Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Last week, the Senate approved the governor's nominations for the Director of Health (DOH), the Director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled (OPAD), and the Director of Agriculture (DOA) during their confirmation hearings.

DR. SAIPALE FUIMAONO

Dr. Saipale Fuimaono, the nominee for the Department of Health, received unanimous confirmation from the Senate in a 16- 0 vote during the regular session last Wednesday.

Earlier that morning, he appeared before the Hospital and Public Health Committee, chaired by Vice Chair Senator Gaotete Palaie Tofau in the absence of Chairman Misaalefua J. Hudson. The nominee faced no questions during the hearing.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean told the hearing that Dr. Fuimaono was a true son of their village with deep roots in Pago Pago, not "some coconut brought in by the tide and grew on our shores."

He expressed gratitude to the governor for selecting a son of Pago Pago to head the Department of Health and echoed Senator Muagututi’a Tauoa's sentiments that it was time for the children of American Samoa to assume leadership roles and build the government.

“As for us, our time is near, and we should prepare for that journey of no return,” Tuaolo said, urging the senators to approve Dr. Fuimaono’s nomination.

Senator Muagututi'a expressed his full support for Tuaolo's stance, reiterating that the time has come for the sons and daughters of American Samoa to build and lead the government.

He noted that it was evident Dr. Fuimaono is in good health and that the Department of Health has been successfully fulfilling its mission to provide quality healthcare to the community through its health centers in Leone, Amouli, and Manu'a.

Muagututi'a gave Dr. Fuimaono his blessings in his new role and moved that the nominee be excused. He proposed that the Senate vote by a show of hands rather than by secret ballot, so that it would be clear who voted to confirm him.

Before moving to second Muagututi'a's motion, Senator Magalei Logovi'i informed Dr. Fuimaono that his son, who works for the Department of Health, mentioned a technical assistance grant of $400,000. This grant could potentially be used to purchase an ambulance and a fire engine.

Senator Logovi'i noted that this development would be particularly beneficial for Senator Muagututi'a, as currently, the residents of the Eastern District lack these essential services.

During emergencies, they have to rely on fire and ambulance services from the central part of the island, which typically takes about one and a half hours for an ambulance to travel from Faga'alu to the villages on the eastern side of the island.

Dr. Fuimaono holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the Fiji School of Medicine, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching Biology and a Bachelor of Science from Notre Dame De Namur University in Belmont, California.

Since 2006, he has worked at the Department of Health in various capacities. He is currently serving as the Clinical Director of the Community Health Centers, a position he has held since 2012.

In his final remarks, Dr. Fuimaono expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the senators for placing their faith and trust in him to lead the Department of Health. He mentioned that he had come prepared to answer any questions but was deeply humbled and at a loss for words due to the overwhelming support and blessings he received.

It was a different story in the House of Representatives during his confirmation hearing the following day, where several Faipule posed questions. Subsequently, he was narrowly confirmed with an 11- 6 vote.

DORA J. AH SUE:

Two confirmation hearings were held last Friday in the Senate. Dora Ah Sue, the nominee for the position of Director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled (OPAD), was the first to appear before the Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Senator Gaoteote.

Nominee for Director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled (OPAD), Dora J. Ah Sue was unanimously confirmed by the Senate last Friday. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]

Senator Muagututi'a proudly informed the senators that the nominee, who hails from his district, is like a daughter to him. He expressed his gratitude to the governor and lieutenant governor for nominating her to be a member of the Cabinet, stating that it has brought honor to their family and the district of Sua.

Muagututi'a wished her well and advised her to be honest, obedient, and compassionate in her decisions. He encouraged her never to do anything she feels is not right, regardless of who asks her to do it.

Senator Magalei expressed his respect for Senator Muagututi'a, the oldest member of the Senate, and moved to excuse the nominee and approve her nomination.

The motion was seconded by Senator Togiola, who remarked that the director nominee needed no introduction, given her many years of service in the government.

Senator Utu S. Poasa voiced his support and shared that the nominee's mother had worked for him in the past.

During the hearing, Senator Levu Iosia posed the only question, inquiring if the OPAD staff enforced the reserved parking spaces for the handicapped. Ah Sue responded that her staff is assisted by DPS officers in this task.

Senate President Tuaolo revealed that the Acting Director's father had served the government for many years. He was a Director of Human Resources and was a Faipule in the House of Representatives. He also mentioned that Dora had worked for the Fono and served in the office of the late Senator Daniel Inouye.

Ah Sue has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and a Masters in Education in Curriculum Studies from UH Manoa. She was a Program Director at OPAD from January 2012 to January 2024 and was a candidate in the House of Representatives for Sua #5 in the last elections.

Tuaolo concluded by giving his blessings on her appointment. Senators later unanimously confirmed her nomination in a 16- 0 vote.

DANIEL E. HELSHAM:

The final confirmation hearing was for Daniel Helsham, the nominee for Director of Agriculture, who was also unanimously confirmed by the Senate.

Daniel Helsham, the nominee for the position of Director of Agriculture during his confirmation hearing last Friday at the Senate. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]

Senate President Tuaolo commented that it was his first time meeting the nominee and asked Helsham if he had previously worked for the Agriculture Department. Helsham replied that he had worked at the ASCC Land Grant.

Tuaolo noted that, although Helsham is young at 37 years of age, he has an impressive academic background. Helsham holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Chaminade University in Hawaii and a Master's degree in Agricultural Communication from Texas Tech University. He has served as the media specialist at the Land Grant Program of ASCC from 2013 until his appointment.

The Senate President expressed pride in witnessing the sons and daughters of American Samoa, who had pursued higher education, return to serve the Territory.

Senator Tuaolo inquired if Helsham planned to continue the previous DOA Director's initiative to import cattle from Samoa. The Acting Director responded that he intends to proceed with caution, ensuring that all documents and paperwork are in order to protect the public and the environment from any adverse effects.

Senator Olo Uluao Letuli stated that Helsham is a native of Fofo District, and remarked that while he is still relatively young, age is irrelevant when one is called by God.

(Of noted, Dr. Helsham’s articles on Land Grant programs have been published over the years in the Samoa News. He has helped keep the community well informed of the ASCC’s Land Grant mission in the community.)