Local company E&W Construction has safely removed the asbestos from the area where the once magnificent Rainmaker Hotel stood. Company owner Topusalaia Lautogia Taula confirmed this to the Samoa News yesterday, adding that the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA) has already approved their work.

Topusalaia’s company won the bid for the contract to completely demolish the former Rainmaker Hotel, at a price tag of $200,000. The asbestos, which was completely disposed of last month, was supposed to be removed from the site earlier this year but the delay in the arrival of the necessary gear, including special suits and breathing equipment needed in order to carry out the job, pushed the job back a few weeks.

Topusalaia said the asbestos was transported to the Futiga landfill where it has been buried.

The next phase of the project is the demolition work which Topusalaia said is on hold until they are given the green light that funding has been approved, although demolition of the Rainmaker Hotel is funded under the fiscal year 2014 budget which sets aside $300,000 for the work under the Special Programs category.

E&W workers were on site removing debris and large wood pieces during the summer months, in preparation for the demolition job, which includes leveling the ground.

The Rainmaker Hotel has been defunct for more than a decade. Only the west side of the hotel was reconstructed and is now a popular spot for both locals and tourists — Sadie’s by the Sea. The abandoned side of the hotel however, has become a hangout spot for local teens.

Topusalaia said in an initial interview that sometimes when his crew arrives at the worksite, they find a group of girls hanging out there, including young lovebirds making out in different areas of the building.

It is unclear what will be erected at the site once it is cleared, although plans include a Polynesian-themed tourist cultural development center.