AMERICAN SAMOA RECOGNIZED IN RED CROSS INTERNAL BULLETIN

Bill Earley, chief executive officer of the San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross that the Red Cross in American Samoa comes under, has recognized in his weekly internal bulletin a new effort by a local Red Cross volunteer.

“Our local Red Cross have been recognized distinctly for national and local volunteering significance by our volunteer staff community within the chapter,” according to a local Red Cross official, who issued a reminder, “March is Red Cross Month.”

Under the title, “American Samoa Reaches a Milestone”, Earley said volunteer Lipea Sui in American Samoa “opened the ‘first two ever cases’ in our Client Assistance System (CAS). It may sound inconsequential, but it’s a giant leap forward in the quality of client assistance our American Samoan co-workers are now able to deliver to clients.”

Earley explained that opening cases in CAS means that Sui was able to immediately provide financial assistance to two families whose homes were damaged in a severe wind and rainstorm.

“Before, the American Samoa Disaster Action Team (DAT) responders would have to call San Diego caseworkers — sometimes having to wait until the next day due to the time zone differences — and ask us to open the case” in San Diego, Earley wrote.

Then the American Samoan DAT or caseworker would have to return to the family to provide them financial assistance.

“This achievement is a result of both a big training effort and improved connectivity,” said Earley, who thanked American Samoa DAT workers “for your dedication to fulfilling the Red Cross mission in your community and helping ease the suffering of those experiencing disasters.”

TWO LOCAL COMPANIES SHOWCASE AMERICAN SAMOA GAME FISHING

Pago Pago Marine Charters and Sadie’s by the Sea Hotel are showcasing American Samoa's game fishing excursions at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, California this week, according to the American Samoa Visitors Bureau.

Peter Crispin and Russ Coxx are representing Pago Pago Marine Charters and Tom Drabble for Sadie’s. Also at the show, which began Mar. 1 and runs through Mar. 5 at the Long Beach Convention Center, are representatives of the Visitors Bureau, Hawaiian Airlines and travel operator All About Tours — promoting the Hawaiian Air travel package, with room and airfare, to American Samoa.

According to the Visitors Bureau, the Fred Hall Show, which has been running for 71 years, is the world’s largest sport fishing show, California’s largest boat show and an international leader in hunting and fishing travel.

Virtually all forms of outdoor recreation are represented at this enormous event, it says.

Meanwhile, staff from Visitors Bureau and Hawaiian Air’s local station, will be in California, Colorado and Pennsylvania this month for the Travel & Adventure Shows in San Diego, Denver and Philadelphia respectively.

First up is the Travel & Adventure Show at the San Diego Convention Center from March 4-5.

Next is the show in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center March 18-19 and then in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Centre March 25-26.

Also promoted at these events is Hawaiian Air’s travel package to American Samoa.

ANOTHER CALL FOR HOSPITAL FOR AUNU’U ISLAND

During the House confirmation hearing late month for Health Department director Motusa Tuileama Nua, there was another call for the department to build a hospital on the island-village of Aunu’u, which currently has a small DOH clinic.

Previous lawmakers — in both the Senate and House — whose constituency includes Aunu’u, made similar requests over the years. The latest request came from Rep. Kitara Vaeau saying he is the voice of his Saole county (which includes Aunu’u) constituents, in the House and among the issues is development for Aunu’u.

Kitara says there are many elders, some of them are home-cared, and young children living on the island and it’s very difficult to get them to the LBJ hospital at Fagaalu for medical check ups; and this is especially difficult during bad weather, halting sailing between Aunu’u and Tutuila.

He said a hospital on Aunu’u would make it easier for residents there and encouraged Motusa to look at a hospital for the island. Motusa acknowledged the matter as very important but pointed out that the only obstacle — as always — is how to secure funds for such a project.

A few years ago, Saole County Sen. Fuata Dr. Tagiilima I’atala sponsored a bill to set up a hospital in Aunu’u. However, the bill was automatically defeated after no committee action was taken when that Legislative session ended.

In the last 33rd and 34th Legislature, then Rep. Sua Talaimatai Elisara also argued and pushed for a hospital on Aunu’u several times, but nothing ever came out of it.

According to the Department of Commerce 2015 Statistical Yearbook, released early this year, Aunu’u’s population is 436 people. (It’s unknown if this count is based on actual households on the island or based on people who list Aunu’u as their home-of-record.)

CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT THE LOCAL AUXILIARY

On Wednesday the 15 of February the local Auxiliary flotilla installed new officers. The swearing in was held at the Gataivai terminal conference room.  

The officers for 2017 are:

Louis Solaita – flotilla commander; Michael McDonald – vice commander; Terry Shimasaki – treasurer; Michele Sasala – secretary. 

According to Vice Commander Mike McDonald, 2017 will be a busy year. The USCG Auxiliary is focused on boating safety and participates in boating related events with an information booth and safety equipment demonstrations. In addition the auxiliary assists the local US Coast Guard with vessel safety inspections and pollution detection. This year the overall mission also includes a clean up the whole Coconut Point peninsula. 

Vani Atafua heads up the auxiliary vessel inspection team, Atafua helps local alia owners bring their vessels into USCG compliance with their safety gear and procedures. He can be reached at 733-9054. There are several local resources to boat owners to assist in beefing up vessel safety and Aatafua knows them all.

This year, in addition to the regular monthly meetings and coast watch/cleanup events, the auxiliary will participate with information and outreach booths at:

• I’a Lapoa game fishing tournament – May
• National Boating Safety Week – March 20 -26                                                       
• Coast Weeks – September 18-29
• Fisheries Council Fisher’s Forum – October                  

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all its service missions. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org