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American Samoa Government - PR001-01122026
Posted: January 12, 2026
Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula’s State of the Territory Address for the 39th Legislature 3rd Regular Session Opening
UTULEI, American Samoa - The Thirty-Ninth Legislature of American Samoa convened its Third Regular Session at the Lee Auditorium, bringing together members of the Senate and House of Representatives, President of the Senate Honorable Tuaolo Manaia E. Fruean, Speaker of the House Honorable Savali Talavou Ale, Honorable Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula, Honorable Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr., Cabinet Members, and honorary guests.
Proceedings opened with an invocation by Reverend Elder Faigata Manase of CCCAS Malaeloa, with their choir’s beautiful and harmonious voices resonating throughout the event.
Governor Pula delivered the State of the Territory Address, maintaining the Administration’s commitment to restoring hope, strengthening trust in government, and advancing the well-being of the people of American Samoa. Reflecting on the Administration’s first year in office, the Governor emphasized the shared responsibility between leadership and the community in shaping a clear and unified path forward for the Territory.
Governor Pulaali’i highlighted the continued efforts to stabilize government operations through responsible financial management, improved oversight, and careful planning to protect essential services. Actions were taken to accelerate critical infrastructure projects and support the local workforce, helping ensure steady progress and accountability.
Economic development remains a top priority, with focused efforts to diversify the economy, strengthen local businesses, and build long-term resilience following the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal recovery funding has been strategically used to improve infrastructure and public services. Governor Pulaali’i commended the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) office and partner agencies for their teamwork and progress.
The administration reiterated the importance of reliable infrastructure to support commerce, travel, and daily life. Ongoing investments are modernizing and improving seaport operations, improving airport access, and strengthening inter-island transportation with faster services to and from the Manu’a Islands. Renewable energy projects continue to move forward to reduce the utility costs and improve long-term energy reliability.
Technology partnerships are helping to strengthen connectivity and economic opportunity. A forthcoming collaboration with Google to introduce the “Le Vasa” cable that will improve internet reliability, reduce service disruptions, and will expand access to online education, healthcare, and digital services. The Administration remains focused on completing all initiatives efficiently and responsibly.
Progress in education was also highlighted for the stronger compliance, accountability, and cooperation among agencies helping protect critical resources and strengthen long-term stability. In healthcare, modernization projects continue to expand emergency services, upgrade diagnostic capabilities, and improve clinical facilities. Department of Health initiatives – including a medical transport vessel, laboratory upgrades, and rehabilitation services – are further strengthening healthcare access. Coordinated emergency response efforts have also strengthened public health readiness.
Following the Governor’s address, President of the Senate Honorable Tuaolo Manaia E. Fruean, speaking on behalf of the Fono, acknowledged receipt of the remarks and stated that the Legislature will respond after reviewing the forthcoming Territorial Comprehensive Report.
The State of the Territory Comprehensive Report will be available in the coming weeks with detailed insights of the progress from all ASG departments.
In closing, Governor Pulaali’i encouraged the three branches of government - Judiciary, Legislature and Executive to continue collaboration, responsible leadership, and service to the people of American Samoa. He emphasized that lasting progress is achieved through unity and a shared dedication to building a stronger future for the Territory. As shared in his concluding message of optimism and encouragement, “Let us have a great year of love, respect, and hope.”
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Tatalaina Aloa’ia le Paea’iga lona 39 a le Fono Faitulafono
o Amerika Samoa
UTULEI, Amerika Samoa – Ua ta’oto le ata o Taulelei ina ua fa’ataunu’uina aloa’ia le tatalaina o le Tauaofiaga o le Paea’iga lona 39, i le mamalu o le Fono Faitulafono o Tutuila ma Manu’a. O lenei sauniga sa fa’ataunu’uina lea i le maota o le Fale Laumei i Utulei ia Ianuari 12, 2026 i le itula e 9:00 i le taeao. Na auai atu le Afioga le Kovana Sili, Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, Afioga le Kovana Lutena Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr, aemaise le mamalu o le Kapeneta, na auai atu fo’i le Afioga le Fa’amasino Sili Lealaiauloa Michael Kruse. Sa afifio atu fo’i le Failautusi o Matāupu tau Samoa fa’apea Kovana o Falelima ma le mamalu o le atunu’u na molimauina lea fa’amoemoe.
O lenei sauniga tāua sa fa’atautaia lea e le pa’ia o le Fono, i le afio o le Afioga le Peresetene o le Senate Tuā’olo Manaia Fruean ma lona faletua, Afioga le Fofoga Fetalai Savali Talavou Ale ma le faletua, fa’apea le pa’ia maualuga o Maota e lua i Afioga i Senatoa ma Faipule filifilia o Itumalo. O le Afioga i le Fofofoga Fetalai na ia tuvaoina ma fa’afeiloa’ia le mamalu o le Mālō ma le atunu’u, na tula’i fa’aaloalo le aofia ‘a ‘o auina mai Tagāvai o Amerika ma Amerika Samoa e Malu o le Mālō. O le Susuga le Faife’au Toea’ina ia Faigata Manase o le EFKAS i Malaeloa na tapenaina le upu fa’aleagaga, ma sa fofogaina lava e le aufaipese mai Malaeloa vi’iga o le Atua. O le fe’au autū o le upu fa’aleagaga “O Fa’aosoosoga o Iesu” na tata’i le finagalo o le Toea’ina i tofotofoga e feagai pea ma le soifuaga fa’aletagata, auā o fa’aosoosoga na fa’ataga e le Atua mo Iesu. O se fe’au na taia i le fa’afofoga ma sa fai ma lu’itau auā le toe amatalia o faiva alofia’ao o le Fono usu a le atunu’u.
Na soso’o ai ma le tanoa fa’alele a le Afioga le Kovana Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, sa ia fa’afetaia le pa’ia o le Fono Faitulafono mo le lagolagoina o fuafuaga fa’ata’atitia a le Mālō, sa ia fa’ailoa fo’i le tele o galuega ua mae’a ma o nisi o galuega o lo’o fa’agasolo pea. Na saunoa le Kovana o lo’o ave le u’una’i malosi a le Mālō i A’oa’oga, fausia o le Falema’i, Malae va’alele ma uafu, o Paka ma malae ta’alo fa’apea ma le naunau ina ia faia ni porokalama mo Faia’oga auā le ausia o nisi o fa’ailoga maualuluga.
Na fa’ailoa fo’i e le Kovana galuega ua fuafuaina mo paipa i le ogasami, o se pa’aga ma le Google e fa’afaigofie ai feso’ota’iga. E aofia ai ma le tele o isi galuega uma o lo’o fa’atupeina e le ARPA i lana tino i tupe $491 miliona lea na fa’amatu’u mai i le 2021 mai le Mālō Tele. Na taualuga lana saunoaga i lana fa’afetai mo le atunu’u atoa auā le tatalo ma le lagolagoina o le la tula’i mai ma le Afioga le Matua ia Pulu.
Sa palefeagai le saunoaga a le Afioga le Peresetene o le Senate, Afioga Tuaolo Manaia Fruean. Saunoa le Peresetene ma fa’afetaia foi le Mālō mo galuega fa’atino, atoa ai ma lana tatalo ina ia galulue fa’atasi ma le Fono auā lava se manuia o Amerika Samoa. I le mae’a ai o saunoaga tofia, ona saunoa fa’amatafi ai lea o le Fofoga Fetalai ma fa’afetaia le pa’ia na mafai ona fa’atasi atu. Fa’ai’uina le sauniga i le tatalo fa’amanuia na saunia lava e le Susuga le Toea’ina ia Faigata Manase, soso’o ai ma le toe auina ese atu o Tagāvai o Amerika fa’apea Amerika Samoa. Na tatala le fili o alii ma le agaga o le fa’agae’etia i lea aso.
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