Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The first six-repatriation flights from Honolulu as well as the repatriation flights between the two Samoas cost the American Samoa Government more than $9 million, with the majority of the expenditures on the Hawaii flights, according to data in the Administration’s 2021 “Mid-Year Performance Report”.

The 7th repatriation flight, which landed last week Friday with more than 200 passengers, is not included in the report, however, it says that the final one is set for July 29th, with ASG’s plans to re-open air service between Honolulu and Pago Pago during the third week of August returning operation of all service to Hawaiian Airlines.

Accordance to the performance report, the repatriation program cost ASG more than $9.52 million with a total of 1,497 passengers returned home by the end of flight 6. Of the total cost, only $229,861 was for repatriated local residents from Samoa on 15 flights, with 200 travelers.

The report provides the estimated costs of each repatriation flight from Hawaii, the cost paid by each ASG entity — such as the Special Programs under the Governor’s Office, Health Department, and Medicaid Office — and where passengers were quarantined.

The report notes that the repatriation program is in its final stage with one more flight left from Honolulu. “This will close a chapter on this phase of the Territory’s COVID-19 Response Operation while other components remain in place to safeguard our island from the increasing threat from the coronavirus disease,” it says.

The report further states that Samoa Airways pilots and maintenance crew from Apia have been stationed locally to service our Manu'a island group to ensure immediate support between Tutuila and Manu'a.

“Pilot accommodations, per-diem and other costs are included in the repatriation costs,” according to the 75-page report, which has since been posted on the ASG website (www.americansamoa.gov).

During his special address to the joint Fono session on Monday, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga also briefed lawmakers on the repatriation program, which he says has brought back to the territory 1,548 local residents between February — first flight — and up to last Friday from Honolulu.

He said the final and last repatriation flight from Hawaii is set for July 29th as the administration plans to re-open borders, depending on the health and well-being of health officials and doctors.

One of the many financial issues that some lawmakers plan to seek during the current Fono session, is the total cost of the repatriation program, and the specific funding sources — such as the amount of federal money and local revenue from the Governor’s Office budget.

The governor, during his address to the Fono, also spoke about the COVID-19 vaccination campaign that has been ongoing to get all residents who qualify to get vaccinated saying that its important to get the population protected, as the territory moves towards reopening of borders, with Hawaiian Airlines slated to resume commercial air service between Honolulu and Pago Pago.

The Mid-Year Performance report also summarizes information on the ASG vaccination program — much of the information already made public through press releases in the past weeks from the ASG COVID-19 Task Force, chaired by Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale.

“Through an aggressive vaccination campaign, our health care workers have thus far administered approximately 50,000 vaccines and fully vaccinated 48% of our population,” the report says.

 “The commencement of vaccination incentives –– to include raffles, prizes, and scholarships –– have been rolled out to assist our community in the push toward herd immunity,” it says.