Large meth bust Friday

Transcription

1 Radioactive bluefin tuna crosses Pacific to US 6 ASG workers get paid to attend the Samoa Jubilee 2 Parents dilemma: Let our children play football? B1 Governor Togiola Tulafono lays a wreath of flowers on the waters at Utulei Beach to honor our fallen heroes during the special emorial Day ceremony that was held at Su igaula Park yesterday morning. The ceremony, that has in the past been held at the Satala graveyard, this year took place at the Faletele, located on Utulei Beach. [photo: AF] samoanews.com TOGIOLA: Ave sau faafetai i fitafita ma tuaa 10 Daily irculation 7,000 PAGO PAGO, AERIAN SAOA Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 $1.00 ASG failure to pay LBJ = $1 loss by Fili Sagapolutele Samoa News orrespondent The American Samoa Government s failure to pay required subsidies of more than $2 million in fiscal year 2011 resulted in a loss of $1 million to the LBJ edical enter at the close of F 2011, which ended Sept. 30, 2011, according to the independent auditor Wipfli, LLP, of Spokane, Wash. The auditors say that as of Sept. 30, 2011 the hospital employed 580 workers and had an annual payroll of $19 million, including benefits. The audit report states that the hospital s primary funding comes from a edicaid Block Grant based on allowable expenditures and local match, and provides for presumed edicaid eligibility for all American Samoan residents. The majority of the local funding match comes from patient receipts and a subsidy from the American Samoan Government (ASG), it says. During F2011, ASG did not provide $2.9 million [in subsidy] of the approved budget total of $4.6 million, which cost the hospital an additional $2.9 million of loss due to the edicaid match requirements, said auditors. This funding shortfall of $5.8 million represented 17% of the total F2011 budget of $33.9 million. The shortfall required the hospital to use all but $116,000 of the $2 million plus of cash reserves, significantly reduce travel, education, repairs and maintenance, and budgeted capital expenditures, the audit report states. The cost reductions and use of cash reserves were insufficient to offset the shortfall, so $1 mil- (ontinued on page 14) The Iakina High School graduation ceremony was held on Sunday for the lass of Samoa News will have full coverage, including photos, this week in Samoa News. [photo: AF] There were just two members of Pacific Horizon School s graduating lass of 2012, Valedictorian ee Jin Park (right) and Salutatorian Teresa Lin (left), pictured during their graduation ceremony held last week Friday. (Samoa News will provide full coverage of the PHS graduation ceremony, as it continues to bring the 2012 High School Graduation season.) [photo: TG] The 65 students of the lass of 2012 for Fa asao arist High School, seen here during their graduation ceremony held last Saturday morning at Fatu-o-Aiga Hall. (See full coverage inside today s Samoa News.) [photo: TG] Large meth bust Friday by Joyetter Feagaimaali i-luamanu Samoa News Staff reporter ethamphetamine that was found in a package that came through the mail over the weekend is believed to be the largest quantity found in the territory within the last five years, said ommander of the Vice and Narcotics Division aptain Peau Paulo Leuma. The VND aptain said the street value of the methamphetamine is valued at more than half a million dollars, while marijuana, which was also found, is valued at close to $5,000. The illegal drugs found in the package led to the arrest of 19-year old Folasa Galea i, who was present at the Post Office on Friday to claim the package. The methamphetamine found weighed close to 12 lbs.; and the marijuana found was close to one pound. Galea i was arrested on Friday and formally charged on Sunday with his bail set at $100,000. The young man is facing unlawful possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine with intent to distribute. This count carries a jail term of not more than 20 years and a fine of not more than $20,000 or both; and is also charged with unlawful possession of controlled substance, marijuana with intent to distribute which is punishable by not more than 20 years and a fine of not more than $20,000 or both. According to the government s case, police were contacted by hief ustom s Officer Glen Lefiti regarding their discoveries in a package that came through the mail. ourt affidavit says that when detectives with the VND arrived at the post office and (ontinued on page 14)

2 Page 2 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 ASG workers given absence with pay for Samoa Jubilee (ANSWER on page 14) STRANGE BUT TRUE By Samantha Weaver It was celebrated physicist Albert Einstein who made the following sage observation: Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. It was in 1917 when one Dr. Walter G. Walford wrote an article warning readers of the perils of tight collars and ties, claiming that such constricting neckwear caused illness by retarding the flow of blood to the brain. It s fairly well known that seahorses are monogamous, staying with the same mate until death. any people don t realize, however, that these fish are so devoted that every day they reaffirm their union with a morning greeting dance. When Ronald Reagan s daughter, Patti, got married, there were more security personnel than guests in attendance. America got its first paved street back in It was, unsurprisingly, in New ork ity. The fastest known star is traveling through space at a rate of 3.5 million miles per hour. The figure on the Heisman trophy was sculpted from a real person. Warren ulrey played football for Fordham University when John Heisman chose him to be the model for the new award. If you re like the average American, you use 2 gallons of water every time you brush your teeth. So turn off that faucet while you brush! If you like squash, corn, beans, pecans, chili peppers, pumpkins, maple syrup or cranberries, you have Native Americans to thank -- they re the ones who taught Europeans to gather and use these foods. In fact, by the end of the past century, fully one-third of all crops grown in the United States were of Native American origin. It s not easy to contemplate, but before there was toilet paper, American colonists used corncobs. ThOUGht for the Day Nothing pains some people more than having to think. artin Luther ing Jr. by Fili Sagapolutele Samoa News orrespondent Gov. Togiola Tulafono has granted excused absence with pay for all government employees who are directly participating in this year s 50th Anniversary Independence celebration in Samoa, and currently the inter Samoa flights are fully booked with extra flights added. Samoa s silver jubilee celebration runs from ay 30 to June 2 (all Samoa time) and village groups from American Samoa are participating in the siva and pese as well as the cricket tournament. In a ay 23 memorandum, the governor informed all department directors and heads of government offices that all ASG employees who are participating directly in representing American Samoa at the 50th Anniversary of Samoa s Independence celebrations in Apia are herewith granted excused absence with pay from work while they are directly participating. The memo included a list of employees which had been compiled by the Governor s Office and these employees are to be granted the excused absence. Any subsequent changes to the list are to be made only with approval of the governor s office, the memo states. Samoa News wasn t able to obtain a copy of the list so it was unclear at press time, as to the total number of ASG employees granted excused absence with pay. The flights out of Pago Pago on Sunday and onday (emorial Day) were busy, and the Independence celebration will be keeping inter Samoa flights very busy thru June 1. Toe Loia, local station manager for Polynesian Airlines, said the Samoa government owned airline is adding between five to eight extra flights and this means the airline is operating between eight to 12 flights, on average, per day. Because of the big demand in air travel, we are operating our second twin otter 19-seater aircraft, said Loia in a telephone interview. He also said peak travel to Apia began yesterday, and continues today and tomorrow heading into Thursday. Loia said Polynesian is accommodating family groups, sporting organizations, and the many individuals heading to Apia for the UB4O oncert, set for June 1 (Samoa time). At locally based Inter Island Airways, an airline official says they too have added extra flights to accommodate performing groups and extra traffic to Apia. The official says Inter Island is operating about five flights a day for Samoa, and will continue to provide regular service for the anu a island group. At this point, both airlines recommend that any last minute traveler wanting a confirmed seat on their flights to Samoa should purchase a ticket to get on the waiting list. During this busy time, we ask for the public s patience, as we do our best to accommodate everyone, said the Inter Island official. Both airlines are also adding extra flights between June 5 and June 8 to bring people home from the celebration. Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com

3 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 Page 3 Taking it to the outer isles, local Lions lub extends Project Eyecare to anu a by Teri Hunkin Samoa News staff The islands of anu a sit just northeast of Tutuila and Aunu u, a short 30 minute plane ride across the blue Pacific channel that separates the island groups of American Samoa. Nearly 1,000 residents of the territory claim Ta u as their home, and it is there the Lions lub of Pago Pago traveled earlier this year in service to others. It was a Project Eye are outreach that had been in the works for some time. Lion President Jacinta Brown said when she began her term as president that she was determined to make this happen. ore than two years ago, Lions had laid out plans, purchased tickets and chartered the plane. But the inevitable delays caused by weather, mechanical issues and everything ascribable to urphy s Law in the Pacific (including a tsunami) occurred in the meantime. With patience and persistence, however, the spirit of Lionism service to others prevailed, and this year, the Lions lub fulfilled a longstanding determination to serve the underserved residents of anu a. Along with Lion president inta Brown, 1st vice president (now president-elect) Isabel Hudson, charter president ike Sala, immediate past president and zone chair Peter Nomura, past presidents Lor Baul and this erstwhile writer, LBJ eye clinic staff, DOH nursing staff and Lion director Fiu Johnny Saelua, the members of the club flew out to Ta u on a sunny weekend in arch to bring much needed vision screening, glasses (and maybe the luck of the Irish, it was, after all St. Patrick s Day) along with them. LBJ ophthalmologist and long time Lions lub volunteer and board member, Dr. Ernest Oo led the team of three physicians, which included Dr. harles Weingarten, an Ear Nose and Throat specialist who regularly visits the territory from his busy practice in hicago, and Dr. Lucy Goh, a pediatrician who has joined the LBJ staff for two years. Dr. Goh said she was absolutely delighted to be a member of the team, and would go back again if given the chance. Dr. Weingarten echoed the sentiment. Several Ta u residents offered their homes and kitchen facilities to the lub; the Lions lub was happy to compensate them for their time and effort. It is,after all, part of our fundraising-- to be able to help others in all the ways we can said the Lion president. The two day clinic was able to offer vision screening, auditory screening, general pediatric checkups, along with eye, ears, nose and throat (ENT) checkups. Before leaving Ta u, the Lions dispensed new reading glasses and sunglasses to over 100 residents, while also referring 12 cases for follow-up treatment to LBJ edical enter. According to Dr. Oo, 120 total eye exams were given, with 94 pairs of glasses, including 64 prescription eye glasses (some individuals with unusual eye problems received more than one pair). Eight cataract cases were detected, and six cases of diabetic retinopathy. It should be noted that diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the Pacific. Diabetes, along with other non-communicable diseases, has been called epidemic by leading health care professionals in the territory. Diabetic retinopathy is thoroughly preventable, if caught in time. According to medical professionals, with careful attention to diet, exercise and regular check ups, no one ever should go blind from diabetes. One of the first lines of defense in the fight against diabetic retinopathy is the eye exam, which is what Dr. Oo and the Lions were there for. Also part of the team were LBJ Eye linic nursing and administration staff, Blanche Uitu, Tuaotala Boat, and Fatima Lafaele. From the ASG Department of Health, Fa afetai andall joined the group. In addition to the eye exams, some 30 ENT cases were seen, and 24 pediatric cases were examined. Upon returning to Tutuila, the Lions lub of Pago Pago began planning their next community outreach, which occurred this month, again under the direction of Dr. Oo, who, along with LBJ ENT physician, Dr. Tuioletai alaela gave courtesy eye and ENT exams to the residents of Hope House. Gratitude was expressed to the many residents of Ta u who assisted the Lions, including Dr. alo Tuiolosega, Public Health nurse Puaina Filoialii oeai, Ale Filoialii, and Niumea and alia Salevao, among others. The Lions also thanked Inter-Island Airways, and pilots Harry Hopkinson and Joey isaalefua for their kind and professional assistance in transporting the group with all of their equipment and supplies. The Lions lub in anu a for Project Eyecare. [photo: tlh]

4 Page 4 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 E valani s In Pago HAPP HOUR SPEIALS ON - SAT6 5-9P Budweiser $2.50 ARAOE Biggest & Best Selection of all your favorite songs BOO OUR PARTIES WITH US Staff, Graduation, Farewell, Bridal, Baby Showers, eetings etc... TAOS $1.00 argaritas $3.50 Rum & oke $3.50 OPEN FOR BREAFAST, LUNH, DINNER! otu-o-fiafiaga otel ROO RATE SPEIAL $50 per night all , ATTENTION ALL VETERANS by Joyetter Feagaimaali i-luamanu Samoa News Staff reporter ASE OF AN AUSED OF DISANTLING GRAVE A man accused of dismantling a relative s gravesite has been charged with property damage, and will be arraigned in High ourt today. Edward Avegalio is facing is a class D felony punishable by up to five years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 or both. Avegalio is set to enter his plea today after he waived his rights to a preliminary examination last week in District ourt. According to the government s case, the victim is the widow of the deceased, whose gravesite was allegedly damaged by the defendant. The victim filed a complaint with the Department of Public Safety at the West Substation on or about July 22, 2011, and the case resurfaced seven months later when it was assigned to the riminal Investigation Division for investigation. ourt documents state that the investigating officers interviewed four witnesses who told police they saw Avegalio knocking down poles with a IF OU ARE A VETERAN, URRENT OR PRIOR STATUS FEDERAL EPLOEE, HERE IS OUR OPPORTUNIT TO BEOE A FULL-TIE GS VA EPLOEE IN HILO, ONA, AHULUI, LIHUE, PAGO PAGO OR AGANA WORING FOR THE VA PAIFI ISLANDS HEALTH ARE SSTE (VAPIHS) SERVING VETERANS EVER DA!!! This GS-7 position serves as the Administrative Support Assistant to the hief edical Officer (O) at the ommunity Based Outpatient linics (LISTED ABOVE) providing primary program oversight and support to the Rural Health are Service, collaborating with the O in handling all program support functions for the clinic and service line. Six positions will be filled, one at each VA linic. Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. The grade may have been in any occupation but must have been held in the Federal service. A SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. Time-In- Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. redit will be given for all appropriate qualifying experience regardless of whether compensation was received or whether the experience was gained as a part-time or full-time. To seek further information on conditions of employment, proficiency requirements and a detailed position description and/or to apply for this position, please go to either and refer to position # or go to direct link: Please note this position recruitment solicitation will have a defined opening date of ay 25, 2012 and closing date of June 1, VAPIHS is an equal opportunity employer. If you have Questions, Please ontact either s Denice Ah Nee or s Dyonne Andaya at tel: sledgehammer while other men were clearing away the lumber and rebar Avegalio had knocked down. The detectives also interviewed two men, who were with Avegalio at the scene, when he was allegedly damaging the gravesite; and told police all they did was clear up the construction debris from what Avegalio had knocked down. Avegalio told investigating officers he is the nephew of the landowner of the land on which the gravesite is located; and is quoted in the police affidavit as saying the family did not want anything done to the gravesite until the family had decided, however the family later found out the victim started constructing an overhead cover to the gravesite. According to court documents, Avegalio s family told the carpenters to halt the building of the gravesite. It s alleged that Avegalio admitted to police he damaged the gravesite by knocking down the cement poles with a 10-pounder hammer. ourt documents state that damages are estimated at about $3,000 with $1,200 for materials used and $1,800 for the carpenters. ALAE GAUTA SHEDULED FOR PLEA AGREEENT A man who s facing charges after he allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 15-year old girl is scheduled to have his plea agreement before the High ourt and presided over by hief Justice ichael ruse. alake Gauta is facing statutory rape, deviate sexual assault, first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. According to the government s case, Gauta had a sexual relationship with the 15-yearold girl between July and September last year. The incident came to light when the girl s mother found the defendant in her house with her daughter and a 17-year-old niece. Gauta has been in custody of police since 2011 with his bail set at $50,000. FATHER AUSED OF THREATENING HIS DAUGHTER WITH GUN A man who allegedly threatened his daughter at knife point and then with a gun had his pre-trial conference rescheduled from last Friday to this morning. The man appeared in High ourt last Friday before hief Justice ichael ruse, however a brief continuance was requested, which was granted by ruse. Samoa News is withholding the name of the defendant to protect the identity of the victim. The father remains in jail on bail of $3,200 and is facing unlawful use of a weapon, third degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, and public peace disturbance. According to the government s case the father was upset at his daughter when someone called his cell phone. He asked the daughter whose it was, and she said she didn t know. Police have confiscated the rifle and the knife that were allegedly used during the incident. reach the reporter at joyetter@gmail.com Osini Faleatasi Inc. reserves all rights. dba Samoa News is published onday through Saturday, except for some local and federal holidays. Please send correspondences to: OF, dba Samoa News, Box 909, Pago Pago, American Samoa ontact us by Telephone at (684) ontact us by Fax at (684) ontact us by at samoanews@samoatelco.com Normal business hours are on. thru Fri. 8am to 5pm. Permission to reproduce editorial and/or advertisements, in whole or in part, is required. Please address such requests to the Publisher at the address provided above.

5 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 Page 5 AFOA & LE I AFOA & LE I ONGRATULATIONS! lass of 2012 This ad has been paid for by the commi3ee to elect AFOA L.S. LUTU & LE I SONN THOPSON for Governor & Lt. Governor American Samoa,

6 Page 6 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 Radioactive bluefin tuna crosses Pacific This arch 5, 2007 file photo shows workers harvesting bluefin tuna from aricultura s tuna pens near Ensenada, exico. New research found increased levels of radiation in Pacific bluefin tuna caught off the coast of Southern alifornia. Scientists said the radiation found in the fish came from Japan s Fukushima nuclear plant that was crippled by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. (AP Photo/hris Park, File) NOTIE OF FORELOSURE SALE NOTIE IS HEREB GIVEN, pursuant to A.S..A , that ANZ-Amerika Samoa Bank, intends to foreclose on that certain mortgage, recorded in the Office of the Territorial Registrar o n February 20, 2003, in Volume No. LT 6 p , and that the property subject to the mortgage will be sold at a public auction. Property to be Sold: All of the mortgagor s interest in that certain parcel of land, structures and improvements on that certain parcel of real property situated in the village of Vaitogi, ounty of Tualauta, American Samoa, Land Square 31, Unit, more particularly described as follows: All that certain real property situated in the Village of Vaitogi, ounty of Tualauta, Island of Tut uila, American Samoa, being a portion of land called Aloipiu together with all tenements, hereditament and appurtenances thereto belonging and all rights, title, interest, if any of Grantor in and to any streets, roads, pathways and easements abutting the premises, said premises being more fully described as follows: Beginning at the southeast corner, of this lot, the coordinates of said being X= and = referenced to the American Samoa Survey Datum of Run thence on azimuth , feet to a point, thence on azimuth , 99.0 feet to a point; thence on azimuth , feet to a point, thence on azimuth feet to the point of beginning. ontaining an area of 0.25 acres more or less. Date of Sale: The foreclosure previously scheduled will take place on ay 25, 2012 will now take place on June 28, 2012, at 10 a.m. at the property unless postponed by public announcement. inimum Bid: $150, plus accrued interest to the date of sale, attorney s fees and all costs. Seller reserves the right to reject any and all offers. Property Description: This property is individually owned land. ontact: Attorney Billie L. Evans III, at the Ashley & Associates, P.., phone number LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Across the vast Pacific, the mighty bluefin tuna carried radioactive contamination that leaked from Japan s crippled nuclear plant to the shores of the United States 6,000 miles away - the first time a huge migrating fish has been shown to carry radioactivity such a distance. We were frankly kind of startled, said Nicholas Fisher, one of the researchers reporting the findings online onday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The levels of radioactive cesium were 10 times higher than the amount measured in tuna off the alifornia coast in previous years. But even so, that s still far below safe-to-eat limits set by the U.S. and Japanese governments. Previously, smaller fish and plankton were found with elevated levels of radiation in Japanese waters after a magnitude-9 earthquake in arch 2011 triggered a tsunami that badly damaged the Fukushima Dai-ichi reactors. But scientists did not expect the nuclear fallout to linger in huge fish that sail the world because such fish can metabolize and shed radioactive substances. One of the largest and speediest fish, Pacific bluefin tuna can grow to 10 feet and weigh more than 1,000 pounds. They spawn off the Japan coast and swim east at breakneck speed to school in waters off alifornia and the tip of Baja alifornia, exico. Five months after the Fukushima disaster, Fisher of Stony Brook University in New ork and a team decided to test Pacific bluefin that were caught off the coast of San Diego. To their surprise, tissue samples from all 15 tuna captured contained levels of two radioactive substances - ceisum-134 and cesium that were higher than in previous catches. To rule out the possibility that the radiation was carried by ocean currents or deposited in the sea through the atmosphere, the team also analyzed yellowfin tuna, found in the eastern Pacific, and bluefin that migrated to Southern alifornia before the nuclear crisis. They found no trace of cesium-134 and only background levels of cesium-137 left over from nuclear weapons testing in the 1960s. The results are unequivocal. Fukushima was the source, said en Buesseler of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who had no role in the research. Bluefin tuna absorbed radioactive cesium from swimming in contaminated waters and feeding on contaminated prey such as krill and squid, the scientists said. As the predators made the journey east, they shed some of the radiation through metabolism and as they grew larger. Even so, they weren t able to completely flush out all the contamination from their system. Pacific bluefin tuna are prized in Japan where a thin slice of the tender red meat prepared as sushi can fetch $24 per piece at top Tokyo restaurants. Japanese consume 80 percent of the world s Pacific and Atlantic bluefin tuna. The real test of how radioactivity affects tuna populations comes this summer when researchers planned to repeat the study with a larger number of samples. Bluefin tuna that journeyed last year were exposed to radiation for about a month. The upcoming travelers have been swimming in radioactive waters for a longer period. How this will affect concentrations of contamination remains to be seen. Now scientists also want to track the movements of other migratory species including sea turtles, sharks and seabirds. New Zealand triplets, age 2, among Qatar mall dead WELLINGTON (AP) -- Prime inister John ey and others offered condolences Tuesday to the New Zealand parents whose 2-year-old triplets were among the 13 children killed in a fire in a shopping mall in Qatar. New Zealand media on Tuesday identified the triplets as Lillie, Jackson and Willsher Weekes. Their parents, Jane and artin Weekes, previously lived in Wellington. Our daughter rang. What can you say? It s absolutely devastating, the children s grandmother, Jo Turner, told Fairfax edia. In all, 19 people died in the fire that broke out late onday morning in Villaggio mall in the capital Doha. At least some of the victims died as rescuers struggled to reach a child care center at the mall, according to Qatar s inister of State for Interior Affairs, Sheik Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani. Obviously it s a very tragic day for that family and my thoughts are with them during this difficult time, ey told reporters. Turner said her daughter had lived in Qatar for about five years, although she had returned to New Zealand to give birth to the triplets. They were everything to her. She was a great mum. She was a hands-on mum, Turner told Fairfax. I didn t push her for any information. She just told us what she needed to tell us. It was just that Our babies, they died in a fire at the day care center. According to artin Weekes profile on networking site LinkedIn, he works as a senior adviser at Qatar edia Services and was a former chief executive of Auckland s Eden Park sports stadium. Eden Park Trust spokeswoman Tracy organ confirmed that in the late 1990s, Weekes headed the trust that oversees the stadium.

7 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 Page 7 Pati Lepou guilty in stabbing of ANZ Bank security guard by Joyetter Feagaimaali i-luamanu Samoa News Staff reporter A 5-member jury, comprising 4 women and 1 man, on Thursday last week found inmate Pati Lepou guilty of three felony charges: first-degree robbery, escape from custody and first-degree assault. The three day trial was presided over by hief Justice ichael ruse. Lepou is one of four inmates who escaped from the Tafuna orrectional facility in January 2010 and assaulted an ANZ bank security guard. The defendant, who was represented by ark Ude, was found guilty of first degree robbery, first degree assault and escape from confinement. Prosecuting this matter was Assistant AG ecilia Reyna assisted by AAG imberly Hyde. The government called to the stand Lepou s cellmates from the time of the incident, David aea, Sefo Lemalu and Gasona afiti, who told the court they managed to open their cell with a key which belonged to a correctional officer, saying they climbed over the fence before they came across the ANZ security guard. Gasona afiti, also known as Gasona oemoe, told the court that it was David aea s idea to escape from jail. He said he was asleep when he was awoken by David and he saw that the door to their cell was open. He added that they left that night to go to David s friend s house. When we got there, David s friend was not there so we walked to the Lions Park said Gasona. Assistant AG Reyna asked the defendant why they had walked to Lions Park, and Gasona stated they wanted to make use of their escape from jail. The jury heard from Gasona that they saw the security guard sleeping and it was Sefo Lemalu s idea to beat up the guard and take the keys to his car. Prosecutor Reyna reminded Gasona that in his written statement that was given to the investigating officer, it was Pati s name that was in the written statement. I wrote Sefo s name, however it was Aiono who forced me to put Pati s name on the statement because Pati is the only one that is refuting the allegations that he left the prison cell. Aiono, referring to Detective Siaosi Aiono, was the lead investigating officer for this case, and second in ommand with the riminal Investigation Division. Gasona continued his testimony and stated that Sefo took the first punch and the security guard fell and then Pati joined in beating the guard. He admitted that he held the victim s legs while his co-defendants assaulted the victim. Then Pati told aea to stab the security. aea stabbed him but missed. Gasona went on to say the victim managed to get up and run away, however Sefo ran after him and punched him and then they ran away from the scene. The jury deliberated for about an hour and it was close to 4:00 p.m. when they delivered the guilty verdict. ruse scheduled sentencing for the defendant on July, , and ordered a probation report. According to the government s case Lepou, Gasona, Lemalu and aea escaped from jail after they removed keys to their cell from a TF guard s keychain. It s alleged that when the defendants walked toward the ANZ bank they saw the security guard and according to the government s case, Lepou Witness: naked attacker was chewing man s face IAI (AP) -- A witness says a naked man chewing on the face of another naked man on a downtown highway ramp kept eating and growled at a police officer who fatally shot him to make him stop. Larry Vega told WSVN-TV in iami that he was riding his bicycle Saturday afternoon off the acarthur auseway that connects downtown iami with iami Beach when he saw the savage attack on the bridge s off-ramp. The guy was, like, tearing him to pieces with his mouth, so I told him, Get off! Vega said. The guy just kept eating the other guy away, like, ripping his skin. The slain man was identified by the iami-dade ounty edical Examiner s office as Rudy Eugene, 31, iami television station WFOR reported. Vega flagged down a iami police officer, who he said repeatedly ordered the attacker to get off the victim. The attacker just picked his head up and growled at the officer, Vega said. As the attack continued, Vega said the officer shot the attacker, who continued chewing the victim s face. The officer fired again, killing the attacker. iami police have released few details about the attack, other than confirming that there was a fatal officer-involved shooting. The name of the victim, who was taken to Jackson emorial Hospital, had not been immediately determined by authorities, said Detective William oreno. essages left onday for a police spokesman were not immediately returned. A spokeswoman said onday that the hospital would not be releasing any information about him. struck the guard and and kicked the guard while demanding his car keys. It s further alleged that Lepou told co-defendant aea to stab the guard with a butter knife he was holding. Gasona has pled guilty to escape from confinement while the more serious charge of firstdegree robbery is being dismissed under a plea deal with the government. David aea also struck a plea agreement with the government by pleading guilty to firstdegree assault and in return, other charges such as escape from confinement and robbery first degree will be dismissed. Sefo Lemalu has also entered into a plea agreement with the government. All three cases are pending before the court for acceptance of the agreements. Reach the reporter at joyetter@gmail.com Located in Aua Skyview, Inc. 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8 Page 8 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 ongratulations Filoisamoa Toko Dante Langkilde U DID IT!! We are all so proud of you. Ready to support you on your next journey at the University of Hawaii. ONE A WARRIOR! ALWAS A WARRIOR! Love always; Gran Dwina, Papa Hans and ama Sasa our brothers & sister; Aliitoa, Okland and Sarah Aunties Dee, Natalie, Nikki, Nadya & Ressa Uncles Hans, Victor & Diehl And all your ousins Especially your parents Okland & Ginny Salave a and Filoisamoa Langkilde President vows to protect VA benefits WASHINGTON (AP) -- ebrated. It was a national shame, Pres. Barack Obama honored the a disgrace that should have nation s military heroes in a pair never happened. et, even of emorial Day ceremonies, though some Americans turned vowing to protect the benefits their backs on you, you never earned by veterans and their families in an election year marked by Obama said. turned your back on America, the nation s transition from war. Both Obama and Republican presidential candidate itt The president celebrated emorial Day at the Vietnam Romney appeared at events with War emorial and at Arlington military families. They avoided National emetery on onday, overt political talk but tried to noting that for the first time in appeal to veterans. nine years, Americans are not Obama said the nation must fighting and dying in Iraq, and remain committed to providing the nation was winding down its for the families of fallen soldiers role in the conflict in Afghanistan. and help returning service members seeking jobs, higher educa- After a decade under the dark cloud of war, we can see the light tion or health care benefits. of the new day on the horizon, As long as I m president, Obama said at the Arlington we will make sure you and your amphitheater lined with American loved ones will receive the benefits you ve earned and the respect flags under a warm, brilliant sun. The president paid special you deserve, Obama said. tribute to Vietnam veterans, America will be there for you. noting that many came home Obama said sending troops and were sometimes denigrated into harm s way was the most when you should have been cel- wrenching decision that I have to make. And I can promise you I will never do so unless it s absolutely necessary. The comments underscored Obama s moves to end the war in Iraq and move to bring all troops home from Afghanistan by Romney, meanwhile, promised to maintain an American military with no comparable power anywhere in the world. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee appeared with Sen. John cain of Arizona, the GOP s 2008 presidential candidate, before a crowd in San Diego estimated at 5,000 in what was billed as a emorial Day service, not a campaign event. Romney, however, drew clear contrasts with Obama, warning against shrinking America s military in Europe s image. The former assachusetts governor said the nation must have the world s strongest military to win wars and prevent them. cain, meanwhile, said Romney, I believe, is fully qualified to be commander in chief. Veterans could play a significant role in the 2012 election. Exit polls in 2008 showed that Obama was supported by about 44 percent of voters who said they served in the military, while 54 percent voted for cain, a former Navy pilot who was a prisoner of war for more than five years during the Vietnam War. A poll released onday by Gallup found that 58 percent of veterans support Romney and 34 percent back Obama. The results were based on a sample of 3,327 veterans who are registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Several closely watched states in the election have large blocs of military voters. Florida, home to several military installations, has more than 1.6 million veterans, according to the Veterans Administration. Pennsylvania has nearly 1 million veterans, while Virginia and North arolina each have about 800,000 veterans living in their states.

9 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 Page 9 Samoan missionary saves drowning man (BASED ON A PRESS RELEASE) San Jose, alifornia A Samoan missionary for The hurch of Jesus hrist of Latter-day Saints jumped into Lake unningham near San Jose last Friday (18 ay) to save a drowning man. Elder Etimani Faiese, a 20-year old full time missionary for the hurch, stopped his volunteer service work of cleaning a park when a pedestrian fell into the lake and began flailing about. Unaware of what caused the man to slip from his perch on the embankment and into the muddy water, Faiese turned off his leaf blower when the middle-aged man was suddenly gone. Dashing to the water s edge, the unknown victim was thrashing uncontrollably in the water, clearly unable to swim. Faiese called out to help, but the man was choking and sinking in the unexpectedly deep water close to the shoreline. Faiese yanked off his shoes and leapt into the water. Immediately he found himself pulled under by the panicked non-swimmer. That s when I remembered those boy scout lessons from long ago, said Faiese. I tugged hard to get him off my back and then pulled him under my left arm, clutching him while I swam back to the shore with my right arm. The water struggle quickly attracted another surprised pedestrian who helped Faiese get the man up to the sidewalk that surrounds the lake. The shocked onlooker quickly called The guy wasn t breathing, Faiese said, Then I remembered another scouting lesson; so I laid him down and turned him on his side. Water came gushing out of his mouth. The exhausted victim choked out the remaining lake water and gasped for life. Finally, Faiese could breathe easier himself. Faiese said the entire emergency happened so fast that not even his missionary companion, Elder James aughn (from Benson, Utah) could run over fast enough from where he was performing volunteer service in the same area. Ironically, ormon missionaries are asked to avoid swimming during their 18 months to two-year service for the hurch. Faiese sheepishly smiled, joking that his mission president may be upset with him for jumping in a lake. But as a native of Apia, Samoa on the Island of Upolu, Faiese is the youngest of six children who grew up on the beaches of his tropical homeland where swimming is second nature. ommunity service is part of the San Jose missionaries daily regimen. Service projects are often performed with a partner, and for non-profit organizations. (source: lds.org)

10 Page 10 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 Le Lali 20+ Sui Auai A oa oga Talosaga mo Fesoasoani Tupe ANA Le taimi na lafoa i atu ai e le afioga i le alii kovana ia Togiola Tulafono le teu fugalaau i le sami mo le faamanatuina ai o soifua o i latou uma sa tautua i vaega au eseese a le malo tele, atoa ai ma i latou sa tautua i totonu o le malo ma le atunuu, i se sauniga lotu puupuu sa faataunuuina i le alae o le Suigaula a le Atuvasa i le taeao ananafi. [ata AF] TOGIOLA: Ave sau faafetai i fitafita ma tuaa sa tautua mo le atunuu tusia Ausage Fausia E leai se isi feau na momoli atu e le alii kovana ia i latou sa molimauina le sauniga e faamanatu ai le tautua sa ofoina atu e fitafita, faapea ai tuaa ua lagomau mai atutia, nai lo le ave o sa latou faafetai e faamanatu ai ma faaaloalogia ai la latou tautua sa ofoina mai mo le atunuu. Na tutulu le alii kovana a o saunoa i le saunoaga autu o lenei sauniga faapitoa i le taeao ananafi, ao molimauina e sui o le malo, le atunuu, atoa ai ma nisi sa tautua i le malo ae ua malolo litaea mai i le Faletele i Utulei, le malae o le Su igaula a le Atuvasa. Na tutulu le afioga i le matua ia Togiola Tulafono ao ia taumafai e toe faatepa le mamalu o le auvalaaulia i le amataga o lenei sauniga mai aso ua mavae, lea e le i amataina mai e le malo, ae o se sauniga na tuu faatasia e nisi o tina o le atunuu, ina ua latou maitauina tuugamau o i latou sa tautua i le malo ua amata ona le toe manatu mamafa i ai tagata, vaoa ma ua ola ai fo i laau i luga o ma a o tuugamau. Ona fai mai lea o tina sa latou maitauina lea tulaga, o se tuugamau lenei o ai? A o se atalii o ai lea o loo taoto ai i lenei tuugamau? o nisi ia o saunoaga a le kovana ao ia taumafai e toe faatepa le atunuu i le amataina mai o lenei sauniga, lea ua faaauau e le malo i le taimi nei, ae ua le toe vaaia ni sauniga e faataunuuina e ekalesia ma nuu. Saunoa Togiola, o le agaga lea na mafua ai ona faataua e tina nei lenei sauniga, o le agaga tonu lena e tatau pea ia Samoa ona faaolaola pea e oo mai i le taimi nei, ona ua i ai le manatu ua taunuu le upu e masani ai nisi, ua lilo atu lava i le vaai i latou nei ma ua lilo atu ai foi i manatu. Ou te manatu la ina ia tatou suia lea faaupuga e faapea, e ui ua lilo atu outou i le vaai ae le galo, o le saunoaga lea a le alii kovana. Fai mai Togiola, o le toatele o Toa o Samoa ua maliliu sa ofoina atu lenei tautua, e le mafai ona galo la latou tautua, ma o i latou ia na ofo atu o latou soifua mo se saolotoga o tagata uma ma le lalolagi. Na tutulu faalua le alii kovana ao ia taumafai e faamalaulau le toatele o fitafita o loo maliliu i le sami ma nofoaga eseese o le lalolagi e lei mafai ona toe maua o latou tino, peitai o se tala fiafia mo Amerika Samoa, ona e lei i ai sana fitafita o loo maliu ai i nofoaga ia e lei toe faafoiina mai lona tino e lagomau i lona atunuu. (Faaauau itulau 12) tusia: Leua Aiono Frost E fa aso na fa atautaia ai le A oa oga mo Talosaga i ni Fesaosoani tau Tupe mai le ANA i Hawaii, le tama ita i o Susan White ma se tasi o alo o le atunu u Rosia Tavita, ua loa ona tautua o ia i le Fagatele arine Sanctuary i le amataga mai o lea fa asao. O le la ua o o mai, ona ua mafai ona la ua fa atautaia lea a oa oga fa apitoa, ina ia toe timata lava tomai e mo omia ona iloa patino e i latou e tusi talosaga mo Tupe Tu utoina mai e le Administration for Native Americans [ANA] lea e agava a ai fo i le tatou malo ona o le teritori o Amerika, ma o tagata Amerika Samoa o i latou e o tagata nu u moni o le Iuniate Setete o Amerika. E pei ona iloa patino, e le o fa aitiitia lea vaega tupe ua mae a fa aagaaga e le malo tele mo so o se fesoasoani e taumafai tagatanu u e saili atu ai se fesoasoani, ma o le ala lea o le fa apa aga fo i ma le atagaluega a le DHSS po o le Ofisa o Alamanuia mo Tagata Lautele o lea vaega, ma latou fa atulagaina ai lea fonotaga fa alea oa oga ina ia fa atautaia i le tatou nei malo. O lea a oa oga sa talosaga atu sui fia auai i le Upega Tafa ilagi po o le Uepesite a le DHSS peita i, sa talia lava so o se tasi na ulufale atu e fia fa alogologo ma auai i le a oa oga aoga lea. Ua matauina ua auai atu sui e matua agava a i lea tofi, ia tusia talosaga mo nei ituaiga fesoasoani tupe, aua e le toe totogia, peita i, e ao ina usita ia le fa atulagaga e fa aaogaina ai, ma ia le sasi fo i i lea lava tulaga. Na to atele matagaluega sa auai sui, fa atasi ai ma Fa alapotopotoga e fa atautaia galuega e le fa atautaia o se pisinisi, ae le totogia fo i, NPO & NGO ma e le o ni lala fo i o le alo. O i latou ia e sili ona aoga fo i i ai nei ituaiga o tupe talosaga, peita i, e tatau ona i ai se aoga mo le atunu u o a latou galuega fa atautaia. O le ulua i aso, sa mua i fa ataoto ai e le tama ita i faiaoga o lea kosi fa apitoa le fa atulagaga o le au au o lau galuega fia fa atino, ma ia ta aiga uma i ai lau galuega lea e fia fa atupe. E tatau ona usitaia e so o se tasi e tusi talosaga mo le fa atupega a le ANA le auivi lea ua folasia mai e le tama ita i o Susan White. Peita i, i le toe aso na mae a ai lana auaunaga mo le mamalu sa fa atasia ai, na fa ate ia ai i la ua ma Rosia Tavita ina ua tu ufa atasia fo i e le vasega fa apitoa se latou aiava, ma ua maua ai ni meaalofa matagofie mo i la ua. O le la ua sao mulimuli lava sa tofusia ai sui uma sa auai i aso uma e fa ma le tusi pasi, ua fa ailoa ai, lo latou agava a, ma ua tatau fo i ona gafatia e i latou ona tusia ni talosaga mo fesoasoani tupe a le Administration for Native Americans. Na fa atautaia fo i ni ta aloga jeopardy i le la ua semina e mafai ai ona fa ailoa ia i la ua pe ua maua a le iloa o nei sui sa auai i le a oa oga fa apitoa sa la ua taumafai i ai. Fa ailoa mai le matagofie o nei fa ailoga sa maua e sui nei sa lautogia, e aofia ai pepa kona kofe, sukalati mai Hawaii ma mea fa apena. (Faaauau itulau 14) O se va aiga i nisi sa auai i le fonotaga fa aleaoaoga sa fa atautaia e le DHSS mo le mamalu o NPO - NGO fa atasi ai ma oalisi o le atagaluega mo alamanuia lautele. O lea se taumafaiga ina ia fa aatoatoa le malosi o nei Asosi ia fa atupeina ai nisi o galuega lelei mo le lautele o le atunu u. [ata: Leua Aiono Frost]

11 samoa news, Tuesday, ay 29, 2012 Page 11 Teena Faamasinoga tagi faasaga i le Pule o le National Park tusia Ausage Fausia O le tagi lea na faaulu e Epifania Suafo a Taua i faasaga i le alii pule o le Ofisa o le National Park ia Superintendent ike Reynolds, ua teena e le Vaega Iloilo o le Faamasinoga aualuga, ina ua manino i iloiloga sa faia le le lava o ni mau e lagolagoina ai lenei tagi. O le tagi na faila i le aso 29 Aokuso 2011, ma o loo tuuaia ai e Taua i le susuga Reynolds i lona tuuaia lea o ia i le gaoiina o ni mea totino (artifacts) mai le National Park Service, atoa ai ma le faia o tuuaiga e tau faaleaga ai o ia i ni gaioiga na te lei faia. O le faaiuga a le faamasinoga o loo faavae mai lea i le maea ai ona iloiloina o nisi o faaiuga sa faia i mataupu faapenei i tausaga ua mavae, atoa ai ma le iloiloina lea e le faamasinoga o tulafono ma taiala e faatatau i le failaina lea o ni tagi faasaga i tagata faigaluega a le feterale. E tele ni faamasinoga ua maea na siitia mai e alii faamasino e lagolagoina ai la laua faaiuga e 11 itula sa tuuina mai e uiga i lenei mataupu. O se tasi o mataupu na siitia mai e le faamasinoga, o le mataupu lea i le va o le Pulega o le Eletise ma le Suavai (ASPA) ma le kamupani fai auala a le connell Dowell i le 2000, faapea ai foi ma le mataupu i le va o Fuimaono vs Fuia, i se mataupu sa iloiloina e le Faamasinoga o Fanua ma Suafa i le Na taua i le faaiuga a le faamasinoga e faapea, i tulafono ma taiala a le feterale mo le taulimaina o ni mataupu savili faapenei, e tatau i le tagata e ana le tagi ma lana loia ona auina atu se kopi o le samania ina ia lesitala mai i le Ofisa a le Loia Sili a le malo tele, ona faapea foi lea ona toe auina mai se faamaoniga e iloa ai ua maea ona taulimaina lea tusi samania e le isi itu. E talitonu le faamasinoga, afai e le mafai ona faamalieina vaega e pei ona taua o lona uiga e leai se avanoa e mafai ai ona fofogaina lenei mataupu. O le alii loia ia ark Ude na failaina le tagi e fai ai ma sui o Taua i ae o Reynolds o loo tulai ai arshal Ashley, Andrew W. carthy ma Virgina G. Lago. I le faaiuga a le faamasinoga sa tuuina mai, o loo talosagaina ai e Reynolds le solofua o tuuaiga faasaga ia te ia, ona e le o i ai se malosi e faamasinoina ai lenei mataupu i luma o le faamasinoga. Fai mai le faamasinoga, o le faamasinoga feterale faaitumalo e i ai le malosi na te iloiloina ai ituaiga mataupu faapenei, I se vaega o le faaiuga a le faamasinoga o loo taua ai e faapea, o le gaioiga sa faia e Reynolds, sa faatino ai ona tiute o ia o le taitai o le Ofisa a le National Park, ma e le i lava foi mau sa tuuina atu e le itu tagi e lagolagoina ai, o gaioiga sa faia e Reynolds i le aso lea, sa i tua atu o auala e faatino ai lona tiute o le taitai o le Ofisa a le National Park. Ua faamalieina le faamasinoga, o le gaioiga sa faia e Reynolds i le aso e pei ona taua, sa faavae lea i lalo o taiala ao avea ai o ia o se tagata faigaluega a le feterale. O le afioga i le faamasino sili lagolago ia Lyle L. Richmond na sainia i lenei faaiuga, i le lagolagosua a le afioga i le alii faamasino lagolago ia amea Sala Jr. Feso ota i mai i le tusitala ia ausage@samoanews.com Se vaaiga i le tulai faaaloalo a le vaega o le US Army Reserve i le taimi na faapapaina ai fanau ao lafo atu e le alii kovana ia Togiola Tulafono le teu fugalaau i luma o le sami, e faamanatu ma faataua ai le tautua a Toa o Samoa sa tautua i vaega au eseese a le malo tele, faapea ai ma tuaa ua lagomau mai tiasa sa tautua ma galulue mo le malo ma le atunuu, lea na faatauaina i se sauniga sa faia i le taeao ananafi i le malae o le Suigaula a le Atuvasa i Utulei. [ata AF] Feleti Barstow Public Library Utulei Village Summer omputer lass Schedule for Basic Intro to omputers June 4-299:00-11:00am11-13 year-olds June :00-5:00pm adults (18 and older) July 9-August 33:00-5:00pm11-13 year-olds August :00-11:00am adults (18 and older) Group size is limited to 20 $5 per student registration fee Register now! in person, at the library