Selection of Nuanuaolefe- agaiga to hold senate seat Joseph still being challenged Page 3 Taufete’e of Nu’uuli and his lovely ROCK NATION? Dwayne “The wife Noeleen Rock” Johnson considering Bette Meni- Taufete’e who run for White House Page 8 he wanted to impress by playing UN CHIEF: Drought- rugby, not stricken Somalia ‘hangs knowing it in the balance’ would make Page 12 his sporting dream a career come U17 National team prepares true. C M for New Caledonia [Courtesy photo] Y K & World Championships Sports ONLINE @ SAMOANEWS.COM DAILY CIRCULATION 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA THURSDAY MAY, 11 2017 $1.00 Joseph Taufetee is a rugby star - started playing to Tofu mataupu ali’i faigaluega impress his wife’s family By Leiloa Ese Malala play in the NFL like any other young talking and I knew she was the one for Samoa News Staff Writer man that came from the islands. me — so I really wanted to impress oseph Taufete’e was born in However, “when I was a young her,” Taufete’e told Samoa News in a Ofisa Tiute i le the village of Nu’uuli and teenager, I met a girl from along the telephone interview. Jmoved to California when he beach in California. Her name is Joseph visited his new girlfriend’s was 5 years old. Growing up in the Noeleen Bette Meni and her family family, eager to make a good first Fa’amasinoga United States his motivation was to is from Western Samoa. We started (Continued on page 2) Maualuga tusia Ausage Fausia O le taeao nei lea ua fa’amoemoe e tula’i ai i luma o le Fa’amasinoga Maualuga le ali’i faigaluega mai le Ofisa o le Tiute a le malo, lea o lo o tu’uaia i le mataupu lea na C M maua ai vaega o fualaau fa’asaina o le mar- Y K iuana o aumai fa’anana mai le va’alele a le Hawaiian Air i le masina o Mati o le tausaga nei, ina ua fa’amalieina le fa’amasinoga i mau fa’amaonia sa tu’uina atu e le itu a le malo i se iloiloga sa faia i le aoauli ananafi, e fa’amaonia ai sa i ai se vaega o le tulafono sa soli i lenei gaioiga. O moliaga e pei ona molia ai e le malo le susuga a Titifalaula Siaumau e aofia ai lona aumai mai lea i le atunu’u o vaega o fualaau fa’asaina (import of controlled substance - marijuana), fa’apea ai ma le moliaga o lona fesoasoani lea i se isi tagata i le tufatufaina atu o fualaau fa’asaina (conspiracy to distribute controlled substance - marijuana). O le masina na te’a nei na faila ai e le malo la latou tagi fa’asaga ia Siaumau, peita’i na solofua e le fa’amasinoga fa’aitumalo, ina ua le mafai e le malo ona tuuina atu mau fa’amaonia talafeagai e mafai ai ona lagola- goina moliaga fa’asaga ia Siaumau, peita’i o Seen here is the winning piece of the MALOFIE Congressional Art Competition 2017 by Pacific Horizon’s Ms. (Faaauau itulau 4) Nina Vergara. See story inside for details. [Courtesy photo] Page 2 samoa news, Thursday May, 11 2017 In this Samoa News photo structure to replace the current the building. It was also getting the Fono compound, for daily gone out. taken yesterday, the Senate one that was first dedicated in expensive to repair the facility sessions and committee hear- A land-use permit has chamber is bare, with the fur- the summer of 1973. including the central air condi- ings, while the House will use already been issued for the niture, including the chairs Before the First Regular Ses- tion system, which breaks down the north wing of the Gov. H. Fono to demolish the current where visitors sit in the gal- sion of the 35th Legislature offi- from time to time. Rex Lee Auditorium for its structure; and according to lery removed. Walls have been cially ended last month, Fono Senators were informed to regular sessions and committee House Speaker Savali Talavou stripped, as the two-story main leaders informed lawmakers re-locate their offices from the hearings. Ale there is no firm date, at this Legislature building is prepared about the Fono moving forward Fono compound to their homes, The Governor’s Office has point, as to when the current for demolition, making way for with a new structure, to replace because the wing (closest to the been assisting the Fono leaders structure will be taken down. a new structure, which is still in the current building which has Tedi of Samoa building) that in finding alternative offices for Meanwhile, there have been planning. suffered many problems over houses senators’ offices would lawmakers and staff during the several complaints from the Fono leaders over the years the years e.g., leaky roof, rain be demolished as well. transition period. public as well as Fono employees have been hoping for a new coming in through the walls of The wing — closest to the A total of $1.5 million in that many photos of previous inter island dock — which revenues from the sale of the well known lawmakers, which houses the offices of faipules American Samoa Economic were on display in the main will not be taken down and will Development Authority bonds lobby of the building were remain on the Fono compound. has been allocated for the new removed by unknown persons When the Fono returns in Fono building, however there last month, just at the close of Salon Sophia July for the 2nd Regular Session, is no indication yet as to who the First Regular Session or Happy Mothers Day the Senate will use the Samoan the contractor is for the new sometime thereafter. Guest Fale, or Fale Samoa on building, or if a bid has even [photo: AF] 10% OFF ALL Chemical Treatments & ➧ Retail Products Joseph Taufetee is a rugby star… Continued from page 1 impression. But little did the He made his full interna- Taufete’e said. American Samoa-born know tional debut at Rugby World Noeleen told Samoa News, that meeting the woman of his Cup 2015 against eventual “I wake up every morning 30% OFF dreams would also help him Semifinalist South Africa, and continually thanking God that Thermal fulfill his sporting dream. earned a professional contract he created a man who knew Straightening Our NEW & EXCITING He said, “I wanted to do with PRO Rugby’s inaugural exactly how to make me feel HAIR COLORS anything to make them see that San Diego Breakers franchise loved. I’ve never had to ques- I was a good boy for Bette. shortly thereafter. tion his love, and he’s never • Deep Blue • Deep Ocean Green They talked so much about In the fall of 2016, Taufete’e shieded away from expressing • Deep Red • Furious Purple • Magenta rugby and how much the kids was given the responsibility it. But man does God works in - Call for more information on the new hair colors in the youth are doing so well at of captaining the USA Rugby mysterious ways and sure has Treat Yourself or better yet it. So I thought if I play rugby Selects at the Americas Pacific a quite a sense of humor! Joe treat someone you care for and do good then they would be Challenge developmental tour- wouldn’t have made it this far, so impressed with me.” nament in Uruguay. if it weren’t for God. I’m just • Give the gift of beautiful hair! Taufete’e’s wife told Samoa At 286lb, he is thought to the lucky girl who was able to Gift Certificates available. Great as News, “To look back at that be the heaviest hooker in the witness it from day one.” stocking stuffers! Good ‘til May 30th time and see how God used world. His powerhouse phy- Taufete’e concluded by Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out Joe’s intentions of impressing sique has helped him make an saying, “Our relationship was there and to all our friends & customers. my family and I, to bring him impact with English Premier- God sent through everything We accept Credit Cards too! to where he’s at now with his ship side Worcester Warriors that has happened with rugby, Call us for an appointment today rugby career is always funny.” since joining in December last my wife and me. God has seen 699-4091 Since meeting his in-laws, year. He currently now lives every step of the way. For Taufete’e has gone on to play in in England playing for the the young athletes pursuing a varying levels of rugby across Worcester Warriors and the dream in sports in the Samoa the world. USA Eagles. Islands, God has blessed our FAIRNESS In 2011, he was a member “As a Samoan, growing people with a gift. Our talents of the Belmont Shores u19s up in the states, our motiva- are from God and we have to We make an issue before moving up to the Bel- tion is to play in the NFL. do what we can to glorify His of it every day. mont Shore D1 side a year Now playing rugby around the name.” later. In 2014, Taufete’e split world, I meet a lot of Samoans He also wanted to give a If you want to comment time playing for Sciota Valley and it’s humbling. I see these special mention to his families about our fairness, call R.F.C.