samoa
![Former Head of State, His Highness Le Afioga a le Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta'isi Efi [Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Tui%20Atua%20Tupua.jpg?itok=oE-zuGvl "Former Head of State, His Highness Le Afioga a le Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta'isi Efi [Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood]")
Apia, SAMOA — Samoa's former head of state has publicly voiced his concerns about the alienation of customary lands.
Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi has confirmed claims that customary lands are being alienated as a result of a law passed during his tenure.
The former head of state reminded people...
![Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Maliegaoi [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoaPM_37.jpg?itok=nvlMiYvZ "Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Maliegaoi [SN file photo]")
Apia, SAMOA — Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi appears to have shut the door on the Samoa Observer from asking him questions directly during his weekly media programmes.
He certainly did last Thursday during a scheduled media programme allocated for the Samoa Observer and Radio 2AP...
![AN ICONIC RACE: The fautasi race was once a key feature of the celebration of Samoa’s independence day. [Samoa Observer]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/images%7Ccms-image-000041647.jpg?itok=W1KYdC-2 "AN ICONIC RACE: The fautasi race was once a key feature of the celebration of Samoa’s independence day. [Samoa Observer]")
Apia, SAMOA — The cancellation of the fautasi race for this year’s Independence Celebration has once again raised eye brows, with fears being expressed that one of Samoa’s most popular traditional regatta may soon be a thing of the past.
This is the third consecutive year that the fautasi regatta...
![59 Samoan sailors with acting PM Papalii Niko Lee Hang [Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_The_59_sailors_with_the_acting_PM_Papalii_Niko_Lee_Hang.JPG?itok=LRlZPqzS "59 Samoan sailors with acting PM Papalii Niko Lee Hang [Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia]")
Apia, SAMOA — In Samoa 59 sailors preparing to leave for employment on board cargo and cruise ships in Europe have been warned not to breach their work conditions by drinking alcohol.
During a farewell ceremony the acting Prime Minister, Papalii Niko Lee Hang said this is the main challenge faced...
![The body of the man found at Savalalo. [Photo: Facebook]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/images%7Ccms-image-000041570.jpg?itok=wf-anXeT "The body of the man found at Savalalo. [Photo: Facebook]")
Apia, SAMOA — A man in his 40s was found dead behind the Savalalo fish market on Saturday morning.
Witnesses told the Samoa Observer the man was found with only his under garments.
One of them, Sina Ulugia, said there were no visible injuries.
They suspect that the man drowned.
Phone calls and...
![Sanele Mao won a gold medal in weightlifting for Samoa. [Photo: AFP or licensors via RNZI]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_000_13U10K.jpg?itok=9ZYKylyQ "Sanele Mao won a gold medal in weightlifting for Samoa. [Photo: AFP or licensors via RNZI]")
Apia, SAMOA — Team Samoa Chef de Mission Nynette Sass says the 2018 Commonwealth Games can be a launching pad for sport in the country after the team finished highest of the Pacific nations competing at the games.
Samoa finished in 17th place on the overall medal tally on the Gold Coast, winning...
![The planned construction site of a tourism complex named "Mahana Beach",15 km south of Papeete, in French Polynesia, on July 19, 2014. [Photo: AFP via RNZI]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_Mahana.jpg?itok=H90hUw8S "The planned construction site of a tourism complex named \"Mahana Beach\",15 km south of Papeete, in French Polynesia, on July 19, 2014. [Photo: AFP via RNZI]")
A New Zealand-Samoan consortium is poised to build a $US700 million hotel and accommodation complex in French Polynesia.
The French Polynesian government has chosen its bid for the construction of part of the Tahitian Village resort complex which is a scaled backed version of the original Mahana...
![Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi [SN file photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoaPM_36.jpg?itok=GdBqUnh_ "Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi [SN file photo]")
Apia, SAMOA — The Samoa Alliance of Media Practitioner for Development (S.A.M.P.O.D.) has cautioned Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi against continuing with a threat to shut down Facebook in Samoa.
In a statement, the Group has reminded the Government that the right to free...
![Samoa Supreme Court Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala - Warren. [Samoa Observer]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/SUPREME%20COURT%20JUSTICE-%20Tafaoimalo%20Leilani%20Tuala%20-%20Warren.jpg?itok=b9qOtuZi "Samoa Supreme Court Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala - Warren. [Samoa Observer]")
Apia, SAMOA — Eteru Alualu, 29, of Fuailoloo Mulifanua, has been sentenced to two years in prison.
This is in connection to a sex related case inside a home in Mulifanua.
Eteru appeared for sentencing on one charge of assault with intent to commit sexual violation, burglary and wilful trespass...
![The late Hon. Tuiloma Lameko Gae'e [Photo: Samoa Govt]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/eight_col_Late_Hon_Tuiloma_Lameko_Gae%27e_credit_is_Govt_of_Samoa.jpg?itok=tOwjuErD "The late Hon. Tuiloma Lameko Gae'e [Photo: Samoa Govt]")
Apia, SMAOA — People in Samoa have paid their last respects at the state funeral for former Samoan MP, Tuiloma Pule Lameko Gae'e held today in Apia.
The funeral was held at Parliament house led by Samoa's National Council of Churches followed by his burial at Alafua.
Tuiloma, a deputy head of state...