PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2018 $1.00

Sta members of the Special Edu- cation Program at Samoana High School joined dozens of local residents who gathered for a special church ser- vice this past Sunday at the CCCAS Matu’u/ Faganeanea Church as part of the celebration for Developmental Disability Awareness Month 2018. [photo: BC]

C M Y K

ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM

DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 Senators calling Man convicted of sod- for a ‘scaled down’ Flag Day program omizing 5-year-old is no BUT GAOTEOTE SAYS FLAG DAY BUDGET IS ALREADY APPROVED AND THEREFORE, IT IS LAW longer “roaming freely” by Fili Sagapolutele Senate can make a recommen- by Ausage Fausia Samoa News Correspondent dation to the governor to host a Samoa News Reporter A recommendation by brief Flag Day ceremony, fol- he man convicted of sodomizing a 5-year-old girl and was seen by members of the com- three senators to scale back lowed by a luncheon, as the ter- munity including family members of the young girl roaming freely with some of the DPS this year’s Flag Day, as many ritory just went through a storm. police offi cers is fi nally being locked up without release, by orders of Police Commis- families impacted by Tropical He referred to the fautasi T sioner Le’i Sonny Thompson. Storm Gita are in need of fi nan- race, which was initially can- Samoa News visited the Central police station in Fagatogo on Friday morning, March 02, 2018, cial assistance, will be deliv- celled but is now back on again. to see if Mua’iga Siatiu a.k.a. Povi was still hanging around the offi ce. This was the same day a ered by Senate President Gao- Satele suggested that the story based on complaints from members of the community and even the victim’s family members teote Tofau Palaie to the Lolo money allocated for all Flag was published in the newspaper. Administration. Day events be given to resi- The recommendation, or dents who need help following “fautuaga” to Gov. Lolo Mata- Gita, saying it’s very important, lasi Moliga, came up at yester- as there are many residents who day’s Senate session, during the don’t have much help, and they fi rst day back for lawmakers can use this money. following a four-week midses- Gaoteote reminded sena- sion recess. tors that the Flag Day budget is Sen. Tuiagamoa Tavai who approved annually by the Fono fi rst raised the issue, said in his and allocated to the Offi ce of opinion, next month’s Flag Day Samoan Affairs which over- celebration should be scaled sees the preparations and back, because many residents events-planning. C M were impacted by the storm. He said the governor cannot Y K He said he is concerned with cancel the budget for Flag Day, American Samoa requesting as it’s already set at $200,000 federal assistance yet the terri- in the FY 2018 budget, which tory is prepared to spend money is law. on Flag Day. Gaoteote recalled that US He asked if the Senate could President Donald J. Trump has recommend to the administra- already declared that a major tion to forgo a major Flag Day disaster exists in American celebration. Furthermore, he Samoa, providing federal fi nan- wonders what ASG will give cial assistance to the territory  is is the house at the back of the old DPS building in Fagatogo where Mua’iga Siatiu a.k.a Povi those impacted by the storm, through the US Federal Emer- is serving his 5-year straight sentence, a er he was convicted by the High Court last year for sodom- while the government is plan- gency Management Agency izing a 5-year-old girl. [photo: AF] ning the Flag Day celebration. and other federal agencies. He suggested informing He said everyone loves and A police offi cer confi rmed to Samoa News that Povi is no longer roaming free inside the police Samoa that this year’s event is cares about those who were offi ce or on the road, because the Police Commissioner ordered him to be locked inside an old scaled back. (A village from impacted by the storm, but prison cell at the back of the old DPS building. Samoa is already invited — federal assistance is on the The police offi cer, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of any punishment, said the deci- through the Prime Minister — ground to provide that needed sion to lock up Povi without any release was made after the story was published in Samoa News. to participate in the siva and help. Additionally, Flag Day is “Povi is now ordered to be locked up and there are police offi cers assigned to monitor him every pese.) already planned and it’s part of hour to make sure he’s still inside his cell,” said the offi cer. Sen. Satele Galu Satele Sr., the government’s year-round (Continued on page 12) supported the idea, saying the (Continued on page 7) Page 2 samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 UPDATE GITA: StarKist Co. and StarKist Samoa donate $50,000 for local Gita relief efforts According to a press release, dated March 12, was on Saturday, Mar. 10, 2018 — where first regis- houses, and says these assessments are scheduled until 2018 — StarKist Samoa has announced that it made trations for FEMA assistance were announced for the completion. a donation of $50,000 to the American Samoa Gov- village of Ottoville at the DRC at the Department of If your home has not been assessed yet, be on the ernment (ASG) to help in Hurricane Gita relief efforts. Youth and Women’s Affairs building in Pago Pago, for lookout for the following teams walking or riding Accepting the donation on behalf of ASG was Gov- Mar. 12 & Mar. 13. around your village. ernor Lolo Matalasi Moliga, Lt. Governor Lemanu Today, Mar. 13, Ottoville numbers 0119- 0236 are TEAM 1: Tafuna: Kokoland, Fagaima, Ottoville, Peleti Mauga and several Cabinet members. scheduled with only heads of household needing to Petesa Sangdong Kwon, General Manager of StarKist appear. TEAM 2: Upper Iliili, Lower Iliili, Vaitogi, Samoa said, “It is a great pleasure for me to make In the meantime, yesterday, the Red Cross moved Fogagogo this donation, on behalf of our President & CEO, Mr. to the VA Center in Tafuna across from ANZ Bank TEAM 3: Pavaiai, Faleniu, Malaeimi, Mesepa Andrew Choe, and the StarKist Samoa family. StarKist and will continue to reach out to the households with TEAM 4: Aasu, Aoloau, Tafeta, Mapusaga Fou Samoa is a member of this community and has been so major damage or destroyed homes to set up appoint- TEAM 5: Leone: Sogi, Puapua, Malaeloa, Tapu- for 55 years, and we want to do our part in supporting ments throughout the week. timu, Vailoa, Futiga Governor Lolo’s efforts to provide relief to the people Pre-registration is still happening too in Nuuuli & TEAM 6: Amaluia, Afao, Asili, Nua&Seetaga, of this great territory. Iliili villages: Amanave, Poloa, Fagalii, Fagamalo, Fagamutu “The Samoan culture is based on Alofa, and we Nuuuli Eastern Side will meet at Fanene’s guest TEAM 7: Matuu, Nuuuli, Fagasa, Coconut Point hope that this expression of our Alofa will help the house; Nuuuli Central will meet at Soliai’s guest house; (Nuuuli) people whose homes and property were impacted by Nuuuli Western will meet at LDS Malaeimi, Upper TEAM 8: Fatumafuti, Fagaalu, Utulei, Fagatogo, the storm,” he said. Iliili will meet at the Catholic Hall and Lower Iliili will Pago Pago, Aua Governor Lolo formally accepted the donation meet at the CCCAS Hall Iliili. TEAM 9: Laulii, Amaua, Auto, Utusia, Fagaitua, during a brief ceremony yesterday, in American Again, don’t forget: take a valid photo ID — Voters Pagai, Afono, Vatia, Masausi, Masefau, Sailele Samoa. Lolo expressed his appreciation on behalf of ID, Hospital Card, Driver’s License, Immigration TEAM 10: Utumea, Auasi, Amouli, Aoa, Alofau, American Samoa to Andrew Choe, Mr. Kwon and Card, CI and Vital Statistics State ID — to all meetings Alao, Aunuu, & Onenoa StarKist Samoa for the generous donation that will help or appointments with FEMA and Red Cross. (Sources: StarKist Media Statement, ASDHS Spe- ongoing relief efforts. In addition, unless otherwise announced, Samoa cial Bulletin #33) In the meantime, no new updates have been received News understands the American Samoa Government from the Department of Homeland Security — the last Assessment teams continue to record damages of

American Samoa Government DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE 49 dead from plane Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 Tel: (684) 633-5155 • Fax: (684) 633-4195 that crashed while PUBLIC NOTICE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM Substantial Amendment to the Program Years (PYs) landing in Nepal 2014 to 2017 Annual Action Plans By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA, rarely heard in such conversa- and Associated Press tions — perhaps even panic — Reprogramming of CDBG Funds KATHMANDU, Nepal and tells the pilot: “I say again, From PYs 2014 to 2017 (AP) — A plane crash at turn!” Nepal’s main airport killed 49 Seconds later, the controller This Public Notice is posted to advise the community that a request will be submitted to the people among the 71 on board, orders fire trucks onto the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Community Planning and police said Tuesday, and an runway. Development to reprogram funds listed below. investigation was ordered into US-Bangla Airlines flight From: Amount Status the cause of the crash, which BS211 from Dhaka to Kath- Fire Trucks for Manu’a & Aunu’u $6,580.00 Existing Project occurred after seeming confu- mandu was carrying 67 passen- Fagatogo Playground $27,109.13 Existing Project sion over the landing direction gers and four crew members. Multipurpose Trades Building $1,283.66 Existing Project before the plane, flying low and Police spokesman Manoj erratically, struck the ground Neupane said Tuesday that 49 Land Acquisition HOME Partnership $229,219.89 Existing Project and erupted in flames. people were confirmed to have School Vans for Manu’a $13,402.00 Existing Project The pilot did not follow the been killed and 22 injured. Manu’a HS Greenhouse $10,000.00 Existing Project control tower’s instructions and They were being treated in sev- Matatula Greenhouse $7,000.00 Existing Project approached the one runway eral hospitals in Nepal’s capital. Pago Pago Harbor Boardwalk $205,405.32 Existing Project from the wrong direction, the Autopsies would be done at the TOTAL: $500,000.00 Kathmandu airport’s general Teaching Hospital morgue. To: Amount Status manager said. “The airplane The government has ordered Debris Removal & Gita Disaster Relief Efforts $500,000.00 New Project was not properly aligned with an investigation into the crash. A the runway. The tower repeat- statement from the prime minis- TOTAL: $500,000.00 edly asked if the pilot was OK ter’s office said the six-member In accordance with the American Samoa Government citizen participation plan the public is invited to and the reply was ‘yes,’” Raj team headed by a former gov- comment during normal business hours for 30-days following the date of publication at the Department Kumar Chetri said. ernment secretary will gather of Commerce, located on the 2nd floor of the A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei. Comments But the conversations the facts to determine the cause must be submitted in writing to Lina Petaia-Suisala, CDBG Manager. between the pilot and air traffic and prevent future crashes. As a result of damages caused by Cyclone Gita and President Trump’s disaster declaration, ASG has controllers indicated confusion The plane had circled Trib- requested a waiver of the 30-day comment period noted above. Should HUD approve the waiver, the over which direction the plane huvan International Airport comment period for this notice will be 7 days from the date of this publication. If HUD does not approve should land. In the recording twice as it waited for clear- the waiver, the comment period will be the 30-day comment period noted above. posted by air traffic monitoring ance to land, Mohammed For more information regarding this notice, website liveatc.net, conversa- Selim, the airline’s manager in please contact the Department of Commerce tion veers repeatedly about Kathmandu, told Dhaka-based whether the pilot should land Somoy TV by telephone. at 633-5155, Ext. 271 Keniseli F. Lafaele Director of Commerce from the south or the north. The plane swerved repeat- Just before landing the pilot edly as it prepared to land, said asks “Are we cleared to land?” Amanda Summers, an Amer- Moments later, the controller ican working in Nepal. comes back on, using a tone (Continued on page 7) samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Page 3 SBA BOOTH FOR US DRC OPENS MONDAY TO SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY ADMINISTRATION AT DRC

Banners and signs showing a booth for the US Small Business Administration at the joint ASG and FEMA operated Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Department of Youth and Wom- en’s Affairs center in Pago Pago. The DRC opened yesterday and an SBA representative is present to provide details of programs provided by the federal agency for residents and businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Territorial Individual Assistance director, � Social Security number Gita. Makerita Fiso (right) with US Federal Emer- � Address of the damaged primary Among the loan programs are Business Physical Disaster gency Management Agecy (FEMA) personnel, residence Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and Home Disaster Jesus Ceja and Rona McCloud at the joint ASG � Description of the damage Loans, according to the SBA information sheet, which also shows and FEMA operated Disaster Recovery Center � Information about insurance coverage, if loan limits and interest rates. (DRC) at the Department of Youth and Women’s applicable According to a March 2nd SBA news release, businesses of Affairs center in Pago Pago. � Current contact telephone number all sizes and private nonprofi t organizations may borrow up to The DRC opens Monday to Saturday to � An address where they can receive mail $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, offer residents affected by Tropical Storm Gita � Bank account and routing numbers for machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. resources for disaster assistance. The DRC started direct deposit of funds. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost] yesterday with registration of residents from Individuals with access and functional needs Ottoville (numbers 0001-0118). Ottoville num- who are heads of households and need to register bers continue today with 0119-0236, according should call the Crisis Hotline at (684) 633-9017. to a joint ASG/FEMA announcement. Only the FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) head of household needs to attend. Teams will come to your home to register you The Territory and FEMA will provide a – you do not need to come to the DRC. Those in schedule for future village dates and times to reg- Ottoville already visited by DSA, with slips that ister for federal assistance at the DRC. have DSA written on them, do not have to come Please remember, applicants should have to the DRC, as they are already registered with the following information on hand during FEMA. USD one-way registration: [photo: Leua Aiono Frost] USD one-way Church of Scientology USD one-way launches TV channel By LYNN ELBER, AP Television worldwide. Scientology” and the three-part Writer Scientology is an “expanding “L. Ron Hubbard: In His Own LOS ANGELES (AP) — and dynamic religion and we’re Voice.” The channel is available The Church of Scientology going to be showing you all of on DIRECTV, AppleTV, Roku, launched its own TV channel it,” he said, from the “spiritual fi reTV, Chromecast, iTunes and with a vow that it will be candid headquarters” in which he was Google Play. AUTO NATION about every aspect of the church standing — a Florida-based, Miscavige didn’t directly NU’UULI: (684) 699-7168 • FAX: (684) 699-7175 and its operations but isn’t corporate-looking building— address critics, but Scientology Car Tires seeking to preach or convert. its churches around the world doesn’t lack for them. Several Windshield Washer Fluid “There’s a lot of talk about and a behind- the-scenes look at high-profi le projects have inves- NEW ARRIVALS us. And we get it,” church its management. tigated the church’s alleged starting at $109 leader David Miscavige said The channel also will explore abuses of former members, Battery in introducing the fi rst night the life and philosophy of Hub- including actress Leah Remini’s of programming Monday. bard, whom Miscavige called A&E docuseries “Scientology $9.99 “People are curious. Well, we “a true-to-life genius.” and the Aftermath” and Alex starting at $89 Bluetooth Headphone want to answer your questions. With all that the channel Gibney’s Emmy-winning docu- $5.95 Because, frankly, whatever you intends to present, he said, mentary, “Going Clear: Scien- have heard, if you haven’t heard “let’s be clear: We’re not here tology and the Prison of Belief.” it from us, I can assure you to preach to you, to convince Instead, the channel’s debut Heavy Duty Oil we’re not what you expect.” you or to convert you. No. We offered interviews with church $7.50 Founded in 1954 by science simply want to show you.” members who touted Scientol- Room AC $149 fi ction writer L. Ron Hubbard, The fi rst hour offered a ogy’s rewards, showed off its the church teaches that tech- slickly produced taste of the impressive facilities in cities We’re now selling Tools, Room AC and Tires in a very low price. Engine Oil nology can expand the mind series to follow from an in- including Melbourne, London, Please come and Join us. starting at and help solve problems. It house studio, including “Meet Tokyo and throughout the Business Hours: $4.00 has about 10 million members a Scientologist,” ‘’Destination Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm (Continued on page 11) Axess Speaker $49.99 Saturday 8:00am - 1:00pm Page 4 samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018

by Ausage Fausia until the evening hours when he CHURCH Samoa News Reporter was seen drinking alcohol with A woman accused of friends. assaulting two women at church HUSBAND ACCUSED When police tried to take was sentenced late last week by OF ASSAULTING WIFE Aleni into custody, court infor- the District Court. Early last week, a 41-year- mation says the defendant Court information says old man made his initial appear- started swearing at the cops. Monica Asovale was charged ance in District Court on two The stolen bag was recovered with two counts of misde- misdemeanor counts of third that evening and returned to its meanor third degree assault for degree assault and private peace rightful owner. the incident. disturbance after he allegedly According to the court affi- assaulted his wife. VISITING TOURIST FROM davit, the defendant and one Court information states SAMOA ORDERED TO of the women got into an argu- that the defendant had con- RETURN HOME ASAP ment, which resulted in Asovale Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and the US Federal Emergency sumed alcohol at the time he A man from Samoa, who assaulting the woman. Another is alleged to have assaulted his arrived in the territory recently Management Agency’s Federal Coordinating Ocer for the cur- women, who stepped in to stop rent disaster, Benigno ‘Bern’ Ruiz have signed the Territory- wife last Monday, and that the under a 30-day visitor’s permit, the assault, fell down after Aso- incident occurred after the hus- and is described by the District FEMA agreement, which outlines federal programs being made vale pushed her. available through the major disaster declaration following Trop- band arrived home that day and Court as a visiting tourist, has Under a plea agreement noticed some family issues that been ordered to return to his ical Storm Gita. with the government, Asovale Among the federal programs are the implementation of the were not taken care of by his home country and not to break pled guilty to one count of third wife. any local laws, if he wants to Individual Assistance Program, the Public Assistance Program degree assault and the remaining and funding for Hazard Mitigation. Thereafter, says the court visit American Samoa again in charge was dismissed. She was [photo: ASG n FEMA] affidavit, the defendant alleg- the future. sentenced late last week to edly started yelling at his wife Vaeluaga Meki was con- 12-months probation under sev- and this escalated to a heated victed and sentenced last week eral conditions, which include argument between the couple. for one count of public peace paying a $100 fine within the The husband then allegedly disturbance, following an inci- National Geographic first 30-days of probation. hit his wife in the face, pulled dent where he caused trouble at Asovale spent one day in jail her hair, and pushed her down a store and challenged the Asian for pre-trial confinement. on the floor of their home. store operator to a fight after the The court waived a 15-day acknowledges past The wife’s loud screams for operator told Meki that local jail term as part of her probation. help prompted neighbors to call laws prohibit stores from selling She was warned that in any police for assistance. The defen- alcohol after 10p.m. future disputes, she is not to racist coverage dant was taken into custody and According to court informa- take matters into her own hands By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press appeared last Tuesday in Dis- tion, Meki went to the store with because no one is above the law. trict Court. some friends and while there, WASHINGTON (AP) — National Geographic acknowledged While the defendant is one of Meki’s friends told him FORMER CUSTOMS on Monday that it covered the world through a racist lens for gen- released on his own recogni- that he was wrong to challenge erations, with its magazine portrayals of bare-breasted women AGENT PLEADS and naive brown-skinned tribesmen as savage, unsophisticated zance, the court has ordered the storeowner to a fight after he GUILTY that he find another place to refused to sell them beer. Meki and unintelligent. A 48-year-old customs agent “We had to own our story to move beyond it,” editor-in-chief stay while his case is pending then turned around and chal- accused of stealing money from in court. He is also ordered not lenged his friend to a fight. He Susan Goldberg told The Associated Press in an interview about the government has pled guilty the yellow-bordered magazine’s April issue, which is devoted to to make direct or indirect con- also challenged the taxi driver under a plea bargain with the tact with his wife without the who had taken them to the store. race. government that was accepted National Geographic first published its magazine in 1888. An court’s permission. The incident occurred after by the High Court on Friday, investigation conducted last fall by University of Virginia photog- To protect the identity of Meki arrived in American Mar. 2, 2018. raphy historian John Edwin Mason showed that until the 1970s, the victims in domestic cases, Samoa two weeks earlier from Sefulu Maifea was initially it virtually ignored people of color in the United States who were Samoa News does not identify Samoa. He was on island to charged by the government for not domestics or laborers, and it reinforced repeatedly the idea the defendants by name. visit family. stealing and embezzlement — that people of color from foreign lands were “exotics, famously During sentencing, Dis- both class C felonies, punish- and frequently unclothed, happy hunters, noble savages_every MAN PLEADS GUILTY trict Court Judge Fiti A. Sunia able by a term of imprisonment type of cliché.” TO MISDEMEANOR told the defendant that if he is of up to 7 years, and or a fine of For example, in a 1916 article about Australia, the caption on STEALING a visitor to American Samoa, up to $5,000, or both. a photo of two Aboriginal people read: “South Australian Black- The District Court last he must respect and follow the He pled guilty to embezzle- fellows: These savages rank lowest in intelligence of all human week sentenced Tolu Aleni to laws of the territory. ment and the court dismissed beings.” 12-months probation after he Sunia told Meki he is “very the stealing count. In addition, National Geographic perpetuated the cliche of pled guilty to misdemeanor lucky” that his actions didn’t In his admission, the defen- native people fascinated by technology and overloaded the maga- stealing while another misde- cause any major problems that dant admitted that between zine with pictures of beautiful Pacific island women. meanor charge — public peace would’ve resulted in the court Sept. 15- 17 of last year, while This examination comes as other media organizations are also disturbance — was dismissed handing down a much harsher employed by the American casting a critical eye on their past. The New York Times recently admitted that most of its obituaries chronicled the lives of white under a plea agreement with the sentence. Samoa Government, as a Cus- men, and began publishing obituaries of famous women in its government. Meki was sentenced to toms Agent, he misappropri- “Overlooked” section. The government’s case 6-months probation under sev- ated money that belonged to against Aleni stems from an eral conditions, which include In National Geographic’s April issue, Goldberg, who identi- the Department of Treasury, fied herself as National Geographic’s first woman and first Jewish incident last month where the a fine of $100. He is not to when he was assigned to work defendant stole a bag con- violate any local laws and he editor, wrote a letter titled “For Decades, Our Coverage Was at the Pago Pago International Racist. To Rise Above Our Past, We Must Acknowledge It.” taining small work equipment must return to Samoa as soon as Airport. He told the court that that was in the bed of a pick up possible. “I knew when we looked back there would be some story- his action that day was without telling that we obviously would never do today, that we don’t do truck parked in front of a store If Meki is granted a 30-day legal authority or excuse. in Tafuna. visitor’s permit in the future, and we’re not proud of,” she told AP. “But it seemed to me if we Prosecuting the case is want to credibly talk about race, we better look and see how we A couple who was in their car Sunia warned him not to Assistant Attorney Woodrow talked about race.” in front of the store witnessed commit any crime but to respect Pengelly while Public Defender Mason said he found an intentional pattern in his review. the robbery and informed the the laws of the territory. Douglas Fiaui is representing “People of color were often scantily clothed, people of color owner of the bag, who then con- the defendant, who is out on a were usually not seen in cities, people of color were not often tacted police. Efforts to locate WOMAN SENTENCED surety bond, and is scheduled to surrounded by technologies of automobiles, airplanes or trains the defendant at the time of FOR ASSUALTING appear in High Court on May or factories,” he said. “People of color were often pictured as the robbery were unsuccessful TWO WOMEN AT 4th for sentencing. living as if their ancestors might have lived several hundreds of (Continued on page 12) samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Page 5 ASDOE SpEd KICKS OFF 2018 DEVELOPMENT DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH

Students from the Depart- ment of Education’s Special Education Division, attended a church service at the CCCAS Matu’u and Faganeanea last American Samoa Government Sunday to kick off ASDOE- SpEd’s Developmental Dis- OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES ability Awareness Month 2018. Rev. Fouvale Asiata led the service and added to the theme by saying that “Together with 2018 WIOA SUMMER YOUTH God, we have no limits.” Those in attendance included Lt. Gov. Lemanu EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM Palepoi Sialega Mauga, First Lady Cynthia Malala Moliga, REGISTRATION Education director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofi ga, ASDOE SpEd (The Department of Human Resources, Employment & Training, Division have available and limited slots for the Workforce staff and faculty, cabinet mem- Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA), Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The purpose of the SYEP is to provide bers, lawmakers and special academic, occupational skills and work experience for low-income individuals with barriers to employment. students. Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga To be eligible for the Summer Youth Employment Program, the applicant must be between the ages of 14-24 years old, unemployed proclaimed the month of March and economically disadvantaged. The WiOA Workforce Center staff will be available to take registration at the Department of Human 2018 as Developmental Dis- Resources, Employment & Training Division, A.P. Lutali Executive Bldg., 2nd floor in Utulei, on the following dates. ability Awareness Month. According to ASDOE, Ages 18-24 can register from 9am - 4pm Deputy Director Fa’auifono SCHOOLS DATE/TIME Vaitautolu, SPED Assistant Leone HS March 19-20, 2018 SCHOOLS DATE/TIME Director and SPED Program Fa’asao/Marist HS 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm MANU’A March 19 - March 29, 2018 Directors, organized the church service and throughout the Nu’uuli Voc-Tech March 21-22, 2018 Kanana Fou HS 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm TA’U March 20-23, 2018 month of March, public schools (Registration @ Manu’a High School, will host various disability Manumalo Baptist March 23, 2018 Contact Person: Ms. Foga Gaoa; awareness activities. Pacific Horizon 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Tel: 677-5901) South Pacific Academy [photo: ASDOE SpEd] Open/All Other Schools Saturday, March 24, 2018 9am - 4pm OFU/OLOSEGA March 26-29, 2018 Tafuna HS/ March 26-27, 2018 (Registration @ Olosega Elementary; Iakina HS 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Contact Person: Ms. Foga Gara; Fagaitua HS March 28, 2018 Tel: 677-5901) 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Samoan HS March 29, 2018 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Open/All Other Schools Friday (Holiday) & Saturday March 30-31, 2018 - 9:00am-4:00pm REGISTRATION AT: Department of Human Resources Employment & Training Division, 2nd Floor, AP Lutali Executive Building. DEADLINE FOR TA’U-MANU’A REGISTRATION: MARCH 29, 2018 DEADLINE FOR TUTUILA REGISTRATION: MARCH 31, 2018 Applicants must bring his/her birth certificate or passport, social security card and a copy of the 2017 Tax Refund of family members currently employed, receiving social security benefit, retirement check, etc, within their household. The required documents should on hand for If you want to comment registration. about our fairness, call For more information regarding the Summer Youth Employment Program Registration, please contact Ms. Grace Uiagalelei or Ms. Michelle Samoa News at 633-5599 Peko-Agaimalo at the WIOA Resource Center, Department of Human Resources at 633-4485. Sincerely,

Ms. Eseneiaso J. Liu, Director Department of Human Resources Page 6 samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018

American Samoa Government OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT Pacifi c Island News in Brief Compiled by Samoa News staff And it is not uncommon that a INVITATION FOR BIDS PETER MOON, HAWAIIAN loss made in some months may MUSIC VIRTUOSO, DIES be offset in later months.” IFB-011-2018 Peter Moon, a virtuoso uku- Tuilaepa reminded that lele and slack-key guitar player Samoa Airways is still a baby. Issuance Date: March 9, 2018 Closing Date: March 23, 2018 and composer who helped usher He said critics who say the air- No later than 2:00p.m. (local time) in a revival of Hawaiian music, line is already running at a loss died on Feb. 17. He was 73, are “stupid.” 1. INVITATION according to the Star Advertiser. “This great airline of Samoa Sealed bids are invited from qualified firms to provide “Rockfall Mitigation of Lafiga, Tifa, Kanikapila Records, the has only started in four months record label that Moon formed and the Samoa Observer writes Anape’ape’a and Matalesolo, American Samoa” for the Office of Disaster Assistance and in 1982, confi rmed his death. a stupid headline based on igno- Petroleum Management. His family already held a pri- rance,” he said, adding that the vate funeral service. Airline is going through the 2. RECEIPT & OPENING OF BIDS The cause of his death was same phase the “stupid editor” Sealed bids will be received by the Chief Procurement Officer, American Samoa Government, not released. Moon had not per- went through when “he was a formed in public since 2005, the baby.” Tafuna, American Samoa 96799, until 2:00 p.m. (local time), March 23, 2018 at which time and label said. “When he was just born, place the sealed bids will be publicly opened and read. George Darby, president he rolled on his stomach, after of Kanikapila Records, said sucking his big toes, the same 3. PRE-BID MEETING Moon’s early albums with the toes that began to grow later, A MANDATORY Pre-Bid Meeting will be held on March 16, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the Office of Cazimero brothers in the 1970s then he walked and then run.” were the “wellspring with Tuilaepa reiterated that a Procurement Conference Room. the Hawaiian renaissance,” loss or profi t could never be meshing traditional and new determined after the fi rst fi ve 4. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS songs along with hula halau, months of operation. Electronic copies of contract documents, including Plans and Scope of Work can be examined which was novel at the time. “An ordinary person who or obtained from the Office of Procurement during regular business hours, free of charge. Moon also adopted new does not understand the tech- technology in recording tradi- nicality surrounding businesses 5. The American Samoa Government reserves the right not to accept the lowest or my bid. tional Hawaiian music, such as can easily make a stupid mis- using multi-tracks rather than take on the basis of an equally 6. The American Samoa Government reserves the right to waive any informality in bidding as may recording the music live, the stupid report that the company be in the best interest of the American Samoa Government. Honolulu newspaper reported. is broke and therefore it should He formed the Peter Moon wind up.” Band in the late ’70s, and the He said people calling on the group released its fi rst album Government to be transparent DR. ORETA MAPU CRICHTON “Tropical Storm” in 1979. with the Airline’s current fi nan- Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action Chief Procurement Officer The band won Album of the cial situation are also “stupid.” Year and Group of the Year “Have you ever seen a busi- for “Tropical Storm” at the Na ness report in fi ve and a half Hoku Hanohano Awards. His months? last album was in 2005. He “They don’t do that because American Samoa Government was inducted into the Hawaiian it is not a business practice. And OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT Music Hall of Fame in 2007. it is not a reliable basis upon Moon, of Korean and Chi- which a tax payment to Gov- nese descent, was born in ernment is based. There is no Honolulu on Aug. 25, 1944. He tax payment on income earned graduated from Roosevelt High in a fi ve months period or a six School and the University of months period or in a seven INVITATION FOR BIDS Hawaii at Manoa in 1968 with months period. That is not in a bachelor’s degree in English accordance with the law.” IFB-031-2018 literature. The same principle applies (Source: Star Advertiser) all over the world, Tuilaepa Issuance Date: March 7, 2018 Closing Date: April 4, 2018 “STUPID,” P.M. SLAMS said. No later than 2:00p.m. (local time) SAMOA AIRWAYS “And so is Samoa and the REPORT great Airline called the Samoa 1. INVITATION Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Airways. Now all businesses, Sealed bids are invited from qualified firms to provide “Route 104 Hospital Road Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has turned wherever it is established, on critics of government-owned follow the same practice. Reconstruction (Rebid)” for the Department of Public Works. Samoa Airways who have con- “Every big business is set up 2. RECEIPT & OPENING OF BIDS tinued to question the perfor- with the assumption that it will mance of the airline, calling continue to exist forever. It is Sealed bids will be received by the Chief Procurement Officer, American Samoa Government, them “stupid.” a universal convention for all Tafuna, American Samoa, 96799, until 2:00 p.m. (local time), Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at He was particularly scathing business to follow, it is assumed of the Editor of the Samoa to have a continuous life to eter- which time and place the sealed bids will be publicly opened and read. Observer over the Sunday nity and the most accurate pic- 3. PRE-BID MEETING Samoan’s front page story titled ture of its operation, whether it “Samoa Airways $2m teething is a loss or profi t, can only be A MANDATORY Pre-Bid Meeting for all contractors will be held on March 14, 2018 at 10:00 problems.” determined at the end of its life. a.m. at the Department of Procurement-Conference Room. Bids will not be accepted from “In the real world, a loss “The only business that its made in the fi rst two months profi t can be accurately deter- bidders who are not present at the pre-bid meeting. may be offset in months three; mined is a one-day business. four and fi ve,” Tuilaepa told One that is an ice cream bar 4. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS the Samoa Observer during that is put up during Flag Day Electronic copies of contract documents, including Plans and Scope of Work can be examined an interview in his offi ce yes- or a chopsuey stall. That is the or obtained from the Office of Procurement during regular business hours, free of charge. terday. “It can be a loss again only kind of business you can in months six, seven and eight determine to the fi nal cent the 5. The American Samoa Government reserves the right not to accept the lowest or my bid. and that can be money earned accuracy of the profi t making. in nine, ten, eleven and twelve, Because it is the only busi- 6. The American Samoa Government reserves the right to waive any informality in bidding as may which will offset the negative ness where you can total up the be in the best interest of the American Samoa Government. results in the earlier months of actual revenue, minus the actual a business. expenditure equals the actual “What goes in the airline profi t.” business is true in any kind of That said, the Prime Minister DR. ORETA MAPU CRICHTON business, the Samoa Observer, said a profi t or loss for the Air- Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action Time Magazine or in Playboy. Chief Procurement Officer (Continued on page 13) samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Page 7 Convicted ‘Accountant of Aus-

chwitz’ reported dead at 96 (Photos:Maelyn BERLIN (AP) — German ermann, didn’t immediately camp and supported the killings prosecutors said Monday they respond to a request for con- through his actions. were notifi ed that a former Nazi fi rmation. Groening’s death Groening testifi ed at his trial death camp guard dubbed the fi rst was reported Monday by that he oversaw the collection “Accountant of Auschwitz” German weekly Der Spiegel. of prisoners’ belongings at Aus- died before he could begin Groening was convicted in chwitz and ensured valuables serving his 4-year sentence. Lueneburg in 2015 as an acces- and cash were separated to be Hannover prosecutor Kathrin sory to the murder of 300,000 sent to Berlin — the actions that Soefker said a lawyer informed Jews. The Lueneburg court earned him the “Accountant of her offi ce that Oskar Groening, concluded that although there Auschwitz” label. 96, died Friday in a hospital. was no evidence of involve- He said he witnessed indi- The offi ce is awaiting an offi cial ment in a specifi c killing, Groe- vidual atrocities, but did not death certifi cate, Soefker said. ning knew that Jews were being acknowledge participating in The lawyer, Hans Holt- slaughtered at the German death any crimes.

➧ 49 dead… Continued from page 2

Nepalese rescuers attend to bodies of victims a er a passenger plane from Bangladesh crashed at the airport in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, March 12, 2018.  e passenger plane carrying 71 people from Bangladesh crashed and burst into  ames as it landed Monday in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, killing dozens of people, o cials said. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shreshta) “It was fl ying so low I “It was fl ying very low,” US-Bangla operates Boeing thought it was going to run said Keyal, a medical student. 737-800 and smaller Bombar- into the mountains,” said Sum- “Everyone just froze looking dier Dash 8 Q-400 planes, the mers, who watched the crash at it. You could tell it wasn’t a model of the plane that crashed. from the terrace of her home normal landing.” The airline is based in Ban- offi ce, not far from the airport He said it landed just off the gladesh’s capital, Dhaka, and in Kathmandu’s valley. “All of runway, broke apart and burst fl ies domestically and interna- a sudden there was a blast and into fl ames. “For a few minutes tionally. The parent company, then another blast.” no one could believe what was part of US-Bangla Group, is Fire crews put out the happening. It was just terrible,” also involved in real estate, edu- fl ames quickly, perhaps within he said. cation and agriculture. a minute, she said, though for US-Bangla spokesman Kathmandu’s airport has a time clouds of thick, dark Kamrul Islam said the plane been the site of several deadly smoke rose into the sky above was carrying 32 passengers crashes. In September 2012, a the city. from Bangladesh, 33 from Sita Air turboprop plane car- Nitin Keyal was about to Nepal and one each from China rying trekkers to Mount Everest board a domestic fl ight at the and the Maldives. He did not hit a bird and crashed shortly airport when he saw the plane provide the nationalities of the after takeoff, killing all 19 on coming in. four crewmembers. board.

➧ Senators… Continued from page 1 calendar of events. Sen. Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet echoed the same However, according to the Senate President, sentiment but added that he doesn’t believe the he will share this recommendation with the funds allocated for Flag Day can be given to governor. people who were impacted by the storm. Sen. Galeai Tu’ufuli noted that money is BACKGROUND already allocated and approved for this event As previously reported by Samoa News, it under the annual budget process, and Flag Day was during a cabinet meeting two Saturdays is now under the Administration’s purview and ago, that the governor overturned the Flag Day therefore, let the Administration move forward Committee’s decision to cancel the fautasi race, with it unless there are issues, which require the saying the race is one of the main reasons why Senate to get involved. our people look forward to Flag Day. At this point, he said, let the administration He said if funding is the main reason why handle its duties. the Committee decided to cancel the race, they Tuiagamoa added later during the session that should remember there are funds already allo- he doesn’t want to cancel Flag Day but instead, cated for Flag Day expenses, the fautasi race scale down the program with perhaps just a fl ag included. (See Samoa News Mar. 8th edition for raising ceremony and prayers. details.) Page 8 samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018

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A recent photo showing Pago Pago Mapusaga Stake leaders of the LDS Church along with Stake president Fa’apito Auapaau (middle in grey shirt) putting together donated clothes and food for families who are members of the Mapusaga stake a ected by Tropical Storm Gita. All units of the Pago Pago Mapusaga Stake made dona- tions to help the Gita a ected families. [courtesy photo] Latest nor’easter could dump a foot or more of snow BOSTON (AP) — Winter- weary New Englanders are pre- paring for blizzard conditions, more than a foot of snow and high winds as the third major nor’easter in two weeks bears down on the Northeast. The National Weather Ser- vice on Monday issued a bliz- zard warning for much of the Massachusetts coast, a winter storm warning for most of New England and a winter weather advisory for portions of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.The storm is expected to hit late Monday and last through most of the day Tuesday, with snow accumulating at a rate of 2 inches per hour during the Tuesday morning commute, disrupting road and air travel. American Airlines announced that it had suspended all fl ight operations from Boston Logan International Airport on Tuesday because of the C M storm. The airline said arrivals Y K and departures from Bangor, Maine, Burlington, Vermont, Manchester, New Hampshire and New Haven, Connecticut also will be shut down. Amtrak said it is sus- pending service from Boston to New York’s Penn Station on Tuesday until 11 a.m. While the fi rst two storms of the month brought coastal fl ooding and hundreds of thou- sands of power outages, this winter monster is a little bit different. “This one’s main impact is going to be snow,” said Kim Buttrick, a meteorolo- gist with the National Weather Service offi ce in Taunton, Massachusetts. samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Page 9 Alia’e isi tu’uaiga fa’asaga i le sauaina o LeLe ni ali’i pagota i le toese LaliLali tusia Ausage Fausia O le vaiaso na te’a nei na alia’e mai ai isi fo’i tu’uaiga mai totonu o le toese i Tafuna, faasaga i ni isi o Leoleo o loo faia sauaga fa’asaga i ni ali’i pagota se to’alua. O ali’i pagota o loo taua o la igoa i lea ripoti o Joe Togitogi ma Joseph Iosefa Iakopo, o i laua ia na auai i le sola’aga a pagota na alia’e mai ia Ianuari ma Fepuari o le tausaga nei. O ni isi lava o pagota i totonu o le toese sa latou fa’ailoa mai i le Samoa News i se telefoni lenei mataupu, lea o loo tu’uaia ai ni isi o Leoleo i le fa’aoolima i alii pagota ia e to’alua, faapea ai ma le fa’aauau pea lea ona loka o la lima i soo se mea e aga’i i ai, e aofi a ai le taimi ‘ai fa’apea ai ma le taimi e momoe ai. C M E lei manuia taumafaiga a le Samoa News i le tau sailiina lea Y K o se fi nagalo mai le Komesina o Leoleo e tusa ai o lenei mataupu. Na imeli le Samoa News ia Le’i Sonny Thompson i le vaiaso na te’a nei ae lei maua mai se tali. Na taumafai fo’i e vili lana telefoni ae lei tali mai fo’i le ali’i Komesina. O le ripoti e pei ona alia’e mai i faiga faapologa fa’asaga i alii pagota e to’alua, ua lagolagoina ai le fa’amatalaga sa tuuina atu e Togitogi i luma o le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga i le 2 vaiaso talu ai, lea na ia faailoa ai i le afi oga i le ali’i Fa’amasino ia Elvis Patea i le O i latou ua lautogia e leoina le maota o lo’o fa’atautaia ai galuega ale FEMA ina ia tapena fo’i taimi na lau ai lana fa’asalaga le faapologaina o ia e ni isi o Leoleo asiasiga i aiga i tua i a o’aga ae ua i ai ma le saogalemu a’ia’i o fa’amaumauga ma sui na autova’a o le toese, e aofi a ai le fasi fa’amo’amo’aina o ia ma manu’a ai ona mai mo le fa’amoemoe ia fesoasoani mai i lo tatou pagatia ile asiosio o Gita. [ata: Leua Aiono Frost] foliga.Na faailoa e Togitogi le pau ese o lona nifo i le fasiga o ia e Leoleo, ina ua toe maua mai o ia mai le la sola’aga ma Iakopo. O le molimau lava fo’i lea e tasi na taua e pagtoa sa latou logoina le Samoa News e uiga i lenei mataupu. Na taua e le isi pagota e faapea, o le auala o lo o tausia ai e Leoleo ia Togitogi ma Iakopo i totonu o le falepuipui i le taimi nei, o se tulaga e le gata e solitulafono ae matua le talafeagai lava ona faia e ni Leoleo i pagota. O ia faiga le alofa e aofi a ai le loka o lima o alii pagota tusa lava poo le taimi e aai ma momoe ai. Sa taua fo’i le manu’a o foliga o ali’i pagota i le fasiga e Leoleo, atoa ai ma le fa’amomoe i luga o le fola sima e aunoa ma ni fala poo ni ie afu ae o loo to’a ai le vai mai le pisi i le taimi na fa’atoa mae’a ai le ‘afa o Gita i le masina na te’a nei. Na taua e le isi alii pagota le mae’a ona ia pu’eina o ata o alii pagota i le taimi ao manu’a ai o la foliga, atoa ai ma le taimi na loka ai o la lima ao aai. O le fa’anaunauga o lea ali’i pagota, ia logo e se tasi i le vaega suesuega a le feterale (FBI) faiga le alofa o loo faia fa’asaga i pagota nei, ae ua ia sauni e avatu i ai mau fa’amaonia mai ata sa ia pu’eina. Na taua atili e le alii pagota i le Samoa News e faapea, tusa lava poo a uiga le usita’i o Togitogi ma Iakopo i le tulafono, e le tatau lava i Leoleo ona latou faia ni sauaga le alofa faasaga ia tei laua. E le o ni Leoleo o le toese i Tafuna lea o loo tu’uaia i le faia o sauaga fa’asaga i alii pagota e to’alua, ae o Leoleo na tofi a faap- O i latou o lo’o nafa ma le fa’afeiloa’iga o tagata i le latou ulufale atu i le nofoaga o fa’atumu ai itoa atu e le Komesina e leoleo ma vaavaai i laua mai le toe sosola pepa a talosaga mo fesoasoani a le FEMA i le DYWA i Pago Pago.[Nonofo] Junior ma Alfaro o le ese mai le toese. FEMA ae o lo’o tutu le tina o Fiaui Lefotu ma faletua o Laura Fa’alevao - Apisaloma Peseta.

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O se va’aiga lea i le vasega o e o fa’atasi ma le FEMA i tua e asiasi i a o’aga ma aiga, ina ia mafai ona fesoasoani e fa’aliliu talanoaga ma sui o le FEMA i le gagana Samoa mo le sila a lelei e o tatou tagata mea o lo’o fesligia ai i latou e le FEMA. O i latou o lo’o tutu: Diane, Makanani, Denise, Pocahontas, Suemalo, Faimasasa, Ato ma le susuga Pouto Ape Leituala o lo’o alaala i le nofoa. [ata: Leua Aiono Frost] Page 10 samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018

tusia Ausage Fausia RUSIATE TABETE SOLOFUA LE MOLIAGA FA’ASAGA IA O le aso 5 Aperila lea ua fa’atulaga e lau ai le ELIJAH LEASAU fa’asalaga a le ali’i o Rusiate Tabete, i le mae’a Ua solofua e le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga i le ai lea ona ta’usala o ia e le fa’amasinoga maua- vaiaso na te’a nei le moliaga mamafa e tasi sa luga i moliaga mamafa e tolu o le talepe fale i le tuuaia ai e le malo ia Elijah Leasau, ina ua tuuina tulaga lua. mai le fa’aiuga a le Vaega Iloilo Iuga la latou Na ulua’i tuuaia e le malo ia Tabele i moliaga faaiuga e le nofosala Leasau i lalo o le tulafono. mamafa e 6, lea e aofia ai moliaga e 3 o le gaoi Na tuuaia e le malo Leasau i le moliaga e atoa ai ma moliaga e 3 o le tapele fale i le tulaga tasi o le umia fa’asolitulafono o vaega o le laau lua. Ae i lalo o le maliliega na sainia e le ua molia fa’asaina o le mariuana. O lea moliaga e mafai ma le malo, na tali ioe ai le ua molia i moliaga e ona fa’asala ai o ia i le toese mo le umi e le silia i 3 o le talepe fale i le tulaga lua, ae solofua e le le 5 tausaga, pe fa’asala fo’i i le salatupe e le silia Fa’amasinoga moliaga e 3 o le gaoi o loo totoe ai i le $5,000, poo le fa’asala fo’i i fa’asalaga uma i le pepa o le tagi sa latou fa’aulu. ia e lua. I le tali ioe ai o Tabete i moliaga e pei ona O le moliaga e pei ona tu’uaia ai e le malo le ta’usala ai o ia e le malo sa ia taua ai e fa’apea, ua molia, na alia’e mai i le fa’alavelave lea na i le va o le aso 11 Novema, ma le aso 2 ma le 7 tula’i mai i le masina o Tesema 2015, lea na finau o Tesema 2017, sa ia ulufale fa’atolu ai i totonu mai ai le malo fai mai na togi i fafo e le ua molia o se faleoloa ma le fa’amoemoe e fa’atino ai le mai totonu o lana ta’avale se afi sa i ai vaega o le solitulafono o le gaoi. laau fa’asaina o le mariuana, ina ua taofi e Leoleo Na ta’utino le ua molia e fa’apea, e fa’atolu lana ta’avale i luma o se faleoloa i Iliili. ona ia osofaia le faleoloa na a’afia ma gaoia mai Na taua e le malo e fa’apea, na avea le alu o le ai oloa e silia i le $100 lo latou tau aofa’i. ta’avale a le ua molia i luga o le auala e aunoa ma O lo o taofia pea le ua molia i le toese ina ua le ni moli na ola, ma auala na taofi ai loa e Leoleo mafai ona ia totogiina le tupe na fa’atulaga e tatala lana ta’avale. ai o ia, e fa’atali ai le aso lau ai lana fa’asalaga. Ao aga’i atu le ta’avale a le ua molia ma paka MUKA GODINET i luma o se faleoloa i Iliili, na aga’i atu ai loa O le ali’i e 33 tausaga le matua lea na tu’uaia Leoleo ma fesiligia o ia i le mafu’aaga o le le e le malo i le moliaga mamafa o lona auai lea i se ola o moli pito i luma o lana ta’avale. E to’atele taupulepulega e fa’atino le solitulafono mamafa Leoleo sa i ai i le taimi na taofi ai le ta’avale a le o le gaoi, ua ia malie e tali ioe i le moliaga mama ua molia. lea ua manatu le malo e molia ai o ia, le moliaga O se tasi o Leoleo sa ia mauaina se afi penisini mama o lona taliaina lea o ni oloa sa ave fa’agaoi. na ta’atia i le isi pito e le mamao mai le ta’avale I le ta’i ioe ai o Muka Godinet i le moliaga e a le ua molia. I totonu o le afi penisiisi sa maua ai pei ona ta’usala ai o ia e le fa ‘amasinoga, sa ia O se tasi o sui e le malaga lava ia i tua i asiasiga pe talia e ia ni vaega o le mariuana. ta’utino ai e fa’apea, i se taimi o le aso 30 Ianuari E ui na finau le loia a le malo ia Christy Dunn isi o sui o aiga o malaga atu e fa’atumu a latou talosaga, peita’i o 2017, sa ia taliaina ai ni oloa sa ave fa’agaoi e se ia lea e nafa ma le fa’amaumauga uma i le va o le latou aufaigal- o le afi penisini sa maua ai mariuana na togi ese tagata e le atoa se $100 o lona tau aofa’i. uega na masi’i mai ma le latou Osa ulu. [ata: Leua Aiono Frost] mai e le ua molia mai totonu o lana ta’avale, Na ioe Godinet e fa’apea, o lana gaioiga sa peita’i na finau le loia a le ua molia ia Marcellus faia i lea aso, sa le tusa lea ma ala o le tulafono. O T. Uiagalelei e fa’apea, e leai ni mau faamaonia a lo o tumau pea tuutuuga o loo tatala ai Godinet i le malo e lagolago ai sa umia e le ua molia vaega tua e fa’atali ai le aso 5 Aperila lea ua fa’atulaga o le fualaau fa’asaina. e lau ai lana fa’asalaga.

tusia: Leua Aiono Frost ituaiga susu i le teritori. Peita’i SIOKI OLOA FALEOLOA o va’a oloa o loo tatalia nei e - AE MAISE OLOA WIC & Kamupani Wholesale a Kruse FOOD STAMP: ma Aveina i Tafuna, Nuuuli Ua matauina i fa’atauga o ma Matuu, e mautinoa lava e le aso Faraile ma ua o’o i lenei fa’ato’a maua i le fa’aiuga o le vaiaso, ua sioki sapalai o le vaiaso nei aga’i i le vaiaso a sau. pepa susu Fresh Milk, Anchor I nisi o faleoloa Asia o lo’o ma isi fo’i oloa e masani ona mafai ona maua Pepa Susu, agava’a ai tagata e faatau e ala ituaiga nei e fa’atulaga ma i le polokalama a le fanauiti ma taulia i le lisi o mea’ai e fa’atau tina ma’itaga. mo le fanauiti i le Polokalama a E tusa ai ma se fa’amatalaga le WIC. a le ali’i Faioloa i le afio’aga o I le tulaga o tau o oloa, e Nuuuli, sa ia fa’ailoa mai, “O masani ona fa’alauiloa mai e lo ua tatalia nei le isi oka tele, le Kovana o le tatou malo, pe aua sa ou fa’aluaina a’u oka ina a lutia le atunu’u i faaletonu ua lutia i tatou i le afa o Gita, fa’anatura fa’apei o le ‘afa o sa ou iloa lava e tauau ina o’o i Gita, ina ia le tasi’ia tau o oloa i se sioki fa’apea aua o le a maua faleoloa. Peita’i ua matauina, ua fo’i e le tele o aiga o le atunu’u i ai si’itaga i tau oloa tau mea’ai na pagatia lea fa’amanuiaga o i lenei vaitau. E afua mai ona ua tupe mai le Koluse Mumu ma amata ona le toe maua le tele o le FEMA, ma o le a tetele fo’i oloa, ma ua afua ai ona si’itau. fa’atauga a aiga ta’itasi, ae ese O le isi, ua iloa fo’i e faleoloa mai ai lava le WIC ma le Food o lo ua tele le tupe i lima o nai Stamp lava latou lea sa masani aiga ua fa’amanuia i ai le Koluse ona fa’atatau i ai oka fa’ale- Mumu ma le FEMA. masina mo o’u faleoloa e lua.” Ina vala’au atu i le susuga Faailoa mai e le Aveina le Loia o lo’o nafa ma le tulaga Wholesale i Matuu, ua fai si o tau o oloa ma ituaiga oloa O se va’aiga i le ali’i ua manumalo nei i le tauvaga Sipela sa faia i le vaiaso na te’a nei, Michael leva talu ona le toe maua Pepa e fa’atauina mai i totonu o Sun o le alo o ZHEN Dong ma Li Dong lea e ona le faleoloa o Sing Na Store i le ao’aga o Vaitogi. Susu i le latou faleoloa. O lona le atunu’u, poo le loia mo le Malo Michael ua pu’ea fo’i le latou ata ma Talaleu Carol Tautolo - Samuelu ma le Peresetene o le uiga afai ae tuai mai a latou Consumer Protection Bureau, TecConnec, Mrs Leota o Kamupani sa sapaia a’ia’i le tauvaga sipela i lenei fo’i tausaga. va’a o loo uta mai ai le susu, e Jedidiah Bigelow, sa ia fa’ailoa [ata: Leua Aiono Frost] tauau o le a maea atoa so’o se (Faaauau itulau 11) samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Page 11

LDS Church Pago Pago Mapusaga Stake women’s relief society members pictured, sorting through donated clothes that were presented - along with food items - to families of the Mapusaga Stake members who were impacted by Tropical Storm Gita. [courtesy photo]

➧ Church… ➧ Tala i Vaifanua… Continued from page 3 Mai itulau 10 mai, “O le tulaga tau si’itaga o tau o oloa, e le Uta fo’i lea matata. tatau ona si’ia se tau mai le tau masani a’o le’i “Ua matou matauina fo’i le galue fa’amaoni afatia i tatou i Amerika Samoa nei. E tatau ona ma le galue fiafia o Lipea Uta i so’o se taimi, ma tumau le o tau o oloa se’ia o’o ina mae’a le 3 e talimana’o fo’i i nai tagata o lo’o sulu mai mo masina po’o le 180 aso talu mai ona afatia i tatou. se fesoasoani atu a le Koluse Mumu ona ua afatia O lona uiga o Aperila 9, 2018 e tatau ona fa’ato’a aiga ma latou fale nofo,” o se tala lea a le Koluse toe si’i ai ni tau o oloa i faleoloa uma lava i totonu Mumua. o le atunu’u.”Afai ua e matauina se faleoloa ua “O le agaga tonu fo’i o avea ma ‘au’au a le si’itia tau o latou oloa mai le tau sa i ai a’o le’i Koluse Mumu ua va’aia ma matauina pea i le gal- afatia i tatou, ona e lipotia lea i le Ofisa o le Loia uega a lenei volenitia o Lipea Uta Sui. Fa’afetai Sili ma talanoa ia Bigelow. Lipea Uta mo lou sao i le Koluse Mumu i lenei VOLENITIA O LE MASINA MO LE tausaga ma nisi tausaga ua e fuafua e te tautua KOLUSE MUMU ai pea mo tagata ua i ai le mana’omia i o latou O le susuga Lipea Uta Sui mai Tafuna, ua lotoifale ona o fa’alavelave tutupu fa’afuase’i.” avea nei ma le tagata faigaluega o le Masina a le TELE SAO FOA’I A LE KOLUSE MUMU Koluse Mumu Amerika Samoa. O ia o lo’o galue TUPE MAUA A FALEOLOA o le Logistics Officer a le Koluse Mumu, ma ua Talumai ona mae’a fo’i le afa ma ua tali le iloga fo’i le lelei o le fa’atinoga o ona tiute i le Koluse Mumu mai San Diego i le tele o talo- taimi nei, ae ua galulue fa’atasi ai ma sui Koluse saga sa fa’amaumau lea ua tali mai i latou i le Mumu mai San Diego, i le tele o mea o lo’o latou pepa tala tupe e ta’i silia ma le $1,000 i aiga na fa’avasegaina, fa’aputu lelei ma toe fa’avasega le tele mea na fa’aleagaina, ua va’aia le maualuga tufatufaga i aiga pagatia o le atunu’u ona o le ‘afa fo’i o tupe maua a le tele o pisinisi ua agavaa o Gita. mo fefa’ataua’iga e fa’aaogaina ai nei card a le Ua matele ina galue fa’atasi o ia ma le vasega Koluse Mumu. is Aug. 25, 2016, photo shows the Scientology Cross perched o tagata e fa’atalatalanoaina i latou i le Ofisa autu E oo mai i le taimi nei e le’i maua se atop the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles. Scientology is o le Koluse Mumu ona ua fia maua se fesoasoani. fa’amanuiaga tau tupe mai le FEMA ae ua about to get its own television channel starting Monday, March A mae’a fo’i ua auai fa’atasi o ia ma nisi o le fa’agasolo nei a latou fa’amaumauga ma asiasiga 11, 2018. A Twitter handle, website and app for Scientology TV Koluse Mumu mai fafo ina ia asia fale o aiga i i tua i aiga ua mae’a fa’atutumu a latou talosaga. appeared Sunday posting updates to hype the network’s avail- tua i afio’aga. A’o le si’itaga o le tamaoaiga ua maua nei e le au ability on DIRECTV, AppleTV, Roku, reTV, Chromecast, Peita’i i le taumafaiga a le Koluse Mumu faipisinisi o faleoloa o oloa tau mea’ai, moega ma iTunes and Google Play. Amerika Samoa ina ia fa’avasega a latou sapalai oloa tau potu moe ma ie afu ma solo ma lavalava, (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) ua maua mo lenei ‘afa ua fa’ato’a mavae atu, sa ua mautinoa lava le si’itia i lenei vaitau. United States and its work with other churches and community fa’aalia ai le tulaga maoa’e o le agava’a o Uta i E le gata la i le pepa e tala ai tupe mo fa’atauga, groups. lona fa’avasegaina o oloa ua maua mai pisinisi ae ua taua’aoina fo’i e le Koluse Mumua le 558 Viewers were introduced to ethnically diverse members ma tagata foa’i, ma lona fa’amaumauina uma fo’i “Jumpstart to Recovery Kits,” 1,280 “Clean Up including blue-collar workers, professionals and business owners. o so’o se ituaiga o oloa o lo’o ua mae’a i ai i le Kits,” ma le 2,159 “Comfort Kits.” Miscavige noted that the church’s followers include “some of the latou Fale Oloa foa’i. Ua le mafai ona fa’ailoa aloaia mai le aotelega most well-known artists and celebrities in the world.” Ua ia te ia fo’i le tomai e fa’avasega ai vaega o le tupe ua taua’aoina i le silia ma le to’a 1,000 He didn’t name them, but Tom Cruise and Kirstie Alley are asiasi i nu’u ma afioaga eseese ma latou taimi e o aiga, peita’i i nisi o aiga na fa’aleagaina uma among long-time Scientologists. tatau ai ona tu’ua le Ofisa autu ma toe aga’i atu i latou fale ma lavalava ma moega ma latou fala In one segment, members boasted of the church’s technolog- totonu, ae maise o sui Volenitia uma a Amerika moe, aluga ma ieafu, ua latou fa’ailoa mai e silia ical achievements, including development of the “E-meter” that Samoa ma vaega e tatau ona malaga fa’atasi ma ma le $1,000 le tupe sa i le card a le latou aiga. reads “mental energy” and is used by an auditor to diagnose and i latou ina ia fa’afaigofie feutagaiga i le gagana O oloa ua fa’ailoa ane e tatau ona fa’aaogaina i improve people’s lives. An auditor, as explained in an on-screen Samoa ma nai o tatou aiga o mana’omia le fes- ai le Card tala tupe lea, e aofia ai oloa tau mea’ai, caption, is “one who listens.” aosoani ma ua asia i lea afio’aga ma lea afio’aga. falamoe ma moega lelei fa’atasi ma ie afu solo O le fuafuaga fa’ataoto fo’i o lea aso ma lea ma aluga ma taga aluga. aso i vaega o asiasiga a nei vaega ta’itasi, ua ia Page 12 samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 ➧ National… Continued from page 4 years ago and that’s in contrast learned about the rest of the before because it was told from to westerners who are always world, said professor Samir an elite, white American point fully clothed and often carrying Husni, who heads the Magazine of view, and I think it speaks technology.” Innovation Center at the Uni- to exactly why we needed a White teenage boys “could versity of Mississippi’s jour- diversity of storytellers,” Gold- count on every issue or two of nalism school. berg said. “So we need pho- National Geographic having Making sure that kind of tographers who are African- some brown skin bare breasts coverage never happens again American and Native American for them to look at, and I should be paramount, Husni because they are going to cap- think editors at National Geo- said. “Trying to integrate the ture a different truth and maybe graphic knew that was one of magazine media with more a more accurate story.” the appeals of their magazine, hiring of diverse writers and National Geographic was because women, especially minorities in the magazine fi eld one of the fi rst advocates of Asian women from the pacifi c is how we apologize for the using color photography in its islands, were photographed in past,” Husni said. pages, and is well known for ways that were almost glamour Goldberg said she is doing its coverage of history, sci- shots.” just that, adding that in the past, ence, environmentalism and National Geographic, which the magazine has done a better the far corners of the world. It now reaches 30 million people job at gender diversity than currently can be found in 172 around the world, was the way racial and ethnic diversity. countries and in 43 languages that many Americans fi rst “The coverage wasn’t right every month. ➧ Man convicted… Continued from page 1 Samoa News was also told station in Fagatogo was because prison cell behind the old DPS that the reason why Povi was he was allowed by some “senior building last week, and found In this image provided by National Geographic, the cover of seen by members of the com- police offi cers” to do their clothes hanging in front of the the April 2018 issue of National Geographic magazine, a single munity roaming freely inside chores. building. The front door of the topic issue on the subject of race. (National Geographic via AP) and around the Central police Samoa News visited the old building was open and inside was three cells. Povi is locked inside the cell that used to be the main offi ce for the old DPS Vice and Narcotics Units. The room has an air conditioner. The person who originally reported Povi “roaming freely” went to the DPS main offi ce in Fagatogo last month to follow up on a report her husband fi led last year and noticed that the person, who was not a police offi cer sitting on the couch was Povi. She called Samoa News last week and thanked us for voicing her complaints, which resulted in the prisoner being locked up.“I visited the DPS main offi ce in Fagatogo last week just to see if this pris- oner is still sitting freely inside the offi ce, and I was told by a friendly police offi cer that the person I was looking for is no longer a free man, but he was ordered to be locked up after DPS found out about the com- plaints by the public which was in the newspaper,” she said. Following his conviction last year, Povi was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and he was supposed to serve out his time at the DPS central station, after it came to light during a court proceeding in Dec. 2016, that he was assaulted by inmates at TCF where he was being held at the time.The beating resulted in Povi sustaining injuries to his face, including a head wound that required stitches. During his preliminary hearing he begged the court, at the time, to remove him from the TCF for fear of his life. District Court Judge Pro Temp Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde, who handled Povi’s case that day, accepted the request and Povi was transferred to the police sta- tion in Fagatogo. He is serving his time out there also. As a condition of Povi’s sen- tence, upon release from TCF, he is to immediately depart the territory after he serves 5 years, and he is to remain outside of the territory for 15 years, which is his probation term. samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Page 13 Q&A: What’s known of fatal shootings at California vets home agency would have been a pri- if Wong’s previous behavior federal agents had traced the mary point of contact for such or actions while enrolled in the weapons used in the shooting reporting. The U.S. Army has program and his subsequent or determined how many guns declined to provide more details expulsion prompted any reports Wong owned. beyond Wong’s basic service to the gun registry or a program At what point were the record, which shows he served that seizes firearms from those women killed? Did law enforce- in Afghanistan from April 2011 who are no longer allowed to ment respond properly during to March 2012 and received have them because of mental the siege when they waited numerous awards. illness or criminal convictions. for eight hours to go into the Stanford University psychi- “Since this is an active case, room where Wong had kept the atry professor Keith Humphreys everything has to come from the women inside?Capt. Blower said mental health care profes- investigating agency,” spokes- of the sheriff’s office said a Fernando Juarez, 36, of Napa, center, embraces his 22-year-old sionals are required by state law woman Bethany Lesser said in deputy exchanged gunfire 10 sister Vanessa Flores, right, at the Veterans Home of California to report to law enforcement an email.How many guns did minutes after he responded to on Friday March 9, 2018. in Yountville, Calif. Flores, who is a agencies patients they believe Wong own and did he legally a 10:20 a.m. report of “shots caregiver at the facility, exchanged texts with family while shel- have made a “credible, specific obtain/retain them after he fired” at the veterans home. tering in place. A gunman took at least three people hostage at threat against a specific indi- enrolled in an in-patient mental Blower said Wong fled into a the largest veterans home in the United States on Friday, leading vidual.” Humphreys also said health program?Investigators room, slamming shut the door to a lockdown of the sprawling grounds in California, authorities patients can be reported who haven’t publicly identified the and the deputy didn’t follow the said. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) are “gravely disabled” or pose weapon Wong used to kill the gunman into the room. Authori- a “serious danger” to them- three mental health workers. ties say it’s apparent the vic- By PAUL ELIAS, Associated the San Francisco Department selves or others.Why was Wong Wong’s state permit to carry tims were shot Friday morning Press of Veterans Affairs Health- kicked out of the treatment pro- a 9-millimeter gun as a secu- because no gunfire was heard SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — care System who was nearly gram, and what help was he rity guard was cancelled last afterward.California Highway Three days after a former Army 7 months pregnant died in the given when he was removed? October after he failed to pay Patrol Sgt. Rob Nacke said CHP rifleman killed three mental siege.Here are some of the Pathway Home spokesman the Bureau of Security and and the Napa County Sheriff’s health care workers at a pro- things officials have said about Larry Kamer declined to com- Investigative Services, agency Department shared respon- gram where he had received what happened and questions ment, citing “confidentiality spokesman Matt Woodcheke sibility for responding to the care in Northern California, that remain:Did officials at The rules and the ongoing inves- said Monday. Attorney General shooting. The veterans home is there are still more questions Pathway Home, at the Veterans tigation.” There have been Xavier Becerra’s office, which in the sheriffs jurisdiction but it than answers. Albert Wong, 36, Administration or in the mili- reports that Wong may have is responsible for performing is a state agency, prompting the slipped into a going-away party tary ever report any concerns threatened one of the women, gun background checks for joint response, Nacke said. The at The Pathway Home on Friday about Albert Wong’s mental but Napa County officials and buyers, declined to provide FBI also responded with a hos- morning. About seven hours health to outside authorities? the California Highway Patrol records. Bureau of Alcohol, tage negotiating team. Nacke later, a robot with a video feed Napa County Sheriff’s Capt. have declined to comment Tobacco, Firearms and Explo- said the first officer on scene showed officers that Wong and Steve Blower said Monday on those reports, saying they sives spokeswoman Alexandria was responding to an “active the three workers were dead. that his office had received are premature.Did Wong’s Corneiro did not respond to a shooter,” requiring an imme- Executive Director Christine no prior reports from mental behavior prompt any reports to request Monday about whether diate and aggressive response. Loeber, 48; Clinical Director health workers alerting them gun registries?The California Jennifer Golick, 42; and Jen- to concerns about Wong’s Attorney General’s Office nifer Gonzales Shushereba, mental health or that he was a operates a gun registry, but the 32, a clinical psychologist with danger to others, though his agency declined to say Monday PIGS FOR SALE All sizes. Size 2 and big ones ➧ Pacific… for Fa’alavelave. Continued from page 6 line will not be known until the client. Health Services. You took 16 Contact 252-5005 or 699-2652 end. Fesola’i and Mafualo did not large boxes of paracetamol esti- “The airline will not elabo- want lawyers. mated to $10,560, products of rate until we get the final pic- “For the defendant, Fou, the the National Health Services. ture. The month to month Court has noted down your not Fesola’i and Mafualo both returns are needed by the man- guilty plea through your counsel entered guilty pleas to this agement to ensure what needs to to all the charges,” he said. charge. be addressed, and that includes “But as for the other two Fesola’i faced a third charge. COOK NEEDED issues such as the cost.” defendants, I believe this “It states in between Experience Required in cooking Tuilaepa also turned his matter was called before Chief November 1, 2017 and January attention to a Cabinet Minister Justice Patu Tia’va’su’e Fale- 1, 2018, you were employed by CHINESE CUISINE. and government sources whom fatu Sapolu and he asked you the National Health Service, claimed the monthly losses are whether you want to engage a you took six large boxes of Sweetie’s Restaurant @ 254-5835 accumulating and have reached lawyer and you said no. paracetamol which estimated to more than $2million. “So are you ready to respond $3,960, products of the National (Source: Samoa Observer) to the charges against you? Health Services.” ALLEGED ICE RING TRIO Both defendants said yes. Fesola’i pleaded not guilty. IN COURT In reading out the Police Justice Leiataualesa Three hospital workers, summary of facts, all three adjourned the matter for hearing COOK NEEDED charged and accused of stealing defendants face charges of theft on 17 July 2018. pharmaceutical products from as servants. “In respect of the guilty Experience Required in cooking the Hospital Pharmacy last “It says in between pleas, those should be sen- month, appeared in Court November 1, 2017 and January tenced after the hearing,” he CHINESE CUISINE. yesterday. 1, 2018, 31-year-old Amanono told the prosecution as well as They are Pio Fesola’i, Afualo of Vaitele Fou and Fusi the defense counsel. Suamalie Restaurant @ 254-5835 Amanono Mafualo and Fou Safotulafai, a former employee “In respect of the defendant, Sekone. The trio is accused of of the National Health Ser- Fou, through your counsel, being part of an alleged ring to vice, took six large boxes of your not guilty pleas to all the manufacture methamphetamine paracetamol, which cost $660 charges are noted. or ice. for one box and total amount “For you Amanono, your Supreme Court Justice, of these six boxes is $3,960 plea of not guilty to the one EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Leiataualesa Daryl Clark, pre- products of the National Health charge is noted and your guilty sided, while the Prosecution Service.” plea to the other charge is noted. Brilliant Star Enterprises is seeking an lawyer was Fuifui Ioane of the Mafualo pleaded not guilty. “And for Pio Fesolai your Accountant and a Cashier with at least Attorney General’s Office. “Secondly, at Moto’otua in guilty plea to S275/18 is noted Sekone was represented by between December 31, 2017 and and your not guilty plea to 3 to 5 years experience. Please send Leafa Donald Kerslake, and January 1, 2018, all three of you S146/18 is noted.” entered a not guilty plea for his were employed by the National (Source: Samoa Observer) resume to PO Box 7283. Page 14 samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Fertility-clinic breakdowns baffle experts, upset couples Trump’s strong words on guns By CARLA K. JOHNSON, AP Medical Writer Simultaneous refrigeration failures at two fertility clinics give way to political reality in San Francisco and suburban Cleveland have damaged or tweeted that he’s “watching not much political support (to destroyed potentially thousands of frozen eggs and embryos in court cases and rulings” on the put it mildly).” the biggest such loss on record in the U.S. The malfunctions have issue, adding that there is “not The White House insisted left parents-to-be heartbroken and baffled experts. much political support (to put it that Trump remained committed Here are some questions and answers about the two cases. mildly).” to more significant changes WHAT HAPPENED? Over the weekend, the White even if they are delayed. In Ohio, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center House released a limited plan to “We can’t just write things estimates 2,000 eggs and embryos may have been damaged or combat school shootings that down and make them law. We destroyed when an unexplained storage tank malfunction caused leaves the question of arming actually have to follow a pro- temperatures to rise on March 4. The medical center apologized. teachers to states and local com- cess,” said press secretary Sarah On the same day in San Francisco, an embryologist at the munities and sends the age issue Huckabee Sanders. “Right now Pacific Fertility Clinic noticed the liquid nitrogen level in one tank to a commission for review. Just the president’s primary focus was very low during a routine check, clinic president Dr. Carl two days earlier, Trump had is pushing through things we Herbert told ABC. He said the tank was immediately replenished mocked commissions as some- know that have broad bipartisan and the embryos were later transferred to a new tank. thing of a dead end while talking support.”She placed blame for There’s no known connection between the two episodes, said about the opioid epidemic. “We the inaction on Capitol Hill. But Dr. Kevin Doody, lab director at the Center for Assisted Reproduc- In this March 10, 2018, can’t just keep setting up blue- Trump has made little effort to tion in Texas and past president of the Society for Assisted Repro- photo, President Donald ribbon committees,” he said, marshal the support of congres- ductive Technology. He said such breakdowns are extremely rare, Trump speaks at a campaign adding that all they do is “talk, sional Republicans or use his and two at once is “beyond stunning.” rally at Atlantic Aviation in talk, talk.” popularity with NRA voters “It’s two black swan events happening in the same day. One Moon Township, Pa. Weeks Seventeen people were to provide cover for his party of them causes the beehive to buzz. Two? We’re all in shock,” aer prodding lawmakers to killed in last month’s shooting during a contentious vote. Doody said.Officials have yet to say exactly what went wrong. stand up to the National Rie at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Democrats and gun control Barbara Collura, president of the patient advocacy group Association,Trump is backing High School in Parkland, advocates were quick to pounce RESOLVE, called for “a very open, transparent investigation o his call for increasing Florida, prompting a national on the president’s retreat from where the results are clear and public for all of us.” the minimum age to buy an conversation about gun laws, previous demands, with Sen. “We all need to know what has happened,” she said. assault weapon ‚Äî an idea fierce advocacy for stronger gun Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., CAN THE EMBRYOS BE USED? strongly opposed by the NRA. control from surviving students tweeting that Trump “couldn’t Scientists can easily tell by looking through a microscope (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) and, initially, a move from even summon the political whether an egg or embryo survived a thaw, said David Ball, By CATHERINE LUCEY and Trump to buck his allies at the courage to propose raising the another past president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive JONATHAN LEMIRE, Associ- National Rifle Association. age limit on firearm purchases Technology. ated Press In a televised meeting with - despite repeated promises to If doctors were to implant a damaged embryo, it might not lead WASHINGTON (AP) — lawmakers on Feb. 28, Trump support such a step at a meeting to a pregnancy, but if it did, it would not raise the danger of birth Not two weeks ago, President praised members of the gun with lawmakers.”Television defects in the child, Ball said. Donald Trump wagged his lobby as “great patriots” but personality Geraldo Rivera — WHO WILL INVESTIGATE? finger at a Republican senator declared “that doesn’t mean we who had urged the president The American Society for Reproductive Medicine said it plans and scolded him for being have to agree on everything. to consider tougher age limits to review the incidents with the clinics and their equipment sup- “afraid of the NRA,” declaring It doesn’t make sense that I during a dinner at Trump’s pliers this week. The group will then make recommendations that he would stand up to the have to wait until I’m 21 to get Florida club — tweeted that to its members.“In the meantime, infertility clinics around the powerful gun lobby and finally a handgun, but I can get this Trump had “blinked in face country have been double- and triple-checking their own proce- get results on quelling gun vio- weapon at 18.” of ferocious opposition from dures and equipment to ensure everything is working properly,” lence following last month’s He then turned toward Sen. #NRA.”Still, Trump argued the group said in a statement.Accrediting bodies such as the Col- Florida school shooting. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, that this was progress. lege of American Pathology may also conduct reviews, and the On Monday, Trump struck and questioned why previous “Very strong improvement clinics themselves will investigate or hire outside experts to do a very different tone as he gun control legislation did not and strengthening of back- so, Doody said.But government review is unlikely because there backpedaled from his earlier include that provision. ground checks will be fully is minimal federal oversight of fertility clinics. The politics sur- demands for sweeping reforms “You know why?” said backed by White House,” he rounding abortion have made federal regulation too tricky, said and bowed to Washington Trump, answering his own ques- tweeted. He added that an effort George Annas, a medical ethicist at the Boston University School reality. The president, who tion. “Because you’re afraid of to bar bump stock devices was of Public Health.“We’ve never been able to separate the embryo recently advocated increasing the NRA, right? Ha ha.”Toomey coming and that “Highly trained debate from the abortion debate in the United States,” Annas said. the minimum age to pur- had a ready response after the expert teachers will be allowed chase an assault weapon to 21, president’s tweet Monday: “It’s to conceal carry, subject to quite obvious that I’m the guy State Law. Armed guards OK, that stood up to the NRA,” he deterrent!”Without strong advo- said. Asked if Trump was afraid cacy from the White House, an of the NRA, Toomey said, “I ambitious gun package was American Samoa Government don’t know what’s driving his unlikely to even get off the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH decision.” ground, given most Republi- His words rattled some cans’ opposition to any new Republicans in Congress and restrictions. The two measures sparked hope among some gun backed by Trump — an effort control advocates that, unlike to strengthen the federal back- PUBLIC NOTICE after so many previous mass ground check system and an shootings, meaningful regula- anti-school violence grant pro- tions would be enacted. But gram — both enjoy bipartisan The American Samoa Department of Health Early Intervention Program Trump appeared to foreshadow support, though some Repub- “Helping Hands” would like to inform the public that the Annual State his change of heart with a tweet licans object and many Demo- the very next night. crats say they are insufficient. Application under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act “Good (Great) meeting in Trump drew some Repub- as amended in 2004 for Federal Fiscal Year 2018 is available for public the Oval Office tonight with the lican backing, with Sen. Orrin comment for a period of 60 days. NRA!” the president wrote. Hatch of Utah, who wrote the White House aides said school safety bill, tweeting he Monday the president was was “grateful” for the White A copy of the document is available to review at the DOH Helping Hands focusing on achievable options, House backing and calling the Office located in the Lumana’i building in Fagatogo. after facing significant oppo- measure “the best first step sition from lawmakers on a we can take” to make students more comprehensive approach. safer.Separately, Attorney Please call the DOH Helping Hands office at 633-8553 if you have any Trump will back two modest General Jeff Sessions on pieces of legislation, and the Monday directed the FBI to questions regarding this public notice. administration pledged to help identify localities that are not states pay for firearms training fully reporting information Signed, for teachers.Seemingly on the about arrests and mental health defensive after his about-face, records to federal authorities. Trump tweeted Monday of Such information could prevent Ruth Te’o, DOH Part C Coordinator the age limit that “States are someone from purchasing a gun making this decision. Things if discovered during a back- are moving rapidly on this, but ground check. samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 Page 15 Levine fi red by Met after it fi nds Immigrants sue US over end to evidence of sexual abuse By RONALD BLUM, Associated Press temporary protected status NEW YORK (AP) — James Levine, whose 46-year career at the Metropolitan Opera established him as a towering fi gure in classical music, was fi red by the company on Monday after an investigation found evidence of sexual abuse and harassment. Levine made his Met debut in 1971 and became one of the sig- nature artists in the company’s 135-year history, conducting 2,552 performances and ruling over its repertoire, orchestra and singers as music or artistic director from 1976 until he stepped down two years ago due to Parkinson’s disease. He became music director emeritus and remained head of its young artists program but was suspended on Dec. 3 after accounts in the New York Post and The New York Times of sexual misconduct dating to the 1960s. The Met hired former U.S. Attorney Robert J. Cleary, now a partner at Proskauer Rose, to head its investigation, and the com- pany said more than 70 people were interviewed.“The investiga- tion uncovered credible evidence that Mr. Levine had engaged in sexually abusive and harassing conduct both before and during the period when he worked at the Met,” the company said in a statement. “The investigation also uncovered credible evidence that Mr. Levine engaged in sexually abusive and harassing con- duct towards vulnerable artists in the early stages of their careers, over whom Mr. Levine had authority. In light of these fi ndings, the Met concludes that it would be inappropriate and impossible for Mr. Levine to continue to work at the Met.”The Met did not release specifi cs of the evidence.Tim Fox of Columbia Artists, who represents the 74-year-old conductor, did not respond to an Emi MacLean, attorney with National Day Laborers Organizing Network, from le , stands next email seeking comment.Levine has not been charged with any to Crista Ramos, Ramos’ mother Cristina Morales, from El Salvador, Sherika Blanc, from Haiti, and criminal offense. The Lake County state’s attorney’s offi ce in Illi- Mazin Ahmed, from Sudan, at a news conference announcing a lawsuit against the Trump admin- nois said in December it investigated a sexual abuse allegation istration over its decision to end a program that lets immigrants live and work legally in the United of misconduct dating to the 1980s but concluded “no criminal States outside of a federal courthouse in San Francisco, Monday, March 12, 2018. Ramos, Morales, charges can be brought” and cited multiple factors, including Blanc and Ahmed are among the plainti s alleging the decision to end temporary protected status “the relevant age of consent in Illinois at the time of the alleged for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan was racially motivated. (AP Photo/Je Chiu) incidents.”Levine’s downfall follows that of 81-year-old Charles Dutoit. After The Associated Press reported sexual assault alle- By SUDHIN THANAWALA and as an after-school teacher in the end temporary protected status gations against him, the Swiss conductor resigned as artistic AMY TAXIN, Associated Press San Francisco Bay Area. was racially motivated. The director and principal conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic SAN FRANCISCO (AP) She was accompanied at NAACP has fi led a separate Orchestra and engagements were canceled at numerous orches- — The Trump administration’s the rally by her 14-year-old lawsuit in Maryland on behalf tras. Dutoit has denied the allegations.The Met said in its state- decision to end a program that daughter, Crista Ramos, who of Haitian immigrants who ment “the investigation also found that any claims or rumors lets immigrants from four coun- along with her 11-year-old son, received temporary protected that members of the Met’s management or its board of directors tries live and work legally in the Diego Ramos, are U.S. citizens. status.The program was created engaged in a cover-up of information relating to these issues are U.S. was motivated by racism “I don’t want the govern- for humanitarian reasons, and completely unsubstantiated.”Following the death of Leonard Ber- and leaves the immigrants’ ment to split my family and to the status can be renewed by the nstein in 1990, Levine was regarded as the top American con- American born children with an lose my home, my friends and U.S. government following an ductor and was given a starring role in the fi lm “Fantasia 2000.” “impossible choice,” according the opportunity for a good edu- evaluation.El Salvador was des- Many of his performances were televised by PBS, and singers to a federal lawsuit fi led on cation,” Crista said. ignated for the program in 2001 rearranged their schedules to appear in his performances or even Monday. Morales, 37, her voice quiv- after an earthquake and the to audition for him.He was revered by the Met’s orchestra, board Nine immigrants and fi ve ering with emotion, said she country’s status was repeatedly and patrons during a reign as chief conductor (1973-76), music children fi led the suit in federal has nothing to go back to in El renewed. The Trump adminis- director (1976-86 and 2004-16) and artistic director (1986-2004). court in San Francisco to rein- Salvador.“If I pay taxes, health tration announced in January In addition, he was music director of the Chicago Symphony state temporary protected status insurance, my house and the that the program would expire Orchestra’s Ravinia Festival from 1973-93 and the Boston Sym- for people from El Salvador, education of my children, what for El Salvador in September phony Orchestra from 2004-11. Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan. I have done wrong,” she said. 2019. The status is granted to The lawsuit names the U.S. countries ravaged by natural Department of Homeland Secu- disasters or war. It lets citizens rity as a defendant. The depart- of those countries remain in the ment declined to comment on U.S. until the situation improves pending litigation. back home. More than 200,000 immi- The lawsuit — at least the grants could face deporta- third challenging the adminis- tion because of the change in tration’s decision to end tem- policy, and they have more than porary protected status — cites 200,000 American children President Donald Trump’s who risk being uprooted from vulgar language during a their communities and schools, meeting in January to describe according to plaintiffs in the African countries. case fi led by the American Civil “They did it because of xeno- Liberties Union of Southern phobia, and we need to make California and other immigrant sure that we say it loudly so that advocates. everyone knows,” said Martha The children face the Arevalo, executive director of “impossible choice” of leaving the immigrant advocacy group, their country with their par- Central American Resource ents or staying without them, Center.Arevalo spoke at a rally according to the suit. to announce the lawsuit outside “These American children the federal courthouse in San should not have to choose Francisco that was attended between their country and their by some of the plaintiffs and family,” Ahilan Arulanantham, dozens of demonstrators, some advocacy and legal director of carrying signs that read, “Let the ACLU of Southern Cali- Our People Stay.” fornia, said in a statement. One of the plaintiffs, Cris- It’s the latest lawsuit fi led tina Morales, said she came to against the Trump adminis- the U.S. in 1993 at the age of tration over its crackdown on 12 after fl eeing El Salvador to immigration. A case fi led last escape domestic violence. She month by Haitian and Salva- received temporary protected doran immigrants in Massachu- status in 2001 and now works setts also alleges the decision to Page 16 samoa news, Tuesday, March 13, 2018 US woman trapped in Syria’s Ghouta wants action from Trump By BASSEM MROUE, Associ- fers not to disclose for safety The Ghouta region was ated Press reasons. But since Feb. 18, among the first to rise up BEIRUT (AP) — An when government forces began against President Bashar Assad American woman living in the their latest assault, Lynn and after protests erupted in March besieged suburbs of the Syrian her family have been mostly 2011, and it fell into the hands capital on Monday called on staying in the basement, rarely of opposition fighters in 2012. President Donald Trump to emerging for fear they might be The following year, the army put more pressure on Russia to struck by shelling or airstrikes. and allied militias surrounded “stop bombing us” amid an air “It’s been horrifying, espe- eastern Ghouta from all sides. and ground assault by govern- cially (that) I have small chil- The enclave has been under an ment forces that has killed more dren and grandchildren,” the ever-tightening siege since then. than 1,000 people over the past 44-year-old woman told The Over the past three weeks, three weeks. Associated Press via the What- government forces backed by Deana Lynn, from Detroit, sApp messaging service. Russian warplanes launched Michigan, and her family are Lynn met her husband in the an all-out offensive, capturing among nearly 400,000 people 1990s while she was studying more than half of eastern who are trapped in eastern English literature at the Univer- Ghouta from rebels. C M is Sunday, March 11, 2018 photo, provided by Deana Lynn, Ghouta, surviving on limited sity of Michigan and he was on “Right now we’re eating from Detroit, Michigan, shows her, with her kids and other Syrian amounts of food and spending a visit to the United States. Five whatever is available,” Lynn Y K children at a shelter where they hide from Russian and Syrian most of their time squeezed of their eight children were born said. “We’re trying to make it government forces airstrikes, in eastern Ghouta, a suburb of the into underground shelters. Lynn in the U.S., while their four last longer by making soup, so Syrian capital Damascus. Lynn is calling on President Donald moved to eastern Ghouta with grandchildren were all born in we put a small amount of rice or Trump to put more pressure on Russia to ‚Äústop bombing us‚Äù her Syrian husband in 2000, to Syria. wheat in.” She said her family is amid an air and ground assault by government forces that has be close to his elderly parents. “We’ve been taking shelter fortunate to still have some food killed more than 1,000 people over the past three weeks. Lynn and The mother of eight — seven in basements. We go up and stored up. her family are among nearly 400,000 people who are trapped in daughters and one son — has downstairs,” she said. “We go “Other people are not so eastern Ghouta. been working as an English- upstairs to eat, to cook. We lucky. They couldn’t store (Deana Lynn via AP) language teacher in a town in have to go upstairs to use the food because they didn’t have eastern Ghouta that she pre- bathroom.” enough money, so really they’re hungry. They’re trying to just live,” she said. She said a kilo- gram (2.2 pounds) of rice or wheat is about $8 and that the price could go up at any time. She sent a photograph from the basement showing two of her grandchildren sitting on her lap. She has also posted videos on YouTube to tell the world about the suffering in Ghouta. In one of the videos, she is seen standing in an apartment near an open window, when the sound of a warplane is heard right before a shell slams down outside. “The children are horri- fied when they hear the intense bombing, especially when they are close to our homes. They cry or they scream. Grown women, they cry and scream,” she said. She said that sometimes the shelling starts unexpectedly. “We would be upstairs cooking or using the bathroom and we have to run downstairs, and we hope a bomb doesn’t fall,” she said. “I am just a schoolteacher here. I am just a regular person living a daily life. My message to the United States, to Presi- dent Trump, I wish he could put pressure on the Russian govern- ment to stop sending their war- C M planes here and bombing us.” Y K Lynn said Assad’s forces and Russian warplanes “are pur- posely hitting civilian targets, they’re hitting medical centers, they’re hitting basements which are shelters for a lot of people.” Russia, which has been waging an air campaign in support of Assad’s forces since 2015, denies targeting civilians. Lynn said the family remained in eastern Ghouta after the Arab Spring uprising began because they hoped things would change. Later, as the civil war escalated, they stayed because they feared losing their home and prop- erty. “We didn’t want to leave this place that my children were raised in,” she said.