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American Samoa Government - PR001-07142026
Posted: July 14, 2026
Governor Pulaali'i addresses the Official Opening of the 39th Legislature of American Samoa, Fourth Regular Session
UTULEI, American Samoa - The Government of American Samoa formally opened the Fourth Regular Session of the 39th Legislature in a dignified and well‑coordinated ceremony held at the Lee Auditorium at 10:00 a.m on the morning July 13. The event reflected the territory’s commitment to tradition, unity, and public service as leaders and community members gathered to mark the beginning of a new legislative period.
The program commenced smoothly with a musical prelude by the Amerika Samoa Choir, inviting the warmth for the morning’s proceedings. Shortly thereafter, the arrival of Honorable Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula was observed and acknowledged. The Department of Public Safety Police Color Guard Unit presented the colors, followed by the national anthems of the United States and American Samoa, rendered with distinction by the Amerika Samoa Choir.
The Legislature was then called to order by Honorable Savali Talavou Ale, who also delivered special remarks in his capacity as Speaker of the House. His message brought about the essential responsibilities of the Fono and the importance of leadership as the new legislative session commences.
A hymn by the Amerika Samoa Choir preceded the invocation and spiritual message, delivered with grace and sincerity by Rev. Elder Liona Thompson of CCCAS Ola Fou, Long Beach California. Rev Elder Thompson’s message offered encouragement, reflection, and spiritual grounding for the work ahead. The Amerika Samoa Choir then returned with a special musical selection. Legislative protocols followed with roll call for each chamber, Senate Roll Call by Secretary of the Senate, Motusaga Peleti and House Roll Call by Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, Vaiaitu Maluia.
The ceremony then proceeded to the State of the Territory Address, delivered by Honorable Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula. The Governor expressed deep gratitude for the support the Fono has shown throughout the year as the administration continues to navigate significant financial responsibilities inherited from prior periods. He humbly urged continued collaboration with the Fono to address these challenges together. Governor Pula also shared ongoing projects and infrastructure developments aimed at improving the territory’s resilience and quality of life. He invited all public officials to work collaboratively and remain committed to the common good of American Samoa. He concluded his address with warm well‑wishes for the Legislature, the judiciary and the government of American Samoa.
Following the Governor’s remarks, President of the Senate, Honorable Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, delivered the official Fono response. President Tuaolo acknowledged the Legislature’s acceptance of the Governor’s message and reiterated the Senate’s dedication to working collectively and dutifully for the people of American Samoa. The program continued with a closing hymn by the Amerika Samoa Choir, followed by final announcements from Honorable Savali Talavou Ale. The ceremony concluded with a benediction offered by Rev. Elder Liona Thompson, bringing the opening session to a respectful and uplifting close.
The Fourth Regular Session of the 39th Legislature is now officially underway, with leaders united in service to the territory and its people.
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Tatalaina le Tauaofiaga lona Fa, o le Paea’iga 39 o le Fono Faitulafono Iulai 13, 2026
UTULEI, Amerika Samoa - O le taeao o le Aso Gafua 13 Iulai, 2026 i le itula 10:00 na tatala aloa’iaina ai le Tauaofiaga lona 4, o le Paea’iga 39 a le Fono Faitulafono o Amerika Samoa, ma sa fa’ataunu’uina lea i le Maota o le Fale Laumei i Utulei. Na aofia i ai Sui o Maota e lua, Kovana Sili ma Kovana Lutena fa’apea le Kapeneta, Afioga a le Fa’amasino Sili, Sui Aoao o le Konekeresi, Failautusi o le Matāupu Tau Samoa, Konesula o Samoa, fa’apea le mamalu o le atunu’u sa molimauina lenei sauniga tāua.
O le Afioga le Fofoga Fetalai Savali Talavou Ale, na ia pae’asoina le mamalu maualuga o le Aso, na fa’ailoa le tula’i fa’aaloalo ‘a ’o auina atu i totonu Tagāvai o Amerika ma Amerika Samoa e Malu o le Mālō. O le Susuga le Faifeau Toeaina Liona Thompson, o le EFKAS Ola Fou Long Beach, na ta’ita’ia le sauniga, matagofie le upu fa’ala’ei’au, na tima’i ma tōmatau ai le pa’ia o maota e lua ‘a ‘o fa’asauni atu mo le toe tauaofia o le Fono Faitulafono. Ua ni si’ufofoga o agelu na lagiina vi’iga o le Atua, o le aufaipese lauiloa a Amerika Samoa. Na mae’a le sauniga lotu, ona soso’o lea ma le fofogaina o tauvala’auga a maota e lua e tauala i o latou failautusi.
O le saunoaga autu a le Afioga i le Kovana Sili, Tōfā Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, sa ia fa’amanino tulaga o lo’o ta’oto ai nei le Sā o Amerika Samoa, Tele nisi vaega tāua na aga’i i ai le folasaga a le Kovana. O nisi o alagātupe o lo’o maua, o lo’o fa’apena ona fuafua ai porōketi ma galuega fa’atino a le Mālō, sa ia toe fa’ailoa fo’i o le 2021, na ta’oto mai ai le seleni a le vaega o le ARPA, o lo’o fa’agasolo pea lona fa’aaogaina i le fausia o porōketi a le Mālō. O nisi o nei porōketi, o tulaga i a’oa’oga, falema’i fa’apea isi galuega o lo’o fuafua, sa ia fa’aalia lona finagalo fa’amaulalo ma ia lu’itauina tagata faigaluega ina ia tu’uina atu atoa lo latou malosi mo le tautuaina o Amerika Samoa. Saunoa fa’afetai le Kovana Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, i le mamalu o le Fono e tusa ma lo latou fo’i lagolago mai e ala i le pasiaina o nisi pili e tu’uina atu, na tatalo atu mo le Fono ina ia galulue fa’atasi ma le Faigamalo auā lava se manuia o le atunu’u.
O le Afioga le Peresetene o le Senate, Tōfā Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, sa fai ma sui o Maota e lua, e agaia le saunoaga a le Kovana, saunoa fa’afetai fo’i Tuaolo i tulaga na afe i ai le saunoaga a le Kovana. Sa fa’atalosagaina e tatau ona lagolago atu le Faigamālō i le Fono, ma galulue fa’atasi auā se manuia o le atunu’u, mulimuli ane sa momoli fo’i le agaga fa’amaulalo o le Peresetene e tusa ai foi ma ni ‘aleu o le mafutaga, ma lana tu’ualalo ia alo fa’atasi le Sā o le atunu’u.
Na saunoa fa’amanuia le Peresetene ma momoli fo’i lona agaga fa’afetai i le Kovana ma le Kovana Lutena auā le fa’atautaia o le Faigamālō, na fa’aleo fo’i ana fa’amanuiaga auā le sauni atu o Faipule o le maota o Sui mo le Faigapalota o lo’o loma nei ia Novema.
Taualuga le Aso i le fa’afetai mulimuli a le Afioga le Fofoga Fetalai i le Mālō, fa’apea le aofia mamalu na fa’atasi atu, aemaise fo’i le fa’afetai mo le aufaipese si’ufofoga mālie a Amerika Samoa. Na tō le matūpalapala mo le Susuga le Toea’ina ma tu’uina atu ai le avanoa mo le tatalo fa’ai’u ma le auina atu i fafo o Tagāvai o Amerika ma Amerika Samoa e malu o le Mālō. Na fa’aali le tali lumāfale a le Ofisa o le Fono Faitulafono e ala i taumafataga matagofie ma tatala ai le fili o ali’i i le manuia, ia manuia lo outou alofaiva e laulausasa’a upufai o Amerika Samoa.
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