Gubernatorial teams vie for voters during ASBA Forum, part 3
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor in the upcoming general election participated in a Gubernatorial Forum hosted by the American Samoa Bar Association (ASBA) that allowed voters in the territory to get snapshots of their platforms.
Over 200 questions were received by ASBA from the public, according to ASBA Treasurer Lornalei Meredith, who served as the master of ceremonies. Due to time constraints only 12 questions total were asked and answered.
Lemanu P.S. Mauga and Laapui Talauega E. Ale, Vaitautolu Talia Faafetai and Maefau Dr. Mary Taufetee and Pulaalii Nikolao Pula were present. Pula’s running mate Pulu Ae Ae, Jr. did not participate, as he was attending a family funeral off-island.
In last week’s Samoa News, the candidates expressed their viewpoints on the first 8 questions in Thursday and Friday’s editions. Today in part 3, the candidates’ answers to the last four questions are presented.
QUESTION NUMBER NINE was: "How do you plan to improve healthcare in the territory?"
Candidate for Governor Vaitautolu highlighted that numerous issues related to LBJ Hospital and off-island healthcare referral services funded by Medicaid have been reported by the media, making everyone aware of them.
He emphasized that healthcare improvement should begin with the Department of Public Health, which specializes in prevention services, while LBJ focuses on treatment.
Vaitautolu argued that these two government entities should collaborate more closely to enhance healthcare services for the public.
Incumbent Governor Lemanu began by pointing out that the LBJ Hospital in Fagaalu is more than 60 years old and so is the medical equipment used there. However, the government has been building new facilities and updating equipment to improve healthcare services.
He said that this was also the case with the various district medical centers in Tutuila and Manu'a. He explained that the new hospital to be built in Tafuna would address specialized healthcare not available at LBJ especially for elderly patients who are currently referred for off-island medical care.
Candidate for Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula stated that building a new hospital would be a significant financial undertaking, costing between $300 million and $900 million.
He mentioned that the Army Corps of Engineers conducted a 2019 study with several options, which he and Pulu had scrutinized. They chose option (c) from the report, which suggests building a new, possibly multi-layered hospital in a central location in Fagaalu, where LBJ is currently situated.
Pula noted that while building a new hospital in Tafuna would be beneficial, it would require substantially more funds. He also agreed with Vaitautolu's statement that Public Health should implement outreach services for patients living far from the hospital, similar to past practices.
QUESTION NUMBER TEN was: "Governments play a critical role in developing strategies to address climate change. If you were elected, what policies should our government implement to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect communities from increasing natural disasters?"
Incumbent Lt. Governor La'apui highlighted the establishment of the Governor's Resilience Commission Office, which aims to combine government agencies dealing with climate issues to coordinate efforts and address the effects of climate change.
La'apui, who chairs the commission, stated that there is no doubt that climate change is happening.
He mentioned that they have accomplished a lot to help mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change, such as establishing new legislation to ban certain products that cause significant environmental damage.
They have also strengthened infrastructure like roads and seawalls to protect the public during natural disasters. Additionally, La'apui pointed out that the commission works closely with government agencies like the EPA and DMWR to secure federal funding for disaster-related services, which may affect food security.
Candidate for Governor Pula stated that the 2009 tsunami served as a catalyst for the government's cohesive effort to coordinate strategies among various semi-autonomous agencies to help the public in future disasters.
He acknowledged the administration's efforts but also emphasized the many opportunities for assistance from various federal agencies.
Pula pointed out that while everyone is aware of FEMA's assistance, there are other sources the territory could tap into during disasters. He mentioned that he and Pulu would work to establish close ties with the Federal Region 9 agencies in California to garner more assistance for the territory.
Candidate for Lt. Governor Maefau Dr. Mary Taufete'e focused on the needless destruction of the environment in different areas of the island due to the construction of climate change mitigating infrastructure, referring to it as human disturbance.
She argued that instead of this, we should encourage the planting of more trees and expand agroforestry.
QUESTION NUMBER ELEVEN was: "What are your plans to address the ongoing transportation challenges going to and from Manu'a?"
Candidate for Governor Pula stated that during their recent campaign in Manu'a, Pulu promised that if they were elected, he would personally ensure that transportation to Manu'a would improve.
Pula expressed some concern that if they were successful in their bid for office, Pulu might allocate a large portion of the government budget to fulfill this promise, potentially at the expense of other necessary initiatives.
He also highlighted that transportation problems exist on all routes to the territory, especially from the mainland to Hawaii to American Samoa, due to its isolation.
However, he declared that if he and Pulu were elected, they would work closely with Alaska Airways, which is partnering with Hawaiian Air, to ease travel requirements to the territory. Additionally, they plan to collaborate with the FAA and DOT to negotiate a cabotage deal for travel to the territory.
Candidate for Governor Vaitautolu emphasized the need to develop a local airline to travel between Tutuila and Manu'a.
He acknowledged the Samoa government for the use of Samoa Airlines for travel to Manu'a but reiterated that the government should assist in developing a local airline to take over these flights, eliminating the need to request a waiver in the Cabotage Law every time Samoa Air travels to Manu'a.
He also stressed the importance of consistent weekly sea travel to Manu'a to ensure that supplies for families and businesses are not disrupted.
Incumbent Governor Lemanu expressed optimism about sea travel to Manu'a, highlighting the MV Manu'atele, purchased during Governor Lolo Moliga's tenure.
He mentioned that travel to Manu'a by two privately owned vessels from the Silva and Paramount companies will soon become a reality.
Additionally, air travel to Manu'a by a local carrier will also be possible once Pago Wings, owned by Paramount, receives clearance from federal authorities. He commended Paramount for stepping up to provide this much-needed service for the people of Manu'a.
Lemanu pointed out that the government had previously attempted to provide this service with the Segaula during Governor Togiola's tenure, but unfortunately, it was not able to continue.
Regarding travel to and from Hawaii, Lemanu stated that negotiations are underway with Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air to increase flights to the territory to three times a week.
THE FINAL QUESTION of the night was: "Can American Samoa afford to end its unorganized and unincorporated political status quo?"
As it turned out, this was the only question where all three gubernatorial teams agreed that the decision must ultimately be made by the people of American Samoa.
Samoa News encourages all eligible people: TO VOTE.
It’s only 8 days away — NOV 5TH! Let your voice be heard!