Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Fono vote override authority and the Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) in waters of American Samoa, are other issues on the agenda for the two-day Governor’s 2018 Youth Empowerment Summit, which opens today at the Pago Pago Youth Center, following a church service yesterday.

In preparation for the summit, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga called on leaders of ASG entities organizing the conference to establish a platform to “raise and discuss issues and challenges, which might impede [our youth’s] progress towards becoming responsible stewards relative to perpetuation of our national treasurers; economic viability, social stability, and cultural vibrancy”.

According to the summit program, the governor this morning will deliver special remarks for the opening followed by keynote speaker, Dr. Mafutaga Tagaloa-Tulifau, a surgical podiatrist, based in California and an alumnus of Fagaitua High School.

Thereafter is a presentation by the governor’s legal counsel, Alema Leota, who will present on the Deeds of Cession and the LVPA case — currently being appealed at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The federal government had appealed a decision by the federal court in Honolulu in which the judge cited the Deeds of Cession and invalidated the US National Marine Fishery Service final rule in 2016 that reduced the LVPA.

Around 10a.m. today the estimated 300 youth participants will hear from Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale and Kenneth Kuaea of the Kuaea Group — the panelists who will discuss the US citizenship case. (See last Thursday’s Samoa News edition for details.)

After lunch is the “Veto Override Breakout Session” in which the presenters are Senate legal counsel, Mitzie Jessop-Taase and House of Representatives legal counsel Nat Savali — and both will explain the veto override issue, which will be on this year’s election ballot for voters to decide on.

The veto override referendum seeks to have the Fono override a vote by the governor. Currently, it’s the Secretary of the Interior, who has the authority to override a vote by the governor.

For tomorrow, the second keynote speaker, Trixie Taua-Petaia, will address the summit, followed by other issues for discussion as well as games/ activities at the Pago Pago soccer field.