Senators hear input (l-r) Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua, Gov. from territory’s biggest Lolo M. Moliga, US Army Major Douglas A. Taylor, US Navy Lt. beer importers 2 Christopher Johnson, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, Med- icaid Office Director Sandra SSBCI program to close King-Young, and the Governor’s Chief of Staff Fiu Johnny Saelua. down later this month Johnson and Taylor are in the territory to work - for free 3 - with the local Department of Health. See story in today’s Lali sec- Highlights of local tion. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost] soccer action

B1 ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM Talitonuina e Fa’amausili C M agava’a o Inisinia Vaega Y K Tosova’a malo DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 LALI PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 $1.00

is proud to present... It’s confirmed: Our Athletes to the 2017 Asian Indoor StarKist will shut MARTIAL ARTS GAMES Turkmenistan Ashgabat September 17 - 27, 2017 down for 5 weeks Isaac Silafau - American ANNOUNCEMENT SPELLS HEARTACHE FOR EMPLOYEES, HARD TIMES FOR THE ECONOMY by Fili Sagapolutele aware of the situation, and the gov- Samoa’s track & field hopeful Samoa News Correspondent ernor is taking steps to ease the finan- StarKist Co., has confirmed that its cial burden on the economy attributed cannery operations in American Samoa to the shutdown. For example, a letter will shut down for at least five weeks, is to go out soon to directors “to be beginning in the later part of next mindful in their spending due to loss of month. revenues”. Other measures will be con- Samoa News received reports late sidered when the governor meets with last month from industry sources and the relevant directors. some cannery workers that the StarKist In his July cover letter that included Samoa plant will shut down soon for a the proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, long period of time, but there was no Lolo informed Fono leaders that it’s firm date, and the shutdown is due to a “important to remember and to take project the company is working on. note that the forecast revenues for fiscal A couple of cannery workers said year 2018 are predicted on the con- they were told early this month that the tinued maintenance of StarKist’s cur- shutdown would last four to five weeks, rent production and employment level.” starting sometime next month. “If any of these two elements change StarKist Samoa, in a brief state- downward, projected revenues will ment released yesterday afternoon plummet reciprocally,” he said, adding through StarKist Co., officially con- that the same holds true of the Admin- firmed that it will shut down operations istration’s proposed revenue measures from Saturday, Oct. 21st until Sunday, already transmitted to the Fono. C M Nov. 26th. The StarKist Samoa plant It remains unclear at this point, how Y K is expected to re-open Monday, Nov. much impact the five-week StarKist 27th. shutdown will have on ASG’s pro- “The StarKist Samoa plant will jected revenues. temporarily shut down manufacturing Last month, StarKist Samoa produc- for facility upgrades and to install new tion shut down for one-week due to fish equipment, which will increase effi- supply shortages. ciencies at the plant,” said StarKist Co., This time, the more extensive shut- corporate spokesperson Michelle Faist. down comes amid the looming holi- American Samoa’s only track & field competitor to the 5th Asian Indoor “We recognize this shut down is a days, towards the end of the year, with and Martial Arts Games is Isaac Silafau. disruption not only to our workers, but several revenue measures pending in For the first time ever, the territory is sending seven local athletes to com- also to the community and our business the Fono including a proposal to estab- pete in 2 out of 21 sporting events set to take place Sept. 17-27 in Ashgabat, partners and we appreciate their under- lish a new 7% sales tax for retail goods. Turkmenistan. standing during this time,” she said, Samoa News notes that anytime Everyone on Team American Samoa is a wrestler, except for Silafau, 26, adding that the StarKist Samoa man- there is a shutdown at the cannery whose favorite events are the 100m and javelin. agement team has communicated the — which employs some 2,000 workers The local delegation departed the territory Monday night. temporary closure to Gov. Lolo Mata- — it not only has a major effect on its Silafau isn’t just some kid off the street. lasi Moliga. workforce, but also companies pro- He is an athlete. And he’s good at what he does. His greatest accomplish- “We appreciate the Governor and viding support services. And the shut- ment in life, so far, is qualifying for the Olympics in Rio, and winning a pair his team for their ongoing support” said down for such a long period of time, of Gold Conference Medals in javelin. StarKist Samoa. means no weekly paychecks for the The 26-year-old is the son of Fiu and Mercy Silafau who lists his home- The Governor’s Office confirmed majority of cannery workers. (Continued on page 5) yesterday that Lolo has been made Two local businesses contacted by (Continued on page 5) Page 2 samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017

American Samoa Government Senators hear input OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT from territory’s big- INVITATION FOR BIDS gest beer importers IFB-093-2017 CURRENT METHOD OF TAXING IMPORTED BEER IS Issuance Date: September 13, 2017 Closing Date: September 22, 2017 OPEN TO MANIPULATION, SAYS GHC REID No later than 2:00p.m (local time) by Fili Sagapolutele because it’s not true. 1. INVITATION Samoa News Correspondent Speaking in Samoan, she Sealed bids are invited from qualified firms to provide “Janitorial Services for Pago Local general manager said if the excise tax on beer of South Pacific Distributors is approved, that doesn’t mean Pago International Airport” for the Department of Port Administration. (SoPac), Mike Tolmie has made GHC Reid will pay a lesser 2. RECEIPT & OPENING OF BIDS a public claim that the Lolo import tax. Furthermore, GHC Administration’s proposal to Reid is not asking to “reduce Sealed bids will be received by the Chief Procurement Officer, American Samoa change the way tax is imposed our excise tax” that is paid to Government, Tafuna, American Samoa 96799, until 2:00 p.m. (local time), September 22, on beer will result in more taxes the government. 2017 at which time and place the sealed bids will be publicly opened and read. being paid by SoPac, and less She claimed that some com- by its competitors. panies are using invoices that 3. MANDATORY- PRE-BID CONFERENCE The statement, made during are not correct, whereby the A MANDATORY Pre-Bid Meeting and Site Visit for all contractors will be held on a Senate Budget and Appropria- invoices do not come directly tions Committee hearing yes- from the manufacturer of September 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pago Pago International Airport-Conference terday, prompted Olivia Reid- the goods they bring in. She Room. Bids will not be accepted from bidders who are not present at the pre-bid Gillett, president of G.H.C Reid believes the reason for these meeting. & Company to respond, saying many revenue measures tar- that a correction needs to be geting excise tax is that the gov- 4. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS made, as such a statement is not ernment is losing money on tax true. revenues because not all of the Copies of contract documents, including Plans and Scope of Work can be examined or Tolmie and Reid-Gillett import tax is being collected, as obtained from the Office of Procurement during regular business hours free of charge. were among the witnesses from some companies are not honest 5. The American Samoa Government reserves the right not to accept the lowest or any bid. the private sector who testified with the invoices provided to yesterday on three revenues Customs. 6. The American Samoa Government reserves the right to waive any informality in bidding measures, which include pro- Furthermore, some compa- as may be in the best interest of the American Samoa Government. posed amendments to several nies are not locally owned but provisions of the excise tax, are owned by people off island. such as the beer tax. Therefore, according to her, Currently, excise tax on much of the money earned by imported beer is 190% of the these companies goes off island, DR. ORETA MAPU CRICHTON Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action value, but the Administration is while GHC is locally owned by Chief Procurement Officer seeking to amend it to 35-cents Samoans, and the money stays per 12-fluid ounces, or fraction here. thereof. She then pointed out that the It basically means 35-cents statement by SoPac is not cor- per can. rect, that the proposed change In his verbal testimony, to taxing import beer “saves us Tolmie said “we have an issue” (GHC Reid) money while they with the changes in the beer tax, pay more.” as it will affect the company, if In the company’s analysis enacted into law. He said upon and written comments - both in its establishment here, “we went English and Samoan - presented out [and] we found the product to the committee, GHC Reid we know is affordable to the said it supports the new method community.” of calculating beer tax, saying But with these changes, that per 12-ounce instead of Tolmie said, “we end up paying invoice cost allows an “even hundreds of thousands of dol- and fair tax calculation for all lars more” and “our competi- beer products.” tors will pay hundreds and “The sin tax must be applied thousands of dollars less,” he equally in the same product claimed. category. The majority of beer ASG officials had testified in product are already in 12-ounce both the Senate and House that packaging,” it says. “Due to the proposed amendment is to the already high beer excise, standardize the imposition of vendors may try any way to the “sin tax” — on items such avoid paying the full 190%, as beer — and also to “level this can be done using dummy the playing field” for all beer invoices not from the manufac- importers. turer, but partner companies or In his verbal testimony, suppliers.” Tolmie said there is talk about The company said that a fair playing field; and a fair invoices are hard to control or playing field means going out to validate; however, quanti- and finding a product that com- ties can be verified when the petes with other products in the containers arrive on island, market. “If you can’t do that, and Customs already conducts we’re sorry. It’s unfair to put physical verifications. forward a bill where one com- And by changing the calcu- pany pays an enormous amount lation of tax, it aligns local tax of money, and all your competi- calculation to the global com- tors pay less,” said Tolmie, who munity who are using volume- delivered his testimony in the based calculation and not per- English language. centage of invoice. Countries In her closing remarks, Reid- using this format include the State Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, left, and Assemblyman Mark Stone, D-Scotts Valley, Gillett took issue with Tolmie’s US, , , New Zea- watch as the votes are posted for Stone’s youth parole measure before the Senate, Tuesday, Sept.12, claims, saying that the state- land, and Samoa. 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Senate approved the bill, AB1308, and If signed by the governor, ment by the other company During a House committee would allow inmates who are under the age of 25, and who have served at least 15 years of their (SoPac), needs to be corrected hearing last month, some law- sentenced to be considered for parole. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (Continued on page 5) samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Page 3 Did you know that Napa Samoa carries SSBCI program to close a wide selection of down later this month Motor oil? THE BIGGEST HURDLE FOR LOCALS: LACK OF MATCHING FUNDS Motor Oil Now by Fili Sagapolutele next tranche is received until to expand but claim they are Samoa News Correspondent the balance is fully deployed. having a difficult time securing $3.75 Quart The federal State Small Busi- He emphasized that the financial assistance from the Special! ness Credit Initiative (SSBCI) SSBCI “is a matching pro- private banks and the Devel- program, administered locally gram”, that is, federal money - opment Bank of American by the Commerce Department, SSBCI - is matched with private Samoa. will cease at the end of this capital - equity or debt, or both. “With Gov. Lolo Matalasi month but American Samoa “And there lies the difficulty Moliga’s approval, we aim still has the rest of the year to in getting our programmatic to make the American Samoa utilize the more than $3 million allocation of $10.5 million fully Venture Capital Fund a per- it has drawn down. deployed, let alone the first manent and viable business American Samoa was tranche received. There is a lack financing tool in the territory awarded $10.5 million several of capital market in the territory - beyond the SSBCI program,” years ago for the SSBCI, but to provide the required private was Lafaele’s reply. efforts to get the program off matching,” Lafaele said. “This opportunity should the ground have been met with The lack of available capital not die with the SSBCI pro- We carry a wide range of Synthetic obstacles. market has also been raised by gram, rather, the SSBCI can High Performance Motor Oil, Under the revamped pro- Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, be a launching pad for our own Automatic Transmission Oil, Gear gram by the Lolo Administra- to the federal government as venture fund- ‘when one door Oil, Hydraulic Oil and more. tion in 2013, it is now called, well as Fono leaders. In a letter closes, another one opens’.” the American Samoa Venture last month to the US Govern- We also carry a wide range of Grease, Chemicals, Replacement Parts, Muffler Pipes, Automotive Care Products & Sealants. Fund. ment Accountability Office, Commerce director Keniseli the governor said the ASG’s Lafaele told a House committee Debt Structure is the direct Stop by today and ask our experienced hearing in April this year that result of limited options avail- Customer Service Representatives for help. $3.5 million is currently avail- able to access venture capital able for the local program, to build our economic develop- which requires investors or ment infrastructure. (See Samoa We also special order Engines and Windshields. financial institutions to invest News Aug. 18th edition for by matching the federal money details). awarded to each business. When asked how many proj- At the time, four or five busi- ects/businesses were approved NAPA SAMOA nesses had their applications set for funding, Lafaele told Samoa to go through the six-member News yesterday that, “there’s 699-NAPA/6272 Venture Fund committee no shortage of projects that review. When asked what types applicants submitted applica- of businesses submitted appli- tions for; and we’ve screened If you want to comment cations, Lafaele told Samoa applications carefully based about our fairness, call News he couldn’t comment on on financial viability and - sus Samoa News at 633-5599 the specifics, but said that these tainability, employment to be are the types of businesses that created, and access to private would create employment, gen- matching.” erate government tax revenues, Regarding the types of proj- import substitution or export ects/businesses approved for opportunities, and new monies funding and the average amount TSM MART699-6312 for the economy. allocated for them, Lafaele said The most difficult task he will provide information faced by American Samoa, when a final decision is made CHECK OUT OUR FRESH FRUITS FROM is securing investors, and/or to deploy funds for approved financial institutions to provide businesses. also FRESH VEGETABLES FROM HAWAII matching funds - as required for When asked if any projects/ the SSBCI. businesses have been awarded AND LOCALLY GROWN Over the past several days, any money, Lafaele said, “not Samoa News has received sev- yet. We have two or three that eral inquiries regarding the should receive funding in the On Special Now!! status of the program, with some next 30 days; then a few more claiming that the US Treasury after that. We aim to deploy Department, which funds the all the SSBCI funds we have SSBCI, is set to close down the before the end of the year.” program before the end of this He explained that the Sept. month, and American Samoa 27th sunset date doesn’t mean would not be able to tap into its American Samoa has two weeks share of the $10 million awarded to use the funds it has or lose it. several years ago - during the “We have the rest of the year Togiola Administration. to deploy funds prudently and Responding to Samoa News according to the ASG SSBCI HURRY WHILE questions, Lafaele said yes- program plan approved by the terday that the SSBCI program US Treasury,” said Lafaele, SUPPLY LAST! sunsets on Sept. 27th, as per adding that although the SSBCI legislation that created the pro- office in Washington D.C. gram; and efforts to extend the ceases to exist on Sept. 27th, program with another infusion “we were informed the US of $1.5 billion beyond the sunset Treasury Office of Inspector date was not considered by the General’s role in this program US Congress nor is it a part of continues to a certain date.” President Trump’s agenda. Samoa News also asked Lafaele reconfirmed that if there are any other govern- ASG received $3.5 million of ment funding sources available the allocated SSBIC funds, for start-up businesses or busi- and explained that American nesses looking to expand opera- Samoa’s allocation, like other tion. This is a question that states and territories, was to be has been posed by some local • STARKIST ALBACORE TUNA 24x5oz ...... - $ 9.95 • TURKEY TAIL 10LB ...... - $12.95 received in three tranches- as residents looking to start a new • CHICKEN LEG 20LB ...... - $12.95 • SAUSAGE 10LB ...... - $12.95 each tranche is deployed, the business, and others wanting Page 4 samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 StarKist to pay $6.3Mil in civil penalties for envi- ronmental violations by Fili Sagapolutele the company’s progress towards Samoa News Correspondent full compliance with all federal StarKist Co. and its Amer- environmental rules. ican Samoa based subsidiary StarKist president and chief StarKist Samoa Inc., will pay executive officer, Andrew Choe $6.3 million in civil penalties, said the company is “com- under an agreement reached mitted to American Samoa and with the federal government, its people” by being a socially over alleged violations relating responsible company and doing to wastewater treatment and the right thing. compliance matters at the can- “Our company is com- nery plant in Atu’u. mitted to investing in the tech- This is according to federal nology and equipment needed court records, as well as a joint to address compliance issues statement released yesterday at the StarKist Samoa plant,” from the US Justice Department he said via a company state- and the US Environmental Pro- ment. “While this process is tection Agency (USEPA). long-term in nature, we will As part of the agreement, continue to work closely with through a “consent decree”, the the [US]EPA as we focus on two companies will be required these improvements until we to make a series of upgrades meet and exceed compliance to reduce pollution, improve and environmental performance safety measures, and comply laws and standards.” with important federal environ- StarKist, which acknowl- McDonald’s Miss Samoa contestants with members of Samoa Events Incorporated, that hosted mental laws at their tuna pro- edged the $6.3 million penalty the pageant. [Samoa Observer] cessing facility in the territory. outlined in the consent decree, Under the agreement, said that in addition to capital USDOJ says StarKist will pay a improvement at the facility in $6.3 million penalty and provide Atu’u, the company offered a emergency response equipment training session in American to the territory’s Department Samoa with the National Emer- of Public Safety, Fire Services gency Response and Rescue Pacific Island Bureau, for use in responding to Training Center (NERRTC) in chemical releases. July this year. Acting US Assistant It also met with the terri- Attorney General Jeffrey H. tory’s Department of Homeland Wood of USDOJ’s Environ- Security (ASDHS), the Territo- News in Brief ment and Natural Resources rial Emergency Management compiled by Samoa News staff threatening heart surgeries in This prompted public out- Division calls the settlement “a Coordinating Office (TEMCO, MISS SAMOA CROWNED 2007 and 2011. rage and a statement from Prime significant environmental win a bureau of ASDHS), the Fire OVER THE WEEKEND “I am convinced this is the Minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele for the community of American Bureau hazardous materials A large crowd gathered reason why I survived and Malielegaoi that he would never Samoa.” team, and other first responders. at Tuanaimato to witness the that is for me to represent and allow what he calls “heathe- USDOJ “will continue to According to StarKist these crowning of Alexandra Iakopo serve my country as their Miss nistic practices.” identify violations and enforce forums have allowed the com- as the new Miss Samoa. Samoa,” added the Samoa Director of Health, Leausa federal laws designed to pro- pany to identify emergency The 23-year-old from Qualification Authority officer. Toleafoa Dr. Take Naseri says tect the environment and the response equipment needs Sapapali’i, Fusi Safotulafai and And her parents Deacon the media has misquoted and public,” Wood said in the joint within the territory. As a result, Moamoa overcame the chal- Isaako Iakopo and Mrs. Faga- taken out of context the national statement yesterday. “As a StarKist said it will purchase lenge from eight other contes- malama are grateful for the policy paper. result of this action, StarKist 12 protective suits and 12 tants to walk away with the title. Almighty’s blessings. He said the ministry did not has already performed a sig- self-contained breathing appa- Ms. Iakopo is the second “We’re blessed to have her advocate making abortion legal, nificant amount of work to cor- ratus (SCBA) units to support youngest in a family of three as a daughter and we’re thankful as it is illegal and the ministry is rect its violations and we will American Samoa’s emergency brothers and one sister. Her par- to our Father in heaven for His compliant to the law. continue to work together with response efforts. ents are Deacon Isaako Iakopo divine love for our daughter,” He said the policy merely our partners to bring the facility This project, said StarKist, and Fagamalama Iakopo. said Deacon Iakopo. underlines that current law back into compliance and pre- was undertaken in “connec- “It’s been a challenging “She is straight forward, no states abortion is only legal for vent future violations.” tion with the settlement of an journey for me and I thank the beating around the bush.” women who are victims of rape, Acting Regional Admin- enforcement action” - refer- Lord Almighty for his grace (Source: Samoa Observer) incest, and or those with sexu- istrator Alexis Strauss with ring to the civil complaint by which has given me the will SAMOA HEALTH MIN- ally transmitted infections or the EPA’s Pacific Southwest the USDOJ filed on behalf of and opportunity to stand before ISTRY SAYS IT WAS HIV. Region said the agreement “will USEPA. you today as your Miss Samoa,” MISQUOTED It also refers to mothers help prevent hazardous releases COMPLAINT said Alexandra as she acknowl- Samoa’s Ministry of Health whose health could be threat- at the StarKist facility, protect According to the federal edged her Sponsor, House of says the media has misunder- ened by giving birth. workers and the local commu- complaint, it was around July Gold, her parents, as well as the stood its recommendations sur- As for gay marriage, Leausa nity, and reduce pollution dis- 3, 2014 that ASEPA received host of the pageant, the Samoa rounding abortion. said marital practices do not fall charged into Pago Pago Harbor reports that the water in inner Events Incorporated at the prize Over the past week media under the legal charge of the by more than 13 million pounds Pago Pago Harbor, near the giving Sunday to officially con- reports have said the Ministry ministry so it would never make each year.” StarKist facility, was visibly clude the pageant events. was urging the Government any recommendations on such a Working with its partners discolored. The day before (July As a survivor of rheumatic to legalize abortion and gay matter. at the American Samoa Envi- 2), representatives of ASEPA fever, Iakopo had two life marriage. (Source: RNZI) ronmental Protection Agency, observed and reported that the Strauss said, they will monitor (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 8) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR © OSINI FALEATASI INC. RESERVES ALL RIGHTS. Samoa News welcomes and encourages dba Samoa News publishes Monday to Friday, except for some local and federal holidays. Letters to the Editor. Please send them to our Send correspondences to: OF, dba Samoa News, Box 909, Pago Pago, Am. Samoa 96799. email [email protected] Box 909, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799. Telephone at (684) 633-5599 • Fax at (684) 633-4864 Contact us by Telephone at (684) 633-5599 Email advertisements to [email protected] Contact us by Fax at (684) 633-4864 Email the newsroom at [email protected] or by Email at [email protected] Normal business hours are Mon. thru Fri. 8am to 5pm. Normal business hours are Mon. thru Fri. 8am to 5pm. Permission to reproduce editorial and/or advertisements, in whole or in part, is required. Please Permission to reproduce editorial and/or advertisements, in address such requests to the Publisher at the address provided above. 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, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Page 5 ➧ Isaac Silafau -AS… Continued from page 1 town as San Francisco, CA but reading, working out, at the currently resides in Medford, movies, or traveling. Oregon. At the Asian Indoor Games, Standing at 5’9” - 180lbs., he will be competing in the 60m Silafau said his track and field and the long jump on Sept. 18 PUBLIC NOTICE career started back in 2005, as and 20, while local wrestlers, American Samoa Government a high school student at North Iafeta Vou, Daniel Misaalefua, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Medford HS in Oregon. Pita Fanolua, Zena Iese, Sealiitu By 2009, he was attending Mauga and Nolan Puletasi will State Management Plan – Consolidated Grant the College of the Siskiyous, be competing in various weight For Title 49 U.S.C. Sections 5310, 5311 & 5339 where he ran the 100m, 200m, categories on Sept. 25-26. Title 49 U.S.C. 5310 Authorizes funding for public transportation capital projects planned, designed and 4X100m, and competed in The festivities kick off this carried out to meet the special needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities. javelin. coming Sunday, with a grand In 2013-2015, Silafau trans- opening ceremony, and will Title 49 U.S.C. 5311 Enhance the access of people in non-urbanized areas to health care, shopping, ferred to Alderson-Broaddus draw participants from some education, employment, public services and recreation. Assist in the maintenance, development, University where he ran the 60 countries – all members of improvement, and use of public transportation systems in non-urbanized areas. 60m, 100m, 200m, 4X100, the Asia and Oceania National Title 49 U.S.C. 5339 Provides capital funding to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related 4X400m, and triple jump. Olympic committees. The event equipment and to construct bus-related facilities, or to transfer to supplement urban and rural formula Last summer, he represented has been touted as the biggest grant programs. American Samoa in the 2016 ever in the history of the Asian Rio Olympic Games and earlier Indoor Games. T h e The American Samoa Government invites public comments on the Federal Transit Administration Consolidated this year in July, he participated athletes are being accompanied Grant State Management Plan Draft. Public comments are invited for a 30-day period commencing on Monday, in the Oceania Championships, to the Games by ASNOC presi- September 18, 2017 to October 18, 2017. competing in the 100m and dent Tuiaana Ed Imo, ASNOC This document is available in accessible formats upon request. Paper copies can be retrieved from the Office of 200m. general secretary Ethan Lake, the Department of Public Works in Tafuna. An electronic copy can also be emailed upon request. Please forward “My goal is to improve each Chef de Mission Henrietta your comments to the office of Public works before the time requested. and every day, so that I can Molesi, wrestling coach Irene improve at every track meet/ Kane, and press attache, The- Further information regarding this plan may be obtained by contacting the Department of Public Works @ 699-9921 competition,” he said. “That is resa Custodio Auva’a. Good or 699-5357 and ask for Cathy Faoa-Danielson or Jacinta Fa’ata’a Falealili for assistance. the ultimate goal.” luck Team American Samoa! Silafau’s training regime is consistent, and includes block work three times a week, strength training at the gym five days a week, and conditioning tests of sprint ladders (100m, 200m, 300m, 200m, 100m). Part of what makes him so American Samoa Government agile and fit, is his diet. He said OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR he eats 5-6 meals a day, ensuring that he gets the right amount of carbs, fat and protein. When he’s not at the track, Silafau can be found hanging out with friends and family,

➧ Senators… Continued from page 2 makers were concerned that the new change in taxing beer, will hike the retail cost of beer COASTWEEKS 2017 that is affordable to consumers, those who are non-premier beer “A Healthy Coast is a Wealthy Coast” drinkers. (See Samoa News Aug. 24th edition for details). WHEREAS, American Samoa has a varied coastline of rocky shores, sandy beaches, and GHC Reid said premier beers will remain premium, harbors; and cheap beer will remain cheap, and excise tax will not remove WHEREAS, the natural resources of the coastal zone are among our most valuable economic the differentiation between the resources; and two beer categories. “What differentiates the WHEREAS, the marine environment is of the most valuable resource supporting an active types of beer are the cost of the product it was purchased from, subsistence and commercial industry; and the freights and the business margins,” it says. “Cheap beer WHEREAS, through the management, sustainment, and protection of our coastal zone and will be excised at 35-cents per marine environment, future generations of American Samoa will benefit and prosper; and 12-ounce and premium beer will also be excised at 35-cents WHEREAS, the Coastweeks theme: “A Healthy Coast is a Wealthy Coast” is our per 12-ounce.” responsibility. According to the GHC Reid, the current method of taxing NOW, THEREFORE, I, Lolo M. Moliga, Governor of American Samoa do hereby proclaim imported beer “is open to manipulation”. the period of September 18-30, 2017 as Coastweeks in American Samoa and urge all citizens to take notice of these weeks and participate fittingly. ➧ Confirmed… IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto affixed my signature and the seal of my office on Continued from page 1 this 9th day of August, 2017. Samoa News for comments about the upcoming cannery shutdown said this is going to put a big dent on the local economy, as far as consumer LOLO M. MOLIGA purchasing power, as cannery Governor of American Samoa workers will be without a pay- check for over a month. Page 6 samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 ➧ Pacific brief… Continued from page 4 ICONIC comes the chance to work more VAKA OFF TO NZ FOR closely with Pacific regional REPAIRS organizations such as the SPC, The iconic Cook Islands Te on Pacific priorities. Marumaru Atua vaka was sent “There is no doubt about to for repairs after the leadership and commitment being damaged by fire earlier that our membership has shown this month. No one was injured, towards the Pacific’s Healthy but significant damage was Islands vision, thanks to the caused to the starboard hull, support of partners like the which is where the crew sleeps. Commonwealth Secretariat,” The secretary of the Cook said SPC’s Colin Tukuitonga. Island Voyaging Society, Cecile “I am confident we will Marten said the cause of the fire see rapid progress towards is unknown and an investiga- that vision.” tion is underway. Both parties will also have Ms. Marten said the tradi- opportunities to develop joint tional voyaging vaka is set to funding proposals. be shipped to New Zealand for (Source: Matangi ) repairs. U.S. GRANTS HELP C M SAMOAN GROUPS “We were fortunate we had Y K one of the builders from Salt- The U.S. Embassy this week house (boat builders, NZ) here honored 10 Samoan organiza- on holiday and popped down to tions and two individuals at a have a look on Monday at the Grantee Ceremony at the U.S. vaka.” Embassy Residence, Vailima. “I just received an initial The organizations received assessment that they don’t funding from the U.S. Embassy believe that we can repair Apia’s 2017 Public Diplomacy the hull. It looks like we are Grants programme as well as replacing the hull completely,” other funding support. she said. The two individuals are par- The Voyaging Society is ticipants of the United States’ presently building another vaka, International Visitor Leadership which it hopes to have finished Programme. early next year in time for a fes- Susan Thornton, Acting tival in New Zealand. Assistant Secretary of State for (Source: RNZI) East Asian and Pacific Affairs, SPC SUPPORTS UNI- who was the Head of the U.S. VERSAL HEALTH COV- Delegation to the Pacific ERAGE FOR PACIFIC Islands Forum, congratulated ISLANDS the recipients. An agreement to achieve This year’s grants total more universal health coverage and than $200,000. address non-communicable dis- The Public Diplomacy Grants eases in the Pacific region was Programme is a small competi- signed by the Commonwealth tive programme offering grants Secretariat and the Pacific of up to US$5,000 to local non- Community (SPC) on Sept. 8 in government organizations to Apia, Samoa. strengthen democracy, engage The Memorandum of youth, promote U.S.-Samoa Understanding means both par- links, address environmental ties will work together using and health issues, advance sci- their resources and networks for ence and technology, increase health protection and promotion respect for civil society and in the region. Examples include the rule of law, advance human providing technical assistance rights and women’s rights. to develop a regional legislative The International Vis- framework; policies in health, itor Leadership Programme sports and education to promote (I.V.L.P.) is the U.S. Depart- healthy lifestyles in children ment of State’s premier profes- and young people. sional exchange programme. The MOU was signed by Through short-term visits to Commonwealth Secretary the United States, current and General, Patricia Scotland, and emerging foreign leaders in Director General of the Secre- a variety of fields experience tariat of the Pacific Community America firsthand and cultivate (SPC), Colin Tukuitonga. lasting relationships with their C M American counterparts. Secretary General Scotland Y K said the Commonwealth wel- (Source: Samoa Observer)

The iconic Cook Islands Te Marumaru Atua vaka. [Photo: Teinesavaii] samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Page 7

C M Y K

It was a good feeling for these four military men to reunite in American Samoa in the name of “Service.” The visiting practitioners will provide free services through work under the Department of Health. (l-r): DOH director Motusa Tuileama Nua, Lt. Christopher Johnson, Major Douglas A. Taylor and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga. “We would love to be exposed to your beautiful culture, your way of life, and study some of your local health issues and treatments,” said Maj. Taylor. “We’ll do our best to help transcend what we know will help our local health practitioners, if needed.” [photo: Leua Aiono Frost] Gay couple denied baby through sur- rogate challenges Republican Party of American Samoa Utah law P.O. Box 3506 Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A gay couple denied the chance to have a baby using a surrogate challenged a Utah law’s refer- CELEBRATING YOUTHS & ence to heterosexual parents Tuesday in a case that illustrates the legal complications LGBT WHITE SUNDAY IN AMERICAN SAMOA couples can face when starting families amid a national patch- PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION: HOW CAN WE MAKE AMERICAN SAMOA GREAT? work of surrogacy laws. The case came before the FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS & SENIORS ONLY!! Utah Supreme Court after a judge refused to approve the ROUND 1: THE ESSAY ROUND 2: THE SPEECH couple’s surrogacy agreement. GUIDELINES: 400-500 WORDS, mla format, 12 pt times new The judge in southern Utah roman, single-spaced, 1” margins, include your full name, the name GUIDELINES: 5 minutes, finalists will receive a new topic and make cited references to a mother in of your school, your grade, date you typed your essay and contact an impromptu speech from their perspective, parent/guardian must sign the law’s requirement that pro- information in the top right corner. Do your research & include a waiver for media release, parent/guardian must accompany the finalist. spective parents prove a woman reference page. One essay per person, no plagiarizing. can’t have children without OCTOBER 27, 2017, DETAILS TO BE ANNOUNCED health serious risk before they DEADLINE: SUBMIT BY OCTOBER 11, 2017 turn to surrogacy. TOP 10 ESSAYS WILL BE SELECTED AND THE FINALISTS WILL TOP 3 WINNERS WILL RECEIVE PRIZES, GIFT CERTIFICATE AND That discriminates against BE ANNOUNCED BY OCTOBER 18, 2017 CASH. ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE RECOGNIZED. male same-sex couples who DROP OFF YOUR ESSAY IN A SEALED ENVELOPE AT ONE OF want to start a family, said THESE LOCATIONS: FOR MORE INFORMATION: Edwin Wall, an attorney for the two men who want to remain KS MART IN TAFUNA TINA IOANE 254-3426 anonymous.Utah Attorney MANU’A STORE IN MALAEIMI JOHN RAYNAR 258-0693 C M General Sean Reyes won’t MANU’A STORE IN PAGO PAGO SAILITAFA SAMOA 252-8129 Y K stand in the couple’s way. State ALE FILOIALI’I FOR MANU’A HIGH SCHOOL / 733-9097 lawyers didn’t appear before the high court and said in court documents that the law should be read as gender-neutral. Some state Supreme Court justices, though, questioned whether that is enough or part of the law should be struck down. “It seems to me we have to resolve this on constitutional grounds,” Justice John Pearce said. The panel did not immedi- ately rule following the Tuesday hearing. While gay couples still face legal challenges on parent- hood, the Utah case appears unique in barring a pregnancy before it begins, said Susan Sommer with the national gay- rights group Lambda Legal. This competition is sponsored by the Republican Party of American Samoa and Partners. Page 8 samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 FEMA estimates 25 percent of Florida DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE Project Notification & Review System Keys homes are gone LOWER MATECUMBE without electricity in the steamy KEY, Fla. (AP) — With 25 per- late-summer heat dropped to cent of the homes in the Florida 9.5 million — just under half Legal Notice Keys feared destroyed, emer- of Florida’s population. Utility gency workers Tuesday rushed officials warned it could take 10 PNRS SPECIAL BOARD MEETING to find Hurricane Irma’s victims days or more for power to be — dead or alive — and deliver fully restored. About 110,000 September 20, 2017 food and water to the stricken people remained in shelters island chain. across Florida. The number As crews labored to repair of deaths blamed on Irma in Notice is hereby given that the Department of Commerce/American Samoa Coastal Management Program has received a the lone highway connecting Florida climbed to 12, in addi- Land Use Permit Application from the following individuals. the Keys, residents of some of tion to four in South Carolina 1. Max Haleck Jr. Dev. Corp. c/o Gerhard Haleck ...... 17-4888-LVB the islands closest to Florida’s and two in Georgia. At least Proposal for land filling - Nu’uuli mainland were allowed to 37 people were killed in the 2. T.S.M Mart c/o Byung Ki ...... 17-4876-LVB return and get their first look at Caribbean. Proposal to demolish and new construction with utilities - Tafuna the devastation. “It’s going to “We’ve got a lot of work to be pretty hard for those coming do, but everybody’s going to 3. Hong Li ...... 17-4901-LVB home,” said Petrona Hernandez, come together,” Florida Gov. Proposal for car wash with utilities - Tafuna whose concrete home on Plan- Rick Scott said. “We’re going 4. Florence Tauaefa ...... 17-4878-LVB tation Key with 35-foot walls to get this state rebuilt.” Proposal for a Taxi Stand - Tafuna was unscathed, unlike others a In hard-hit Naples, on Flor- few blocks away. “It’s going to ida’s southwest coast, more 5. Vaimili Vailolo ...... 17-4893-L be devastating to them.” than 300 people stood outside Proposal for excavation, clearing and walls and fences - Fagamutu/Nua But because of disrupted a Publix grocery store in the Persons interested in or affected by a proposed project, are invited to review the project file and provide comments based phone service and other morning, waiting for it to open. on environmental issues, by contacting Aokusotino Mao at 633-5155, at the Department of Commerce in Utulei during damage, the full extent of the A manager came to the regular ASG working hours. Public comments must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2017. destruction was still a question store’s sliding door with occa- Interested individuals are also invited to attend a Public Hearing at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at DOC mark, more than two days after sional progress reports. Once he Conference Room, on the 2nd Floor of the Executive Office Building in Utulei. Irma roared into the Keys with said that workers were throwing 130 mph (209 kph) winds. out produce that had gone bad; O lo’o iai i le Ofisa o Fa’afetauaina ni talosaga mo Pemita e Fa’atagaina ai le Fa’aaogaina o Fanua ma Laueleele e tusa ma Elsewhere in Florida, life another time, that they were ala o le Tulafono. A iai se tasi e fa’asea pe fia tusia se molimau i ni afaina o le si’osi’omaga pe a galueaina nei galuega, inched closer to normal, with trying to get the cash registers telefoni mai ia Aokusotino Mao i le 633-5155. E mafai fo’i ona e auai i le fono a le Komiti Fa’afoe ia Setema 20, 2017, ile some flights again taking off, working. One man complained itula e 9 ile taeao. many curfews lifted and major loudly that the line had too theme parks reopening. Cruise many gaps. Others shook their ships that extended their voy- heads in frustration at word of ages and rode out the storm at another delay. At the front of sea began returning to port with the line after a more than two- thousands of passengers. hour wait, Phill Chirchirillo, 57, The number of people said days without electricity. American Samoa Government DEPARTMENT of COMMERCE ➧ Starkist to pay… Continued from page 4 water near the outfall in inner wastewater treatment system Pago Pago Harbor was dis- was inadequate. colored, murky, bubbling, and After full implementation Public Notice there was a strong odor being of the wastewater treatment NOTICE OF PUBLIC INVITATION TO COMMENT ON THE emitted from the water. system upgrades, the facil- On July 3rd, ASEPA issued ity’s annual discharge of pol- American Samoa Government an order to StarKist to cease lutants into Pago Pago Harbor, operations at the facility or to including total nitrogen, phos- CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE cease engaging in any activi- phorus, oil and grease, and ties responsible for creating total suspended solids, will be EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) an unauthorized discharge of reduced by at least 85 percent Program Year 2016 pollutants to inner Pago Pago – a total reduction of more than Harbor until the outfall was 13 million pounds of waste- Notice is hereby given that the American Samoa will submit a Consolidated repaired in accordance with the water pollutants each year. Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for Program Year 2016 to the U.S. stop order to cease operations. In addition to wastewater Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) before September 20, 2017. StarKist was required violations, USEPA also found The CAPER is an annual report that describes the use of the following under the stop order notice to that StarKist was improperly Community Planning and Development (CPD) Programs funded by HUD: report the discharges to the storing ammonia, butane, and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) USEPA Region 9 immediately, chlorine gas, which the facility and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) grant. according to the complaint, used on-site for refrigera- which states that StarKist did tion, operation of forklifts, and Citizens and interested parties are invited to review a draft copy of the CAPER. The not report the discharges or rup- disinfection. draft is available for public review and comment(s) from September 1, 2017 ture to Region 9 until July 30, The federal Clean Air Act to September 18, 2017 at the Department of Commerce during office hours from when it submitted a report of its requires companies to operate 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. The public has fifteen (15) days to response and investigation of safely in order to prevent the comment on the proposed CAPER draft. All comments must be submitted in the rupture through July 14. release of hazardous chemicals writing to the CPD Coordinator by letter or email to [email protected]. A summary At that time, the USEPA that can harm workers and the of public comments received will be included in the CAPER submitted to HUD. began investigating the facility surrounding community, said after monitoring reports sub- USDOJ. mitted by StarKist revealed The 59-page complaint, wastewater pollutant levels that filed at the federal court in Comments may be submitted to: consistently exceeded permitted Pittsburgh, outlines specific Ms. Petti T. Matila levels, according to USDOJ. details of several allegations of Office of the Governor USEPA’s investigations violations of federal environ- A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building 3rd Floor revealed that StarKist had mental laws. Samoa News will Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799 Keniseli F. Lafiele changed the composition of report in future editions, on the Director of Commerce the facility’s discharged waste- details from the consent decree water such that its existing between the feds and StarKist. samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Page 9

(Photos: Bea)

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2016 file photo, plants grow at the home of Jeremy Nickle, owner of Hawaiian Holy Smokes, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaii says it will be the first state to require mari- juana transactions to be handled without cash. Hawaii state officials said Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, medical marijuana dispensaries won’t be allowed to accept cash beginning Oct. 1, 2017, and will have to use a debit payment app instead. (AP Photo/Marina Riker, File) Hawaii says it’s 1st state to go cashless for pot sales HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii said Tuesday states to determine their own marijuana policies, that it aims to be the first state to require mari- said it’s good to find alternatives to dealing with juana sales to be handled without cash, saying it large amounts of cash. wanted to avoid robberies and other crimes tar- But she said it’s a concern that Hawaii’s pro- geting dispensaries. gram will rely on one specific system, given the All of Hawaii’s eight licensed dispensaries risks of a hacker attack or a company going out have agreed to go cashless by Oct. 1, the gov- of business. ernor’s office said. The dispensaries will ask Hawaii was among the first states to legalize patients to use a debit payment app to buy their medical marijuana in 2000. But the state didn’t pot instead of cash. The app is already an option grant licenses to any dispensaries until last year. for marijuana transactions in six states, including Maui Grown Therapies became the first to open California and Colorado. last month after the state Department of Health Iris Ikeda, the state’s financial institutions gave it approval to begin sales. commissioner, told reporters at a news con- Honolulu-based dispensary Aloha Green is ference that state officials haven’t discussed the only other dispensary that opened to date. whether people wanting to pay in cash will be During the Obama administration, the Jus- turned away from dispensaries. tice Department issued guidelines to help banks “Oct. 1 is our target date to try to go cashless avoid federal prosecution when dealing with pot as much as we can,” Ikeda said. businesses in states where the drug is legal. Many marijuana businesses use cash because But most banks don’t see those rules as a banks fear pot money could expose them to legal shield against charges that could include aiding trouble from the U.S. government, which regu- drug trafficking. They say the rules are difficult to lates banking and still bans marijuana. follow, placing the burden on banks to determine The debit app called CanPay uses a Colorado- if a pot business is operating within the law. based credit union to facilitate transactions. The There is also uncertainty over how the Trump Hawaii dispensaries will set up accounts with the administration will react. Attorney General Jeff credit union, called Safe Harbor Private Banking. Sessions has said he wants to crack down on the Under the cashless system, customers use legal marijuana industry. their checking accounts to pay CanPay, which Credit card companies like Visa and Master- sends the payment to Safe Harbor. card say they won’t allow their cards to be used Hawaii was still working on allowing prepaid, to buy cannabis or marijuana-related products. stored-value cards to be used an alternative for Patients who don’t own smartphones will have people who don’t have checking accounts, Ikeda to create CanPay accounts with an email address said. Becky Dansky, legislative counsel at Mari- and personal identification number. Patients will juana Policy Project, a Washington-based orga- be able buy pot by logging on to their accounts nization that aims to change federal law to allow with computer tablets at the dispensaries.

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2017 file photo, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a press conference after he reshuffled his Cabinet at the prime minister’s official residence in Tokyo. Japan is debating whether to develop limited pre-emptive strike capability and buy cruise missiles - ideas that were anathema in the pacifist country before the North Korea missile threat. With revisions to Japan‚Äôs defense plans underway, ruling party hawks are accelerating the moves, and some defense experts say Japan should at least consider them. Abe called North Korea‚Äôs missile firing on Aug. 29, 2017, an ‚Äúunprecedented, grave and serious threat.‚Äù (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File) Page 10 samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017

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FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2017 file photo, demonstrators clash during a free speech rally in Berkeley, Calif. Police in Berkeley, California say they need an additional weapon to combat violent protests that have repeatedly hit the city. The city council will decide Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, whether to let officers use pepper spray to control crowds that turn violent. (AP Photo/Josh Edelson, File) Berkeley police get to use pepper spray at violent protests BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) violence as soon as Thursday rights with preventing violence. — The Berkeley City Council when conservative political Berkeley is facing a “large, on Tuesday gave police permis- commentator and former Breit- armed coordinated group” at sion to use pepper spray to repel bart editor Ben Shapiro appears political events, Greenwood demonstrators attacking officers on campus and again later this said. and others during violent pro- month when conservative fig- “Our officers do not have the tests that have repeatedly hit the ures have been invited to speak. tools to address this threat,” he city this year during political “It is a request made of said. $1000 protests. urgency,” Greenwood said. Joseph Giacalone, a pro- The 6-3 vote by the council Dozens of people lined up fessor at John Jay College of came ahead of another planned at City Hall to oppose arming Criminal Justice and a former Reward speech Thursday at the Univer- Berkeley police with the larger New York City police sergeant, sity of California, Berkeley. canister of pepper spray, saying said it would be advantageous For information and return of The city banned pepper it is too easy for officers to use for police to be able to use spray in 1997 as a crowd-con- and has the potential to be used pepper spray during protests stolen jewelry taken from a private trol weapon, though most law on peaceful protesters. but tactical decisions should be enforcement agencies permit Some cities nationwide made based on the conditions. home in Pago Pago (Autapini) officers to use it to disburse banned pepper spray after sev- He said although tear gas violent crowds, Berkeley police eral high-profile incidents of and pepper spray often cause on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2017. Chief Andrew Greenwood said. police using it on peaceful pro- the same effects, shooting tear Call 770-9119. Greenwood sought such testers. An incident in which gas at a group of protesters permission at an emergency students at the University of often means spraying innocent OUR STORE IS NOW OPEN FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY ONLY NU’UULI council meeting, saying it is California, Davis, were pepper- bystanders and people fre- preferable to batons and tear sprayed during a peaceful dem- quently throw the cans back at gas, which the city is allowed to onstration in 2014 led to a $1 officers. use but disburses far wider than million legal settlement for the “There are going to be AUTO NATION pepper spray. protesters. bystanders in that crowd, and The council rejected its use Ishmael Tarikh, a civil rights let’s face it, the people you’re NU’UULI: (684) 699-7168 • FAX: (684) 699-7175 for crowd control Tuesday, but lawyer with the National Law- trying to control come prepared agreed to modify its ban and yers Guild, said police must for it. They have gas masks on,” expand police powers to use it. issue a dispersal order before Giacalone said. The council said pepper firing tear gas canisters. Tarikh Later this month, a conserva- EVERYTHING spray “shall not be used as a said police don’t have to issue tive group says it plans to bring in store including crowd control technique to dis- a warning when using pepper former White House adviser special order. perse a crowd or move a crowd,” spray. “It’s a blunt instru- Steve Bannon to speak on the motion stated. “Police may ment used for a very precise campus along with former Bre- 10% use pepper spray upon specific problem,” he said. Four political itbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos individuals within a crowd who demonstrations have turned vio- and politically conservative are committing acts of violence lent in Berkeley since February, commentator Ann Coulter. upon police or others.” prompting officers to come up A Yiannopoulos appear- Berkeley police do carry with new strategies to control ance on campus in February small canister of pepper spray rowdy and sometimes dan- was canceled for safety rea- for use on individual suspects. gerous crowds. Berkeley police sons when protests turned vio- But the police chief said officers said they have not deployed tear lent and spilled into downtown Auto Nation in We are now accepting Fagatogo has need permission to use bigger gas at the other protests. Berkeley. Protesters smashed Credit & Debit Cards. been CLOSED! canisters if necessary. Police say they are strug- windows of businesses and Officers were preparing for gling to balance free speech marred walls with graffiti. MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 7:30AM-5:00PM SATURDAY :8:00AM-1:00PM samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Page 11 Jimmy Carter to Trump: ‘Keep the peace ... tell the truth’ FA’ASALALAUGA ATLANTA (AP) — Former administrations for genera- President Jimmy Carter offered tions, but the president notably o le talatalaga o le Suafa a damning indictment of U.S. backed off the long-held U.S. foreign policy and domestic position calling for a two-state affairs Tuesday, saying money solution between Israel and the SA’OLE in politics makes the nation Palestinians. O le a taoto ia fa’apāpā e lē gae’e, ma mamau faapa le sopo’ia ou paia, sā more like an “oligarchy than a Carter said he is “practically democracy” and casting Presi- hopeless” that anything Trump ma faigā Samoa, auā o oe o le ao mamala i le faasouga o ao o le atu folasa. dent Donald Trump as a disap- comes up with would give “jus- Mai le Taisamasama o le Tuimanu’a na alofisā ai tupu, se’ia pa’ia le Taiulaula o pointment on the world stage. tice to the Palestinians.” Nafanua na tauilo ai malō…TULOU, TULOUNA LAVA! Carter’s criticisms, offered “I don’t think Trump or his at his annual presentation to family members are making any Ae ua sausau fialele ma faaosofia le manu nai Utufiu, ina ua a’e se manatu i backers of his post-presidency process in that respect,” he said. suli o le suafa SA’OLE o lo’o nonofo i le aiga, mai le afio’aga o Aunu’u: Carter Center in Atlanta, went Carter criticized both Israeli and beyond Trump, but he was par- Palestinian leaders for a lack of Paia lava lea i le afifio Lupega, Afio Ma’opu, Sa’o ma le Tama Aiga; Fetalaiga ticularly critical of the nation’s flexibility, but he singled out maualuga ia i la’ua Fuiava ma Taufi, Tainane Sale’aumua, Fofoga o Sagatu ma direction under the Republican Israeli Prime Minister Ben- president’s leadership. jamin Netenyahu, a Trump ally, le Lauti na Laulelei… The 39th president, a Demo- for having “no intention at all of E le o nofoia le nofoa o Tavita; o lo’o talaivao pea le suafa Saole o le tatou crat, offered this advice to the having a two-state solution.” 45th: “Keep the peace, promote The former president and aiga; o lea ua a’e ai se manatu, ua alagatatau ona saili se tasi e tulai mai i le foe human rights and tell the truth.” his wife, Rosalynn, largely e taitai ma tausi lo tatou aiga. Carter, 92, did not mention steer clear of partisan politics, explicitly Trump’s threatening long having yielded any active O le mea lea, e taalo atu ma le ava tele, i suli uma ma faleao o loo papa’aao i exchanges this summer with role in the Democratic Party. itu e fia o Samoa ma le lalolagi atoa, a’o feoi o gafa na sausau sema o le suafa North Korean dictator Kim But they maintain their high- “SA’OLE”…afifio mai ma tala mai aao, sei o tatou mulumulu aufoe faatasi, ae Jong-un, but the former presi- profile advocacy through the ā le faamoemoe o se fa’asa’osa’o o le tatou aiga. dent said the U.S. should engage Carter Center, which focuses on directly with the insular leader human rights, public health and O le polokalama e faapea: O le a faia le talatalaga a le tatou aiga potopoto i le and discuss a peace treaty to democratic elections. Maota o Sauma i Aunuu, ia Setema 16, 2017 i le 9:00 i le taeao. Faamalūlū atu, o replace the cease fire that ended Carter on Tuesday defended the Korean War in 1953. the center’s role in monitoring lou le auai o le a le taofia ai se finagalo autasi o aiga i lea aso. “I would send my top person the August presidential elec- to Pyongyang immediately, if I tions in Kenya that the coun- Matou te tatalo i le Atua ia maua se laolao lelei i ala ma le vasa, auā le didn’t go myself,” Carter said, try’s Supreme Court later dis- fetaaloloa’i o le tatou aiga i lea aso. O le toese o nuu potopoto o le mea tāua, noting that he’s been three times carded. The court has ordered a ina ia maua pea le nofo fealofani, e pei o le igoaipu a le tatou aiga. to the country, even as succes- new election. sive U.S. administrations have The Carter Center’s moni- Ua faia lenei faasalalauga i le agaga maualalo ma le ava tele e tatau i ai. refused to deal with the regime. toring team, led by former O suli uma o le suafa Sa’ole o lo’o nonofo i le aiga. The North Koreans, Carter Secretary of State John Kerry, said, want a treaty that guar- said days after the vote that the antees the U.S. will not attack process of casting paper ballots unless North Korea attacks the was fair, but that the electronic U.S. or an ally, particularly tabulations were “unreliable.” South Korea. “Until we talk Carter said Tuesday that inter- to them and treat them with national monitors were not respect — as human beings, allowed to observe the counting American Samoa Government which they are — I don’t think process. we’re going to make any prog- The center also remains OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT ress,” Carter said. engaged in trying to end the He also dismissed Trump’s Syrian civil war, Carter said. He optimism that he can engineer noted that he and others from Middle East peace. Trump the center have engaged Rus- has tasked his son-in-law, sian President Vladimir Putin INVITATION FOR BIDS Jared Kushner, with handling and others trying to broker the issue that has vexed U.S. peace. IFB-2434-17 Issuance Date: August 31, 2017 Closing Date: September 19, 2017 No later than 10:00am (local time) 1. INVITATION Sealed bids are being solicited to provide Tech Equipment for the LA-Immigration System Upgrade. 2. RECEIPT & OPENING OF BIDS Sealed bids will be received by the Chief Procurement Officer, American Samoa Government, Tafuna, American Samoa 96799, until 10:00a.m. (local time), Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at which time and place the sealed bids will be publicly opened and read. 3. BID DOCUMENTS Bid documents, including Specifications, may be examined at the Office of Procurement or obtained there from free of charge during normal hours of operation. 4. CONDITIONS The American Samoa Government reserves the right to: • not accept the lowest or any bid. • reject all bids and reissue and amended IFB. • request additional information from any bidder submitting a bid. FILE - In this June 30, 2017 file photo, President Donald • waive any informalities in bidding as may be in the best interest of the American Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron Trump Samoa Government. board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, N.J. As President Donald Trump‚Äôs administration alters some parts of the former first lady‚Äôs legacy, Mrs. Trump is keeping other parts of it alive, from public policy to high fashion to family ties. DR. ORETA MAPU CRICHTON (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action Chief Procurement Officer Page 12 samoa news, Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Authorities: Man shoots mother dead in hospital, is arrested LEBANON, N.H. (AP) — A and went to the intensive care Rhode Island man who fatally unit. Soon after, Lebanon police shot his mother in the inten- received a call about shots fired sive care unit of New Hamp- in in the intensive care unit. shire’s largest hospital, sending “The facts gathered to this dozens of police officers scram- point reveal that the purpose of bling there and briefly fo