Opinion
Michael McDonald’s August 11 op-ed, “American Samoa Says ‘No’: What Trump’s Critical Minerals EO Means for Our Future,” raises an important issue. But several points need to be clear.
FIRST, our people understand the difference between sitting at the table and nodding “Yes”.
We can participate in...
[Editor’s Note: Michael J. McDonald is an Assistant Director for Port Administration- American Samoa, and heads the ASG committee that leads American Samoa’s engagement on the critical issues of Deep Sea Minerals (DSM).]
President Trump’s July 20, 2026 Executive Order on Securing America’s Defense...
Long before Donald Trump entered politics, Lewis recounted a story he had heard on island.
When the King of Tonga arrived, his people rose to their feet and bowed before their sovereign.
Later, Malietoa arrived, and the Samoan people remained seated.
Surprised, the King asked, “Why didn’t your...
[Editor’s Note: Michael J. McDonald is an Assistant Director for Port Administration- American Samoa, and heads the ASG committee that leads American Samoa’s engagement on the critical issues of Deep Sea Minerals (DSM).]
For several years, the public conversation surrounding deep-sea minerals (DSM...
(The following is a letter to Gov. Pulaali’i Nikolau Pula from Puipui Measina a America Samoa, a community coalition, Puipui Measina a America Samoa, Motusa Tuileama To’atolu Nua, Chairman; Brian Peck, Vice Chairman; Dr. Malouamaua Tuiolosega, Rudolph Bartley, Natasha Tuato’o-Bartley, Vera Peck,...
Dear Editor,
As discussions continue about polymetallic nodules and American Samoa’s potential role as a transshipment hub, concerns about natural radioactivity have been raised. To address these directly and transparently, I conducted an interview with Thomas Lüttke, a geoscientist formerly...
There are moments in history when a people must decide what they value more: immediate economic promises or the protection of an inheritance that can never be replaced. For American Samoa, that moment has arrived.
The debate over deep-sea mining is not simply about science, technology, or economics...
The passing of Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson marks the loss of a remarkable leader whose life of service touched countless people throughout American Samoa.
Much has been written about Alo’s distinguished career as an educator, businessman, senator, community leader, and proud son of Fagasa and Pago Pago...
Supporters of deep-sea mining present it as an economic opportunity for American Samoa. They promise jobs, government revenues, and a new industry built around the extraction of polymetallic nodules from our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The federal government has its own reasons for supporting...
The debate over deep-sea mining is often framed as a choice between economic opportunity and environmental protection. But before we can make informed decisions about mining the ocean floor, we must confront a simple reality:
There is still far more we do not know than what we do know.
Scientists...