Sheraton asks MCIL to investigate shareholder

The Sheraton Samoa Beach Resort at Mulifanua has questioned the legitimacy of its second-largest shareholder urging the government to investigate the investor. According to a letter dated 15 November 2024 by Ponafasio Lawyers acting on behalf of Mulifanua Beach Resort Samoa Limited (MBRS), the owners of the Sheraton Resort, questions were asked about the foreign investment status of Digicel Caribbean Executive AV Services Limited ("DCEAVS").  The letter signed by MBRS secretary and lawyer, Fuimaono Sarona Ponifasio was addressed to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour (MCIL), Pulotu Lyndon Chu Ling.

Speaker and minister detained in Auckland 

The Speaker of the House, Papalii Lio Masipau, and Minister of Justice, Matamua Seumanu Vasati Sili Pulifana, were detained at Auckland International Airport on Thursday, along with two other passengers, after allegedly bypassing security screening in Apia. The group arrived on Air New Zealand flight NZ993, which departed Faleolo International Airport on Thursday afternoon carrying 247 passengers and crew.

Fear in Leauva'a-Uta: Afega's destruction escalates 

Leauva'a-Uta residents live in fear and uncertainty as the neighbouring Afega village continues its destructive actions, severely impacting the community’s properties and crops. This ongoing conflict has left many families devastated, with no clear resolution in sight. Disturbing footage and images from the latest incident, shared on social media last week, depict excavators and bulldozers — reportedly from Afega — tearing down fences, gates, and crops in Leauva'a-Uta.

Air NZ bans VIP Terminal use

Air New Zealand will no longer accept passengers using the new $11 million tala VIP Terminal unless they are royals, prime ministers, heads of state, foreign ministers, or their accompanying spouses. The decision follows an alleged security breach last Thursday involving four passengers, including Speaker of the House Papali’i Lio Oloipola Taeu Masipau and Minister of Justice Matamua Seumanu Vasati Sili Pulufana, who reportedly bypassed security screening before boarding flight NZ993 to Auckland.

Speaker pushes back on ‘detained’ claim

The Speaker of Parliament Papali’i Lio Masipau denied allegations that he and the Minister for Justice and Courts Administration Matamua Vasati Pulufana were “detained” at the Auckland International Airport on 28 November 2024. On 2 December 2024, the Samoa Observer highlighted the incident described as a security breach. In a statement released on Monday, Papali’i described the report as “inaccurate and untrue” and said no such incident occurred.

FAST raises $200K in Auckland

The Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T) party collected an estimated NZ$124, 415.10 (SAT$204,000) in Auckland, New Zealand last weekend during their party's fourth anniversary celebrations at the ASB Showgrounds. This was the 12th of their 13th stops on their celebration world tour. A sea of red and white filled the hall as party members and supporters donned the party colours.

Malu is not for fa'afafine says Association

Nothing in the Samoan culture indicates that a fa'afafine can have a malu says the Fa'afafine Fa'afatama Association, making its stand clear on the argument. A malu is defined as a female-specific tattoo in the Samoan culture by academics. The malu covers the legs from just below the knee to the upper thighs just below the buttocks and is typically finer and more delicate in design compared to the Pe'a, the equivalent tattoo for males.  Association president Alex Su'a said the malu was designed for the tama'ita'i Samoa (Samoan women).

Auxiliary police pay in process

It is good news for auxiliary police with the Minister of Police Faualo Harry Schuster confirming that their allowance was being processed. Faualo confirmed this to the Samoa Observer on Thursday evening. More than a month had passed but the civilians taken into the police service for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) had not been paid.

Lefagaoalii kidnappers denied bail

Ten men from the village of Lefagaoalii who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and hog-tying a man will be spending the festive season in custody after the Supreme Court denied their request for bail. The eleventh defendant, Salapo Etene Uini, who is in his 60s was the only one granted bail after the court was satisfied that an imprisonment term was not suitable for him. Supreme Court Judge Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke handed down the bail decision on Thursday afternoon.

MP claims unfair treatment and bias

Senior member of parliament Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi has questioned the cessation of parliamentary committee allowances alleging the new change to their remuneration is discriminatory and unfair. Lealailepule is the opposition secretary and member of parliament for Faleata No.3. Through his lawyer, he has written to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly to seek an explanation. The Clerk has been given seven days to respond or the matter will be taken to court.

"We did not sit idle in 1982": Le Mamea

Council of Deputies, Le Mamea Ropati Mualia has denied claims by the opposition that former Prime Minister Vaai Kolone did not do enough to ward off the racist New Zealand law in 1982 which stripped citizenship from Samoans. He said progressive action was taken by the government at the time. Human Rights Protection Party Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in a letter to the Editor accused the former Prime Minister of giving in to pressure of replacing the citizenship of Samoans with the annual quota.

Contaminated: Diesel in village sea

Daily samples of seawater collected from the Safata District show that the water is contaminated with diesel as a result of the HMNZS Manawanui accident. This is the reason why the prohibition on fishing, swimming and all water activities in the impacted villages are still prohibited. It is now more than more than two months. The finding was confirmed by the Chairman of the Marine Pollution Advisory Committee (M.P.A.C.), Fui Mau Simanu in response to queries from the Samoa Observer.

SNPF health scheme to be compulsory

Three per cent will be deducted from employer contributions and three per cent from employee contributions under the proposed Samoa National Provident Fund healthcare scheme. And it will be compulsory for contributors. The scheme being pushed through is the same one that was proposed by the chairman Papalii Panoa Moala when he was chief executive officer in 2005.

Safata takes legal action

The nine villages in the Safata district impacted by the environmental damage after the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui have been told to collect $3,000 each to pay for a lawyer. In a district council meeting held in Vaie’e on Friday, the decision was made to take legal action for the damages done to the environment and to seek compensation for the loss of livelihood due to fishing probation that was put in place. Samoa Observer was reliably informed that a target of $3,000 has been given to the villages so a lawyer could be hired.

Samoan airline expert hits half a century

In the fast-paced world of airline travel, where careers often take unexpected turns, one man's unwavering dedication stands out. Tuifa'asisina John Nickel has spent 50 years in the airline industry, a journey deeply rooted in his love for the Pacific and its people, particularly Samoa. His journey began in the heart of Samoa, where life's challenges ignited a passion for service after the passing of his father.

Courtroom fight, judge walks out

A fight between villagers from the Sagaga district erupted inside the Lands and Titles Courtroom last Thursday disrupting proceedings in an open display of disregard for the rule of law. The disagreement unfolded between certain families from Leauvaa, Tuanai and Afega in a case presided over by the Deputy President of Land and Titles Court (L.T.C.) Afamasaga Michael Soonalole. It started as a verbal spat between senior matai from the parties during submissions and escalated when supporters at the back of the court took matters into their own hands by throwing punches.

MP's robbery charges dropped

Serious charges including robbery accusations against the Member of Parliament for Sagaga No.1 Loau Keneti Sio have been withdrawn and dismissed in the Supreme Court. The prosecution and Attorney General’s Office dropped the charges on Monday this week after reviewing the politician’s file. Justice Fepuleai Amperosa Roma granted the application to withdraw one count of robbery and one count of assault with intent to rob and he subsequently dismissed the charges.

Nothing in writing: No reading material on healthcare scheme

There are no written materials available from the Samoa National Provident Fund to educate contributors on how the proposed healthcare scheme will work. The SNPF chief executive officer Lemalu Selesitina Meni-Reti confirmed that at the moment there are no educational or awareness materials available for contributors. The question was posed to her if there were materials that could be shared with the general public so they could know what the proposed scheme entails regarding contributions and the impact of the scheme on members’ savings.

Former minister denies forgery charges  

A former cabinet minister and a village mayor denied charges of forgery connected to the registration of a matai title from the village of Lalomanu. Former Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure Manualesagalala Enokati Posala and village mayor Tapagaia Taupega Amituanai made their position known on Monday this week. Through their lawyer Lefau Francis Ainuu, the senior matai who are each facing two counts pleaded not guilty before Supreme Court Judge Justice Fepuleai Ameperosa Roma.

Healthcare scheme: Law change required for A.C.C. money

Changes in the law would be required to get funds from the Accident Compensation Corporation for the proposed Samoa National Provident Fund health scheme. The healthcare scheme proposed by S.N.P.F. would require a compulsory deduction of six per cent, three per cent each from employer and contributor. Moreover, budget allocation for the overseas treatment scheme will be mainstreamed from there and additional funds will be sourced from the A.C.C.

DBS has money claims minister

Minister of Finance Lautimuia Uelese Vaai has denied that the Development Bank of Samoa has run out of money and the reason why loans were temporarily halted. The bank also announced that no more loans would given to hotels. Lautimuia assured there was money noting the “financial policy” to “control money supply” for the bank played a critical role in fostering economic growth.

Olo warns Air NZ: "It's my airport."

The Minister in charge of the Faleolo International Airport has warned Air New Zealand against overstepping its boundary saying, “That’s my airport,” adding he has the authority over which airline can land there. Minister of Works Transport and Infrastructure Olo Fiti Vaai also wants the airline to apologise to Samoa for reporting two senior government officials for not going through a screening process. Olo broke his silence on the issue of a security breach after which the airline stopped using the VIP Terminal. He made the comments in an interview with the Savali newspaper this week.

Samoa Airways ordered to fly out of regional terminal

The national airline was not given the option to continue operating at the international terminal in Faleolo and was instead required to use the new $25 million regional airport. From Monday to Saturday, Samoa Airways flies to the territory out of Fagalii airport, and on Sundays, it schedules three flights from the main terminal at Faleolo. Since the regional airport opened at the start of this month, Samoa Airways shifted its operations to the new airport effective 7 December, a decision they had no say in.

Air N.Z. stands firm on VIP terminal use

Air New Zealand has reaffirmed its policy requiring prior approval for passengers to use Samoa’s new $11 million tala VIP terminal, insisting all passengers must undergo security screening at the main terminal. The airline’s stance remains unchanged despite a demand for an apology from the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Olo Fiti Vaai. The minister criticised Air New Zealand’s handling of VIP passengers, including Speaker of the House Papalii Lio Masipau and Minister of Justice Matamua Vasati Pulufana, amid allegations they bypassed standard security procedures.

Samoa Airport Authority staff stationed at the regional airport told the Samoa Observer photographer the newspaper was prohibited from the $25 million publicly funded facility. 

Samoa Observer banned from the regional airport

Samoa Observer photographer Junior Ami made the trip to the airport on Thursday afternoon to take photos of the facility that began operations in December. Mr Ami was at the regional airport to take photos for a news story when Samoa Airport Authority (S.A.A.) staff approached him and demanded he leave immediately. He said when he started taking photos, three S.A.A. staff, two men and one woman asked if he was from the Samoa Observer. 

Political public servant back at work

The public servant at the centre of a conflict of interest controversy after being spotted with the Faʻatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) Party in the United States has returned to work while investigation continue. Unasa Viane Toala the project manager for the $1 million District Development Project (DDP) under the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development was spotted in videos of the FAST Party’s trip to the United States. He was also credited as being the organiser of the trip.

'Severe shortage of doctors': Hospital cuts clinic hours

A severe shortage of doctors at the outpatient ward at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Moto’otua has led the Ministry of Health to limit hours of operation. This was confirmed in a notice from the Ministry of Health on Monday informing the public of new hours at the Acute Primary Care Clinic (APCC) or outpatient clinic starting Monday this week. The clinic will operate from 8 am to 8 pm from 16 December 2024 due to a “severe reduction in the number of doctors”.

"Don't use harsh terms."

The Minister for Health Valasi Tafito Selesele blamed Samoa Observer for using harsh words such as 'severe shortage of doctors' when talking about the new hospital hours, however, the ministry chief executive admitted the wording in the notice was incorrect. The Minister did not hold back on Tuesday during a press conference accusing the newspaper of making situations worse even though he was told the words used were taken from the notice issued by the Ministry of Health.

Credit bill debated

A proposed law for Samoa’s Credit Information Register to reduce lender risks and improve access to finance was debated in Parliament on Tuesday in its second reading. The Credit Information Register Bill 2024 put forward by the Minister of Finance Lautimuia Uelese Vaai was supported by the majority who made recommendations to improve the system. Some 13 Members of Parliament spoke about the bill with many discussing concerns on the security of financial information, confidentiality and accuracy of information.  

Villagers tell of fear and suffering

Leauvaa villagers are living in fear and bearing the suffering of an ongoing land dispute affecting their lives with children witnessing violence and verbal abuse daily. The families' testimonies were revealed in affidavits submitted before the Supreme Court on Thursday to support an application of Contempt of Court against the village council of Afega. Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese presided over the hearing after rejecting a recusal application from Afega.

NZ rugby club owes local hotel $14K 

The Otahuhu Rugby Junior Football Club’s (ORFC) Under 14 rugby team is under scrutiny following an unresolved debt of $14,120 for food and accommodation incurred during their stay at the St Therese Retreat in September 2023. The local hotel stated on Friday afternoon, informing the public of their concern. In the statement, the local hotel claimed that despite repeated promises from the club's representative Jamie Hu’akau to settle the outstanding balance, the debt remains unpaid and efforts to resolve the matter have been unsuccessful.

Heavy rain hits Samoa

A powerful weather system caused widespread chaos across Samoa on Thursday night and into Friday morning, as heavy rain led to flooding, infrastructure damage, and significant traffic delays. The Samoa Meteorological Service (SMS) issued a severe weather update on Thursday afternoon, alerting the public to the likelihood of heavy rain and a flood advisory for several regions of the country.

M.P. and others guilty of contempt 

The Supreme Court found Member of Parliament for Sagaga No.2 Maulolo Tavita Amosa and others from the village of Afega guilty of contempt of court in an ongoing land dispute at Leauvaa. On Monday, Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese found that Maulolo, businessman Ututaaloga Charlie Ulia, Fata Roketi and Fata Vaafai Tolutasi were in contempt of the court’s order dated 11 October 2024. The decision follows an application from Leauvaa families of contempt of court from those in Afega.

Potholes can’t be fixed unless water drained

Potholes along one of the most frequently travelled routes may not get repaired until all water from the flooded Fugalei road is removed. Turning left at the four-corner light in Vaimoso—heading towards Fugalei, has become a source of frustration and hazard due to the increasingly difficult road conditions, specifically its potholes. The blocked drains have caused flood waters to remain on the road. The potholes have become bigger and at most times are hidden under the water.

Casino has no liquor license

The Black Sands Casino Samoa situated inside the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel and Bungalows in central Apia is currently barred from selling alcohol due to the lack of a valid liquor license. This prohibition was confirmed by Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio, the Chairman of the Liquor Board, who also serves as the Minister for Customs and Revenue and Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister. In response to inquiries from the Samoa Observer over the weekend, Tuala detailed the situation leading to the ban.

Samoa Observer responds to Airport Authority

The Samoa Observer has written a letter to the Samoa Airport Authority in response to the ban placed on the newspaper from entering the airport facilities. Addressed to the SAA chief executive officer Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu, Samoa Observer publisher Muliaga Jean Malifa has requested a formal apology or face legal action. The first incident happened when Samoa Observer photojournalist Junior S Ami was told to leave the regional terminal.