Governor’s Office: Road work at Mauga o Ali’i has multiple purposes

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — After the work on the road leading up to Mauga o Ali’i was brought to the public’s attention this week, the Governor’s Office released a statement explaining that in collaboration with the Department of Public Works, the Governor's Office is working to mitigate landslides and erosion to the hillside beneath the mansion, among other things.

According to the release, loose rocks, loose soil, and three overgrown trees were removed from the hillside, allowing for more areas to be covered by the netting system previously used on the Rockfall Mitigation Project at various villages. A retaining wall will be constructed at the bottom of the hillside to hold any debris from inside the net for the maintenance crew to clear.

When complete, the expansion of the only driveway to the Government House will allow access for the EMS and Fire Trucks to the property. Including safe student visitations and tours to the first Naval Building built on our Island.

"It is important to continue to carry on the importance of why the historical significance of the Governor's Residence on top of Mauga o Ali'i came about. Not only is its position strategic, but scenic as well. I want to preserve this place of residence for future Governors of American Samoa, beginning with making it safe." stated Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga.

The expanded road access will allow for emergency services to the Governor's Residence and as an Evacuation Route for DOE, KVZK TV Station, and Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium. This plan stemmed from a recent Tsunami Evacuation on March 4, 2021, when the DOE's Young Writers Essay Competition took place, and the available evacuation route at the time was the Tramway.

The Tramway today is the only evacuation route for government agencies nearby (EOB, EPA, Samoan Affairs, Feleti Barstow Library), TBAS, and one of the largest schools, Samoana High School. Witnessing this event, Governor Lemanu said that evacuation access to Mauga o Alii would help lessen the congestion to the Tramway and the evacuation time for our residents, and especially children.

BACKGROUND

In 1902, the Navy approved the plans for an elaborate residence. Work began on the government house that Fall. The following Spring, two skilled carpenters arrived from the United States, and with the help of Samoan workers, completed the house in July 1903 (Commander E.B. Underwood).

While all other buildings stood on low-lying ground near water level, the Government House, a large, airy house, stood high above the rest on Observatory Point, graded from 85 feet to 60 feet in elevation.

The hillside — Observatory Point — was selected because it oversees the harbor. To the left, the Commandant could see the Naval Station, and to the right, he could see the entrance to the Pago Pago Harbor.

The Commandant also wanted the Government House to be seen by ships upon entering the Pago Pago Harbor and also to be seen by the Naval Administration Building in Fagatogo.

In his request to the Secretary of the Navy, the Commandant in 1903, said the only trees needed to surround the Government House were fruit trees such as mango, papaya, candlenut, avocado, coconut, breadfruit banana, and native trees.

Unfortunately, the hillside surrounding the residence was not maintained throughout the years, which led to the overgrown trees obstructing the view of the Government House.

(Source: Governor’s Office press release)