Savaii

Rally against Samoa judiciary banned from Savai'i village

The march, organised by the opposition HRPP party, follows two on Upolu in the last 10 days.

Village chiefs of Salelologa, the site of a hall planned as the centre of the protest, decided at a meeting yesterday to stop the march from entering their village.

Large rocks and logs have been placed to block the village entrance.

A heavy police presence is in place.

The prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has called for peace.

The decision by the village led to the HRPP party changing its plans.

Japan hands over new school building to Safotu village

The building funded by Japan was handed over by Japan’s Ambassador to Samoa, Genichi Terasawa

Ambassador Terasawa commended the village for their hard work and dedication for completing such a huge project. 

The funding of the new building's construction was provided through the Embassy's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. 

Japan pledged $278,934.93 to fund the project.

Caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and caretaker Cabinet Ministers were among the honoured guests.  

NUS Environmental Students engage youth in Carbon audit

The group started their audit in February this year on the university compound at Le Papaigalagala.

Lanulauava Student Association President, Grace Ah Young said it was important to carry out the audit and also involve youth. 

 “We are using an energy audit made easy for Pacific students created by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, given to us by our main partner, Samoa Conservation Society.”

Water restored to affected areas in Samoa

The authority took the “All hands on deck” approach over the weekend to ensure services were restored to consumers.

The authority said most affected areas of Upolu are now back online after the repairs were done last night.

SWA is performing verification follow up phone calls to their customers who called in for assistance to ensure that their issues have been addressed.

The water supply infrastructures that sustained major damages were Fulusou Network, Alaoa Network and Tafitoala Netwwork.

Teenager drowns in river in Savaii

Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services said as per Meteorology Office’s update, they are expecting heavy rainfall, high combined waves, and swells, flooding to major rivers and vulnerable locations throughout the week.

Due to these severe weather conditions, authorities are urging families living around the coast and low-lying areas and near rivers to be vigilant and take extra cautious.

“We remind parents and guardians to please keep a close eye on our young children and youth.”

Village Family Safety Committees Pilot Project launches work plans in Savaii

The pilot project is born out of Recommendation 20 of the National Inquiry into Family Violence 2018 Report by the Ombudsman Office.

In a recent press release, it stated that the Family Safety Study conducted by the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development (MWCSD) also highlighted that the Village Fono should be leading prevention advocacy efforts to stop family violence.

Savaii registers 47 candidates for upcoming General Elections

Electoral Commissioner Faimalo Mathew Lemisio says there were 24 HRPP and 16 FAST candidates at the close of registrations around 4pm yesterday afternoon.

“We had very minor issues on first day with canidates’ documentation but once those were clarified, everything went smoothly.”

Of the 47 Savaii candidates, there were seven women including 4 who are current Members of Parliament.

Four of Samoa’s five women MPs are all from Savaii.

Savaii benefits from NZ-Samoa Tourism partnership

The projects were funded by New Zealand government and was celebrated in a launch earlier this week in Salelologa, Savaii.

The event took place at Jetover Hotel in Salelologa and was attended by New Zealand High Commissioner Dr Trevor Matheson, the Associate Minister of Tourism Fagaivalu Kenrick Samu, STA CEO Faamatuainu Lenata’i Suifua, members of the Samoa Tourism Board, Samoa Hotel Association, and the Savaii Samoa Tourism Association.

Samoa Airways announce special airfare rates between Upolu and Savaii

Flights between Faleolo and Maota in Salelologa had been previously announced to begin today (Friday).

However, according the airline has taken to social media to announce that the services will now start on 11 September 2020.

Travellers should note, however, that the $89 tala one-way fare is for travel and bookings until 8 October or until seats run out.

Woman dies in fatal road accident

Aiganalupe Poai Tavita was in a vehicle that was being driven by her husband.

According to Police, the vehicle veered off the road and fell into a steep end of the Maliolio river in Patamea.

Police Commissioner Su’a Fuiavailiili Egon Keil said the incident happened at about 7pm on Monday.

He added that there is no evidence of alcohol and no other vehicle was on the road at the time of the incident.

Tavita is being remembered as a humble and gracious mother, who loved to work the land.

She was also employed at the Le Lagoto Resort and Spa.