Lima I Sisifo Tofi Kovana Itumalo

ASCC awards Spring 2017 in-house scholarships Page 4

Kansas man to get life term for killing of 7-year-old son Page 8 SHS Booster Club presents new football uniform, supplies to team Sports C M Y K Molia ave pasi 50 tausaga The Fua II family from Samoa led by Captain Vaughn Simpson has done it again, as they collected yet another championship title to their collection of championship records from past tournaments. The fought faia uiga mataga teineititi hard during last week’s 18th Steinlager I’a Lapo’a Game Fishing Tournament — topping the competition with 633.6 points. The closest was the Double Trouble with 576.4 points overall for 2nd place, followed by the Kee- 15 tausaga Le Lali Jamm which racked up 469.2 points. Congratulations to all participants of this year’s tournament. See more photos inside today’s sports section, as well as throughout the rest of the week. [photo: TG]

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Tumau pea leai fa’aiuga Fale- lima i Sisifo tofi Kovana Itumalo “SE TALOFA E IA SATELE, UA PEI O LE PA’U FA’I E FETOSOA’I SOLO E LOI” tusia Ausage Fausia alu ai e le o maua lava se tasi o le Being a teacher is one thing. But teaching a child with special needs takes a special kind of teacher with a special Falelima i Sisifo mo se isi na te kind of love and patience. Meet the Special Education Division of Samoana High School who spend their days assisting C M fa’aauauina le tofi o le Kovana teenagers who need help with everything from school work to life skills. The group celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week Y K Itumalo, lea sa tauave mai e le with the rest of the territory’s educators last week. Malo lava to all the teachers working in classrooms scattered across afiogaT a Lualemaga E. Faoa ua tu’umalo, na Tutuila, Aunu’u and the Manu’a Islands. [photo: BC] faia ai loa le fa’aiuga ina ua mae’a le fono- taga lona lua sa usuia i le Ofisa o Mataupu Tau Samoa i le aso Faraile o le vaiaso na te’a nei, o le a tu’uina atu loa le mataupu i le afioga i le ali’i kovana mo sana fa’aiuga, ina ia tusa ai ma le Tulafono Toe Teuteu a le malo o Amerika Samoa. E to’atolu la suafa lea ua tu’uina atu i le afioga i le ali’i kovana ia Lolo Matalasi Moliga e fai mai i ai sana fa’aiuga, e aofia ai le afioga i le Sa’o ia Tuiasina S. Esera mai le itumalo o Tualatai, o le afioga i le Alala Matuatala ia Fuamatu J.V Fuamatu mai le itumalo o Alataua, mo le afioga ia LeAtual- evao Sosene Asifoa mai le itumalo o Leasina/ Atiulagi. Illegal dumping is on the rise in American Samoa — especially down hillsides next to roads in outer villages. As proved in this photo, out of sight does not mean it exists no more — highly damaging toxic fluids from O le mataupu lenei na tofu atu i le Ofisa such dumped appliances seep into our to our drinking water, soils, oceans and coral reefs. NPAS has formed an o Mataupu Tau Samoa, ina ua fesiligia e le Illegal Dumping Task Force to help clean up and stop this practice. It comprises the Office of Samoan Affairs, to’atele o le Falelima i Sisifo le fa’aiuga na National Park of American Samoa and other local agencies. See story inside. [Courtesy photo] (Faaauau itulau B10) Page 2 samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017

The Festival of Sites, featuring Okeanos Explorer (NOAA’s Office of Ocean Liaison. “After 12 remotely operated dives, 15,000-sq.miles of seafloor was mapped, Exploration and Research) and hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary of Amer- 30 undescribed species were collected, and 101 biological and 30 geological samples ican Samoa (NMSAS), was a huge hit last month, when the Emerald and Sea Prin- gathered,” she continued. cess cruise ships called into port. There was active discussion during the meeting, and a few questions were fielded First, the tourists were treated to live Samoan siva performances, cultural dem- by Manu’a District Governor Laolagi Vaeao and some village mayors. A video of onstrations like coconut husking, and a crash course on the different sites within Vailulu’u’s “Eel City” from 2005 was again played and compared to the OER team’s the NMSAS system. findings this year, which showed significant activity and extensive growth of the During the two days that followed, local students, teachers, and community seamount since it was last mapped in 2012 - a growth of 1000 meters. members had the chance to tour the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer. On Tuesday, The significance of the meeting, according to the NMSAS, is “a continued col- April 25, the Global Foundation for Ocean Exploration presentation took place at laboration between OER team and sanctuary staff as they work together with OSA the Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center in Utulei. and the public in ensuring there is deep understanding of the importance of sea- Rounding up the tight schedule for the Okeanos Explorer Research (OER) Team mounts to traditional and commercial fisheries; connection between deep-water was a special visit to the Office of Samoan Affairs (OSA), where the group was and shallow water ecosystems; and assessment of potential tsunamigenic undersea accompanied by Sanctuary staff members. landslides.” The meeting was in response to a request put forth by OSA last year in November. At the conclusion of the meeting, Secretary of the Office of Samoan Affairs PC “The OER Team returned to explain and discuss survey findings and results Mauga Tasi Asuega thanked David McKinney and the OER team for the “Su’esu’ega with a focus on seamounts and fisheries,” said Apulu Veronika Molio’o Mata’utia- o le Moana o Amerika Samoa Expedition”. [photo: NMSAS] Mortenson, NMSAS Outreach, Communications Coordinator and Community Illegal Dumping Task Force helps the West Side National Park of Amer- down hillsides next to roads alternatives such as dump- polluting the water we drink time and energy to help solve ican Samoa — May 4, 2017 in outer villages. sters, a lack of public aware- and the food we eat. the problem. — There has been an increase The increase in illegal ness about the impacts of Jeremiah 2:7 And I Last Friday the Task in illegal dumping all around dumping may be caused by illegal dumping and a lack of brought you into a plentiful Force cleaned up dump American Samoa especially a lack of convenient legal community pride by a small country to eat the fruit thereof sites near Fagamalo village. group of people causing this and the goodness thereof; but Help from the National Park problem for all. when ye entered, ye defiled crew, pulenu’us and others Dumping garbage such My land and made Mine her- from these villages worked as discarded appliances, old itage an abomination. together on the cleanup. Salon Sophia barrels, used tires, old bat- A Task Force was estab- “All we hope to do is teries, oil and discarded lished last year to combat this offer help, and demonstrate Happy Mothers Day automobile parts, house- problem of illegal dumping. our commitment to the hold trash and other waste is The Office of Samoan community,” said National illegal in American Samoa, Affairs, National Park of Park Superintendent Scott 10% OFF ALL Chemical and for good reason. American Samoa and other Burch. “Through education, Treatments & All this garbage is very local agencies make up this enforcement, monitoring and Retail Products harmful to our environment group. Since last September most importantly villages and can threaten human the Illegal Dumping Task helping villages we hope to health. Force has held regular meet- reduce this problem. Isn’t it People that are illegally ings and have come up with great we have villages from dumping might think that if several initiatives to address the east side coming all the 30% OFF their garbage is out of sight, this problem. way out to Fagamalo, and Thermal Straightening it will disappear forever. But Major clean ups in Afono, visa-versa, to help each Our NEW & EXCITING that is not the case. Aua and recently the village other?” HAIR COLORS Rust from metal, toxic of Fagamalo were conducted. “I don’t get paid for • Deep Blue • Deep Ocean Green fluids like Freon from appli- With the support of villages doing this job, but I love my • Deep Red • Furious Purple ances, oil from cars and they have also installed “No grandson and care so much • Magenta - Call for more information on the new hair colors chemicals from household Dumping” signs and surveil- for the future generation and cleaners all seep into the soil lance cameras at problem my beautiful island, this is Treat Yourself or better yet polluting our waterways and sites. the reason I’m committed treat someone you care for contaminating our drinking This committee started to this Task Force” said • Give the gift of beautiful hair! water and soils where food is out with five villages and Mr. Imo Tiapula the vice Gift Certificates available. Great as grown. has grown to nine villages. chairman for the committee stocking stuffers! Good ‘til May 30th Furthermore, on rainy Village mayors on the Task and pastor from Lauli’i. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out days all this pollution will Force, represent Vatia, With villages helping vil- there and to all our friends & customers. make its way into the ocean Afono, Aua, PagoPago, lages, the Illegal Dumping We accept Credit Cards too! destroying our coral reefs Fagasa, Fai’lolo, Poloa, Task Force of American Call us for an appointment today and fisheries. By illegally Fagali’i and Fagamalo. All Samoa hopes to solve this 699-4091 dumping, we are literally have committed significant problem one step at a time. samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 Page 3 AUTO NATION NU’UULI: (684) 699-7168 FAGATOGO: (684) 633-2239 FAX: (684) 699-7175

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O se vaaiga i le taimi na usu ai le Proud Mary e le aufaipese a le Sharksville Samoana, matua oso le mea malosi a faia’oga alu atu ma le ta’ita’ipese Pati Pati Jr ae alu lava le fanau i le fa’atonuga ua leva ona masani ai. [ata: Leua Aiono Frost] Siaosi Laulu acquitted

of all charges Did you know that Translated by Samoa News staff about the incident when they came home. A man who has been in prison for 17 months The defense also asked why it took the victim Napa Samoa offers for having sexual contact with woman was freed five hours after the alleged sexual assault had last week, after a High Court jury acquitted him occurred to call the police. The victim responded the following? of all charges. that she wanted to talk to her boyfriend first During the two-day trial, which opened before calling the police. Tuesday, the government called four witnesses Police Det. Seanoa, who led the investigation, while the defense called one witness, a friend of told the jury that there was evidence to prove the the defendant. charges against the defendant. The government’s case against Siaosi Laulu, However, Fiaui asked whether any evidence stems from an alleged Dec. 7, 2015 incident in was collected as proof, from inside the bedroom, which he is charged with one count each of first where the alleged sexual contact was made, to degree sexual abuse, sodomy, first degree bur- which the witness said no. glary and second degree burglary — all felonies. During cross examination of government wit- However, a two-man and four-woman nesses, Fiaui attacked the lack of physical evi- jury found Laulu not guilty of all charges last dence or any other evidence to prove the charges Thursday afternoon and he was released from against his client. Fiaui noted the only evidence custody following the verdict. presented by the government were statements Laulu’s attorney Public Defender Douglas from government witnesses. Fiaui had argued that the government lacked suf- The defense’s sole witness was Laulu’s male 5 Day Delivery on Special orders ficient evidence to prove its case. friend, Vili Upu, who was with the defendant the 3 year warranty on any New Battery The first witness was the victim, who told the morning of Dec. 7, 2015 when the alleged sexual jury of the many times the defendant allegedly assault occurred. He told the court that he didn’t Free Battery replacement for 18 months acted inappropriately towards her including an witness any incident that morning involving the incident where the defendant allegedly touch her accused and the victim. Free Quotes for Special Orders buttocks and encouraged her to have sexual acts Upu explained that he and Laulu were sitting 12% Discount for all Military Veterans with him. in front of the apartment building when they saw Twice, she said, her boyfriend witnessed the the victim walked towards the restroom and she Call us today for Quality Napa Auto Parts. inappropriate actions; and she recalled a Nov. later returned, heading back to her room. He said 13, 2015 party where the defendant allegedly he didn’t see anything that would show that there touched her buttocks. was an incident between the victim and Laulu. Coming Soon: The victim and her boyfriend were residents Additionally, he also didn’t hear any argu- in the same apartment-type home as the defen- ments or anyone screaming, which is a sign that Automotive Paint & Refinishing Products dant and his wife. something is happening. The victim also recalled for the jury as to what In the end the jury sided with the defense. Bring in your old battery and get $18 off occurred the morning of Dec. 7, 2015 when the The jury trial was presided over by Acting the price of your new battery! defendant forced his way into the bedroom. The Associate Justice Elvis P. Patea and assisted We also special order Engines and Windshields. victim’s boyfriend also testified of the time the by Chief Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr., and victim called him about what had happened. Associate Judge Tunupopo Faleafaga. After the alleged incident, the victim called her The case was prosecuted by assistant attorney NAPA SAMOA boyfriend, as well as another couple whose apart- general Bob Pickett. ment room is next to theirs to say what happened. (Samoan story published Lali section of 699-NAPA/6272 However, when questioned by the defense, it Samoa News editions on May 4 and May 5.) appeared the boyfriend and the couple only knew Page 4 samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 ASCC awards Spring 2017 in-house scholarships By James Kneubuhl, caretaker, and also a member ASCC Press Officer of the Art Club while at Marist The Division of Student Ser- Faasao. Currently pursuing an vices at the American Samoa Associate of Science degree Community College (ASCC) in Accounting, Ms. Cazilo has announced the recipients expressed her gratitude that the for the spring 2017 semester of scholarship will assist with her the College’s Saili le Atamai education expenses. scholarship, sponsored by the A citizen of the Indepen- Student Government Associa- dent State of Samoa originally tion (SGA). In addition to rec- from Motootua, Ms. Jeanne ognizing outstanding academic Togiailua graduated from performance, the scholarship Tafuna High School in 2013 also offers support to individ- and currently majors in Busi- uals who do not qualify for the ness and Accounting at ASCC. ASCC students Jeanne Togiailua (left) and Louwill Cazilo are the spring 2017 recipients of the federal PELL Grant or other Raised in American Samoa, College’s Saili le Atamai in-house scholarship. The scholarship, sponsored by the Student Government financial aid resources avail- Ms. Togiailua noticed early on Association, assists students with outstanding academic achievement who do not qualify for federal able to most college students in that she did not have the same financial aid. [Photo: J. Kneubuhl] the Territory. advantages as her peers, but that The Saili le Atamai Scholar- made her all the more deter- child, this has motivated me to offer what help we can to stu- deducted from each recipient’s ship, a $500 award, is available mined to acquire a passport and dream of something bigger in dents who don’t have the same overall costs of tuition, fees, to students who do not have a social security number, find life, which is to own an airline. financial assistance advan- and other expenses. ASCC access to federal financial aid, a job, and to attend college at I am currently double-majoring tages as those born locally or awards the scholarship on a and goes this semester to Ms. ASCC. in Business and Accounting in in the United States,” she said. per- semester basis every spring Louwill Cazilo and Ms. Jeanne “I’m inspired by my mom, order to work towards bringing “ASCC has always served and fall. Togiailua. Ms. Cazilo, 19, was who is a tough single mother my dream closer to reality.” scholars from many parts of the For more information on born in Zamboagna City in the and has been working the ASCC Dean of Student Pacific region, and we appre- the College’s In-House Schol- Philippines, and was a member majority of her life at Starkist,” Services Dr. Emilia Le’i con- ciate the diversity they bring to arships, contact the Division of the National Honor Society said Ms. Togiailua. “To this gratulated this semester’s In- our learning environment. ”The of Student Services by calling while attending Marist Fa’asao day, she has never traveled to House Scholarship recipients Saili le Atamai scholarship ASCC at 699-9155, extension High School, where she gradu- other countries besides Amer- and wished them success in does not involve an actual cash 376. ated in 2015. Ms. Cazilo has ican Samoa since we moved achieving their goals. “We award, but rather, is the amount volunteered as a Hope House here from Apia. Being her only

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© OSINI FALEATASI INC. RESERVES ALL RIGHTS. dba Samoa News is published Monday through Friday, except for some local and federal holidays. Please send correspondences to: OF, dba Samoa News, Box 909, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. Telephone at (684) 633-5599 • Fax at (684) 633-4864 Email advertisements to [email protected] Email the newsroom at [email protected] Normal business hours are Mon. thru Fri. 8am to 4pm. Permission to reproduce editorial and/or advertisements, in whole or in part, is required. Please address such requests to the Publisher at the address provided above. Please visit samoanews.com for weekend updates. samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 Page 5

by Fili Sagapolutele clerk to seal the plea agree- Samoa News Correspondents ment — meaning it’s not to DAVID FO’A be released. Fo’a remains in A change of plea hearing custody. for a man, accused of using a LEUPENA ITELE “shotgun” to threaten a store With both sides unable to FAGAITUA HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION cashier during a robbery last reach a plea agreement, the year, has been continued to government’s case against Leu- later this week, due to the High pena Itele now goes to trial later Court’s concerns over a pro- this year, with High Court set- FUNDRAISER RADIO-THON posed plea agreement between ting the specific date. the prosecution and defense. Itele was in High Court last Saturday, May 27, 2017 David Fo’a was in High Friday morning for his pre trial Court last Friday morning for conference but the defense 7:00 am - 4:00 pm his change of plea hearing, announced that “negotiations where the plea agreement was haven’t been fruitful” — refer- Collection & Drop Off Centers: read. It states that the defendant ring to a plea agreement. FHS Campus, Tutuila Store (Leloaloa), was charged with two counts of Itele, who remains in cus- first degree robbery. tody unable to post $10,000 Fagatogo Pavilion, Laufou, Cost-U-Less, The government amends bail, is charged with one count KS Mart, Shoe Tree the second count of first degree each of burglary first degree and burglary, which the defendant stealing, which are both felo- then pleads guilty to the fact nies. The charges stem from an For more information: that on Dec. 13th last year, he incident last December, where Tuimavave T. Laupola @ 731-5098 or stole about $260 in US currency he allegedly broke into a home from a store in Malaeimi, while and stole among other things, Aoelua Solomona @ 258-9999 armed with a deadly weapon — $5,000 in cash. a shotgun. The crime in which he was to pled guilty to, is punishable by not less than 10 years and not more than 30 years impris- onment or life in prison. If the court approves the plea agreement, the government would then move to dismissed the other first degree burglary count. Additionally, the government will not pursue charges against the defendant in other robbery cases cited in 8 separate police report. For his guilty plea, the defendant admits that he went to the Malaeimi store with another man, Fa’asili Aupaau (a co-defendant whose case is pending in court) to rob the store by taking the cash register, which was taken by Aupaau while Fo’a was threatening the cashier with a shotgun. Also part of the proposed plea agreement is that Fo’a admit to eight other robberies. For example on Nov. 28th last year, Fo’a — acting by him- self — used a knife and rock to threatened a store clerk and stole $100. At this point, the Chief Jus- tice Michael Kruse, who was flanked on the bench by Asso- ciate Judge Fa’amausili Pomele, called to the bench assistant attorney, Bob Pickett, who was reading the plea agreement, and Fo’a’s attorney, assistant public defender Michael White. About three minutes into the bench conference, Kruse called to the bench Public Defender Douglas Fiaui, who also heads the Public Defender’s Office. And then about a minute later, all attorneys were called into the judge’s chamber and the court proceedings went into a brief recess. When the hearing resumed about five minutes later, Kruse continued the change of plea hearing to this Friday, May 12th, saying that one provision of the agreement is “problematic”. Kruse also ordered the court Page 6 samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 Employment Opportunity Grandville Refrigeration, Air Condition & Electrical Services is seeking three (3) REFRIGERATION TECHNICIAN with 3-5 years experience. Please email resume to [email protected]

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A member of staff walks towards the building hosting the AFC, Asian Football Confederation Congress 2017, in Manama, Bah- rain, Sunday, May 7, 2017. The specter of fresh corruption scandals hangs over the annual gathering of world soccer leaders, two Vai’s Flowers-n-Gifts years after the FIFA Congress was shaken by the exposure of far- Located inside Sign Master next to Zeek’s Treats and Matai’s in Nuuuli reaching fraud. The election of Asian members to FIFA’s ruling council on Monday kickstarts a week of meetings in Bahrain, with powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah off the ballot after his alleged bribery was disclosed by American authorities. (AP Photo/Rob Harris)

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➧ Specter of bribery cases… Continued from page 6 Sheikh Ahmad was iden- “I think we’ve seen how tifiable in a transcript of a important it is for there to be court hearing last month when a diversity of voices at the top FIFA audit committee member table of FIFA,” Dodd said. Richard Lai, an American “When I joined, there had citizen from Guam, pleaded only been one (woman on the guilty to wire fraud conspiracy executive committee), there charges related to taking were then three and two of us around $1 million in bribes, couldn’t vote, and I’d think including at least $850,000 when you look back you’d from Kuwaiti officials. The have to say that we did make cash was to buy influence a difference and help recruit other Asian “Our voices were heard, it soccer officials prepared to was part of a change in cul- take bribes, Lai said in court. ture in FIFA and you saw in Sheikh Ahmad denies any the reforms (that) women in wrongdoing. football was a key tenet of the “I think those of us who are reforms and it’s a key priority in football have a responsi- of FIFA going forward.” bility to steer the game to take The three men set to be con- the next best step that we can firmed Monday on the FIFA for the game to move it in the Council from Asia are Zhang right direction,” Dodd said. Jian of China, Mariano Vara- “So that’s what I’m focused neta of Philippines and Chung on and the message I will give Mong-gyu of South Korea. to the voting delegates this Ahead of the FIFA Con- congress is that this is AFC’s gress, the governing body opportunity to demonstrate its announced Qatar Airways as values to the world.” a sponsor through 2022 when Challenging Dodd in the Qatar hosts the World Cup. election are Mafuza Akhter of FIFA, which lost $369 million Bangladesh, Han Un Gyong in 2016, has been struggling to of North Korea, who both fill sponsorship categories that declined to be interviewed, have been vacant as corrup- and Susan Shalabi of Palestine. tion scandals have scared off The quartet is chasing one of potential commercial backers. six spots on the FIFA Council FIFA didn’t disclose the value reserved for women, covering of the Qatari sponsorship. the six confederations. Origin Energy Mother’s Day Specials UPGRADE YOUR ORIGIN LPGAS APPLIANCES Treat your mother to a gas cooker this Mother’s Day

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(AP) protect Adrian and herself from were fed to the pigs, saying % — A Kansas man will be sen- her abusive husband, but inves- only that they were found near tenced to life in prison Monday tigators said she, too, abused them. for the killing of his 7-year- the boy and she received an At Heather Jones’ sen- old son, who authorities say additional five years and eight tencing hearing, Sheryl Lidtke, was subjected to horrific abuse months in prison for child a former prosecutor in the case, o and was “essentially starved to abuse. said that Adrian had been phys- death” before his remains were Adrian died in September ically and emotionally abused, Best25 Grey Roo ng Iron 26G found in the family’s pig sty. or October 2015, but his confined and “essentially Available in 6’, 7’, 8’, 10’, 12’, 20’, 22’, 24’ Michael Jones, a 46-year- death wasn’t reported to the starved to death.” old former bail bondsman from authorities. “He was horribly abused, Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded His remains were found that neglected and ultimately guilty in March to first-degree November after officers learned killed,” Lidtke said. “I’m sure 699-9770 / M-F 8 TO 5, sAT. 7:30 TO 2 murder in the 2015 death of his the boy was missing while they his suffering was unbearable.” son, Adrian Jones. were responding to a report that Adrian’s biological mother C M He will be sentenced Michael Jones had attacked his lost custody of him and two of Y K Monday to life in prison with wife at their home. his siblings several years ago. Employment Opportunity the possibility of parole after 25 When the charges were Her mother, Judy Conway, years. filed, Wyandotte County’s dis- said last week that she finally T&L Inc is looking for a WELDER specialized in The boy’s stepmother, trict attorney at the time, Jerry brought herself to look at videos 31-year-old Heather Jones, Gorman, said it was one the and digital photos from the stainless steel with at least 5 years experience. pleaded guilty to the same worst cases investigators had Jones’ home that showed the Send resume to PO Box 9325. charge in November and is seen. horrific abuse Adrian suffered serving her life sentence. She He declined to discuss in the months before he died. insisted that she felt helpless to reports that the child’s remains There were more than 30 security cameras set up throughout the home. Conway, who plans to speak at Monday’s hearing, said the Joneses kept Adrian naked in a shower stall and modified it so that he couldn’t get out. She said they sometimes strapped her grandson, whom she called “a gorgeous little boy” with “the kindest heart,” to an inversion table and that they made him stand in a swim- ming pool overnight, up to his neck in stagnant water. Conway said the videos and photos show that Heather Jones sometimes beat Adrian with the end of a broom handle and kept alarms on the family’s food so that he couldn’t take any when he was hungry. The first time she saw the material, she told The Associ- ated Press, “I physically threw up. That’s how bad it was.” “What they did to my grandson was beyond horrific,” she said. The Kansas Department for Children and Families’ chief, Phyllis Gilmore, said in a statement Friday that agency “thoroughly investigated” each reported incident of alleged abuse or neglect involving C M Adrian, though she did not Y K divulge the number of cases or their context. Gilmore added that although the family’s frequently alter- nating residency between Kansas and Missouri “greatly disrupted continuity of services and evaluation,” Kansas child- welfare officials often shared information about Adrian “when known” with their Mis- souri counterparts. Gilmore said her agency last had contact with the family in early 2012. The department’s records involving Adrian remain under court-ordered seal, though Gilmore said they will be released if a pending open- records request is granted. samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 Page 9 Police: 2 doctors found dead in penthouse likely knew killer BOSTON (AP) — Two Eye and Ear, CEO John Fer- engaged Boston doctors found nandez expressed sadness over dead this weekend inside the the deaths of both doctors. penthouse of a luxury condo- “The entire Mass. Eye and C M minium building most likely Ear community is deeply sad- Y K knew their killer, police say. dened by the deaths of Dr. Dr. Lina Bolanos and Dr. Lina Bolanos and her fiance,” Richard Field were found dead he said on the practice’s web- Friday night by police at the site. “Dr. Bolanos was an out- Macallen Building in South standing pediatric anesthesiolo- Boston and police say they gist and a wonderful colleague believe the man suspected of in the prime of both her career their deaths knew them. Boston and life.” police have not said how the couple were killed or provided a motive in the case. Bolanos, 38, was a pediatric anesthesiologist at Massachu- setts Eye and Ear, according to its website, and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. Field, In Loving Memory of Our 49, also an anesthesiologist, worked at North Shore Pain Management. Police had gone to the building on a report of a man AFASA “LUCKY” TALALOTU THOMPSON with a gun. Police Commis- Sunrise: Nov 29, 1922 ~ Sunset: April 22, 2017 sioner William B. Evans said the suspect opened fire when officers confronted him at the door. He said police fired back and hit the man several times. After the shootings, the suspect was hospitalized with non- life-threatening injuries. The officers weren’t hurt. Authorities expect to file multiple charges against 30-year-old Bampumim Teix- eira, of Chelsea. His arraign- ment is scheduled for Monday. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said Teixeira has a pair of larceny convic- tions on his record. In June of last year, Teixeira passed a note demanding money at a Boston bank. He committed the same C M crime two years earlier. Y K The office didn’t know Sunday if he had an attorney “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid who could speak on his behalf. On its Facebook page, North up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; Shore Pain Management called and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” - 2 Timothy 4: 7 & 8 Field “instrumental in the cre- ation of this practice” and that ARRIVING @ the Tafuna Airport (Hawaiian Airlines) on Monday, May 8, 2017 his death “leaves an inescap- Airport to LBJ Chapel for short service able void in all of us.” Bolanos’ godfather, Michael FUNERAL PROGRAM • Saturday, May 13, 2017 Gibbs, told The Boston Globe 8:00am Leave LBJ for Sesepasara Residence in Pago Pago that she and Field were “good, 8:30am - 12noon FAMILY VIEWING kind, gentle people.” 12:00noon FUNERAL SERVICE “Hopefully, this guy that First Assembly of God Church in Pago Pago they caught will be able to say Committal Service - at Pulu Fa’afaga Talalotu’s Residence, who he is and why this was Fitiuli in Pago Pago done,” Gibbs said. “That’s all we’re hoping, is With Due Respect, There will be NO FA’ASAMOA. to get some kind of informa- Pulu Ae, Family and Children tion. Why did this happen?” On behalf of Massachusetts Page 10 samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017

In this Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 photo, a bible message is written on a sign outside a store along the town’s business district in Estill, S.C. Most parents in the town have no choice but to send their children to the public schools. More than 90 percent of students at Estill Middle School receive free or reduced lunch. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Clash over middle-school sex assaults: Did they happen? ESTILL, S.C. (AP) — The administration regularly failed “rape,” though she noted she numbers are horrific: At least to supervise students in the gym never got any guidance from the four students, ages 11 to 14, vic- and regularly allowed students prosecutor’s office on the cor- timized by as many as 30 kids in of the opposite sex to enter the rect charge. In hindsight, “sex one of the largest single cases of bathroom with each other,” crimes, sexual misconduct” sexual assault reported on U.S. the grandmother’s suit alleges, would have been a more appro- school grounds. claiming the school demon- priate description, she said. And yet four years later, it’s strated “gross negligence” by Sitting behind his desk at as if nothing happened. allowing, or at least turning the Hampton County Sher- The sheriff’s office inves- a blind eye to, student sex on iff’s Office, Lt. Perry Singleton tigated and filed an incident school grounds. agrees. He said Orr was a good report, but eventually stopped ‘A HE-SAID, SHE-SAID’ law officer, but that she used asking questions after multiple In a March 2013 incident the wrong terminology and that fruitless attempts to discuss the report , Deputy Quintina Orr “sexual assault” would have case with a prosecutor. Estill of the Hampton County Sher- been better. Middle School said it couldn’t iff’s Office said she was ini- In the end, it didn’t matter. determine what, if anything, tially called in to investigate Singleton said he and Orr happened in the gym bathroom. a bullying incident involving pursued the case with a pros- The former school principal several sixth-grade girls, who ecutor, several months after the couldn’t even recall the incident told her they’d seen the others incident and presented her with when asked about it. having sex in the bathroom over the students’ statements. But But to the grandmother of many months. Orr, the school’s they never heard anything. Orr two girls who claimed they were resource officer, also reported pressed on, her report showed. forced by classmates to perform the vice principal said that on She tried calling the prosecutor oral sex, there is no doubt that Feb. 22 she saw “several males on her cellphone and at her something terrible happened. running out of the girls restroom office several times over the She filed a lawsuit against the inside the gym” during fifth next month. She noted in her school district for failing to keep period and asked Orr to investi- report that the rape crisis center, kids safe from harm. gate further. where some of the girls had been “They were at a schoolhouse, Orr spoke with everyone referred, wanted to know why where they were supposed to be involved, she told AP in a recent no charges had yet been filed. protecting my kids,” she said. interview. Many of the kids When she approached Sin- In a yearlong investigation , said they’d engaged in sexual gleton again, he told her “not to The Associated Press uncovered activity in the bathroom, or worry about it.” about 17,000 official reports that they’d seen others doing it. “It was a he-said, she-said,” of sex assaults by students in No one told her explicitly that Singleton told AP. “There was U.S. elementary and secondary they were forced, Orr said, but nobody who said, ‘I did this.’ schools over a four-year period. one girl gave her pause: She It was just, ‘I saw him do this, That tally is an undercount seemed to have a developmental I saw her doing that.’ There was because such attacks are widely disability. nothing concrete, and we would under-reported, and states vary Because of the ages involved have had a problem if that case in their efforts to track, classify — and the kids’ legal inability went to court.” and catalog sexual violence by to consent — Orr reported that Duffy Stone, Hampton students. what happened inside the bath- County’s chief prosecutor, said AP’s analysis was based room was, at worst, forcible his office didn’t pursue criminal on state education records and rape. She listed five victims: two charges because the students’ supplemented by federal crime 11-year-olds, two 12-year-olds statements were wildly incon- data, where the 2013 incident and a 14-year-old. Twenty-nine sistent and their ages made it reported at Estill Middle School boys and girls were listed as almost impossible to determine stood out. potential perpetrators, including who would be considered a Boys and girls ranging from some who she said stood watch victim and who a perpetrator. 11 to 16 were sneaking into outside the bathroom to warn if Under state law, if both children the gym bathroom to engage adults approached. (The num- were under 14, neither could in sexual activity, according to bers in her report differ slightly legally consent to sex. the sheriff’s office investigative from the federal data, which Asked if any of the children report, which classified the con- included four victims and 30 said they were forced into sex, duct as forcible rape, forcible culprits.) Stone said no, “none that we fondling and disorderly conduct. Four years later, Orr thinks could prove.” “The teachers, staff, and she was wrong to use the word (Continued on page 15) samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 Page 11

American Samoa Government OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

The Teacher Appreciation Week was purposely established not only to give appropriate and necessary recognition but also to express our profound gratitude to the cadre of women and men who have and continue to take up the noble profession of shaping the future of our country by molding the minds of our children. We salute and we say thank you to all public and private school teachers, for your hard work every day to build the foundation that will make American Samoa, the United States and the world a better place. You give our children the confidence, courage, faith, and hope empowering them to overcome the challenges of life that they will encounter and need to effectively surmount. You inspire our children to appreciate their individuality, self-esteem and the power of their inner strength to perform at their highest level. You instill values that will guide our children on the path of righteousness, honesty, hard work, and overall, to be effective citizens. The Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time and opportunity for us to show teachers how thankful we all are for their resilience and commitment to make sure that needed knowledge is imparted to feed our children’s minds and values are instilled to feed their souls. So let us make sure that we all celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by showing our teachers how much he or she means to us and make a conscious effort to understand the nature and the challenges of their profession. I encourage students and parents to take advantage of this great opportunity to show, in your own special way, your gratitude to all our teachers and to your own special teacher who made significant positive impacts on your life. On behalf of Lieutenant Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, Cynthia and I extend to all our educators, past, present and future our overwhelming gratitude and thankfulness for continuing to empower our children with knowledge to guarantee the actualization of their dreams.

LOLO M. MOLIGA Governor of American Samoa Page 12 samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 VILLAGE-TO-VISITOR PROGRAM GREETS OVER 900 CRUISE SHIP VISITORS

by Blue Chen water, straight from the source, while others engaged in sures, visitors were also treated to special presentations Samoa News correspondent basket weaving and coconut scraping/straining. given by David McKinney on behalf of the Okeanos The Village-to-Visitor Program held a week ago There were six booths (one of which is pictured) Explorer.” Saturday, wherein the National Marine Sanctuary of used to showcase and sell local crafts. The significance of the event, says the NMSAS, American Samoa (NMSAS), the NOAA ship Okeanos Visitors were welcomed to take virtual dives, and is “Projecting the value of people and place! Increase Explorer staff, high school students, and the local com- share information about deep ocean exploration. The education and outreach to the local communities and munity were involved during the Festival of Sites, to special guest speaker of the day was David McKinney visitors from abroad, as well as engaging community mark the in-port visit of two cruise ships — the Sea of the Okeanos Explorer, who discussed in detail the in learning more about, and appreciating sanctuary Princess and Emerald Princess. significant results and findings of the expedition in the resources and ocean stewardship. Data and informa- Saturday’s program brought in more than 900 visi- American Samoan archipelago, specifically sanctuary tion from the Okeanos Explorer’s expedition instills tors who were treated to live entertainment, demonstra- waters. in-depth knowledge about the deep-sea habitats in the tions, and learning activities. According to the NMSAS, “In learning more about region and improves overall understanding of the deep- Several tourists had the chance to drink fresh coconut the value of people, place, and our underwater trea- sea biogeography of the Central Pacific.” [photo: NMSAS] AmericAn Samoa School Lunch ProgrAm WEEK #37 - MAY 8TH – 12TH, 2017 BY COOKING BALANCE MEALS NOW, YOU SET THE STAGE FOR KIDS TO DEVELOP HEALTHFUL HABITS IN THE FUTURE… BREAKFAST MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

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Grain Brown & White Rice Brown & White Rice Baked Wheat Bun Brown &White Rice Bake Wheat Bun Meat BBQ Meatballs Loco Moco Turkey Ham BBQ Meatballs Hamburger Sandwich Grapes Orange Fruit /Veggie Grapes Ripe Banana Papaya Taro Steamed Mixed Milk Steamed Mixed Cucumber Salad Steamed Green Vegetables Extra Vegetables Beans (can) Condiments 1% Low Fat Milk 1% Low Fat Milk 1% Low Fat Milk 1% Low Fat Milk 1% Low Fat Milk Mayo samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 Page 13

American Samoa Government LOLO M. MOLIGA LEMANU P. MAUGA GOVERNOR OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PROCLAMATION NATIONAL NURSES WEEK 2017 Theme: “Nursing: The balance of Mind, Body and Spirit” WHEREAS, nearly 3.1 million registered nurses in the United States and approximately 150 licensed nurses in American Samoa comprise the largest health care profession; and WHEREAS, the brand diversity of the nursing profession meets the myriad and continually emerging healthcare demands of American Samoa residents in a wide-ranging spectrum of settings; and WHEREAS, the American Samoa Nurses Association, as the voice for all nurses of the territory, is working to chart a new pathway promoting the aspiration for a healthy country which relies on increasing delivery of primary and preventative health care services; and WHEREAS, the reaffirmed emphasis on primary and preventative health care will require better utilization of all of our nursing resources; and WHEREAS, professional nursing has demonstrated to be indispensable element in the safety and quality of care of hospitalized patients; and WHEREAS, the demand for licensed nursing services will be greater than ever because of the aging of our territory’s existing cadre of nursing core, the continuing expansion of life- sustaining technology, and the explosive growth of home health care services; and WHEREAS,, more qualified licensed nurses will be needed in the future to meet the progressively complex needs of health care consumers in our community; and WHEREAS, the cost-effective, safe and quality health care services provided by licensed nurses will be ever more important factors of American Samoa’s health care delivery system in the future, NOW, THEREFORE, I, LOLO MATALASI MOLIGA, Governor of the Territory of American Samoa, do hereby proclaim the week of May 8-12, 2017 as NATIONAL NURSES WEEK with the theme established by the American Nurses Association and the American Samoa Nurses Association - “Nursing: The Balance of Mind, Body and Spirit” in recognizing nurses working in the many fields of the health care profession and celebrating nurses who are leading the charge for health and wellness. I therefore asked that you all join me in paying tribute to the nurses of American Samoa for the many selfless ways in which the professional licensed nurses continually strive to provide safe and high quality patient care, along with its efforts to map out new strategies to improve our healthcare system. Let us show our appreciation for the dedication and commitment to our service by celebrating our nurses’ accomplishments not just for this special week but throughout the year. IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature and Seal of my office not his 5th day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and seventeen.

LOLO MATALASI MOLIGA Governor of American Samoa Page 14 samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 PRINTER FOR RENT! WIRELESS / COPY / PRINTER / FAX / SCANNER China lawyer’s family FOR FAST, UNLIMITED PRINTING, GREAT FOR COMMERCIAL USE

FREE INK We sell good quality HP Officejet Pro 8610 says US helped them flee printing paper. Monthly Payment BEIJING (AP) — Stuck in a was held on a charge of inciting to contact Bob Fu, a Christian $70 Premium Bangkok jail with a deportation subversion — and where pun- rights activist based in Texas Printing Paper order against her, Chen Guiqiu ishment for attempting to flee who has helped several high- Ream $3.95 waited with dread over what surely awaited her. profile dissidents flee China, Case $38.95 seemed certain to come next. After weeks on the run, Chen including Chen Guangcheng, A Thai immigration official was exhausted, and so was her a blind rights lawyer whose Double A showed her surveillance video luck. A Christian, she prayed: 2012 flight to the U.S. Embassy Printing Paper of the jail entrance, where more “Don’t desert us now, not like in Beijing sparked diplomatic Ream $4.75 than a dozen Chinese security this.” tensions. Case $43.95 agents were waiting. Help arrived, from America. “We’re going on a trip,” Within minutes, Chen feared, U.S. Embassy officials man- Chen told her daughters the she and her two daughters would aged to enter the facility just morning of Feb. 19. O&O INC. WHOLESALE in Nu’uuli be escorted back to China, in time to whisk Chen and her They headed south from Please contact: Jiin (258-4563) or Tafa Leaupepe where her husband, the promi- daughters out a back door. The their home in central China, Office: (684) 699-4484 • Fax: (684) 699-2307 Email: [email protected] nent rights lawyer Xie Yang, Chinese agents outside soon then crossed into at least two realized what had happened and countries without paperwork. pursued them, finally meeting There were nights, she said, in a standoff at the Bangkok when they had nowhere to sleep airport where Chinese, Thai and and days when they had nothing U.S. officials heatedly argued but a bag of chocolates to eat. Employment Opportunity over custody of the family. Traveling by foot and car for Chen and her supporters dis- five days, they finally arrived at closed details of her family’s a safe house in Bangkok whose in banking with ANZ Guam, Inc. March escape for the first time owners knew Fu. to The Associated Press. Their Even though Chen took pre- ANZ Guam, Inc. dba ANZ Amerika Samoa is hiring for the following positions: journey reveals the lengths that cautions, never turning on her China’s government has been phone or accessing the internet, increasingly willing to go to Chinese authorities had gotten • BRANCH SUPPORT OFFICER reach far beyond its jurisdiction wind that she might be in Thai- • COLLECTIONS OFFICER in the pursuit of dissidents and land. While she was in hiding, their families. Chinese security agents forced These employment opportunities are open to all qualified candidates, individuals with The saga also demonstrates her 70-year-old father, her that in at least some cases, sister, her university employer disabilities, and military veterans who are willing, able and available to perform the job, American officials are willing and other relatives and friends to push back, even at a moment to fly with them to Bangkok in without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex and citizenship. weeks before President Donald an unusual attempt to locate her. Trump and Chinese leader Xi Less than a week later, on Jinping were to meet in Florida. March 2, Thai police, directed If this is an opportunity that interests you, please e-mail your Resume by The Trump administration has by a Chinese translator who Monday, May 15, 2017 to [email protected]. All resumes received will be been criticized for downplaying Chen believed was from the human rights in foreign policy, Chinese Embassy, barged handled confidentially. but may have viewed Chen’s into the safe house, seized her case as special — if not for belongings and sent the family WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER herself then for her youngest to detention. It is unclear how daughter, a 4-year-old Amer- they were located. ican citizen. Chen appeared in immigration court the next morning. She The family’s ordeal began was accompanied by the trans- July 9, 2015, when the Chinese lator, who took away Chen’s government launched a nation- phone and snapped pictures of wide crackdown on human Chen’s court documents with rights lawyers. Chen’s husband, her own phone camera. A judge Xie, a lawyer who represented ruled that Chen had entered the evicted farmers and pro-democ- country illegally and ordered racy activists, was among her deported. The translator dozens detained in the “7-09 paid for her legal proceedings crackdown” and, months later, and fine. charged with crimes against the An increasing number of state. Chinese in recent years have In January, Chen helped sought refuge in Thailand only release her husband’s account of to be sent back. In 2015, Thai- being beaten, deprived of sleep land deported two Chinese dis- and otherwise tortured while in sidents who the United Nations detention — drawing further recognized as refugees, a jour- condemnation of Beijing by nalist who feared Beijing’s Western governments. Police persecution and 109 minority summoned Chen for hours-long Uighurs who said they had fled meetings where, she said, they repression. Later that year, a in the Pago Plaza - across from ASPA office. threatened to evict her, deny her Hong Kong publisher of books children schooling and have her on Chinese political gossip van- fired from her job as a professor ished from his Thai home and of environmental engineering at into Chinese custody, alarming COME AND HAVE YOUR HAIR Hunan University. the international community. By early February, the pres- As Chen was taken back to DONE BY PROFESSIONAL sure was becoming unbearable. the jail to pick up her children Seemingly unable to extract and things, with Chinese offi- HAIR STYLISTS: a confession out of Xie, the cials waiting for her outside, authorities turned up threats she appeared likely to meet a against Chen and, increasingly, similar fate. Veronica & Mali those close to her. In Texas, Fu was dumb- Call for an appointment or stop by and see us!! When police detained founded by news of Chen’s Chen’s 14-year-old daughter arrest. He sprang into action to “Veronica is also a trained barber” as she tried to board a train for alert the State Department, and Hong Kong, Chen knew a travel his associates in Thailand, who Tuesday - Saturday 9am to 4pm ban had been placed on their quickly located her in the jail. Mondays (Appointments Only) names. According to Fu, U.S. offi- 633-0774 That was when she decided (Continued on page 15) samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 Page 15

➧ China lawyer’s family says US helped them... ➧ Clash over middle-school… Continued from page 14 Continued from page 10 cials made it into the facility March 17. fugitives, even those whom The principal at the time, cies were changed as a result of on March 3 while Chen was in It is unclear whether Chen other countries may view as Synetria Hawkins, is now an the incident. court, found Chen’s daughters was housed in the U.S. Embassy political dissidents. assistant at the school. Orr wrote In its response to the grand- and stayed with them while in the intervening weeks or “China is exporting its in her report that when Hawkins mother’s lawsuit, the school they searched for the mother. whether and how a deal was human rights abuses beyond was asked whether she had time maintained it did nothing Finally, through their Thai negotiated to allow Chen’s its borders,” said Susan Shirk, to review video footage of the wrong, and suggested that if contacts in the jail, the Ameri- departure from Thailand. chair of the 21st Century China gym on the day of the Feb. 22 the girls suffered, they were cans located her and convinced A spokesman for China’s Center at the University of Cali- incident to match it to student “comparatively negligent in Thai officials to let them whisk foreign ministry said Monday fornia, San Diego, and former statements, she said no. instituting, engaging in, and her out the back, said Fu and he was not aware of the matter. deputy assistant secretary of When contacted by AP, continuing the conduct which another person with knowledge The Ministry of Public Secu- state for East Asia. Hawkins said she did not resulted in (their) injuries.” of the operation, who spoke on rity did not respond to faxed “The Thai government has remember the sheriff’s office STRUGGLES IN THE condition of anonymity because requests for comment. Thai always tried to maintain good investigation. She did not return ‘CORRIDER OF SHAME’ the person was not authorized to and U.S. authorities declined to relations with the U.S. and with multiple messages left on her “The school told us it was speak publicly. comment on Chen’s experience. China,” Shirk said, “but these school voicemail, cellphone the girls’ fault,” the grand- The family piled into a car Justin Higgins, a State kinds of cases make that bal- and at her home seeking further mother said, lips curled, “that and sped through Bangkok’s Department spokesman for ancing act very difficult.” comment. they wanted it.” congested streets headed for the East Asia, said that in gen- The U.S. may be changing its It is not clear to what extent She bristles at assertions airport while Fu, 12 time zones eral the U.S. “urges China to stance on China, given Trump’s the school itself investigated, that the girls were willing par- away, frantically tried to book release all of the lawyers and effusive praise for Xi and Sec- as required under federal law ticipants. The girls weren’t per- flights and prepare the family’s activists detained in the July 9, retary of State Rex Tillerson’s and U.S. Education Department fect, she said. They made mis- requisite U.S. paperwork. 2015, crackdown and remove recent remarks that Wash- guidelines. Orr’s report noted takes just like anybody. But at But the Chinese agents were restrictions on their freedom ington will not force human that “a few parent interviews 12 years old, they should have not far behind. of movement and professional rights issues on other nations. were conducted” along with never been put in this position. Despite her deportation activities.” Yet Chen’s case suggests that plans for further meetings with She spoke on condition that order, Chen was stopped at the It’s unusual for U.S. officials America is still willing to con- students and parents. her name not be used, because airport by Thai immigration to take such bold action to help front China on thorny rights In a statement to AP, the the girls and her other grandchil- officials who explained that they Chinese citizens — in Chen’s issues, at least when U.S. citi- school district said it inter- dren still go to district schools. were under immense Chinese family’s case, human rights zens are involved. viewed the students and their In a town this size, word gets pressure to prevent her depar- workers say. But the citizenship “This administration appears parents or guardians but that around. ture. In an hours-long standoff of Chen’s younger daughter, to be more muscular, more no one was disciplined “due She lives in a tiny trailer in at the airport, the person with who was born 4 years ago in the assertive, and we’re seeing ‘Put- to inconsistent stories among a town 20 minutes outside of knowledge of the operation U.S. while Xie was studying in ting Americans First’ play out,” the students allegedly involved Estill where the walls shake said, the confrontation between the country on a sabbatical, was said John Kamm, the founder and a lack of evidence indi- each time a train roars by. At the Chinese, American and Thai likely a key factor. of the Dui Hua Foundation in cating that the alleged behavior home, she could watch the officials nearly boiled over into Compared to previous years, San Francisco who has advised occurred.” girls. But at school, she trusted a physical clash. when China’s diplomacy with U.S. administrations on Chi- Ralph Smiley, an attorney someone else to look after them. Chen and Fu declined to its neighbors touched mostly nese human rights issues. “But representing Hampton County “Why weren’t they super- explain what happened next, on economic and national secu- what I’m hoping is that ‘Putting District 2, said he could not pro- vised?” she said. “What will citing diplomatic sensitivities, rity issues, Beijing increasingly Americans First’ doesn’t mean vide any details on the school’s happen to other children?” other than that the family even- demands foreign governments’ putting other people last.” investigation and declined to tually made it to the U.S. on cooperation when it hunts for Kamm noted that two U.S. comment on whether any poli- (Continued on page 16) Give Your Mother The Best!!

684-633-4200 FAGATOGO SQUARE 10% OFF BUSINESS HOURS ALL WOMEN WEAR & ACCESSORIES. Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm Women Tops, Skirts, Dresses (1X, 2X, 3X) Sat: 8:30am - 2:00pm Women Skinny Jeans (size 14 - 24) SHOP ONLINE! www.tediofsamoa.com Page 16 samoa news, Monday May 08, 2017 ➧ Did they happen? … Continued from page 15 Estill lies in the heart of University of South Carolina, South Carolina’s Low Country. said that the crumbling build- Its population, now 2,000, ings and dismal learning con- dwindled by nearly 16 per- ditions that characterized the cent between 2000 and 2010. “Corridor of Shame” schools Weather-worn homes are were only part of the problem. crumbling and storefronts are “Everything from violence “A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS” boarded up. Industry here died to inappropriate sexual behavior Enter our long ago. can happen when nobody’s Most parents have no choice looking,” he said. “I heard about Mother’s Day Photo Competition but to send their children to the it a lot from both administra- by sending us a photo which catches your mother’s true self. public schools. Ninety-eight tors and teachers, and even from and WIN: percent of students at Estill some parents who knew that Middle are African-American; • One (1) FIGO Orion LTE (4G+) phone w/ they were sending their children more than 90 percent receive each day into dangerous terri- Activation from Blue Sky OR free or reduced lunch. tory. They believed they had • A Gift Certificate from Roni’s Hair Salon Decades ago, the school little or no choice if they wanted at the Pago Plaza OR district joined others in suing their kids to get any kind of • A lei from Vai’s Flowers OR the state, arguing that funding education.” reliant on property taxes made This was not the first time C M • A dining experience at Mama’s Kitchen in Nu’uuli it impossible for rural schools Estill faced allegations that stu- Y K Email ONE (1) photo to [email protected]. in this economically depleted dents were being victimized — Deadline: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 @ 12 Noon!! region to provide even a “mini- and that little was done to stop Or Call Us at 633-5599 mally adequate” education for it. The sheriff’s deputy that Orr Winner’s Photo will be printed in the Samoa News’ their mostly poor students. In replaced as school resource Mother’s Day Edition, Friday, March 12, 2017. 2014, the state Supreme Court officer, Larry Heyward, was ruled in their favor. convicted last year of sexually *Conditions apply Bud Ferillo, who made a doc- assaulting a student at the school umentary about these schools in and sentenced to 15 years in 2005 and now runs a program prison. VAI’S FLOWERS Mama’s Kitchen about race and inequality at the Heyward’s victim, now 19, wonders why his teachers never asked any questions when week after week, month after month, Heyward would pull him out of class and into his office, where much of the abuse occurred. Or Mother’s why nobody said anything when Heyward choked or Tased the boy in the hallway, in full view of students, teachers and admin- istrative staff. DAY “I just don’t understand why May 1 through May 13 SALE me and two other boys were sent to his office every week and nobody ever noticed that. Nobody bothered to notice,” he said. The AP is not identifying him because it does not name victims of sexual abuse. Mother’s Day Orr believes the Heyward case affected students in the

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