StarKist Samoa 60-year anniversary celebration includes donations to charity

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate on Tuesday passed in third reading a concurrent resolution which “congratulates StarKist Samoa in celebrating 60 years of great success and growth that continues to pave the way for present and future promising endeavors for our Territory.”

According to the Senate Concurrent Resolution, “StarKist Co. was proud to announce the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of its StarKist Samoa facility in American Samoa earlier this month.

“While the StarKist Samoa team has been conducting anniversary activities over the year, the celebration culminated with a special weekend of festivities.  The focus of these events is to shine a spotlight on the dedicated workforce of more than 2,300 at StarKist Samoa.

It revealed that “Chae-Ung Um, President & CEO of StarKist Co., visited American Samoa along with Young Choi, Vice President Finance, COO & CFO, to honor the anniversary celebration. Mr. Um participated in both the day and night shift prayer services, a daily tradition observed at the cannery before each shift begins, held in the StarKist Samoa Packing Room.

It also revealed that “in the spirit of community outreach, StarKist Samoa General Manager Injoo Ha presented $25,000 of donations in equal amounts to five distinct charities, as well as the LBJ Hospital, Hope House, the American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition and the American Samoa Junior Golf Program.

“These contributions were made possible through the proceeds of the StarKist 60th Anniversary Golf Tournament held on August 19, 2023.”

Looking back in local history, the concurrent resolution recalled that “StarKist Samoa began operations in American Samoa in 1963 under the HJ Heinz Company, bringing the Territory into the modern economic world.

“American Samoa’s ideal location for fishing grounds and its strong relationship with one of the wealthiest markets, the United States, created an environment for success and throughout the years of constant global economic challenges and instability and a highly competitive market, StarKist achieved the status it proudly boasts to this day and continues its dedication, commitment and contributions to American Samoa.

“StarKist has been and is still currently the largest private employer in the Territory, employing about 40% to 50% of private workforce in American Samoa. StarKist has provided many families and individuals with employment opportunities enabling them to build new homes, educate their children, send financial help to their families abroad, and much more.

“In its 60 years of history in American Samoa, StarKist Samoa has employed more than 32,000 employees.  StarKist has successfully operated with Asian longliners to purse seiners since the 1980’s until today and was even able to develop its own local long line fleet in the early 2000’s.

“The people of American Samoa convey their appreciation and congratulations to StarKist Samoa for the past 60 years of outstanding service and the investment into American Samoa’s economy that has helped fuel the Territory’s growth to where we are today.

“The Legislature of American Samoa, on behalf of the people of American Samoa congratulates StarKist Samoa for its 60 years of great success with the people and Territory of American Samoa and extends its sincerest appreciation for the dedication, commitment, and many contributions StarKist has made to the Territory.”