing an overview of various new office locations while ongoing renovations at the AP Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei continue. The re-locations are said to facilitate uninterrupted...
Pago Pago, American Samoa — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata announced yesterday that the U.S. Congress has approved $2,437,602 in funding through the Federal Highway Administration’s Ferry Boat Program to support a new inter-island ferry for the Manuʻa Islands.
This grant will fund the design,...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As of August 14th, the American Samoa Department of Health has reported 48 confirmed cases of Dengue Fever within the territory, as detailed in a health advisory issued over the weekend. This outbreak has prompted a proactive response from local health authorities to...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 12, 2025, a business owner walked into the Tafuna Police Station to report one of his employees who allegedly stole a large amount of money from his business by forging checks.
According to the court affidavit, on April 12th, the owner of a local business (the...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Department of Public Safety is conducting an investigation into a burglary that occurred at a mechanics shop situated in Lions Park. During this incident, a government vehicle belonging to the Department of Search and Rescue was allegedly removed.
The vehicle in...



![The defendant faces six criminal charges, including murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, assault, actual bodily harm, and being armed with a dangerous weapon, specifically a knife and a hammer. Her trial has opened this week in the Supreme Court of Samoa. [SN file photo] Papali‘i Sia Figiel looking through bars](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/sia_figiel_behind_bars_1.jpeg?itok=4qbj3Ra3)






