On December 14, 2009 at its Annual Holiday Board and Staff Meeting, held at the Ohana Hawaiian BBQ in Lakewood, CA, Ohana's Jin Lee was presented the Dr. Alofa Tanuvasa Community Award for his service to the National Pacific Islander Educator Network and the Pacific Islander Community.
Ohana Hawaiian BBQ has been a frequent site of NPIEN fundraisers and meetings the past few years. The fundraisers provide an opportunity for NPIEN members and friends to gather, enjoy some delicious Hawaiian food, and also view entertainment by the Linaka Polynesian Dancers, NPIEN Halau, and the ever popular Uncle Henry Kamae, ukulele artist.
NPIEN Sponsor Cookie Lee, Lorraine Telles, has also participated as a vendor. Ohana has donated a percentage of the proceeds from these events to NPIEN's operational and scholarship funds. We salute Jin Lee and Ohana Hawaiian BBQ for their Aloha, and willingness to always support us!
(Source: NPIEN Press Release)
CABLE AND BLUE SKY FILINGS
Florida-based eLandia International, owner of Blue Sky Communications and majority owner of fiber optic cable, in its quarterly filing with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission said the Sept. 29 tsunami resulted in power outages and major damage to parts of the island, including portions of its service in the territory.
“Our cellular network has been experiencing service delivery issues in the highly affected areas and our cable TV network has been completely destroyed in some areas. Our undersea cable is operational, although it has sustained some minor damage,” the company said in the Nov. 16 filing.
“We continue to assess the extent of the damage and its effect on our operations. We are developing a recovery plan, but are currently unable to estimate the time or costs of restoration,” it says. “Such restoration costs may be mitigated through insurance; however, at this time, we are unsure if we will be able to secure any amounts of insurance reimbursement.”
“Based on information known at this time, we do not believe these events will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition as a whole; however, it is uncertain whether these events will have any long-term impact on our operations in American Samoa,”
The company also pointed out that one of the tuna canneries in the territory has closed down, referring to COS Samoa Packing.
“The closing of a principal cannery has resulted in an increase in unemployed workers in the territory. As a result, our operating results from our American Samoa operations may be negatively affected,” it says.
NEW DEPUTY ELECTION OFFICER
Commerce Department Statistician, Meleisea V. Filiga is the new deputy election officer, replacing Laulu Filiva’a Mageo, who retired on Dec. 31, 2009 after serving the government for 30 years.
Chief Election Officer Soliai T. Fuimaono said Meleisea began his new post at the Election Office on Jan. 4, after completion of paperwork transferring him from DOC.
Meleisea is not new to the Election Office, said Soliai— he had worked several years ago at the Election Office and also during election time, when Meleisea was among the temporary workers recruited.
“During election time, Meleisea works with us on computing results and other information that comes into the office before it’s distributed to the public,” Soliai said in a telephone interview. “I am very happy and pleased that Meleisea has joined our team, just in time for this year’s general election in November.”
Meanwhile, Soliai said the election office is working on a schedule for the outreach program, dealing with the upcoming election. The office will release the schedule once it’s completed.
This year, local voters will go to the polls to elect the Delegate to the U.S. House, as well as the members of the local House of Representatives.
GOV TOGIOLA ANNOUNCES INCREASE IN FOOD STAMP BENEFITS AND NEW ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Governor Togiola Tulafono, in a recent press release, announced that Food Stamp recipients will receive a 6.4% increase in monthly benefits starting January 1, 2010, and new eligibility criteria have also been approved by the federal government.
Togiola said he was informed by Human and Social Services Director Leilua Stevenson that American Samoa’s requests for increase in Food Stamp benefits, and an increase in the minimum gross monthly eligibility income level for applicants to qualify, has been approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDOA) and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
“This is welcome news going into a new year because Food Stamp benefits go directly to our people and [are] used immediately,” said the Governor, adding, “With rising food costs, the increase in benefits allows our families in the program to be able to meet their basic food needs during these difficult times.”
He said the request for an additional 6.4% increase was made to reflect the actual increase in food costs in American Samoa since 2008.
The USDA and FNS approval to increase the minimum gross monthly eligibility income level for applicants to qualify for ASNAP benefits will greatly assist many families that are trying to get on the program, the Governor noted.
“The increase would help our economy overall by concentrating relief on those most likely to spend the money quickly, as well as lighten the load to already tight budgets of many families,’
Togiola expressed his sincere gratitude to the federal government for approving the Territory’s request for an increase, particularly the USDA and FNS for authorizing the hike in benefits.
The Food Stamp office will begin accepting new applications January 18, 2009. (Please refer to ASNAP ad in the Samoa News for schedules)
(Source: Office of the Governor press release)
1ST ANNUAL TALOFA ECONOMIC SUMMIT SAMOA 2010
Dearborne International in conjunction with Samoa Recovery Partnership and Dolphin Travel Management will present the Talofa Economic Summit Samoa (TESS) January 27 to February 1, 2010, at the Aggie Grey’s Lagoon, Beach Resort & Spa in Upolu, Samoa.
In a statement released to the media, the partnership said, “Our mission of the Talofa Economic Summit Samoa 2010 is to provide economic development opportunities for the Samoan islands by bringing together international corporations, government leaders and community partners... Government and Public Sector industries with common interests for the Samoan Islands.”
Over 200 small-businesses, large corporations, government leaders and independents arriving from American Samoa, Samoa, U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Vietnam and Singapore are slated to attend the summit, said the press release.
“This event will mark the beginning of a private sector led, economic rebuilding and recovery consortium of Corporate, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Government, Higher Education Institutions and Community Organizations in Samoa and American Samoa,” it concluded.
For more information about TESS 2010 please visit www.DolphinTM.com or call 1+808.778.9868.
(Source: DolphinTM.com media release)
