Pauga Joey Cummings delivers the English news on 93KHJ for October 29th, 2026. Candidate Samana Semo Ve’ave’a Removed From Ballot The American Samoa Election Office says the name of congressional candidate Samana Semo Ve’ave’a has been removed from the ballot for Tuesday’s midterm election, following his death. Chief Election Commissioner Uiagalelei Lealofi announced the removal in a public announcement signed Monday, citing section 6.0605 of the American Samoa Code Annotated. The office extended its condolences to the family. Samana, a high chief and U.S. Army veteran, died at age 77. He served as director of Homeland Security and of Parks and Recreation, and was a longtime JROTC instructor with the Department of Education. Five candidates remain in the race for Delegate to the U.S. Congress: incumbent Aumua Amata, Fualaau Rosie Tago Lancaster, Meleagi Suitonu Chapman, Sandra King Young, and Tuifagaloa Dr. Afu Lefaoseu. Voters head to the polls Tuesday, November 3. Atoa o Samoa Talks Fail to Happen as Planned Formal talks between American Samoa and Samoa, planned for the third week of October, did not take place as scheduled. The bilateral “Atoa o Samoa” discussions were agreed to in July by Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula and Samoa Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt. The week passed without a meeting, and it coincided with a sitting of Samoa’s Parliament. In an August interview on 93KHJ, the governor said he had asked the Prime Minister to slow the talks down because he was unsure of their purpose. He said many people see such meetings as a waste of time, and he raised concerns about meetings where gifts and money were exchanged without resolving real issues. The governor said both governments had discussed narrowing the agenda to matters they can realistically address. The Observer reports the proposed topics include drugs, travel, technology and trade. Community Calendar The Republican Party of American Samoa holds its annual Coleman-Eisenhower Dinner tonight at 5 at DDW Restaurant in Utulei. The dinner marks 70 years since President Dwight Eisenhower appointed Peter Tali Coleman as the first Samoan governor of American Samoa, in 1956. Tickets are 60 dollars and include food, fellowship and live entertainment. All are welcome. Then on Friday, it’s all Halloween fun. South Pacific Academy’s Halloween Carnival runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on the SPA campus in Tafuna, with carnival games, a haunted house, food and raffles. Game tickets are 1 dollar each, and raffle…
