Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Last Tuesday, the Finafinau team embarked on a meaningful journey to the islands of Manu’a, specifically to the communities of Ofu and Olosega. The mission was clear — to educate and inspire the next generation on how to protect the environment, with a special focus on marine debris tracking, tree planting, and community empowerment. The team consisted of two dedicated chapters of Finafinau — the Samoana High School Finafinau chapter and the Tafuna High School Finafinau chapter.

The centerpiece of the visit was a presentation at Olosega Elementary, the only school on the island. The team’s goal was to engage with the students and provide them with knowledge about the vital work Finafinau is doing within American Samoa. The presentations were tailored to emphasize the motto of Finafinau: “Save our Ocean, Protect our Land, and Empower our People.” This aligns with the broader mission of environmental preservation, community education, and sustainable practices.

KEY PRESENTATIONS: PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

The presentations given during the visit were a blend of educational content and hands-on learning. One of the goals of Finafinau is to empower our people and that is emphasized by mentoring our members to be leaders. As such, all presentations were youth-created and youth-led. One of the central topics covered was marine debris data tracking, where the team shared their experiences in collecting and analyzing data on waste found along American Samoa’s coastlines. This is part of a larger effort to address pollution and the detrimental effects of marine debris on local ecosystems.

In addition to marine debris awareness, the team presented their tree planting initiatives, an essential component of Finafinau’s environmental focus. Tree planting not only helps mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide but also plays a key role in preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of the islands. The students of Olosega Elementary were encouraged to think of tree planting as an easy yet impactful way to contribute to environmental preservation.

The final aspect of the presentations was a comprehensive overview of Finafinau's community work and its broader mission to foster local involvement in environmental stewardship. The message was clear: empowering the people of American Samoa, especially the youth, to take an active role in preserving their lands and oceans is at the heart of Finafinau’s work.

THE TEAM BEHIND THE EFFORT

The Finafinau team was a collective effort, drawing talent and leadership from both Tafuna High School and Samoana High School. The Tafuna High School chapter was represented by Chapter President Filiga Tufa and Secretary Ana Dinaulu, while Samoana High School was represented by Chapter President Imanueli Davetawalu, Vice President Ghaydah Salaveʻa, Secretary Bert Fuiava Jr., and Treasurer Rudy Ulugia.

Finafinau Student leader Bert shared, “I am forever grateful for the opportunity I was blessed with to be part of an inspirational impact on the students and teachers of Ofu & Olosega. Ae o le tatalo a lo’o nei tagata vaivai, Le Atua e o Sapaota, ia saga sautuafafa ou manuia i luga o nai motu o Ofu ma Olosega fa’apea ona tagata.”

The team was guided by Ms. Anneliese Haleck, a key leader from the Tafuna High School Finafinau Chapter, as well as Finafinau board member Kacey Iloilo, who provided additional support and direction throughout the trip. Their combined leadership ensured that the team’s mission was met with enthusiasm and effectiveness.

“You could feel it; the respect and love that the  locals have for their land. That's when it clicked for us; that's what we're trying to protect and what we want our children to continue to fight for. By visiting Ofu and Olosega, the importance of our mission and message inspired us even more. When we take care of our land and ocean, it also takes care of us, in more ways than we could ever imagine.”, said Ms. Anneliese Haleck.

MAKING THE TRIP POSSIBLE

This outreach to Manu’a was made possible through the Urban and Community Forestry IRA grant, funded through the American Samoa Community College Land Grant Forestry Program.

This funding allowed the team to travel to Manu’a, bringing essential environmental education to communities that are often underserved in terms of access to such resources. Finafinau is grateful for local grants such as this as it enables their small organization to make gargantuan impacts in the community.

The trip coordination was also supported by Manu’a educators, including Will Thompson, and the Finafinau student leaders are thankful for the warm reception and support of their work.

LOOKING AHEAD

The visit to Ofu and Olosega was not just a one-time event but a step towards creating lasting change. By engaging with the youth and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment, the Finafinau team hopes to inspire a generation that will continue to advocate for the preservation of their islands’ natural resources.

The presentations sparked curiosity and enthusiasm in the students, many of whom expressed a desire to take part in future tree planting initiatives and other environmental projects.

Left to right: Filiga Tufa, Ghaydah Salaveʻa presenting the importance of marine debris tracking. [courtesy photo]

As the Finafinau team wraps up their outreach on Manu’a, they remain committed to expanding their efforts across American Samoa, aiming to strengthen the community’s connection to the land and the ocean, ensuring that both remain protected for future generations.

All high schools are welcomed to coordinate creating Finafinau chapters and can reach the team through their Facebook and Instagram pages. Inquiries can also be directed to the Finafinau Founder and Executive Director Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka or the Chapter Liaison Mrs. Uisaina Collins. The goal is to inspire more youth to engage in meaningful leadership through environmental advocacy.