Delegates to Atoa o Samoa experience amazing visit to Savaii

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The bi-annual meeting between the two Samoas — Atoa o Samoa- Day 2 — in Savaii, Thursday, October 12, 2023, has been an eventful experience for the close to 40 delegates from American Samoa, headed by Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga, and includes representatives of his Administration.

Most of them have traveled thousands of miles from American Samoa to the United States, but had never set foot in Savaii, which is less than 100 miles by sea and only half an hour by air.

The AOS meeting has shifted to the biggest and most remote island of Samoa to hold final discussions and witness first hand where most of Samoa’s agricultural products are grown and developed.

In Savaii, where less than half the population of Samoa resides, they are brought up to live sustainably.

A recent statistic showed Samoa’s population is about 200,000.

The AOS delegates were divided among three sites and started going out to different sections of Savaii on Thursday, Oct. 12 (Samoa time).

Governor Lemanu was allocated to site number two, along with seven others from American Samoa who took part in viewing of the siapo making/ tapa cloth demonstration in the village of Siutu.

This is from farming the plants to harvesting it by peeling off the bark of the mulberry tree, scraping and beating it into a form of dry cloth then shaping it and drawing traditional designs. Siapo making was witnessed for the first time by most.

Siutu village is known in Samoa for keeping the tradition within all families and is enforced by the women’s committee.   

Currently with help of the District’s million tala project, annually from the FAST government, the Ministry of Women support this village in sustaining cultural productions from Savaii.

Other places that were visited include the Airport at Maota, to the eastern side of Savaii close to the main wharf at Salelologa, and the other airstrip to the most western end also close to another wharf at Asau.

Drilled water/ bore holes at Samalaeulu, and a bridge over the Mali’oli’o river, contribute to the safety and health of  people at the Northern side of the big island have also been viewed.

American Samoa’s Director of Agriculture Solia Mutini was allocated to site number three. 

They viewed the Gidlow Meat Process plant, the Tupa’i Lui Chinese Farm, Lata Plantation, Savaii Koko and the Ulimasao Copra Farm.

Yesterday’s program (Thursday in Savaii) included the closing of the Atoa o Samoa’s 2023 meeting at Manase where several beach resorts are located, including Stevenson and Tanu’s next to each other.  

The tour of Savaii was a highlight of the  conference for the two Samoas following a sleep over at the beach resorts in Manase to the central north of Savaii. 

They are returning to Upolu on Friday. 

PROGRESS REPORT

On the first day of talks key achievements since the 3rd Atoa o Samoa meeting held in April of this year were itemized and include:

1. Trade: Director Petti Matila of the Department of Commerce mentioned the significant progress that has been made in enhancing economic ties between American Samoa and Samoa. Trade shows to exhibit locally made products, benefits for small private businesses, which included Samoa products to enter US markets easily, and potential private sector partnerships. Director Petti also acknowledged the invitation from Samoa for tourism exchange, and mentioned that the American Samoa’s Visitors Bureau director was able to attend the New Zealand and Australia Roadshows.

2. Labor Mobility, Immigration, and Border Security: Attorney General Fainuulelei Falefatu Alailima-Utu reported that the Guest Workers Program is successfully operating, currently employing 1,355 workers, and StarKist Samoa has requested more.

AG Fainuulelei also reports that 400 Samoa citizens are approved monthly under the Entry Permit Waiver Program.

Border Security matters are being handled in programs such as the K9 handler training program and collaborations with Samoa regarding the ASYCUDA.

3. Financial Services: Treasurer Malemo Tausaga presented a remittance report regarding transactions between American Samoa and Samoa, and gladly reported a significant increase since the Pandemic years.

4. Telecommunications: CEO Chuck Leota reports that courses for National University of Samoa (NUS) Certification have been successfully implemented for engineering and ASTCA staff. Progress towards establishing connection for Hawaiki redundancy and bandwidth capacity for Samoa continue.

5. Education, Sports, and Culture: Director Talauega Samasoni Asaeli of the Department of Education discussed that communications with NUS leaders for teacher development courses in specific areas have begun. He also mentioned that plans are being made to exchange athletic training on Rugby and American Football among other sports.

6. Environment & Climate Change: The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Director Faamao Asalele Jr. reported that 3 officers from the Fire and Emergency Services Authority successfully completed training in American Samoa conducted by the US-EPA.

US-EPA also had the opportunity to visit the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS). Faamao also acknowledged the 2nd Disaster Resilient Summit in American Samoa hosted by the Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management Director Lisa Tuato’o, that featured an esteemed keynote speaker from Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Minister Toeulusulusulu Cedric Schuster.

7. Transportation & Infrastructure: Port Administration Director Falenaoti Loi-On Fruean and Public Works Director Faleosina Voigt updated that plans are in place for visitations from Samoa Airport Authorities, and presented training opportunities for Airport Firefighters from Samoa.

8. Agriculture & Fisheries: Dept of Marine & Wildlife Director Taotasi Archie Soliai announced that Samoa's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) has generously gifted around 500 juvenile giant clams (Tridacna derasa) to American Samoa, with plans in motion for their transportation and the establishment of essential protocols. Additionally, Director of Agriculture Solia T. Mutini expressed gratitude for the recent lifting of bans on cut flowers, plants, and biosecurity concerning livestock meat, underscoring the positive developments in cross-border agricultural and biosecurity cooperation.

9. Health: Samoa’s Dr. Tile Ah Leong-Lui provided a comprehensive overview of various critical aspects. These included the Health Information Exchange, which facilitates the seamless sharing of health-related information. Initiatives related to health prevention and collaboration, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding public well-being.

The meeting also featured discussions on a Physician and Nurse Exchange Program, aimed at fostering professional exchange and knowledge sharing within the healthcare sector.

(Samoa News should point out that the LBJ hospital has said that there is a problem with qualifications of nurses trained in Samoa, which is why LBJ has chosen to bring in nurses from the Philippines and Thailand. Samoa disagreed with LBJ’s assessment.)

Other notable mentions were non-communicable disease prevention and surveillance, underscoring the significance of early detection and monitoring and effective management.

The signing of the new outcomes document was scheduled prior to site visits in Savaii yesterday.