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American Samoa Government - PR001-12092025
Posted: December 09, 2025
Fa’atautaia e le Matagaluega o Feso’otaiga (ASTCA) Se Taumafataga
e fa’amanatuina ai le Fa’aleleia o le Porōketi o le Manu’a Blast.
UTULEI, Amerika Samoa - O le Matagaluega o Feso’ota’iga a Amerika Samoa (ASTCA), sa talimālō e ala i se taumafataga na o latou saunia e fa’ailogaina ai le amatalia aloa’ia o le galuega i le motu o Manu’a (Manu’a Blast Project). O lenei ‘aiga fiafia sa faia lea i le DDW Cafè, ma o se taumafaiga iloga lea mo le toe fa’aleleia o feso’ota’iga fiber optic o le motu o Manu’a. O le Susuga le Fesoasoani ia Malaki Aunoa Katoliko i Vailoatai na saunoa mo le tatalo amata, aemaise o le fe’au fa’aleagaga, o le galulue fa’atasi e ausia ai taunu’uga lelei. O le susuga ia Michael Perelini o le fofoga o le aso ma sa ia fa’afeilo’ai ma fa’atulima i le aofia.
Na saunoa manino le Susuga le Fa’atonu Sili (ASTCA) ia Folasaaitu Sorepa Thomas, na ia fa’atāuaina ma fa’apupula le tulaga ese o le galulue fa’atasi e mafai ai ona fa’atino se fa’amoemoe. Na momoli fo’i lona agaga fa’afetai i Matagaluega o le Mālō sa mafai ona tu’u atu lo latou tau’au, Matagaluega Puipuiga o le Lotoifale, Matagaluega o Sa’iliga ma Lavea’i i Fa’alavelave fa’afuase’i, Matagaluega o Puipuiga o le Saogalemu Lautele, fa’apea fo’i ma pa’aga mai vaega tūma’oti, ma le fesoasoani malosi a le Paramount Builders mo auala o femalaga’iga.
O le sini autū o lenei fa’amoemoe o le mamalu i le aufaigaluega a le ASTCA, o le finagalo fa’aalia lea o Folasaaitu Sorepa, na ia tā’ua fo’i le tāua o le aganu’u ma le fa’a-Samoa i Manu’a, i le mamalu o ona ele’ele ma fa’asinomaga mai le vavau o lo’o noatia i le motu. O lo’o atagia i lenei galuega le fa’amautuina o puna’oa ma faigāpa’aga ina ia mautinoa le mae’a lelei o le galuega. Na fa’ailo fo’i e le Fa’atonu Sili le so’otaga o atumotu o Amerika Samoa, o se manoa tuaiti e fusia fa’atasi ai tagata i le lotogatasi ma le anava tauave e le galo Samoa, po’o fea lava e folau i ai le tagata e manatua pea fa’asinomaga mamalu na fa’afailele mai ai.
Na auai atu i le taumafataga le Afioga le Kovana Lutena ia Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr, Afioga i Senatoa mai le itumālo o le Manu’atele, Komiti Fa’afoe a le ASTCA, Sui o le Kapeneta, ma le aufaigaluega a le ASTCA. O le tanoa fa’alele a lana Afioga le Kovana Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, na ia sa’afi ai ma le agaga fa’afetai, o le ma’atulimanu o tagata o Amerika Samoa, o le faia lea o galuega lelei uma ma ia alualu i luma. E fa’amaonia lea lagona auā o le lotogatasi o se Mālō, vaega tuma’oti, ma nu’u e fa’amaonia ai o se tiute e fai fa’atasi, ae lē o se galuega e fai to’atasi, pe na o ni tagata latou te faia. Saunoa lana Afioga ma momoli le fa’afetai i le aufaigaulega ona o le galulue ma le lē fa’alogologo tigā, aemaise le fa’atinoina o a latou galuega ma le saogalemu, o le tautuaina o tatou tagata e fa’amoemoe i le galulue ma le fa’amaoni ma fa’amalolosi mo galuega lelei uma.
Sa fa’amae’aina le fa’amoemoe i le tu’uina atu o tusipasi ma aluni mo le mamalu o le aufaigaluega na malaga atu i Manu’a mo le tu’u atu ‘atoa o latou agava’a mo le fa’amae’aina o le galuega. ‘A ‘o le’i fa’ai’uina le fa’atasiga sa saunoa le Afioga le Kovana Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula i le sa’asa’aga fa’a-Samoa, ae ‘ai’aiuli le auvala’aulia ma taualuga ai lenei fa’atasiga, na toe fa’ai’uina le mafutaga i le tatalo na saunia e le Fesoasoani Rev. Malaki Aunoa ma tatala ai le fili o ali’i i le manuia.
ASTCA Hosts Commemorative Luncheon Celebrating Completion
of the Manu’a Blast Project
UTULEI, American Samoa - The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) hosted a celebratory luncheon at DDW Café to mark the commencement of the Manu’a Blast Repair Project, a landmark initiative restoring connectivity to our communities in the Manu’a Islands. The luncheon was attended by Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula and First Lady Dr Lois Pula, Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr., members of the Senate including senators representing the Manu’a Islands, ASTCA board members, cabinet officials, government leaders, and the ASTCA Home Team. The event opened with an invocation and spiritual message delivered by Reverend Catechist Malaki Aunoa, FK of Vailoa Catholic Parish, who emphasized the power of collaboration in achieving great outcomes.
ASTCA Chief Executive Officer, Folasaitu Sorepa Thomas, highlighted the extraordinary collaboration that made the project possible. She recognized the contributions of multiple departments, including Dept. of Homeland Security, Dept. of Search and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, and Dept. of Public Safety, as well as private sector partners such as Paramount Builders, who provided critical transportation support.
Of greatest significance, CEO Folasaitu commended ASTCA’s hardworking crew members, describing them as the backbone behind the successful restoration of the project. CEO Folasaitu shared that the initial plans for the project started in 2021 with the previous administration, upon assuming her role as the new CEO, she strengthened those foundations, expanded networks, and advanced the vision, leading to the successful completion of the project in November 2025. She remarked about the cultural significance of Manu’a in the fa’asamoa, noting that when a child is born, their umbilical cord is buried in the land to symbolize identity and belonging. This project holds profound significance, as it embodies the extensive efforts undertaken behind the scenes to secure funding and foster partnerships, ensuring its successful completion as planned.
CEO Folasaitua shared that Connectivity across all islands of American Samoa is a vital thread binding our people together, safeguarding unity and reminding every Samoan, wherever they may journey, to never forget the land that cradled their first steps.
Governor Pulaali’i delivered special remarks expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the restoration project. He emphasized the importance of collective effort in delivering meaningful results for the people of American Samoa. The unity across government, private sector and community is our shared responsibility that reminds us that progress is not the work of one office or individual. Governor Pulaali’i acknowledged the contributions of the previous administration in initiating the restoration plans and laying the foundational framework for the islands of Manu’a. He praised the leadership of CEO Folasaitu and the dedicated service of ASTCA, both of which gave rise to the occasion being celebrated. In commending each crew member for their dedication, the Governor applauded not only their tireless labor, but also the firm unyielding commitment to safety. He applauded their resilient attitude and service to our people with strength and purpose that ensured the completion of the project for the people of Manu’a. Governor Pulaali’i emphasized the administration’s goal to provide essential services and support to all our communities, and the completion of this project is one of many more to come.
Special recognition was given to the crew members who traveled to Manu’a to complete the project. Each individual was honored for their dedication and service, which ensured the restoration’s success. In addition to their recognition certificates, they were also presented with their hardship allowances for the wonderful work they have completed.
Honored guests enjoyed lively entertainment and luncheon, celebrating both the achievement and the spirit of unity. Congratulations to the ASTCA team for the successful completion of their Blast Repair Project for our Manu’a Islands.
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