Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Butter is synonymous with the color yellow. Butter yellow was the trending color of 2025. In Mandarin Chinese, the word for butter translates as yellow oil.
So what’s with this white butter appearing on our supermarket shelves?
The arrival of a pale, US-sourced butter on...
Great Lakes, IL — Helenia Porter-Greer was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant (E7) in the United States Marine Corps in a ceremony at MACG-48, Naval Base Great Lakes, Illinois, May 1, 2026.
Porter-Greer is a graduate of Alofau Elementary School. She attended Fagaitua High School before moving...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in celebration of Mother’s Day:
“Thank you to each of our mothers, whether here in our islands or our close-knit Samoan communities in the United States. Your children love and appreciate you – often much more than...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The inflation rate in American Samoa has risen for the second consecutive month, increasing by 1.0%. This uptick follows a decline in inflation in the last quarter of 2025, indicating ongoing economic fluctuations, as indicated in the latest Consumer Price Index Press...
Wetlands are vital coastal ecosystems that play a critical role in supporting a healthy, resilient ocean.
These mangrove habitats act as nature's filters, improving water quality and providing essential nursery habitat for countless species of fish and invertebrates that eventually venture into and...
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, along with her staff in the Washington office, was delighted to host American Samoa’s Close Up student delegation on Wednesday for a luncheon at the congressional office, and guided tour of the U.S. Capitol.
“Thank you to our students, who are happy...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Court filings submitted on April 20, 2026, detail allegations of severe child abuse involving a 5-year-old girl who authorities say was repeatedly beaten by her father, leaving visible bruises across multiple parts of her body and prompting intervention from law...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 19, 2026, police responded to a disturbance at a family home in the village of Futiga that resulted in the arrest of defendant Suameli A'asa after authorities said he became aggressive toward relatives during a late-night family gathering involving alcohol.
The...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in honor and observance of the 75th National Day of Prayer:
“The National Day of Prayer is a meaningful continuous 75-year tradition, with instances of proclaimed days of prayer before that. This year’s theme is ...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 36th General Assembly of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa is scheduled to convene from July 12 to July 24 at the church's headquarters located in Kanana-fou. The central theme for this year's assembly is “God Takes Residence in Creation,”...

![The yellow color of butter that comes from grass fed cows, versus the paler comparison of grain fed cow butter. [Supplied] NZ AND US BUTTER](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/us_butter_vs_nz_butter.jpg?itok=I9i5eQMu)
![The newly minted Gunnery Sergeant (E7), Helenia Porter-Greer dedicates this milestone to her father, the late Mataava Marston Porter (whose photo she holds) and her mother, Wilma Porter. [courtesy photo] Helenia Porter-Greer](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/4786.jpg?itok=rxOrj6yX)
![“Thank you to each of our mothers,” Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata said, “missing my mother on Mother’s Day and every day, Nora Kawailiula, the kindest, sweetest, most gracious lady, who taught all her children about the importance of family. To me, she will always be the best mother ever.” [courtesy photo] Nora Kawailiula](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/nora_kawailiula.jpg?itok=dwCZEW92)

![Playing a critical role in supporting a healthy, resilient ocean. [Facebook photo] wetlands](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/wetlands.jpg?itok=q8ESekLx)
![American Samoa Close Up students visit with Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata during a visit to her D.C. office where they were treated to lunch and tour of the U.S. Capitol. [courtesy photo] 2026 Close Up delegation](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_1924.jpeg?itok=xX55vdY6)


![American Samoa firefighters at the 2024 Coffee Pot Fire, a large wildfire in Tulare County, California. It began on August 3, and was contained on December 16. It was the 14th-biggest fire of the 2024 California wildfire season, and the longest lasting. [courtesy photo] America Samoa firefighters in CA](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/american_samoas_firefighters_in_prayer.jpg?itok=AfNx9v1v)
