Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula has again appointed Tapusalaia Maneafaiga as the Acting Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation. 

Maneafaiga's journey in this role began in January when he was appointed to lead the department, and his nomination was subsequently submitted to the Fono for official confirmation. However, on February 3, the Senate voted on his confirmation and ultimately rejected him, with a tally of seven votes in favor and nine against.

Despite this setback, Maneafaiga was reinstated as the Acting Director of Parks and Recreation shortly before the end of February. The situation shifted again on March 20 when then-Acting Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. issued a memo appointing David Godinet as Acting Director of Parks and Recreation, stating that this appointment would remain in effect “until further notice.” 

In a notable development outlined in the same memo, the Acting Governor indicated that effective March 17, Tapusalaia Maneafaiga would be temporarily reassigned to the Governor’s Office, adding another layer of complexity to the department's ongoing leadership changes.