Confusion at the ballots: American Samoans in Alaska face felony charges

On April 3, 2025, in Whittier, Alaska, 11 American Samoans faced felony charges for trying to vote. Within the United States, American Samoans are considered US nationals, not citizens. This means that they have US passports and military access,...

American Samoa’s Teacher of the Year a finalist in national competion

Washington, D.C. — Uifa’atali Amata was delighted to welcome 2025 American Samoa Teacher of the Year Mikaela Saelua, accompanied by her parents, Rep. Fiu and Catherine Saelua, on her Teacher of the Year visit to Washington, D.C., where Mikaela...

‘Unleashing’ seabed imperialism in American Samoa

President Donald Trump signs an executive order on seabed minerals in April. Photo courtesy of The White House/Flickr Proponents of deep-sea mining have long evoked the principle of self-determination to argue in favor of seabed extraction. This...

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...

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...

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...

How will the US government shutdown affect the Pacific?

President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine, and President of the Federated States of Micronesia David Panuelo, US President Donal Trump and President of the Republic of Palau Tommy E. Remengesau. Photo: Faceook/ US Embassy...

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...

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...

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...

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:...

How will the US government shutdown affect Pacific?

President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine, and President of the Federated States of Micronesia David Panuelo, US President Donal Trump and President of the Republic of Palau Tommy E. Remengesau. Photo: Faceook/ US Embassy...

Senate approves Faoa Aitofele Sunia for ASGERF Board

The Senate has approved by unanimous vote the Governor’s nomination of Faoa Aitofele Sunia as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund. All 16 senators present at Monday’s session voted to...

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...

American Samoa receives $250,000 grant for audit help

On August 30, 2025, Delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen (R) of American Samoa stated that the territory will receive $250,000 from the US Office of Insular Affairs. The money will help the Treasury Department examine how public money is used....

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...

Will clocks change soon? End of daylight saving time approaching

Many countries around the world, and most of the United States, still observe the practice of daylight saving time. Though some argue the practice should be brought to an end. The yearly occurrence takes place to extend daylight hours during the...

Global immigration news round up

This week, the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following recent updates from Denmark, Hong Kong, Namibia, Portugal and Qatar. Denmark: No residence permits for nurse authorisations On 7 October 2025, the...