Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Territorial Energy Office (TEO), in partnership with the American Samoa Department of Education (ASDOE) has successfully completed a major electrical infrastructure modernization and lighting retrofit project at Tafuna High School (THS). A final walkthrough happened last week, Thursday, April 9, 2026, marking the official closeout of the project.

The project was initiated following concerns that newly installed split-unit air conditioning systems across campus were not functioning due to insufficient electrical capacity. The original electrical infrastructure was not designed to support the addition of air conditioning units.

As these systems were installed, the increased energy demand exceeded the school’s existing capacity. A comprehensive assessment conducted in March 2024 identified critical infrastructure deficiencies, including overloaded systems, exposed wiring, and multiple safety hazards that posed risks to students and staff.

To address these issues, TEO — through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program (SEP) — oversaw a full-scale upgrade of the school’s electrical systems across Buildings 100– 500.

Key improvements included:

●     Installation of new 800-amp, three-phase electrical service in each building;

●     Complete removal of hazardous and non-compliant wiring;

●     Installation of protected conduit systems and upgraded distribution panels;

●     Replacement of outdated fluorescent lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures equipped with motion sensors; and,

●     Enhanced safety measures, including secured panel rooms with new locking systems.

The official walkthrough included ASDOE Director Maefau Dr. Mary Taufetee, TEO Director Sione Lousiale Kava, SEP Manager Sisifo Taatiti, Program Specialist Lori Fanene, THS Principal Tutuila Togilau and faculty, ASDOE Maintenance Manager Enele Taatasi and staff, along with Justin Newton, representative from Legacy, LLC, the project contractor.

“This project reflects our strong commitment to student safety, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability,” said TEO Director Kava. “We have transformed an outdated and potentially hazardous system into one that is safe, reliable, and capable of supporting the school’s current and future needs.”

Safety was a primary focus throughout the project. Prior to upgrades, conditions included exposed live wiring, unsecured electrical panels, and overloaded circuits — all of which have now been fully corrected in compliance with National Electrical Code (NEC) standards. The result is a significantly safer learning environment for students and staff.

In addition to safety improvements, the installation of LED lighting with occupancy sensors is expected to generate ongoing energy savings while improving lighting quality and reducing operational costs for the school.

ASDOE Director Maefau expressed appreciation for the collaboration, stating, “This project is a major step forward in ensuring our schools provide safe, functional, and energy-efficient environments that support student success.”

Newton with Legacy, LLC, also demonstrated exceptional commitment to the project by installing new locks for all electrical panel rooms at no additional cost after identifying compromised access points during construction.

The project includes a one-year warranty covering parts, service, and maintenance, ensuring continued reliability and performance of the upgraded systems.

TEO extends its sincere appreciation to former TEO Director Dr. Misipati Salanoa who initiated this project, the Department of Education, Tafuna High School administration and staff, the American Samoa Power Authority, and Legacy, LLC for their collaboration and dedication in making this project a success.