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American Samoa Government - PR001-06162026
Posted: June 16, 2026
Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin VA Clinic Celebrates Opening of New Laboratory Expansion
TAFUNA, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Faleomavaega Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin VA Clinic unveiled a significant milestone this morning with the official opening and blessing of its newly expanded laboratory facility, an investment that will enhance healthcare services and improve access to quality medical care for veterans throughout American Samoa. Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. joined Congresswoman Uifa'atali Aumua Amata, representatives from the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS), community partners, veterans, and clinic staff in commemorating the occasion. The ceremony began with welcoming remarks by VA Clinic Director Dr. Fred Uhrle, followed by an invocation delivered by Eti Falaniko.
A project overview and brief history of the laboratory expansion were presented by VAPIHCS Associate Director of Operations Devin Woods. The nearly $2 million investment represents a collaborative effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and expand services available to veterans locally. The upgraded facility is expected to provide faster laboratory testing, improve clinical decision-making, enhance access to care, and reduce barriers to essential medical services. “This project represents another step forward in ensuring that veterans in American Samoa receive world-class healthcare closer to home,” said Woods. “This facility stands as a reminder that no matter how far across the Pacific you may live, you were made an important part of the VA family.”
Special remarks were also delivered by VAPIHCS Interim Director Thomas A. Steinbrunner, who emphasized the long-term benefits the expansion will bring to the territory's veteran population. “With the expanded laboratory capabilities here in American Samoa, more services can be delivered right here in your community,” Steinbrunner stated. “Care becomes more convenient, more efficient, and more connected. This investment reduces the need for outside referrals and allows more veterans to receive comprehensive healthcare without unnecessary travel or disruption to their daily lives.”
In his closing remarks, Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. expressed his sincere appreciation to the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System leadership and team for their partnership and commitment to improving healthcare services in American Samoa. He also recognized the dedication of the local VA Clinic staff, whose hard work and perseverance were instrumental in bringing the project to completion. “The successful completion of this expansion reflects what can be achieved through strong partnerships and a shared commitment to serving our veterans,” said Acting Governor Ae Ae. “We are grateful to the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, our community partners, and especially the local staff whose dedication behind the scenes made this project a reality. Most importantly, this investment honors our veterans by ensuring they receive the quality care they deserve.”
The ceremony concluded with a benediction by Eti Falaniko, followed by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided tour of the newly expanded laboratory facility.
The laboratory expansion represents another important step in advancing healthcare services for American Samoa's veterans and reinforces the ongoing commitment of federal and territorial partners to improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes across the territory.
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Tatala aloa’ia e le Falema’i La’ititi a Faleomavaega Eni Fa’aua’a Hunkin le Potu Su’esu’e Fou ua fa’alauteleina
TAFUNA, Amerika Samoa – Ua ausia e le falema’i la’ititi a Faleomavaega Eni Fa'aua'a Hunkin (VA Clinic) se la’asaga taua i le taeao analeila, auā le tatala aloa’ia ma le fa’apa’iaina o le fa’alauteleina o lo latou fale su’esu’e, o se teufa’afaigaluega o le a fa’aleleia ai auaunaga tau soifua maloloina, ma fa’aleleia ai avanoa i le tulaga lelei o le tausiga fa’afoma’i mo Vetereni i Amerika Samoa. Sa auai atu le Kovana Tausi ia Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. ma le Faipule i Uosigitone ia Uifa’atali Aumua Amata, o sui mai le VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (VAPIHCS), o pa’aga i le atunu’u, Vetereni, ma le aufaigaluega o le falema’i la’ititi, auā le fa’amanatuga o le fa’amoemoe. Sa amata le fa’amoemoe i upu fa’afeiloa’i na saunoa i ai le Susuga le Foma’i ia Fred Uhrle, soso’o ai ma le tatalo na fofogaina e le Susuga ia Eti Falaniko.
O se tala ‘oto’oto i le aotelega o le poroketi ma lona fa’alauteleina na saunia ma fa’amalamalama e le Fa’atonu lagolago o galuega o le VAPIHCS ia Devin Woods. E lata ane i le $2 miliona le tupe teufa’afaigaluega lenei ua atagia ai le sao o le galulue so’oso’otau’au, e fa’amalosia ai le fausiaina o le soifua maloloina ma fa’alautele ai le avanoa mo auaunaga i Vetereni o lo’o i’inei. O lenei falema’i ua toe fa’afou o lo’o fuafua e saunia su’esu’ega vave, fa’alelei ai fo’i fa’ai’uga fai, fa’aleleia avanoa mo tausiga, ma fa’aitiitia ai fa’alavelave tau auaunaga fa’afoma’i. “E fa’atusalia lenei poroketi i se isi la’asaga aga’i luma aua le fa’amautinoaina le maua e Vetereni o tausiga aupito lelei e lata ane i o latou aiga”, Saunoaga lea a Woods. “O lenei falema’i la’ititi e avea ma fa’amanatuga, po’o le a lava le mamao i le Pasefika o lo’o e aumau ai, e iai le vaega taua mo oe i le aiga o le VA.”
Na saunoa fa’apitoa le Fa’atonu lagolago ia Thomas A. Steinbrunner, na fa’amamafa lona tautalaga i manuia umi o leneifa’alautelega o le a aumai mo le lautele o Vetereni o le atunu’u. “I le tulaga lelei ma le agava’a o lenei fale su’esu’e i Amerika Samoa, o le a tele auaunaga o le faia i’inei i lo tatou atunu’u,” saunoaga lea a Steinbrunner. “E faigofie le faiga o tausiga, e atoatoa, ma e tele ina feso’ota’i. O lenei teufa’afaigaluega e fa’aitiitia ai le malaga i atunu’u mamao, ma fa’ataga ai Vetereni ona taua’ao ma molimau soifua maloloina lelei, e aunoa ma le malaga atu ma le fa’alavelave i soifua o tagata i aso fai so’o.
I lana saunoaga fa’ai’u, saunoa le Kovana Tausi Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. e fa’aalia le agaga fa’afetai i le VA Pacific Islands Health Care System mo latou ta’ita’iga, ma lo latou faipa’aga ma le ola ofoina atoa i le fa’aleleia o auaunaga i Amerika Samoa.
Sa ia ta’ua fo’i ma le fa’aaloalo le tautua tu’uto auto le aufaigaluega o le VA, o latou galuega fita ma le fa’aatoaina o lenei fa’alautelega e atagia ai mea e mafai ona ausia e ala i le malosi o faigapa’aga, ma le tausoa o le ola tu’uina atu atoa i le tautuaina o Vetereni.” saunoaga lea a le Kovana Tausi ia Ae Ae. “E fa’afetaia tele le aufaigaluega o le VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, o tatou pa’aga, aemaise aufaigaluega i’inei, o latou ola ofo atu atoa e galulue mai tua, ua mafai ai ona tino mai lenei Poroketi. Aemaise ai, o lenei teufa’afaigaluega e fa’amamaluina ai Vetereni e ala i le fa’amautinoa ua latou taua’aoina le tausiga aupito lelei e onomea mo latou.
Na fa’ai’uina le fa’amoemoe e ala i le tatalo fa’amanuia e le Susuga ia Eti Eneliko, soso’o ane ai ma le ‘o’otiina o le ripine, ma gasolo atu ai ma le aofia e silasila i le fale su’esu’e fou ua fa’alauteleina.
O le fa’alauteleine o lenei fale su’esu’e e fa’atusalia i le isi la’asaga taua i le fa’aleleiao auaunaga tau soifua maloloina mo Vetereni o Amerika Samoa, ma fa’amalosia le ola ofoina atu atoa i le Feterale, ma pa’aga i le Teritori mo le fa’aleleia o avanoa i mea tau soifua maloloina ma le tulaga e lelei e o’o ai le Teritori atoa.
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