American Samoa

American Samoa clamp goes on medical drug brought in

 It follows the arrest of a Vietnamese woman, carrying, what police say, were pills containing cocaine and heroin.

An Tran Thi was found with the pills while she was returning to the territory after a trip to her homeland.

She travelled via Singapore and Fiji and was arrested after she landed in Samoa on her way to Pago Pago.

The Director for Homeland Security Samana Semo Veavea told KHJ news there's a pattern of mainly Asian travellers bringing in bags of medication of a quantity clearly not for personal use.

Search for American Samoan teens called off

It had been extended to midnight beyond the 72 hour search period which finished at 2pm yesterday.

The local senator Fai'ivae Iuli Alex Godinet said a big problem with the search had been the length of time getting the patrol boat to Utumea from its base at Fagatogo.

He said if there had been a boat based at nearby Leone they would have found the cousins well before the search period was up.

Fai'ivae said it may not have saved their lives but it would have given closure to the families.

Rising ocean flooding American Samoa's Aunuu

One resident, who did not want to be named said government leaders should come and see the damage for themselves.

The resident, who is a government worker, said last week the island lost power for several hours because ocean waves rolled into the area where the power generator plant is located.

Photos he took showed a road covered by rocks and debris thrown up by the sea.

The resident said people were worried about children getting caught by waves washing across the road.

American Samoa population drops

Government data released in August 2018 showed the territory's mid-year 2018 population was estimated at 59,600 - a loss of 700 people compared to July 1, 2017, while data released this week showed that the 2019 mid-year population is estimated to be 58,500.

The Statistics Division of the Department of Commerce said migration, increased mortality and a declining fertility rate were behind the drop.

The department said net natural growth increased at the lowest rate in two decades, with only 600 people added to the count this year.

Anger in American Samoa over donation to Manu Samoa

RNZ Pacific's correspondent reported that Facebook had lit up with criticism since the donation last Thursday.

One of the main complaints was that $US100,000 had been promised to the American Samoa National Olympic Committee for Team American Samoa at this month's Pacific Games, but only $US20,000 was given.

Other criticisms have included that people were still waiting for their tax refunds, there's a freeze on overtime and salary increments, and money should go to school improvements and roads, before it goes to a foreign rugby team.

Samoa Airways seeks to continue Manu’a service

Samoa Airways earlier this year was granted an exemption by the U.S Department of Transportation to operate Manu’a flights for 180 days, while deferring the remainder of its 12 month exemption request.

The airline’s latest request, through its Washington D.C. attorneys, seeks exemption for cabotage operations through 11 Feb, 2020, according to Samoa Airways’ request which also states that its service is supported by ASG.

American Samoan judge says 'you can't rape and run'

Judge Fiti Sunia was sentencing Apisaloma Timo who was charged with two other men in connection with the assaults in October last year.

The trio picked up two 14 year olds, gave them methamphetamine and had sex with them.

Judge Sunia said there was evidence of an all round failure "in law enforcement, family support, parenting and up and down line."

Timo, a Samoan citizen, said he was sorry and asked to be allowed to go home to take care of his family and create a better future.

North Korean 'sanction violator' arrives in American Samoa

The MV Wise Honest was stopped in Indonesia last year after it was found to be carrying coal in violation of UN sanctions.

Washington claims the 17,000 tonne ship's origin had been concealed, and it was also being used to import heavy machinery into North Korea.

The US Justice Department will investigate the ship in American Samoa's port capital of Pago Pago said the US Coast Guard's public affairs officer, Amanda Wyrick.

Seized North Korean freighter heading to American Samoa

The Wise Honest is a 17,000 tonne cargo ship which was stopped in Indonesia last year after it was found to be carrying coal in violation of UN sanctions.

On Thursday, the Justice Department asked a federal judge to give the US ownership of the vessel through a civil forfeiture action - the same process for seizing planes or boats used by drug smugglers.

The Justice Department said the US was entitled to take the action because payments to maintain and equip the vessel were made through American banks.

American Samoa's StarKist defends hiring Samoan nationals

American Samoa in January re-instated a guest worker scheme to help StarKist Samoa, the territory's largest private employer.

The governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga, said at the time he had asked the company to prioritise American Samoa nationals when recruiting.

But last week StarKist announced it was recruiting 200 Samoans as fish cleaners under the guest worker scheme.

A senior official with the company, Taotasi Archie Soliai, said there was little interest in the jobs locally.