September 19, 2008
Malama News for September 19, 2008
Demolition Begins at Old Fagatogo Market Place
Demolition work began today on the old Fagatogo marketplace, which was closed down months ago as a new and more modern market will be constructed in its place.
Health Department Warns of Dengue Fever Outbreak in Pacific Islands
With the influx of visitors expected in our territory for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts, the Department of Health has issued a warning of dengue fever risk as outbreaks of the serious viral disease are occurring in some Pacific islands including festival participants New Caledonia, Tonga, and Kiribati.
PBDC Meeting Closes With Positive Outcomes
As chairman of the Pacific Basin Development Council, Governor Togiola Tulafono was recently in Kauai, Hawaii to attend the council’s annual meeting which was held on June 25th and 26th. Also in attendance of the meeting were First Lady Maryann Tulafono, Department of Commerce Deputy Director Lelei Peau, and Acting Director of the Department of Homeland Security Tuala Mike Sala.
GAO Releases Report on States and Territories
The Government Accountability Office has released its report covering funding from 1995 to 2007 for the United States and its territories. The GAO, which serves as the investigative arm of the U.S. Congress, submitted the report on Tuesday to leaders of the U.S. House Committee on Judiciary.
More Donations to the Arts Festival
The total monetary donations made toward hosting the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts surpassed the $400,000 mark, as Young Mart in Utulei presented the festival organizers with their donation to help with hosting the major regional event.
PICED Basic Computer Course for Parents Ends
A five week course on basic computer skills for parents was completed yesterday with certidicates of completion being presented to those parents who took advantage of the opportunity. The courses were held in the eastern district at Fagaitua High School, and in the western district at the PICED office.
Lieutenent Colonel Max Galeai Laid to Rest
Lieutenant Colonel Max Galeai was laid to rest today at his family’s home in Leone. His requiem mass was held at the Holy Cross parish in Leone and hundreds of people from the community, including government and traditional leaders, family, relatives and friends attended.
New Grandstand at Stadium Dedicated
A brief ceremony was held this morning to dedicate the new grandstand at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna.
Fiber Optic Project Reviewed by PNRS
The fiber cable optic project was reviewed last night during a public hearing hosted by the Project Notification and Review System Board. The hearingʼs main focus was to discuss the environmental impact the proposed project would have on American Samoa. Approximately ten members of the public were in attendance, along with members of the PNRS board and officials of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority.
Samoa Wood Carver Helps With Fale Vaa Decor
The Festival Village is really coming together in Utulei, where most of the activities for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts will take place. Construction of the seven Samoan fale on the beach and the 27 on the Samoana High School malae are just about completed.
Young Local Artists Chosen to Paint with Wyland in China
Four lucky students of American Samoa will be heading to China on July 15 to participate in an art project led by world renowned artist Wyland, who was recently on island to paint a mural at the EOB in Utulei. An invitation was sent to Governor Togiola Tulafono last month to offer a rare opportunity for up to six local student artists who will assist Wyland in painting his 100th mural project.
Local Baseball Players Leave for Off-Island Training
Four young American Samoa baseball players and a local coach left island last night for Australia to attend a two-week training course that is being put together by the Baseball Confederation of Oceania.
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Max Galeai Killed in Iraq
Sad news was received in the territory last week, as another Toa o Samoa was killed in action at the warfront in Iraq.
Del Monte Confirms Star Kist Sale to Dongwon
South Korean food giant Dongwon Group has confirmed that it will buy the seafood division of Del Monte Foods, which includes Starkist Seafood, for $363 million.
Utu and Nua Talk With Private Sector Gathering
Invitations were sent out by gubernatorial candidates Utu Abe Malae and Nua Mailo Saoluaga to invite members of American Samoa’s private sector to a dinner that was held this past Friday at the Famous Restaurant in Nuuuli. The dinner had a good turnout, and it opened windows for discussion on how the government and the private sector can work together in the best interest of American Samoa.
Stray Dog Eradication Program Going Full Steam
The Department of Agriculture is continuing its efforts to eradicate stray dogs in the territory, especially with the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts just around the corner.
More Donations to the Arts Festival
Cost U Less store today became the latest donor toward the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts. Today, Cost U Less presented their contribution to the festival organizers at their big warehouse store in Tafuna.
Samoan Mayor of Burnsville, Minnesota Elected Vice President of USCM
Mayor Elizabeth Malaepapa Langkilde Kautz was elected Second Vice President and Advisory Board Chair for the United States Conference of Mayors, the USCM, at the organization’s annual meeting in Miami, Florida. The post positions Mayor Kautz on a three year ascent to eventually lead the national organization in starting in June 2010.
LBJ and DOH Prepare for Arts Festival
The Department of Health and LBJ Hospital are working hard to make sure they are prepared to accommodate the medical needs of the visitors who will be in American Samoa for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts. LBJ Hospital is stocking up with extra medical supplies and staff members of DOH are undergoing training to familiarize themselves with the new mobile MASH units, which are basically tents conveniently power equipped to provide a functional field hospital.
Donations to the Arts Festival Continue to Roll In
Another big day for the organizing committee of the festival of pacific arts, with donations continuing to pour in from the community.
CSM Tuileama Nua to Head Tripler Army Medical Center
A native of American Samoa has been chosen to fill the post of Command Sergeant Major for the Pacific Regional Medical Command at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Tuileama Toatolu Nua has accepted the vacant position and is expected to arrive in Honolulu soon with his wife and children.
Festival Media Center Named in Honor of Bank of Hawaii
The Bank of Hawaii, as the first Platinum Sponsor for the Festival of Pacific Arts, has asked for, and received acquistion rights to name the Festival Media Center in honor of the bank. Located next to the Festival Village at Samoana High School, the Media Center will hereafter be called the Bank of Hawaii Media Center to honor our first Platinum Sponsor. Platinum Sponsors are donors who have given 50,000 USD to support the Festival.
McDonalds Presents Scholarship Awards
McDonalds American Samoa today presented its scholarship awards to four graduates for 2008.
Samoan Recording Artist Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges
Samoan recording artist Aziel Al Toeaina appeared in the Honolulu federal court yesterday to face drug charges, of which he pled guilty to. Toeaina, who is known as “AZ” in the music industry, was arrested in December when agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized $29,969 cash in three unwrapped packages of Hawaiian Host chocolates. The packages were in a shopping bag that was next to a bag that Toeaina admitted was his. According to court records, a drug-sniffing canine detected the presence of illegal narcotics on the cash that was seized.
