Local News
![First Lady Cynthia Malala Moliga did the honors of cutting the ribbon to open the new Territorial Bank of American Samoa, located at the Centennial Building in Utulei — the former site of the main branch of the Bank of Hawaii in the territory. The bank opened its doors in October 2016. [Photo: AF]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/TBAS%20openingnewweb_0.jpg?itok=kIWep1hp "First Lady Cynthia Malala Moliga did the honors of cutting the ribbon to open the new Territorial Bank of American Samoa, located at the Centennial Building in Utulei — the former site of the main branch of the Bank of Hawaii in the territory. The bank opened its doors in October 2016. [Photo: AF]")
Visiting American Samoa is like stepping back in time — both because of its unsullied natural beauty and its antiquated banking system.
The economy runs on cash, but until recently the island had just seven ATMs, only three of which usually worked, to serve 60,000 residents. It's common for...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lyndon-b-johnson-tropical-medical-center-office_11.jpeg?itok=udbqm6IV "[SN file photo]")
LBJ Medical Center’s Chief Executive Officer, Taufete’e John Faumuina told a US congressional panel that the low salary level in American Samoa is making it difficult to fill vacant positions for medical professionals at the hospital.
This view is also cited by Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, in his...
![Seventy local kids participated in this year's Children's Cultural Maintenance Summer Program, held at the Jean P. Haydon Museum and hosted by the American Samoa Council on Arts and Humanities. Last Friday, the program closed yet another chapter in its 30+ year history. See story for full details. [photo: Blue Chen-Fruean]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/summer%20camp.jpg?itok=LAOTSLDI "Seventy local kids participated in this year's Children's Cultural Maintenance Summer Program, held at the Jean P. Haydon Museum and hosted by the American Samoa Council on Arts and Humanities. Last Friday, the program closed yet another chapter in its 30+ year history. See story for full details. [photo: Blue Chen-Fruean]")
One of our islands’ most consistent and valuable summer programs came to a close last Friday, after the participants wowed their parents and teachers with special performances, bringing to life some of the many things they learned over the past month.
The Children's Cultural Maintenance Summer...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/police%20dept_7.jpeg?itok=ZVdM5uy4 "[SN file photo]")
Last week, several businesses on the west side were broken in to and robbed.
Samoa News has been unable to confirm if any suspects have been identified.
Last Monday, thieves hit up the Tool Shop's Tafuna location.
According to a company official, the culprit or culprits took off with some cash, and...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AM%20Samoa%20HC_36.jpeg?itok=vdG19mnW "[SN file photo]")
SIVANILA TAUINAOLA —
A citizen of Samoa who has appeared in court six times for various crimes, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for his latest conviction on drug possession.
The jail term for Sivanila Tauinaola, who was sentenced late last week in High Court, is among the conditions of...
![One of the youngest participants in this year's Sanctuary Summer Science in the Village (SSSV) program, learning how to properly use a fishing pole during one of four Tautai Fagota Fishing Derbies hosted by the NMSAS and local sponsor SOPAC/Aloha Maid. [photo: BC]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/IMG_0819.jpg?itok=2Z1LAM8_ "One of the youngest participants in this year's Sanctuary Summer Science in the Village (SSSV) program, learning how to properly use a fishing pole during one of four Tautai Fagota Fishing Derbies hosted by the NMSAS and local sponsor SOPAC/Aloha Maid. [photo: BC]")
FUN FILLED FISHING DERBIES —
The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS) and major sponsor South Pacific (SOPAC) Distributors/Aloha Maid held four Tautai Fagota Fishing Derbies in Ta'u, Leone, Aunu'u and Vaitogi. The derbies were the culmination of the Sanctuary Summer Science in the...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/AM%20Samoa%20HC_35.jpeg?itok=-L60H4Tx "[SN file photo]")
The High Court has ordered Apelu Saito Lilo, convicted of having a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl, to depart American Samoa and return home to Samoa, upon serving his jail term at the Territorial Correctional Facility.
Lilo, 20, was initially charged with one count each of child...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lyndon-b-johnson-tropical-medical-center-office_10.jpeg?itok=EAeAtBj8 "[SN file photo]")
During his testimony before the members of the Subcommittee of Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs this week, LBJ Medical Center CEO Taufete'e John Faumuina focused on areas of challenges or needs at the local hospital.
They are: Compliance with CMS standards; inadequate staffing and...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lyndon-b-johnson-tropical-medical-center-office_9.jpeg?itok=8jorK__k "[SN file photo]")
The American Samoa Area Health Education Center (AHEC) summer program is in full swing and the participants have been engaged in various activities. Thursday, the group made their first of three planned visits to the LBJ Medical Center in Fagaalu for orientation, after which they will begin...
![[SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/EOB_1web_29.jpg?itok=61cvaN1V "[SN file photo]")
The Lolo Administration, as promised, has proposed to change the way the excise tax is imposed on imported beer, heavy equipment and secondhand goods, while imposing a new import tax on non-carbonated sugary drinks — which the government claims is a “health hazard” to local residents.
The proposed...