PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 $1.00 Infants and toddlers in the Manumalo Daycare Program enjoying some fresh air last Friday morning when the daycare pro- viders took them out for a short stroll around the school campus, in addi- tion to spending a few minutes on the playground. [photo: Blue Chen-Fruean] C M Y K ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 One man jailed, another injured for life after land dispute by Ausage Fausia Samoa News Reporter “There are many non violent ways to mediate disagreements RHEUMATIC RELIEF PROGRAM TEAM ON ISLAND that can occur from land disputes in American Samoa, and a Justina Tavana and Natalia Seufale travelled with the Rheumatic Relief Program Team from machete is not one of them.” Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, that visited the territory last week, o ering free This was the statement assistant attorney general Woodrow screening for a disease that is becoming prevalent on the island. Pengelly gave to the Judges during the sentencing of a 48-year- Last year, American Samoa knocked New Zealand from the #1 spot of having the highest inci- old man who was convicted of using a machete to caused severe dence of rheumatic heart disease in the world. injuries to another man due to a land dispute. Tavana, the associate director of the Rheumatic Relief Program, told Samoa News on Friday The incident erupted when the two men involved in this case that the trip is an internship/ study abroad opportunity for some of the students, and it is also a fought over green coconuts that the victim took from land the medical mission. “ is is our rst time visiting American Samoa,” she said, adding that they have defendant claims is his. The outcome of this fi ght brought a huge made annual visits to screen people in independent Samoa since 2009. impact to the lives of both men’s families, with the victim now left According to Tavana, their mission is “to alleviate the burden of childhood rheumatic heart dis- with a severe permanent physical disability — unable to provide eases through health education, echocardiography screening, and genetic research.” for his wife and kids, while the defendant has been ordered by the is year’s group includes 50 people, 10 of whom came here while the other 40 went to Samoa. court to depart the territory and remain outside of its jurisdiction e team is led by program director Dr. Lori Allen and her husband cardiologist Dr. Marv Allen. for the period of 5 years, leaving behind his wife and a 3 children. C M While here, the group was able to serve kids — who had signed permission slips — from two schools: The sad part of the story according to Chief Justice Michael Manulele Tausala Elementary and Manumalo Academy. Y K Kruse, is the land the two men fought over does not belong to Free screening services were also made available to the general public, during evening hours, at either of them. the LDS Stake Centers in Pava’ia’i and Malaeimi. e team was assisted in their work by members Afa Fuimaono, a father of three appeared before the High of the Department of Health’s Maternal Child Health (MCH) Program and technicians from the Court last Friday for sentencing. He was initially charged with LBJ Hospital Lab, as well as Dr. Robi from the Well Baby Clinic in Tafuna. a class A felony fi rst-degree assault, which carries a punishment Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a complication of rheumatic fever in which heart valves are of life imprisonment or at least 30 years in jail. But under a plea damaged. (A heart valve acts like a one-way door; it ensures that blood pumped by the heart ows agreement with the government, Fuimaono pled guilty to the in one direction only. Once it is damaged, it can leak and may cause the victim to feel tired all the lesser felony of second-degree assault, punishable by a term of time, and they may nd it hard to breathe.) imprisonment of up to 5 years, or a fi ne of up to $5,000, or both. Rheumatic fever is an in ammation that begins with strep throat and can a ect other parts of With his guilty plea, Fuimaono admits that on Dec. 22, 2017 at the body, speci cally the heart, joints, brain, and skin. It may cause permanent damage to heart his plantation, he struck Elisara Paselio three times with a machete valves and progress to RHD. So the next time your child complains of a sore throat, and the discom- causing him severe injuries to his body. fort is in conjunction with a fever, medical assistance should be sought immediately. When he was given the chance to address the court, he apolo- What may seem like a common occurrence could lead to something more serious — if le gized to the High Court and the people of American Samoa for untreated. Antibiotics are the go-to remedy for strep throat. But once it progresses to rheumatic his action and asked for forgiveness. He also apologized to Mr. fever — and if le untreated — RHD is the result and while heart surgery may manage some of the Paselio who was the victim in this case, and asked his family to problems and prolong life, it will not cure RHD. e issue with RHD has become such a concern please forgive him for his wrong-doing. that over the past several years, a team from the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Fuimaono spent a few minutes of the chance he got from the based in Portland, OR has been traveling to the territory to screen for, and treat, local youngsters court to explain his side of the story about what happen. On the suspected of having rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, or heart murmurs — free of charge. day of the incident, Fuimaono went to do his usual work at his If your child or family member suspects they may have symptoms of RHD, screening is available banana plantation. However, in the middle of his banana planta- at the Department of Health every Tuesday by appointment with RHD coordinator Ipu Eliapo- (Continued on page 7) Unutoa. [photo: Blue Chen-Fruean] Page 2 samoa news, Monday, May 7, 2018 In The High Court of American Samoa TRIAL DIVISION FIRST COMMERCIAL BANK LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH, as Security Trustee, Plaintiff V. AMERICAN EXPRESS, OFFICIAL NUMBER 1209513, HER BOIL- ERS, ENGINES, MACHINERY, MOTORS, MASTS, ETC. IN REM; AND AMERICAN ENTERPRISE FISHING LLC, A FLORIDA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, IN PERSONAM, Defendants HCCA No. 12--2018 IN ADMIRALITY NOTICE TO ALL POTENTIAL LIEN CLAIMANTS OF ARREST OF VESSEL AMERICAN ENTERPRISE, OFFICIAL NO. 1209513 TO: ALL INTERESTED PARTIES by Ausage Fausia single charge against her. Her pretrial con- BACKGROUND In accordance with Rule C of the High Court of Samoa News Reporter ference is scheduled for June 15. Police arrested a 66-year-old taxi driver American Samoa Supplemental rules for Certain ELDERLY WOMAN CHARGED WITH The case against Uele stems from an from Pago Pago for allegedly sexually Admiralty and Maritime Claims (“Supplemental Rule TAMPERING WITH A WITNESS incident in February of this year when the abusing a 9-year-old girl. The taxi driver, C”), notice is hereby given of the arrest of the Vessel An elderly woman from Pago Pago has mother of the 9-year-old girl, who is the Pitone Sivatia is one of the tenants at a AMERICAN ENTERPRISE, Official No. 1209513 (the being charged with one count of tampering victim in a sexual abuse case, contacted the rental house-building in Pago Pago owned “Vessel”), her boilers, engines, machinery, motors, with a witness, a class D felony, punishable local police department for help, after Uele by Uele, where the victim and her family masts, anchors, chains, skiffs, tackle, and all other by imprisonment of up to 5 years, and a fi ne allegedly tried to convince her daughter to also stay. necessaries in accordance with a Warrant of Arrest up to $5,000, or both. change the statement she gave to police of Vessel American Enterprise, Official No. 1209513, Sivatia has been charged with two crim- issued on March 20, 2018. Mao Uele, who is out on a $5,000 surety about the case where a 66-year-old taxi inal counts including sexual abuse in the Pursuant to Supplemental Rule C, any person having bond made her initial appearance before driver allegedly sexually abused her. fi rst degree, a class D felony; and endan- a claim against the Vessel and/or property shall file a District Court Judge Fiti Sunia last Monday The government alleges that imme- gering the welfare of a child, a class A claim with the Court not later than ten (10) days after pursuant to an arrest warrant. Her prelimi- diately after Uele made contact with the misdemeanor. process has been effected, and shall file an answer nary examination was set for Wednesday, young girl and her mother about a chance The court affi davit stated that the young within twenty (20) days from the date of filing their however, Uele wished to waive her rights to change the young girl’s statement to girl’s neighbor instructed her to go the claim. for a PX and let her case be bound over to police, the mother then contacted police defendant’s house and ask to borrow 50 Dated: April 23, 2018 the High Court. and informed them about the situation.