Local News
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen has questioned the reason why the LBJ Hospital is no longer providing vaccinations for COVID-19 to the public. He informed the House of Representatives on Monday that according to reports that reached his office, there is a shortage of...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The faipule from Saole District, Titiali’i Kitara Vaiau has strongly criticized a report published by the ‘newspaper’ as the reason for negative comments made by the public on social media against him last week.
In a forceful tone, Titiali’i did not mince words when he...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Vice Speaker of the House, Fetu Fetui Jr told his fellow faipule to refrain from asking so many questions of the governor’s appointees appearing in the House Chamber for their confirmation hearings because it affects the outcome of the vote.
He said that discussing other...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga has rescinded another directive issued by his predecessor. This time it was transferring back to the local Department of Education (ASDOE) the public schools’ maintenance division, which has been a part of the Public Works...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — An alleged sexual relationship between two high school students resulted with a young man being arrested and charged with more than 20 criminal charges, after the mother of the girl reported to authorities that her 15-year-old daughter is pregnant as a result of the...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — If an incident of “sexual harassment” surfaces within the Commerce Department, “we will address it and we will remove that person, there are no questions asked in that regard,” said Petti Tagipo Matila, who is now fully confirmed by the Fono as the DOC director, and...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — It was the high cost of the “change order’ from the construction company doing the repairs for the Amouli Health Center that caused the delay to the work, according to Motusa Tuileama Nua during his House hearing for confirmation as Dept. of Health director.
He said...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The second round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) — or stimulus checks, as part of the federal COVID Related Tax Relief Act, will be distributed in three batches, with the first-batch to be released next week, says ASG Treasurer Malemo Tausaga in a statement yesterday...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As television news footage out of Honolulu on the morning of Feb. 1st showed some American Samoa residents at the Honolulu airport heading for check-in for the first repatriation flight to the territory, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga posted a message on the...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On Saturday, January 30, 2021, Governor Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga accompanied the COVID-19 Task Force during a final briefing and After-Action Report after the last exercise on the same day. They discussed all phases of the repatriation operation and offered the...

![Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen informed the House of Representatives on Monday that according to reports that reached his office, there is a shortage of the first vaccine at the Tafuna Community Health Center. [SN file photo] Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/faimealelei_anthony_allen_0851_0.jpg?itok=AekEyZUI)
![Rep. Titiali’i Kitara Vaiau said the comments against him were so rude and disrespectful and it was an embarrassment for him and his family. [photo by AF] Rep. Titiali’i Kitara Vaiau](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/titialii_0674.jpg?itok=GfcaJEDV)
![“Lets make our work much easier by giving them [governor’s nominees] our support and confirming them,” Rep. Fetu Fetui Jr. told faipule. [photo: AF] Rep. Fetu Fetui Jr](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/rep_fetu_0843.jpg?itok=Cc5I3JuI)
![Through a Jan. 28th memorandum, released this week by the Governor’s Office, Lemanu directed the transfer of the school maintenance division back to ASDOE. [SN file photo] Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/lemanu_head_shot_3.jpg?itok=EXvdU_ya)

![Former Commerce director Fuiavaili’ili Keniseli Lafaele (left) and the now, fully confirmed new DOC director Petti Tagipo Matila (right) pose for a photo yesterday following Matila’s confirmation hearing before a Senate committee. Fuiavaili’ili was among several family members, friends, and co-workers in the Senate gallery during the confirmation hearing. During her testimony, Matila removed her face mask to ensure that senators heard her replies to questions. [photo: FS] Former Commerce director Fuiavaili’ili Keniseli Lafaele (left) and new DOC director Petti Tagipo Matila](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/doc_directors_old_and_new.jpg?itok=WsNWpNhc)
![Current condition at the Amouli Health Center, where the high cost of a change order has delayed the renovation, according to the DoH director. [photo by AF] Photo of Amouli Health Center](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/amouli_health_center_0264.jpg?itok=zayUzZ0X)
![According to Malemo, taxpayers with valid mailing addresses on their 2019 tax return should expect their checks in the mail while those without mailing addresses are to pick up their checks from Treasury’s Disbursing Office at the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei. [SN file photo] ASG Treasurer Malemo Tausaga](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/treasurer_malemo-tausaga-e1554187171392-o5rmz2t95ew2x8gxgnu2xdljl5ljwb3bmmw83mkhgc.jpg?itok=XCh1sKxn)
![This Feb. 1st Samoa News photo shows an American Samoa Power Authority vehicle pulling up on front of the entrance — manned by police — to the Tradewinds Hotel, where 159 passengers from Monday’s repatriation flight are in quarantine for 14-days. A banner — produced by Tagata Tutu Fa’atasi of American Samoa Alliance — on the side fence welcomes home the repatriated passengers. The entrance has a tent with police officers and other security personnel to stop unauthorized people. [photo: FS] Police vehicle and policeman blocking road into Tradewinds Hotel](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/quarantine_site.jpg?itok=cehuDgdZ)
![Prior to the 159 passengers on board the first repatriation flight arriving yesterday afternoon they participated on Saturday in a Zoom conference briefing with Gov. Lemanu, Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale, and ASDOH Director Motusa Tuileama Nua to explain the COVID 19 Task Force’s local procedures upon their arrival. [photo: Gov’s Office] Governor and others in Zoom conference with stranded residents](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/001_zoom_call.jpg?itok=kXe6WNF1)