Wellness initiative kicks off for government workers

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Governor’s Office has launched a wellness initiative for the American Samoa Government (ASG) workforce, encouraging implementation of a Wellness Hour every Tuesday and Thursday, according to an ASG memorandum, dated January 21, 2026. The memo also makes a point that the Hour should not disrupt public facing services, in other words, keep enough workers on hand to keep the office operational.

 Governor Pulaali’i Nikolau Pula in announcing the initiative noted that he and Lt. Gov. Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. “recognize that a healthy workforce is essential to serving the people of American Samoa.”

They encourage all departments to develop tailored wellness initiatives to each of their staff’s needs, and recommend strategies such as integrating existing activities; selecting trusted employees to promote the activities — lead by example; prioritizing mental health including providing confidential resources; implementing low-cost initiatives — walking groups, healthy vending options, and wellness bulletin boards; track participation to demonstrate impact; and offer incentives that celebrate both individual and collective achievements — “the key is consistency and genuine appreciation for employees’ efforts.”

Guidance and resources are being offered by the Department of Health Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Program if needed.

The memo continues that each department to begin their initiative should assess staff wellness needs; identify feasible initiatives aligned with operational capacity; and designate a wellness coordinator or ‘champion’.

In support of the launch of the Wellness Hour initiative, the Department of Health on Tuesday, Jan. 27th, kicked off a wellness event at the Veteran’s Memorial Stadium from 2pm to 4pm, in Tafuna, to show the Administration’s commitment to promote employee health wellness and work-life balance.

Encouraging each department to send interested personnel to participate in the kickoff event, it was made a point that department heads must “ensure adequate staffing levels to continue provisions of services to the public” — public facing operations are not to be disrupted, the memo states.

It offers the following as “service continuity” necessary: Public intake and inquiries; Processing of applications and permits; Emergency response capabilities; and, Critical administrative functions.