Pacific economies will grow in 2025, but turbulence likely ahead

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is offering a sunny outlook on the Pacific economy, but with clouds on the horizon. In its latest forecasts, the Bank puts economic growth at 4.1 percent regionwide, while projecting a...

Governor explains his action on FY2026 budget bill

Governor Pulaaii Nikolao Pula says he signed the Fiscal Year 2026 budget bill “not out of convenience but out of commitment to the wellbeing of our workforce and the stability of our homeland.” In an official statement on his action on the budget...

Governor signs budget bill preventing an ASG shutdown

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On September 30, 2025, at 3:34 p.m., the Governor’s Office received the Fiscal Year 2026 budget bill from the Fono, only hours before the start of the new fiscal year. Despite this short window of time, Governor...

Pacific Ocean Portal upgrade timely

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU The Pacific Ocean Portal upgrade has been described as ‘timely’, coming about when a lot of challenges are being reported across the region. The Pacific Community (SPC) recently launched the newly redeveloped Pacific Ocean...

Pacific islands bound by climate change, divided by deep-sea mining: Nauru…

“The climate crisis is not up for debate,” Micronesian President Wesley Simina said. “The only question is whether we will act with the urgency it demands.” Pacific island leaders agreed. At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly...

Governor signs FY2026 budget bill into law

Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula informed Fono leaders by letter Monday night that he has signed the Fiscal Year 2026 budget bill into law. He said his office received the budget bill at about 3:34 pm Monday and despite only having a few hours...

Pacific islands bound by climate change, divided by deep-sea mining: Nauru swimming against the tide

Deep-sea mining equipment. Photo courtesy of Impossible Metals “The climate crisis is not up for debate,” Micronesian President Wesley Simina said. “The only question is whether we will act with the urgency it demands.” Pacific island leaders...

Are American Samoans not traveling to Samoa as much?

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The answer is “YES” — at least for the month of August 2024. American Samoans are not traveling to Samoa as much — according to the latest Samoa Bureau of Statistics travel numbers which show a drop of 60 percent....

How will the US government shutdown affect American Samoa?

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington is bracing for what could be a prolonged federal shutdown after lawmakers deadlocked and missed the deadline for funding the government. Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government generally at...

Man assaults wife alleging he saw her standing with a demon

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On April 11, 2025, a man called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) and requested assistance regarding his sister, who was allegedly assaulted by her husband. The suspect was later arrested and charged with: Count 1:...

Young man with previous brushes with the law charged with disturbing the peace

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On August 13, 2025, a concerned mother called the Leone Police Substation (LPS) to request assistance regarding her son, who was allegedly causing a disturbance in their home. The suspect was charged with Count 1:...

More radioactive shrimp found, recall issued for frozen seafood sold in six states across the US

The FDA warns that long-term, repeated low-dose exposure can damage DNA in human cells and increase the risk of cancer. WASHINGTON — Even more shrimp is being recalled because it could be radioactive, federal regulators announced this week. Some...

Guam at the Pacific Islands Forum: ‘Business as Usual’ Despite External Partner Ban 

At this year’s Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders’ Meeting, the story that seemed to capture headlines was the decision by this year’s host, Solomon Islands, to disinvite all external partners from attendance. The reporting around this decision...

American Samoa Showcases Cultural Heritage with Inaugural Paogo Cultural Week 2025

The American Samoa Visitors Bureau (ASVB) proudly marked a milestone for the territory’s tourism and cultural calendar with the successful staging of the first Paogo Cultural Week, held 22–26 September 2025 at Suigaula. Dedicated to honoring the...

Senate VP clarifies that the Treasurer can permit partial payments on excise taxes for imported vehicles

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — During a Senate hearing yesterday morning, Magalei Logovi’i, the Vice President of the Senate, emphasized the authority granted to the Treasurer under the Administrative Code regarding Customs. He clarified that the...

Google Trends in the US territories: August 2025

Welcome back to our monthly series examining the top Google Trends in Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Trends data is an unbiased sample of Google search data. It’s anonymized...

Federal Government Shuts Down After Failed Senate Votes to Extend Funding

The federal government has shut down after the US Senate failed on partisan votes to pass either a House-passed Republican or Democratic short-term funding bill until full-year bills are passed. KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye...

Fono approves, sends to Governor FY2026 budget bill

The House and Senate reached agreement Tuesday morning on a final version of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget for ASG. At a conference committee the two chambers approved the House version of the budget bill. A reduction of $519,000 that the Senate...

Amount of businesses & individual excise tax liabilities mounting up

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Senate President Tuaolo Manai Fruean has convened a formal hearing to address the pressing issue of excise tax liabilities affecting both businesses and individuals within the community. Following consultations with the...

Governor nominates two new members of the Retirement Fund board

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula has announced revisions to his nominations for members of the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund Board of Trustees, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the governance of...