American Samoa to ban plastic bags in effort to protect environment

American Samoa law to ban plastic bags next year

Tiny Tokelau declares South Pacific ocean zone as region’s 11th whale sancutary

Tiny Tokelau declares 11th Pacific whale sanctuary

Scientists: Pacific tsunami wave 46 feet above sea level when it smashed into Samoan villages

Samoan Tsunami wave was 46 feet high

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The tsunami that killed more than 200 people in the Samoan islands and Tonga earlier this year towered up to 46 feet (14 meters) high — more then twice as tall as most of the buildings it slammed into, scientists said Friday.