Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Although George Washington wasn't big on celebrating his birthday (he usually spent the day working), a grateful nation informally observed the occasion both while he was alive and following his death in 1799. Americans took time personally to remember the Father of His...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 11, 2026, a man was arrested following a reported garage break-in and theft of multiple household items from a residence in the Ottoville area earlier this month.
Alapati Maloata was arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Burglary in the Second Degree, a class C...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man from Futiga was taken into custody following an alleged domestic disturbance involving alcohol and an assault of a minor, a family member, according to an affidavit filed in District Court on January 20, 2026.
The suspect was later charged with:
Count 1: Private...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — February is Heart Health Month – a time to shine a light on cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in American Samoa, according to Make American Samoa Healthy Again (MASHA).
“Our communities face a serious NCD crisis: obesity affects over 90% of adults,...
Apia, SAMOA — (February 11, 2026) Internal investigations are underway following the tragic drowning of a police sergeant who lost his life in the line of duty last week.
The deceased, Sergeant Evile Paulo Ekueni, was among three officers thrown overboard when their dinghy capsized in rough seas...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 13, 2026, officers at the Leone Police Substation (LPS) received a call reporting a sibling assault in Asili, with the victim a minor.
The suspect was later arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A misdemeanor punishable...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 14, 2026, a man was arrested and taken into custody following an alleged domestic assault incident involving his wife at their residence in Futiga.
The suspect was later arrested and charged with:
Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree (DV), a class A...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A former employee of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (PX) in Tafuna has been charged with stealing and embezzling more than $100,000.
The criminal complaints against Sophia Esau were filed by Jonathan Brickey, a Region Retail Program Specialist for the Army and...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 8, 2026, a mother walked into the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) regarding a case of alleged property damage involving a minivan.
The suspect was later charged with:
Count 1: Property Damage in the First Degree, a class D felony but with a penalty enhancement...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On January 12, 2026, an arriving traveler was taken into custody at Pago Pago International Airport following a confrontation with Customs officers after a large quantity of illegal THC vape cartridges was discovered in his luggage.
Rodney Michael Siaumau was later...


![The defendant was held without bail. [SN file photo] TCF GATE](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tcf_gate_with_painted_wall_78.jpg?itok=sSHnLOX_)


![Sergeant Ekueni was swept away by strong currents and tides and was not wearing a life jacket at the time. [courtesy photo] Sergeant Ekueni](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/police-officer-evile_copy.jpg?itok=QCKMFMkv)



![The defendant was held without bail. [SN file photo] TCF GATE](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/tcf_gate_with_painted_wall_76.jpg?itok=zyMxms-C)
