Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas of the Department of Interior, Esther Kia’aina is establishing an internship program for the youth in insular areas as well as a “Climate Change Coordinator” for American Samoa. The announcement was made on Tuesday while delivering her special remarks at the Veterans Day Celebration.

She pointed out that following the lead of President Barack Obama and DOI Secretary, Sally Jewell, climate change is one of her greatest priorities. Kia’aina said its affect may be already seen in “your natural and landscape today, and can have a devastating impact for future generations.”

The Office of Insular Affairs will be establishing a climate change coordinator position to help identify and to better coordinate with DOI and other federal agency climate change programs and funding that can help American Samoa and other insular areas “to ensure robust adaptation and resilience strategy in response to climate change.”

She also strongly believes in capacity building among the youth and her office will be establishing an internship program for college graduates from the insular areas in their Washington DC office, starting summer 2015. This is “to help strengthen the capacity of our people and build their potential for leadership wherever they may go in the future,” she said.

Kia’aina notes that through Governor Lolo’s apprenticeship program, she believes in providing as many opportunities to the people as possible to help develop future leaders for the island. “I and my staff will continue to do our part and work closely with Lolo and the American Samoa Government to serve you in the best way possible.”

She then thanked Governor Lolo for the warm welcome with the Ava ceremony to officially welcome her and her staff. “As a native Hawaiian and islander, I too hold culture, traditions and customs dear to my heart, and today will cement the ties and reaffirm the ties of the federal government with the people of American Samoa,” said Kia’aina.