Coastweeks church service reminds that God has blessed the territory

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, and First Lady Ella joined others for a church service on Sunday, (Sept. 11) at the Iakina Seventh Day Adventist Church in Iliili to open the two-week, 2022 Coastweeks celebration in American Samoa under the theme, “A Healthy Coast is a Wealthy Coast”.

Lemanu delivered special remarks at the church service saying that God has blessed the territory “with the coastal richness that our people have benefited from abundantly.

“This celebration is a reminder to us all to be proactive stewards in our efforts in protecting and preserving what God has gifted us,” he said. “I commend and am deeply grateful for the work of both government and non-government organizations who continuously raise awareness through a variety of programs and initiatives, some of which will be displayed throughout the weeks to come.”

The governor said it’s the hope of his “administration to collectively manage, sustain, and protect our coastal zone and marine environment so that future generations of American Samoa will also benefit and prosper.”

According to the Governor’s Office, Coastweeks 2022 commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the American Samoa Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) that comes under the jurisdiction of the ASG Commerce Department.

Established through an executive order in 1980 and signed into law in 1990, the American Samoa Management Act provides effective management by protecting, maintaining, restoring, and enhancing coastal zone resources.

The Coastweeks program events kicked off on Monday at the Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park in Utulei, with an Environmental Fair and Career Day — where various ASG departments and agencies set up booths.

See DOC Facebook page for the latest update on the Coastweeks program.