Senate narrowly rejects confirming Tapusalaia for Parks & Rec director
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The governor's nomination of Tapusalaia Maneafaiga as Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation was narrowly rejected by the Senate yesterday with a 9- 7 vote. Tapusalaia needed 10 votes to be confirmed.
Initially, the director nominee's chances of being confirmed seemed optimistic.
During his appearance before the Senate Park and Recreation Committee, chaired by Senator Noa F. Vae, Tapusalaia spoke in a loud, clear voice, giving thanks and glory to God for His grace and protection. He greeted the senators and introduced himself, stating that he hails from the village of Alofau and has spent 22 years working in the private sector.
Tapusalaia also expressed his gratitude to Governor Pula and Lt. Governor Pulu for the opportunity to serve the government. He declared his belief that he has the knowledge and leadership skills, and if given the chance, he would serve the people of American Samoa with love and integrity.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean was clearly impressed with Tapusalaia's opening remarks and stated that his words reflect the kind of leader that was needed to lift the standard of the Parks and Recreation Department.
Senator Togiola echoed Tuaolo's sentiments, commenting that he sounded like a pastor then asked the director nominee if he was an ordained pastor.
Tapusalaia replied that he was an ordained pastor. He revealed that he had been involved in various business ventures in the Territory from 2002 until 2016, when he felt the call of God on his life. Consequently, he moved off-island to attend Bible College for three years. After graduating, he was ordained as a pastor of the Baptist Church before returning to American Samoa in 2022.
At present, he said that he is not serving a parish in his capacity as an ordained pastor. However, he feels that Governor Pula's nomination of him for this position is a calling from God the government and the people of American Samoa.
Responding to Togiola's inquiry if he had visited the various areas of the island officially designated as public parks, Tapusalaia said he had visited all of them and has identified what needs to be improved.
He said the park in Amanave is in a neglected state because of its isolated location and a lot of work needs to be done to improve it. Meanwhile, plans for the construction of a football stadium at Onesosopo Park has already been laid by the previous administration and work is slated to start in two to three months time.
The director nominee highlighted that he is prioritizing the construction of children's playgrounds in all parks from Onesosopo, Pago Pago, Fagatogo, Faga'alu to Lion's Park beginning next month.
Senator Togiola stated that Onesosopo Park is the only park available for residents of the Eastern District from Pago Pago to Onenoa. It is also used by Faga'itua High School as its sports facility — to prepare school teams for inter-school competitions.
However, the Sua senator said that he has noticed that about half the field is currently used by local contractors to store containers and heavy duty equipment. He asked the director nominee if he had any plans to clear the area.
Tapusalaia replied that he has issued official notice to these contractors notifying them that parks opened to the public for leisure activities will not be used as a rubbish dump or storage area for company assets. He said he has instructed the contractors to remove all their assets from all public parks including Lion's Park.
Togiola stated that families residing in the Eastern District need public parks to relax and spend quality time together and suggested that he look out for appropriate land near Amouli and Auasi villages that can be used as public parks. He said children need room to run around and have fun just like kids in the Western District where there are many public parks.
Senator Magalei Logovi'i inquired about the funds earmarked for the construction of the Onesosopo Park football stadium project. Tapusalaia revealed that $3.4 million of federal funds from the Land Water Conservation Fund Office have been allocated for this project, which was initiated by the previous administration.
Magalei said this is the first time he has heard about this project and there had been no mention of it in the FY 2024/ 2025 budget. He advised the director nominee to provide documents to confirm the availability of the so-called federal funds before revealing his plans to the Fono.
The Tualauta senator recalled the many plans revealed by the former Director of Agriculture for projects involving a cattle farm in Upolu and Manu'a to be funded by federal funds that never materialized.
Senator Tuana'itau M.P. Togiola, a former Parks and Rec. Finance Manager with 17 years of service, asked Tapusalaia if he was the owner of a taxi stand at Fagaima, as stated in his bio.
Tapusalaia explained that it was a business partnership with Aufata Fonoti, the son of former Senator Fonoti Tafa'ifa Aufata.
Tuana'itau said that it was his understanding that former Governor Lolo Moliga had signed a government policy prohibiting directors from owning private businesses.
Tapusalaia clarified that Aufata was the owner and he was merely the assistant, arguing that he would not be present at the hearing if this were not the case.
Tuana'itau also mentioned that some disgruntled Parks and Rec. employees had complained to him, alleging that the Acting Director was planning to replace them with 'his people’.
The director nominee explained that only one current employee was overqualified and that his qualifications would be better utilized in another government department. He assured the senator that he had no plans to replace any other employee.
Tuana'itau concluded by asking what Tapusalaia would do if confirmed as director and if an opportunity to serve as a pastor in one of the Baptist Church's parishes arose.
Tapusalaia replied that he would follow God's direction and that, at present, he feels God wants him to serve the government and people of American Samoa as Director of Parks and Recreation.
Senator Olo Uluao Letuli referred to the $3.4 million grant to fund the construction of the Onesosopo Park Stadium Project and noted that according to the 4th Quarter Performance Report, the amount of $435,136 has not been paid to architect Mark Lively for the project's plan. Olo asked if this was true.
Tapusalaia confirmed this saying that he had met with Lively two weeks ago and Treasury has been instructed to pay Lively's bill so that construction can proceed.
Olo stated that it seems that Lively is involved in so many government projects and he is concerned that this latest invoice is a significant amount, yet construction has not begun.
The Fofo senator also commented on a traditional pigeon snaring platform (Tia Seu Lupe) in Tafuna which is listed in the Territory's National Parks. Olo noted that the amount of $150,000 has been earmarked for its upkeep, but its status is listed as 'Undecided.'
Tapusalaia said he did not know the reason for its 'Undecided' status but he confirmed that $150,000 has been earmarked for renovation and improvement of this National Park, which is located in Ottoville.
Senator Levu V. Iosia inquired about the security companies that have government contracts to look after national parks. He expressed his concern about many people using these public places for parties late at night and recommended that security must be tightened in these places.
Senator Fano Shimasaki also pointed out that many vehicles can be seen parked at the Faga'alu Park late at night and during the early hours of the morning.
Tapusalaia stated that the contracts for the security service companies responsible for these parks were awarded by the previous administration and to his knowledge, these contracts have all expired and there are currently no security services for these parks.
Senator Ponausuia L. Ponausuia said that he has been going through Tapusalaia's credentials in his bio and he is wondering if they are appropriate for the position for which he has been nominated. He noted that according to his bio, most of his work experience is in the food and catering industry. Moreover, the information looks like it was copied 'word for word, line for line' from somewhere.
Punausuia emphasized that he is not saying the nominee is not qualified for the job but he stressed the importance of honesty because the Senate wants to help the new administration in running a transparent and accountable government.
Tapusalaia declared that everything written in his bio was authentic and that he is committed to serving the government and people of American Samoa to the best of his ability with God's help.
BACKGROUND
According to the American Samoa Constitution 4.0112 Appointive powers and confirmation procedures. Chapter 01: nominees need to be confirmed by a majority vote in both chambers to become heads of cabinet departments.
With a Senate or House rejection, the authority of the nominee to serve in office ceases immediately.
However, “failure to confirm a nominee at a session at which his confirmation is considered does not preclude the Governor from resubmitting their name for the same position, at the next succeeding session.”
It further states that “no person shall serve as an acting director of a department, office, or bureau for more than 90 days whether consecutive or not, without confirmation by the Legislature.”