Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata held a Veterans town hall meeting attended by about two dozen American Samoan Veterans at the Airport Honolulu Hotel on Sunday evening. She provided them with an update from Washington, D.C., on veterans affairs and other issues, and held a question and answer session for several hours.

Topics raised included the need for expanded support for caregivers and medical assistants; the need for improved services, transportation and care at VA clinics and facilities; the proper use of Cares Act funds; and the need for more accountability from VA patient advocates to help veterans. Concerns about the high price of flights from American Samoa to Hawaii were raised and the cost on caregivers and the general public, and the Congresswoman plans to meet with carrier representatives. 

Congresswoman Amata pledged to raise Veterans’ issues with the heads of the Veterans hospital leadership in her meeting with them set for Tuesday at Tripler Medical Center, and to discuss these needs further with Chairman Takano and Ranking Member Bost in the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

Among those in attendance were Eveni Mamoe; Tamaalemalo Mauga; Lealao Melila Purcell; Miriama Dorson; Lemigao Sene; Ta'uai Navy Suiaunoa; Tagaloa Aga'etai; Tagaloa K. U.; Selusi Selusi; Leuluaialii James Ledoux; Lillian Ledoux; Muliaga Muliaga; Moana Mauga Purcell; Alataua Soli; Leumete Keuluai Eveni; Moi Taiu; Falealii Esera; Joseph Esera; Leo Siuai; Agnes Sene; Faatauvaa  Tagaloa; Feiiumoe; Tevita Tagaloa; Seta Tuioti; Uluiva Faalevao; Asaga  Moi; Tumuai Muliaga; Oriana Banuelos. 

 “As Vice Ranking Member and through my service on the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, I will ask the necessary questions and work with VA leadership to make sure we hold VA officials and workers accountable and provide transparency to our Veterans needs,” Amata said. “I will discuss the concerns raised by our Veterans at length with Director Sergio S. Chao of the Honolulu Regional Office and VA Clinic Director Dr. Adam Robinson at my meeting. Our Veterans deserve all benefits due them, and our nation has a lifelong commitment to those who served.”