PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 Shipyard … Section... · 2019-11-24 · The ASG...

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by Fili SagapoluteleSamoa News Correspondent

The ASG owned shipyard facility is expanding its workload, using its personnel with specific trade expertise for the alia boat repair project launched last week, and in the very near future, a further expansion with the “super alia” building project.

These expansions at the Satala facility were the “main reason” the shipyard didn’t move for-ward with providing land at the shipyard com-pound for a StarKist Samoa cold storage facility, according to Shipyard Authority board chairman Keniseli Lafaele, who is also the Commerce Department director.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the shipyard, following a recommendation from Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, opted not to lease part of the shipyard land to StarKist, to build a new storage freezer and StarKist was offered an option — ASG land where the old Satala power plant was located before it was destroyed in the 2009 tsunami.

“The main reason we couldn’t move forward with the expansion of the StarKist cold storage facility into the Shipyard is that the Shipyard is aiming to expand its services to boat repair and building,” said Lafaele responding to Samoa News inquiries following the launching last

PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA $1.00MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017

DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000

ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM

Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School teacher Roselee Osana Tela-Shoulders named 2017 U.S Territories History Teacher of the Year. See story on Page 4 for details.

[courtesy photo]

Shipyard expanding workload further with “super alia” building project

Samoan sailor’s message: “Be

content with what you have, but be hungry for more”

By Blue Chen-FrueanSamoa News Correspondent

Long before Faafetaiileali’i Raison donned his cap and gown last year and walked across the stage to receive his diploma as part of Samoana High School’s Class of 2016, he already knew what he wanted to be: a sailor in the United States Navy.

Growing up in a family with a long history of US military ser-vicemen and women, some would say that Tai (as he is known to family and friends) was destined to be a military man.

The 18-year-old is the son of Melvin and Josephine Raison Ae of Pago Pago. He enlisted into the US Navy on April 14, 2016 and completed basic training at the Naval Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. Currently, Tai works in the Executive/Administrative Department handling paperwork for the PCU Portland LPD 27 at Pascagoula Naval Station in Mississippi.

According to Tai, he checked into his first and current command on April 17, 2017 - PCU Portland LPD 27. “Once Commissioned into the Navy, the ship will become the USS PORTLAND LPD 27. The ship I am currently attached to is an Amphibious Assault Transport Dock/Landing Platform Dock. We serve as transport for Marine Corps troops to and from des-tinations,” he said.

Last week, The PCU Portland (LPD-27) recognized “Yeoman Seaman Recruit Raison as The Portland Sailor of the Week!”

According to The Portland, Tai joined the Navy in October 2016 and reported to PCU Portland in mid-April “excelling in his job very well! Bravo Zulu! Keep up the great work!”

Tai was born in American Samoa, but spent most of his life in Texas, where he was raised by his grandparents Louise and Timoteo Seigafo, a US Navy retiree.

He moved back to the territory when he was a freshman.“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Lord for

blessing us with the ability to see another day and live a life of joy, and….after you are through reading this, be blessed with knowing that God is our Lord and Savior, and that there is none like Him,” Tai wrote.

He quoted Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Those who know me well enough know that I do not talk about it often, so this is probably the most I’ll ever talk about myself or my personal life,” Tai wrote in a testimony sent to Samoa News. “My experience so far in the Navy has been filled

Local shark law cur-rently with DMWR

Faamaonia solitulafono alii faifeau mai Savaii...LE LALI

Samoan Track & Field star aspires for the Olympics...

ASCADSV honors graduates...

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The smiling faces of some of the girls representing the Football Federation of American Samoa (FFAS) as they marched during the Olympic Day parade last Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Stadium. Olympics Day was sponsored by the National Olympic Committee in collaboration with the Department of Youth & Women’s Affairs and the Sports Center. It included a mix of community events, such as Farmers Fair and Animal exhibit, flea market, yard sales, food vendors, live enter-tainment, demonstrations, Car Show, and sports federations with activities and prizes.

[photo: TG](Continued on page 7)

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samoa news, Monday, June 26, 2017

By Kelley Anderson Tagarino, ASCC ACNR & Hawai‘i Sea Grant

The Marine Science Pro-gram at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) is proud to have a dedicated cohort of student interns who are spending a large part of their summer sharing their knowl-edge with the community. As part of the Marine Science Program, students can apply to various internship opportuni-ties, one of which is to receive training to effectively share what they’ve learned with a wide variety of audiences. With the arrival of summer break, many summer programs and camps ask for guest speakers who can share environmental knowledge, and the Marine Science students are excited to serve this purpose.

The ASCC Marine Science student interns have already participated in over a dozen outreach events, which gave them the opportunity to refine their presentation and leader-ship skills. The current student

interns include Johann Voll-rath, Claudia Thompson, Andry Senefili, Naomi Matagi, and Saelia Holmgren. The student interns are tasked with coming up with a fun, engaging, and informative talk and a hands-on activity that addresses the topics requested by the event orga-nizer. They then present their programs in a practice run to the ASCC Lab Coordinator Ruby Tupuai, the ASCC Marine Sci-ence Coordinator, Ms. Meagan Curtis, and ACNR Sea Grant Extension Agent Mrs. Kelley Anderson Tagarino, who pro-vide feedback.

Once the interns are confi-dent in their presentations, they are ready to speak at commu-nity events, which thus far have included guest lectures for sev-eral high schools, First Friday at the Fatagogo Market, an activity booth at the STEM Summit, and activities at the Sanctuary Summer Science in the Village (SSSV) Program organized by the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa.

Feedback from participants

at the outreach events has been overwhelmingly positive, with many high school students expressing interest in joining the Marine Science Program when they attend ASCC.

The student interns have also improved their presenta-tion and leadership skills, with Andry Senefili stating, “I was nervous at first but when I saw how interested the kids are in learning about our oceans it made me really glad to be able to share with them!” By giving back to their communities, the student interns not only gain important life skills, but also empower the youth in their communities to become better stewards of their environment. Those interested in learning more about the ASCC Marine Science Program or who want to request a presentation can contact Kelley Anderson Taga-rino at 699-3353 (office) or 258-2967 (cell) or at HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected] on email, or via post mail at P.O. Box 2609 for more information.

ASCC Marine Science students learn while giving

back to their community

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NEWS REPORTERSamoa News is looking for a news writer that has a natural curiosity about our local community and is willing to report accurately for our newspaper readers.

The successful applicant must possess bi-lingual, Samoan and English, speaking and/or writing skills. They must be able to meet daily deadlines and if needed, to work weekends. Access to computer, camera and vehicle is a definite advantage.Call Samoa News at 633-5599 for an appointment to interview.

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ASCC Marine Science student interns Claudia Thompson and Naomi Matagi teach local youth about fish anatomy and ecology through fish prints at the recent STEM Summit at Samoana High School.

[Courtesy Photo]


Translated by Samoa News staffCHURCH MINISTER FROM SAMOA SEN-

TENCED TO PROBATIONA church minister from

Samoa, who entered the terri-tory on a 14-day permit, has been sentenced to probation, after he pled guilty to public peace disturbance, a crime pun-ishable by not more than six months imprisonment, or a fine of not more than $500, or both.

Selesitino Teofilo, who arrived in the territory on June 16, was taken into custody last Tuesday evening and charged with two misdemeanor counts of third degree assault and public peace disturbance. Samoa News was able to confirm, through members of the defendant’s family, that Teofilo is a church minister from a village on the island of Savai’i, Samoa.

Teofilo, who was released on his own recognizance following his initial appearance last Wednesday morning, returned to District Court for another hearing last Friday, which was also the date he was scheduled to return to Samoa. While awaiting the start of court pro-ceedings last Friday morning, a male member of Te’ofilo’s family approached a Samoa News reporter, who was already in the court room, saying in a loud voice — drawing attention from others — that the Samoa News reporter should not be in the court room reporting what’s going on in court to the public.

The male relative also told the Samoa News reporter to leave the court room and accused the newspaper of false news reports, referring to the first story published last Thursday in the Lali section of Samoa News. (The English translation of the same story was published in last Friday’s Samoa News.)

The Samoa News reporter calmly and very politely informed the male relative, that the newspaper’s story was based on the police report (which Samoa News used for both the Samoan and English stories) and if the male relative had questions, or any problems with the story, or in need of more information, to show up at the Samoa News office for a discussion, because the court room should be respected at all times by everyone and it is not the proper venue for such discussions. (The male relative never showed up at the Samoa News office on Friday.)

Samoa News sought the assistance of District Court Marshal, Maua Tupua, to calm down the situation before it got out of hand. Tupua informed Teofilo’s relative that his behavior was not appropriate and that the news media has the right to be in the court room and conduct their work. Addition-

ally, there are no restrictions on the media attending court proceedings.

When court proceedings got underway and Teofilo’s case was called, District Court Judge Fiti Sunia was informed by both sides that a plea agreement had been reached in which the government has amended the third degree assault charge to public peace disturbance, while the original PPD count was dismissed.

For the guilty plea, under the agreement which was accepted by the court, the defendant admitted that he caused a PPD on the night in question.

As in all court proceedings, when the person enters guilty plea, the judge asks the defen-dant to explain what happened. Teofilo first offered his apolo-gies to the court, and the gov-ernment of American Samoa for his criminal behavior. He also apologized to the victim, who is also a relative. Teo-filo explained that last Tuesday night he got into a fight with “Ioane in Leone.” Sunia asked the defendant if he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fight, and Teofilo responded, yes, he was drinking.

Among the provisions of the plea agreement is that the defen-dant is sentenced to 12 months probation without jail time, but Sunia informed Teofilo that the final sentencing decision rests with the court.

Assistant Attorney Gen-eral Woodrow Pengelly sup-ported the defense’s request for a probative sentence, saying that Teofilo immediately took responsibility for his action and agreed to plea guilty.

However, Sunia said the only reason the defendant was quick to plead guilty was because he was scheduled to return to Samoa last Friday, the same day he was set for sentencing. Sunia added that the court treats all criminal cases in the same manner, including defendants who are only visiting the terri-tory for a short period of time.

The judge agreed to a pro-bative sentence of 24 months, which includes several condi-tions. Teofilo is banned from consuming alcohol, and he is ordered to be a law abiding citizen. He must also attend and complete anger management counseling. Sunia reminded Teofilo that last Friday was the day set for him to return to Samoa and he must do so (It’s unknown if Teofilo will attend and complete an anger man-agement counseling program in Samoa as part of the local court’s probation conditions.)

Teofilo was ordered to pay a $100 fine, and the judge ordered the defendant’s sponsor — who was in the court room — to pay the fine in case Teofilo couldn’t afford it.

FA’ANEVNEFU HALLDistrict Court Judge Fiti

Sunia has set bail at $50,000 for a woman accused by the government of using a “sharp object” to assault another person.

Sunia has denied a defense request for bail reduction.

When Fa’anenefu Hall made her initial appearance in court last Tuesday, Sunia set a no bail status for the defendant due to the seriousness of her alleged crime. Hall was back in court late last week for two more hearings, where Sunia set bail at $50,000 with a pre-liminary examination hearing scheduled for today.

If she is able to post bail, the court has ordered that the defendant, among other things, make no direct or indi-rect contact with the female victim, who is also her relative and was residing at the defen-dant’s home in Leone when the alleged stabbing occurred.

According to court infor-mation, the defendant used a piece of broken glass to stab the victim on her hand and face. What remains unclear is the motive behind the alleged stabbing. Based on the most recent court information, the victim, who has since been released from the hospital, is now residing with family mem-bers in another village.

Assistant Public Defender Kate Hannaher requested a bail reduction for her client, who is breastfeeding her 6-month old child and taking care of her three other young children.

Sunia acknowledged that the court is concerned with the safety of the defendant’s three young children and especially the six-month-old infant, who is being breastfed. However, he said the court believes that Hall’s family can come up with a plan to have the defendant breastfeed her infant at the TCF and then take the infant back home. The judge directed Han-naher to contact the Department of Human and Social Services for assistance, to find ways so that Hall would have the chance to breastfeed her baby. Sunia also directed Assistant Attorney General Gerald Murphy to look at the government shelter, which houses victims of abuse and violence, if such a place is appropriate for the court’s con-sideration when making a deci-sion regarding the defendant.

Citing the seriousness of the defendant’s crime, Sunia denied the motion to reduce bail.

First degree assault is a class A felony, punishable by life in prison, or a jail term of not less than 10 years and not more than 30 years.

(Original Samoan stories published in today’s Lali sec-tion of Samoa News.)

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Big3 Basketball League founder Ice Cube waves to the crowd during a time out in the first half of Game 3 in the BIG3 Basket-ball League debut, Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Barclays Center in New York.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)


Pago Pago, American Samoa — June, 23, 2017 — Rosalee Osana Tela-Shoulders, a teacher at Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School, has been named the 2017 U.S. Territo-ries History Teacher of the Year, an award pre-sented annually by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the nation’s leading orga-nization dedicated to K-12 American history education.

Inaugurated in 2004, the History Teacher of the Year Award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary school through high school. The award honors one K-12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and US Territories. In fall 2017, the National History Teacher of the Year will be selected from the pool of state winners.

In 2012, Shoulders received her bachelor’s degree, and then in 2015 received her master’s degree, both from University of Hawaii-Manoa studying education and how to excel in her teaching profession.

She is the Social Studies department head for Nuuuli Vocational Technical High School.

Her passion for history resonates through the environment of her classroom and her relentless efforts of integrating technology with history to provide her students with exposure that they need to grasp community issues, and exploring historical documents, events and people. When students leave her classroom they have not only learn valuable information, they have become engaged and informed citizens.

In addition to a $1,000 honorarium and an award ceremony in American Samoa, Tela-Shoulders’ school library will receive a core archive of American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials. The 2017 hon-

oree will also receive an invitation to a 2018 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminar, a weeklong program that offers teachers daily discussions with eminent historians, visits to historic sites, and hands-on work with primary sources.

The National History Teacher of the Year award will be presented by Pulitzer Prize-win-ning historian Eric Foner at a ceremony in New York City on November 8, 2017.

Past presenters at the ceremony include the Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, First Lady Laura Bush, former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Nominations for the 2018 History Teacher of the Year awards are now open. Students, parents, colleagues, and supervisors may nominate K-12 teachers for the award by visiting gilderlehrman.org/nhtoy. The deadline for 2018 nominations is March 30, 2018.

About the Gilder Lehrman Institute of Amer-ican History

Founded in 1994 by philanthropists Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, the Gilder Leh-rman Institute of American History is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to K-12 Amer-ican history education. The Institute’s mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational pro-grams and resources. Drawing on the 65,000 documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection and an extensive network of eminent historians, the Institute provides teachers, students, and the general public with direct access to unique primary source materials. The Institute’s pro-grams have been recognized by awards from the White House, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Organization of American Historians.

Rosalee Osana Tela-Shoulders named 2017 U.S Territories History

Teacher of the Year

Bruno Mars accepts the award for best male R&B/pop artist at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 25, 2017, in Los Angeles.

(Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

by Fili SagapoluteleSamoa News Correspondent

Draft legislation allowing whole shark landing in Amer-ican Samoa, to comply with federal law, is completed and will go out for public com-ments soon, says Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources Director Va’amua Henry Sesepasara.

Among several “action items” taken up at last week’s three-day 170th Meeting of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council in Honolulu, was American Samoa’s shark law, “what would exempt landing of sharks with fins attached by federally authorized fisheries managed under the Council’s Fishery Ecosystem Plans.”

American Samoa has a total ban on any shark possession and it doesn’t match the federal law which allows landing the whole shark, although federal law bans shark finning.

The local shark law issue was put through as a recom-mendation, and approved by the Council, which requested that ASG’s Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) “move quickly to finalize” the shark law exemp-tion. Before Council members voted on the recommendation, DMWR Director Va’amua, who is ASG’s member on the Council, explained that draft revision of the local shark law is completed, “it’s in our office now for public comments,” and a public notice will be going out soon seeking public comments.

“So I don’t really see what else the Council can do, except that we are in the process now,” said Va’amua, who declared his “no” vote on the recommenda-tion and emphasized that ASG is already moving to address this matter.

Shark legislation revision — originally drafted by the Gover-nor’s Legal Counsel in 2016 — will eliminate the current regu-lation forbidding the possession of any sharks in American Samoa, according to a Council staff report, which notes that the revised statute now allows landing of the whole shark, while still forbidding shark finning.

Local rule banning shark fining was implemented in 2012 through an Executive Order issued by then Gov. Togiola Tulafono, but the Council staff

report says the rule does not account for those who would catch and eat shark, or the cul-tural significance of dividing the parts of a shark for customary practices. tThe report also says that the revised law is pending approval of DMWR and then requires the department to public notice the revised statute, opening up a comment period for 30 days, after which a town hall meeting will be required if 5 or more comments are sub-mitted from the public.

Another American Samoa member on the Council, Chris-tinna Lutu-Sanchez said that with the current on-going fishing season, she is concerned with the US longline fleet based in American Samoa who end up with a whole shark landing in the territory and then end up being fined. She said this issue has been raised with her by several fishermen. Frederick W. Tucher, Chief of the Pacific Islands Section of the NOAA Office of General Counsel, which provides legal counsel to the Council, acknowledged American Samoa’s law, which restricts the landing of a whole shark. He suggested that Lutu-Sanchez’s question be directed to officials in American Samoa for the appropriate reply.

Tucher went on to explain the process in which the fed-eral government went through in implementing the Shark Conservation Act of 2010 and writing to states and territories, which has laws banning the landing of a whole shark, that was lawfully caught, to either change their interpretation of their regulations or withdraw their regulations to avoid being in conflict with federal law.

“That process has been very slow,” he said adding that his office and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have been in contact with American Samoa “to discuss rule making that they would undertake that would essentially exempt federally managed fisheries [including shark landing] from the restrictions of their local laws.” The Council’s three-day meeting in Honolulu concluded last Thursday. It was streamed live online and it was how Samoa News provided coverage of the meeting, which raised a wide range of fisheries issues impacting American Samoa. The 171st Meeting is set for October in American Samoa.

Local shark law currently with

DMWR for public comments

LAW SEEKS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL LAW, WHICH ALLOWS WHOLE SHARK LANDING WITH FINS

ATTACHED


Compiled by Samoa News staffPNA MINISTERS SENDING STRONG MESSAGE FOR

CONSERVATION OF TUNA RESOURCES

Majuro, Marshall Islands — 24 June 2017 — Pacific tuna resource owners con-cluded their annual meeting Friday in the Marshall Islands by sending a strong message of their commitment to conserving and managing tuna resources, while increasing economic benefits for the nine islands in the western and central Pacific that use the globally-recognized “Vessel Day Scheme” (VDS) to manage their fishery.

Ministers from the eight Parties to the Nauru Agree-ment (PNA) members — Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau and Tokelau— recognized the suc-cessful implementation of the purse seine VDS, the develop-ment of the longline VDS and the progress in branding and vertical integration through the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and the Pacifical mar-keting joint venture.

At the outset of the three-day meeting Kiribati Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development Tetabo Nakara handed over chairmanship of the PNA to his counterpart from the Marshall Islands, Minister of Resources and Development Alfred Alfred, Jr. The ministers thanked both new CEO Ludwig Kumoru and outgoing CEO Dr. Transform Aqorau for their work in furthering effective resource management and busi-ness initiatives of the PNA.

Following Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine’s announcement at the opening of the 12th PNA Ministerial Meeting last week Wednesday of the Marshall Islands inten-tion to build a new facility for the PNA Office in Majuro, ministers agreed to the plan, and committed to share the financing of the building.

In addition, PNA called on members of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission to work with them on adopting a new conserva-tion measure at the December annual meeting that will sustain tuna resources going forward, expressed concern about the delay in a scheduled payment by the United States govern-ment for fisheries access of its purse seine fleet, and set the “Total Allowed Effort” — the number of fishing days annually allowed for purse seine fishing 2017-2019 — as well as the “Parties Allowed Effort” — the division of the TAE for each of the nine islands implementing the VDS.

Before concluding the 12th PNA Ministerial Meeting Friday afternoon, ministers agreed to

accept Nauru’s invitation to host the 2018 annual Official and Ministerial Meetings.

(Source: PNA media release)AMERICAN SAMOA TO RECEIVE TWO USDOE GRANTS WORTH $6.9

MILLIONWashington, D.C. – Friday,

June 23, 2017 — Congress-woman Aumua Amata has announced that the Office of Special Education and Rehabil-itative Services, under the U.S. Department of Education, has awarded American Samoa two grants totaling $6.9 Million.

“This important funding will help ensure that our students with disabilities, who need and deserve additional resources for learning, receive the edu-cation they need to thrive,” stated Amata. “Education is the foundation upon which bright

This past Friday the Rotary Club of Pago Pago inducted two new members, Lee Stewart (2nd right) the General Manager of McConnell Dowell and Alice Raynar (2nd left), a teacher at Leone High School.

Rotary President Margie Tafiti said their membership currently stands at close to 30. The Rotary Club of Pago Pago is finalizing the Community Swimming Pool, which is slated to open sometime in August.

Over the weekend, the Rotary Club held a car wash at JLenT’s in Nuuuli to raise funds for their projects like the swimming pool and the angel rings.

[courtesy photo]

Pacific Island News in Brief



Friday of the alia boat repair project, a collaborative partner-ship between the shipyard and the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources.

“The Shipyard is starting with repairing alias, then moving on to building super alias, the bigger version of the alias, that can fish further into the 50-mile zone and can fish for more than a day — up to 5 or 7 days,” Lafaele told Samoa News on Saturday. “We aim to start an apprentice program in this area of boat repair/building, and other areas vital to sus-taining and development of our fishing industry.”

In its report, the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Man-agement Council staff appeared to question ASG’s commit-ment to the local cannery, the largest private employer in the territory, when the governor rejected leasing shipyard land to StarKist for the planned freezer facility. (See Samoa News June 20 edition for details)

The staff report also touched on the ‘super alia’ project, which was initiated by the Council a few years ago and was done in partnership with ASG. The project has since been handed over to the local government, which has now put the price of the construction of one super alia boat at $400,000 while the original price estimated by the Council was about $200,000. (See Samoa News June 19 edi-tion for details)

However, the government, through DOC, is still aiming to get the super alia project launched.

Lafaele said over the weekend that when Lolo was in Apia, Samoa last month, the governor and his team were given a tour of the super alia, longliners, and fishing facili-

ties including the fish market, by Ueta Fa’asili Jr of the Samoa government fisheries division.

Lafaele explained that Fa’asili Jr. is the son of Ueta Fa’asili Sr. who was contracted by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council to, among other things, start the super alia project in American Samoa through the DMWR a few years ago.

The governor and his team also examined a super alia vessel, ‘Ulimasao’, which belongs to the Samoa govern-ment’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

ALIA REPAIR PROJECTAs for the alia repair project,

launched last Friday during a press briefing by DMWR and Shipyard officials, the repairs cost is funded by fed-eral monies, under the Disaster Relief Fund program, adminis-tered by DMWR.

As previously reported by Samoa News - based on testi-monies by ASG officials last year - the federal government released nearly $1 million in Disaster Relief Fund in fiscal year 2014 to help revive the local bottomfish fishery after it was significantly affected by the 2009 tsunami, which destroyed a number of fishing boats as well as docks and facilities.

Among the priorities ASG identified to be funded with the relief fund are repairs to local alia boats. ASG officials had said the Shipyard employs staff with expertise in repairs and should be utilized for the alia repair project as this would also save money as well as expand the workload at the shipyard. The governor strongly supports having Shipyard crew conduct repairs.

At last Friday’s press briefing, DMWR Disaster

Relief Fund coordinator Mary Cheung-Fuk explained that the project aims to assist local alia fishermen by repairing their boats and the first ten alia boats have been identified for repair.

Based on assessment con-ducted by the Shipyard and DMWR, “We’ve noticed that there will be welding repair needed and also carpentry work done on these boats,” said Cheung-Fuk, adding that the first two boats from the project, are “ready to be repaired by the Shipyard. We are very confi-dent that the Shipyard will do an amazing job and we definitely look forward to the end product of these repairs.”

She stressed that “there are criteria for this project and the boats that we prioritize for these first ten [boats], are boats that are actively bottom-fishing.”

Shipyard chief execu-tive officer Moefa’auo Bill Emmesley said during the press briefing that discussions of this joint project between the Shipyard and DMWR started a while ago but “finally came to fruition”, when Va’amua Henry Sesepasara came on board, as DMWR director earlier this year.

Moefa’auo pointed out that “we do have the expertise” to carry out repairs “as well as the shop that does this sort of work.” He said the length of time for repairs for each alia depends on what needs to be repaired.

Samoa News notes that Va’amua was in Honolulu last week attending the three-day Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council meeting, which concluded last Thursday.

Anyone with questions on this project can contact Mary Cheung-Fuk at 633-4456.

In The High Court of American Samoa

FAMILY, DRUG AND ALCOHOL COURT DIVISIONSFDA/JG No. 4-17

IN RE: A CHILD.NOTICE/FA’AALIGA

Published: 5/25, 6/26

CLERK OF COURTS

TO: Unnamed Father/Mo Le Tama o le Tamaitiiti

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a PETITION FOR AP-POINTMENT OF GUARDIAN FOR MINOR has been filed in the High Court of American Samoa by Sega Fuamaila, resident of Nu’uuli, American Samoa, for a minor female child born on June 6, 2016, at LBJ Trop-ical Medical Center, Faga’alu, American Samoa. You have two months and ten days from the first publication of this Notice to answer or otherwise respond to this Petition by filing such response with the Clerk of the High Court of American Samoa at the Courthouse in Fagatogo, American Samoa, and by serving such re-sponse upon attorney Frederick J. O’Brien at Ameri-can Samoa Legal Aid, Inc., at the Leatialua Building in Pago Pago, or by mail at P.O. Box 5984, Pago Pago, AS 96799. Your failure to respond within the time set forth above may result in granting by default the relief prayed for in the PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN FOR MINOR.Fa’amolemole ia utagia mai ua fa’auluina le talosaga mo le tafia o se tagata e tausia se tagata laitiiti tausaga i le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga o Amerika Samoa e Sega Fuamaila, o tagata o lo’o alaala I Nu’uuli, Amerika Samoa, mo se tagata laitiiti na faapea na e fanaua ia Juni 6, 2016 i le LBJ Tropical Medical Center, Faga’alu, American Samoa. Ia le ami atu ma le lua Masina ma le sefulu aso mai le fa’asalalauina muamua o lenei Fa’aaliga e te tali ai pe e te fa’ailoa mai sou manatu i lenei mataupu i le Failautusi o le Fa’amasinoga Maua-luga o Amerika Samoa i le Fale Fa’amasino i Fagatogo Amerika samoa ma tauaao mai ai se kopi o lau Tali i le Ali’i Loia o Frederick J. O’Brien i le Ofisa Fesoas-oani Fa’aletulafono Amerika Samoa i le Fale o Letialua Pusa Meli 5984, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. O lou le tu’uina mai o se tali i lenei mataupu i le taimi faatulagaina e mafai ai loa ona talia ai loa e le Fa’ama-sinoga Maualuga o Amerika Samoa le TALOSAGA MO LE TOFIA O SE TAGATA E TAUSIA SE TAGATA LAITITI TAUSAGA.DATE/ASO: April 27, 2017

HIGH COURT OF AMERICAN SAMOATRIAL DIVISION

HCDR No. 31-17

Published: 05/24 & 06/26/17

CLERK OF COURTS

TO: RESPONDENT PAULO SALESAYOU ARE HEREBY GIVEN NOTICE that a Petition for Divorce has been filed before the High Court of American Samoa on or about May 17, 2017 seeking the dissolution of your marriage to Petitioner FALAKIKA ISAPELI TONGA-SALESA. A full copy of the Petition for Divorce may be obtained from the law firm of Tauiliili-Langkilde Law, P.O. Box 99-8081, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. You are required to serve an Answer to the Petition on Petitioner’s attorney, Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde of Tauiliili-Langkilde Law, whose contact details are provided above, no later than two (2) months and ten (10) days after the date of the first publication of this Notice. You must also serve a copy of your Answer on the Clerk of the High Court, whose address is P.O. Box 309, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. If you fail to do so, a judgment by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the Petition for Divorce.O LE FA’AALIGA E TU’UINA ATU ia te oe, le ua ta’ua i luga, ua iai se talosaga ua failaina i le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga o Amerika Samoa i le aso 17 o Me e tatalaina ai le lua fa’aipoipoga ma FALAKIKA ISAPELI TONGA-SALESA. E mafai ona e susu atu i le Ofisa Loia o Tauiliili-Langkilde Law I Tafuna, P.O. Box 99-8081, Pago Pago, American Samoa, 96799, e tau aaoina atu ai se kopi o le talosaga ua failaina i le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga e pei ona ta’ua i luga. Ua poloa’iina nei oe ina ia tau a’aoina se tali i lenei mataupu ia Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, loia o le itu tagi, i lona ofisa loia o Tauiliili-Langkilde Law i Tafuna, P.O. Box 99-8081, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799, I masina e lua (2) ma aso e sefulu (10), mai le ulua’i aso sa fa’asalalauina ai lenei fa’asilasilaga. E tatau fo’i ona e tau aaoina mai se kopi o lau tali i le Failautusi o le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga, P.O. Box 309, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. O lou le utagia mai, ma e tu’uina mai se tali i lenei fa’asilasilaga, o lea a fai ai loa e le Fa’amasinoga se faaiuga i lenei mataupu mo se fesoasoani e pei ona talosagaina e le itu tagi.Dated: May 18, 2017

FALAKIKA ISAPELI TONGA-SALESA, Petitioner,

v. PAULO SALESA, Respondent

NOTICE/FA’ASALALAUGA

HIGH COURT OF AMERICAN SAMOATRIAL DIVISION

HCDR No. 30-17

Published: 05/24 & 06/26/17

CLERK OF COURTS

TO: RESPONDENT FRITZ NEUFELDTYOU ARE HEREBY GIVEN NOTICE that a Petition for Divorce has been filed before the High Court of American Samoa on or about May 15, 2017 seeking the dissolution of your marriage to Petitioner VERA SOA. A full copy of the Petition for Divorce may be obtained from the law firm of Tauiliili-Langkilde Law, P.O. Box 99-8081, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. You are required to serve an Answer to the Petition on Petitioner’s attorney, Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde of Tauiliili-Langkilde Law, whose contact detailsa re provided above, no later than two (2) months and ten (10) days after the date of the first publication of this Notice. You must also serve a copy of your Answer on the Clerk of the High Court, whose address is P.O. Box 309, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. If you fail to do so, a judgments by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the Petition for Divorce.O LE FA’AALIGA E TU’UINA ATU ia te oe, le ua ta’ua i luga, ua iai se talosaga ua failaina i le Faamasinoga Maualuga o Amerika Samoa i le aso 15 o Me e tatalaina ai le lua fa’aipoipoga ma VERA SOA. E mafai ona e susu atu i le Ofisa Loia o Tauiliili-Langkilde Law I Tafuna, P.O. Box 99-8081, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799, e tau aaoina atu ai se kopi o le talosaga ua failaina i le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga e pei ona ta’ua i luga. Ua poloa’iina nei oe ina ia tau aaoina se tali i lenei mataupu ia Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, loia o le itu tagi, i lona ofisa loia o Tauiliili-Langkilde Law i Tafuna, P.O. Box 99-8081, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799, i Masina e lua (2) ma aso e sefulu (10), mai le ulua’i aso sa fa’asalalauina ai lenei fa’asilasilaga. E tatau foi ona e tau aaoina mai se kopi o lau tali i le Failautusi o le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga, P.O. Box 309, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. O lou le utagia mai, ma e tu’uina mai se tali i lenei fa’asilasilaga, o lea a fai ai loa e le Fa’amasinoga se faaiuga i lenei mataupu mo se fesoasoani e pei ona talosagaina e le itu tagi.Dated: May 18, 2017

VERA SOA, Petitioner,v. FRITZ NEUFELDT, Respondent

NOTICE/FA’ASALALAUGA

Pictured above, one of the first two alia boats repaired by the Shipyard Authority crew under the alia repair project, which is a collaborative task between the Department of Marine and Wild-life Resources and the Shipyard Service Authority.

[photo: AF]

➧ Shipyard expanding workload…Continued from page 1

This photo, taken last month in Apia, Samoa and provided over the weekend to Samoa News by ASG Commerce Depart-ment, shows [l-r] Youth and Women’s Affairs Deputy Director Pa’u Roy Ausage, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, Samoa government fisheries official Ueta Fa’asili Jr, and the Governor’s chief of staff Fiu J. Saelua in front of the “super alia” vessel named, Ulimasao, which belongs to the Samoa government Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

[photo: provided DOC]


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PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIC DUTIES• AssistsFinanceManagerinthepreparationofdaily,monthly,annualandotherperiodicfinancialstatements

andreportsforDBAS.• Researchandresolveaccountingerrorsanddiscrepancies• Supervisebilling,collectionandpostingofrentsandleasepaymentsforLumanaiBuildingtenants• Organizeandimplementtrainingprogramsforstaffonaregularbasistoupgradetheirskillsandknowledge,• EnsureaccountingfunctionsareperformedandcompletedinaccordancewithDBASproceduresand

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DEVELOPMENT BANK OF AMERICAN SAMOA

P. O. Box 9, Pago Pago A.S. 96799Office: (684) 633-4031 Fax: (684) 633-1163 . Website: www.dbas.as

Development Bank of American Samoa is an Equal Opportunity Lender, Provider and Employer

POSITION TITLE: StaffAccountant RE-ADVERTISEMENT to July 6, 2017

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PleasesubmityourResume&ApplicationtotheDevelopmentBankofAmericanSamoalocatedinPagoPago-2ndFloor.ThisjobpostingwillexpireFriday,July6,2017

with gaining new knowledge and the want to succeed.”

He said he took the ASVAB test during his junior year of high school at Samoana and afterwards, “I was unsure of whether I wanted to go to col-lege or join the military and serve.”

Tai described his experi-ence in basic training as “pretty good,” as he was fortunate to go through it with two other Samoans: Christian Novera and Jaymon Ofisa.

“Although the adjustment to a new lifestyle was a challenge, especially with all the expec-tations that come with being a part of the world’s greatest Navy, I’ve never been pushed any harder nor have I been men-tally strengthened like I was in boot camp,” he reminisced.

On the 25th of this month, Tai will officially have been in the Navy for 8 months. In August, he will be ranking up to E2 (Seaman Apprentice).

“I have 3 years and 4 months to go before I make the decision of staying in or moving on to another chapter in life,” he said. “For the past 7 months, I have learned a lot about the Navy as well as what it means to serve in the United States of America. Being awarded as our com-mand’s Sailor of the Week is just another example of the end-less blessings that our Heavenly Father has blessed me with.”

He continued, “Humbleness, humility, patience, and faith are the four main things that will keep you afloat in life. I thank my grandparents for instilling these core traits into my life as I become older. This might sound a little contradictive, you have to be content with what you have but be hungry for more by simply using what you’ve got to help yourself and others become better people is what truly builds character.”

Tai said the military is the best thing that’s happened to him. “So many options to choose from while serving, so many benefits and things you can earn along the way. It isn’t about the job that you choose

but how you choose to handle the ups and downs that come with it.”

Because of his light skin, those who don’t know Tai would never guess that he is Samoan. “Although I am afakasi, the way I conduct myself will show you otherwise. My skin may be fair but my actions will display that of a young man who was raised up with humility, the blood of Samoa runs through my veins and that, I will never deny. I carry with me the pride of being Samoan because our people, our culture, and our way of life are second to none.”

Tai said he lives by his grandmother’s words: To read the Bible and pray every day, and not forget to go the church and return all the glory to God, thanking Him for His love for the both of them, enabling them to always see another day.

“Remember that in all you do, stay true to yourself and never be conformed by the ways of this world,” is Tai’s message to everyone.

His mother Josie told Samoa News over the weekend that they are all very proud of Tai. “He’s such a terrific kid, very humble, and always does what he is told.”

She added, “I’ve never had a problem with him. Because he is the oldest child, he was always my right hand, helping me raise his siblings.”

Tai’s parents and his three younger brothers will be moving off island next month, seeking medical treatment for the youngest of the Raison-Ae boys.

“I would like to make a mas-sive shout out to my brothers and sisters in the armed forces stationed all over the world, as well as the veterans who have gone before us, ultimately paving the way for the people of America to live in freedom and wellness. Thank you for your service and your never-ending sacrifices to make this world a better place,” Tai concluded.

Congratulations Tai! Thank you for your service.

US Navy Yeoman Seaman Recruit Faafetaiilealii “Tai” Raison (far right) with his three brothers and parents Josephine and Melvin Ae. Tai was recently recognized as PCU Portland LPD 27’s Sailor of the Week. See story for full details.

[photo: courtesy]

➧ Samoan Sailor’s messageContinued from page 1

Eighteen-year-old Faafetaiilealii “Tai” Raison of Pago Pago.[photo: courtesy]

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R&B girl group Xscape reunited on the BET Award stage for a performance that won over the audience nostalgic for ‘90s R&B.

The foursome sang the popular hits “Just Kickin’ It,” ‘’Understanding” and “Who Can I Run To?” on Sunday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The crowd was in awe, singing along and filming the performance with their phones.

Kendrick Lamar also earned a loud applause when he joined Future for the Top 5 pop hit,

“Mask Off.” Mary J. Blige was also a favorite: She sang songs from “Strength of a Woman,” her recent album that includes emotional tunes about her divorce.

“Mary J. got that break up body. Whoa,” screamed Jamie Foxx, who presented an award after Blige’s performance.

Solange, who had one of the last year’s most critically acclaimed albums with “A Seat at the Table,” won the Centric award and called Sunday “the best birthday ever.”

Solange turned 31 on Sat-urday and is nominated for video of the year at the perfor-mance-packed ceremony.

“My arm pits are sweating so much right now,” said Sol-ange, who also thanked BET for showing her “queens” like Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Erykah Badu and others during her teenage years.

Solange held a moment of silence onstage later on, and the show also honored some of the minorities who died at the hands of police officers, including Trayvon Martin, Philando Cas-tile, Eric Garner and others.

Hip-hop trio Migos, who won best group, also won over the audience with its per-formances of the hits “Bad and Boujee,” ‘’T-Shirt” and “Congratulations,” with Post Malone. Chance the Rapper, and his mom, danced during the long set; as did Queen Latifah, Cardi B. and “Stranger Things” actor Caleb McLaughlin.

An energetic Bruno Mars kicked off the show with a fun and funky performance of the song, “Perm.” The pop star, whose last album was heavily inspired by ‘90s R&B, won best male R&B/pop artist.

“To the fans, you know I love you. My first BET Award,” he screamed.

Mars was nominated for five awards — only behind Beyonce, who was up for seven honors and dominated last year’s BET Awards.

Mars, Migos and Solange are nominated for video of the year along with Beyonce and Big Sean.

Mars and Beyonce will also compete for album of the year, video director of the year and the viewer’s choice award.

Beyonce, who reportedly had her twins earlier this month though she hasn’t commented on the topic, is also nominated for best female R&B/pop artist, pitting her against her sister Solange, Mary J. Blige and

Just Kickin It: R&B group

Xscape perform at BET Awards


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By Blue Chen-FrueanSamoa News Correspondent

“This is one of the best pro-grams that has been offered in the territory and everyone should be taking advantage of it.” Collectively, this is what the participants of the Hydroponics Gardening Program, hosted by the American Samoa Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (ASCADSV), are saying.

Last Friday, the more than 20 participants – men and women – who successfully completed the six-week training course were honored during a ceremony held at the ASCADSV office at Lion’s Park. The opening prayer was offered by Reverend Tafa Muasau, Chairman of the Coalition Board of Direc-tors, followed by remarks from Matautia Liliu Mailo, the ASCADSV Executive Director, and the keynote address by Dr. Ian Gurr, a hydroponics garden expert from the ASCC Land Grant Program.

Graduates of the course received certificates and gift items, but most importantly, they leave the program with a greater understanding on hydro-ponic gardening – an option for wellness and longevity.

Matautia said the goal of the program is to get people to know how to grow vegetables and produce items that are

healthy. “Not everyone in our local community is a vegetarian in its strict sense,” she said. “But vegetables and hydroponic produce have great contribu-tions to healthy and prolonged life through green-vegetables and balanced diets, and more so, healthy eating and happy living.”

This message, Matautia continued, is one of the cen-tral motivating factors behind the American Samoa Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence’s (ASCADSV or Coalition) gardening programs.

Friday’s ceremony was witnessed by members of the Coalition Board, government agency representatives, family members, and friends.

“Hydroponic gardening is relatively a new concept,” Matautia said. “But this form of gardening has been enter-tained by the participants who were eager to learn new ways of growing vegetables. Paying exposure visits to other hydro-ponic farms in the territory such as the Tutuila Farm owned by Brook and Ian Gurr, the Hirata Hydroponic Farm, and the Avegalio Hydroponic Farm, (besides the Land Grant and Agriculture Horticulture Green-house), have been inspira-tional and surely injected more knowledge and excitement to

ASCADSV honors graduates of hydroponics

gardening program“VIOLENT-FREE AND LIFE-REMEDY ALTERNA-

TIVES FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES”

A look at some of the beautiful lettuce that was produced during the six-week hydroponics gardening course hosted by the American Samoa Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence (ASCADSV). See story for full details.

[photo: courtesy]



and brilliant futures are built, and every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow.”

American Samoa will receive $6,333,697 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This grant will provide the funding necessary to help make public education for all children with disabilities in our islands free and more accessible.

The second grant, also under IDEA, in the amount of $608, 850, will improve American Samoa’s capacity to provide early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities as well as their families.

“I would like to thank the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Special Educa-tion Programs for recognizing the need for this critical funding. I also want to thank ASDOE Director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga and the rest of our local officials who helped obtain this impor-tant funding for our children,” concluded Amata.

(Source: Congresswoman Amata’s Wash-ington Office)

VA ACCOUNTABILITY BILL INTRO-DUCES NEEDED REFORMS, SAYS

AMATAWashington, DC — Friday, June 23, 2017 —

Congresswoman Aumua Amata issued the fol-lowing statement regarding President Trump’s

signing of the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act into law.

As a Member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and an original cosponsor of the House version of the landmark legislation, Con-gresswoman Amata was invited to attend along with other Congressional and federal leaders.

“I want to thank the President for his actions today. Both the President and Secretary Shulkin are leading our nation in reforming the Depart-ment of Veterans Affairs,” said Amata. “I was pleased to be an original sponsor of the House version of the bill. As we, all know the VA has been plagued in recent years with controversy and poor performance. This bill will introduce reforms to the Department, and will protect employees of the Department who report wrong doing,” continued Amata.

“My colleagues in the House of Represen-tatives and the Senate will continue to fight for our veterans, to ensure that the VA is providing the best care possible. I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Shulkin once again for their leadership; and I look forward to continuing to work with them both to bring much needed changes to the VA,” concluded Amata.

(Photos: Evaga)

Kandi Burruss, from left, LaTocha Scott, Tameka “Tiny” Cottle and Tamika Scott, of Xscape, arrive at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, June 25, 2017, in Los Angeles.

(Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

➧ Pacific Briefs…Continued from page 5

Kehlani.Other strong competition

Sunday include best female hip hop artist, where rivals Nicki Minaj and Remy Ma will go head-to-head. Minaj has won the honor consecutively since 2010. Other nominees include Elliott, Young Ma and Cardi B.

Nominees for best male hip hop artist are Kendrick Lamar,

Drake, J. Cole, Chance the Rapper, Future and Big Sean.

Performers include DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, Maxwell, New Edition and El DeBarge.

Presenters include Queen Latifah, Trevor Noah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Issa Rae and Yara Shahidi. New Edition, who had success with their BET biopic this year, will receive the

lifetime achievement award.Chance the Rapper won the

best new artist award and will be presented the humanitarian award later in the ceremony.

Leslie Jones of “Saturday Night Live” fame is hosting the show and offered jokes about contemporary rappers’ names and her age (she turns 50 this year).

➧ Just Kickin’ It…Continued from page 8

WASHINGTON (AP) — Making a final push, President Donald Trump said he doesn’t think congressional Repub-licans are “that far off” on a health overhaul to replace “the dead carcass of Obamacare.” Expressing frustration, he com-plained about “the level of hos-tility” in government and won-dered why both parties can’t work together on the Senate bill as GOP critics expressed doubt over a successful vote this week.

It was the latest signs of high-stakes maneuvering over a key campaign promise, and the president signaled a willingness to deal.

“We have a very good plan,” Trump said in an interview broadcast Sunday. Referring to Republican senators opposed to the bill, he added: “They want to get some points, I think they’ll get some points.”

Trump’s comments come amid the public opposition of five Republican senators so far to the Senate GOP plan that would scuttle much of former President Barack Obama’s health law.

Unless those holdouts can be swayed, their numbers are more than enough to torpedo the measure developed in pri-vate by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and deliver a bitter defeat for the president. That’s because unan-imous opposition is expected from Democrats in a chamber in which Republicans hold a narrow 52-48 majority.

Trump bemoaned the lack of bipartisanship in Washington, having belittled prominent Democrats himself.

“It would be so great if the Democrats and Republicans could get together, wrap their arms around it and come up with something that every-body’s happy with,” the presi-dent said. “And I’m open arms; but, I don’t see that happening. They fight each other. The level of hostility.”

Trump has denigrated Democrats on numerous occa-sions, including a jab at Demo-cratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the same interview: “She’s a hopeless case. I call her Poca-hontas and that’s an insult to Pocahontas.”

Warren, a leading liberal and defender of the Affordable Care Act, has opposed efforts to pass a bill to replace the law. The Democrat reiterated her opposition in a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday, saying the health care bill being pushed by Senate Republicans is a “monstrosity.”

In a tweet last week after Georgia’s special House elec-tion, Trump also criticized House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Dem-

ocratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “I certainly hope the Demo-crats do not force Nancy P out. That would be very bad for the Republican Party — and please let Cryin’ Chuck stay!” he wrote.

In the broadcast interview, Trump did not indicate what types of changes to the Senate bill may be in store, but affirmed that he had described a House-passed bill as “mean.”

“I want to see a bill with heart,” he said, confirming a switch from his laudatory state-ments about the House bill at a Rose Garden ceremony with House GOP leaders last month. “Healthcare’s a very compli-cated subject from the stand-point that you move it this way, and this group doesn’t like it.”


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US Army Second Lieutenant Jason Lynn Marshall, right, salutes his father, Jeffrey Lynn Marshall, from Champaign, Illinois, (prior service Army Staff Sergeant) during a University of Illinois Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Tri- Service Commissioning Ceremony at the Urbana campus last month.

At the “First Salute” ceremony, newly commissioned Second Lieutenants (new officers) receive their first salute from an enlisted service member of their choice; the traditional salute is followed by an exchange of a silver dollar from the officer to the enlisted. More than 20 new officers from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force were commissioned during the ceremony.

Jason is the grandson of Saiauala and Tofuola Simanu from the village of Utumea-East who visited American Samoa this year.

He is scheduled to attend the Army’s Infantry Basic Officer Leaders Course at Ft. Benning, Georgia, this summer. His parents, sister, grandma Marshall, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends in Utumea-East, Hawaii and mainland wish him a very successful Army career.

[Courtesy photo]

Trump: Not ‘that far off’ from passing health overhaul


Po Box PPB, Pago PagoAmerican Samoa 96799Phone No.: (684) 699-3057Fax No.: (684) [email protected] Office

NOTICE TO OFFERORS RFP No: ASPA17.041. TPPBRP Closing Date & Time: July 18, 2017 Issuance Date: June 03, 2017 2:00 p.m., American Samoa TimeProject Name: Tafuna Plant Building Rehabilitation ProjectThe American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) issues this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the rehabilitation of the Tafuna Power Plant building. Qualified Offerors must submit proposals in a sealed envelope, box, or other enclosure addressed to Ioana Uli, ASPA Procurement Manager. The sealed envelope or box must show date and time of proposal opening and be labeled: “RFP No. ASPA 17.041 TAFUNA POWER PLANT BUILDING REHABILITATION PROJECT”. Late submittals will not be opened or considered and will be determined as non-responsive. Electronic PDF copies of proposals must be sent to [email protected] no later than the date and time as specified. All Offerors shall provide sufficient written and verifiable information that responds to the requirements set forth herein. A complete RFP package may be picked up from the ASPA Procurement Office located at the Tafuna Power Plant compound (Please check with Security Guard at the Gate). You may also view this RFP online at www.aspower.com which is ASPA’s Website. For more information about this RFP, please contact the following person(s):

Ioana S. Uli Procurement Manager ManagementTel. 684.699.3057Email: [email protected]

The American Samoa Power Authority reserves the right to: 1. Reject all proposals and reissue a new or amended RFP. 2. Reject proposal from companies with adverse records involving fraud, overcharging and

bribery in construction projects. 3. Request additional information from any company submitting a proposal. 4. Select a firm for award based on other than “least cost” (e.g. capability to complete work in a

timely fashion or proven technical capabilities). 5. Negotiate a contract with the firm selected for award. 6. Waive any non-material violations of rules set up in this RFP at its sole discretion.

Approved for Issuance: Utu Abe Malae, Executive Director Date: June 03, 2017

PLANS FOR NEW YOUTH CENTER IN TAFUNA UNDERWAYA new youth center is slated to be constructed later this year in Tafuna, next to the OMV compound, where the old VA center (bingo hall & bar) was located.This is according to Dept. of Youth and Women’s Affairs (DYWA) Deputy Director Pa’u Roy Ausage, who told Samoa News last week that the proposed structure will

be similar to the Pago Pago Youth Community Center.Pa’u said the project is something that fulfills Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga’s vision of promoting the youth and providing facilities for them to utilize for both pro-

fessional and recreational purposes.The facility, Pa’u explained, will be managed by DYWA and will include office spaces as well as exercise equipment and an open court for basketball and volleyball.

The project will be funded with local monies and Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds, although Pa’u said DYWA will also need to fundraise for the cause and he is willing to make the first donation.

He explained that the youth center is in the planning stages and once all the proper paperwork is in order, the project will be put out for bid. It is their hope that the work will start later this year.

Pa’u said having a youth center on the west side will benefit the residents in those counties, like how the Pago Pago Youth Community Center serves the east side population.

“How can we promote our athletes and expect them to compete internationally if we don’t provide them with the proper facilities?” Pa’u asked. Pictured is the exact location where the proposed youth center will be built.

[photo: Blue Chen-Fruean]

the group.”According to Matautia, the

hydroponic gardening program – as well as the computer lit-eracy program that is ongoing – are short term projects that are part of the Coalition’s conjoined initiative with the Department of Commerce (DOC) through its Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) program.

“These programs have been provided for the empowerment of local communities to work towards the common good of all people of the territory,” Matautia explained, adding that these programs have been offered for more than five con-secutive years thanks to the unrelenting support and finan-cial grants from DOC.

“Accordingly, the main objectives and goals of these programs are to promote not only the human standard of living, but as violent-free and life-remedy alternatives for women and children, families and communities. Special atten-

tion is always directed to the underserved individuals and communities in order for them to be self-supportive, self-suffi-cient, and self-sustained in life,” Matautia emphasized.

The ASCADSV expresses its sincerest gratitude to DOC Director Keniseli Faalupe Lafaele, CSBG Program Man-ager Charlene Faalevao and assistant Dorothy Siatunu’u, program instructor Dr. Ian Gurr of Land Grant and his staff, Director Aufa’i Areta, and the hardworking gardeners of the Agriculture Department.

The Coalition also acknowl-edges the continuous support of Neil’s Ace Home Center and HC Papalii Laulii Alofa, owner of Paramount Builders, for the monetary donations that helped purchase the non-funded items for the projects.

Those interested in being part of the ongoing computer training course are invited to join the fun.

➧ ASCADSV honors…Continued from page 9

ACCURACYWe make an issue of it every day.

If you want to comment about our accuracy, call Samoa News at 633-5599


Japanese air bag maker Takata Corp. has filed for bank-ruptcy protection in Tokyo and the U.S., overwhelmed by law-suits and recall costs related to its production of defective air bag inflators linked to the deaths of at least 16 people.

The company announced the move Monday morning Tokyo time. Takata confirmed that most of its assets will be bought by rival Key Safety Systems, based in suburban Detroit, for about $1.6 billion (175 billion yen).

The company’s executives sought to reassure their cus-tomers, suppliers and share-holders in a news conference on Monday. “As a group our com-pany will continue to count on your understanding and cooper-ation as we endeavor to provide a stable supply of products,” the company said in a statement.

Takata’s inflators can explode with too much force when they fill up an air bag, spewing out shrapnel. Apart from the fatalities, they’re also responsible for at least 180 inju-ries, and touched off the largest automotive recall in U.S. his-tory. So far 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide including 69 million in the U.S., affecting 42 million vehicles.

Under the agreement with Key, remnants of Takata’s oper-ations will continue to manu-facture inflators to be used as replacement parts in recalls. The recalls, which are being handled by 19 affected automakers, will continue. Although Takata will use part of the sale proceeds to reimburse the automakers, experts say the companies still must fund a significant portion of the recalls themselves.

“It’s likely every automaker involved in this recall will have to subsidize the process because the value of Takata’s assets isn’t enough to cover the costs of this recall,” said Karl Brauer, exec-utive publisher of Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader.

Takata and the auto-makers were slow to address the problem with the inflators despite reports of deaths and injuries. Eventually they were forced to recall tens of mil-lions of vehicles. Because of

the size of the recall, some car owners face lengthy waits for replacement parts, meanwhile operating their cars worried that the air bag could malfunction in a crash. U.S. lawmakers have criticized the pace of the recalls. At the end of April, only 22 per-cent of the 69 million recalled inflators in the U.S. had been replaced, leaving almost 54 mil-lion on the roads, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

The defect in the inflators stems from use of the explosive chemical ammonium nitrate in the inflators to deploy air bags in a crash. The chemical can deteriorate when exposed to hot and humid air and burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister.

At least $1 billion from the sale to Key is expected to be used to satisfy Takata’s settle-ment of criminal charges in the U.S. for concealing prob-lems with the inflators. Of that amount, $850 million goes to automakers to cover their costs of the recalls. Takata already has paid $125 million into a fund for victims and a $25 mil-lion fine to the U.S. Justice Department.

Attorneys for those injured by the inflators worry that $125 million won’t be enough to fairly compensate victims, many of whom have serious facial inju-ries from mvetal shrapnel. One 26-year-old plaintiff will never be able to smile due to nerve damage, his attorney says.

The lead attorney for people suing the automakers said in a statement following the announcement that he doesn’t expect the bankruptcy to affect the pending claims against the companies. Settlement agree-ments with Toyota, Subaru, BMW and Mazda already have won preliminary court approval, Peter Prieto noted.

That settlement will speed the removal of faulty inflators from 15.8 million vehicles and compensate consumers for eco-nomic losses, he said. Claims are continuing against Honda, Ford, Nissan and Takata.

Fallout from the bankruptcy filing came swiftly from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which said it was stripping the com-

pany founded in 1933 from trading as of Tuesday.

Key, a Chinese company with international operations, makes inflators, seat belts and crash sensors for the auto industry.

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Takata files for bankruptcy,

overwhelmed by air bag recalls

Japanese air bag maker Takata Corp. CEO Shigehisa Takada bows during a press conference in Tokyo, Monday, June 26, 2017. Takata has filed for bankruptcy protection in Tokyo and the U.S., overwhelmed by lawsuits and recall costs related to its production of defective air bag inflators.

(AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tens of thou-sands of people waving rainbow flags lined streets for gay pride parades Sunday in coast-to-coast events that took both celebratory and political tones, the latter a reaction to what some see as new threats to gay rights in the Trump era.

In San Francisco, revelers wearing rainbow tutus and boas held signs that read “No Ban, No Wall, Welcome Sisters and Brothers” while they danced to electronic music at a rally outside City Hall.

Frank Reyes said he and his husband decided to march for the first time in many years because they felt a need to stand up for their rights. The couple joined the “resistance contingent,” which led the parade and included representatives from several activist organizations.

“We have to be as visible as possible,” said Reyes, wearing a silver body suit and gray and purple headpiece decorated with rhinestones.

“Things are changing quickly and we have to take a stand and be noticed,” Reyes’ husband, Paul Brady, added. “We want to let everybody know that we love each other, that we pay taxes and that we’re Americans, too.”

Activists have been galled by the Trump administration’s rollback of federal guidance advising school districts to let transgender stu-dents use the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice. The Republican president also broke from Democratic predecessor Barack Obama’s practice of issuing a proclamation in honor of Pride Month.

At the jam-packed New York City parade, a few attendees wore “Make America Gay Again” hats, while one group walking silently in the parade wore “Black Lives Matter” shirts as they held up signs with a fist and with a rainbow background, a symbol for gay pride. Still others protested potential cuts to heath care benefits, declaring that “Healthcare is an LGBT issue.”

“I think this year is even more politically charged, even though it was always a venue where people used it to express their political perspectives,” said Joannah Jones, 59, from New York with her wife Carol Phillips.

She said the parade being televised for the first time gives people a wider audience. “Not only to educate people in general on the diversity of LGBTQ community but also to see how strongly we feel about what’s going on in office.”

In Chicago, 23-year-old Sarah Hecker was attending her first pride parade, another event that attracted wall-to-wall crowds. “I felt like this would be a way to not necessarily rebel, but just my way to show solidarity for marginalized people in trying times,” said Hecker, a marketing consultant who lives in suburban Chicago.

Elected officials also made a stand, among them New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who

said his state would continue to lead on equality. Cuomo, a Democrat, on Sunday formally appointed Paul G. Feinman to the New York Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court. Feinman is the first openly gay judge to hold the position.

But the pride celebrations also faced some resistance from within the LGBT community itself. Some activists feel the events center on gay white men and are unconcerned with issues including economic inequality and policing.

The divide disrupted some other pride events this month. The No Justice No Pride group blocked the Washington parade’s route, and four protesters were arrested at the parade in Columbus, Ohio.

In Minneapolis, organizers of Sunday’s Twin Cities Pride Parade initially asked the police department to limit its participation, with the chairwoman saying the sight of uniformed offi-cers could foster “angst and tension and the feeling of unrest” after a suburban officer’s acquittal this month in the deadly shooting of Philando Castile, a black man, during a traffic stop.

The city’s openly gay police chief called the decision divisive and hurtful to LGBT officers. On Friday, organizers apologized and said the officers were welcome to march.

But anti-police protesters disrupted the parade with chants of: “No justice, no peace, no pride in police” and carried signs reading “Justice for Philando” and “Black Lives Matter.”

Meanwhile, pride march organizers have taken steps to address the criticisms about diversity.

Protesters for “Black Lives Matter” also delayed the start of the Seattle parade, parade-goers said.

“The pride celebration is a platform for that dialogue to happen,” San Francisco Pride board president Michelle Meow said this week. The large “resistance contingent” leading San Fran-cisco’s parade includes groups that represent women, immigrants, African-Americans and others along with LGBT people.

New York parade-goers Zhane Smith-Garris, 20, Olivia Rengifo, 19 and Sierra Dias, 20, all black women from New Jersey, said they did not feel there was inequality in the movement.

“Pride is for gay people in general,” Dias said.There were scattered counter protests and a

few disruptions, including a small group in New York urging parade-goers to “repent for their sins.” But most attending were unified in cele-bration and in standing up against a presidential administration they find unsupportive.

“This year, especially, it’s a bit of a different atmosphere,” said Grace Cook, a 17-year-old from suburban Chicago who noted the more political tone in this year’s parade, including at least one anti-Trump float.

Gay pride parades sound a note of resistance - and face some ASEPA

AmericanSamoaEnvironmentalProtectionAgency

Lagolagoina le fa’amamaina o matafaga

E fautuaina le mamalu o le atunu’u o lo’o fa’aaogaina ia ogasami mo ta’elega ma fagotaga: talu ai ona o su’esu’ega o ia vaega o ogasami sa faia i le vaiaso ua mavae, sa molimauina ai le maualuga o le faitau aofa’i o siama (Enterococci) mai numera ua fa’atapula’aina i le tulafono i ia vaega o ogasami. O nei siama e afua mai otaota po’o suavai lafoa’i o tagata ma meaola. Afai ae o’o atu le faitau aofa’i o siama mai numera ua fa’atapula’aina, o lona uiga, e i ai le avanoa e ono afaina ai lou soifua maloloina ini fa’ama’i e pei o le manava-tatā, o fofoga fa’apea fo’i ma manu’a o le tino pe a sao i ai le siama. Mo lou saogalemu: ‘aua le inuina le suasami, ia fa’alanu lelei, ma fa’amālū pe a mae’a ta’elega. O le fautuaga mai le Ofisa o le AS-EPA, fa’afeso’ota’i muamua se foma’i, a’o le’i fa’aaogaina ia ogasami, auā le puipuiga o lou soifua maloloina.

Fa’amolemole, fa’autagia mai nei fautuaga. O le a toe maua atu se isi ripoti, pe a mae’a nisi o su’esu’ega mai le Potu Su’esu’e a le AS-EPA i le vaiaso fou. O lo’o i lalo o le va’ava’aiga a le AS-EPA matafaga mo tafaoga e 44 i le motu o Tutuila, e 5 i Manua ma le uafu i Aunu’u. O fa’asalalauga mo fautuaga mo le motu o Tutuila o lo’o auina atu i vaiaso ta’itasi, ae o Manu’a ma Aunu’u e fa’asalalau atu i masina ta’itasi. Mo ni fesili pe fia malamalama atili, fa’amolemole, vala’au mai i le telefoni (684) 633-2304.

Aso o le Fa’asalalauga: Iuni 22, 2017Fa’afeso’ota’i: AS-EPA Polokalama a le Vai – 633-2304Fa’asilasilaga mai le Ofisa o le Puipuiga o le Si’osi’omaga mo le mamalu o le atunu’u: sa faia su’esu’ega o gataifale ia Iuni 20, 2017, ma fa’amaonia ai le i ai o siama (Enterococci) i gataifale o alalafaga nei:

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A participant performs during the New York City Pride Parade on Sunday, June 25, 2017, in New York.

(AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Gal Gadot in a scene from “Wonder Woman.”

(Clay Enos/Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)


PARIS (AP) — A Viet-namese dissident who says he was arrested at his home in southern Ho Chi Minh City and forcibly exiled to France said he is determined to continue his activity as a pro-democracy blogger.

Pham Minh Hoang, a 61-year-old math lecturer, recounted his arrest and depor-tation in a phone interview Sunday with The Associated Press a few hours after his arrival in France. He said three police officers burst into his house on Friday and grabbed his arms when he refused to follow them while wearing only shorts, an undershirt and slippers.

“Once outside, I was horri-fied to see that there were not three, but a hundred policemen in uniform and in plainclothes around my house and in the neighboring streets,” said Hoang, who was a dual French-Vietnamese national before he was stripped of his Vietnamese citizenship last month.

After being detained in front of his wife, Hoang said he was driven to a detention center two hours away, where he spent 24 hours and was visited by the Consul General of France. He said Vietnamese authorities forced him on a plane to Paris on Saturday night.

Hoang’s deportation came two weeks after he learned a presidential decree had revoked his Vietnamese citi-zenship. Human Rights Watch denounced Hoang’s expulsion in a statement as a “blatantly illegal, rights violating act” that effectively forces the activist into “indefinite exile.”

Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment Sunday. The French foreign ministry confirmed that its Consul General assisted Hoang in Ho Chi Minh City. As a French citizen, he can settle in the country and enjoy full freedom of speech, the ministry said.

The human rights activist and blogger was sentenced to three years in prison in 2011 for attempted subversion by posting articles on his blog criti-cizing the Communist govern-ment and for being a member of the California-based Vietnam Reform Party, or Viet Tan. The government considers Viet Tan a terrorist organization.

Hoang eventually served 17 months in prison and three years of house arrest.

International human rights groups and some Western governments have criticized Vietnam for jailing people for peacefully expressing their views, but Hanoi says only law breakers are put behind bars.

“The vaguely worded deci-sion was a thinly veiled move to silence Pham Minh Hoang for his peaceful advocacy,” Viet Tan said in a statement about the stripping of Vietnamese citi-zenship from Hoang.

Before being deported from his country, Hoang said he was questioned at length by two officials whom he thinks were members of the political police. When he refused to consent to his deportation, he said officials reminded him that his wife and daughter were still living in Vietnam. Two policemen slept in the room where he was held,

he said.France is not a country

unknown to Hoang. He studied and lived here for 27 years between 1973 and 2000, working as a computer and civil engineer. It is where he started to write articles critical of his country’s regime. He said he returned to Vietnam to teach and help the Vietnamese youth with the new technologies.

Today, he doesn’t know who will take care of the disabled brother who lived with him in Ho Chi Minh City. He hopes he’ll be able to stay in regular contact with his wife and his 13-year-old daughter.

“I will continue to help my daughter do her homework, using internet video or other secure means,” he said.

Hoang assumes he will have to remain in France for a long time and said he is deter-mined to continue his political activism — “my raison d’être” — as an exile.

“I still have a little hope, one day, to come back to live and die in Vietnam,” he said.

Vietnamese dissident recounts forced

deportation to France

Human Resource Department, TafunaPO Box PPB, Pago PagoAmerican Samoa 96799Phone No: (684) 699-3033Fax No: (684) [email protected]

An Equal Opportunity Employer * A Drug Free Workplace

PUBLIC JOB POSTINGPosition TitleDepartment

Position TypeDivision

Reports To

Human Resource AdministratorHuman ResourcesAdministrationCareer Service - 12 months probationHuman Resource Supervisor

Posting Date

Deadline

Pay RateJob Grade/Status

June 20, 20174:00 PM, June 27, 2017$15.16 to $17.61 per hour J/1/A – J/4/D - Non Exempt

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Minimum Requirements

Under the direction of the Human Resource Supervisor, the Human Resource Administrator is to administer the Utility’s human resource programs, procedures and policies including but not limited to, performance management, compensation and benefits, hiring and personnel administration in accordance with federal and local regulations; and be a resource for employees and management, in order to improve and maintain the working environment at ASPA. The incumbent will also assist employees and other HR staff with record keeping, file maintenance, preparation of purchase requisitions, fortnightly timesheets and drafting of employment contracts for manager’s review. In addition, the incumbent will assist with the processing of documents through payroll and insurance providers to ensure accurate record keeping and proper deductions. The Human Resource Administrator will also submit online-investigation requests and assist with new employees background checks, reconcile benefits statements, conduct audits of payroll, benefits and other HR programs; assist with terminations, preparation of annual performance reviews and coordinates drug testing for the entire organization and any other duties required by management.

Education

Experience

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Qualified applicants: Please submit a completed ASPA Employment Application with a copy of your resume to ASPA Tafuna (address listed above) by the deadline listed above. Please attach copies of credentials and transcripts. Candidates selected for hire must pass examinations (when applicable), pre-employment clearances & test negative on pre-employment drug test. ASPA reserves the right to waive education and experience requirements as necessary.No phone inquiries accepted.

Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or related field. A Master’s degree in HR field is an advantage.Minimum (5) years of direct working experience in an HR office environment.Ability to interpret and apply human resource policies, procedures, rules and regulations; interviewing, counseling and negotiating skills; knowledge of federal and local laws governing human resources management; ability to analyze and resolve personnel issues; possess a high level of ethical standards; must be able to exercise discretion and use sound judgment in dealing with people and confidential information; computer literate and competent in using standard office software (Microsoft Office – Word, Excel and Power Point); excellent interpersonal skills; highly organized and able to meet multiple demands; ability to take initiative on projects and see through to completion; excellent skills in verbal and written communication in English.

FILE - In this May 4, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump talks to House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, after the House pushed through a health care bill. Trump promised to make health care more affordable but a government report finds that out-of-pocket costs _ deductibles and copayments _ would average 61 percent higher under the House Republican bill. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

FILE - In this file photo dated Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011, French-Vietnamese math professor Pham Minh Hoang appears in court in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 61-year old Pham Minh Hoang was arrested at his home in southern Ho Chi Minh City and forcibly exiled to France, he said during an interview Sunday June 25, 2017.

(Hoang Hai/Vietnam News Agency FILE via AP)

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