Samoa

'Similar challenge': Blues' Samoan connection to draw on World Cup feats

With the Maroons winning the series opener at Adelaide Oval, the Blues must win to ensure a decider at Accor Stadium on July 12 and while history is against NSW the Samoa stars believe there are similarities with what they achieved in England.

Like NSW, Samoa lost their opening match when humbled 60-6 by England at Newcastle’s St James Park but bounced back to defeat arch-rivals Tonga 20-18 in a gripping quarter-final, with the Blues quartet playing key roles.

Concerns raised about Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Samoa

A visit by the Samoan Observer last week observed what it called the sorry state of the hospital facilities.

The conditions found included broken and leaking ceilings, moulded air conditioning, broken beds, not enough beds for all the sick patients and restrooms in an unsanitary state.

The Observer also found there were not enough beds in maternity.

Efforts by the newspaper to obtain comments from the Ministry of Health Director General have not been successful.

     

Samoa’s StarKist incident driver sentenced

On Friday, the defendant, Chanel Lafua apologised to the families of the four men whose lives were abruptly ended in the tragic accident just after midnight on December 17.

Inside the courtroom were wives and children of the deceased: Faasaulala Ahoni, Ierome Vili, Alatina Faleasi and Taumaoe Olive.

Vili said it's been three years since the tragedy, and this was the first time she's heard the defendant.

Samoa to control invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

It impacts over two-thousand small coconut farmers.

More than $US997,000 from USAID's Pacific American Fund is to be injected into Women in Business Development Inc to tackle the issue.

Deputy Mission Director Betty Chung said by using a natural approach, Women in Business Development Inc is ensuring that farmers will still be able to trade in fair-trade markets as well as organic, local, and international markets.

     

Fiji 7s Development side wins Marist 7s in Samoa

The team defeated BBE Vaiala 38-7 in the main final of the competition.

The side was coached by former Fiji 7s and Flying Fijians legend Sireli Bobo with the services of World 7s series regulars Josevani Soro, Josese Batirerega and Rokoua Rasaku.

     

Fiame says Pacific unity crucial in 'crowded geopolitical landscape'

Fiame Naomi Mataafa made the remarks last night as she welcomed the secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Henry Puna, to Apia.

Fiame said Samoa strongly believes in being part of the Blue Pacific that is free from military competition, and a Pacific that remains free from unrest and war that affects many other parts of the globe.

"More than ever, there is increased interest and jostling for attention in our blue Pacific region thus creating a very crowded and complex geopolitical landscape for all of us, and our regional architecture," she said.

Film-maker 'poured his heart' into documentary about Samoan tatau

Legend has it the tatau was gifted to Samoa from goddesses, Taema and Tilafaiga, who taught the Samoan people the practice, entrusting the tatau would live on for centuries.

To this day the history of the Samoan tatau fascinates people.

But there were also failed attempts by early missionaries to have it prohibited as they came to accept that the tatau was a rite of passage.

While it is a breathtaking work of art, the tatau is a symbol of identity, heritage and service.

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Samoa records increase in tourists

It says more than 40,000 people arrived during the first three months of the year.

In this period New Zealand still provided the highest number of visitors to Samoa, making up 46.1 per cent or 13,886 people.

 

     

Concerns raised about Fagalii Airport in Samoa

Samoa News reports several issues have been cited in the wake of the opening of the upgraded airport this week.

Samoa Airways landed there the day it opened; it said the trees and the telephone tower should be removed.

The Samoa Government it spent $2.6 million tala re-opening the airport.

 

     

Samoa’s Fagali'i Airport re-opens

Minister of Samoa Airport Authority Olo Fiti Vaai said the airport has met all the required standards, and the runway has been extended from 700 to 800 metres.

Other work needed for Fagali'i Airport included the runway and apron resurfacing, renovating the terminal and the VIP lounge, and fixing drainage and the car park.

Samoa Airways is now using the airport, and Talofa Airways said it planned to begin flying into Fagali'i in July.