Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Swains Island Representative Alexander Jennings is again asking the Fono, as they prepare for the 2027 Budget Hearings, for consideration regarding the continued transportation hardship faced by Swains Island. In particular, he highlights that Swains Island residents have endured decades of unreliable access to essential services, emergency support, and basic mobility, and points to the lack of budgeted assistance from the ASG for the last twenty years — “less than one-half percent” of the annual budget.

Jennings’ request was made in an email to his fellow House representatives, dated July 20, 2027. The Fono is currently in recess until July 27, 2026, when the 4th Regular Session will once again resume its business.

For the FY 2027 budget, he is requesting Fono support for his proposal of $300,000 for Swains Island Transportation in the FY 2027 Budget.

This funding level, according to Jennings will secure:

• Quarterly Manu’atele trips to Swains Island;
• Quarterly MV Mataliki trips through partnership with Tokelau; and,
• At least three MV Lady Samoa trips during the 2027 calendar year through partnership with Samoa.

The Swains faipule states that “this modest but essential investment will finally provide Swains Island with predictable, government‑supported transportation — a basic service that has been lacking for far too long.”

He further notes that a near fatal incident in their recent visit to the Swains Island on May 13, 2026 — the first since 2023 for a required security inspection — forced them to rely on foreign governments — Samoa and Tokelau — for transportation assistance. The incident occurred when a 12-foot rubber dinghy used to transport personnel and supplies ashore capsized in the channel throwing three overboard, narrowly avoiding a serious disaster.

Jennings explains that “no written explanation can fully convey Swains Island’s dependence on the MV Manu‘atele and the LCU- Uila o le Sami — both acquired with federal funds and both essential to our survival. Unlike Tutuila, Aunu‘u, and the Manu‘a islands, Swains Island has no harbor, no wharf, and no alternative means of safe access. Our only entry point is a narrow channel carved by nature, not infrastructure.”

He continues that without the MV Manu‘atele, they have been reduced to 2 fishing boats and a 12-foot dinghy for transportation.

Faipule Jennings has communicated directly with the Director of Port Administration Barney Sene, with copies sent to Gov. Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, Congresswoman Uifaatali Aumua Amata and the US Department of the Interior to highlight the severity of the situation and limited supported currently available.

Notably, in one of his email responses to the Port Admin director, Jennings explains that his request in purchasing the LCU- Uila o le Sami in its current condition was not as a private individual — “a distinction that has repeatedly been misapplied to deny Swains Island access to government assistance. Every request I make in my official capacity as the Swains Island Delegate, is for the benefit of the people of Swains Island.”

He points to the lack of reliable transportation as the reason “our people were forced to evacuate our homeland”. And, goes on to point out that “according to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Swains Island is legally entitled to the same federal funding opportunities as Tutuila and Manu‘a. Yet in more than twenty years of service, I have witnessed a consistent and systemic failure to recognize Swains Island as an equal beneficiary under federal law.

“This disparity was most glaring during the distribution of the $1.4 billion in ARPA funding — now in its final phase — from which Swains Island received no assistance whatsoever, despite numerous requests. The same inequitable treatment now appears to be occurring with respect to this federally funded LCU.

“The Swains Island Community Economic Development Corporation is a nonprofit organization incorporated under American Samoa law to serve Swains Island and its community of U.S. Nationals. Under territorial laws, the people of Swains Island are recognized as persons of Samoan ancestry, native Samoans, permanent residents, bona fide residents, and lineal descendants of the current titleholder, with heritable rights to the island.

“Like all lands in American Samoa, Swains Island is privately held — under Samoan custom for Tutuila and Manu‘a, and under U.S. citizenship lineage for Swains.

“To ensure equal treatment of all U.S. Nationals, the framers of our Constitution — our forefathers, together with the United States — explicitly extended to Swains Island the same privileges and protections granted under the Deeds of Cession for Tutuila and Manu‘a. This constitutional mandate is not discretionary. It is binding. Transferring the LCU to the Swains Island Community Organization is fully consistent with this mandate and directly supports the safety, access, and legal rights of our people.

“Despite these constitutional guarantees, Swains Island has also been denied equitable access to local funding for more than two decades. For example, out of the $800+ million FY2026 budget, Swains Island received an assistance of only $45,000—less than one‑half of one percent—for transportation.

“According to your Department, this amount is insufficient even to fund a single trip with the MV Manu'atele to the island.  Subsequently, Governor Pula graciously granted my request to scale down our 101 year Fag Day Anniversary of being part of American Samoa, in order to accommodate a much needed security inspection since our last visit to Swains Island in 2023. 

“Sadly, this visit was accomplished by the use of two small fishing boats with a 12' dinghy to take people and supplies to shore, because no other vessel was available.

“A review of at least the past twenty years will show the same pattern of exclusion,” Jennings states.

The Swains Island faipule was responding to an email he received from Director of Port Admin Sene on June 4, 2026 that reviewed his request to purchase the LCU- Uila o le Sami. Sene wrote:

Unfortunately, the LCU "Uila o le Sami":

1. It was acquired with federal funds, which brings up some unique challenges.
2. If sold today, the depreciation — factoring in its current lifespan versus its expected 20-year lifespan — would need assessment and consideration.
3. We must follow a formal ASG "Asset" disposal process, which requires the following:
   • a.  The Survey Board surveys the vessel to determine its value and remaining useful life.
   • b.  If the item can be salvaged or repaired before the auction, what would be the cost, or what is the minimum surveyed cost for the auction?  
   • c.  This process takes a minimum of 90 days from start to finish.

Items #1 and #2 above puts your entire request on full stop.

My suggestion is:

1.  New Vessel:  Look for another vessel (new or existing) in this location or in the states where you can purchase and operate as a private vessel

2.  Funds for Repair:  Help us find funding to repair and restore the vessel so the Port Administration can operate or charter it out (not lease, give up, or hand over the use or operating of, to a private entity or person) for the proposed use.