Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man arrested for assaulting his girlfriend is now charged with unlawful possession of illegal drugs, which police allegedly found in his possession.
Wayne Aleki appeared in District Court last month for his initial appearance where he informed the court that he wanted...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A driver of a vehicle pulled over by several police officers last month for violating traffic laws is now arrested and charged for violating local drug laws after police allegedly discovered drugs in his possession and in his vehicle.
Ah Chong Lefatia, who is on...
Washington, D.C. — Sunday, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata highlighted the successful inclusion of American Samoa throughout the House-passed COVID-19 relief and economic stimulus package. The bill would send millions in federal support to American Samoa for the vaccine effort, $1,400 in economic...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Health Department is taking its COVID-19 vaccination effort to the community, with three days of vaccination at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium. DoH will also conduct a drive-thru vaccination in the upcoming weekend at the airport.
DoH issued a statement last Friday...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man arrested for violating conditions of his 5 years probation after testing positive for for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active compound in the controlled substance marijuana was released from custody last week after the court decided not to revoke his probation...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A father of five convicted of unlawful possession of illegal drugs was released from the Territorial Correctional Facility (TCF) for 90 days to seek and secure gainful employment.
If Anitipa Malae is unable to secure gainful employment, the court ordered him to report...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With American Samoa in the middle of the cyclone season — with several days of strong winds and heavy rain in the past days — the American Samoa Power Authority, reminds the public that “overhead power lines are energized and dangerous. Take precautions when around any...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A 43-year-man was arrested by police on the allegation that he assaulted his wife while in their vehicle. He made his initial appearance in court last week where he entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him.
The man is being charged with public peace...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A man accused of violating local drug laws has asked the court to set his matter for trial. Uputonu Lui who had been in custody since his arrest last year, unable to post $5,000 surety bond, appeared in court two weeks ago for his pretrial conference.
When his case was...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Some 46 telehealth programs across the U.S. will receive funding in the latest round of Distant Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grants from the US Department of Agriculture.
In all, the USDA is investing $42.3 million, including $24 million in CARES Act funds, to 86...

![Wayne Aleki appeared in District Court last month for his initial appearance where he informed the court that he wanted to exercise his constitutional rights to a preliminary examination (PX). [SN file photo] Court Report banner](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/court-report_601.jpg?itok=gIZ2zvwR)
![Ah Chong Lefatia, who is on probation for a drug conviction last year, made his initial appearance in District Court last month. [SN file photo] American Samoa District Court building](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/district_court_192.jpg?itok=NP_dwdI6)
![Governor Lemanu and Congresswoman Uifaatali with U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) in American Samoa in 2019. The House bill would allocate over $2 billion to be divided among the insular areas governments, with an estimated $511 million for ASG relief although the Senate could scale back the totals for state and territory governments. “Working together in a bipartisan manner, we have made great strides in ensuring the territories get substantial and fair relief,” Amata noted.[courtesy photo] Governor Lemanu and Congresswoman Uifaatali with U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Richard Shelby](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/governor_lemanu_and_congresswoman_uifaatali_with_u.s._senate_appropriations_committee_vice_chairman_richard_shelby_r-al_in_american_samoa_in_2019.jpg?itok=3xsubu9-)
![The Health Department is taking its COVID-19 vaccination effort to the community, with three days of vaccination at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, as announced in this screen shot from the DOH Facebook page posting over the weekend. [photo: FS] Vaccine notice posted at Health Dept. Facebook page](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/public_vaccine.jpg?itok=wWpil5XF)
![When given a chance to address the court, Lupe apologized for his action and told the court that he wanted to return home to care for his wife and three young children. He stated that he made a terrible mistake that affected not only his young family but also cost him his job. [SN file photo] American Samoa High Court building](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/high_court_120.jpg?itok=Vkn3DHo2)
![When given the chance to address the court, Malae apologized for his actions and begged to the court for a second chance to return home to provide for his family especially his wife and five young children. [SN file photo] Court Report banner](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/court-report_600.jpg?itok=E7yn9brL)
![ASPA offered safety tips when “you are working around or under power lines” to ensure everyone’s safety. For example, always look up and around for power lines before starting any harvesting of fruits — such as picking breadfruit and coconuts — or tree trimming activity. [SN file photo] ASPA Satala power plant](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/aspa_pago_power_plant_2.jpg?itok=wYfFMPVD)
![The court released the defendant, among conditions that that he not have any direct or indirect contact with his wife and children, and he is to remain alcohol and drug free. [SN file photo] American Samoa District Court building](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/district_court_191.jpg?itok=laWbWWkx)
![When Lui's case was called, his defense attorney, Ryan Anderson informed the court that they received discovery and an offer from the government, however, after reviewing it, his client wishes to exercise his rights to a jury trial. [SN file photo] Court Report banner](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/court-report_599.jpg?itok=sO7ZTmDw)
![The American Samoa Medical Center Authority, which is getting $677,675 to launch a maternal telehealth program connecting island providers with specialists at the University of Hawai’i in Honolulu; [SN file photo] LBJ Hospital sign](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lyndon-b-johnson-tropical-medical-center-office_53.jpeg?itok=51Hy4bPI)