| AMERICAN SAMOA Territory of American Samoa Territory of American Samoa (Unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States) Joined United Nations: 24 October 1945 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 09/23/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Pago Pago
65,628 (July 2010 est.)
Togiola Tulafono
Governor since 7 April 2003
Governor since 7 April 2003
Under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories,
such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president
and vice president; last election: 4 November 2008
Next scheduled election: November 2012
such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president
and vice president; last election: 4 November 2008
Next scheduled election: November 2012
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Governor and Lieutenant Governor elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);
election last held 4 and 18 November 2008
Next scheduled election: November 2012
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term);
election last held 4 and 18 November 2008
Next scheduled election: November 2012
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census)
| RELIGIONS |
Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior with three
districts and two islands at the second order. Legal system is a federal court system based on English common law; with indigenous
concept with judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: Under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US
president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a
second term); election last held 4 and 18 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
Legislative: Bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected
by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; to serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats;
members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held 2
November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
Judicial: High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
districts and two islands at the second order. Legal system is a federal court system based on English common law; with indigenous
concept with judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Executive: Under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US
president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a
second term); election last held 4 and 18 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
Legislative: Bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected
by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; to serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats;
members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2010); Senate - last held 2
November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
Judicial: High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
| LANGUAGES |
Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander
2.1%, other 2%
note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)
2.1%, other 2%
note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)
| BRIEF HISTORY |
Although many historians debate it, many believed that the Samoan Islands were originally inhabited as early as 1000 BC. Samoa
was not reached by European explorers until the eighteenth century. The pre-Western history of Eastern Samoa (now American
Samoa) is inextricably bound with the history of Western Samoa (now independent Samoa). The Manu'a Islands of American
Samoa has one of the oldest histories of Polynesia, in connection with the Tui Manua title, connected with the histories of the
archipelagos of Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Tokelau and elsewhere in the Pacific, where Manu'a once had influence. During the
Tongan occupation of Samoa, Manu'a was the only island group that remained independent. The islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u were
politically connected to 'Upolu island in what is now independent Samoa. It can be said that all the Samoa islands are politically
connected today through the faamatai chiefly system and through family connections that are as strong as ever. This system of the
faamatai and the customs of faasamoa originated with two of the most famous early chiefs of Samoa, who were both women and
related, Nafanua and Salamasina. Early Western contact included a battle in the eighteenth century between French explorers and
islanders in Tutuila, for which the Samoans were blamed in the West, giving them a reputation for ferocity. Early nineteenth century
Rarotongan missionaries to the Samoa islands were followed by a group of Western missionaries led by John Williams of the
Congregationalist London Missionary Society in the 1830s, officially bringing Christianity to Samoa. Less than a hundred years
later, the Samoan Congregationalist Church became the first independent indigenous church of the South Pacific. In March of 1889,
a German naval force invaded a village in Samoa, and by doing so destroyed some American property. Three American warships
then entered the Samoan harbor and were prepared to fire on the three German warships found there. Before guns were fired, a
typhoon sank both the American and German ships. A compulsory armistice was called because of the lack of warships.
International rivalries in the latter half of the nineteenth century were settled by the 1899 Treaty of Berlin in which Germany and the
U.S. divided the Samoan archipelago. The U.S. formally occupied its portion—a smaller group of eastern islands with the noted
harbor of Pago Pago—the following year. The western islands are now the independent state of Samoa. After the U.S. took
possession of Samoa, the U.S. Navy built a coaling station on Pago Pago Bay for its Pacific Squadron and appointed a local
Secretary. The navy secured a Deed of Cession of Tutuila in 1900 and a Deed of Cession of Manuʻa in 1904. The last sovereign of
Manu'a, the Tui Manu'a Elisala, was forced to sign a Deed of Cession of Manu'a following a series of US Naval trials, known as the
"Trial of the Ipu", in Pago Pago, Taʻu, and aboard a Pacific Squadron gunboat. After World War I, during the time of the Mau
movement in Western Samoa (then a New Zealand protectorate), there was a corresponding American Samoa Mau movement, led
by Samuel Sailele Ripley, who was from Leone village and was a WWI war veteran. After meetings in America, he was prevented
from disembarking from the ship that brought him home to American Samoa and was not allowed to return. The American Samoa
Mau movement having been suppressed by the US Navy, in 1930 the US Congress sent a committee to investigate the status of
American Samoa, led by Americans who had had a part in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In 1938, famous aviator Ed
Musick and his crew died on the Pan American World Airways S-42 Samoan Clipper over Pago Pago, on a survey flight to
Auckland, New Zealand. Sometime after take-off the aircraft experienced trouble and Musick turned it back toward Pago Pago.
As the crew began dumping fuel in preparation for an emergency landing a spark in the fuel pump caused an explosion that tore the
aircraft apart in mid-air. During World War II, U.S. Marines in Samoa outnumbered the local population, having a huge cultural
influence. Young Samoan men from the age of 14 and above were combat trained by US military personnel. As in WWI, Samoans
served in WWII as combatants, medical personnel, code personnel, ship repairs, etc. After the war, Organic Act 4500, a U.S.
Department of Interior-sponsored attempt to incorporate Samoa, was defeated in Congress, primarily through the efforts of
Samoan chiefs, led by Tuiasosopo Mariota. These chiefs' efforts led to the creation of a local legislature, the American Samoa Fono
which meets in the village of Fagatogo, the territory's de facto and de jure capital. (See the Capital City section below for more
information on Fagatogo.) In time, the Navy-appointed governor was replaced by a locally elected one. Although technically
considered "unorganized" in that the U.S. Congress has not passed an Organic Act for the territory, American Samoa is self-
governing under a constitution that became effective on July 1, 1967. The U.S. Territory of American Samoa is on the United
Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, a listing which is disputed by territorial government officials.
Source: Wikipedia: American Samoa
was not reached by European explorers until the eighteenth century. The pre-Western history of Eastern Samoa (now American
Samoa) is inextricably bound with the history of Western Samoa (now independent Samoa). The Manu'a Islands of American
Samoa has one of the oldest histories of Polynesia, in connection with the Tui Manua title, connected with the histories of the
archipelagos of Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Tokelau and elsewhere in the Pacific, where Manu'a once had influence. During the
Tongan occupation of Samoa, Manu'a was the only island group that remained independent. The islands of Tutuila and Aunu'u were
politically connected to 'Upolu island in what is now independent Samoa. It can be said that all the Samoa islands are politically
connected today through the faamatai chiefly system and through family connections that are as strong as ever. This system of the
faamatai and the customs of faasamoa originated with two of the most famous early chiefs of Samoa, who were both women and
related, Nafanua and Salamasina. Early Western contact included a battle in the eighteenth century between French explorers and
islanders in Tutuila, for which the Samoans were blamed in the West, giving them a reputation for ferocity. Early nineteenth century
Rarotongan missionaries to the Samoa islands were followed by a group of Western missionaries led by John Williams of the
Congregationalist London Missionary Society in the 1830s, officially bringing Christianity to Samoa. Less than a hundred years
later, the Samoan Congregationalist Church became the first independent indigenous church of the South Pacific. In March of 1889,
a German naval force invaded a village in Samoa, and by doing so destroyed some American property. Three American warships
then entered the Samoan harbor and were prepared to fire on the three German warships found there. Before guns were fired, a
typhoon sank both the American and German ships. A compulsory armistice was called because of the lack of warships.
International rivalries in the latter half of the nineteenth century were settled by the 1899 Treaty of Berlin in which Germany and the
U.S. divided the Samoan archipelago. The U.S. formally occupied its portion—a smaller group of eastern islands with the noted
harbor of Pago Pago—the following year. The western islands are now the independent state of Samoa. After the U.S. took
possession of Samoa, the U.S. Navy built a coaling station on Pago Pago Bay for its Pacific Squadron and appointed a local
Secretary. The navy secured a Deed of Cession of Tutuila in 1900 and a Deed of Cession of Manuʻa in 1904. The last sovereign of
Manu'a, the Tui Manu'a Elisala, was forced to sign a Deed of Cession of Manu'a following a series of US Naval trials, known as the
"Trial of the Ipu", in Pago Pago, Taʻu, and aboard a Pacific Squadron gunboat. After World War I, during the time of the Mau
movement in Western Samoa (then a New Zealand protectorate), there was a corresponding American Samoa Mau movement, led
by Samuel Sailele Ripley, who was from Leone village and was a WWI war veteran. After meetings in America, he was prevented
from disembarking from the ship that brought him home to American Samoa and was not allowed to return. The American Samoa
Mau movement having been suppressed by the US Navy, in 1930 the US Congress sent a committee to investigate the status of
American Samoa, led by Americans who had had a part in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In 1938, famous aviator Ed
Musick and his crew died on the Pan American World Airways S-42 Samoan Clipper over Pago Pago, on a survey flight to
Auckland, New Zealand. Sometime after take-off the aircraft experienced trouble and Musick turned it back toward Pago Pago.
As the crew began dumping fuel in preparation for an emergency landing a spark in the fuel pump caused an explosion that tore the
aircraft apart in mid-air. During World War II, U.S. Marines in Samoa outnumbered the local population, having a huge cultural
influence. Young Samoan men from the age of 14 and above were combat trained by US military personnel. As in WWI, Samoans
served in WWII as combatants, medical personnel, code personnel, ship repairs, etc. After the war, Organic Act 4500, a U.S.
Department of Interior-sponsored attempt to incorporate Samoa, was defeated in Congress, primarily through the efforts of
Samoan chiefs, led by Tuiasosopo Mariota. These chiefs' efforts led to the creation of a local legislature, the American Samoa Fono
which meets in the village of Fagatogo, the territory's de facto and de jure capital. (See the Capital City section below for more
information on Fagatogo.) In time, the Navy-appointed governor was replaced by a locally elected one. Although technically
considered "unorganized" in that the U.S. Congress has not passed an Organic Act for the territory, American Samoa is self-
governing under a constitution that became effective on July 1, 1967. The U.S. Territory of American Samoa is on the United
Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories, a listing which is disputed by territorial government officials.
Source: Wikipedia: American Samoa
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic
activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna processing
plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. The two tuna canneries account for 80% of
employment. In late September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American Samoa and nearby Samoa,
disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management
Agency is overseeing a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American
Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's
remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select American Samoa)
activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna processing
plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. The two tuna canneries account for 80% of
employment. In late September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American Samoa and nearby Samoa,
disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management
Agency is overseeing a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American
Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's
remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select American Samoa)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Politics of American Samoa takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic dependency, whereby the
Governor is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized
territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Its constitution was
ratified 1966 and came into effect 1967. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the two
chambers of the legislature. The American political parties (Republican and Democratic) exist in American Samoa, but few
politicians are aligned with the parties. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
There is also the traditional village politics of the Samoa Islands, the "fa'amatai" and the "fa'asamoa", which continues in American
Samoa and in independent Samoa, and which interacts across these current boundaries. The Fa'asamoa is the language and
customs, and the Fa'amatai the protocols of the "fono" (council) and the chiefly system. The Fa'amatai and the Fono take place at all
levels of the Samoan body politic, from the family, to the village, to the region, to national matters. The "matai" (chiefs) are elected
by consensus within the fono of the extended family and village(s) concerned. The matai and the fono (which is itself made of matai)
decide on distribution of family exchanges and tenancy of communal lands. The majority of lands in American Samoa and
independent Samoa are communal. A matai can represent a small family group or a great extended family that reaches across
islands, and to both American Samoa and independent Samoa.
Source: Wikipedia: American Samoa
Governor is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized
territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Its constitution was
ratified 1966 and came into effect 1967. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in the two
chambers of the legislature. The American political parties (Republican and Democratic) exist in American Samoa, but few
politicians are aligned with the parties. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
There is also the traditional village politics of the Samoa Islands, the "fa'amatai" and the "fa'asamoa", which continues in American
Samoa and in independent Samoa, and which interacts across these current boundaries. The Fa'asamoa is the language and
customs, and the Fa'amatai the protocols of the "fono" (council) and the chiefly system. The Fa'amatai and the Fono take place at all
levels of the Samoan body politic, from the family, to the village, to the region, to national matters. The "matai" (chiefs) are elected
by consensus within the fono of the extended family and village(s) concerned. The matai and the fono (which is itself made of matai)
decide on distribution of family exchanges and tenancy of communal lands. The majority of lands in American Samoa and
independent Samoa are communal. A matai can represent a small family group or a great extended family that reaches across
islands, and to both American Samoa and independent Samoa.
Source: Wikipedia: American Samoa
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Tokelau periodically asserts claims to American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega), such as in its 2006 draft independence
constitution
constitution
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
None reported.
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
Human Trafficking In US, According To State Department Report
Monday, 14 June 2010
State Department released Monday its 10th annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which outlines the continuing challenges across the
globe, including in the United States.
The U.S. insular areas consist of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Federal authority over these areas resides in the Department of the Interior
(DOI). While the U.S. government has compacts of free association with Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, they are independent of the United States and thus not discussed here.
The insular areas are a destination for men and women subjected to forced labor, debt bondage, and forced prostitution. The U.S.
government holds a unique relationship with each insular possession. While the U.S. constitutional prohibition of involuntary servitude
and anti-trafficking statutes apply in all areas subject to U.S. jurisdiction, systemic issues prevent full enforcement of the law. For
instance, American Samoa controls its own immigration and labor laws, including its temporary worker programs, as did CNMI until its
recent federal transition. Temporary workers constitute the majority of the population in some territories; this creates a particular
vulnerability for trafficking that is largely unenforced. DOJ sought cases throughout the territories during the reporting period, but
challenges of distance and limitations of resources, in combination with the potential scope of trafficking, mean that the territories
warrant targeted attention, coordination, and resources. In the Territory of American Samoa, Chinese women have been forced into
prostitution in nightclubs and brothels and Chinese and Vietnamese garment workers have been found in forced labor. American Samoa
controls its own immigration policies and enforcement. Local law enforcement initiated an investigation of the territorial immigration
office regarding its role in suspected forced labor and sex trafficking. In October 2009, the American Samoan House and Senate
introduced an anti-trafficking bill, which would criminalize human trafficking and involuntary servitude as felonies.
Click here to read more »
Monday, 14 June 2010
State Department released Monday its 10th annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which outlines the continuing challenges across the
globe, including in the United States.
The U.S. insular areas consist of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Federal authority over these areas resides in the Department of the Interior
(DOI). While the U.S. government has compacts of free association with Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, they are independent of the United States and thus not discussed here.
The insular areas are a destination for men and women subjected to forced labor, debt bondage, and forced prostitution. The U.S.
government holds a unique relationship with each insular possession. While the U.S. constitutional prohibition of involuntary servitude
and anti-trafficking statutes apply in all areas subject to U.S. jurisdiction, systemic issues prevent full enforcement of the law. For
instance, American Samoa controls its own immigration and labor laws, including its temporary worker programs, as did CNMI until its
recent federal transition. Temporary workers constitute the majority of the population in some territories; this creates a particular
vulnerability for trafficking that is largely unenforced. DOJ sought cases throughout the territories during the reporting period, but
challenges of distance and limitations of resources, in combination with the potential scope of trafficking, mean that the territories
warrant targeted attention, coordination, and resources. In the Territory of American Samoa, Chinese women have been forced into
prostitution in nightclubs and brothels and Chinese and Vietnamese garment workers have been found in forced labor. American Samoa
controls its own immigration policies and enforcement. Local law enforcement initiated an investigation of the territorial immigration
office regarding its role in suspected forced labor and sex trafficking. In October 2009, the American Samoan House and Senate
introduced an anti-trafficking bill, which would criminalize human trafficking and involuntary servitude as felonies.
Click here to read more »
The United Nations Human Rights Council Forum on Minority Issues, Second Session
November 13, 2009
Palais des Nations
Geneva, Switzerland
Statement of Laura W. Murphy Senior Advisor, Campaign for a New Domestic Human Rights Agenda &
President, Laura Murphy & Associates
Thank you Madam Chair, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Madam Independent Expert on Minority Issues, Gay McDougall, for
convening this extraordinary second session of the Forum on Minority Issues that has as its focus minorities and effective political
participation.
I am here representing my decades of activism on voting rights issues in the United States and to also represent the Campaign for a New
Domestic Human Rights Agenda, a U.S. based national, international and grassroots coalition composed of over 50 organizations
dedicated to the promotion and respect of human rights and the implementation of human rights obligations in U.S. domestic policy.
Despite the fact that the U.S. is, in many respects, a model democratic nation – democracy is elusive to key sectors of our society – and
those sectors are disproportionately minority and involve millions of people.
For example:
A. In certain sections of the United States, the descendants of slaves, African Americans, are routinely purged from voting rolls for
specious reasons, have difficulty getting electoral districts fairly drawn and face onerous identification problems interfering with the right
to vote.
B. Predominately minority citizens who reside in American territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands cannot vote in presidential elections.
C. In addition, the approximately 600,000 predominately African
American residents of the nation’s capitol, Washington, DC (the District of Columbia) have no full voting representation in the United
States Congress.
D. Indigenous peoples - American Indians and language minorities, including Latinos and Asian Pacific Islanders, continue to face
severe discriminatory policies and actions such as onerous identification requirements, lack of minority language assistance and lack of
accessible polling places, to name a few.
E. Lastly, the U.S. has incomparably harsh treatment for those who have been convicted of crimes but who have completed their
prison sentences and debts to society. They are subjected to an arbitrary state-by-state system that largely works to disallow the
franchise. Because criminal punishment has been meted out more harshly and more discriminatorily against people of color, there is a
disproportionately high rate of felon disenfranchisement in the U.S. in minority communities.
Click here to read more »
November 13, 2009
Palais des Nations
Geneva, Switzerland
Statement of Laura W. Murphy Senior Advisor, Campaign for a New Domestic Human Rights Agenda &
President, Laura Murphy & Associates
Thank you Madam Chair, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Madam Independent Expert on Minority Issues, Gay McDougall, for
convening this extraordinary second session of the Forum on Minority Issues that has as its focus minorities and effective political
participation.
I am here representing my decades of activism on voting rights issues in the United States and to also represent the Campaign for a New
Domestic Human Rights Agenda, a U.S. based national, international and grassroots coalition composed of over 50 organizations
dedicated to the promotion and respect of human rights and the implementation of human rights obligations in U.S. domestic policy.
Despite the fact that the U.S. is, in many respects, a model democratic nation – democracy is elusive to key sectors of our society – and
those sectors are disproportionately minority and involve millions of people.
For example:
A. In certain sections of the United States, the descendants of slaves, African Americans, are routinely purged from voting rolls for
specious reasons, have difficulty getting electoral districts fairly drawn and face onerous identification problems interfering with the right
to vote.
B. Predominately minority citizens who reside in American territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands cannot vote in presidential elections.
C. In addition, the approximately 600,000 predominately African
American residents of the nation’s capitol, Washington, DC (the District of Columbia) have no full voting representation in the United
States Congress.
D. Indigenous peoples - American Indians and language minorities, including Latinos and Asian Pacific Islanders, continue to face
severe discriminatory policies and actions such as onerous identification requirements, lack of minority language assistance and lack of
accessible polling places, to name a few.
E. Lastly, the U.S. has incomparably harsh treatment for those who have been convicted of crimes but who have completed their
prison sentences and debts to society. They are subjected to an arbitrary state-by-state system that largely works to disallow the
franchise. Because criminal punishment has been meted out more harshly and more discriminatorily against people of color, there is a
disproportionately high rate of felon disenfranchisement in the U.S. in minority communities.
Click here to read more »
PRESS FREEDOM 2006 REPORT
SAMOA (including American Samoa)
The constitution protects freedom of the press, though Samoan law mandates imprisonment for the refusal to reveal a confidential
source. Moves were under way late in the year to establish a self-regulating Samoan media council. A consultant from the U.K.-based
Thomson Foundation training agency assisted with the development of a new national media code of conduct.
Samoa has three English-language and several Samoan-language newspapers. It also has five private radio stations, the state-run Samoa
Broadcasting Corporation, and some access to local and foreign satellite television. The Samoa Observer, owned by entrepreneurial
Samoan poet and editor in chief Savea Sano Malifa, continued to dominate the local private newspaper market and provide a vanguard
for the country's media freedom efforts. It extended its influence to New Zealand, where there resides a large Samoan community. A
third printing press and an edition named the American Samoa Tribune were also established across the border in American Samoa. The
paper has had a long struggle in recent years dealing with issues such as censorship, denial of government advertising, and harassment.
There were 6,000 recorded internet users in 2005, and the internet is unrestricted by the government.
Click here to read more »
SAMOA (including American Samoa)
The constitution protects freedom of the press, though Samoan law mandates imprisonment for the refusal to reveal a confidential
source. Moves were under way late in the year to establish a self-regulating Samoan media council. A consultant from the U.K.-based
Thomson Foundation training agency assisted with the development of a new national media code of conduct.
Samoa has three English-language and several Samoan-language newspapers. It also has five private radio stations, the state-run Samoa
Broadcasting Corporation, and some access to local and foreign satellite television. The Samoa Observer, owned by entrepreneurial
Samoan poet and editor in chief Savea Sano Malifa, continued to dominate the local private newspaper market and provide a vanguard
for the country's media freedom efforts. It extended its influence to New Zealand, where there resides a large Samoan community. A
third printing press and an edition named the American Samoa Tribune were also established across the border in American Samoa. The
paper has had a long struggle in recent years dealing with issues such as censorship, denial of government advertising, and harassment.
There were 6,000 recorded internet users in 2005, and the internet is unrestricted by the government.
Click here to read more »
50/08/99
LETHAL INJECTION:
The medical technology of execution
An update: September 1999
In January 1998, Amnesty International issued a report on the introduction, legislation and use of lethal injection executions in five
countries: the USA, China, Guatemala, Philippines and Taiwan[1]. At the time of publication only the first two of these countries had
carried out lethal injection (LI) executions, though Guatemala and Philippines had introduced legislation permitting LI executions and
Taiwan had had such legislation since 1992 [2]. Since then, Guatemala has carried out its first (and, to date, only) execution by injection,
that of Manuel Martínez Coronado on 10 February 1998. The execution was botched, taking up to 18 minutes to accomplish, and was
accompanied by the wailing of his family members who were present at the killing. In the Philippines, five executions have taken place
since the re-starting of executions on 4 February 1999. More than 1000 prisoners currently await execution in the country, and the
number is escalating rapidly. In August 1999 the president announced a stay on all executions until a "conscience committee" was
established to review sentences.
This paper gives information on developments in the application of the death penalty by lethal injection up to September 1999.
American Samoa
In August 1999, a parliamentarian in the Pacific island territory of American Samoa introduced a bill which, if passed, would provide for
lethal injection as method of execution. The current law states that "persons convicted of the offence of murder in the first degree shall,
if the judge or jury so recommends ... be punished by death" but does not stipulate an execution method. According to reports, without a
method of execution being specified by law, an execution cannot be carried out. Governor Tauese Sunia has repeatedly expressed his
opposition to any law that would allow for the death penalty to be carried out. The last execution is believed to have been carried out in
the 1920s -- by hanging.
Click here to read more »
LETHAL INJECTION:
The medical technology of execution
An update: September 1999
In January 1998, Amnesty International issued a report on the introduction, legislation and use of lethal injection executions in five
countries: the USA, China, Guatemala, Philippines and Taiwan[1]. At the time of publication only the first two of these countries had
carried out lethal injection (LI) executions, though Guatemala and Philippines had introduced legislation permitting LI executions and
Taiwan had had such legislation since 1992 [2]. Since then, Guatemala has carried out its first (and, to date, only) execution by injection,
that of Manuel Martínez Coronado on 10 February 1998. The execution was botched, taking up to 18 minutes to accomplish, and was
accompanied by the wailing of his family members who were present at the killing. In the Philippines, five executions have taken place
since the re-starting of executions on 4 February 1999. More than 1000 prisoners currently await execution in the country, and the
number is escalating rapidly. In August 1999 the president announced a stay on all executions until a "conscience committee" was
established to review sentences.
This paper gives information on developments in the application of the death penalty by lethal injection up to September 1999.
American Samoa
In August 1999, a parliamentarian in the Pacific island territory of American Samoa introduced a bill which, if passed, would provide for
lethal injection as method of execution. The current law states that "persons convicted of the offence of murder in the first degree shall,
if the judge or jury so recommends ... be punished by death" but does not stipulate an execution method. According to reports, without a
method of execution being specified by law, an execution cannot be carried out. Governor Tauese Sunia has repeatedly expressed his
opposition to any law that would allow for the death penalty to be carried out. The last execution is believed to have been carried out in
the 1920s -- by hanging.
Click here to read more »
Women and Sweatshops
06 February 2001
Introduction
A sweatshop is a work place, often a factory, in which employees work long hours at low wages under poor conditions. Although
sweatshops virtually disappeared after World War II because of increased government regulations and the rise of unions, they have
reappeared, and are steadily increasing in number throughout the world. This is due, in large part, to economic globalization.
Multinational corporations have been moving production facilities out of democratic, industrial nations into impoverished, developing
countries in order to take advantage of cheap labor and to avoid scrutiny from governments and human rights organizations. MNC's are
concerned with the production of goods for world markets at lowest possible costs in order to maximize profit. Unfortunately, the
exploitation of workers is commonly a consequence of this global "development". Surprisingly, sweatshops are not restricted to poor and
developing nations. The Department of Labor indicates that 50% of garment factories in the U.S. violate two or more basic labor laws,
establishing them as sweatshops. Sweatshops exist wherever there is an opportunity to exploit workers who lack the knowledge and
resources to stand up for themselves. Typical sweatshop employees, ninety percent of whom are women, are young and uneducated.
Many of them are recent or undocumented immigrants who are unaware of their legal rights. Young women throughout the world are
subject to horrible working conditions and innumerable injustices because corporations, many of which are U.S.-owned, can get away
with it.
"Made in the USA"
The Daewoosa factory in American Samoa, a Pacific territory of the U.S., was closed in January of 2001 for horrible human rights
violations. The factory produced clothing for the J C Penney Co., Target, and other U.S. corporations. The Vietnamese employees of
this sweatshop were fed a diet of rice and cabbage broth, which lacked adequate nourishment. At times employees were given nothing to
eat as a means of punishment (Greenhouse, 2001). Workers were forced to live in cramped living quarters, were unable to leave the
compound as they pleased, and were cheated out of wages. Over 90% of the employees at Daewoosa were women. They were forced
to endure unrelenting sexual harassment and physical abuse. One woman lost her eye when she was attacked by a Samoan plant
supervisor and a female security guard because the supervisor believed her to be sitting idle while she was waiting for fabric to arrive
(National Labor Committee, 2001). Workers won a lawsuit against the Daewoosa plant for nonpayment of wages and contract
violations. Unfortunately, the factory owner failed to pay the $600,000 in back wages and penalties, and now the factory is bankrupt.
The Vietnamese workers are stranded in Samoa with no jobs and no money. If sent home, they are subject to imprisonment and fines
for breaking their contract with Daewoosa (National Labor Committee, 2001). Like Saipan, American Samoa is free from U.S. minimum
wage and immigration laws. However, clothing made in Samoa is exempt from U.S. import quotas and tariffs.
Sweatshops Around the World
Despite international and domestic human rights agreements, many countries fail to protect the rights of their workers, and often have a
hand in their exploitation. For instance, the trafficking of Thai women to Japan as means of cheap labor often includes debt bondage,
forced labor and many other abuses. The Japanese and Thai governments fail to address these issues despite international obligations to
protect the human rights of these migrant women (Human Rights Watch, 2000). These women undergo slavery-like conditions, and are
literally "bought" and "sold" to employers. Many are forced to work without wages until they have repaid inflated "debts" and "fees",
which may take years. The women are also subject to physical abuse, excessively long working hours, and sexual harassment (Human
Rights Watch, 2000). These are abuses that are prohibited under Japanese and Thai domestic legislation and international law.
Unfortunately, corruption and lack of concern among government officials exacerbates the women's situation.
Click here to read more»
06 February 2001
Introduction
A sweatshop is a work place, often a factory, in which employees work long hours at low wages under poor conditions. Although
sweatshops virtually disappeared after World War II because of increased government regulations and the rise of unions, they have
reappeared, and are steadily increasing in number throughout the world. This is due, in large part, to economic globalization.
Multinational corporations have been moving production facilities out of democratic, industrial nations into impoverished, developing
countries in order to take advantage of cheap labor and to avoid scrutiny from governments and human rights organizations. MNC's are
concerned with the production of goods for world markets at lowest possible costs in order to maximize profit. Unfortunately, the
exploitation of workers is commonly a consequence of this global "development". Surprisingly, sweatshops are not restricted to poor and
developing nations. The Department of Labor indicates that 50% of garment factories in the U.S. violate two or more basic labor laws,
establishing them as sweatshops. Sweatshops exist wherever there is an opportunity to exploit workers who lack the knowledge and
resources to stand up for themselves. Typical sweatshop employees, ninety percent of whom are women, are young and uneducated.
Many of them are recent or undocumented immigrants who are unaware of their legal rights. Young women throughout the world are
subject to horrible working conditions and innumerable injustices because corporations, many of which are U.S.-owned, can get away
with it.
"Made in the USA"
The Daewoosa factory in American Samoa, a Pacific territory of the U.S., was closed in January of 2001 for horrible human rights
violations. The factory produced clothing for the J C Penney Co., Target, and other U.S. corporations. The Vietnamese employees of
this sweatshop were fed a diet of rice and cabbage broth, which lacked adequate nourishment. At times employees were given nothing to
eat as a means of punishment (Greenhouse, 2001). Workers were forced to live in cramped living quarters, were unable to leave the
compound as they pleased, and were cheated out of wages. Over 90% of the employees at Daewoosa were women. They were forced
to endure unrelenting sexual harassment and physical abuse. One woman lost her eye when she was attacked by a Samoan plant
supervisor and a female security guard because the supervisor believed her to be sitting idle while she was waiting for fabric to arrive
(National Labor Committee, 2001). Workers won a lawsuit against the Daewoosa plant for nonpayment of wages and contract
violations. Unfortunately, the factory owner failed to pay the $600,000 in back wages and penalties, and now the factory is bankrupt.
The Vietnamese workers are stranded in Samoa with no jobs and no money. If sent home, they are subject to imprisonment and fines
for breaking their contract with Daewoosa (National Labor Committee, 2001). Like Saipan, American Samoa is free from U.S. minimum
wage and immigration laws. However, clothing made in Samoa is exempt from U.S. import quotas and tariffs.
Sweatshops Around the World
Despite international and domestic human rights agreements, many countries fail to protect the rights of their workers, and often have a
hand in their exploitation. For instance, the trafficking of Thai women to Japan as means of cheap labor often includes debt bondage,
forced labor and many other abuses. The Japanese and Thai governments fail to address these issues despite international obligations to
protect the human rights of these migrant women (Human Rights Watch, 2000). These women undergo slavery-like conditions, and are
literally "bought" and "sold" to employers. Many are forced to work without wages until they have repaid inflated "debts" and "fees",
which may take years. The women are also subject to physical abuse, excessively long working hours, and sexual harassment (Human
Rights Watch, 2000). These are abuses that are prohibited under Japanese and Thai domestic legislation and international law.
Unfortunately, corruption and lack of concern among government officials exacerbates the women's situation.
Click here to read more»
Governor Togiola Tulafono Speech
“Pacific Island Perspective on Climate Change: American Samoa”
Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force
Friday, July 9, 2010 – Honolulu HI
Keoni Auditorium, Imin Conference Center,
East-West Center, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa
Honorable members of the United States Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force, ladies and gentlemen: I wish to thank the
Task Force for inviting American Samoa to participate in this important meeting as you are contemplating your report to the President
with regards to your recommendations “on the development of domestic and international dimensions of a U.S. approach to climate
change adaptation and what the Federal Agencies are doing to support this effort”, and any “additional aspects to consider in the
development of a comprehensive national strategy.
Make no mistake about it, as a small island country, especially one that is associated with the United States, we feel grateful and are most
appreciative to see this happening and with our nation taking this leadership approach. Our nation has come under criticism for not
signing the Kyoto Protocol, and as far as many small island nations in the Pacific, it is a sore point in our relations. Why? Because while
the debate is going on as to (1) the exactness of the science, (2) who is really responsible, and (3) who will cast the first stone as to
forging any solutions, our Pacific Islands are suffering the devastating effect of global warming and climate change.
Sea level rise now threatens the very existence of low-lying islands in our region. With the loss of land and drinking water due to rising
sea levels and more severe storm events, low-lying islands will become uninhabitable and their people must abandon their homelands. In
American Samoa, warm ocean temperatures have killed parts of our coral reefs several times over the last 15 years. Most of these reefs
have recovered for the time being, but more sea level rise coupled with warm temperatures will surely destroy more of these resources.
The warnings are loud and clear for us – climate change is real and it is happening to us right now.
So today, I offer my congratulations to the Interagency Climate Change Task Force for the speed and determination that I see, in the
way you are going about putting together the road map for a “Comprehensive National Strategy “climate change adaptation and
resiliency”.
As a member of the United States Coral Reef Task Force, our efforts to put “Climate Change” on the agenda of that Task Force was
met with serious resistance and, to some extent, has alienated me for keep raising the issue for the last 10 years. But while the debate
was heating up with the metropolitan nations, resilience is what Pacific people is all about. It is their resilience that brought them from
far away shores to settle the very islands that are now in serious jeopardy because of global warming and adverse climate change.
Unfortunately, there is very little, if any, that Pacific islands can do to reverse the effects of these global changes.
None of the things we do in small island countries like ours will impact the efforts that much. There is no doubt that having adapted to
living like the rest of the world we have had to contribute to the effects of global warming and sea level rise, in a very, very small way.
Yet, we bear the worst consequences of global warming and climate change. We lose our food sources; we lose our livelihood; and we
lost our land. Some of them are disappearing for good. So, as you can appreciate, “adaptation” and “mitigation” are not options that are
available to us as a people. No matter what we do to reverse our very small contributions to the effects of global climate change, our
islands will still be sinking into deeper oceans; habitable and cultivatable land are buried by sea level rise. We, therefore, must look at the
“world’s largest countries and biggest polluters to come up with a strategy. . .to stem the effects of global warming,” as the Executive
Secretary of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, Yvo de Boer, stated recently. In his message, he declared unequivocally:
The major economies of the world “have to take the lead amongst those forces”, reported by B.J. Reyes of the Honolulu Star Bulletin.
That is why I am most grateful to our nation for notwithstanding world criticism, the United States has been assuming leadership in the
area of research and gaining understanding of the sciences so that the information is collected to make better decisions about these
issues.
Click here to read more »
“Pacific Island Perspective on Climate Change: American Samoa”
Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force
Friday, July 9, 2010 – Honolulu HI
Keoni Auditorium, Imin Conference Center,
East-West Center, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa
Honorable members of the United States Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force, ladies and gentlemen: I wish to thank the
Task Force for inviting American Samoa to participate in this important meeting as you are contemplating your report to the President
with regards to your recommendations “on the development of domestic and international dimensions of a U.S. approach to climate
change adaptation and what the Federal Agencies are doing to support this effort”, and any “additional aspects to consider in the
development of a comprehensive national strategy.
Make no mistake about it, as a small island country, especially one that is associated with the United States, we feel grateful and are most
appreciative to see this happening and with our nation taking this leadership approach. Our nation has come under criticism for not
signing the Kyoto Protocol, and as far as many small island nations in the Pacific, it is a sore point in our relations. Why? Because while
the debate is going on as to (1) the exactness of the science, (2) who is really responsible, and (3) who will cast the first stone as to
forging any solutions, our Pacific Islands are suffering the devastating effect of global warming and climate change.
Sea level rise now threatens the very existence of low-lying islands in our region. With the loss of land and drinking water due to rising
sea levels and more severe storm events, low-lying islands will become uninhabitable and their people must abandon their homelands. In
American Samoa, warm ocean temperatures have killed parts of our coral reefs several times over the last 15 years. Most of these reefs
have recovered for the time being, but more sea level rise coupled with warm temperatures will surely destroy more of these resources.
The warnings are loud and clear for us – climate change is real and it is happening to us right now.
So today, I offer my congratulations to the Interagency Climate Change Task Force for the speed and determination that I see, in the
way you are going about putting together the road map for a “Comprehensive National Strategy “climate change adaptation and
resiliency”.
As a member of the United States Coral Reef Task Force, our efforts to put “Climate Change” on the agenda of that Task Force was
met with serious resistance and, to some extent, has alienated me for keep raising the issue for the last 10 years. But while the debate
was heating up with the metropolitan nations, resilience is what Pacific people is all about. It is their resilience that brought them from
far away shores to settle the very islands that are now in serious jeopardy because of global warming and adverse climate change.
Unfortunately, there is very little, if any, that Pacific islands can do to reverse the effects of these global changes.
None of the things we do in small island countries like ours will impact the efforts that much. There is no doubt that having adapted to
living like the rest of the world we have had to contribute to the effects of global warming and sea level rise, in a very, very small way.
Yet, we bear the worst consequences of global warming and climate change. We lose our food sources; we lose our livelihood; and we
lost our land. Some of them are disappearing for good. So, as you can appreciate, “adaptation” and “mitigation” are not options that are
available to us as a people. No matter what we do to reverse our very small contributions to the effects of global climate change, our
islands will still be sinking into deeper oceans; habitable and cultivatable land are buried by sea level rise. We, therefore, must look at the
“world’s largest countries and biggest polluters to come up with a strategy. . .to stem the effects of global warming,” as the Executive
Secretary of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change, Yvo de Boer, stated recently. In his message, he declared unequivocally:
The major economies of the world “have to take the lead amongst those forces”, reported by B.J. Reyes of the Honolulu Star Bulletin.
That is why I am most grateful to our nation for notwithstanding world criticism, the United States has been assuming leadership in the
area of research and gaining understanding of the sciences so that the information is collected to make better decisions about these
issues.
Click here to read more »
Gov. Togiola closes ConCon, “Our people await deliverance of document”
Submitted by Newsroom on Sat, 07/03/2010
(UTULEI: Saturday, July 3, 2010) –Governor Togiola Tulafono on Saturday, July 3, 2010 addressed the closing of the 2010 American
Samoa Constitutional Convention at Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei and expressed his sincere thanks for a very
productive two weeks of deliberations. (see pictures)
"We have all come to understand that a government’s constitution is the roadmap of any government’s governance, safety and the
cornerstone of its peace and freedom for its people," said Gov. Togiola. "Thank you for the monumental task over the past two weeks
that you have crafted and carried out so dilligently in preparing for the journey ahead of us. Your work is the guide by which we, as
Samoans, will be able to plot the next steps of our journey. I wish to congratulate and thank you."
"As we proceed in this direction, a question arises for me of the enormity of the task that has just been completed. We have worked, and
now it is up to the voters. Or, will the voters approve these recommendations and amendments to Our Constitution?" asked Governor
Togiola.
The following text is the translation of Governor Togiola’s address, which was presented in Samoan:
This Constitutional Convention opened with the protection of individual rights and resulted in the protection of American Samoa
Nationals. We began by exploring the possibility of bringing together the Fono which resulted in the expansion of the Legislature in
numbers. We have spoken with representatives regarding the current Fono building. It cannot possibly contain any more tables and
chairs in its current state. A new building will need to be built to accommodate this recommendation. All of these recommendations
nevertheless will be put to the wisdom of your decisions.
In addition, we have sought guidance for our governance and you have chosen the recommendation of remaining with the current
political status and not to be included as part of an official independent government. These are some outcomes achieved today along with
encouragement from other leaders and fathers of our country for us to move forward.
I am reminded of the courage shown by our forefathers in their wonderful offering and approval of the Constitutional Convention of
1960, which was confirmed in 1966 which reads:
Whereas, the Constitution of American Samoa has been revised and was reviewed and approved by the Secretary of the Interior, and
approved by a Constitutional Convention of the people of American Samoa and voters at the 1966 general election, is established to
further advance government of the people, by the people, and for the people of American Samoa.
Their wisdom was clear. They spoke to what the people of American Samoa want to put in place to ensure the protection of our heritage
and culture. And these are the fruits of your works that you have labored over.
I hold before me the complete document of your proceedings which has been prepared for our people who await its deliverance. Let us
now await the guidance and decision and wisdom of the people; as is the wisdom of David.
Click here to read more »
Submitted by Newsroom on Sat, 07/03/2010
(UTULEI: Saturday, July 3, 2010) –Governor Togiola Tulafono on Saturday, July 3, 2010 addressed the closing of the 2010 American
Samoa Constitutional Convention at Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei and expressed his sincere thanks for a very
productive two weeks of deliberations. (see pictures)
"We have all come to understand that a government’s constitution is the roadmap of any government’s governance, safety and the
cornerstone of its peace and freedom for its people," said Gov. Togiola. "Thank you for the monumental task over the past two weeks
that you have crafted and carried out so dilligently in preparing for the journey ahead of us. Your work is the guide by which we, as
Samoans, will be able to plot the next steps of our journey. I wish to congratulate and thank you."
"As we proceed in this direction, a question arises for me of the enormity of the task that has just been completed. We have worked, and
now it is up to the voters. Or, will the voters approve these recommendations and amendments to Our Constitution?" asked Governor
Togiola.
The following text is the translation of Governor Togiola’s address, which was presented in Samoan:
This Constitutional Convention opened with the protection of individual rights and resulted in the protection of American Samoa
Nationals. We began by exploring the possibility of bringing together the Fono which resulted in the expansion of the Legislature in
numbers. We have spoken with representatives regarding the current Fono building. It cannot possibly contain any more tables and
chairs in its current state. A new building will need to be built to accommodate this recommendation. All of these recommendations
nevertheless will be put to the wisdom of your decisions.
In addition, we have sought guidance for our governance and you have chosen the recommendation of remaining with the current
political status and not to be included as part of an official independent government. These are some outcomes achieved today along with
encouragement from other leaders and fathers of our country for us to move forward.
I am reminded of the courage shown by our forefathers in their wonderful offering and approval of the Constitutional Convention of
1960, which was confirmed in 1966 which reads:
Whereas, the Constitution of American Samoa has been revised and was reviewed and approved by the Secretary of the Interior, and
approved by a Constitutional Convention of the people of American Samoa and voters at the 1966 general election, is established to
further advance government of the people, by the people, and for the people of American Samoa.
Their wisdom was clear. They spoke to what the people of American Samoa want to put in place to ensure the protection of our heritage
and culture. And these are the fruits of your works that you have labored over.
I hold before me the complete document of your proceedings which has been prepared for our people who await its deliverance. Let us
now await the guidance and decision and wisdom of the people; as is the wisdom of David.
Click here to read more »
Together Samoa donates $3,000 to help Samoa Disaster Relief Coalition efforts
Tuesday September 21, 2010
(CARSON, CA)— Together Samoa, a group of young Samoan Americans formed with the mission of supporting tsunami relief efforts
through selling custom wristbands, has donated a total of $3,000 to the Help Samoa Disaster Relief Coalition (Help Samoa) to aid in their
second and third shipment of disaster relief items to Samoa and American Samoa.
The check was presented by Nemaia Satele, founder of Together Samoa, to Pat Luce, Executive Director of the National Office of
Samoan Affairs and Co-Chair of Help Samoa.
Together Samoa’s donation to Help Samoa was generated through people’s purchase of $2 wristbands, with 100% of proceeds donated
to tsunami relief efforts. The money will be used to purchase much needed items to the islands including building materials, and also
offset shipping/transportation costs to Samoa and American Samoa.
Help Samoa’s third shipment will leave to Samoa and American Samoa today and arrive in the islands in early December. Items in these
containers will be distributed through Help Samoa’s partner non-governmental organizations, Native American Samoa Advisory Council
(NASAC) in American Samoa, and Samoa Umbrella of Non-Governmental Organizations (SUNGO) and Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia
Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) in Samoa. Help Samoa has already sent a total of twenty containers packed with food, water,
clothing, diapers and medical supplies to the islands.
“Together Samoa’s donation to Help Samoa is really a testament to the entire Samoan community in the United States. We are
particularly grateful to youth, who have whole-heartedly taken on Together Samoa’s mission and fundraised in their communities,
purchased wristbands, and advocated on behalf of the tsunami relief efforts underway,” said Nemaia Satele. “Two dollars for a
wristband may not seem like a lot, but has made a profound impact on healing our homeland. We are humbled and grateful for everyone’
s purchase.”
Pat Luce concluded, “We are thankful for the generosity of the Together Samoa organization as a coalition partner. Together Samoa is a
fine example of young promising community leaders.”
Together Samoa was founded on the premise of giving young people and others the opportunity to participate in tsunami relief efforts,
and to symbolically unify those living outside of the islands around rebuilding efforts.
The group will continue to sell wristbands, which say “Together Samoa” and “One Love * One Goal.” Future proceeds will go towards
supporting education efforts for schools in Samoa and American Samoa damaged by the tsunami.
For more information, visit www.togethersamoa.com
Together Samoa was formed in response to the September 29th tsunami. It is a coalition of Polynesian families, students, community
leaders and church members in the United States unified around a common vision of rebuilding Samoa and American Samoa, with
central hubs in the Los Angeles area (Long Beach, Carson), as well as the San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland).
Click here to read more>>
Tuesday September 21, 2010
(CARSON, CA)— Together Samoa, a group of young Samoan Americans formed with the mission of supporting tsunami relief efforts
through selling custom wristbands, has donated a total of $3,000 to the Help Samoa Disaster Relief Coalition (Help Samoa) to aid in their
second and third shipment of disaster relief items to Samoa and American Samoa.
The check was presented by Nemaia Satele, founder of Together Samoa, to Pat Luce, Executive Director of the National Office of
Samoan Affairs and Co-Chair of Help Samoa.
Together Samoa’s donation to Help Samoa was generated through people’s purchase of $2 wristbands, with 100% of proceeds donated
to tsunami relief efforts. The money will be used to purchase much needed items to the islands including building materials, and also
offset shipping/transportation costs to Samoa and American Samoa.
Help Samoa’s third shipment will leave to Samoa and American Samoa today and arrive in the islands in early December. Items in these
containers will be distributed through Help Samoa’s partner non-governmental organizations, Native American Samoa Advisory Council
(NASAC) in American Samoa, and Samoa Umbrella of Non-Governmental Organizations (SUNGO) and Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia
Women’s Association (PPSEAWA) in Samoa. Help Samoa has already sent a total of twenty containers packed with food, water,
clothing, diapers and medical supplies to the islands.
“Together Samoa’s donation to Help Samoa is really a testament to the entire Samoan community in the United States. We are
particularly grateful to youth, who have whole-heartedly taken on Together Samoa’s mission and fundraised in their communities,
purchased wristbands, and advocated on behalf of the tsunami relief efforts underway,” said Nemaia Satele. “Two dollars for a
wristband may not seem like a lot, but has made a profound impact on healing our homeland. We are humbled and grateful for everyone’
s purchase.”
Pat Luce concluded, “We are thankful for the generosity of the Together Samoa organization as a coalition partner. Together Samoa is a
fine example of young promising community leaders.”
Together Samoa was founded on the premise of giving young people and others the opportunity to participate in tsunami relief efforts,
and to symbolically unify those living outside of the islands around rebuilding efforts.
The group will continue to sell wristbands, which say “Together Samoa” and “One Love * One Goal.” Future proceeds will go towards
supporting education efforts for schools in Samoa and American Samoa damaged by the tsunami.
For more information, visit www.togethersamoa.com
Together Samoa was formed in response to the September 29th tsunami. It is a coalition of Polynesian families, students, community
leaders and church members in the United States unified around a common vision of rebuilding Samoa and American Samoa, with
central hubs in the Los Angeles area (Long Beach, Carson), as well as the San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland).
Click here to read more>>
| Click map for larger view |
| Click flag for Country Report |
Barack Hussein Obama
President since 20 January 2009
President since 20 January 2009
Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.
Vice President since 20 January 2009
Vice President since 20 January 2009
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.
Aitofele Toese Fiti Sunia
Lieutenant Governor since 16 November 2004
Lieutenant Governor since 16 November 2004
