Local News
A Conference Committee of three members from each Fono chamber convened yesterday to debate changes the House made to the Senate version of an Administration bill seeking to make several changes to provisions of local statute pertaining to excise taxes.
The conference was called after the Senate...
![Congresswoman Aumua Amata with Chairman Chabot of Colorado. Yesterday, Amata released prepared remarks to the Small Business Committee regarding small business tax reform and American Samoa’s employers. [photo: courtesy]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Congresswoman%20Amata%20with%20Chairman%20Chabot%20during%20small%20business%20discussion.jpg?itok=UoFbSb7u "Congresswoman Aumua Amata with Chairman Chabot of Colorado. Yesterday, Amata released prepared remarks to the Small Business Committee regarding small business tax reform and American Samoa’s employers. [photo: courtesy]")
AMATA RELEASES STATEMENT TO COMMITTEE ON AMERICAN SAMOA SMALL BUSINESS
Congresswoman Aumua Amata released prepared remarks to the Small Business Committee regarding small business tax reform and American Samoa’s employers.
“It’s a privilege to raise awareness in Congress about American Samoa’s...
![Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fono%20bldg%20rendering_14.jpg?itok=VYzXQxsA "Rendering of the proposed new Fono Building. [SN file photo]")
The ASG Employees' Retirement Fund (ASGERF) is still freezing the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for retirees, until the funded status improves to at least 60 percent. The actuary report presented at the February meeting in Honolulu showed that the funded status of the Retirement Fund was 46%....
![Attorney General, Talauega Eleasalo Ale. [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AG_8.jpg?itok=aPlkwtJT "Attorney General, Talauega Eleasalo Ale. [SN file photo]")
Attorney General, Talauega Eleasalo Ale believes there is no need for the American Samoa Government to apologize to the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles (LA), for the incident that resulted in ASG officials arresting and detaining a Chinese man who showed up at the Post Office to claim a box with...
![Pulu Ae Ae Jr. was the only witness at last Friday’s public hearing in the Senate on a measure seeking to give the Fono the authority to override the governor’s veto of an approved Fono bill. He said the public is not comfortable testifying before the Senate — it needs village level meetings. [photo: FS]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pulu%200331.jpg?itok=k588CFHh "Pulu Ae Ae Jr. was the only witness at last Friday’s public hearing in the Senate on a measure seeking to give the Fono the authority to override the governor’s veto of an approved Fono bill. He said the public is not comfortable testifying before the Senate — it needs village level meetings. [photo: FS]")
Sen. Fonoti Tafa’ifa Aufata was the lone opposition vote on a measure, which gives the Fono authority to override the governor's veto. The proposed amendment to the Constitution now goes to the House for consideration.
The Senate Joint Resolution was approved (14-1) during third and final reading...
![Utu Abe Malae, chairman of the ASG’s Territorial Bancorp Holding Company board. [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Utu%20file%20photo_0813_0.jpg?itok=BSVo5ry1 "Utu Abe Malae, chairman of the ASG’s Territorial Bancorp Holding Company board. [SN file photo]")
While the Territorial Bank of American Samoa awaits federal approval of its routing number, TBAS continues to carry out operations, including “active car activities”, in which the bank has taken over car loan portfolios from local car dealers.
This is according to Utu Abe Malae, chairman of the ASG...
![Nikolao Pula, Director of the Office of Insular Affairs. [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/nikolao-pula%20copy.jpeg?itok=gsEDEhAM "Nikolao Pula, Director of the Office of Insular Affairs. [SN file photo]")
The Dept. of Commerce is inviting the public to attend an economic development seminar 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Lee Auditorium. The seminar is being held in partnership with the University of Hawaii's Pacific Business Center Program and the keynote speaker will be Nikolao Pula, Director of the...
![[photo: Blue Chen-Fruean]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Red%20Cross%20donation.jpg?itok=kRRZNM6v "[photo: Blue Chen-Fruean]")
Yesterday morning, chairman of the American Samoa chapter of the Red Cross, Vaito'a Hans Langkilde was presented a check of $1,898 by members of the National Honor Society at Manumalo Academy, to help with relief efforts for the victims of Hurricane Irma, the strongest hurricane worldwide in 2017...
![Remi Galasso, CEO of Hawaiki and Pule Tufele, Executive Director of ASTCA at the signing. [courtesy photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Pule_Gallaso.jpg?itok=lSw7kjsl "Remi Galasso, CEO of Hawaiki and Pule Tufele, Executive Director of ASTCA at the signing. [courtesy photo]")
American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) and Hawaiki Submarine Cable LP (Hawaiki) have signed an amendment to their agreement for the installation of a spur connecting American Samoa to the Hawaiki cable and the provision of international capacity to mainland United States.
The contract...
“Total public debt per capita grew from $414 per person in fiscal year 2005 to $1,212.80 in fiscal year 2015,” according to the US Government Accountability Office, which also notes that any additional disruption in the local cannery industry will impact the government’s ability to repay its debt....