(UTULEI: Thursday, July 29, 2010) - Governor Togiola Tulafono announced today that Tri Marine is negotiating to acquire Chicken of the Sea’s tuna plant in American Samoa. 

 “Tri Marine is negotiating a purchase agreement with Chicken of Sea conditional on Tri Marine securing a long term ground lease and other agreements with the American Samoa Government,” said Governor Togiola. 

Governor Togiola said that Tri Marine officials were on island to inspect and value the plant and to have detailed discussions with the Governor. 

According to Mr. Joe Hamby, Group Managing Director of Tri Marine International, Tri Marine is pleased to have the opportunity to acquire the former Chicken of the Sea facility here in American Samoa. 

“We are grateful to Governor Togiola for his tireless efforts to make this possible,’ said Mr. Hamby. “While there are many details to finalize, we are looking forward to concluding an agreement that will allow us to resume tuna processing operations at the plant.”  

Tri Marine has fishing boats based in American Samoa and they are interested in the long term viability of the tuna processing industry in American Samoa. They are working to develop a plan to recommence fish processing operations using the Sampac facility. The facility is expected to require significant investment before resuming operations.

(UTULEI: July 26, 2010) –Governor Togiola Tulafono today together with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and American Samoa Government departments and agencies -- Commerce, Arts and Humanities and Visitor’s Bureau – and the youth of the Territory joined in celebration of the official designation of American Samoa as a Preserve America Community. 

The Preserve America designation, announced by First Lady Michelle Obama in February 2010, is part of a 2003 White House initiative that encourages and supports a community’s efforts to preserve its cultural and historic heritage. 

In a ceremony held at Su’iga’ula a le Atuvasa Beach Park in Utulei, Governor Togiola expressed his sincere gratitude to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, who administers Preserve America, and honorary chair, Mrs. Obama, for designating the entire Territory as a Preserve America Community, which provides American Samoa with significant economic, educational and cultural benefits through historic preservation and heritage tourism. 

In attendance at the celebration, which included the christening of the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary vessel that was named “Manuma,” were Mr. Dan Basta, Director of the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (NMS) of NOAA, and move than forty members of NMS from all 14 federal sanctuary sites. 

Entertainment was provided by youth groups from the Pago Pago Catholic Church, Vatia Methodist Church and dance group – Taupou Manaia.

(UTULEI: Friday, July 23, 2010) -Governor Togiola Tulafono issued this statement today following the fatal shooting of American Samoa Police Detective – Lieutenant Liusila Brown:

STATEMENT 

On Thursday afternoon, Lieutenant Liusila Brown was tragically shot and killed while at the High Court after the conclusion of a court trial that required his testimony. 

Words cannot express the shock, sorrow and outrage we feel at the loss of an American Samoa police officer from such horrendous violence in our island community. And I condemn this horrific and senseless act of violence. 

Lieutenant Brown and the men and women of our Department of Public Safety uphold their duty to serve and protect the people of American Samoa on a daily basis. This is a tremendous loss for us all. 

(UTULEI: Thursday, July 22, 2010) –Governor Togiola Tulafono on Thursday, July 22, 2010 announced the U.S. Coast Guard has issued the MV Sili a 5-year Certificate of Inspection (COI) that now permits the government vessel to commence regular scheduled service for Manu’a starting tomorrow morning, Friday, July 23, 2010. 

Governor Togiola expressed his delight that the MV Sili has received certification of operation approval and is fit for scheduled passenger service. 

“This is wonderful news for all of American Samoa as it now ensures that we have reliable ocean transportation service for Manu’a and Swains Island,” said Governor Togiola. “I am very happy that we now have the five-year COI and that the U.S. Coast Guard has deemed that all equipment is in satisfactory condition. We will continue working with the Coast Guard in our upgrades to improve the ship in making it safe.”

(UTULEI: Wednesday, July 14, 2010) –Governor Togiola Tulafono today announced that Manu’a Cession Day, an American Samoa Government holiday, this Friday, July 16^th will be celebrated with only a church service at Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei.

Governor Togiola, who returned to the Territory on Tuesday night, said the Manu’a Cession Day Church Service will be held at Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei this Friday, July 16^th at 8am to be conducted by Reverend Elder To’oto’o Seanoa of CCCAS Ofu. The church service will begin with the reading of the Manu’a Cession Day proclamation by Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs Nanai Afuola. The hymns will be sung by the CCCAS Ofu choir. 

(UTULEI: July 12, 2010) – Lieutenant Governor Faoa A. Sunia on Monday, July 12, 2010 addressed a joint session of the American Samoa 31^stLegislature, fourth regular session, at the Fono Guest Fale in Fagatogo. 

Lieutenant Governor Faoa, in his address at the Fono opening before Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, senators, and representatives, said the stability and continuing viability of American Samoa’s economy have remained the foremost concern in 2010. 

“We know that challenges remain for us to address and that we must act thoughtfully and swiftly together as leaders,” said Lieutenant Governor Faoa. “I am absolutely certain that, together, the Fono and the Administration “can do the work that must be done and that our people expect us to do. “

(HONOLULU: Friday, July 9, 2010) –Governor Togiola Tulafono on Friday, July 9, 2010 presented American Samoa’s perspective on climate change at the White House Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force (ICCATF) public meeting held in Honolulu. 

The public meeting, held at Keoni Auditorium, East-West Center at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, is a series of meetings by the White House Interagency Climate Change Adaptation Task Force to hear local and regional ideas, questions and concerns about climate change impacts and for the Task Force to describe Federal planning efforts already underway.

Attending the meeting with Governor Togiola were Senator Daniel Inouye, Dr. Larry Robinson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Tom Armstrong, Senior Advisor for Climate Change, U.S. Department of Interior, Robyn Thorson, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Region, Eileen Shea, Chief of Climate Services Division, NOAA National Climate Data Center and Director, NOAA IDEA Center, Loyal Mehrhoff, Field Supervisor for the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and UH Manoa faculty.

(UTULEI: Saturday, July 3, 2010) –Governor Togiola Tulafono on Saturday, July 3, 2010 addressed the closing of the 2010 American Samoa Constitutional Convention at Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei and expressed his sincere thanks for a very productive two weeks of deliberations. 

"We have all come to understand that a government’s constitution is the roadmap of any government’s governance, safety and the cornerstone of its peace and freedom for its people," said Gov. Togiola. "Thank you for the monumental task over the past two weeks that you have crafted and carried out so dilligently in preparing for the journey ahead of us. Your work is the guide by which we, as Samoans, will be able to plot the next steps of our journey. I wish to congratulate and thank you."

"As we proceed in this direction, a question arises for me of the enormity of the task that has just been completed. We have worked, and now it is up to the voters. Or, will the voters approve these recommendations and amendments to Our Constitution?" asked Governor Togiola. 

(UTULEI: Wednesday, June 23, 2010) – Governor Togiola Tulafono on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 gave testimony at the Preamble / Bill of Rights Subcommittee of the American Samoa Constitutional Convention at Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei.

Governor Togiola, in his remarks, presented to Committee Chair Sen. Lualemaga E. Faoa, Vice Chair Sen. Velega Savali, Secretary Sili Sataua, Committee Legal Counsel Afoa Moega Lutu and committee members proposed amendment of Article 1, Section 14: Health, safety, morals and general welfare.

"The spirit of the amendment relates directly to the reality of our current state of uncertainty created for us by federal laws and initiatives that impact on us directly," said Gov. Togiola. "Many of our recommendations and applications are either ignored, rejected or not recognized." 

(UTULEI: Tuesday, June 22, 2010) –Maoputasi Paramount Chief Mauga Tasi Asuega and Tualatai Paramount Chief Satele Galu Teutusi were selected on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 as chair and vice chair by consensus of the 145 delegates at the American Samoa Constitutional Convention being held at Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei.

There were five nominations for the chairmanship: PC Mauga was nominated by Tuaolo Fruean; PC Satele was nominated by Tulifua Lam Yuen; High Chief Tufele Fa’ato’ia Li’amatua was nominated by High Talking Chief (HTC) Malemo Tausaga of Manu’a, PC Lualemaga Faoa was nominated by HTC Tuiagamoa Tavai of Leasina; and Governor Togiola Tulafono, an ex oficio at the ConCon, was nominated by Tualauta delegate – HTC Paogofie Fiaigoa.

The Constitutional Convention post of secretary was won by Iulogologo Joe Pereira, a delegate from Maoputasi County. Other nominees for secretary were Iuli Alex Godinet, Pulefa’asisina Palauni Tuiasosopo and Tautai Aviata Fa’alevao.