AMERICAN SAMOA — Last week, American Samoa welcomed a delegation of national and Pacific-based experts in ocean policy, conservation, and Indigenous stewardship who answered the community’s call for support as the territory navigates the federal deep-sea mining (DSM) leasing process.

The delegation included:

• •          Sheila Sarhangi, Executive Director, Pacific Islands Heritage Coalition
• •          Bobbi-Jo Dobush, Independent Ocean Policy Consultant, Salt Horizon
• •          Jackie Dragon, Senior Oceans Campaigner, Greenpeace USA
• •          Arlo Hemphill, Deep Sea Mining Campaign Lead, Greenpeace USA
• •          Solomon Kahoohalahala, Native Hawaiian Elder, Maui Nui Makai Network
• •          Ekolu Lindsey, Director, Maui Nui Makai Network

This visit was coordinated by Finafinau’s Founder, Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, in response to community requests for clearer information, technical expertise, and national-level support. The experts were invited not to speak over the community, but to listen, learn, and help elevate American Samoa’s voices where decisions are being made.

Many of the visiting experts shared that this was their first time in American Samoa, but emphasized that it would not be their last. The visit created space for open, respectful dialogue with community members, leaders, and agencies at a critical moment in the federal process.

Individuals from both the public and private sectors were invited to engage with the visiting delegation. There was no pressure to take a position or to speak publicly. The intention was simply to meet the community where they are, listen, and better understand the lived concerns of American Samoa.

Invitations were extended broadly — to government agencies, community members, schools, village leaders, and political parties—to ensure that a wide range of perspectives could be heard in an open and inclusive setting. The visiting team was also invited to share with students at the American Samoa Community College, hosted by the Pacific Center for Human Security. 

Finafinau has made its opposition to deep-sea mining clear since April 2025, citing risks to marine ecosystems, food security, cultural practices, and long-term economic sustainability. That position was reaffirmed throughout the week.

Key community concerns consistently raised included:

• •          Environmental harm: DSM threatens seafood resources, tuna stocks, and fragile deep-ocean ecosystems, with potential downstream impacts on nearshore fisheries and reefs.
• •          Water security: Disturbance of the seabed may pose risks to groundwater systems and aquifers that island communities depend on.
• •          Economic equity:  Any potential financial benefits (which are highly contested and unproven) would likely accrue to a small number of companies or individuals, while environmental and cultural costs would be borne by the community.
• •          Technology gaps: The technology for “safe” deep-sea mining remains unproven and, in many cases, nonexistent at commercial scale. Particularly, the specific technology that has been proposed for use in our waters has not been built.

CLARIFYING WHERE THE FEDERAL PROCESS STANDS

Coincidentally, the Pacific regional team from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) was also in American Samoa during this time. While BOEM’s visit was primarily focused on consultations with government agencies, their presence created an opportunity to raise and clarify several community concerns that had been prepared in advance. 

During meetings and discussions, Finafinau and the visiting delegation helped clarify several critical aspects of the current federal process led by BOEM. It was also shared that this information is publicly available on BOEM’s official website under “American Samoa Activities.”

1. Public Opposition vs. Industry Interest
 BOEM confirmed that more than 76,000 public comments were submitted during the Request for Information (RFI) period, with over 80% opposing DSM in American Samoa. Despite this, the Area Identification (Area ID) expanded from approximately 18 million acres to 33 million acres, driven by U.S. Geological Survey mapping priorities and industry proposals. BOEM acknowledged that it does not have a clear breakdown showing how community opposition was weighed relative to industry interest.

2. “Preliminary Activities” vs. Lease Reality
 BOEM described the current phase as “preliminary,” involving a desk-based Environmental Assessment (EA) focused on evaluating the area itself before lease issuance and an industry-led Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which would evaluate potential impacts. However, BOEM confirmed there is no regulatory distinction between exploration and exploitation leases. Any lease issued is transferable and could be resold, effectively granting long-term development rights before any environmental review of the impacts of mining

3. Lack of Defined Engagement Standards
 BOEM confirmed there is no formal threshold for public consultation with the American Samoa Government (ASG) or local stakeholders. Unlike other BOEM processes—such as offshore wind—there has been no structured public hearing or listening session specific to DSM in American Samoa.

4. Long-Term Commitments
 Once issued, a lease is valid for at least 20 years, with extensions possible if mining begins—binding the seabed to decades of industrial use with limited opportunities for reversal.

ENGAGEMENT WITH TERRITORIAL LEADERSHIP

The delegation met with Governor Pulaaliʻi Nikolai Pula, acknowledging the importance of keeping leadership informed as the issue moves forward.

Solomon Kahoohalahala, Native Hawaiian Elder, along with the delegation met with Governor Pulaaliʻi Nikolai Pula, acknowledging the importance of keeping leadership informed as the issue moves forward. [courtesy photo]

On the last day of the team’s visit, they also met with La'apui Talauega Eleasalo Va'alele Ale. As former Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa, he was part of the Lemanu and La’apui administration that helped establish the American Samoa Resilience Office and supported a territorial moratorium on deep-sea mining.

WHAT COMES NEXT

Finafinau emphasized that this visit marks the beginning of a broader, coordinated effort to elevate American Samoa’s opposition at the national and international levels. With new relationships established, the focus now turns to sustained advocacy, community education, and strategic engagement.

Finafinau is formally inviting community members to join a Deep-Sea Mining Working Group to help guide next steps, ensuring that opposition remains informed, respectful, and rooted in community values—not political cycles.

Dr. Suluai-Mahuka shared that she organized this visit because “I cannot stand by while our children’s futures are treated as expendable. Deep-sea mining is not a political debate. The decisions we make today will shape the lives of our children and their children. This is about intergenerational equity. For the federal government and industry folks like Impossible Metals, deep-sea mining may be a lottery ticket, but for us, it’s a gamble on our livelihoods that we cannot afford.” 

It is critical to understand that BOEM is already in the third step of the leasing process. While the process is ongoing, it is moving quickly. This is not a moment for silence or inaction. We believe that American Samoa cannot afford to be idle, and we cannot allow this process to continue unchecked—especially when there is no benefit to our people, our environment, or our future.

Continued community engagement is essential. For those who want to stay involved, informed, and active in opposing deep-sea mining, Finafinau encourages our community to reach out directly to be part of the ongoing effort. In addition, if the community would like to stay up to date with DSM in American Samoa, feel free to follow Finafinau on Facebook and Instagram for the fastest updates and fact sheets.

Fa‘afetai tele lava to the national experts who stood with American Samoa, and to the community members who continue to show up, ask hard questions, and protect our ocean.