Five appointments for new cabinet directors: 2 new, 2 replacements, 1 repeat

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Five appointments for new directors for the Pulaali’i and Pulu Administration have been announced, with two of the appointments replacing two nominees that were rejected by the Fono during their confirmation hearings.

Mrs. Edna Noga has been appointed acting director for the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency. She has a Bachelor of Science degree and was recently a Special Projects and Grants Specialist for the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority.

Mrs. Natsha M. Tuato’o-Bartley is nominated as the acting director for Marine & Wildlife Resources She is an avid supporter of protecting American Samoa’s natural and cultural heritage for future generations. She sits on the Board of Directors for Nature’s Educational Laboratory of American Samoa (Administrative Assistant), a nonprofit organization that seeks to share the experience they had with their grandparents — interacting with surroundings and learning about the environment.The NELAS founders on their website state that “by combining place-based science education, Samoan culture, and self-development”  they provide modules to share this experience with the community.

She replaces Tim Jones who was passed by the Senate, but rejected by the House, including a re-consideration vote.

Mrs. Sesula Fepulea’i McMoore-Tufele is appointed as Acting Director for Office of Planning and Budget.

Mr. Frederick Unasa Ledoux is appointed as Acting Chief Procurement Officer, replacing Ken Kuaea who never made it through the Senate confirmation hearing due to requests for documents about a private company he and his wife own.

Mr. Tapusalaia Maneafaiga is reappointed as Acting Director of Parks and Recreation, which means his name will be resubmitted during the next session of the Fono. His nomination was rejected by the Senate, and the House did not schedule a confirmation hearing.

Samoa News is awaiting news from the administration if they will be submitting the heads of the officers and agencies that are under their purview, Office of the Governor. This would include the Medicaid Office, ASHPO, Veterans Affairs, etc.

The ASHPO director is currently facing an investigationinto an incident in which she was seen on video hitting a cashier at a store on Feb. 16th. The video has been making the rounds on facebook. There has been no update on the incident, although Samoa News was told that police were looking for her, but she was working out of the Governor’s Office instead of ASHPO’s office in Tafuna when police finally located her for a statement. The Governor’s Office has said she serves at the discretion of the governor.