HONOLULU, Hawaii — Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula joined the Governors of Guam and the CNMI for a high-level meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. The Governors discussed their roles as strategic American outposts and expressed a firm commitment to partnering with the State Department. Governor Pulaali’i highlighted the territories' roles as effective ambassadors for the United States, emphasizing that their cultural and geographic ties are essential for strengthening regional stability and fostering shared prosperity across the Pacific.

Prior to a broader discussion with INDOPACOM, the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, and the U.S. Department of Treasury International Affairs, Governor Pulaali’i and CEO Folasaitu Sorepa Fata Thomas met with Ms. Shehzi Khan, USINDOPACOM Director of the Joint Interagency Coordination Group, alongside AP Telecom CEO Mr. Eric Handa and Senior Advisor Mr. Joaquin Malavet, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General. The leaders focused on specialized training needs and identified areas where AP Telecom can provide technical assistance to American Samoa. This engagement was followed by a strategic meeting yesterday with Sir Michael Jones, General Manager for Matson in Auckland, New Zealand, with follow-on discussions scheduled between March and April to further these logistical and economic initiatives.

In parallel breakout sessions, Assistant Director for Port Administration, Michael McDonald led American Samoa’s engagement on the critical issues of Deep Sea Minerals (DSM) and regional infrastructure. During the DSM discussions, McDonald focused on a mission of information gathering and fact-finding to ensure the territory remains well-informed of evolving regional developments. He underscored the necessity of a science-based approach to protect the territory’s tuna canning industry and marine environment, while advocating for additional resources, including enhanced support from the Department of the Interior to expand local education and outreach programs. This focus on gathering data is intended to ensure the local community is well-equipped with technical expertise and remains at the center of any future deliberations.

Further addressing the territory’s physical needs, Assistant Director McDonald participated in infrastructure sessions where he highlighted the significant concerns posed by aging WWII-era facilities. He stressed that the current state of American Samoa’s critical port infrastructure, including both the airport and seaport, directly impacts economic stability and social well-being. McDonald urged for increased U.S. investment in these hubs, arguing that the territory’s economic resilience is a direct component of a strengthened U.S. national security posture throughout the Pacific region.

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Regarding regional connectivity, ASTCA CEO Folasaitu Sorepa Fata Thomas engaged with federal partners to advocate for American Samoa’s role as a regional telecommunications hub. Highlighting the capacity of the Hawaiki and Google Le Vasa cables, she urged INDOPACOM and the Department of State, Departments of Commerce and Treasury to utilize the territory's existing infrastructure to support neighboring Pacific nations rather than funding redundant systems. She proposed that AP Telecom conduct a feasibility study to leverage this capacity efficiently while maximizing taxpayer value and maintaining vital regional relationships.

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Addressing the forum on the topic of data center development introduced by INDOPACOM, CEO Folasaitu clarified American Samoa’s strategic approach of "building the superhighway first" via the Google Cable. She emphasized that while data centers are on the horizon, ASTCA has a primary obligation to conduct thorough outreach to both the public and private sectors before such investments are entertained. CEO Folasaitu noted that capital investments in the islands must be equal to return on investment, stressing that project sizes should be based on actual need rather than building hyperscale facilities that do not fit the scale of a smaller island nation or U.S. Territory like American Samoa. CEO Folasaitu also addressed the critical need for local talent sustainability and cybersecurity readiness to maintain these capital investments. She emphasized that building world-class infrastructure must be paired with specialized training to eliminate reliance on outside assistance, announcing that AP Telecom will travel to American Samoa in April to train ASTCA engineers. Ahead of the BEAD project rollout, she prioritized the need for network assessments and specialized cybersecurity certification, with further discussions scheduled with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in Washington, D.C., next week to address the security challenges that accompany infrastructure growth.