Lemanu’s closing in Gubernatorial Forum focused on ‘after fact’ $36Mil

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor in the upcoming general election participated in a Gubernatorial Forum hosted by the American Samoa Bar Association (ASBA) last week, where they expressed their viewpoints on certain issues brought up in the questions they were asked.

While questions varied, closing remarks by the Lemanu & Laapui gubernatorial team were said to draw surprise from many who watched the Forum, when incumbent governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga spoke of the $36 million his administration used without approval from the Fono. The $36 million Lemanu is referring to is currently the subject of an ongoing SSIC investigation, which has been referred to an Independent Prosecutor.

Over 200 questions were received by ASBA, according to ASBA Treasurer Lornalei Meredith, who served as the master of ceremonies, from the public. After reviewing them for redundancy and neutrality, ASBA members shortlisted 87 questions.

During the two-hour forum, the candidates were asked as many questions as time allowed. Ultimately, they had the opportunity to answer just 12 questions.

The questions addressed a range of critical topics: selection of directors, tackling the drug problem, improving local food production, plans to enhance the performance of K5-K12 students, addressing population decline, climate change, improving transportation for Manu’a, healthcare, resolving issues with water supply, and the territory’s political status.

Lemanu P.S. Mauga and Laapui Talauega E. Ale, Vaitautolu Talia Faafetai and Maefau Dr. Mary Taufetee and Pulaalii Nikolao Pula were present. Pula’s running mate Pulu Ae Ae, Jr. did not participate, as he is attending a family funeral off-island.

About 300 people, primarily supporters of the gubernatorial teams, attended the event at the Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium. The forum was live-streamed by KVZK-TV.

Closing remarks from each gubernatorial team began with the Vaitautolu and Taufete'e team followed by the Pula and Pulu team. Both teams spent most of the allotted two minutes thanking their families and supporters before ending with a request to vote for them.

It was the closing statement from the Lemanu and Laapui Team that was said by some in the community to be a surprise, as the issue was not specifically identified or mentioned during the forum.

 Incumbent Governor Lemanu offered remarks in Samoan saying that in their view, if they break the law or incur debt but in the process there is benefit for the people — that is their pledge to offer themselves to be of service to the territory.

Lemanu said he knows many are thinking about the $36 million, and there were overtures/ allusions to this issue during the forum.

But he declared, “If I am locked up because of using money without following the law, if the people benefitted from this spending — to me, that is our tautua, service for the people.”

Samoa News is reporting on the answers to the 12 questions in 3 separate stories — allowing our readers to focus on each of the teams’ replies.

QUESTIONS

The moderator for the event was Counsel Sharron Rancourt, an ASBA member and the association's American Bar Association (ABA) Representative. She practiced on-island from 2002 to 2017 before relocating to Hawaii. She was assisted by ASBA Secretary Julia Furlong, who served as the timekeeper.

The candidates had two minutes to answer each question in either English or Samoan and also gave opening and closing remarks.

The forum featured a cordial presentation of the candidates' views, with moderator Attorney Sharron Rancourt ensuring strict adherence to the 2-minute time limit for answers.

THE FIRST QUESTION was: "Many voters remain undecided and they’re seeking concrete reasons to support one candidate over another. What sets you apart from your opponents in this gubernatorial race?"

Candidate for Lt. Governor, La'apui answered for the Lemanu & La'apui team.

"The fact that some voters may be undecided is a good thing. That means that they are researching, they're looking, they're trying to find who to best lead our island nation, our country in the next few years. Elections in Samoa as you know are unique. We take our election and votes very seriously.

"But when the election is done on November 5th, all of these families will be wearing one color, and that is the color of American Samoa. So I am proud of the fact that people are passionate about elections, about motivating their teams, and that there are also some folks who are taking some time to consider the issues and think about what is right for American Samoa.

"I'm glad that we have candidates who are willing to run for office and I am glad that I am running with Governor Lemanu to continue the work that we have done in the past four years."

Candidate for Governor, Pulaalii Nikolao Pula began his answer in Samoan quoting a Samoan proverb, "E le falala fua lau o le niu, ae falala ona o le matagi." (The leaves of the coconut tree do not sway by themselves, but they sway because of the wind.)

"In a figurative sense, there is a reason why Pula and Pulu have decided to join the candidacy for Governor and Lt. Governor this year. Many of the people we talked to have expressed their discontent. I have asked myself, why are they unhappy? After walking the villages and visiting homes in the past few months with Pulu, many people have told us that they want a change in government.

"This is why Pulu and I want to offer our service to help push our territory forward," said Pula. "We have no intention of laying blame or finger-pointing. A change of leadership is a good thing, and it is out of our love and sense of service for our territory that we have decided to run for office. That is our main purpose."

Candidate for Lt. Governor, Maefau Dr. Mary Taufetee answered for the Vaitautolu and Taufetee team.

"What sets us apart?" she began. "Vaitautolu and I have the experience and it takes experience to move the government forward in the right direction, where people will be given the opportunity with equality and services. The Vaitautolu and Taufete'e team will bring positive changes to the community as we are guided by the spirit of compassion, unity, integrity and accountability.

"Vaitautolu and I will uphold, enforce, and respect the rule of law because no one is above the law. We will provide the best money management experience that the government needs. Vaitautolu and I believe that women are essential and pivotal in building strong communities and societies.

"And this team has the good balance of equal opportunity for both men and women, they have the same rights and fair treatment. Therefore, this is the team that can bring unity as one people, one government, working together as a team to build this government as a community, as a family.

"These needs can be met if we stand together to make change. Vote for United for Change — Vaitautolu and Taufete'e."

THE SECOND QUESTION was: “American Samoa continues to experience a population decline due to outmigration, particularly of young educated individuals. What steps will you take to create job opportunities, improve quality of life, and reverse this trend to retain talent and strengthen the local workforce including employment within our government?"

It was Candidate for Governor Pula's turn to answer first, and he responded by saying;

"There is no doubt that we have brain drain. The question I would ask myself is why are our people leaving the territory and going out to seek further success instead of staying here. This is what I would do with Pulu, the government should not be in the business of creating jobs.

"The government to me, should be in the business of investing into our private sector. Right now, the government is like an improper fraction. We have a large government on top, and we have a small private sector in the bottom.

"In any state or territory, in order to move forward, you have to increase the private sector because it increases the taxpayers and what I'm saying is, we the government of American Samoa should invest in small businesses in the private sector because they are the ones that are going to hire the people.

"We should provide a plan to create trade not only just with Samoa but also with other island nations in the region. We should also seek the help of the federal government to assist our workforce so we can move forward."

Candidate for Governor Vaitautolu Talia Faafetai stated that the territory's main economic base, which includes the government and the cannery, is no longer sufficient. He and Taufetee plan to collaborate with the private sector to create more jobs and stimulate economic growth.

"We pledge to develop the economy, to work together with the small business community and the private sector to improve our economy and diversify it to create more jobs for our territory. That will be the only way for us to keep the people with talent here on island.

"We cannot depend on the government alone and the canneries, the two main economic bases that we have right now. We also have to look into our education system and integrate training within it in order to provide the skills and experience to our workers."

Incumbent Governor Lemanu, speaking in Samoan emphasized that his administration has made significant efforts to promote both small and large businesses.

But despite their efforts to collaborate with the private sector, they have not had much success. He pointed out that businesses only raised wages after the government did so, but the private sector had initially resisted the increase.

He mentioned that when they took office, they also believed that the government workforce was too large.

However, he acknowledged that there are still not enough jobs in the private sector, which is where government assistance is crucial. He explained that they have tried to provide job opportunities to help families with limited means earn a living and support themselves.

Lemanu noted that the trend of people moving off-island is a recurring one that happens with every generation. He mentioned that everyone present, had experienced it.

"After high school, they go off-island for further education and seek economic opportunities, but they will return," Lemanu argued.

QUESTION NUMBER THREE was; "In your current or most recent position in public service, what was your biggest work-related mistake or regret and how do you hope to avoid repeating it in the future?"

Candidate for Governor Vaitautolu stated that his most recent position was as the director of the American Samoa Government Employees' Retirement Fund. He mentioned that he couldn't elaborate on the question because he didn't have any work-related mistakes or regrets during his tenure.

Candidate for Lt. Governor Maefau Dr. Mary Taufete'e said that she was recently the director of the American Samoa Arts Council and also didn't have any work-related mistakes or regrets. However, she noted that the only mistake she could recall wasn't hers but the administration's, for relieving her of her duties without due process.

Candidate for Lt. Governor La'apui answered for the Lemanu & La'apui team.

"Governor Lemanu and myself and everyone up here, we're not angels. We're not Jesus Christ. We're not perfect servants, but we are servants of American Samoa. Every day when wake up and go to that office, we are proud of the fact that American Samoa elected us into office four years ago.

"And we know that every day that we come to work, we have to prove to the people of American Samoa our worth and that their decision was right. So, to be honest, the work that we have done for the people of American Samoa speaks for themselves.

"And I guess that's one thing that sets us apart from our fellow candidates. Because what you will hear from them today is what they think they will do. But what Lemanu and I will talk about today, are things that we have done like the roads to Poloa, Fagasa, and Afono. The 200+ pounds of meth that was confiscated under the leadership of Governor Lemanu.

"So when you ask about work-related mistakes or regrets, I can tell you, Governor Lemanu and I have no regrets for the work that we have for American Samoa, and that's why we're here to do it again."

Candidate for Governor Pula reflected on his recent position as the director of the Office of Insular Affairs in the Department of the Interior in Washington D.C. and said that he had no regrets or work-related mistakes. He also agreed with La'apui's statement that none of them were angels or Jesus Christ.

Pula stated that it is a well-known fact that many people in American Samoa are not happy and the reason why Pulu and himself were in the race, was because they really care.

"We are not in this race to make money," he emphasized. "We are in this race to provide a future, to make tough and strong decisions so that corruption no longer becomes an issue in the current government."

QUESTION NUMBER FOUR was: "The territory is facing a methamphetamine epidemic. What specific proposals for prevention and treatment or rehabilitation do you have to combat this public health crisis?"

It was the Lemanu-La'apui team's turn to answer first, and incumbent Lt. Governor La'apui mentioned that Governor Lemanu established the Comprehensive Substance Abuse Council in 2022, which he is honored to chair, to address the drug problem.

The Council focuses on law enforcement, education, and rehabilitation. He also presented data on drugs that have been confiscated and arrests made.

"Between November 2023 and today, law enforcement agencies of American Samoa have confiscated over 200 pounds of methamphetamine that would have been around and in our streets now, but for the work of our brave men and women in the Police, Customs and Homeland Security.

"The Police Department has reported a continual drop in drug-related arrests. In the area of rehabilitation, I'm proud of the work that the council has done working with the private sector like Foeoletini, Tautua, Epic, Back on Track, all of these private and government agencies reaching out to rehabilitate the people of American Samoa. There's way more to be done for sure.

"In the area of education, DYWA is opening its centers to provide an area safe place for our children and our people to be. So that's the work that we have done. The results are coming and there's still more to do. But the commitment is there and we plan to do more should we be elected again for the next four years."

Candidate for Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula acknowledged the efforts of law enforcement and the programs mentioned by La'apui. However, he emphasized that the entry points for drugs into the territory need to be secured to effectively combat the issue.

"If we don't improve our air and sea ports to stop drugs from coming in, we're not going to fix this problem. I also hear that there are alias (boats) that go around in the midnight hours to deliver drugs in other areas. So what can we do? This is the first thing I will do.

"We are going to look for funding to help people who are already in drugs. Secondly, I went to visit the jail and people came in and out. I was very surprised. When people come out of jail and we don't let the public know that these druggies are out, it's not safe.

"Therefore Pulu and I are not only going to build a Rehab Center to help our children, but we are going to work in a comprehensive manner with all the villages and churches to take care of and make sure that this drug problem will be done away in two or so years."

Candidate for Governor Vaitautolu Talia Faafetai expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the current programs addressing the drug problem.

"It's interesting to hear that there are programs already established here on the island to combat this problem," Vaitautolu said. "I would like to see the data. Taufete'e and I cannot find any data that shows the success of any program that is being implemented now, and the problem continues to prevail.

"So on the treatment and rehabilitation, Taufete'e and I will commit to building, establishing, and developing a treatment center in American Samoa. We have a mental health center and clinic that was already built by the last administration right next to the hospital. That treatment programs should be implemented in that building because it is not fully used for its purpose."