Local News
![Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Lafaele%206495_3.jpg?itok=BXCzCtVa "Commerce Department director Keniseli Lafaele [SN file photo]")
The federal State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program, administered locally by the Commerce Department, will cease at the end of this month but American Samoa still has the rest of the year to utilize the more than $3 million it has drawn down.
American Samoa was awarded $10.5 million...
StarKist Co., has confirmed that its cannery operations in American Samoa will shut down for at least five weeks, beginning in the later part of next month.
Samoa News received reports late last month from industry sources and some cannery workers that the StarKist Samoa plant will shut down soon...
Starkist Co. and its American Samoa based subsidiary Starkist Samoa Inc, will pay $6.3 million in civil penalties under an agreement reached with the federal government, over the companies’ alleged violations related to wastewater treatment and compliance matters at the cannery plant in Atu’u...
![The House Budget and Appropriations Committee held a hearing yesterday with members of the ASG task force to discuss the 7% sales tax. [photo: AF]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/house%20n%20task%20force_0596.jpg?itok=Er2zHNaL "The House Budget and Appropriations Committee held a hearing yesterday with members of the ASG task force to discuss the 7% sales tax. [photo: AF]")
While the Administration's multi-year plan is to amend existing law, and propose new revenues and repeals to improve local revenue generation for the government, Manu’a faipule, Rep. Toeaina Faufano Autele told the ASG task force yesterday that unless the government can fix the leak, ASG will...
![ASG Treasurer Uelinitone Tonumaipea [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Tonumaipea%200686_4.jpg?itok=UxXcPm2s "ASG Treasurer Uelinitone Tonumaipea [SN file photo]")
In the past, lawmakers have made claims that the government, through the Treasury Department, hasn't been consistent in collecting the 2% wage tax, which is paid by all wage earners.
The money is earmarked, under local law, for LBJ Medical Center’s operation and the off-island referral program.
At...
![Falana’ipupu Taase Sagapolutele shaking hands with U.S Coast Guard Sector Commander from Honolulu, Capt. Michael C. Long after the DPS Deputy Commissioner received his Certificate of Recognition last week. See story for details. [photo: AF]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/USCG_0567.jpg?itok=_qH5eHpX "Falana’ipupu Taase Sagapolutele shaking hands with U.S Coast Guard Sector Commander from Honolulu, Capt. Michael C. Long after the DPS Deputy Commissioner received his Certificate of Recognition last week. See story for details. [photo: AF]")
Three police officers, as well as Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson, were recognized last week by officials from the US Coast Guard, who collaborated with the Dept. of Public Safety earlier this year on a case involving a fatality on a fishing vessel.
The three police officers are: Deputy...
![Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AG%20at%20senate%200270_0.jpg?itok=5yNorYWs "Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale [SN file photo]")
The director of Port Administration does not make the final decision on future hikes for port fees and charges but instead, such matters go through public hearings, in accordance with provision of the Administrative Procedures Act.
This is according to testimony by Attorney General Talauega...
![Education director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Matagi-Tofiga%206477_3.jpg?itok=Vl7TUW3g "Education director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga [SN file photo]")
The US Department of Education (USDOE) has approved the local Department of Education’s Consolidated Grant of more than $24 million, which is the largest federal funding source for ASDOE.
The grant money is used to pay for various expenses, including teachers.
During the ASDOE fiscal year 2018...
![Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale testified last Friday before a Senate committee on an administration bill, which amends the local sex offender registry statute. See story for details. [photo: FS]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AG%20at%20senate%200270.jpg?itok=Qu45Lnri "Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale testified last Friday before a Senate committee on an administration bill, which amends the local sex offender registry statute. See story for details. [photo: FS]")
There are more than 100 sex offenders already registered under the American Samoa sex offender registry, and Sen. Muagututi’a M. Tauoa is suggesting that convicted sex offenders’ photos be made widely available to the general public, for their shameful criminal acts toward their victims, especially...
![Reps. Toeaina Faufano Autele and Veevalu Meauta L. Mageo. [photo: AF]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Toeaina%20n%20Mageo_0506.jpg?itok=lYkzX1FP "Reps. Toeaina Faufano Autele and Veevalu Meauta L. Mageo. [photo: AF]")
Manu’a Faipule, Rep. Toeaina Faufano Autele is calling the Administration bill to propose a 1% alternative minimum business tax (AMBT), a “real business and economic development killer.”
Toeaina, an educator by profession, said the Tax Office has the right to audit businesses who are suspected of...