NEWSROOM: 27 January - 09 February 2007

ASCC Students Show Strong Support for Teacher Education Program
09 February 2008 - Source: ASCC Press Officer
 
With the spring 2008 semester at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) now in full swing, the Teacher Education Department has reported a significant increase in enrollment in both its introductory courses as well as the newly-introduced 300-level classes which count towards a Bachelor in Education (B.Ed.) degree. The ASCC Admissions Office has tabulated that this semester 151 students have declared Teacher Education as their major. Added to the 156 students who did the same last semester, this brings the total number of ASCC students in the Teacher Education program to 307, or about 20% of the college’s student body.

“The 100- and 200-level courses in our department have filled up to capacity this semester,” said Teacher Education Chairperson Dr. Lina Galea’i-Scanlan. “We may have limited enrollment in the 300-level classes right now, only because it’s just those very first students in our program who have already completed the upper-level prerequisites. By next semester, the 300-level classes should fill up with students now taking the entry level courses, and those now at the 300-level will move into the initial 400-level classes.”

Many years in the making, the ASCC Teacher Education program gives local students their first opportunity to earn a Bachelors degree without having to travel off island. Through every step in the program’s development, ASCC has worked closely with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), the organization which oversees accreditation of educational institutions across the nation, and a WASC team will visit ASCC later this year to review the program as the final step towards granting it full accreditation. Dr. Galea’i-Scanlan predicts that if all goes well the first group of Teacher Education students will graduate with their B.Ed. degrees in fall 2009.


Courses beginning this semester include (ED 300) Foundations in Education and (ED 305) Foundations in Curriculum, both taught by adjunct faculty member Dr. Trudie Sala; (ED 301) Educational Psychology, taught by Mrs. Rosevonne Pato, and (ED 312) Teaching Language Arts for Elementary Teachers, taught by Dr. Larry Purcell.
These courses run for 16 weeks. “We’ve seen a huge interest in our program, as evidenced by the numbers we show in all our courses,” said Dr. Galea’i-Scanlan. “I offered double sections for all courses, and all with the exception of one met the numbers required to have the courses run. This turnout, as compared to last year when we only ran one section of the each course, has us all very excited, as well as very busy.”

ASCC has accommodated the growing interest in the program by designating two classrooms in the new Education and Administration Facility for use primarily by the Teacher Education Department. Outside the classroom, Education majors have access to the Teacher Education Resource Center on the second floor of the Library. The Resource Center contains over 4000 books and magazines on Teacher Education, and will soon include additional computers that Education majors can use for research.

Having seen the level of interest in the Teacher Education program among regular day students at the College, Dr. Galea’i-Scanlan and her staff plan to raise awareness about their program even further. “We’ve designed a high school recruitment program to get out to the high schools to promote Teacher Education. I plan to do a B.Ed. presentation to all high school counselors regarding our Bachelors program at ASCC, as well as our AA program.

The Teacher Education Department has also established a working relationship with the separate American Samoa Teacher Education Program (ASTEP). As Dr. Galea’i-Scanlan explained, “We now offer four certification courses for DOE teachers under the guidance of ASTEP and the DOE Teacher Quality. We work closely with the ASTEP Director to ensure that we offer courses for in-service teachers that will help them become more effective in the classroom. We all feel very excited about this collaboration with ASTEP.”

For more information on the ASCC Teacher Education Program, call ASCC at 699-9155, and ask for Dr. Lina Galea’i-Scanlan.
 

American Samoa’s Chamber of Commerce says Territory should back Faleomavaega
07 February 2008 - Source: Radio New Zealand International
 
The American Samoa Chamber of Commerce says it’s important that the territory support Congressman Faleomavaega’s efforts to stop any further wage hikes.

A second 50 US cent increase in the Samoa minimum wage is expected to go into effect in May.

Many business people say this would be disastrous for the territory’s economy.

The Chamber’s President, David Robinson, says the government must act quickly to diversify the economy and remove impediments stopping economic growth.

“The chamber believes that there’s a role for the senate and the house of representatives to exert more pressure on the government to bring about the changes that we’ve been all talking about to improve the economic circumstances in the territory.”

David Robinson.

The first wage hike has reportedly cost the territory’s businesses millions of US dollars.
 

Ten Samoan boxing pioneers receive honorary awards
05 February 2008 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Ten recipients of the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing Honorary Awards were presented their awards at the Pre-fight Cocktail on Friday 1st February 2008.

According to Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni, Managing Director of Event Polynesia, “It is fitting that the pioneers of Samoa boxing are honoured at the inaugural Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing event for their service in boxing. This weekend Samoa will not only host representatives from the four main world boxing bodies, but will make boxing history with local referee and judges officiating the WBO Oriental Cruiserweight title.”

“Contrary to what most think, it is very hard to raise funds in Samoa to promote boxing and especially to stage international fights here. This is the first and very likely to be the last time Event Polynesia Boxing will bring such an international boxing gathering here to Samoa.”

“Event Polynesia Boxing is committed to promoting Samoan boxers. However, the international title fights will have to be in Auckland where we stage our New Zealand fights because of the huge expenses that we incur to bring such events to Samoa.”

Mr. Puni and boxing officials made a courtesy call to personally thank the Prime Minister, Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and to thank the Samoa Government for the financial assistance towards the amateur expenses of this event.

Mr. Reginald Leca, President of Oceania Boxing Association and representative for PABA and WBA at a media conference yesterday, compared Samoa to Cuba as a force in world boxing. But unlike Cuba, Samoa needs to move its amateur boxers to professional boxing earlier rather than very late as is the case with Maselino Masoe.

“This requires amateur boxing to work together with professional boxing in Samoa in association with promoters such as Event Polynesia Boxing, who are helping Samoan professional boxers to get ranking for title fights.”

The 10 recipients of the Samoa International Pro-Am Boxing Honorary Awards are:
Hon Peter Paul – Promoter, Hon Sala Ulugia Suivai – Promoter / Coach,
Savaiinaea Malo Slade – Boxer / Trainer / Coach,
Oscar Meredith – Trainer / Coach,
Hon Fa’asootauloa Sam Saili – Promoter,
Galumalemana Afeleti Betham – Trainer / Coach / Promoter,
Hon Polataivao Fosi Schmidt – Boxer / Promoter / Coach,
Lesa Eric Fatupaito – Trainer / Coach,
Maposua Rudolf Keil – Promoter, and
Ulugia Elijah Stanley – Promoter

Photo #1: Mr. Tuilagi Maiava Saipele Esera (Event Polynesia Boxing) with Mr. Lincoln Hudson, Mr. Lawrence Tauasa and Mr. Ale Vena Ale (South Pacific Boxing Incorporated).

Photo #2: Mr. Reginald Leca and Mr. Charles Baou with Mr. Teleiai Su’a Edwin Puni (Event Polynesia Boxing).

Photo #3: Mr. Walter Pupu’a and Mr. Lawrence Tauasa with Mrs Suia Talosaga (Event Polynesia Boxing).
 

Faleomavaega on assignment in New Zealand
03 February 2008 - Source: Office of Congressman Faleomavaega
 
As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment, Faleomavaega is on assignment in New Zealand. While in New Zealand, Faleomavaega met with the U.S. Consulate in Auckland to review the progress of the visa pilot program which was established at his request to assist Samoan citizens married to U.S. Nationals.

“As a result of new security measures in a post 9-11 world, Samoans, like many others, had to travel costly distances in order to obtain an in-person interview for visas. This new security requirement also affected Samoan citizens married to U.S. Nationals,” Faleomavaega said.

“To address the concerns of our people, former Chairman Henry Hyde of the House International Relations Committee supported my efforts in asking U.S. Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice to work out a solution that would not require Samoan citizens married to U.S. Nationals to fly to New Zealand at an approximate cost of over $1,000 for travel and accommodations.”

“The U.S. State Department heard our concerns and in late 2006 instituted a pilot program which now allows for Samoan citizens married to U.S. Nationals to be interviewed in Apia. Samoans from Apia also benefit as a result of this program,” Faleomavaega said.

“The good news is our pilot program is now permanent. In discussions I had yesterday with U.S. Consulate General John Desrocher and Consul Nicholas J. Greanians, over 500 Samoans per year are now being interviewed in Apia.”

“As our people may know, four times a year the U.S. Consulate in Auckland sends an officer to Apia to conduct in-person interviews. Prior to the interviewer’s arrival in Apia, a public announcement is made approximately 30 days in advance informing the public that interviews will be made available. Interviews are made on-line on a first-come, first-serve basis, and slots fill up very quickly.”

“From the outset of this program, I have invited those living in American Samoa who may need assistance to contact my district office for help. My office stands prepared to do whatever it can to help those applying for their visas and appointments since the process requires a computer and must be done on-line.”

“According to my discussions with Consul General Desrocher, each quarter the officer sent to Apia is able to interview approximately 125 people. However, I am pleased to announce that serious efforts are underway to increase the amount of interviews an officer can conduct each quarter.”

“I was pleased to learn in my meeting with the Consulate General that they are pursuing new technologies to speed up the interview process. Right now, because our internet service is slow in Apia or Pago Pago, the interview time takes longer. But with efforts underway to constantly improve our visa program, we may be able to vastly increase the number of our interviews in the very near future.”

“So far, as a result of this program, more than 625 Samoans have been interviewed without having flown to New Zealand. This has been a savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars for residents of Samoa and American Samoa and, for this reason, I thank our U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, The Honorable William McCormick for his dedication and commitment and for making our program a high priority of his service.”

“I also thank Consulate General Desrocher and Consul Greanias for their hard work. I also thank their staff working in the U.S. Consulate in Aukland. While on assignment in New Zealand, I had an opportunity to visit our U.S. Consulate and see first-hand how the visa processing works. I can tell you that our Consulate in Auckland, like all other U.S. Consulates around the world, is understaffed making the workload almost impossible for our Foreign Service officers. Our U.S. Consulate in Auckland is to be commended for the outstanding service it is providing, and I do appreciate the Consulate’s commitment to our people.”

“While in New Zealand, I will also personally be meeting in Wellington with Ambassador McCormick to extend our thanks to him. On Monday, I will meet with The Honorable Winnie Laban, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs; The Honorable David Parker, Minister of Climate Change; and Mr. Huhana Rokx, Chief Executive Officer of the Maori Language Commission,” Faleomavaega said.

“As a guest of the government of New Zealand, I will also attend Waitangi Day at the request of Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Waitangi Day is a celebration of the treaty signed between the Maoris and the British which led to the protection of the Maori lands and culture.”

“During my discussions with these leaders, it is my intent to find ways for us to collaborate together as Pacific Island nations to address climate change. I will be holding a hearing upon my return regarding climate change and vulnerable societies, and I have invited small island nations from our region to brief the Subcommittee.”

“Finally, I am extremely pleased to meet with the Maori Language Commission because I believe there is much we can learn from its success. In fact, I believe it is critical that we adapt some of the knowledge the Maoris have gained as we seek to preserve our Samoan language. This is an issue that I am deeply committed to and I look forward to working with the Governor hopefully to establish a Samoan Language Commission similar to the Maori Language Commission which has made tremendous advancements for the preservation and enhancement of the Maori language.”

“Again, I thank the government of New Zealand for their gracious hospitality and, as always, I thank the people of American Samoa for the outstanding contributions they make to our great nation,” Faleomavaega concluded.
 

ASCC Archaeology Instructor Guest Editor for Journal of Samoan Studies
01 February 2008 - Source: ASCC Press Officer

Once a year in our neighboring Independent State of Samoa, the Centre for Samoan Studies at the National University of Samoa (NUS) publishes the Journal of Samoan Studies (JSS), which collects the best available research-based writing from academics and scholars studying Samoa’s history and culture. Archaeology instructor Dr. David Addison of the Samoan Studies Institute at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) served as one of the guest editors for the most recent edition of the JSS, which came out last month.

The edition of the JSS co-edited by Dr. Addison and Ms. Tautala Asaua of NUS focuses on archaeological studies of Samoa. “My thanks go to Dr. Lau Asofou So'o of NUS, the regular editor of the Journal, for giving Tautala and I the chance to highlight the archaeology of Samoa by dedicating a whole issue to this topic,” Addison said. “Thanks also to our colleagues from many countries for contributing their research papers.”

Topics in this issue include radiocarbon chronology of Samoa settlement on Tutuila and Manu’a (Addison and Asaua); ancient Polynesian Plainware ceramics from Aganoa and Faleniu (Suzanne Eckert and Frederic Pearl, Texas A&M); the controversy over the Pulemelei mound site and other archaeological issues on ‘Upolu and Savai’i (Helene Matinsson-Wallin, Geoffrey Clark, and Paul Wallin, Gotland University and Australia National University); excavations at Siutu on Savai’i (Ishimura and Inoue, NRICP and Kyoto University); GIS modeling of American Samoa archaeology sites (Alex Morrison, University of Hawai’i); lithic tool manufacture quarries at Tatagamatau Leone and Malaeloa (Quent Winterhoff and David Rigtrup, University of Oregon); and the oral history and other traditional links between Samoa and ‘Uvea and Futuna (Christophe Sand, Archaeology Department of New Caledonia).

Dr. Addison has spent many years in locations throughout the Pacific researching the origins and history of Polynesians, and last year participated in the now-famous “chicken bone” research project which produced conclusive evidence of ancient Polynesian voyagers reaching the shores of South America. Now in his second year at ASCC, he brings this wealth of experience to his courses at the College. “I teach Introduction to Archaeology, which focuses on the ancient history of Tutuila and Manu'a, and the techniques archaeologists use to discover and understand it. My Archaeological Field School class gives students hands-on training in archaeological field methods by having them participate in a real archaeology research project.

Addison feels that through studying archaeology, students in the Territory can get a better picture of their people’s history in these islands. As he explained, “Many of today’s youth haven’t been made aware of how the first people arrived here more than 2500 years ago. The rich history in these islands goes back so many centuries. Some of the things that archaeologists have discovered include the fact that Samoans made clay pots and bowls for almost 1000 years. About 600-700 years ago, Tutuila was a major production center for stone tools that have been found in archaeological sites as far away as the Rarotonga in the east and the Solomon Islands in the west. Long before the Arts Festival, this island had trading links with many of the same islands that will participate this year.”

Anyone interested in the Journal of Samoan Studies can make inquiries by contacting Telesia Lafotanoa at NUS via the email address: t.lafotanoa@nus.edu.ws Dr. Addison can be contacted by email at add1ison@gmail.com or d.addison@amsamoa.edu. To view some of Dr. Addison’s publications on Samoan and Marquesas Islands archaeology online, go to: http://www.anthropology.hawaii.edu/people/alumni/addison/.
 

Criminal Intelligence in American Samoa check time cards in overtime investigation
30 January 2008 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

Investigators from the Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Bureau in American Samoa have been pouring over employee time cards at the Executive Office Building in Utulei.

Sources say that the officers are looking for details of employees who have earned thousands of dollars more in overtime than their regular salaries.

The CIIB investigation was prompted by a request from the Senate Select Investigative Committee to the Attorney General to look into excessive overtime payments in several government departments.

Last year, the SSIC questioned employees of Customs, the payroll division of Treasury, Agriculture and the Department of Education over overtime payments.

The SSIC investigation showed that in nearly all cases, employees who were not entitled to overtime consistenly received overtime payments which totaled more than their regular pay.
 

American Samoa sets up new tourist organisation
28 January 2008 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

A long awaited bill has been sent to the Fono in Ameircan Samoa to establish the American Samoa Visitors Bureau.

At present the Tourism Office is a division of the Department of Commerce.

The proposed visitor’s Bureau would be a semi independent agency of the government and would be the leading entity for the promotion of the territory as a tourist destination.

It would he headed by an executive director to be selected by the American Samoa Visitors Bureau Board.

The board will comprise seven members nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Fono.

Two members will be from ASG, one from the National Park Service and the rest will be from the private sector.

At a date to be fixed by the governor, the Office of Tourism will be dissolved.

At that time all current staff of the Tourism Office will remain with the Department of Commerce unless acquired by the Bureau.

Funds appropriated for the Tourism Office which are unspent at the time the office is dissolved shall be transferred to the bureau.

If the bill is passed by the Fono, it takes effect 90 days after it is approved by the governor .
 

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