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Fono News

reporters@samoanews.com

In Fono news from yesterday, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has nominated four members of the American Samoa Commerce Commission that among other things regulate public commercial transportation including rates for aiga buses and taxis.

According to local law, the Commission consists of the Commerce Department director and four members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Of the four appointed members, the law calls for one representative each from the Eastern, Western and Manu’a districts.

Nominees comprise Fredrick Suisala as the Western District representative, Steve Leasiolagi for Eastern District, Rep. Toeaina Faufano Autele for Manu’a and Moeipologa John Pereira, who would serve as the business representative.

Lolo said the nominees all possess the requisite knowledge and understanding that will benefit the commission in regulating and supervising for the safety of the community.

According to the governor, in his nomination letter to the Fono, Toeaina is keenly aware of how laws affect the public, while Leasiolagi who is the owner of the Airport Taxi and Samoa Cab Taxi Stands, is intimately familiar with the commercial carrier industry; Suisala has extensive experience in automotive technology; and, Moeipologa brings business experience as general manager of Molida shipping agency.

The nominations were introduced Tuesday and the Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled a confirmation hearing for Apr. 11.

Meanwhile, the Senate Power & Water Committee will hold next week Monday, Apr. 10, a confirmation hearing for the governor’s reappointment of Fonoti Perelini, Peter Crispin, Isabel Hudson, Daniel King and Solip Hong to the American Samoa Power Authority board. (See Samoa News edition Mar. 22 for details.) Samoa News wasn’t able to immediately confirm when the House will hold their confirmation hearing on the ASPA board nominees.

During Tuesday’s Senate session, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie suggested that Sen. Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua, along with Senate Transportation & Port Committee chairman Sen. Paepae Iosefa Faiai meet with Polynesian Airlines officials to discuss airfares for Manu’a flights.

Gaoteote said Polynesian Air is owned by the Samoa government and there are concerns raised about the airfares that couldn’t be resolved by the Fono, even if airline representatives are called in for a committee hearing.

Nuanuaolefeagaiga had last week voiced concerns with the high fares between Tutuila and Manu’a, as compared to fares on the inter Samoa route.

Faiai said at Tuesday’s Senate session that he met with the local station manager of Polynesian Airlines, and noted that the airline, also has a management team as well as a board, that makes decisions, which are then passed on down.

Regarding fares, Faiai explained that the first seven-seats of the plane are $160 (round trip), followed by $170 for the next seven seats, and a higher fare for last minute travelers — if seats are available.

Regarding the difference of fares on Manu’a flights compared to inter Samoa route, Faiai said there is competition on the inter Samoa flights, referring to Polynesian and Talofa Airways both offering this service. 

He said a request will be made to Polynesian for student fares on the Manu’a routes, and an official letter will be sent to the airline for consideration on Manu’a fares, he said.

While thankful to Polynesian for providing air service, Nuanuaolefeagaiga said Manu’a travelers have no choice pointing to the lack of competition. And even if the fare is $100 one-way for a last minute traveler, Manu’a residents have no choice, he said, adding that he’s hopeful for a change of heart from Polynesian Airlines management and its fares.

Polynesian has been providing Manu’a flights, under federal cabotage waiver, since mid 2014 due to the lack of a US carrier for American Samoa’s domestic flights. It has to renewed its waiver every 30 days.