Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Mr. Douglas Buhr to the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA), approving his appointment yesterday morning by a vote of 10 to 2. Mr. Buhr will serve as the board’s designated engineering expert and is one of two off-island members selected to contribute specialized expertise.

Mr. Buhr is the president and principal engineer of Douglas Engineering Pacific Inc., based in Hawai‘i. He brings over four decades of experience in the electrical industry, including a longstanding professional relationship with American Samoa that began in 1998 through various infrastructure and utility projects.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate ASPA Committee on Wednesday morning, Mr. Douglas Buhr recalled first arriving in American Samoa in 1998 as a consultant for the Malaloa East Side Wastewater Collection System. Since then, he has contributed to several major infrastructure projects, including the American Samoa Multi-Purpose Center and the Route One Corridor and Drainage construction initiative.

Buhr highlighted his role as expert advisor to ASPA following the 2009 tsunami as the most consequential local project of his career. He led the technical assessment of damages to the Satala Power Plant, a critical effort that ultimately supported ASPA’s successful insurance settlement with Lloyd’s of London.

During Wednesday’s confirmation hearing, Mr. Douglas Buhr shared that his nomination to the ASPA Board was recommended by current board member Ted Le’iato—one of the first individuals he came to know at ASPA when he began working on infrastructure projects in the Territory.

Responding to a question from Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, Buhr confirmed that Le’iato’s recommendation was based on both his engineering credentials and his ministry work. In addition to leading Douglas Engineering Pacific Inc. in Hawai‘i, Buhr also serves as a Pentecostal pastor to a congregation in Japan.

When asked who covered the cost of his travel to attend the hearing, Buhr, who had arrived from Hawai‘i the night before, said he was simply informed to be present and was unsure whether ASPA or the government had paid for his trip. Senate President Tuaolo clarified that ASPA only covers travel expenses for board members after they have been officially confirmed.

Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono directed his questions toward Buhr’s professional credentials, noting that the nominee’s resume lists active professional engineering licenses in Hawai‘i, California, Illinois, and Oregon — all of which are currently valid.

Senator Olo Uluao Letuli posed a broader question regarding ASPA’s strategic direction and operational hurdles. He asked Buhr: “What is your understanding of ASPA’s mission and challenges, and what do you bring to the table as far as the ongoing problems we have right now?”

Buhr responded, "I haven't been briefed in their ongoing problems but the thing that I am as a pastor is I'm a uniter, so there will always be opposing opinions in any kind of a board or government situation. What we have to always remember is that we all live on the same hill. We're all part of the same people and we have to try to bring people to a common understanding.

“It may not be the best for everybody but it'll be the best for the overall community. So I don't know the specific challenges but anything that I would come across that would need my perspective is that we want to unite people to come together in order to work in unity.”

In response to Buhr’s comments, Senator Olo expressed hope that the nominee would serve with independence and integrity.

“I hope you’re not a ‘yes sir’ man,” he said, emphasizing the need for board members to prioritize the Territory’s welfare over deference. He urged Buhr to approach his duties with the public’s best interest in mind, noting that many residents are currently burdened by the high cost of electricity.