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Pago Pago International Airport Apron Rehabilitation Project Completed Under the Lemanu-Talauega Administration

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On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, the Department of Port Administration, under the leadership of Director Falenaoti Loi-On Fruean, hosted the dedication ceremony to commemorate the completion of the Pago Pago International Airport Apron Rehabilitation Project. Many in attendance included Honorable Lemanu P.S. Mauga, Honorable Talauega E.V. Ale, Honorable Senate President Tuaolo Fruean, honored guests, and several members of the cabinet.

Collaborative Efforts Between Lemanu-Talauega Administration and CCCAS Kanana Fou for Improved Access Routes

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the CCCAS Kanana Fou, Ua Taunu’u held its dedication ceremony to commemorate the completion of several projects on the compound, to include the Kanana Fou High School Access Road. With the collaborative efforts of both the congregation and the Lemanu-Talauega Administration, the access road will allow for improved accessibility for emergency evacuations routes for both Kanana Fou High School and Kanana Fou Elementary. This route also opens into emergency evacuation routes for Tafuna High School, Tafuna Elementary, and South Pacific Academy. It was shared at the dedication ceremony that the increase of natural disasters in the South Pacific region has prompted the church and government to act swiftly on the matter.

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Your Language is Your Gift from God
Samoan Language Commission Church Service

On Sunday, March 19, 2023, the Samoan Language Commission held a church service at the CCCAS Matu’u and Faganeanea, to commemorate a culmination of activities and workshops to celebrate this year’s Samoan Language Month. Many in attendance included Honorable Lemanu P.S. Mauga, Honorable Talauega E.V. Ale, members of the fono, cabinet, and the commission. Also in attendance were various congregations from the Catholic Church Iliili, and the Susana Uesile Methodist Church in Tafuna.

Governor Lemanu and First Lady meet with Williams Family

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While in Washington, DC for the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting and the IGIA, Governor Lemanu, First Lady Ella, and a few cabinet members and Governor’s staff were hosted in a dinner by the Williams family at their beautiful home in Alexandria, Virginia. Michael Williams, married to Julin of the Mulitauaopele family of Lauli’i, American Samoa, was the lead counsel and counsel of record to the American Samoa Government in the Tuaua v. United States case which was filed in 2012.

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The National Governors Association (NGA) is a resource for Governors and cabinet members, state policy experts, the U.S. Congress, and private enterprise. The NGA provides various services and training to help collaboratively tell the state’s and territories' story. 


Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga and a few of his cabinet members and staff attended the NGA 2023 winter meeting on February 9-11, 2023 in Washington D.C. At this winter meeting, the team from American Samoa joined federal officials and leaders from business, academia and philanthropy for solutions-driven conversations around the top issues in states and territories. . . . 

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Governor Lemanu meets with Toa o Samoa at Fort Shafter 

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On Friday, February 17, 2023, an ensemble of Samoan service members enlisted in different branches of the military had the opportunity to meet and engage the Honorable Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga in an open panel discussion. Governor Lemanu thanked everyone in attendance who took time out of their schedules to attend. Fellow soldier Alex Lin acknowledged Sergeant (SGT) Adrianne Paselio who will be graduating with her Bachelor's degree and has been accepted to become an officer in the Hawai’i Pacific University (HPU) ROTC Program. Governor Lemanu extended his sincerest congratulations and added that SGT Paselio’s accomplishments, along with many other sons and daughters of Samoa, go to show their willingness to seek and attain a prosperous life .  . 

Governor Lemanu Fights for the 25 Students to Attend the Hawaii National Army Guard Youth Challenge Program

PR 002-02162023 Governor Lemanu Fights for the 25 Students to Attend  the Hawaii National

Through the relentless efforts of Governor Lemanu, all 25 students from American Samoa attending the Hawaii National Army Guard Youth Challenge Program in Honolulu, Hawaii will be allowed to stay in the program . . . 

Acting Governor Talauega E. V. Ale Welcomes US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Michael H. Day and Team to American Samoa

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On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, the U S Coast Guard Rear Admiral Michael H. Day, and several Coast Guardsmen, completed their first official visit to American Samoa since Admiral Day assumed the duties as Commander of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District in June 2022. They met the Honorable Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale to discuss ways to work collaboratively . . .

PR 001-02132023 Acting Governor Talauega E. V. Ale Welcomes World Health Organization West

Acting Governor Talauega E. V. Ale Welcomes World Health Organization Western Pacific Head of Office to American Samoa

“Healthcare is such a critical part of life,” stated Acting Governor Ale. “We commend you all for your support during the difficult time of the COVID pandemic, and we hope we can continue to partner in ways that can aid in your mission here in this region and in American Samoa.”
 

FEMA MITIGATION FRAMEWORK LEADERSHIP GROUP (MitFLG) Quarter 1 2023 Meeting

The FEMA Mitigation Framework Leadership Group (MitFLG) held its first 2023 Quarterly meeting on February 9, 2023 at the FEMA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Ms. Lisa Tuato’o, Director of the Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management (ODAPM) sits on the MitFLG as a State Local Tribal Territorial (SLTT) member and attended the meeting in person.

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Governor Lemanu and First Lady Ella and Staff Join the Samoan Community and Toa o Samoa and Families in Worship at the Samoa Congregation in Washington, D.C.

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It was Communion Sunday on February 5, 2023,and the Samoan Congregation at Joint Base Meyer–Henderson Hall hosted a church service and to’ona’i to welcome Governor Lemanu, First Lady Ella Mauga, and the American Samoa delegation to the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area.

Governor Lemanu and his team were in Washington, DC for the annual National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting and the Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA) meeting led jointly by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the White House. . .

Governor Lemanu Meets with High Ranking Officials from the FDIC and Treasury department

WASHINGTON, D.C. Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga met this week with high-ranking officials from the Treasury Department, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the White House to enlist federal support for the Governor’s effort to have a federally insured financial institution operating in American Samoa.

Governor Lemanu attends the Interagency Group on Insular Areas 2023 Senior Plenary Session

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The Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA) 2023 Senior Plenary Session was held in Washington D.C. at the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Headquarters on February 8, 2023. The IGIA brings together elected leaders of the U.S. Insular Areas of American Samoa, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to discuss issues facing the territories and explore resources to resolve the needs of each territory. Governor Lemanu, First Lady Ella Mauga, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, and several directors attended the IGIA session . . . 

U.S. Senate Committee on Energy AND Natural Resources Congressional Hearing

February 9, 2023 – Washington, D.C. – Today, Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga testified before the United States Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The Committee called the hearing to discuss the state of the U.S. Territories and their unique issues. [Other Governors appearing before the Committee included: Governors Albert Bryan, U.S. Virgin Islands; Lourdes Leon Guerrero, Guam; Arnold I. Palacios, Northern Mariana Islands; and Pedro R. Pierluisi, Puerto Rico.] 

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Governor Lemanu Meets with Department of Interior to review the Approved Constitutional Amendments

On February 7, 2023, Governor Lemanu met with the Secretary of Interior, Debra Haaland to review the approved Constitutional Amendments for American Samoa. Governor Lemanu thanked Ms. Haaland for her support of American Samoa’s Constitutional Convention and for the opportunity to meet with her team in person to discuss the five amendments approved by the people of American Samoa in its November 8, 2022, general election. . 

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Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata meets with Governor Lemanu in Washington, D.C.

PR 002-02072023  Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata meets with Governor Lemanu in Washington,

On February 6, 2023, Governor Lemanu, First Lady Ella Mauga, and a team of directors met with Congresswoman Amata to discuss issues that are important to American Samoa. Governor Lemamu expressed his gratitude to Congresswoman Amata and her team for their continuous support and work towards the success and future of American Samoa. Congresswoman Amata provided a brief update on a couple of action items her team is currently researching and working on. The discussion in the meeting engaged the directors to verify some of the processes and hurdles in their planning and ongoing projects. G

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The Congregational Christian Church of Ft. Bragg & Fayetteville, North Carolina welcomed Governor Lemanu and his group to an uplifting and inspiring church service on Sunday, January 29, 2023. The church service was followed by an engaging Q&A session over to'ona’i prepared by the church members.

Governor Lemanu visits Military families in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina
“A position of Leadership is Simply a Place of Service”
Governor Lemanu and First Lady Ella Honors our Fallen Toa o Samoa Heroes at the Arlington National Cemetery, Virgina

Governor Lemanu and First Lady Ella Mauga had the opportunity to visit the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on February 2, 2023, to pay their respects to our fallen Toa O Samoa heroes. The Arlington National Cemetery is home to many of our nation’s greatest heroes including more than 300,000 veterans of every American conflict, from the Revolutionary War to Iraq and Afghanistan. Governor Lemanu and First Lady Ella visited the gravesites of fallen Toa o Samoa warriors. . . . 

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American Samoa to Participate in a Supply Chain Study in the Pacific Regions conducted by FEMA

Directors Lisa Tuato’o of the Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum (ODAPM), Faleosina Voigt of the American Samoa Department of Public Works (DPW), and Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor, Aoelua Solomona represented the American Samoa Government (ASG) in an introductory meeting by FEMA with Dewberry contractors at their Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on February 03, 2023. 

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Governor Lemanu and First Lady Ella Attend Lt. Colonel (LTC) Tusapa Jonathan Ta’amu’s Promotion

Governor Lemanu and First Lady Ella Mauga were honored to witness and celebrate Major Tusapa Jonathan Ta’amu’s promotion to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC). The promotion ceremony was held on February 03, 2023, on Joint Base Anacostia-Boiling (JBAB) in Washington, D.C. LTC Taamu is the son of Faimafilioali’i Ta’amu and Dr. Vaasa Simanu. Families and friends traveled from different states and countries to celebrate this great milestone for LTC Ta’amu. Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata Coleman Radewagen was also present in honoring LTC Ta’amu’s success. Governor Lemanu extended his sincerest congratulations to LTC Taamu for such an honored accomplishment and for carrying not only his family but his people of American Samoa. . .

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Lemanu-Talauega Administration Continues to Take Action on American Samoa’s Economic Development

American Samoa has dealt with unprecedented supply chain challenges, especially by the Island’s rural and remote location. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the Island’s economy, disrupting supply chains and contributing to major delays in shipping. The shortage of supply and high demand caused a spike in food prices and limited resources. There were uncertainties and frustration among the people of American Samoa during the pandemic restrictions. The Lemanu-Talauega administration is taking action to further develop opportunities to help prepare and sustain the American Samoa economy. . .

THE Ronald Reagan Shipyard continues to SUCCEED

The American Samoa Shipyard Authority has been a success story for the last two years and continues to carry out its motto of “Serving the Largest, Safest, and Busiest Port in the Pacific.”

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ARPA NONPROFIT Assistance Program

The American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency is proposing for funding of $4,500,000.00 to aid non-profit organizations in sustaining and advancing necessary services and programs to benefit direct beneficiaries in the territory during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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"island of opportunity"
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY Flag Day ceremony 
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