Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A fire last month in Fagaima resulted in four of the village’s families losing their homes. In response to the needs of the fire victims, students in two sections of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) summer class Introduction to Psychology (PSY 150) recently...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa has brought to the attention of the Director of Port Administration Barney Sene his concerns about the non-use of the AviRamp when Hawaiian Air arrives or departs and the lack of distribution of immigration forms to fill out on the flight,...
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is stating clearly that her position against seabed mining in waters surrounding American Samoa has not changed and remains her consistent position. Amata further notes that no one else speaks for her, despite characterizations and assumptions of...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 14, 2026, a man accused of threatening a woman with a knife outside a Tafuna business was arrested Tuesday morning following a police search that ended with officers locating him near a restaurant in Tafuna.
The suspect was later charged with:
Count 1: Public...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On July 9, 2026, a woman contacted the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and reported that her brother was allegedly causing a disturbance at their residence and also threatened a family member with a rake.
The suspect was later arrested and charged with Count 1: Private...
After a 33-year Army career after which he was director of the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) for the Western Regional Office, FNS/USDA — retired Army Command Sgt. Major Charles Tobin is returning home to American Samoa.
“As my career in public service ends, I reflect on the...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Swains Island Representative Alexander Jennings is again asking the Fono, as they prepare for the 2027 Budget Hearings, for consideration regarding the continued transportation hardship faced by Swains Island. In particular, he highlights that Swains Island residents...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula has formally submitted to Fono leaders his nomination of Commander Lauti Tautalasoo Moliga to serve as the next Commissioner of Public Safety, citing more than three decades of service, leadership experience, and a record of distinction...
For two decades, NOAA has been working tirelessly to investigate, prevent, and reduce the impact of marine debris, which plays a massive role in protecting fragile ecosystems like coral reefs. From ghost nets that smother and break corals, to plastics that threaten marine life, marine debris are a...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Office of Petroleum Management (OPM) has finalized the Maximum Allowable Price (MAP) effective July 15, 2026 finding that market conditions have continued their downward correction for the second consecutive month, resulting in decreases across all major fuel...

![Students in the ASCC summer class Introduction to Psychology recently organized a donation of household goods to the four families who lost their homes during the fire last month in Fagaima. [Courtesy Photo] Students in the ASCC summer class Introduction to Psychology](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ascc_fire_victims_donation_0.jpg?itok=9ZEru2yb)




![[courtesy photo] retired Army Command Sgt. Major Charles Tobin](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_2293_0.jpeg?itok=u44b2Sz7)
![Swains Island residents have been reduced to “2 fishing boats and a 12-foot rubber dinghy” as transportation to access its island. The rubber dinghy in May 2026 capsized in the channel throwing three overboard, narrowly avoiding a serious disaster. The Swains Island faipule is requesting a $300,000 FY 2027 budgeted amount for Swains Island Transportation. [courtesy photo] RUBBER DINGY](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/image_3.png?itok=KSYp1e2N)


