Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate has approved Dr. Jean Hollister-Mareko to serve on the Board of Trustees of the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund (ASGERF). She received a 14- 0 vote in her favor after a brief confirmation hearing in the Senate Tuesday morning. 

With a career spanning several years, she has made significant contributions to the field of education. From 1996 to 2007, she held various roles within the Department of Education, implementing innovative teaching strategies and supporting educational initiatives to improve student outcomes.

Following her tenure at the Department, she served as an instructor at the American Samoa Community College from 2007 to 2016, where she was instrumental in developing curricula that catered to diverse learning needs and fostered a supportive learning environment for her students.

HEARING

During her confirmation hearing, Dr. Hollister-Mareko emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability within the Board, stating that these principles are essential to its integrity. She also underscored the value of teamwork, noting that collaboration among board members would be key to resolving any challenges the Fund may face.

She stressed the Board’s responsibility to safeguard the Retirement Fund, which she described as a vital source of support for ASG retirees and their families, churches, and villages.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, after reviewing her resume, said he had no questions regarding her qualifications. However, he asked whether Dr. Hollister-Mareko had requested the governor to appoint her to the Board, to which she replied, “No.”

Senator Muagututi'a Tauoa raised concerns about the rising cost of living and asked whether increasing retiree benefits was possible. He suggested that a 60 to 75 percent increase would be a meaningful and timely gesture—“a great Christmas present” for retirees.

Senator Noa Vae offered strong praise for the nominee, who hails from his village of Asili, which he noted consists of a single extended family — the Noa family. He described Dr. Hollister-Mareko as deeply respected, saying, “Whenever there are problems, when she speaks, it’s case closed.”

Senator Tuana'itau Malaki Togiola echoed those sentiments, commending her leadership and organizational skills, particularly her role in mobilizing women and leading village events.

GOVERNMENT DEBT TO ASGERF DISCUSSED

One significant issue raised during the discussion was the outstanding balance the American Samoa Government owes to the Retirement Fund, which currently stands at $15 million as of June. The witness was asked to share her insights and potential strategies to help the Retirement Fund recover the government's debt.

Dr. Hollister-Mareko emphasized that this unpaid debt represents a critical obligation that should be honored promptly. She proposed allocating the interest accrued on the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, currently held at Zion Bank, specifically to settle this outstanding obligation. By utilizing these funds, the government could significantly reduce its debt to the Retirement Fund and ensure the financial stability of the retirement system for current and future beneficiaries.

The issue of the American Samoa Government's substantial $14 million debt to the ASGERF has continued to capture the Senate's attention.

Last month, Senate President Tuaolo took a proactive stance by directly questioning then-Treasurer Donald Kruse about the repayment strategy for this significant obligation.

During the discussion, Tuaolo sought specific information regarding the amount of interest accrued from the ARPA that is currently deposited at Zion's Bank. His inquiries were underscored by a strong commitment to obtain clear answers from the government regarding their intentions and timeline for paying the outstanding debt to the Retirement Fund.

In his remarks, Tuaolo emphasized the potential for the ASG to use the interest generated by the ARPA funds held at Zion's Bank to address its retirement obligations. He cited a meeting with both the Speaker of the House and the Treasurer, during which they explored the feasibility of allocating this interest to help mitigate some of the government's pressing financial liabilities. 

During the hearing, Kruse emphasized that ultimately it was the governor that would make the decision on how the interest would be used.