Travel Channel does Ofu Island!

Ofu Island was featured on the Travel Channel's Beach Week this year. Ofu Island is among the Travel Channel's America's Best Beaches 2004! CLICK HERE for more information.

Video: Ofu Beach, American Samoa - Deep in the South Pacific, Ofu Beach in American Samoa is the best kept secret beach. Pristine waters house coral reefs, and the jungle provides the perfect backdrop.

Lack of facilities keeps National Park of American Samoa off the beaten track By Robert Cross, Chicago Tribune, Posted on Sun, Jun. 27, 2004

The National Parks Project (2002-2004) - Since September, 2002, artist Scott W. Parker has been crisscrossing the country by specially-outfitted Jeep, on foot, by kayak, by ferry and bush plane with a singular, visionary goal: to document the National Park Service's 56 diverse National Parks, spanning from the Arctic Circle to the Everglades, through painting, pastel drawing, photography and writing. His pictures include the National Park in American Samoa.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Intercon Publishing announces letters from Samoa

IRVINE, CA - March 15, 2004 - INTERCON PUBLISHING, Irvine, CA announces the release of Letters from Samoa--Life, Love and Lore of the Manua Islands by Mary Elizabeth La Haye of Newport Beach, California.

The work is based on letters written in the years 1936-1939 by the author's aunt and uncle, US Navy couple, Anna and Wray Harris. It weaves the story of fa'a Samoa--the Samoan way--from Luma, Ta'u, American Samoa. This collection and the correspondence between Wray Harris and Dr. C. Montague Cooke, pioneer malacologist for the Bishop Museum, Honolulu, gives an exceptional insight into the life in American Samoa.

We share her candor and emotion as we stand with the natives and watch the skies for Amelia Earhart; see ancient beliefs, modern religion and medicine in a survival conflict: watch ritual ceremonies for birthing, marriages, and death The tales of loneliness, disease and perils of Mother Nature prove a challenge to Anna and Wray, but with all this, laughter and beauty linger.

The author visited the islands of Ta'u, Ofu and Olosega in 1994, as well as Pago Pago on Tutuila and Apia, Western Samoa.

The book includes four color maps, over 50 sepia and colored photographs, table of contents and index. Also included are letters written by Anna and Wray after watching the attack on Pearl Harbor from their home in Kilihi Valley. The Addendum relates the author's determined search for a baby born in Luma in 1937 and the conclusion of the 1994 findings in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Letters from Samoa, Mary Elizabeth La Haye, ISBN 0-9632235-1-8, hardcover $24.95, and ISBN 0-9632235-2-6, softcover $19.95, 168 pages. Distributor: Baker & Taylor

Source: Washingtonpost.com
Opportunity Island Hoping:
In American Samoa, High School Football Is Seen as the Ultimate Escape
By Eli Saslow

Solomona Aoelua (Mar. 6, 2006): In case you missed it during its national broadcast yesterday, Congressman Faleomavaega wants to share with you the attached Internet link to an "NBC Indepth" video news report on military recruiting in American Samoa. Titled "Call of Duty," the report echos the point made first in an USA Today article on May 27, 2005 and later by several others that on on a per capita basis, American Samoa has the highest casualty rate since the beginning of the war on terror - more than any state or territory of the United States. The report is 3:00 minutes long and is preceded by a commercial.   CLICK HERE to see the video.

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Business & Economy_

Manu'a tourism improves slightly because of more flights says Senate report
By Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent

A Senate report last week revealed that the tourism industry in Manu'a has improved slightly, attributed to the increase of flights to the islands.

Inter Island Airways is currently the only airline serving the Manu'a islands.

The 50-page Senate report, which was forwarded to Governor Togiola, followed a six-member Senate delegation site visit to the island group last month to look at areas such as education, health, infrastructure and transportation.

"It was encouraging to see semblance of the tourism industry starting to take hold," the report said and noted that discussions held with the owner/operator of Asaga Inn on Ofu revealed the steady rise in the motel's occupancy rate in the last six months.

The owner "attributes the growth to the increase in the number of daily flights and the increase in the number of government agencies holding office functions in Manu'a, instead of the usual practice of going to Western Samoa," the report says. "Tremendous potential exists in tourism development."

The report recommends ASG assist Manu'a entrepreneurs to establish economic need.

The report notes with concern that Inter Island has not secured appropriate certification to fully operate as a scheduled carrier. Inter Island's FAA certification is for on-demand charter service, but the Samoa government - which has granted Inter Island an extension to operate flights until Dec. 31 - wants the carrier to obtain certification to operate scheduled services.

Meanwhile, the Senate report urges government and FAA to extend the Ofu Airport runway enabling larger aircraft such as Inter Island's 20-passenger seater plane to land. Inter Island's 9-seater plane is used mainly for Ofu flights.

Inter Island raised the issue with government last year and argued that the runway needed to be extended for another 1,000 feet to offset the wind shear factor as the plane engages in a steep landing approach to maximize the use of the runway.

The extension project began last year, but the discovery of 'blue coral' at both ends of the runway led to a study being conducted to determine alternative strategies. However, according to the Senate report, a final report regarding the study has not been issued yet.

"Compliant with our philosophy of creating economic need, the government and the airline must aggressively pursue mitigation actions to improve the reliability of air services to the Manu'a Islands," it says.

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Politics_

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Faleomavaega elected Chairman of Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Aisa, the Pacific and the Global Environment

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that on January 27, 2009 he was elected to serve a second term as the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment. Faleomavaega’s colleagues elected him by unanimous consent.

Re-elected in November, 2008 to serve an eleventh term in the U.S. Congress by the people of American Samoa, Faleomavaega is the longest serving and only Samoan in the U.S. Congress. He is also the first Member of the U.S. Congress from the Asia Pacific region to ever serve as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, having first been elected to chair the subcommittee in the 110th Congress.

The Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment has broad oversight and jurisdiction over U.S. foreign policies affecting Australia, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region), Cook Islands, East Timor, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, North Korea, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. The subcommittee also has jurisdiction over issues relating to the global environment, international fisheries agreements, and the law of the sea.

"I thank the people of American Samoa whose chairmanship this is," Faleomavaega said. "I am honored to serve on their behalf and represent American Samoa's interests in the Asia Pacific region. I also thank my colleagues on the Foreign Affairs Committee for their support. As one whose roots are from the region, I look forward to bringing a Pacific perspective to U.S. foreign policy affecting this part of the world, and to working closely with the Obama Administration and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to bring renewed commitment and attention to this vital region that has been overlooked for too long."

"We have serious work to do as we begin the process of rebuilding America at home, and promoting U.S. interests abroad, but I am confident that change has come, and we will be successful in our efforts," Faleomavaega concluded.

Accompanied by a few members of his Washington, DC staff, Congressman Faleomavaega is administered the oath of office for the 111th Congress by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Earlier in the day, the House membership made history again by reelecting Speaker Pelosi to a second term as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Pelosi is the first woman Speaker of the House. L-R: David Richmond, Joe Faamuli, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Hana Atuatasi, Congressman Faleomavaega, and Solomona Aoelua. (contributed by: Solomona Aoelua) To contribute stories and articles, press here to find out how to contact me.

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Everyone an embassador_

Here's a letter to Samoanews that shows the need to educate everyone in American Samoa to take tourism seriously. While other island communities look at tourism as a vital part of their economies, there are still those in American Samoa who don't care. Maybe it'll take the canries leaving American Samoa or an end to federal subsidies to wake people up and take this seriously.

"Tourism Mishap"
Dear Editor, With all the talk of the tourism conference in LA, I thought I would relate a bad experience I had touring the island of Tutuila last week. Last Friday, my wife and I took my visiting mother-in-law on a tour of the west side. When we arrived in one village, I parked the car next to a beach. I knew or thought I knew the procedure for accessing beaches in villages. I walked up to a nearby house and spoke to a nice, friendly gentleman. I asked if we could walk the beach and he replied, "Sure. No problem." We began walking the beach, mainly looking for shells. As we approached a house next to the beach, an older man, who I later learned was a high chief, appeared. He began talking to us, and I approached him. I began by trying to explain that we had asked permission to use the beach from a guy across the road. His response was, "You have to leave now!" End of conversation. This inhospitable and unwelcoming attitude soured the rest of the afternoon and our tour of the west side. Plenty needs to be done regarding the trash problem and dog overpopulation, but attitudes need to change as well. This experience stands in contrast to enjoyable experiences in the villages of Masefou, Vatia, and Aunu'u (among others). You may care less Mr. High Chief, but my family will never be visiting your village again. With your pompous and nasty attitude you ruined what would have otherwise been a wonderful afternoon touring the island. Harvey and Alicia Kincaid

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News from Washington, D.C._

News from Daniel Kahikina Akaka, U.S. Senator for Hawaii

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2009

Contact: Jesse Broder Van Dyke (Akaka) 202-224-7045

LEGISLATION TO ENSURE FAIR RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR FED ERAL WORKERS IN HAWAII , ALASKA & U.S. TERRITORIES

Washington, D.C.– Today, the Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act was introduced in Congress to ensure pay and retirement equity for federal employees in Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories. The legislation was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Mark Begich (D-Alaska), and in the House by Representatives Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), Don Young (R-Alaska) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Delegates Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa), Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam) and Donna M. Christensen (D-Virgin Islands).

Federal workers in Hawaii, Alaska and the U.S. territories currently receive a non-foreign cost of living allowance (COLA) based on the increased costs of living in those areas as compared to the District of Columbia. But unlike locality pay received by federal employees in the contiguous 48 states, COLA is not factored in for retirement purposes. Furthermore, while locality rates generally increase, non-foreign COLA rates have been gradually declining and are scheduled to drop for all non-foreign COLA areas later this year.

The bill would freeze non-foreign COLA rates at their current levels and phase-in locality pay over the next three years. Non-foreign COLA would be phased out at a slower rate than locality pay is phased in. At the end of the three year period, if the locality pay rate is less than the offset amount of non-foreign COLA for a particular area, employees would continue to receive the difference in non-foreign COLA and locality pay until the locality rate reaches the offset COLA rate. Only at that time would employees no longer receive non-foreign COLA.

Senator Akaka said: "COLA rates are scheduled to go down this year, and in this difficult economy, federal employees in Hawaii, Alaska, and the territories cannot afford a loss of pay. For years, these federal employees have been unfairly disadvantaged in their retirement calculations compared to their counterparts in the continental United States. This bill would address this disparity and improve efforts to recruit and retain federal workers in our states and the territories."

Congressman Abercrombie said: "This is an important step in addressing the inequality between federal employees serving in the continental United States and those in more remote locations, such as Alaska, Hawaii and the territories. Federal employees throughout the nation are making an equal contribution to the health, well-being and security of our nation. They deserve equal treatment and should not be penalized in retirement for choosing to serve outside the 48 contiguous states."

Senator Murkowski said: "We came so close last year to giving Alaska's federal employees the certainty they need to make informed retirement decisions. The Senate passed the bill. The House of Representatives did not. Alaska's federal employees have spoken loud and clear that they prefer locality pay which counts toward their retirement over their current tax free COLA which does not. I am hopeful that Congress will act expeditiously this year to clear this legislation for the President's desk."

Congressman Young said: "With the rising costs of living in these areas, the pay gap between federal and non-federal employees continues to grow. Switching from COLA to locality pay over the next three years would cut this gap and increase retirement benefits for federal employees outside the 48 contiguous states. This bill allows our federal employees to stretch their retirement dollars and plan for their futures."

Senator Inouye said: "Today's reintroduction of the Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act by the Hawaii and Alaska delegations reaffirms our commitment to represent the best interests of our federal employees. We continue to work toward rectifying the difference in retirement benefits federal workers in the non-contiguous areas receive, versus their mainland counterparts, for their equally tireless and dedicated service to our country."

Senator Begich said: "Facing the nation's highest rates for gasoline and heating fuel, Alaska's federal employees and their families have faced undue economic burdens from the continuing devaluation of COLA benefits. This legislation will work to correct the inequity between federal workers in Alaska, Hawaii, the U.S. Territories, and those in the continental United States through a gradual transition to locality pay. I look forward to working on this legislation so that we may properly compensate our federal employees and continue to attract and keep qualified federal workers."

Congresswoman Hirono said: "Our federal employees serve us well, and should not be penalized in their retirement for choosing to serve outside the 48 contiguous states. I have heard from many constituents who feel they have no choice but to spend their final years of federal employment on the mainland, in order to receive the retirement benefits their mainland counterparts receive. Our public servants should not have to make that choice, and should be treated fairly for their services, regardless of where they live and work."

Delegate Faleomavaega said: "This legislation is long overdue. It has always been unfair for federal employees in American Samoa because they face the same issues driving higher prices for goods, services and travel as federal employees everywhere else. I am hopeful that Congress will act on this legislation immediately."

Last Congress, the Non-Foreign AREA Act passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent on October 2, 2008, but was never approved by the House. The Non-Foreign AREA Act as reintroduced today is nearly identical to the Senate-passed version, except that it would freeze the COLA rates on the date of enactment.

Senator Akaka, Chairman of the Senate subcommittee charged with oversight of the federal workforce, added: "I continue to encourage employees in Hawaii and the affected areas to provide me feedback on the reintroduced legislation through my website at http://akaka.senate.gov."

"A YEAR AT MALCOLM X: Second Chance at Success 'Sheriff' hauls 'em in Parent liaison pounds the pavement, bringing moms, dads to school." - A story of a Samoan American (Star Miles) working hard to save a school and improve families in her neighborhood in San Franscisco, California.