Buckle up!
Fatalities CraSHES
0
LOCAL HIGHWAYS
01-01-15 to date
68
LOCAL HIGHWAYS
01-01-15 to date
office of highway safety
Rockets win over
the Cavaliers on
Sunday 105-103 B1
C
M
Y
K
Si’itia teuga tupe a
le Litaea a le
malo i le 1%
9
Steelers quarterback Danielson scrambling
with the ball towards the outside, before marking
a first down. He was immediately brought down
by Ozu of the 49ers in their playoff game this
past Saturday. The Steelers beat the Niners 14 - 6,
and advanced into the Championship game this
upcoming Saturday against the No.1 seed in the
league, the AYFS Bears.
Saturday will also feature the AYFS All-Star
game that will began at 8:00 a.m. followed by the
championship game. The public is invited to come
out to see and support the up & coming young
football players of the territory. (See more photos
[photo: TG]
in today’s Sports section.)
online @ samoanews.com
Daily Circulation 7,000
PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
Ioe Stephania Sulusulu na ia gaoia silia
$11,000 mai GHC Reid
tusia Ausage Fausia
O le aso 1 Me, 2015 lea ua fa’atulaga e fofogaina ai le
fa’asalaga a le fa’amasinoga maualuga fa’asaga ia Stephania
Sulusulu, i le mae’a ai lea ona ia ta’utino i le fa’aasinoga, e
fa’amaonia tu’uaiga fa’asaga ia te ia, i lona fa’aaoga fa’agaoi
lea o le silia i le $11,000 mai le kamupani o le GHC Reid Company sa galue ai o se tali tupe.
E lua moliaga mamafa o le fa’aaoga fa’agaoi o tupe mai le
kamupani a le GHC Reid na ulua’i tu’uaia ai e le malo ia Sulusulu, ae i lalo o le maliliega lea na latou sainia ma le malo i le
aso Faraile na te’a nei ma talia e le fa’amasinoga, ua tali ioe
ai Sulusulu i le isi moliaga ae solofua e le fa’amasinoga le isi
moliaga mamafa.
(Faaauau itulau 10)
Local coral reefs exposed
to dangerous levels
of heat and stress
Policy makers in Washington will be taken
on “virtual dive” to highlight problem
by B. Chen, Samoa News Correspondent
C
M
Y
K
Monday, March 2, 2015
$1.00
Fuel surcharge has dropped,
in line with decreased
fuel prices says ASPA
by Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu
Samoa News Reporter
“If you review your bill, you will see the fuel
charge has dropped from about 30 cents last
year to about 21 cents this month (February),”
said American Samoa Power Authority CEO
Utu Abe Malae in response to Samoa News
queries over the weekend. There have been
numerous complaints by the public about the
drop in fuel prices, yet they don’t see that drop
reflected in their ASPA bill.
Samoa News asked Utu about this, and he
responded in an email from Washington DC ,
saying that the base charge stays the same — it
is about 10 cents — and therefore “last year the
total rate was 40 cents; today it would be about
31 cents.
“So if you used 600 kWh: last year, $240;
this month, $186.” He noted that the customer
will have a monthly customer charge that stays
the same — for instance the $6 fee. Therefore,
last year’s bill would have been: $246; this
month, $192.
Utu urged the public to check their monthly
consumption (kWh), along with their water
consumption (gallons), to see if those numbers
have changed.
ASPA’s Customer Service Manager Ryan
Tuato’o also responded, noting that the System
Rate or (kilowatt-hour) kWh comprises the
Fuel Surcharge (F/S) and the Base Rate. “The
F/S changes as the cost of fuel changes, while
the base rate is fixed and does not change.”
He noted, “ASPA uses the base rate for
everyday operation costs for electric, which
includes our Power Generation and Transmission and Distribution, which are the electric
field workers fixing power lines and streetlights. When comparing F/S for February 2014
and February 2015, there is a decrease of 28.7%
or $.085 decrease.”
The following is from a chart from Tuato’o,
showing the decrease. Month Fuel
Surcharge Base Rate
kWh Rate
Feb. 2014 $0.29494
$0.0974
(Continued on page 15)
If the ocean temperature doesn’t get cooler soon, coral reefs
surrounding the territory, including units under the National
Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS), are in threat
of dying off.
This is according to a presentation made by Richard Vevers,
Executive Director of the Catlin Seaview Survey group which
A close-up look at some coral that were photographed
by a group of divers last week in the territory. The divers
were led by Richard Vevers of the Catlin Seaview Survey,
here to assess and document the effects of warming water
temperatures on coral reefs in the local National Marine
Sanctuary sites. What were once colorful corals are now
[photo: B. Chen]
‘snow white’ and in threat of dying.
(Continued on page 8)
With a club of 30 students, the Lions from Leone HS have pledged to be ocean guardians,
by hosting competitions like Recycle Week to promote ocean conservation efforts, as part of the
Get Into Your Sanctuary (GIYS) program, set to end in October. LHS students attended the official launching of the program hosted by the NMSAS last Friday, at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean
[photo: B. Chen]
Center in Utulei. (See story inside for details.)
Page 2
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015
ASCC responds to WASCACCJC Show Cause Order
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer
(all ANSWERs on page 14)
At assemblies for faculty and staff this past
Thursday, and for students this past Friday,
American Samoa Community College (ASCC)
Acting President Dr. Rosevonne Pato explained
that the Western Association of Schools and
Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASC ACCJC) has
issued an order for ASCC to Show Cause. An
order to Show Cause is assigned to an institution when the Commission finds the institution
to be in substantial noncompliance with ACCJC
Eligibility Requirements, Accreditation Standards, or Commission Policies.
As a result of this action by WASC ACCJC,
ASCC is required to submit a Show Cause
Report by October 15, 2015. The report will be
followed by a visit by a WASC ACCJC external
evaluation team.
The Commission requires ASCC to Show
Cause as to why its accreditation should not
be withdrawn by demonstrating that it has
corrected deficiencies noted by the Commission and is in compliance with the Eligibility
Requirements, Accreditation Standards, and
Commission policies.
ASCC continues to be accredited during the
period of Show Cause and until the Commission acts to either withdraw accreditation or
when issues that gave to Show Cause are fully
resolved and the institution is removed from
sanction.
Dr. Pato explained that while the ASCC
President Dr. Seth Galea’i and Accreditation
Liaison Officer Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff have
known about the Show Cause order since earlier this month, the public announcement of the
College’s accreditation status required the following internal protocol:
First, a meeting was held with the Board of
Higher Education to inform them of the sanction and receive their advice. Next, the ASCC
Deans and Directors were informed, then the
general faculty and staff, and finally the student
body.
Since the sanction has been posted on the
WASC-ACCJC website since earlier this
month, the local media learned of and reported
on the WASC-ACCJC action before ASCC had
completed its internal disclosure process.
“We know the local media are just doing their
job,” said Dr. Pato, “but their early reporting on
the sanction has created questions in the public’s mind before we could clarify what exactly
the sanction means for us.”
During her meeting with the ASCC student
body this past Friday, Dr. Pato took the opportunity to dispel a number of rumors that have
surfaced since the story of the WASC-ACCJC
sanction reached the public.
Between now and the next meeting of the
ACCJC governing board in January 2016, she
explained, ASCC remains a US-accredited
institution, with no change in the status of
students’ financial aid or the transferability of
credits to other US universities or colleges.
At its January meeting, WASC-ACCJC
will determine its next step, of either removing
ASCC from the current sanction or else discontinuing its accreditation, but until then, the
sanction itself does not mean that ASCC is no
longer accredited.
Dr. Pato also shared with the ASCC students
one aspect of the last WASC-ACCJC review
of ASCC which provided some cause for optimism, even amid the foreboding news.
A WASC-ACCJC report contains recommendations on areas in which an institution is required to make improvements, as
well as commendations on areas in which
the reviewing team feels the institution has
achieved excellence.
Along with the ten recommendations in the
areas of staffing, governance and accountability,
which the College received on its last WASCACCJC report, Dr. Pato explained, ASCC actually received three commendations on that same
report in the area of student-centeredness.
Dr. Pato suggested the students give themselves a round of applause, which alleviated
considerably the atmosphere of tension in the
Lecture Hall.
As a response to the WASC-ACCJC action,
ASCC has formulated a plan of action to address
the issues specified in the Show Cause order.
All matters pertaining to accreditation will now
be overseen by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, led by Director Mr. Sonny Leomiti.
All efforts will be made to address the WASC
ACCJC recommendations.
If members of the public have questions or
concerns regarding the accreditation status of
ASCC, they may contact ASCC Acting President Dr. Rosevonne Pato.
FAASILASILAGA FAALAUAITELE MO
LE KOLISI TUUFAATASI O AMERIKA
SAMOA.
Mo le silafia e le mamalu o le aufaigaluega
aemaise tagata lautele;
O loo tumau pea le avea o le Kolisi Tuufaatasi o Amerika Samoa ma Kolisi e taualoa
i tulaga tauaoaoga a le Iunaite Setete. (US
Accredited Institution)
O le faaiuga a le Komisi mo Aoga (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior
Colleges) na faia i le aso 7 Ianuari 2015, o le
tuuina lea o le Kolisi Tuufaatasi o Amerika
Samoa i le tulaga o le Faaali Mafuaaga poo le
Show CAUSE.
E tatau i le Kolisi Tuufaatasi o Amerika
Samoa ona tuuina atu lana ripoti i le Aso 15
Oketopa 2015, e tali fuaitau ai i lenei tulaga.
BACKGROUND
Editor’s Note: ASCC, in its press release,
says it was still going through its internal disclosure process to announce the sanction, when the
media jumped the gun. The school was issued
the “Show Cause” order on Jan. 07, 2015 and
Samoa News published its story on Wednesday,
Feb. 25, 2015.
ASCC Acting President Dr. Rosevonne Pato addresses a capacity student audience in the College’s Lecture Hall this past Friday to inform them of the College
[Photo: J. Kneubuhl]
being placed on “Show Cause” sanction by WASC-ACCJC and to outline the College’s plan for corrective action. samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015 Page 3
COURT
R E PORT...
was $4.99
by Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu
Samoa News Reporter
GHC REID EMPLOYEE ADMITS
TO EMBEZZLING OVER $11,000
Former cashier for GHC Reid Co. Ltd., Stephania Sulusulu
admits to misappropriating over $11,000 in funds belonging
to the company, following a plea agreement that was accepted
in the High Court last Friday.
Sulusulu, who is 37, was facing two charges of embezzlement in which she pled guilty to one embezzlement charge
while the other charge was dismissed upon her plea of guilt.
The embezzlement charge is a class C felony, which carries
a jail term of up to seven years, a fine of up to $5,000, a fine
equal to twice the amount of gain from the commission of said
crime up to $20,000, or both fine and jail time.
According to the plea agreement signed by all parties, the
defendant admits embezzling $11,842.27 from GHC Reid Co.
Ltd., between April and May, 2010.
The incident came to light in May 2010 when finance officers with the company noticed discrepancies in the accounts
for which the defendant was responsible, according to court
documents. Court filings say there were certain checks from
companies which the defendant applied to payments for other
companies, in order to cover outstanding balances on the
accounts of customers who paid their invoices in cash. The
investigation into the accounts eventually revealed that the
defendant had embezzled up to $11,842.27 from the company.
During the plea hearing the defendant was advised of sentencing protocols. The plea agreement was accepted and sentencing has been scheduled for May 1, 2015.
DUKE VIENA FINED $500
FOR BEHAVIOR ON HAWAIIAN AIR FLIGHT
A man who acted disorderly on the Hawaiian Air flight
in December 2014, swearing at flight attendants and using
racial remarks, was slapped with a $500 fine and placed on
probation.
Sentencing for Duke Viena was handed down by District
Court Judge Pro-Temp Fiti Sunia last week, when Viena pled
guilty to the public peace disturbance charge. During sentencing, Sunia placed Viena on 24 months probation, serving
10 days in jail. However the court stayed the ten days given
his good behavior. Sunia also ordered the defendant not to
consume alcohol for the duration of his probation, while
ordering him to visit the probation office and remain a law
abiding citizen. According to the government’s case, police
were contacted by the Airport Security requesting assistance
regarding a peace disturbance incident at the airport.
Court filings say that when police officers arrived at the airport they were led into the area where the defendant was being
held. At the time, police officers questioned two flight attendants and two pilots who had been onboard when the alleged
incident occurred.
According to the court documents, the flight attendants
and the pilots told police that when the defendant boarded
the plane in Honolulu, he was already intoxicated and he was
advised that he would not be served with any more alcohol,
but the defendant did not take that lightly, which led to the
defendant’s unruly and threatening behavior, which included
swearing at the flight attendants, throwing his tray on the
ground, and “being very irate and inappropriate and very
threatening”.
According to one the pilots, the plane almost returned to
Honolulu due to the defendant’s behavior, however with the
assistance of other passengers and village chiefs that were on
the plane, the defendant was calmed down, so the plane continued its trip to the territory.
Court filings say that when the plane landed the defendant
continued with threatening behavior toward the pilots and
flight attendants while the plane crew was informing the Airport’s Head Security of the incident.
Defendant allegedly yelled out that the flight crew were
lying and “they were full of s**t.” It’s alleged that the defendant threatened that he would have everyone who put him in
jail terminated from their job for what they did to him. When
police officers placed him in the police vehicle the defendant
continued his threatening behavior with the officers, according
to court documents.
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Page 4
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015
Letter to the Editor
“THANK YOU FROM THEODORA AND TROY POLAMALU”
Talofa,
Through this letter my wife Theodora and I would
like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the people of
American Samoa.
Five years ago we started our first football camp for
boys in American Samoa. With your help, our dream
and vision for our land of heritage has grown into the
Fa’a Samoa Initiative, a multi-tiered project with a football and volleyball camp for boys and girls, an academic
division and a medical mission.
We have witnessed first-hand that the beauty of the
American Samoan islands is reflected in the people.
We are humbled by the amount of support we have
received again this year. The Fa’a Samoa Initiative is
only possible because of the tireless work of all the volunteers in American Samoa and the many hours they
have dedicated to this cause. We cannot thank you all
enough.
We are also grateful to all the schools, their administrations and their staff who have been willing to host us,
guide us and take care of us in our attempt to provide the
best possible sports and academic camp for the American Samoan youth. We cannot imagine a more important job than to educate, care for, and nurture the minds
of our young people. Thank you so much to all the educational professionals for the work you have done for
us and that you continue to do for our youth every day.
We would also like to thank all the American Samoan
government officials, especially the Governor, the DOE
and DWYA, who have helped facilitate the Fa’a Samoa
Initiative from its inception in 2011 through today.
Finally, we are eternally grateful that you have welcomed us as one of your own and allowed us to give
back to this land that I proudly call home.
Thank you,
Troy Polamalu
Letter to the Editor
“LOCAL ECONOMY”
Dear Editor.
This letter is to voice an opinion pertaining to the
Local Economy.
I read your article today on the Governor’s comments
pertaining to the Chinese bringing money to the Island.
The ethnics do not really pertain in this case, or on
the off chance that they should, perhaps the following is
worthy of concern.
Having been a resident of American Samoa for the
past 30 years, I have witnessed Korean, Fijian, Filipino,
Chinese, Taiwanese, New Zealanders, Palagis, and local
natives participate in the island business community.
While those who succeed are likely to be of “OffIsland Ethnicities,” the fact remains that there isn’t
enough revenue remaining in the Local Economy.
Until the local people step up to the plate and compete
with foreign businesses, this situation will not change.
One problem, especially in the construction industry
is the bonding Issue.
Another historical problem has been performance.
We need local companies to compete, score projects,
and perform in a manner befitting the Industry practices.
This needs to be accomplished through fair and square
bidding practices, and awarded accordingly without cronyism, or favoritism.
Bottom line:
When the US federal dollars are awarded, it heads
straight off to other areas, without a fair share remaining
locally.
It doesn’t make any difference where the money
comes from as long as a fair share remains in our local
economy.
Thank you and a good day,
Doug Harrington
Student-Loan Debt
The respected research group Brookings Institute has released reports that
cast a disturbing eye on student-loan
debt — at least on the surface. The
bare stats might look more grim than
the reality.
Between 1989 and today, graduate
students have left school with debt that
has risen from $10,000 to $40,000. At
the bachelor-degree level, the debt has
risen from $6,000 to $16,000. However, because of having degrees, the lifetime income of those students also has
increased enough.
Over the past two decades, graduates have spent between 3 percent
and 4 percent of their income repaying student loans, but the length of
time for repayment has increased.
The researchers concluded that graduates are no worse off than they were
a decade ago when it comes to paying
off student debt.
Other Brookings researchers asked
whether students know how much
debt they will accumulate. Only half
of students knew within $5,000 how
much their first year of college cost
them. Over a quarter said they didn’t
have any federal debt at all (possibly
because of the confusion about the
source of student loans), and 14 percent said they didn’t have any student
loan debt. Thirteen percent of students
claimed to have no loans at all when
they actually did, while 10 percent
underestimated by more than $10,000
the amount of the loans they accrued.
One disturbing conclusion was that
“Students with high expected contributions are more likely to be unaware
that they have any debt,” possibly
because the parents were managing
the decisions.
The end result of this research?
Some students might decide not to
attend college at all, fearful of the
debt. Others might reach graduation and be shocked at the mountain
of debt they’ve accumulated. Some
might be prompted to finish up quickly. Research in 2009 showed that both
private and public colleges have equal
rates of “six-year graduations,” where
students linger while getting an education.
In the maze of filling out admission
and financial-aid applications, students and parents need to pause and
look closely at the numbers, especially
when the financial-aid packages come
back. Students need to be aware of the
amount of debt they’re accumulating
in their own name.
© 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.
I’ll Believe the GOP Cares About
the Middle Class When I See It
By Elizabeth Warren, Elizabeth Warren for Senate
So far in this new Congress, Republicans have spent weeks debating a pipeline that will mostly
benefit a giant foreign oil company — and weeks more threatening a government shutdown of the
Homeland Security Department. Meanwhile, millions of people who work hard and play by the
rules are still getting squeezed to the breaking point.
The Republicans prove once again how Washington works just fine for giant corporations, but
not so much for working people.
It’s time to make different choices — to stand up to the armies of lobbyists and lawyers to
begin to make the government work for the middle class once again. That’s why this week, Rep.
Elijah Cummings and I have launched the new Middle Class Prosperity Project: to push this new
Congress to take action to help working people.
Recently, Republicans seem to have discovered the struggles of America’s middle class. Out
of nowhere, they’re talking about this problem.
That’s great, but talk is cheap. And when it comes to action, these Republicans seem to have
amnesia about what they have actually done to hard-working Americans.
Republican trickle-down policies created tax breaks and loopholes for the wealthy while
leaving working families to pick up the pieces. I’ll believe Republicans care about what’s happening to America’s middle class when they stop blocking legislation that would require billionaires to pay taxes at the same rate as teachers and firefighters.
Republican trickle-down economics blocked increases in the minimum wage that would have
lifted 14 million people out of poverty. I’ll believe Republicans care about what’s happening to
America’s working families when they stop blocking minimum wage increases and agree that no
should work full time and still live in poverty.
Republican trickle-down economics squeezed billions of dollars of profit out of people who
had to borrow money to go to college. I’ll believe Republicans care about what’s happening to
America’s future when they agree to refinance student loans.
I could go on, but the point is the same: talk is cheap.
We know how to build a strong middle class. We’ve done it. And we know that the policies
we put together here in Washington can make a big difference. That’s what our new Middle Class
Prosperity Project is all about: bringing together leaders in Washington, economists and policy
experts, and millions of voices of people across the country to get to work.
It’s time for action that will strengthen middle class families and build a strong future. It’s time
to put up or shut up.
© Osini Faleatasi Inc. reserves all rights.
dba Samoa News publishes Monday to Saturday, except for some local and federal holidays.
Send correspondences to: OF, dba Samoa News, Box 909, Pago Pago, Am. Samoa 96799.
Telephone at (684) 633-5599 • Fax at (684) 633-4864
Email advertisements to [email protected]
Email the newsroom at [email protected]
Normal business hours are Mon. thru Fri. 8am to 5pm.
Permission to reproduce editorial and/or advertisements, in whole or in part, is required.
Please address such requests to the Publisher at the address provided above.
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015 Page 5
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
AMERICAN SAMOA GOVERNMENT
Telephone: (684) 633-4116 Fax: (684)633-2269
PROCLAMATION
AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH
MARCH 2015
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross of American Samoa is celebrating 92 years of service to the Territory;
and
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Burton, a woman selflessly devoted to the
needs of humans; and
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross keeps military service members and their families in touch around the
world; and
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross offers training in First Aid, CPR and other skills; and provides lifesaving
blood across American; and
WHEREAS, the local American Red Cross preparedness depends upon readily available disaster supplies, well
trained and enthusiastic volunteers, and the financial support of the people of American Samoa; and
WHEREAS, these resources must be available at a moment’s notice when a personal or family crisis strikes, or
a natural or man-made disaster occurs; and
WHEREAS, the American Red Cross of American Samoa through your generous financial donations throughout the year made it possible for our disaster teams to respond and provide emergency supplies to over 32
families during the July 29, 2014 Floods and Mudslide incident thus affirming its commitment to a worthwhile
humanitarian organization that is here to serve each day of the year;
NOW THEREFORE, I, LEMANU PELETI MAUGA, Acting Governor of American Samoa do hereby proclaim March 2015, to be the American Red Cross Month in American Samoa. I commend the good work of
the American Red Cross in our Territory and strongly encourage all our residents to donate, assist and support
the efforts of this organization in keeping with our spirit of giving and compassion to fellow mankind.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of my office on this 25th day of
February, in the year of our Lord two thousand and fifteen.
LEMANU PELETI MAUGA
Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
LIMA FESOASOANI
Page 6
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015
QUICK FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
PO Box 308
Pago Pago, AS 96799
Tel: (684) 699-3848 or 633-3848
Fax: (684) 699-3849 or 633-3849
E-mail: [email protected]
The following account holders are encouraged to visit or contact our Collection Representative, Masi Manila
at 699-3848 at our Tafuna Office, regarding your delinquent account.
Aetui, Ernest Samoa
Afoa, Oganiu
Ah Ching, Faanaitaua
Ah Mu, Johnny
Aisau, Ioasa
Ala, Oliana
Alaelua, Kapeteni
Alasi, Patrick
Alefaio, Talimalo
Aliivaa, Taumasina
Allen, Lidwina
Allen, Mathew Waldie
Allen, Stoechkict
Alosio, Tuloto
Ameperosa-Faapouli, Atoaaana
Apifia, Mele
Asiata, Muese
Atiae, Faatamalii
Atonio, Jason
Auelua, Caroline
Avia, Elaine
Correia, Martina
Crosby, Miriama
Elifasa, Loto
Esau, Masua
Esau, Steven
Esera, Tauva
Eti, Lopa
Europa, Vida
Faalii, Kalala
Faavae, Meaalofa
Falanai Hana
Failauga, Mavaeao
Fe’a, Lalofau
Fiaalii, Niko
Fogavai, Faamanu
Foleni, Faafua
Fruean, Saena Samuelu
Fui, Daniel
Fuiava, Mathew
Fuimaono, Esther
Fuimaono, Michelle
Fuimaono-Porotesano, Tuumafua
Fulu, Alamai
Gaoteote, Tupouamoa
Grey, Mark
Hun Fen, Fagaalofa
Husseini, Judy
Iaulualo, Therisa
Ilimaleota, Levelevei
Ilimaleota, Mikaele
Imo, Vaivai
Ioasa, Aisau
Iosefa, Monika
Isaia, Monte
Iupeli, Elvis
Iupeli, Pepelini Filemu
Kaisa, Johnny
Kaleopa, Senerita
Kerisiano, Sale
Kuresa, Faavela
Kuresa-Sokimi, Christina
Lake, Faasisina
Lalau, Taase
Laloulu, Toese
Laulu Fuaao
Leala, Masunu J.
Leaoa, Talavai
Leapai Poe
Leasiolagi, Galen
Lefotu, Dora
Leituala-Misiuepa, Ufanafana
Leo Crystal
Leo, Tuisamoa
Leota, Imoa
Leota, “PJ” Pule T
Lepolo, Taleni
Letoa, Aloni
Levu, Jordan
Lilio, Ualesi
Loa, Tuanai
Loa, Winnie
Loe, Simo
Lokou, Poni
Lolani, Pope Paulo
Luapo Sesilia
Luavasa, Leua
Lui, Fiso ‘Isabella’
Maanaima, Fereti
Maae-Sootaga, Theresa
Maea, Lui
Maeataanoa, Sarai
Mafua, Barbara
Magalei, Seugatalitasi
Mageo, Precious
Maiava, Filisi
Maiava, Fitiuta
Makiasi, Simativa
Maloata, Tugaluea
Malolo, Oliva
Malosi, Pola
Maligi, Taumanupepe
Maluia, Tiresa
Manaea, Chester
Mao, Pito
Mapu, Loreta
Mapu, Sineti
Mapu, Vitale
Marques, Aveta
Masaniai, Manino
Masui, Junior
Masunu, Toloa
Matalima, Alieta
Matamu, Kelemete
Matau, Tikeri
Matau, Esau
Matau, Faletui
Mauga, Ethan
Mauga, Hokiana
Mckenzie, Saofaiga
Meredith, Anthony
Mika, Peleti
Mika, Utumoeaau
Milo, Pala
Minoneti, Lusila
Misa, Levei
Misi, Susau
Misioka, Miliama
Misiuepa, Suluifaleese
Misivila, Sophia
Moe, Lagisolia
Moemoe, Tailua
Monaco, Thomas
Mose, Junior
Moors, Harry
Moors Jr, Misimoa
Moors, Matauaina
Muao, Ropeti
Muliau, Samasoni
Musa, Sinatulaga
Navelika, Onosa’i
Noa Jr. Lautele
Nu’usoalia, Lokeni Jr.
Nu’usoalia, Lokeni Sr.
Nuutai, Petaia
Nyel, Naomi
Ofoia, Sose
Onosai, Saisavaii
Onosai Savelina
Paepule, Lemusu
Palepoi, Faleata
Paselio, Fiapapalagi
Passi, Simamao Katherine
Pati, Apelu
Patu, Falealo “Johnny”
Pene, Ann
Peni, Suetena
Petelo, Anitelea
Poia, Paosia
Poleki, Alofagia
Poloai, Elisapeta
Poloai, Fa’afetai
Posala, Talaesea
Puni, Ioane
Pule, Talosaga
Ripley, Faamalele Tagoai
Sagapolutele, Frank
Sakaria, Paese
Salueletaua, Lemo
Samifua, Lemiga
Sanele, Vicky
Sao, Kuini
Sauaso, Joyce
Saufoi, Lauina
Sauta, Paul
Savusa, Maotaoalii “Waika”
Schwenke, Hanna
Semeatu, Ernest Thomas
Semeatu, Meleane
Seuteva, Taputaua
Sialofi, Taupale
Siaosi, Sean
Siofaga, Fetalaiga
Siliga, Eneliko
Siliga, Roina
Sio, Lyno
Solomona, Aapa
Sooto, Prescilla
Sokimi, Sinaloa
Solia, Genevieve
Sotoa-Leota, Otilia
Spitzenberg, Rose
Sua, Faasasalu
Sua, Finau
Suafoa, Faifua Jr.
Sualoa, Tuipine
Suani-Siaosi, Ianeta
Sue, Victoria
Suesue, Dino
Suiaunoa, Brian
Suisala, Taulua Jr.
Tafaese, Onoiva
Ta-Grey, Florence
Tago, Faasolo Malo
Tagoilelagi, Matautu
Tagovailoa, Valasi Aulava
Taito, Pouvi
Talifa, Talifa
Talopau, Toelau
Talosaga, Melesaini
Tapu Fatu
Tasi, Sailini
Tauanuu, Faatiuga
Tauai, Elena
Tauave, Tekai Mauga
Tauese, Keresoma
Taulafoga, Barbara
Taulamago, Iuliana
Taulelei, Tupuivao
Taumua, Pago Pago
Te’i, Lafoaina
Teve, Fa’aolaina
Thiel, Mathew Vincent
Timo, Lupi
Tini, Timena
Tipoti, Mike
Tiumalu, Nafanua
Tiumalu, Saimua
Toeava, Spencer
Toilolo, Allen
Togi, Alipapa
Togiaso, Patisepa
Togiola, Yolanda
Toomalatai, Vaesavali
Toomata, Afereti
Tua, Epi
Tua, Seneuefa
Tufele, Liua
Tufele, Ivi
Tuia, Roselie
Tuiasosopo, Saufaiga Cecilia
Tuigamala, Ropati
Tuiletufuga, Fonotaga
Tuiloma, Isaia
Tuiolemotu, (Lee Chee) Lovi
Tuiolemotu, Tafale
Tuisamatatele, Afiafi
Tuiteleleapaga, Simeonica
Tunu, Laia
Tupua, Mekiafa
Tupuola, Calvin
Tusitala, Samu
Tuufuli, Tuufuli
Ufuti, Tilomai
Unutoa, Matamatafua
Va’a, Sala
Va’a, Liva
Vaeao, Naomi
Vaesau, Asisione
Vaieli, Maselino
Vaimaona, Ata
Vaina, Misionare
Vaivao, Benjamin
Vasega, Savalivali
Ve’a, Joseph
Viliamu, Seiaute
Viliamu Uili
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015 Page 7
Get Into Your Sanctuary
program kicks off with a bang
by B. Chen
Samoa News Correspondent
Over 100 local residents,
including students from 13 different public and private elementary and high schools were
at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean
Center last Friday to be part of
the Get Into Your Sanctuary
(GIYS) program launch, spearheaded by NOAA’s National
Marine Sanctuary of American
Samoa (NMSAS).
Tents representing each of
the sites under the NMSAS
system were set up in the
Ocean Center parking lot for
students to ask questions and
get more information.
Special guests who attended
the event included Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga,
Senator Mauga Tasi Asuega,
Pulu Ae Ae Jr. of Congresswoman
Aumua
Amata’s
office, Ms. American Samoa
Anneliese Sword, David Robinson of the Chamber of Commerce, and Vaito’a Hans Langkilde of the American Samoa
Visitor’s Bureau.
NMSAS Deputy Superintendent Atuatasi Lelei Peau
welcomed everyone before
Rev. Ioane Evagelia, of the
Congregational
Christian
Church from Utulei offered the
invocation.
Chairman of the Sanctuary Advisory Council, Dean
Hudson provided the opening
remarks.
Rev. Ioane Evagelia, Lt.
Governor Lemanu and Sen.
Mauga Asuega who were
given the honor of unveiling
the Sanctuary poster for the
event.
A special presentation was
made by Richard Vevers,
Executive Director of the
Catlin Seaview Survey team
(See separate story for details).
Lt. Governor Lemanu,
during his remarks, stated that
the uniqueness of Friday’s
event is the celebration of the
‘past, present, and future’.
He said, “the past is gone,
but the present and future are
right here with us today”.
According to Lemanu, most
people look at the ocean as a
tool for economic development
and scientific research. But,
he added, it provides the one
thing that our children want the
most. And that, Lemanu said,
is” life”.
“If we who are living in the
present don’t do what we need
to do, we will not be able to
grant our children with the one
thing they ask for: life”.
He said we are ‘heading
there’, but efforts need to be
combined because the children
have no say in making policies and handling day-to-day
operations.
“We — the government,
businesses, and the private
sector — all need to come
together to fulfill our children’s
request,” Lemanu said.
The students who attended
Friday’s event are taking part
in an eight-month competition
that involves their ‘pledging’
to carry out certain projects
and activities that promote and
advocate ocean conservation.
According to the NMSAS,
the GIYS campaign provides
an opportunity to build partnerships between tourism purveyors, travelers, community
members, and national marine
sanctuary staff.
Representatives at each site
will participate in recreation
and tourism activities, sharing
their unique experiences and
photos along the way.
Anyone can share their
experience and participate in
the campaign.
The contest, which is a
continuous effort, ends later
this year in October and the
winning school will receive
$2,000 to purchase equipment
and supplies to carry out their
proposed projects.
The second place prize is
$1,500 while third place will
win $1,000
From now until October,
staff members from the
NMSAS and other partner
agencies will be visiting the
schools to check on their progress and ensure that the projects are being carried out.
“The GIYS Year for the
NMSAS is designed to promote national marine sanctuaries awareness as an iconic
place and visitor experience by
highlighting both popular and
off-the-beaten-path adventures
that these sites and surrounding
areas have to offer,” said a
statement from the NMSAS.
The NMSAS has planned
to make 2015 a year dedicated
to “Get Into Your Sanctuary”
so that each site is highlighted
per month, while summer programs are dedicated to school
age audiences.
The activities will kick off
this month, with students from
Leone High School and Leone
Elementary School taking a
tour of Fagatele Bay, as part of
the NMSAS school outreach
program entitled: “Ed-venture
(Ed-Education)”
Also this month, a competition called Sanctuary Scribes
will be open to students in
grades 5-12 and the deadline
for submissions is Thursday,
March 26.
More
information
on
the GIYS campaign can be
obtained by contacting the
NMSAS directly at 633-6500
or email <alma.roe-cornejo@
noaa.gov>
THE PLEDGES
Schools that were represented during Friday’s event
were each given a chance
to publicly announce their
‘pledges’ and describe what
they plan to do for the GIYS
program.
Leone High School students
have pledged that they will be
“Ta’iala ole sami”, and they
have formed a recycle club
with a membership of 30 students. They plan to host competitions including Recycle
Week and other contests
between different classes using
a point system.
Lupelele Elementary School
was represented by eighth
addressing the litter problem
will mean more jobs, with
people needed to work as
‘look-outs’ and trash pickers.
They have formed a club
called CTC which will conduct
clean-ups at Lions Park every
Saturday.
According to one of the
SPA students, they were able
to fill 21 bags of trash last
week— in less than two hours
at Lions Park.
Matafao Elementary School
was represented by level 4 stu-
provide “a cleaner ocean and
healthier environment.”
Nuuuli Poly Tech students,
through their Agriculture
Club, are engaged in a project
entitled: “Beach Perfect” and
they have pledged to clean up
the Pala Lagoon (across from
their campus) so they can help
“keep the marine environment
clean and healthy”.
Fa’asao Marist College
Preparatory School students
have initiated a project called
“Saving our Ocean and Pre-
McDonald’s American
Samoa Scholarship
Awards
In celebration of its 15th Anniversary, McDonald’s American Samoa
proudly announces the following scholarship awards available for the
2015-2016 academic year:
•(1) $15,000 Scholarship Award for a qualified ASCC
graduate planning to continue degree program at an
accredited US college/university
•(4) $2000 Scholarship Awards for qualified high school
graduates planning to attend ASCC
Applications are now available at McDonald’s Head Office, Nuuuli,
beginning Feb 27, 2015, between 2pm and 4pm Monday – Friday.
Deadline for turning in applications is Friday, April 24, 2015 at 4pm at
McDonald’s Head Office. For more information, please contact
Genevieve Solia at 699 1520 or 733 3596.
graders who have pledged to
“Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle”.
They youngsters have
pledged to promote the use of
solar power and work together
to stop citizens from harming
the territory’s ocean waters.
Pava’ia’i
Elementary
School has pledged to do what
they can to conduct campus
and village clean-ups while the
seventh graders from Uifaatali
Peter Coleman Elementary
School in Pago Pago promise
to live by their motto: “Keeping
it Clean”.
They pointed out that since
their school is located near
watersheds and rivers that flow
into the ocean, they plan to
host clean-up days for upper
level students so they can help
keep and preserve the island’s
natural resources.
South Pacific Academy students agree that the litter laws
need to be enforced because
“trash affects the way people
look at our island.”
The Dolphins believe that
dents who pledged to ‘protect
and preserve the ocean, community, and our island.”
Aua Elementary School students have pledged to carry out
the Rainmaker project, while
Tafuna Elementary School
seventh graders plan to build
an aquarium at their campus
“so we can bring the ocean to
the students”. Their project
is entitled: “Touched by the
Ocean”.
Leone Midkiff was represented by students from the
sixth grade who pledged to
become “Ta’iala ole Sami” by
picking up debris, and cleanup efforts are set to begin this
Friday.
Kanana Fou High School
students have pledged to promote recycling through a
club with a membership of 50
students.
In addition to cleaning up
trash, the Stallions also plan
to eradicate giant snails from
their campus to reduce waste
on land which in turn will
serving its Cleanliness”.
Their motto is: “Conserve,
Preserve, and Ready to Serve.”
Their pledge states that they
will conduct bi-monthly projects including pic-a-thons, and
video contests.
Also, they plan to coordinate
with the Dept. of Marine and
Wildlife Resources (DMWR)
for help in initiating a palolo
project, to discuss ways to keep
the palolo hunting tradition
alive, using the proper fishing
methods that won’t damage the
coral reefs.
Lastly, the Sharks from the
Samoana High School Science
Club have pledged to conduct monthly clean-ups at the
Suigaula ole Atuvasa Beach
Park and nearby waterways.
The students say they hope to
work together with villagers
and mayors in carrying out
their project.
Their goal, they said, is to
maintain their efforts so underclassmen “will continue the
work.”
Page 8
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015
JUNE DOROTHEA FAU MELLO
1943-2015
JUNE DOROTHEA MELLO, age 72, of Riverside, CA, passed
away peacefully on February 18, 2015. She was born on
February 13, 1943 in Pago Pago, American Samoa. She
married the love of her life, Frank V. Mello, on
November 9, 1963 and they had 3 children. June
loved to cook, entertain and spend time with family
and friends. June worked in the Food Service Industry until 1992 when she retired. June was preceded
in death by her beloved husband, Frank V. Mello.
She is survived by her 4 siblings; Robert Fau, Edward Lincoln, Gulam Lincoln and Ginger Morris; her
4 children; Gai Chapman, Vincent Mello (Diambra),
Vonda Alfsen (Clifford) and Deborah Henry (Tony);
her 6 grandchildren; Ricky Arrendondo, Frankie Henry,
Amanda Mello, Vincent Mello Jr., MacKenna Rabon and
Crystal Chapman and by her 5 great-grandchildren; Penelope
Hernandez-Arredondo, Eric, Lauren, Ryan and Mason Johnson. She
is survived by numerous aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews and her
dear friend/comadre, Silvia Amaro, who was her and her family’s
angel here on earth in the last couple months of her life.
Memorial Service at Sierra Memorial Chapel, 4933 La Sierra
Ave., Riverside, CA 92515 on March 21, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
C
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Richard Vevers, Executive Director of the Catlin Seaview
Survey team made a brief presentation on the status of coral
reefs in local waters last Friday during the launching of the Get
Into Your Sanctuary program at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean
[photo: B. Chen]
Center. (See story for more details).
➧ Local coral reefs exposed to dangerous levels of heat and stress…
Continued from page 1
is currently on island to document the current condition of the coral reefs, and the effect of coral bleaching
on those reefs.
Last Friday, Vevers spoke before a crowd of over
100 students, representing 13 local private and public
schools - elementary and high school levels — during
the official launch of the NMSAS’s Get Into Your
Sanctuary (GIYS) program.
Last December, Vevers and his crew were in the
territory, making many “dives” around the various
Sanctuary sites, taking snapshots of what Vevers
described as “amazing locations”.
He explained that their focus was to record the
reefs and look at their condition.
“Our job requires a balance between science and
communication,” he said, adding that in the past
two years, they have been able to produce roughly
ten documentaries that have been featured in several
different publications, including a six-page spread in
TIME Magazine.
Vevers credited Google, saying part of their success is due largely to the technology that allows them
to take people on visual tours of the world’s oceans.
“99.9% of people don’t dive and they probably
never will,” he explained. “But modern technology
now allows us to take people underwater, something
that was never possible before.”
He referred to the Valley of the Giants in Ta’u,
Manu’a and explained that some of the giant corals
there are over 500 years old — and an estimated 20
million different animals feed and live off one of the
corals alone.
(The Valley of the Giants is a region of reef along
the South West coast of Ta’u island that contains
numerous giant boulder corals, among the largest in
the world).
Vevers explained that he and his team departed
the territory in December and they have never been
known to return to the same place this early but they
had to, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) had contacted them, and
informed them about the serious coral bleaching
problem.
“This is more than has been seen in eleven years,”
Vevers explained. He said if the ocean waters continue to get hotter in the next two to three months, the
corals will be exposed to dangerously high levels of
heat and stress.
He presented a slide show of photos that were
taken last December and compared them to photographs that were taken last Wednesday.
The photos show a devastating contrast.
Snapshots taken last year show corals with vibrant
colors - red, orange, and tangerine - but the photos
that were taken last week show that the same corals
have lost their pigment on the top side, turning them
‘snow white’, while there is still color on the bottom
side.
“If the current hot temperatures don’t come down
soon, the corals can die,” Vevers said. He explained
that the ability of coral reefs to withstand the current
warm water temperatures are based on the conditions
prior to the bleaching, including fish population,
water conditions, and overall environmental health.
“If the coral dies, then the animals and fish die,”
Vevers pointed out. “Because they will have nothing
to feed on.”
He said a dive was carried out last week at Coconut
Point and they discovered that the area is suffering
from ‘extensive bleaching’.
He said the Airport reef had ‘lots of colors’ before,
but based on what they saw last week, there has been
a ‘real transformation’.
Vevers said their goal is to take the imagery they
have and go beyond Google Street, aiming straight
for the 2015 Capitol Hill Ocean Week “where we can
take the policy makers on a virtual dive”.
He said they want to provide photos of what’s
happening to the coral reefs in the territory and the
NMSAS system so they can provide more understanding of what’s going on and get much needed
support for what needs to be done.
BIO
Vevers is an underwater photographer and communication specialist. According to the NMSAS,
his role is to drive the project, and occasionally the
camera itself, with the goal of bringing the magic
of the underwater world into our everyday lives.
Vevers’s background includes ten years of working
in advertising in London, followed by a decade as an
underwater photographer, artist, designer and communicator, working with a range of conservation
organizations and companies, including the Sydney
Aquarium.
BACKGROUND
Mapping of the local Sanctuary units started late
last year by a team led by Christophe Bailhache of
Underwater Earth, Catlin Seaview Survey’s Richard
Vevers, and Kalewa Correa of Google Street View.
“Their work encompasses both still and 360degree panoramic recordings of coral reefs and land,”
NMSAS superintendent Gene Brighouse said at the
time. “These products will be made available online
to place the territory on the map of the only set of
comprehensive Google products from land to sea.”
The imagery allows a person to experience reefs
firsthand, as if they are the person who is diving.
Both the products make American Samoa the first
sanctuary in the system to have a comprehensive set
of land and underwater Google products.
CORAL BLEACHING
Coral bleaching is caused by global climate change
on coral reefs. The whiteness or bleached look of
coral is a sign of coral bleaching, which occurs when
the conditions necessary to sustain the coral’s zooxanthellae cannot be maintained.
American Samoa is experiencing coral bleaching
in many back reef areas right now. Predictions from
NOAA Coral Watch indicate that we will likely have
a mass bleaching event on our reef slopes in the
coming months.
According to the NMSAS, most evidence indicates that elevated temperature is the cause of mass
bleaching. Sixty major episodes of coral bleaching
have occurred between 1979 and 1990, with correlative field studies pointing to warmer-than normal
conditions as being responsible for triggering mass
bleaching events.
While rising ocean temperatures threaten reefs,
special heat-tolerant algae could help, according to a
report just published by researchers from the University of Southampton and New York University Abu
Dhabi.
A new species of algae discovered in the Persian
Gulf may help declining coral populations survive.
Coral and algae live in a symbiotic relationship
and the type of algae that grows on Persian Gulf coral,
called Symbiodinium, is able to cope with trauma to
coral brought on by vast temperature changes, scientists found and published in the journal Scientific
Reports.
More information is available on our website:
http://www.samoanews.com
Lua alo o Samoa Malaga mai le
Polamalu Foundation
Lali
Le
tusia: Leua Aiono Frost
C
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O nisi o alo o Amerika Samoa o le a toe taliu mai e fesoasoani i le fanau a’oga i Elementary ma A’oga Maualuluga i le
vaitau o tu’uaga umi o a’oga, ina ia fa’asoa mai lo latou tomai
i fa’agatama o lo ua lauiloa ai latou i Amerika atoa ma le lalolagi. O Alema Te’o e ta’uta’ua i le Ta’aloga Football, ae o Allen
S. Allen o lo ua lauiloa i le Ta’aloga Volipolo. Matua, fai lou
sao aoga i taumafaiga a lau fanau o lo’o a’o’oga i le taimi nei,
fa’atumu sau pepa talosaga e auai lau fanau i le Troy & Theodora Polamalu Foudation Camp i le Summer Iuni, 2015 i’inei.
ALLEN S. ALLEN
O se tasi o alo o
Amerika Samoa, Allen
S. Allen, sa soifua a’e i
le tatou atunu’u, soso’o
ma le o atu o lona aiga
i Hawaii, ina ua mae’a
lana vasega fa i le aoga
a felela. O i a o se tasi
o tagata taaloa lauiloa i
Amerika i le taaloga o le
volipolo.
“O le matou vaitaimi
e taito’atasi lava aiga sa i
ai se ta’avale, pe o le leai
lava fo’i i se nu’u atoa.
E fa’asoasoa mai taimi e
mumu ai eletise a aiga, e
tape le isi nu’u ae ola isi
nu’u, e le mumu le eletise i taimi uma.”
O se fita lena sa ola
a’e ai i o tatou nu’u ma
afio’aga iinei, peita’i, sa
avea ma fa’amalosi’au
nei mea ia te ia, ona o
Le alii o Allen Allen
le manatu, ua maua se
[ata: Leua Aiono Frost]
avanoa lelei, e ta’alo ai
ma taumafai e fa’ailoa o ia o se alo o Samoa.
“O mea laiti na e faia e se tasi e si’itia ai lona nu’u, lona malo
ma si ona aiga! A’o outou, ua tutusa pau lava mea ua tou maua
iinei, ma le fanau talavou i fafo. Ua outou feoa’i fo’i ma telefoni
fe’avea’i, ae o fafo, ua tele na’ua ai le sese o le olaga, o se mea
e le o tupu tele iinei.”
O Allen Allen, o se tasi e lauiloa i le ta’aloga o le Volipolo.
Na avea o ia ma tama ta’alo a Hawaii i lona vaitausaga o a’oga
(Faaauau itulau 10)
C
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samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015 Page 9
Si’itia teuga tupe a le
Litaea a le malo i le 1%
tusia Ausage Fausia
E tusa ai ma se ripoti sa tu’uaia e le kamupani Su’etusi o le “Moss Adams” i Amerika, lea
sa gafa ma le su’eina o le tulaga o lo o i ai teugatupe o le litaea a le malo o Amerika Samoa,
ua atagia mai ai le si’itia o teuga tupe o le litaea
i le $2.8 miliona, talu mai le va o le tausaga e
2013 ma le 2014.
O lea si’itaga e pei ona taua i le ripoti a le
kamupani Su’etusi, e mafua mai tulaga o lo o i
ai tupe tului mai maketi o lo o inivesi ai tupe a
kamupani i fafo.
E tapunia le tausaga tupe 2014, e $213.7 miliona le aofa’i o le teuga tupe a le litaea o lo o
fa’amaumauina ai, fa’atusatusa lea i le $210.9
miliona sa i ai i le 2013, ma le tausaga e 2012 e
$200.1 miliona.
Na taua i le ripoti mai le Fa’atonu o le Ofisa
o le Litaea a le malo ia Filisouaiga F. Ta’afua
e fa’apea, o le taua o tupe o lo o i totonu o teugatupe a le Litaea, e mafai ona fa’atupe ai le
totogiina atu o penefiti mo i latou uma o lo o
agava’a i le litaea a le malo.
I tulaga o tupe sa totogi atu e le Litaea mo
penefiti i le 2014, o lo o taua ai le aofa’i e $20.1
miliona, fa’atusatusa lea i le $19.7 miliona sa
totogi atu i le tausaga e 2013, ae i tulaga o tupe
fa’aalu mo le pulega (administrative expenses),
e $1.4 miliona sa totogiina i le tausaga e 2014,
fuafua i le $1.2 sa totogi atu i le 2013 e pei ona
taua i totonu o le ripoti.
I tulaga o tupe maua mai saofaga a tagta litaea
atoa ai ma teugatupe fa’aopoopo, ua maitauina
le si’itia i le tausaga tupe e 2014 i le aofa’i e
$10.9 miliona, pe a fa’atusatusa i le $10.5 miliona sa i ai i le tausaga e 2013.
O lo o taua fo’i i se vaega o le ripoti e fa’apea,
o le teuga tupe o le Litaea na fa’avae i le 1971,
ma le fa’amoemoe e totogi atu ai saofaga ma
fa’amanuiaga i tagata faigaluega a Amerika
Samoa ua malolo litaea mai a latou galuega
fa’atino.
O le tausaga tupe e 2014, e to’a 1,801 le
aofa’i o i latou o lo o tali penefiti mai le teuga
tupe a le litaea, fa’atusatusa lea i le to’a 1,762 sa
i ai i le 2013 e pei ona taua i le ripoti.
O le tagata e agava’a i le litaea atoa, ua atoa
le 65 tausaga o lona matua, ma ua atoa fo’i le 30
tausaga o lana tautua i le malo pe sili atu fo’i, po
o se tasi fo’i ua atoa pe sili atu fo’i le 30 tausaga
o le tautua, ae ua 55 tausaga o lona soifua, o i
latou la ia e agava’a i le penefiti atoa o le litaea.
Ae mo i latou e vave malolo litaea i le 55
tausaga le matua ae ua atoa fo’i le 10 tausaga
o le tautua pe sili atu, e le agava’a i latou i
fa’amanuiaga atoa e tatau ona maua.
O le fonotaga fa’a le tausaga a le Litaea i
Hawai’i, e ta’ilua tausaga ma usuia, lea fo’i e
malaga ai sui o le Fono Faitulafono fa’apea ai
totino o le Komiti Fa’afoe o le Litaea a le malo,
mo le mata’ituina o le tulaga o lo o i ai lea teuga
tupe taua a le malo.
Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia
[email protected]
Laufofoga fiafia o tina o le Ekalesia Aso Fitu o le Toe Afio mai i Pago Pago, lea sa gafa ma le tapenaina o fuafuaga uma, aua le osiga o le feagaiga ma le latou
faifeau fou i le vaiaso na te’a nei.
[ata: AF]
Page 10
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015
➧ Polamalu Foundation…
Mai itulau 9
Students from Matafao Elementary School were among the dozens
of local youngsters and teens who took part in the official launching of
the NMSAS Get Into Your Sanctuary (GIYS) program last Friday at the
Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center in Utulei.
[photo: B. Chen]
➧ Stephania Sulusulu gaoia $11K mai GHC Reid…
Mai itulau 1
I le tali ioe ai o Sulusulu, 37 tausaga le matua i le solitulafono e pei ona ta’usala ai o ia e le
fa’amasinoga, sa ia ta’utino ai e fa’apea, i le va o le masina o Aperila e o o atu ia Me 2010, sa ia
fa’aaoga fa’agaoi ai se vaega tupe e tusa ma le $11,842.27 mai le kamupani sa galue ai.
O le mataupu lenei, na alia’e i luga ina ua masalomia e le Su’etusi a le kamupani ni isi o
fa’amaumauga tau tupe e le o talafeagai ma fa’amaumauga a Sulusulu, ma poloaina ai loa e le
Peresetene a le kamupani le faia o se su’esu’ega i lenei mataupu.
I suesuega sa faia, na maua ai le fa’aaoga e le ua molia o siaki mai isi kamupani e totogi ai pili
o lo o aitalafu ai isi kamupani i le GHC Reid, i le mae’a ai lea ona ia fa’aaoga o tinoitupe sa totogi
atu e kamupani ia mo a latou aitalafu.
Mo se fa’ata’ita’iga, na fa’aaoga e Sulusulu le siaki na totogi atu e le North West Company e
totogi ai le aitalafu a le Cost U Less.
O le masina o Me 2010 na fa’amalolo ai loa Sulusulu mai lana galuega a o fa’agasolo ai
su’esu’e mo ni isi vaega tupe o lo o a’afia i gaioiga a le ua molia, peita’i ina ua tuana’i aso e fa talu
mai le aso na fa’amalolo ai Sulusulu mai lana galuega, sa ia tuua ai le teritori ae malaga ese atu i
fafo, e aunoa ma lona logoina o le kamupani.
I le aso 30 Novema 2010, na logo ai e se sui o le kamupani le tina o le ua molia, ma fa’ailoa i
ai le masalomia e le ua molia o se vaega tupe e tusa ma le $3,447.27, ae i su’esu’ega sa fa’auau na
manino ai, e silia i le $11,000 le vaega tupe na gaoi e le ua molia.
I le aso 1 Tesema, 2010, na tusi ai e le ua molia se tusi i luga o le ‘Facebook’ ma ave i le Peresetene o le kamupani, e fa’atoese i ai e tusa o lana gaioiga sa faia, ma ia talosagaina ai se avanoa
na te toe totogiina ai le tupe.
I le tuana’i ai o masina e fa, sa toe fo’i mai ai Sulusulu i le teritori ma ia sainia ai se maliliega
ma le kamupani, ma ia malie ai na te totogiina le ta’i $500 i le masina seia atoa le tupe na ia ave
faagaoi, ae i le va o Aperila 2011 ma Novema 2012, e na o le $1,050 sa ia toe totogi i le GHC Reid.
Na ta’utino Sulusulu i le fa’amasinoga e fa’apea, o le gaioiga sa ia faia, sa faia e aunoa ma se
fa’atanaga fa’aletulafono mai le GHC Reid, e le i fa’atagaina fo’i o ia e le kamupani na te fa’aaoga
a latou tupe mo ia lava.
Ua sauni loia e finau i le fa’amasinoga mo se fa’asalaga mama mo le ua molia, peita’i ua malamalama le ua molia, e tusa lava pe finau loia i le fa’amasinoga mo se fa’asalaga mama mo ia, e
pule le fa’amasinoga pe talia pe teena ia fa’afinauga.
Ua ia malamalama fo’i, e le mafai ona toe suia lana tali ioe ua tu’uina atu i le fa’amasinoga, pe
afai e tu’uina mai se fa’asalaga a le fa’amasinoga ae le tusa ai ma lona mana’o.
O lo o tumau pea poloaiga o lo o tatala ai Sulusulu i tua, e fa’atali ai le aso lea ua fa’atulaga e
lau ai lona fa’asalaga.
O le solitulafono o le ave fa’agaoi o tupe sa tu’uina atu i lalo o lana va’ava’aiga, o se solitulafono C i le fa’atulagaina o solitulafono mamafa, lea e mafai ona fa’asala ai se tasi i le toese mo le
umi e le silia i le 7 tausaga, po o le fa’asalaga i se fa’asalaga tupe e le silia i le $5,000, pe fa’asala
fo’i i fa’asalaga uma ia e lua.
Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia [email protected]
maualuga, toe fa’apena fo’i i lana a’oga i le Kolisi ma le Iunivesite, sa ta’alo o ia i le Olimipeka, o se matati’a maualuga fo’i
lea ua o’o i ai se alo o Amerika Samoa.
Peita’i ua ia fa’ailoa mai, “E mafai ona sili atu mea e mafai
ona outou faia mo Amerika Samoa nai lo a’u, aua sa tau leai
ni mea i lo’u vaitaimi o la’ititi mai. Ia tele nisi mea silisili tou
te faia mo tou aiga, ma lou lava tagata taumafai, nai lo i matou
uma lava. O le ala lea o le a’apa mai o Troy ma Theodora Polamalu e fesoasoani mai ia te outou, e ala i lenei summer camp ua
fa’atautaia mai e le Polamalu Foundation i Iuni, 2015. Fa’atumu
e ou matua lau pepa talosaga mo sou avanoa e kolenia ai oe,
a’oa’o i lau ta’aloga ma le atamai, e le vasega o sui taua o le a
matou o mai fa’atasi i lena vaitaimi!”
ALEMA TEO
O se tasi e lauiloa i le
ta’aloga Football, sa ia
talanoa ai i le fanau, ma
fa’ailoa ia i latou: “O a’u
o le tamaititi na a’oa’oina
ma fa’atonutonu atu i le
tatou malo! O mea uma
lava o outou mauaina i
le taimi nei, sa le tutusa
ma mea sa ou a’oga ane
ai. Peita’i na uma la’u
a’oga, o’u faigaluega
e maua ai lo’u pasese
ou te o’o ai i Utah. O’o
i Utah o’u alu saili le
a’oga Kolisi ou te a’oga
ai, savali sa’o lava i le
faia’oga football fai i ai
ou te fia ta’alo.”
“Ua i ai nei i le tulaga
fou, ua avea ma se tasi e
fa’atautaia le All PolyCamp i Utah, ua to’atele
na’ua faia’oga o le NFL
e o atu e saili mai ai latou
Le alii o Alema Teo
tama ta’a’alo malosi.
Aisea? Leaga e malolosi
tino o tama Samoa. To’aga la’ia i le a’oga, ia lelei lau a’oga, e
faigofie ona fa’alelei lau ta’alo, ona o tatou tino Samoa e matua
ma’a’a lava!”
O lo ua fa’ailoa mai e i la’ua, o le taimi nei, e matua tele
avanoa ua maua e le fanau ta’a’alo i Amerika Samoa, nai lo
le tele o isi setete, pe afai e to’ai taunu’u mai lea aumalaga o
faia’oga, foma’i ma le au faufautua ua tapena mai e le Troy &
Theodora Polamalu Foundation ia Iuni, 2015.
“O le totogi fo’i o nei ituaiga camp pe afai e faia i Amerika,
e $1,000. ma sili atu, pe afai fo’i e i ai se tama ta’alo NFL e auai
e fa’atautaia e pei o Polamalu, o lona uiga e sili mamao i lena
totogi, ae o lea ua fa’ao’o mai ia te outou e aunoa ma se tau,
ia fa’aaoga lelei lea avanoa, e tima’ia ai outou mo tou filifiliga
tatau mo lou lava lumana’i.” O se tala tima’i lea a Alema i le
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015 Page 11
Skyview, Inc.
EVERYDAY PRICES
tusia Ausage Fausia
Ina ua fofoga e le
fa’amasinoga lana fa’asalaga
fa’asaga i se ali’i ua ta’usala
i lona faia o uiga mataga i se
tama’ita’i e talavou i lalo o le
tulafono, na taua ai le afioga i le
ali’i fa’amsino sili ia Michael
Kruse, ona finagalo ina ia
fa’amalosia uma tulafono e lua
lea e poloaina ai le lesitala o le
ioga o le tagata ua ta’usala i le
faia o uiga mataga i fanau laiti.
O tulafono e lua e pei ona
fa’atatau i ai le saunoaga a le
afioga i le ali’i fa’amasino
sili, o le tulafono 46.2801 o
lo o i lalo o le Tulafono Toe
Teuteu a Amerika Samoa, atoa
ai ma le tulafono fou lea na
fa’atoa pasia e le Fono Faitulafono i le nofoaiga ua mavae
atu (SORNA acts), lea fo’i ua
sainia e le ali’i kovana.
O le taua o le fa’amalosia
uma o tulafono nei e lua e
pei ona saunoa Kruse, ina ia
mautinoa ai e le pau se vaega
o nei tulafono i le taimi e
fa’amalosia ai.
I lalo o le tulafono tuai o lo o
i ai e lesitala ai i latou e ta’usala
i le faia o amioga mataga i
fanau laiti, o lo o i lalo lea o le
vaavaaiga a le Pule o le Toese,
peit’ai i le tulafono fou o le
SORNA e pei ona pasia talu ai
nei e le Fono Faitulafono, o lo
o taoto atu ai le vaavaaia o lea
tulafono i lalo o le Ofisa a le
Loia Sili o le malo.
O lea auala e pei ona taua
i ni isi o vaega o le tulafono,
e le gata e faigofie ai ona saili
fa’amaumauga mo so o se
tagata ua ta’usala i le faia o
uiga mataga fa’asaga i fanau pe
afai e ulufale mai, ae faigofie
ai fo’i ona galulue fa’atasi le
Ofisa o le Loia Sili ma ofisa
fa’amalosi tulafono a le malo e
aofia ai le Ofisa o Leoleo.
Ae na taua e le Loia Sili ia
Talauega Eleasalo Ale ina ua
molimau i luma o le Senate i
le masina o Ianuari na te’a nei
e fa’apea, o ni isi o sauniuniga
a lona ofisa mo le fa’amalosia
o le tulafono o le SORNA, e
aofia ai le auina atu o ni isi o
le aufaiglauega e a’oa’oina i ni
aoaoga o le a faia i le malo tele.
O nei aoaoga e pei ona taua
e le ali’i loia sili i lana molimau
lea, o le a mafai ai ona a’otauina
le aufaigaluega i auala e tu’u
Amata advocates for veteran
owned small businesses
(PRESS RELEASE) — Washington, DC — Congresswoman
Aumua Amata participated in two Joint Congressional Veterans
Committee hearings this week. Both hearings were dedicated to
the legislative agendas of two important veteran advocacy organizations for the 114th Congress. The first hearing focused on
the agenda presented by Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
and the second on the priorities of the American Legion.
During the joint hearing, held in the Dirksen Senate Office
Building, Aumua addressed DAV Commander, Ronald Hope
on how the Veteran’s Affairs Administration can better connect
those veterans who own a small business with Small Business
Administration (SBA) programs that are already in place to
assist them. At the second Joint Congressional Veterans Committee hearing, Amata raised the same concerns to American
Legion Commander, Michael Helm.
“As a Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee,
I am very interested in finding ways that we can better connect
our veterans who own a small business with the programs that
are already in place to assist them. My home district of American Samoa is both geographically and economically isolated
and almost all of our businesses are small businesses, many
owned by our veterans,” said Amata.
“How can we better help those veterans who own a small
business, particularly those in rural and isolated areas to connect
with the programs available to them?” she concluded.
Congresswoman Amata addresses American Legion Commander, Michael Helm during Wednesday’s Joint Congressional
Hearing. [courtesy photo]
fa’atasia ai fa’amaumauga e
fa’atatau i tagata o lo o a’afia
i lalo o le tulafono, aemaise
ai fo’i o le auala e fetufaa’i ai
fa’amaumauga fa’asaga ia i
latou nei.
O le taua o le tulafono
fou o le SORNA lea ua pasia
nei e le Fono Faitulafono,
o le a faigofie ai ona silafia
e le atunu’u fa’amatalaga e
fa’atatau i so o se tagata fou e
malaga mai ma nofo i totonu o
le atunu’u, ina ia mautinoa ai o
lo o saogalemu fanau laiti mai
nofoaga eseese o lo o malaga
solo i ai i latou ua ta’usala i le
faia o uiga mataga i fanau laiti.
Feso’ota’i mai i le tusitala ia
[email protected]
Cs CHICKEN LEGS 22lb.................$15.95
Cs TURKEY TAILS 22lb..................$19.95
Cs SAUSAGES 10lb......................$14.95
Cs PORK SPARE RIBS...................$26.95
RICE 40LB................................$26.95
RICE 20LB................................$13.95
Cs NONGSHIM BOWL SAIMIN...........$ 9.95
Cs MALA SAIMIN PKG...................$ 4.95
Cs BESTYET WATER 500ML............$ 6.95
Cs PALM PISUPO 11.5/12CT...........$40.95
Cs EATWELL TUNA 12CT................$15.95
Cs MARINA SPAGHETTI 12CT..........$ 5.95
Cs CAMP SPAGHETTI 14.75OZ.........$12.95
NOTE: Limited quantities for any items
Liquors & wines are sold @ both locations.
Tent orders and funeral services will be provided @
the main location in Aua
AUA & FAGAITUA 644-5000 / 622-5000
American Samoa
Power Authority
Human Resource Department, Tafuna
PO Box PPB, Pago Pago
American Samoa 96799
Phone No: (684) 699-3033
Fax No: (684) 699-3046
PUBLIC JOB POSTING
Position Title
CS Customer Service
Representative I
Posting Date
March 2, 2015
Department
CS Customer Service
Representative I
Deadline
4:00 PM, March 6, 2015
Division
Administration
Position Type
Career Service - 12 months
probation
Pay
$7.28 - $8.21 per hour
Reports To
Customer Service
Supervisor
Job Grade/Status
D/1/A -D/4/A, Non-Exempt
Major Duties & Responsibilities
The primary objective of the position is to process ASPA Customer Payments to utility
accounts, to include credit card, debit meter and miscellaneous transactions including online
payments; respond to ASPA customer billing inquiries in person or over the phone; refer
ASPA customer inquiries to appropriate representatives or offices; balancing out of daily cash
drawer and assist daily cash close-out and research discrepancies as needed; perform general
administrative / clerical activities; present and maintain a courteous working relationship and
professional image when dealing with customers and the public in general; ability to comprehend technical aspects of ASPA related operational functions; assist ASPA Customer Service
Operations as needed.
Minimum Requirements
Education - Associate of Arts/Science in Business/Marketing and/or Accounting.
Experience - Five (5) years of efficient and progressive customer service experience; proven
computer skills including experience with AS400; Accustomed to working long and/or
flexible hours including weekends.
Skills, Abilities, Job Requirements - Ability to: interpret and explain utility policies and
procedures to customers: computer literate and well-versed in Microsoft Office; able to create
and compose correspondence and word document reports, produce spreadsheet analysis
reports with graphs; stay organized and manage multiple demands through independent
judgment and personal initiative.
Skilled in: Computer literate and competent in using standard office software; verbal and
written communication. Possess excellent interpersonal skills; work as a team player and
with the ability to be flexible. Possess and keep a good attendance.
Successful candidate must speak and understand both Samoan and English; excellent communication skills; be a good listener and creative problem-solver. He or she must have the
ability to perform multiple tasks assigned; an organized self-starter. Knowledge and experience in utility operations a plus. Must have pleasant manners with respect to customers and
the public alike and be honest when handling cash and be willing to work long shifts to cover
other areas of CS when needed.
Qualified applicants: Please submit a complete employment application by the deadline
listed above. Candidates selected for hire must pass examinations (when applicable), test
negative on pre-employment drug test. ASPA reserves the right to waive education and
experience requirements as necessary.
No phone inquiries accepted.
An Equal Opportunity Employer * A Drug Free Workplace
Page 12
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015
FOR SALE
By B. Chen
NMSAS SANCTUARY
ADVISORY MEETING
The Sanctuary Advisory
Council of the National Marine
Sanctuary of American Samoa
will meet Wednesday, March
4, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm
in the Rotunda Room of the
Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean
Center in Utulei. Items on the
agenda include updates on the
Hawaiian Islands Humpback
Whale National Marine Sanctuary management plan review
process; the Get Into Your
Sanctuary (GIYS) campaign;
the Catlin Seaview Survey; the
Sanctuary fishing tournament
(possible action item); Sanctuary
research and monitoring; coral
bleaching; and the eradication
of the Crown-of-Thorns (COTs)
starfish. Anyone wishing to
speak on agenda items may add
their name to the public comment sign-up sheet available
at the Ocean Center on the day
1 acre of prime individually-owned property located
next to golf course. Highest bid to date: $210,000.
Closing bids March 13, 2015. Contact: 770-6782
AMERICAN SAMOA
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
TRADES & TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
APPRENTICESHIP AND WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
(USDOL Approved)
Feb 23 – April 30, 2015 (10 Week Semester)
(First Day of Instructions is Feb 23, 2015 - 5:00pm to 7:30pm)
Late Registration:
Date:
Feb 23 - Feb 27, 2015
Registration:
Date:
Time:
Feb 17 – Feb 20, 2015
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Registration Locations:
Apprenticeship:
Workforce Development:
TTD Office or Participant Sponsor (Employer)
TTD Office (Non-Traditional Students)
Cost:
Registration Fee:
Course (5 CEU):
$25.00 (Non-refundable)
$60.00 per CEU ($300.00 per course)
Placement Test (English & Math)
Location:
Date:
Adult Education Literacy and Extended Learning
TBA
Enrollment Requirement:
Apprentice:
Workforce Development:
Must be employed in the respective area
Must be a high school graduate or equivalent
Required English & Math Courses:
A participant may be placed in a required English & Math Course pending Placement Test results. English & Math Courses
are FREE courtesy of the AELEL Division (Adult Education), ASCC.
COURSE #
COURSE TITLE
CEU
DAYS
TIME
INSTRUCTOR
AST 800
Introduction to Automotive Technology
& Services (Auto Mechanic)
5.0
M/W
5:00PM-7:30PM
A. SIONE
CON 802
Walls and Ceiling Framing
(Construction)
5.0
M/W
5:00PM-7:30PM
D. FAUMUI
ETP 800
Basic Electrical Theory (Electrician)
5.0
M/W
5:00PM-7:30PM
J. LEAE
WLD 800
Welding Fundamentals & Metallurgy
(Welder)
5.0
M/W
5:00PM-7:30PM
A. FUGA
ACR 800
Introduction to Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
(Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technician)
5.0
T/TH
5:00PM-7:30PM
P. MARIO
AST 802
Automotive Engine Performance Driveability
(Auto Mechanic) Pre-Requsite - AST 800
5.0
T/TH
5:00PM-7:30PM
P. NG LAM
BPR 810
Blueprint Reading
(Construction/Architectural Drafting)
5.0
T/TH
5:00PM-7:30PM
A. ESERA
ETP 870
Electrical Installation II (Electrician)
Pre-requisite-ETP 860 or with
experience
5.0
T/TH
5:00PM-7:30PM
TBA
ICT 860
Computer Networking II (Computer Technology)
Pre-Requisite - ICT 840 or with coputer experience
5.0
T/TH
5:00PM-7:30PM
J. MARTINEZ
WLD 840
Advanced Shielded Metal Arc Welding I
(Welder/Fabricator)
5.0
T/TH
5:00PM-7:30PM
A. FUGA
For more information please contact AWD Coordinator, Fred Suisala at
699-9155 Ext. 353 or TTD Administrative Assistant, Juliet F. C. Pen at 699-9155 Ext. 472.
of the meeting. Oral testimony
may be limited to three minutes
per person, depending on time.
Any person wishing to testify
on agenda items must submit a
written copy of their testimony
to Joseph Paulin by tomorrow,
March 3, for distribution to the
council prior to the meeting.
Afterwards, it is the submitter’s responsibility to provide
Sanctuary staff with an adequate
number of copies for distribution to the council members
in attendance (a minimum of
25 copies) on the day of the
meeting. Written comments
may be e-mailed to: Joseph.
[email protected]. More information may be obtained by
contacting the NMSAS at 6336500. The Sanctuary Advisory
Council was established in 2005
and is a community-based body
that provides advice and recommendations on managing and
protecting the Sanctuary. The
council is composed of eleven
government and fourteen nongovernmental seats. Serving in
a volunteer capacity, the council
members represent a variety of
local user groups, as well as the
general public.
MILITARY CASE LOT SALE
POSTPONED
The highly anticipated case lot
sale for military servicemen and
women—past and present – as
well as eligible family members
has been postponed until further
notice. This is due to the labor
strike at the Port of Los Angeles,
which affected the schedule of
cargo ships entering the territory.
The case lot sale is held at the
Army Reserve Center in Tafuna
and was supposed to be carried
out next month. However, due
to shipping issues, the sale has
been postponed, not cancelled.It
is unclear at this time when the
sale will take place. Every year,
veterans, reservists, active duty
military members, retirees, and
eligible civilians look forward
to the case lot sale, which offers
items in bulk at generously discounted prices.
DOH AND STOMACH FLU
An average of 150 cases per
week of the stomach flu has been
reported by the Department of
Health in a report that covered
the week ending last Friday.
The stomach flu has affected a
high number of local residents,
including young children, over
the past several weeks. Currently, DOH personnel are collaborating with doctors and LBJ
hospital employees on compiling necessary information for
an investigation. The Department of Health says they will
conduct an investigation and
continue to monitor the situation, and test for active microorganisms that may be the cause of
the rise in acute cases. For now,
everyone is encouraged to maintain good hygiene and continue
to practice proper sanitation.
More information can be
obtained by contacting the
DOH hotline at 770-1574 or
the infectious disease hotline at
731-7511.
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015 Page 13
The American Samoa Government
OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT
tusia Ausage Fausia
TEENA TU’UAIGA FA’ASAGA IA FETA’I AULEAFE
Ua le fa’amaonia e le fa’amasinoga maualuga tu’uaiga a le
malo fa’asaga ia Feta’i Auleafe, i lona le usitaia lea o tuutuuga
o lana nofova’ava’aia, ina ua fa’ailoa e le loia a le malo i le
fa’amasinoga i le aso Faraile na te’a nei, e le o mautinoa e le
malo le tulaga o le mataupu o lo o tu’uaia ai Auleafe i luma o le
fa’amasinoga fa’aitumalo.
O le aso Faraile na te’a nei na fa’atulaga e faia ai se ulua’i
iloiloga o le mataupu a Auleafe, i le mae’a ai lea ona faila e
le malo o se talosaga ina ia fa’aleaoga le nofovaavaaia a le ua
molia. Ae ina ua o o atu i le taimi o le iloiloga, sa fa’ailoa ai e le
loia a le malo o Jessica Bargmann, le leai o ni mau e lagolago ai
tu’uaiga fa’asaga i lenei mataupu, e le o mautinoa fo’i le tulaga
o le mataupu o lo o tu’uaia ai Auleafe i luma o le fa’amasinoga
fa’aitumalo. O le taimi lea na fa’aulu ai loa e le ali’i loia fautua ia
Douglas Fiaui le talosaga ina ia fa’aleaoga le iloiloga sa fuafua
e faia mo lea mataupu, lea fo’i na talia e le fa’amasino sili ia
Michael Kruse. Na fa’ailoa e Kruse i le loia a le malo e fa’apea,
e taua le fa’avae o talosaga i luga o mau e fa’amaonia, o faiga
fa’avae ia e mulimulita’i i ai le fa’amasinoga i iloiloga fa’apitoa
fa’apea.
TOE TOLOPO MATAUPU DET. IOANE PASELIO
O le aso 13 Mati, 2015 lea ua toe tolopo i ai e le fa’amasinoga
fa’aitumalo le mataupu a le ali’i leoleo su’esu’e ia Det. Ioane
Paselio, ina ua talia e le afioga i le ali’i fa’amasino ia Elvis
P. Patea le talosaga a le itu tete’e, mo se isi lua vaiaso se’i
fa’amae’a ai a latou su’esu’ega e tusa ai o mau fa’amaonia ua
tauaao atu e le malo. Na taua e le itu tete’e e fa’apea, talu ai le
taua o fa’amaumauga o lo o fia maua e le latou itu, ua mafua ai
ona ia talosagaina se isi lua vaiaso e toe tolopo ai lenei mataupu,
lea fo’i na talia e Patea e aunoa ma se fa’atuiese i ai o le malo.
E tele moliaga mama o lo o tu’uaia ai e le malo ia Det. Paselio, e mafua mai i le fa’alavelave lea sa ia fa’ao’olima ai i le
Leoleo Faitoto’a o le fale kalapu a le Evalani i Pago Pago ma
lona uso, soso’o ai ma lona tu’iina o le tioata o le Fale Kalapu
ma ta’e ai, ae fa’ai’u i lona savali i totonu o le ta’avale leoleo sa
ia fa’aaogaina i le po lea ma aumai ai se fana ma fa’alala solo i
tagata sa i ai, e pei ona taua i fa’amaumauga a le fa’amasinoga.
O lo o tumau pea le tete’e a Det. Paselio i tu’uaiga fa’asaga
ia te ia, ma o lo o tumau pea fo’i tu’utu’uga o lo o tatala ai o ia i
tua, e fa’atali ai le isi aso o lana iloiloga.
TOE MOLIA FO’I SIAOSI IEREMIA I LE
FA’AMASINOGA
O le ali’i lea na fa’atoa magalo mai i tua i le amataga o le
masina o Fepuari na te’a nei, ua toe taofia fo’i i le toese i Tafuna,
ona o tu’uaiga i lona faia lea o se isi solitulafono, ma ua ia
soli ai tuutuuga o ana nofovaavaaia i luma o le fa’amasinoga
fa’aitumalo ma le fa’amasinoga maualuga. Na taofia e leoleo
ia Siaosi Ieremia i le po o le aso Tofi na te’a nei ina ua maua o
‘ona, ma toe taofia ai o ia i le toese i Tafuna. Na fa’ailoa e le ali’i
fa’amasino ia Elvis P. Patea ia Ieremia e fa’apea, e atagia mai
i lana gaioiga lea ua mafua ai ona toe taofia o ia e leoleo, na te
le i aoaoina se lesona aoga mai avanoa sa tu’uina muamua e le
fa’amasinoga ia te ia. “O le aso 3 Setema, 2014 na fa’asala ai oe
i le toese i Tafuna mo le 6 masina e le fa’amasinoga maualuga,
ae foliga mai o lea fa’atoa toe tatala mai oe i tua a o lea fo’i ua
toe loka mai oe i le isi solitulafono”, o le saunoaga lea a Patea
ia Ieremia, ma ia fa’atulaga ai loa le $500 e totogi ona fa’atoa
mafai ona tatala le ua molia i tua, e fa’atali ai le isi ana iloiloga
lea ua fa’atulaga e faia i le aso Tofi o le vaiaso nei.
Journalist jailed for online post
freed from Myanmar prison
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — A journalist who was arrested
for a Facebook post mocking Myanmar’s leaders was freed
from jail Monday without charge. Aung Nay Myo expressed
relief after walking out of Monywa prison, saying the charges
against him were dropped and police had returned his seized
computer and phones. Police arrested the freelance photographer on Saturday, saying he would be charged for circulating
rumors that can cause disaffection with the government under
the 1950 Emergency Provision Act, which carries a maximum
seven years in prison. The government uses the draconian law to
persecute dissidents and political activists. At least nine journalists and several publishers and media owners are serving prison
sentences from two to seven years and nearly a dozen others
are facing charges, undermining modest advances in media freedoms in Myanmar since a half-century of military rule ended.
Aung Nay Myo’s Facebook post showed a parody of a poster for a
movie about a 1971 battle between government troops and communist
guerrillas, with Thein Sein and other national leaders substituting for
the featured actors and director. Its intention seemed to be to mock the
government’s actions as similar to a cheesy army propaganda movie.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
RFP No: RFP-030-2015
RFP No: RFP-030-2015
Issuance Date: February 25, 2015
Date & Time Due: March 11, 2015
No later than 2:00 p.m. local time
The American Samoa Government (ASG) Office of Procurement intends to issue a Request
For Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms to provide:
“Preparation and Delivery of Hot Congregated Meals for Senior Citizens”
Submission:
Original and five copies of the Proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked:
“Preparation and Delivery of Hot Congregated Meals for Senior Citizens”. Submissions are
to be sent to the following address and will be received until 2:00 p.m. (local time),
Wednesday, March 11, 2015:
Office of Procurement
American Samoa Government
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
attn: Sapia’i M. Ena, ACPO
Any Proposals received after the aforementioned date and time will not be accepted
under any circumstances. Late submissions will not be opened or considered and will be
determined as being non-responsive.
Document
The RFP Scope of Work outlining the proposal requirements is available at The Office of
Procurement, Tafuna, American Samoa, during normal working hours.
Review
Request for Proposal data will be thoroughly reviewed by an appointed Source Evaluation
Board under the auspices of the Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Procurement, ASG.
Right of Rejection
The American Samoa Government reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals and
to waive any irregularities and/or informalities in the submitted proposals that are not in the
best interests of the American Samoa Government or the public.
Acting Chief Procurement Officer
The American Samoa Government
OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
RFP No: RFP-030-2015
RFP No: RFP-030-2015
Issuance Date: February 25, 2015
Date & Time Due: March 11, 2015
No later than 2:00 p.m. local time
The American Samoa Government (ASG) Office of Procurement intends to issue a Request
For Proposals (RFP) from qualified firms to provide:
“Preparation and Delivery of Hot Congregated Meals for Senior Citizens”
Submission:
Original and five copies of the Proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked:
“Preparation and Delivery of Hot Congregated Meals for Senior Citizens”. Submissions are
to be sent to the following address and will be received until 2:00 p.m. (local time),
Wednesday, March 11, 2015:
Office of Procurement
American Samoa Government
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
attn: Sapia’i M. Ena, ACPO
Any Proposals received after the aforementioned date and time will not be accepted
under any circumstances. Late submissions will not be opened or considered and will be
determined as being non-responsive.
Document
The RFP Scope of Work outlining the proposal requirements is available at The Office of
Procurement, Tafuna, American Samoa, during normal working hours.
Review
Request for Proposal data will be thoroughly reviewed by an appointed Source Evaluation
Board under the auspices of the Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Procurement, ASG.
Right of Rejection
The American Samoa Government reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals and
to waive any irregularities and/or informalities in the submitted proposals that are not in the
best interests of the American Samoa Government or the public.
Acting Chief Procurement Officer
Page 14
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015
Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Senator Mauga Tasi Asuega were among the special
guests who attended the official launch of the Get Into Your Sanctuary program hosted by the
NMSAS last Friday, Feb. 27. [photo: B. Chen]
Musicians from the Swains Island community provided
soothing island tunes last Friday at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean
Center during the opening of the GIYS program. [photo: B. Chen]
Students from Tafuna Elementary School danced last Friday, as they pledged to build an
aquarium at their school “so we can bring the ocean to the students”. Their project, entitled:
“Touched by the Ocean” is competing against other schools in the territory for the $2,000 grand
[photo: B. Chen]
prize from the NMSAS for the GIYS program.
Olaga Le Tumau
Tusia: Akenese Ilalio Zec
Vaega:8
Fa’atalaofa atu i lou alafa’i mai i le manuia i lenei taeao fou, i le alofa ma le agalelei o lo’o
tatou Tama oi le lagi, e ao ai ona o tatou fa’apea ifo, “Le Atua Mamana e, o ai ea o le a o matou
o i ai o lo’o i a te Oe upu o le ola, ia e alofa, foma’i le loto onosa’i ma le fa’apalepale ia i matou i
lenei aso, ina ia mafai ai ona o matou tali atu i fa’afitauli o le olaga nei, a’o le vi’iga ma le fa’afetai
matou te fa’afo’i atu i Lau Afio, e fa’avavau, fa’avavau, amene.
Na muta mai la tatou tala, a’o faia pea le fetufaa’iga i le va o uo nei e to’atolu, lea o lo’o i ai
ma le tama’ita’i o Keisi Masela, fai mai, na tau tu a’e nei i luga Keli i lea taimi, ona ua tau pipi’i
le ofu ae i le nofo, ua atoa le itula ma le ‘afa o fai le latou taumafataga. ia o mea lava fa’apenei,
a feiloa’i loa le itu vaivai, o lona uiga e ‘ese le gutu e tausami ai, ‘ese le isi gutu e tautala ai, ona
fa’apea lava lea ona fai.
Fai mai le tala, o le taimi lea, ua gasolosolo atu i totonu o le falea’iga le anoano o tagata, ona
fai mai, o se fale’aiga ua sili ona matagofie, e le gata la i le lelei atoatoa o meatausami, ae ua
fa’apena fo’i le mama manaia o totonu o le fale atoa. O le fale’aiga lea, na teuteu ma fa’atulaga
lelei e le tama’ita’i o Keisi ma lana kamupani, o lea la ua va’ai nei i ai ana uo, o se galuega ua sili
ona matagofie.
Na a’apa ane nei Lenina ma faitau le aofa’i o le latou pili, e uma ane ua limasefulu fitu tala ona
fa’aopoopo lea i ai ma le meaalofa mo le tagata na galue e fa’ataino le tautua i le latou laulau. Na
a’apa ane nei Keisi ma se’i le pili mai le lima o Lenina, “Tu’u mai i a te a’u le pili, o au na vala’au
atu ia oulua e te lua o mai, tu’u mai i a te a’u le pili.”
Fai lava le tala a Keisi ma tu a’e lava i luga, a se’i ‘ese mai le pili ma savali loa i le potu e totogi
ai pili o le fale’aiga. Ua le tautala Lenina ae ua tilotilo ane i a Keli ma tomumu, “Keli, se o uiga o
Keisi e pei o le teine fo’i lele….” Na motusia fa’afuase’i le tomumu a Lenina ina ua fa’apea ane
Keli, “Nina, va’ai oe, se fa’afetai pau le na, aua e leai ma se tupe oi totonu o la’u ‘atu, o le mea
lea e i ai, na o le amo lava o le ‘ato, a’o se mea fo’i lea o lo’o i i ai i totonu, ia e matua fiu e su’e
e te le maua.”
Ua ‘ata Lenina ma tilotilo ane i si ana uo o Keli, “ia ua lelei ali’i Keli, se i iloa ai fo’i lou
fa’atamala.” Ua tali e nei ma savavali atu i le mea o lo’o tu mai ai Keisi, e totogi a latou mea’ai.
A’o tutu e fa’atalitali le au mai o le sui a Keisi, na toe liliu ane nei Keisi ma fesili i a Lenina, po’o
a ana mea o le a fai i le fa’aiuga o le vaiaso, na sau le tali a Lenina, o lo’o i ai le tama na fai a la
tu’uga tala e fetaui i le fa’aiuga o le vaiaso, o le tama e faigaluega i le faletupe i totonu o le a’ai
lea o lo’o nofonofo ai nei.
O le tama e pei ona fa’amatala e Lenina i ana uo o Kenisi ma Keli, e fiafia tele si ali’i i le
ta’aloga o le pasiketipolo, o lea la ua uma ona ia fa’atauina ia a la pepa e ulufale ai i le ta’aloga,
a’o le mea ua tupu, e le fiafia Lenina i ia ituaiga ta’aloga fa’apea.
E faia pea….
Students from Fa’asao Marist College Preparatory School
who attended the official launching of the Get Into Your Sanctuary (GIYS) program hosted by the NMSAS last Friday.
[photo: B. Chen]
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015 Page 15
Going to the beach?
EAST:
Le taimi na mae’a ai ona osia le feagaiga a le Ekalesia Aso Fitu o le Toe Afio mai i Pago Pago
ma le latou Faifeau fou, susuga Pastor Lauli’ifou Kalapu (lona tolu mai le itu taumatau) ma lona
[ata: AF]
faletua o Tala (o lo o soso’o ane ai), ma ni isi o sui o le Ekalesia fa’apea ai aiga.
➧ Fuel surcharge has dropped…
$0.39234
Feb. 2015 $0.21033
$0.0974$0.30773
Change
28.7%D i f ference$(0.085)
Tuato’o further explained
that it is important to note,
when comparing the rates for
the two months “we should
compare the variable F/S
because the fixed base rate
always stays the same every
month.
“For this exercise, I am
using the residential Base
Rate.”
Tuato’o gave an example,
debit meter customers that
buy $20 worth of power, with
no deduction for the $6 service charge, they get an extra
14 kWh due to the decrease in
F/S compared to this time last
year.
The following breakdown
is from a chart provided by
the ASPA Service manager,
showing the calculation for
the debit meters..
Month
KWh Rate kWh’s
for
$20
Feb. 2014
$0.3923451.0kWh
Feb. 2015
$0.3077365.0kWh
Calculate for $20/kWh by
Rate: 14.0 extra
The ASPA Manager stated
that factors to consider when
looking at your electric bill,
as Utu mentioned, is “your
consumption or usage.
How many kWh used compared to last month. Increases
or decreases depend on habits
and usage.
“It has been very hot lately,
so maybe people are using
more AC.” He also stated that
the number of billing days
varies from 29-31, depending
on when the meter was read
for your area.
“A customer may have
more days this month than
last. You may have an extra
day for this bill that may
affect post bill customers or
non-debit meter customers.”
He said that as fuel continues to drop, so does the
kWh rate.
“We expect the F/S to drop
again next month, but will not
know, until we how much fuel
was used in the month of February 2015, to calculate the
Fuel Surcharge Rate for the
March 2015.”
Tuato’o noted that they
advertised in Samoa News
their Fuel Surcharge Notification and the new one will be
elsewhere is today’s Samoa
News, with February 2015
F/S rates.
He stated, “The base rate,
which remains the same
monthly for all electric customer classes, pays for
ASPA’s operating costs and
for infrastructure upgrades
needed to get power to your
home and business.
“The fuel surcharge rate
changes monthly due to fluctuating fuel costs.
The fuel surcharge is
approximately 70% of the
total kWh price.
This is considered a “pass
through” revenue because it
goes directly to pay the local
fuel suppliers for diesel fuel
consumed at the five power
plants in Tutuila, Manua and
Aunuu, the ASPA manager
said.
Tuato’o said the fuel surcharge rate also includes the
“Renewable Reduction” from
electricity produced by the
ASPA Photo Voltaic panels.
The avoided fuel costs —
in other words, the fuel being
saved from producing electricity through the Photo Voltaic panels — is passed on to
customers as the “Renewable
Continued from page 1
Reduction” savings.
There are two active sites
and a third site in progress
that will produce renewable
energy.
As ASPA increases renewable energy capacity, more
savings will be realized and
passed on to customers, he
pointed out.
Fagasa-Fagalea
Aua Stream
Afono
Alega Stream
Auto
Aoa West:
Maliu mai
Swimming Hole,
Fogagogo
Leone Pala
For more information: http//portal.epa.as.gov/beaches/
Beach Advisory: February 24, 2015
American Samoa Environmental
Protection Agency (AS-EPA)
633-2304
American Samoa Government
Department of Education
SPECIAL EDUCATION DIVISION
American Samoa 96799
(684) 633-1323 633-7704 633-4789
Request for Public Comment on
Special Education Funding Application
The Department of Education for the Division of Special Education for public review
its application for funding under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act of the Office of Special Education Program (SEP) with the US Department of
Education.
These funds are used to provide special education services to all school age
children, ages 3-21 years, in the territory of American Samoa who have a disability
that adversely affects their classroom achievement. As a condition for granting the
funds, each state or territory proposing the application must submit the application
for public review and comment. The public must be afforded reasonable
opportunities for comment for 30 days prior to the submission of the application on
May 12, 2015. The public hearing is scheduled for April 10, 2015 at a venue to be
announced at a later date. The Department of Education must review and give due
consideration to all comments and suggestions prior to the submission of the
application for funding.
Copies of the application are available at the Special Education Office located at the
west end of the Matafao Elementary School in Faga’alu. All persons interested in
the application are encouraged to pick up a copy between the hours of 8:00am and
4:00pm. Written comments will also be taken during these hours. Comments and
suggestions may also be made via email to Russ Aab at [email protected],
Faauifono Vaitautolo at [email protected] or Jeanette Vasai Tilo, Assistant
Director Special Education Division, PO Box 472, Pago Pago, AS 96799. The Part B
application for funding is also posted on the ASDOE website: www.doe.as.
Page 16
samoa news, Monday, March 2, 2015
C
M
Y
K
C
M
Y
K
Ms. American Samoa Anneliese Sword is surrounded by students of South Pacific Academy at the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center in Utulei during the official
launch of the GIYS program last week. [photo: B. Chen]