(UTULEI: Tuesday, August 24, 2010) - Governor Togiola Tulafono today issued the following statement congratulating Human Resources Director Evelyn Vaitautolu-Langford for her promotion to the rank of Colonel in the U.S. Army: 

Statement

“Mary, Lieutenant Governor Faoa and Mrs. Elisapeta Sunia join me in congratulating Lieutenant Colonel Evelyn Vaitautolu-Langford on her promotion to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army. 

God has blessed Evelyn with this honor as she has demonstrated the determination and the commitment that is necessary for success. 

Evelyn is a source of pride for her entire family and for her island home of American Samoa. We join all of the Territory in congratulating Evelyn on this tremendous achievement for American Samoa as a people and as a government.

(UTULEI: Monday, August 23, 2010) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today joined President Seth Poumele Galea’i to officially open the new school year at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) in Mapusaga. 

Speaking at the ASCC general assembly for faculty and staff, Governor Togiola challenged the instructors to aim high and into the future for the students of American Samoa. 

“The teacher is supposed to be the Big Thinker; a teacher is supposed to be a Forward Thinker. A teacher is supposed to be a Visionary. When you don’t think big your students cannot think big. If you don’t think forward, your students are limited. If you’re not a visionary you will never see the direction that your students need to go in,” said Governor Togiola. (Click below, Read More, for full speech)

In attendance with almost 200 administrators, faculty and staff were Board of Higher Education Chairman Uta Dr. Laloulu Tagoilelagi, Vice Chairman Pemerika Tau’ili’ili and members Sapini Siatu'u, Rev. Dr. Sekuini Seva'aetasi and Lauifi Tau’ili’ili. ASCC administrators included ASCC Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Kathleen Kolhoff-Belle, Vice President of Administration and Finance Mikaele Etuale, and Community & Natural Resources / Land Grant Division Director Tapa’au Dr. Dan Aga. After the General Assembly for faculty and staff, student Faith Vaifanua, on behalf of the student body, presented Governor Togiola with a gift pack as token of ASCC's appreciation for his participation.

(UTULEI: Tuesday, August 3, 2010) -Acting Governor Fepulea’i Afa Ripley Jr. on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 joined Public Safety Commissioner Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, members of the judiciary, legislature and cabinet, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services, public safety administrative personnel, and the public for a candlelight service to honor Lieutenant Liusila Brown who was killed on July 22^nd. 

In paying tribute to the life of Lieutenant Liusila Brown, Acting Governor Fepulea’i said the candlelight service was to offer respect to a fallen police officer. (see photos)

“We are here to honor and remember the life of a dedicated police officer who was killed on duty for reasons that are incomprehensible in our island community,” said Acting Governor Fepulea’i. “On behalf of Governor Togiola Tulafono, First Lady Mary Ann Tulafono, Lieutenant Governor Faoa Sunia and Mrs. Elisapeta Sunia, I offer our deep condolences to Mrs. Leleiitumua Brown and her children, and family members of Lieutenant Brown and fellow officers. We honor the life of Lieutenant Brown. We celebrate his courage to serve the people of American Samoa.” 

(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: Tuesday, July 27, 2010) – Governor Togiola Tulafono today officially opened the “Dive into Education: Inspiring Ocean Literacy” workshop aimed at providing teachers with resources and training to support ocean literacy in the classrooms. 

At the opening today of the two-day event at Governor H. Rex Lee Auditorium (Fale Laumei) in Utulei, Governor Togiola Tulafono welcomed 130 teachers and their students  to the ocean science workshop, which will provide participants with educational expertise, resources and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the schools to Level K to Level 12 teachers. 

Governor Togiola said “Dive into Education” is an important and rare opportunity handed to the marine science teachers to help build their capacity as educators, and he truly considers the workshop as a blessing for the teachers of American Samoa.

(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. (see photos)

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. “