AGP Executive Report

Education & Youth Achievement: American Samoa Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Alpha Epsilon Mu chapter held its Fall 2026 induction on Sept. 18, welcoming 30+ new honor society members and highlighting leadership, scholarships, and long-term peer support. Media & Culture: Emmy-winning Sāmoan journalist Tamara Vaifanua is in Apia mentoring Pacific reporters and students, urging them to “take up space” and backing a professional, independent press. Literacy Push: Second Lady Usha Vance’s Summer Reading Challenge wrapped up after three months, with 30,000+ children completing 360,000+ books across the U.S. and U.S. territories including American Samoa. Ocean Stewardship: The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council urged faster green sea turtle status reviews for Guam, CNMI, and American Samoa, tied to restoring traditional cultural harvest. Local Governance & Consumer Life: The Fono advanced a Product Labeling Standards Act requiring clear labeling rules (including Samoan translation when feasible) for packaged traditional foods and other consumer goods. Community Health: An OHSU pediatric eye team is screening about 230 students at Matafao Elementary, continuing a partnership to help children get vision care so they can succeed in school. Environment & Policy: A Senate resolution asks the Governor to recommend stopping or suspending the PACM-2 offshore mineral lease sale, calling for stronger transparency and enforceable protections before long-term rights are created.

Ocean & Environment: American Samoa lawmakers urged the Governor to recommend stopping or suspending the proposed PACM-2 offshore mineral lease sale, warning long-term commercial rights could lock in risks without enforceable local protections. Deep-Sea Mining Pushback: American Samoa and Guam leaders also challenged federal plans to rush ahead with deep-sea mining in surrounding waters, saying the ocean can’t be treated like a testing ground. Local Governance & Oversight: Questions are rising in the Fono about the Zoning Board’s role and enforcement after concerns that some businesses may be operating multiple ventures in one location. Public Health: The Department of Health received a CDC grant to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response across the territory. Culture & Education: Salamasina Fuimaono and her research team won Best Research Project for AI tools that help identify low-resource languages, including Samoan, in public media archives. Youth & Learning: OHSU’s pediatric eye team is screening about 230 students at Matafao Elementary, continuing a partnership to help children get vision care. Community & Sports: Sauimoana Purcell is making waves for Kamehameha’s volleyball team, with standout hitting and a key role on defense. Travel & Lifestyle: Samoa’s visitor numbers show more guests staying with family or in private accommodation than in hotels and motels. Aviation Infrastructure: A House committee advanced a Rural Airport Infrastructure Support Act that would raise federal funding for airport projects in U.S. territories, including American Samoa. Coral Conservation: NFWF awarded $2.1 million for coral reef resilience work that includes projects in American Samoa.

Tourism & Family Travel: Samoa’s August visitor numbers show private accommodation leading hotels and motels, with 49.1% (8,361 of 17,021) staying with family or in private stays—highlighting how visiting friends and relatives remains the biggest travel reason. Local Education & Health: An OHSU pediatric eye team is in American Samoa for a week of school screenings, targeting about 230 students at Matafao Elementary before moving to Manu’a. Research & Language Tech: Salamasina Fuimaono and her team won Best Research Project at the AI4LAM Fantastic Futures conference for AI tools that help identify low-resource languages in public media archives, including Samoan. Public Health Funding: The CDC awarded ASDOH $255,100 to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Community Safety: Police reports detail multiple domestic-violence-related arrests and charges, including threats and assaults, across Tafuna and Fagatogo. Policy & Culture at Sea: American Samoa leaders reiterated opposition to commercial deep-sea mining, warning federal plans could harm island communities and ocean-based life. Food & Consumer Rules: The Senate approved new Product Labeling Standards requiring clear labels (with Samoan translation where feasible) and penalties for misleading packaging. Sports & Youth: NFL kickoff rosters included American Samoa as a U.S. territory represented among players nationwide.

Deep-Sea Mining Pushback: American Samoa and Guam are urging federal officials not to rush commercial deep-sea mining, warning the threat is untested and could harm ocean life, fisheries, and island culture as Interior weighs lease steps near the Marianas. Public Health Funding: The CDC awarded American Samoa’s Department of Health $255,100 to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention, monitoring, and response. Coral Reef Grants: NFWF announced $2.1 million in grants to boost coral reef resilience in Florida, Hawai‘i, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including work on heat-tolerant corals and sediment pollution reduction. Education & Literacy: Second Lady Usha Vance’s Summer Reading Challenge wrapped up with 30,000+ submissions and 360,000+ books read, including participation from American Samoa. Vision Screening for Kids: An OHSU pediatric team is screening about 230 students in American Samoa to catch vision problems early and support school success. Local Governance & Consumer Rules: Lawmakers questioned the Zoning Board’s enforcement role, and the Senate passed a Product Labeling Standards Act requiring clear labeling rules for goods sold in the territory.

Voting Rights Relief: After nearly three years of Alaska prosecutions, charges against 11 American Samoans in Whittier were dropped following a court ruling that required proof of intent to deceive—families say the legal nightmare is finally over. Deep-Sea Mining Pushback: American Samoa and Guam leaders are urging the federal government not to rush commercial deep-sea mining, warning it’s untested and could harm ocean life and island cultures; meanwhile, activists are pressing Gov. Apatang over a fast-moving lease process. Local Governance & Safety: Lawmakers questioned the Zoning Board’s enforcement role after concerns that some businesses operate multiple ventures in one location without proper inspections. Consumer Protection: The Senate approved new product labeling rules for goods sold in American Samoa, requiring clear labels (including Samoan translation when feasible) and penalties for misleading information. Public Health Funding: The CDC awarded ASDOH $255,100 to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Education & Culture: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a children’s book teaching the pandanus plant’s cultural role and how to grow and protect it. Community News: OHSU’s pediatric eye team begins school screenings across the territory, and police reports detail recent domestic violence and assault arrests.

WWII Remembrance & Heritage: The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii will host a Tri-Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on Sept. 26 honoring Filipino, Nisei (Japanese American), and Chinese American WWII veterans, with organizers noting the display will preserve these legacies for future generations. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: Activists are urging Gov. David M. Apatang to use federal authority to stop the Northern Marianas deep-sea mining lease process, but Apatang says he won’t seek a pause before the Oct. 19 deadline, pointing instead to formal public comments and pending lawsuits. Public Health Funding: The CDC awarded American Samoa’s Department of Health $255,100 to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Education & Youth Literacy: Second Lady Usha Vance’s Summer Reading Challenge wrapped up with 30,000+ child submissions and 360,000+ books read, including participants from American Samoa. Local Learning & Care: An OHSU pediatric eye team is screening about 230 students this week through a partnership with the territory’s Maternal and Child Health program and local partners. Culture for Kids: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a new children’s book teaching the cultural and environmental importance of the pandanus paogo. Food & Safety Notices: A boil water advisory remains in effect for areas served by the Nu’uuli Water Filtration Plant. Community & Justice: Alaska dropped criminal charges against 11 American Samoans tied to voter misconduct allegations, after a court ruling required proof of “consciousness of wrongdoing.”

WWII Remembrance: The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii will host a Tri-Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring Filipino American, Chinese American, and Japanese American WWII veterans, with American Samoa’s Filipino veterans recognition group involved. Deep-Sea Mining & Local Voice: Activists are urging Gov. David Apatang to use a narrow federal rule to recommend stopping the Northern Marianas deep-sea mining lease process, but Apatang says he won’t seek a pause before an Oct. 19 deadline, pointing instead to formal comments and pending lawsuits. Children’s Health: An OHSU pediatric eye team is screening about 230 students at Matafao Elementary and then traveling to Manu’a as part of a broader Maternal and Child Health partnership. Local Governance & Zoning: Lawmakers questioned the enforcement role of American Samoa’s Zoning Board after concerns about multiple ventures operating from one location. Consumer Protection: The Senate approved new product labeling rules requiring clear ingredient and safety information, with English labels and Samoan translation when feasible. Public Health Funding: The CDC awarded ASDOH $255,100 to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Culture for Kids: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” an educational book teaching children about the pandanus plant and how to grow it.

Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: Activists are urging Gov. David Apatang to use a narrow federal rule to recommend stopping the Northern Marianas deep-sea mining lease process, but Apatang says he won’t ask Interior to halt it before an Oct. 19 deadline, pointing to pending lawsuits. Local Governance & Zoning: Lawmakers questioned the American Samoa Zoning Board’s enforcement power after concerns that some businesses run multiple ventures from one compound without proper zoning or inspections. Consumer Protection: The Senate approved new Product Labeling Standards requiring clear labels (including ingredients, origin, and dates) with English and Samoan translation where feasible, plus penalties for misleading labeling. Public Health: The Department of Health received a $255,100 CDC grant to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Vision Care for Kids: An OHSU pediatric eye team is screening about 230 students, starting at Matafao Elementary, with screenings continuing in Manu’a. Culture & Learning: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a children’s book teaching the pandanus symbol’s cultural uses and how to grow it. Community Safety: Police reports include multiple domestic violence-related arrests and charges. Education Wins: SNHU named American Samoa students to its Summer 2026 President’s and Dean’s Lists. Sports Spotlight: NFL Kickoff Weekend rosters included players from American Samoa, alongside a nationwide participation surge.

Pediatric Eye Care: An OHSU pediatric ophthalmology team is in American Samoa for a week of school screenings, starting with about 230 students at Matafao Elementary before heading to Manu’a, as part of a partnership with DOH, Education, Lions Club of Pago Pago, Medicaid, and Dr. Laloasi Steffany. Fisheries & Ocean Policy: The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council backed changes that would allow larger American Samoa longliners to fish between 12 and 50 nautical miles from Muliava/Rose Atoll once monument-based prohibitions are lifted, while keeping waters within 12 miles closed. Local Governance: Lawmakers questioned the Zoning Board’s enforcement role after concerns that businesses may operate multiple ventures from one location in ways that violate zoning and licensing rules. Consumer Protection: The Senate passed the Product Labeling Standards Act of 2026, setting new requirements for ingredient, origin, dates, and safety info, with English labels and Samoan translation where feasible. Public Health Funding: DOH received a $255,100 CDC grant to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Food Safety: DOH shut down two retail food stores after sanitation violations, ordering them to stop operations immediately. Culture for Kids: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a children’s book teaching the pandanus plant’s cultural role and how to grow it. Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: Environmental and community groups urged Gov. Apatang to use federal authority to halt a deep-sea mining lease sale near the Marianas. Community Safety & Courts: Police reported multiple domestic-violence-related arrests and charges, while Alaska dropped criminal voter misconduct charges against 11 American Samoans after a court ruling required proof of intent to deceive.

Deep-Sea Mining Pressure: A coalition of Pacific and Caribbean environmental and community groups is urging Gov. David M. Apatang to use federal authority to halt the Dec. 16 deep-sea mining lease process near the Northern Marianas, warning that “consultation” isn’t consent and asking for suspension or cancellation before an Oct. 19 deadline. Public Health Funding: The CDC awarded the American Samoa Department of Health $255,100 to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response, with support highlighted by Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata. Local Safety & Health Alerts: ASPA is keeping a boil water notice in effect for areas served by the Nu’uuli Water Filtration Plant, and DOH shut down two food stores after sanitation violations. Community & Culture for Kids: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a new children’s book teaching the cultural importance of the pandanus plant and how to grow it. Education Wins: Southern New Hampshire University named multiple American Samoa students to its Summer 2026 President’s and Dean’s Lists. Family & Justice Updates: Police reports detail recent domestic violence and assault arrests, while Alaska dropped criminal charges against 11 American Samoans tied to noncitizen voting allegations.

Te Reo & Identity: A Sāmoan mother’s push to learn te reo Māori has turned into a five-year journey of culture and language sharing, with her SamoanSpeakingTeReo account drawing thousands online by highlighting links between te reo Māori and Gagana Sāmoa. Public Health Funding: The CDC awarded American Samoa’s Department of Health $255,100 to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response, with support aimed at immunization, surveillance, and outbreak readiness. Water Safety: A boil water notice remains in effect for areas served by the Nu’uuli Water Filtration Plant, with vulnerable residents urged to take extra precautions. Food Safety Closures: DOH shut down two retail food stores—Gold Conda Store (Vaitogi) and JKL Food Center (Futiga)—after sanitation and public health violations. Community & Culture for Kids: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a new educational book teaching children about the territorial flower pandanus and how to grow and protect it. Local Justice & Safety: Police reports detail multiple domestic violence-related arrests and charges, including threats and assaults, as officers respond across Tafuna and surrounding villages. Deep-Sea Mining Watch: BOEM’s seabed mineral leasing comment period drew only one comment so far, while Governor Pula continues reviewing the proposal.

Public Safety & Courts: Tafuna/TPS and FPS reports detail multiple domestic-violence cases, including threats with a machete and alleged assaults in Vailoa and Aua, with suspects arrested and charged; bail set in the thousands. Health & Community: The CDC awarded American Samoa’s Department of Health a $255,100 grant to strengthen vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response, while ASPA kept a boil-water notice in place for Nu’uuli Water Filtration Plant service areas. Food Safety: DOH shut down two retail stores—Gold Conda Store (Vaitogi) and JKL Food Center (Futiga)—after sanitation and public health violations. Culture & Youth: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a children’s book teaching the pandanus’ cultural role and how to grow it. Education Pride: Southern New Hampshire University named multiple American Samoa students to its Summer 2026 President’s and Dean’s Lists, and Congresswoman Amata also highlighted a Yale doctorate achievement focused on adolescent cardiometabolic health. Deep-Sea Mining Watch: A new legal push challenges deep-sea mining plans affecting American Samoa, while Congresswoman Amata backs the Pacific Minerals Economic Security Act to share revenues with impacted territories. Regional Note: Alaska dropped criminal prosecution of 11 American Samoans in Whittier over noncitizen voting charges, after a court ruling required proof of intent to deceive.

Voter Rights Relief: Alaska prosecutors dropped felony voter misconduct charges against 11 American Samoans, including Tupe Smith and Michael Pese, after an appeals court required proof of intentional deception—ending a nearly three-year nightmare that followed alleged “U.S. citizen” voter-registration checks. Public Safety & Courts: In Fagatogo, police reported a domestic violence dispute in Vailoa involving alleged assaults and a firearm threat; two suspects were arrested and charged, with bail set at $5,000 and $3,000. Health Updates: ASPA kept a boil water notice in effect for Nu’uuli Water Filtration Plant service areas, warning vulnerable residents to take extra precautions. Food Safety: DOH shut down two retail stores—Gold Conda Store (Vaitogi) and JKL Food Center (Futiga)—after sanitation and public health violations. Culture for Kids: ASVB launched “Our Paogo,” an educational book (ages 7+) teaching children about the pandanus plant’s cultural role, traditional uses, and how to grow it. Education & Community: UH Mānoa’s 45-year teacher preparation partnership with ASDOE will end in December 2026 as new certification pathways are explored. Climate & Rights: Indigenous rights lawyer Julian Aguon says climate change is unraveling Pacific cultures and rights, framing it as a human rights violation.

Deep-Sea Mining & Indigenous Rights: A Guam governor says she learned about plans to mine her people’s waters only after reading the news, while Indigenous rights lawyer Julian Aguon argues climate change is unraveling culture and rights across the Pacific. Local Governance & Public Health: American Samoa’s DOH shut down two food stores after sanitation violations, and ASPA kept a boil-water notice in effect for Nu’uuli Water Filtration Plant customers. Health Funding: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata announced a new CDC grant of $255,100 to strengthen American Samoa’s vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Culture for Kids: The American Samoa Visitors Bureau launched “Our Paogo,” a children’s book teaching the pandanus plant’s cultural uses and conservation. Safety & Courts: Police reports include a domestic dispute with alleged firearm threats and a separate church checkbook forgery case; meanwhile, the Fono refused to hold an ASTCA budget hearing amid board confusion. Education & Community Projects: Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa asked for ARPA funds to finish Tafuna High School gym and access improvements, and UH Mānoa’s long teacher-training partnership with ASDOE will end in December 2026.

Climate & Rights: Human rights lawyer Julian Aguon says climate change is unraveling Indigenous culture and treating cultural loss as a human rights violation, not just an environmental or economic problem. Aviation Funding: A U.S. House panel backed a bill raising the federal share of airport project costs to 95% for rural, remote, and underserved areas—key for CNMI and Guam. Public Health Boost: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata announced a $255,100 CDC grant to strengthen American Samoa’s vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response. Local Safety & Justice: Police relayed a gun threat tied to an alleged domestic disturbance to TPS officers, while another case saw a man charged with forging and cashing stolen church checks. Food & Water Alerts: DOH shut down two food stores over sanitation violations, and ASPA kept a boil-water notice in effect for Nu’uuli Water Filtration Plant service areas. Culture for Kids: ASVB launched “Our Paogo,” a new children’s book teaching the pandanus plant’s cultural role and how to grow it. Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Lawsuits challenge deep-sea mining plans in the Marianas and American Samoa, and CNMI Delegate King-Hinds pushed for revenue sharing through PACMESA.

Alaska Voting Case Ends: After an Alaska Court of Appeals ruling required proof of intentional deception, prosecutors dropped felony voter-misconduct charges against 11 American Samoan residents of Whittier, bringing relief to families who said they were misinformed about voting rights. Local Health Alert: The American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) kept a boil-water notice in place for areas served by the Nu’uuli Water Filtration Plant, warning vulnerable residents to take extra precautions. Food Safety Crackdown: DOH Environmental Health Services shut down two stores—Gold Conda Store (Vaitogi) and JKL Food Center (Futiga)—citing sanitation and public health violations. Deep-Sea Mining Pushback: Conservation groups filed a lawsuit to stop Trump-era deep-sea mining lease plans affecting the Marianas and Guam, while CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds advanced the Pacific Minerals Economic Security Act to seek 50% revenue sharing and stronger protections. Culture & Learning: ASVB launched “Our Paogo,” a children’s book to celebrate and preserve American Samoa’s territorial flower through culture, growing tips, and hands-on activities. Community & Sports: A faipule asked the Governor to reallocate ARPA funds to finish the Tafuna High School gym and access improvements, and ASDOE kicked off the 2026 academic sports year with community support.