Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has told directors that local funds have been allocated to develop and further improve the Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park at Utulei Beach in the proposed budget of fiscal year 2014.

Lolo says funding is proposed in the FY 2014 budget for the development of this park “where our people can go to enjoy” themselves and a place that can be used by “your family” to spend time.

“Right now it’s everybody’s park, including dogs,” he said to giggles from the directors. (There have been several dogs seen at this area especially where there is a lot of trash not picked up by those who used it.)

“So we’ll find a way to better use that park” at Utulei Beach, he said, adding that these are just some of the many things that the government needs to do to assist the community. “Let’s show our people that we are concerned” with their well-being, he added.

Allocating funds to the develop this area of Utulei beach followed the governor’s visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawai’i where he was joined by American Samoa Visitor’s Bureau executive director David Vaeafe. Lolo was enroute back to the territory last month and asked Vaeafe to come up to Honolulu.

Su’igaula o le Atuvasa, the portion of the beach closest to the former home of the Pago Pago Yacht Club and now occupied by DDW Beach Cafe, was named and designated by former Gov. Togiola Tulafono four years ago as one of the venues for the 10th Festival of the Pacific Arts hosted by American Samoa in the summer of 2010.

This was before the new traditional Fale Samoa structure was built about two years ago.

More details in tomorrow’s edition on Lolo’s views for developing Su’igaula o le Atuvasa.