Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — After the Posting of Colors, the 2025 graduates of Samoana High School, home of the Sharks, opened their hour and a half Commencement Ceremony at their gymnasium, on Thursday morning, June 12, 2025, with a beautifully arranged and sung music selection.
Their theme: “...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Shipyard Authority employees and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carlos Sanchez, peacefully protested outside the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei yesterday morning.
ASSA is a semi-autonomous agency of the American Samoa Government.
The...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Strengthening Institution Program (SIP) at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) seeks to significantly increase the number of high school graduates to prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The SIP is offering a free four-week Pre-Placement...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 24, 2025, a woman walked into the Fagatogo Police Station (FPS) claiming that she was assaulted by her husband, allegedly in the presence of their young children.
The defendant was apprehended and later charged with:
Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 19, 2025, a victim of an alleged domestic dispute walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) requesting assistance to remove her partner from their home.
The defendant was later arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class C...
Washington, D.C. — On behalf of Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, Chief of Staff Leafaina Tavai welcomed the 2025 winner of the Malofie Congressional Art Competition, Deborah Vaiotu of Tafuna High School and Malaeloa Village, to the U.S. Capitol for the opening of her artwork last week, accompanied...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 49-year-old man has been denied bail in District Court after being accused of raping both his daughter and niece.
Samoa News will not disclose the defendant's name to protect the victims' identities. He is facing 15 criminal charges, including four counts of sodomy and...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 21, 2025, a concerned mother called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) to report that her daughter was allegedly causing a disturbance in their home.
The suspect was later apprehended and was charged with Count 1: Private Peace Disturbance (DV), a class C...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 21, 2025, a business woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that her vehicle was stolen.
The suspect police found driving the vehicle was later arrested and charged with Count 1: Tampering in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On Sunday, June 8th, a local resident reported the discovery of approximately 300 dead fish floating by the marina at Pago Pago Harbor. The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) responded by dispatching a team to investigate the incident and collect samples...

![Samoana High School, home of the Sharks, held their Commencement Ceremony last week Thursday morning, June 12, 2025. Holding back the cheer & goodwill of the crowd at one point during the ceremony was difficult and Gov. Pulaali’i N. Pula had to step in and ask for “quiet”. [photos: Gabby Fa’aiuaso] Samoana High School graduates](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/graduation_shs_250612_9.jpg?itok=XKZkzzvj)
![ASSA employees and ASSA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carlos Sanchez of the semi-autonomous government agency conducting a peaceful protest on the front lawn of the EOB yesterday morning in response to Treasury refusing to acknowledge their tax exemption status that past Administration’s recognized. [Courtesy photo] ASSA employees and ASSA Chief Executive Office protest](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_6361.jpeg?itok=_AQMwTfT)



![Congratulations to Deborah for her beautiful and especially heartwarming artwork, which represents American Samoa so well,” said Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata. “Everyone exclaims over her lovely depiction of a strong Samoan mother with a baby.” [courtesy photo] Deborah with her winning painting](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/deborah_vaiotu_artwork.jpg?itok=6fZ7HALs)



