Senate confirms three for Samoa Language Commission

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate yesterday approved three of the governor’s nominees for the 11-members of the Samoan Language Commission and another confirmation hearing is set for this morning for the other eight nominees who didn’t make yesterday’s Senate Education Committee hearing.

The nominees confirmed by the Senate during yesterday’s session, are former Education director Vaitinasa Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau; Aiono Okenaisa Fauolo of the American Samoan Community College Samoan Studies and Sen. Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet.

Fai’ivae is co-chairman of the Senate Education Committee and chaired yesterday’s confirmation hearing, while the chairman was absent.

After the final vote confirming the three nominees, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia reminded Fai’ivae that there are still 8 nominees who require confirmation while there are limited days left in the current First Regular Session.

Fai’ivae called for another hearing for this morning for the other 8 nominees for their confirmation hearing.

During yesterday’s confirmation hearing, Vaitinasa shared a summary of background information on the reasons behind the establishment of the Commission that resulted in the current law, in which both English and Samoan are designated as the official language of teaching in public schools.

As to the Commission’s work, as mandated by law, Vaitinasa said that the work is not completed yet for policies and procedures for the use of the Samoan language.

In his nomination letter to Fono leaders, the governor said that Vaitinasa has “demonstrated knowledge and dedication to the Samoan language”, when as Education Department director — a few years ago — “she advocated for teaching the Samoan language to our youth.

“She also advocated for the establishment of this commission and its mission to establish Samoan as an official language of instruction in public schools,” the governor said.

During the hearing, Aiono shared efforts made by ASCC pertaining to the Samoan language and studies and that ASCC and the local Education Department have reached an agreement for a degree in teaching the Samoan language.

A handful of senators who spoke during the hearing supported the nominees and the efforts of the Commission.

Tuaolo noted concerns that only three members are before the committee for confirmation while there are only limited session-days left in the current First Regular Session, which officially closes this Friday, but the nominees are all subject to confirmation by both the Senate and House.

He pointed to the governor’s recent memo, which suspends cabinet members and ASG employees from testifying in House hearings.

In the end the committee is hopeful that the rest of the nominees will get full confirmation hearings and a vote before the current session ends.