American Samoa

American Samoa battles scrub fires

An out of control rubbish fire is believed to have been the cause of a fire in Fagaalu on Friday, while firefighters have been kept busy with other scrub fires in the territory.

The Public Safety Commissioner, Save Leiato, is asking the public not to burn rubbish because of dry grounds and stronger-than-usual winds.

He says low water pressure in some parts of American Samoa could also hamper firefighting efforts.

Tsunami advisory lifted in American Samoa

Tsunami warnings were in place for much of the Pacific following yesterday's massive 8.3 earthquake in Chile.

The earthquake has claimed at least 11 lives in Chile.

The Pacific Tsunami warning Centre has now advised that there is no further tsunami threat for American Samoa as a result of the massive earthquake in Chile.

However residents have been advised to be observant and exercise normal caution if you are in or near the ocean.

Hospital bill for world's smallest man shocks chief

Known as the smallest man on earth Mr Dangi died in the LBJ's intensive care unit after being admitted with pneumonia nearly two weeks ago.

American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga and the chief executive of the LBJ hospital, Taufetee John Faumuina Jr, agreed to the reduction.

Pulu says he was astounded when presented with the hospital bill for Mr Dangi of US$6,953.

He said it was insulting to get such an exorbitant bill and he could not believe the charges for the ICU are more than US$1,000 a day for foreigners.

Dengue fever cases up in American Samoa

The September the 6th report includes those seen at the LBJ Hospital Emergency Room and clinics, and the Community Health Centres.

137 have been admitted to hospital.

Since the dengue fever outbreak in May, four people have died from the mosquito-borne disease.

Manu'a is still dengue-free.

 

Minimum wage review panel submits view in American Samoa

The group, which was appointed by governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga, has held several meetings to find a unified position to present to Congress before a federally-mandated wage hike kicks in next month.

It includes represantatives of the Chamber of Commerce, canneries, the Fono and various government agencies.

One of its members, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that it agreed to support legislation that would continue a moratorium on any wage hike by one year.

Text book seller wants American Samoa debt paid

Vaitinasa says these are debts from a few years ago and a representative from the company is arriving next week for meetings with Department to discuss them.

She says their indications are the debt is about $US80,000, not the more than $US100,000 claimed by the company.

Vaitinasa says the lack of text books is not a major problem, with teachers more and more relying on computers and other resources.

There's $US877,500 in the Department's proposed 2016 annual budget for text books.

American Samoa wharf upgrade contract awarded

The service wharf for vessels ploughing between the territory's islands was built in the 1950s and was beginning to collapse after years of wear and tear.

The US$8.4 million upgrade is funded by the federal government.

American Samoa holds funeral for world's smallest man

Chandra Bahadur Dangi, who is also known as Prince Chandra, died in hospital in Pago Pago last week, aged 75.

The Guinness Book of World Records says Mr Dangi was the shortest man on earth at 54.6 centimetres in height.

The Nepalese national was in the territory as part of Bruno's Magic Circus.

The ringmaster, Tupai Bruno Loyale, says Mr Dangi was a simple man with a big heart.

Sport: Football World Cup Qualifiers to kick off in Oceania

Tonga, American Samoa, Samoa and Cook Islands are all in Nuku'alofa, vying for one spot in next year's Oceania Nations Cup.

Samoa prevailed when the same teams met in Apia four years ago but head coach Phineas Young says the squad has a new look after being ovehauled in recent years.

Warning over American Samoa wage hike proposal

American Samoa's governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has proposed increasing the local minimum wage on condition the US Congress provide a federal subsidy to support the rise.

The minimum wage in the territory is set to rise by 50 cents in September, following a three year wage freeze.

StarKist's fish cannery in Pago Pago is one of the territory's biggest employers.