Plea agreement reached in Eteuati of Amouli burglary & stealing case Page 3 Clapper: US government ‘under assault’ by Trump after Comey firing Page 7 Scientist working for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commis- sion, crowned Miss USA Page 10 C M 2Samoas Battle: American Y K Samoa takes it all - Simply out fights Samoa In Sports Fa’afetaia e le Komesina o Leoleo foa’i tupe mai ni The only female to compete in this year’s 2017 World FireKnife Competition, Jeralee Galea’i of Aua, isi kamupani le atunu’u won first place in her division of 12- 17 years old, competing against 8 males. She is seen here with her Le Lali father, David Galea’i who has won the competition 3 times. Congratulations Jeralee! See story below. [Courtesy photo] ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA MONDAY MAY, 15 2017 $1.00 Jeralee Galea’i of Aua wins Intermediate World 2017 FireKnife Competition ONLY GIRL TO COMPETE IN THIS YEAR’S 25TH ANNUAL WORLD’S FIREKNIFE COMPETITION by Leiloa Ese Malala Samoa News Staff Writer his past weekend in Hawai’i the 25th annual World’s FireKnife Competition was held before a sellout crowd, C M Yesterday morning churches across the territory joyfully celebrated Mothers Day — a loving at the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). Y K person, who gives love unconditionally, all day, everyday. In the village of Fagasa, mothers of the T Pati Levusa who was the World FireKnife Champion for 4 Assembly of God church got together and posed beautifully for this photo for Samoa News. [photo: EM] years told Samoa News, “This is the biggest event in Hawa’ii mainly for the Samoans. This is a Samoan tradition that every Samoan looked forward to this past weekend.” This year’s competition had 9 juniors (6-11 years old), 8 inter- mediate (12-17 years old) and 20 seniors (18 and up) competing. The preliminaries started on Thursday night and ended with the big finale Saturday night. The junior division winner was Matagi Lilo of Ewa Beach Oahu, the intermediate winner was 16 year-old Jeralee Galea’i of Aua, and the seniors division World 2017 FireKnife Champion is Falaniko Penesa of Apia, Samoa. Jeralee Galea’i, who was the only female competing in the competition this year, told Samoa News that she is the second girl to win in the history of the World FireKnife competition for the Intermediate Division. Jeralee whose father, David Galea’i, was a 3-year champion at the World FireKnife Competition made sure that she trained everyday for the competition. “This was nerve-wrecking especially knowing I’m the only girl so I felt out of place but then I worked at it to ignore it,” she For Mother’s Day Sunday service yesterday, mothers of the Methodist Church at Fagaima per- said. forming one of their skits. [courtesy photo] Jeralee’s father, who was so proud of his daughter, told Samoa Page 2 samoa news, Monday May 15, 2017 ➧ Jeralee Galea’i wins … Continued from page 1 News, “This was the first time is a must-see!” for her to win and she worked BACKGROUND hard this year for it. She did According to one of the so well, all the competitors World FireKnife organizers, did really good but I think she over the years young Samoans shocked everyone because she developed the twirling motions got a standing ovation.” into its own art form and also Winner of the senior divi- stylized the knife, adding sion, Falaniko Penesa told such touches as using two and Samoa News, “It’s a God-given even three knives simultane- talent that has been passed to ously with chrome blades and me. I’m thankful that Hawai’i reshaping the hook. is able to continue this tradition The FireKnife tradition — for our Samoan ancestors and as a ’dance’ — is traced back that many kids want to learn to 1946 when a young Samoan it to continue it because its so man entertaining in San Fran- important that we keep our cul- cisco became the “father” of ture growing.” modern Samoan FireKnife PCC performers paraded dancing, when he added the 2017 World Fireknife flaming pads to each end of the Champion around the Pacific nifo oti or knife. Theater stage following his “Freddie” Letuli, who even- victory on Saturday night, and tually returned to American along with the title, he won a Samoa and held the High $7,500 cash prize – up from the Talking Chief title of Olo for usual amount in honor of the about 40 years, before being event’s 25th anniversary. He bestowed the Paramount title of also received a large ceremo- Letuli until his death in 2003, nial knife. said of his idea to add flaming As with every other year, pads that he was inspired by the “We Are Samoa” cultural both a Hindu fire eater and a arts festival was held in con- baton twirler, thereby dramati- junction with the PCC’s 25th cally increasing the level of annual World Fireknife Cham- courage and skill required to pionship, which started with a perform the already difficult patriotic flair, followed by a tra- dance. ditional Samoan fashion show To add fire to the knives, by the BYU-Hawaii students many dancers today use a plain working in the PCC’s Samoan cotton towel that is wired to the Village, and a lauga or oratory blade and thoroughly soaked exhibition and ended with tra- in white gasoline or naphtha ditional faaSamoa games and (some dancers also use lighter performances. fluid). Lisa of Mapusaga, who is a Polynesian Cultural Cen- student at BYU-H told Samoa ter’s retired Director of Cul- News, “The tickets sold out but tural Islands, Pulefano Galea’i, I was able to get in to the final who’s said to originate the Falaniko Penesa of Apia, Samoa is the 2017 World FireKnife Champion, as the Polynesian Cul- night. This event is huge and I PCC’s annual World Fire tural Center performers paraded him around the theater at the end of the show last Saturday night see why because of the people’s Knife Dance Competition in in Laie, Hawai’i. [courtesy photo] love for the Samoan culture. If 1993, apprenticed with Letuli you missed this year’s events during his formative years. then make sure you plan not to (Source: PCC media release) miss next year’s one because it One-year data shows “no adverse impacts on catch “Working with the Community” TEL: 633-4266 OR 699-1267 • FAX: 633-2964 OR 699-1263 rates” since LVPA reduced NATIONAL PACIFIC INSURANCE LTD PART OF DOCUMENTS FILED WITH HNL FED COURT Invites written tenders for 1 only damaged 2017 HYUNDAI by Fili Sagapolutele currently available to them,” said Tosatto in his Samoa News Correspondent declaration. TUCSON LIC# 031B on “as is, where is” basis. Viewing For one-year since the reduction of the large He points out that the U.S. Exclusive Economic appointments can be scheduled with Accords Collision & vessel prohibited area (LVPA) there have been “no Zone (EEZ) around American Samoa is bounded adverse impacts on catch rates” for other Amer- on all sides by the EEZs of other island nations - Towing Inc Shop in Tafuna on 699-1633. ican Samoan fishery participants, while providing including Cook Islands, Tokelau, Samoa, Tonga, benefits to the locally based US longliner fleet, and Niue - that are generally off-limits to American All Tenders sealed in envelope and addressed to: according to a declaration by Michael D. Tosatto, a Samoa fishermen. Tender - 68223988 US National Marine Fisheries Service official. In places, the shared EEZ boundaries with Tosatto, who heads the NMFS Pacific Islands Pacific Island nations are less than 200 nautical Agnes Polu Regional Office, submitted the written declaration, miles (nm) from American Samoa’s shores, further Country Manager which was part of the set of some 99-pages of docu- limiting the area available to American Samoan ments filed with the Honolulu federal court, which longliners for fishing, he said. National Pacific Insurance Ltd has been asked by federal defendants to reconsider The 2016 LVPA Rule, which became effec- P O Box 1386 its decision in March this year, that declares invalid tive in early February 2016, allows longline ves- Utulei, Centennial Building the LVPA 2016 Rule, that reduced the LVPA from sels greater than 50 feet that are permitted under 50 to 20 miles. the federal American Samoa Limited Entry-Permit Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 Among the federal defendants are the NMFS, program to fish in certain areas of the LVPA. Tosatto, and the US Commerce Department. Tosatto said that data available to NMFS fol- Highest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted. Reduction of the LVPA followed a request in lowing one year of operations under the Rule “pro- 2014 from the US longline fleet based in American vided benefits to American Samoan longliners Tender closes at 4pm on Friday, May 26th, 2017 Samoa, as this fishery industry was faced with while producing no adverse impacts on catch rates deteriorating economic conditions that were threat- for other American Samoan fishery participants”, For any further details please contact Maria. ening the fishery’s survival. “Area restrictions are including pelagic troll vessels (including alias), that Phone: 633-4266 of particular concern to American Samoa long- primarily target yellowfin, skipjack, and wahoo. line vessels because of the limited fishing grounds (Continued on page 4) samoa news, Monday May 15, 2017 Page 3 Mothers of all ages were honored yesterday as the territory joined the rest of the world in cel- ebrating Mother’s Day.