Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 13, 2025, a concerned mother called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported an alleged domestic dispute between her daughter and her husband.
The suspect was arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C misdemeanor...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Following this week’s town hall hearings held Monday and Tuesday, Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono announced during Wednesday’s regular session that the proposed legislation regarding eligibility for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor has been tabled for...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. hosted a celebratory luncheon honoring eight exceptional students from American Samoa who recently returned from completing the 2025 Create and Navigate Opportunities in Education (CANOE) Summer Pre-Health Academy held in Oahu,...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A leading U.S. innovator in rare earth element (REE) and critical mineral refining, announced yesterday the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Samoa Economic Development Authority (ASEDA), looking to create opportunities in the territory for...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On May 6, 2025, an elementary school vice principal reported an alleged sexual abuse case that also led to another case that involved two more minor victims and another suspect.
Two male suspects were charged as follows:
DEFENDANT #1
Count 1 & 3: Sexual Abuse in the...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On June 16, 2025, Fagatogo Police Station received a call regarding a physical altercation that led to someone falling into the ocean.
A suspect was later arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A dedicated educator at Tafuna High School, Elisaia Ma'ilo, has been named the 2025 American Samoa Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year.
With eight years of service as a U.S. History and three years as an AP U.S. History teacher, Ma'ilo’s passion for history and...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A tsunami alert was issued mid-afternoon yesterday local time for Pacific islands, Russia and Japan after a magnitude 8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey says.
The quake was shallow and strong enough to cause waves or a...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Due to the frequency of travel between the two Samoas — Pago and Apia — Samoa News is publishing updates from Samoa’s health department situation report concerning their dengue fever outbreak.
Currently, in American Samoa, there has been no uptick in dengue cases...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The public and village communities in Samoa have been asked to remove fala (bromeliads), a decorative plant known to collect water and contribute to the spread of dengue fever.
The call comes as Samoa continues to battle a rise in dengue cases, particularly among...


![Secretary for Samoan Affairs, Faiivae A. Godinet, testified during Tuesday’s Government Operations Committee town hall hearing. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau] Secretary for Samoan Affairs, Faiivae A. Godinet](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_3203.jpg?itok=jq4HG8zr)
![During the academy, the eight honorees successfully completed college-level coursework in Health 123 at the University of Hawaii-West O'ahu, earning 3 academic credits and multiple nationally recognized certifications. [courtesy photo] The eight honorees and others](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/canoe_summer_academy.jpg?itok=M_-bi98p)



!["It's an incredible honor to be recognized for something that I love doing," said Ma'ilo, reflecting on the award. "Teaching history isn't just about dates and facts; it's about understanding the stories that have shaped who we are today. [courtesy photo] Elisaia Ma'ilo](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/elisaia_mailo.jpeg?itok=08fqOaSA)
![The "Simply Ono" Food Truck served impending tsunami evacuees at Kaiser High School parking lot on 7/29/25 at 8pm. The customer and cashier are learning from their phones that ocean waters are receding at Haliewa and Kailua Bay in Oahu, Hawaii. The state of Hawaii was on alert for a tsunami after an 8.7- magnitude earthquake off Russia yesterday. An emergency alert was issued by the National Weather Service around 1:30 p.m. — effective at 0243 PM HST. [Photo by Barry Markowitz, 7/29/25, 8pm] Simply Ono food truck](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_0638.jpg?itok=RY5lVClp)

![The Samoa government says the fala plants trap water and breed mosquitoes and villagers have been asked to remove the decorative plant, as it contributes to the spread of dengue fever. According to the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) Aufa’i Alan Aiolupotea, bromeliads, although attractive, have become a serious concern. [Photo: Junior S. Ami] children looking at fala plant](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fala_plants.jpeg?itok=YKSbozPB)