A protest is not what is called for Aunu’u lawmaker contends

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Aunu’u lawmaker, faipule Titialii Kitara Vaiau is appealing to his constituency of Sao’le not to proceed with a “protest” that will take place today at Utulei beach.

 “I have received reports that some people from our constituency will be protesting the government over the lack of development work for Aunu’u following the King Tides in July that damaged the wharf and some parts of our village of Aunu’u,” he said.

However he suggested for his constituency to give the government time to put in place processes to ensure that the work that needs to be done for Aunu’u will be done.

 “I am not siding with the government, but it is only fair that the administration is given ample time to respond to our needs. People on the east side can attest to the work currently underway for roadworks, which has now reached Laulii,” he said.

Adding there is so much work that needs to be done for Aunu’u and that the government should take appropriate actions, but a protest would “not help our cause,” said Titialii.

In an interview with Samoa News, Titialii said while he does not want to interfere with the rights of his constituents to freedom of speech, they should consider the fact that development work takes time.

 “We cannot just ask and propose for development in the constituency and expect the government to take action right away, but we need to give them time,” he said.

Titialii however expressed concerns about the government taking actions when the Manu’a islands are experiencing a swarm of earthquakes and development work has been delegated for the Manu’a Islands yet nothing has been done for Aunu’u after the King Tides.

 “But my concern is the protest,” he said. “This will certainly have consequences on our constituency,” said the lawmaker.

He also cited that there are bigger plans for Aunu’u including plans for a bridge connecting the Island of Aunu’u to Tutuila.

Titialii said that a feasibility study should be conducted on this important project as traveling by boat between Aunuu and Tutuila is one of the most dangerous forms of transportation in the territory.

The lawmaker also noted that a resolution was submitted before the House this year, as more lives have been claimed by the treacherous channel than by any other route, since boats began transporting passengers from the Auasi wharf to Aunu’u.

According to the resolution, for years, residents of Aunu’u have pleaded with the government to provide security for travelers by properly constructing wharfs and dredging the areas around them so that entrance into and out of these loading areas can be done safely.

 “The first major relief for residents of Aunu’u came in 1981 when the Army Corps of Engineers constructed the current wharf with a connecting wharf in the village of Auasi on Tutuila.

 “However, not much has been done to improve both wharfs since then and the woes of the people continue including many lives, which have been claimed to the treacherous route.

 “For over the years, the Department of Public Works announced that it will provide dredging as an accommodation for the traveling public. Because of constant and heavy wave activity, underwater sand mounds are created near the entrance to both wharfs.

 “Many times boats capsize or are pushed into the rocks because of these waves. Relief has yet to come and the years of waiting continues.”

The season of high waves, which can last for weeks at a time, makes the channel impassable. Prior to the use of alia to ferry passengers, residents relied on row-boats, which utilized an old marine landing site to come ashore. Currently, residents rely on family-owned boats to carry persons and goods to the islands and those boats are also a source of misplaced security since alia capsize often and in the recent years, lives have been lost.

“The most reasonable, efficient, and permanent solution for travel to and from Aunu’u would be to construct a bridge that would connect Aunu’u to Tutuila. A bridge has many benefits to both the economy and more importantly, the safety of travelers to Aunu’u,” he said.

 “Economically, Aunu’u can become the center of tourism for the Eastern district. Located on Aunu’u is an abundance of flora and fauna sought by many tourists who wish to take in the environment and all that it offers. Aunu’u is also home to the only known quicksand pit in the territory and Vaisuatoto (Blood Lake), which is part of Samoan folklore known to all residents of the island.

“Sandy beaches cover the shoreline of the island and the island is known for its marshes and popular taro farms. The island is also known for its great fishing,” the faipule concluded.