Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The new Fono building opening is tentatively being planned for Friday, July 11, 2025, with the second session of the American Samoa Fono set to begin on July 14, the second Monday in July, as per law.

However, Samoa News understands that the building still lacks air conditioning, as well as finishing touches such as certain furniture (House chamber), and its been recommended that the formal opening not be rushed, instead it should be pushed to sometime in September (2025).

A decision is pending.

The tentative program has guests gathering on the Fagatogo- Malae o le Talu with Opening Remarks and Prayer set to be delivered around 8 am.

First Lady Lois Phillips-Pula is scheduled to cut the ribbon, formally opening the Fono building.

Public viewing is also planned for the new Fono building as part of formal opening event.

As it stands, without air conditioning, it is doubtful that the 2nd session of the 39th Legislature would be using the new chambers if they are ‘opened’.

ASGERF BOARD RE-SELECTS VAITAUTOLU ONCE AGAIN FOR EXEC DIRECTOR, TUAOLO FOR BOARD CHAIR

The Board of Trustees of the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund has selected Vaitautolu Talia Faafetai Iaulualo to again serve as Executive Director of the Retirement Fund,  as well as re-select Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean as Chairman of the Board.

The Board is reported to have met last week Wednesday. Two points of interest on the selection of  Vaitautolu:

1     While the position was advertised and there were 15 applications, the board however reportedly did not conduct interviews with any of the applicants.

2     It would seem Vaitautolu makes it a habit of resigning from this position to run for governor — he’s done it twice so far (2020 & 2024) — and each time has come right back to claim the job, with the support of the Retirement Board.

Talanei.com reported that attending the meeting that “re-selected” both men were Tuaolo, Tony Togiai, and Toloai Ho Ching while Loa Tuimavave Laupola participated via Zoom. Togiai replaces Fuiavailili Keniseli Lafaele, as Secretary of the Board after Tuaolo removed him.

Sen. Tuaolo told KHJ News that Monday, June 16 was Vaitautolu’s first day on the job, and that the Board has officially notified Governor Pulaali’i N. Pula of Vaitautolu’s appointment as Executive Director of the Retirement Fund.

(It should be pointed out that the ASGERF is not a government department or agency, it is an association. As such, the Board’s selection of an Executive Director is legal, even if it lacks transparency to process.

However, the removal of a board member by the Board’s chairman  is illegal — as under law/ statute only the Governor can remove a member, and it must be for cause, not just because of a disagreement with the chairman of the Board or its Board members. Gov. Pulaali’i continues to remain silent on issues concerning the ASGERF Board of Trustees.)

30-DAY COMMENT PERIOD FOR COMMERCIAL LEASING MINERALS OFFSHORE AMERICAN SAMOA HAS BEGUN

The 30-day comment period for the Request for Information and Interest (RFI): Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore American Samoa, has begun. The comment period ends July 16.

The public notice on the deep-sea mining proposal has been posted on the federal register at regulations.gov

The public notice states that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will continue coordination with ASG throughout the OCS mineral leasing process relating to the area proposed for leasing.

The notice continues, upon release of the RFI, BOEM intends to evaluate lease planning with the ASG, relevant OCS users, and Federal agencies including, but not limited to, the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and the Office of Insular Affairs; the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the U.S. Coast Guard; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and the Department of Defense.

BOEM it states will also engage with “the Indigenous Peoples of American Samoa” about their economic, environmental, and public health concerns about the mineral development of Outer Continental Shelf throughout the OCS mineral planning and leasing process.

It adds that BOEM uses other information sources in its decision-making for leasing, such as available data and information on the location of marine life and habitat areas, cultural resources, transportation links, fishing areas, and other human uses.

To read the full RFI and submit comments go to regulations.gov and search under BOEM-2025-0035.