The island is nice.

Here are some really nice photos of American Samoa that I did not take.

Return to Ofu

This past weekend, a small group of us returned to the small island of Ofu for the long weekend. Below is new Sarah, new Lisa, Chase, and Gnugnu relaxing in the ocean.


Me, staring into my very bright future.


Ofu bridge at dusk.


Ofu peak.


Ofu at sunrise.


Ofu grass and stuff.


Ofu runway.

Moi, the fourth

A few months back our friend Moi had a baby boy, Faamomoi Masaniai IV (above). We were invited to see the little (big) man at Moi's house and have some of Moi's world famous lasagna.

Moi's house.

Moi's view.


Moi with lasagna.

Brief intermission

I have been bad about posting new photos recently. New posts are coming but in the meantime here is a ridiculous cat video.

The Lion King!

This weekend the community college presented the Broadway production of the The Lion King. As a result of high demand for musical theater and overall lack of entertainment on the island we were denied tickets both nights. Instead, we settled for eating ice cream at the gas station in town.

The 9th Circuit visits the territory

Last week we were visited by judges Dean Pregerson of the Central District of California and Wallace Tashima of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Every two years the High Court conducts an appellate session for the island and 2 off-island federal judges are appointed to hear these cases. On the last day of the session the court held a party for the judges and their clerks and treated them to some Samoan culture: siva (traditional dancing) and fire knife dancing (below). Above is Chase, Judge Pregerson and Judge Pregerson's clerk trying to keep up with the siva dancers.


The next day the court's marshall, Nix, arranged for Judge Tashima and the clerks to go out on the marine patrol boat and circle around the island. The police boat is a fast Zodiac that supposedly can circle the entire island in less than an hour. Below is our pilot and another officer.


Officer Fonzy.


The officers flanking Judge Tashima as we leave Pago Harbor.


The trip provided some great views of the island and I saw areas on the north side that are otherwise inaccessible by car.





The crew after disembarking the boat. It was a great tour of the island and only one passenger ended up baptizing the boat (not me). From left: Marshall Nix, clerk Dan, clerk Josh, clerk Ned, officer #1, Judge Tashima, officer #2, clerk Chase.