Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With the clock ticking down to the May 23 deadline, American Samoa’s women’s softball and volleyball teams are in a race not of speed, but of finance. As the Pacific Mini Games, set for June 29 to July 9 in Palau, draw near, the greatest hurdle facing the teams isn’t on the field or court — it’s in the wallet.

Both national squads have been grappling with high travel costs and limited regional airline routes, which make reaching Palau a logistical and financial challenge. The travel itinerary for Team American Samoa involves multiple legs: from Pago Pago to Honolulu, then onward to Guam, and finally to Palau. The total cost of sending the full delegation surpasses $200,000, with airfare alone costing over $4,000 per athlete.

According to Team American Samoa Chef de Mission Lisi Fauloloa Fa'agata, a cost-sharing agreement was reached between the American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) and the sports federations. Under this arrangement, ASNOC will cover accommodations, meals, local transportation, per diems, and team uniforms, while each federation is responsible for return airfare.

For the women's softball team, the financial crunch is acute. Team manager Onolata Saleapaga shared with Samoa News that the association began fundraising efforts last year. They’ve already paid $22,000 for Hawaiian Airlines fares from Pago Pago to Honolulu. However, the next leg of their journey, on United Airlines from Honolulu to Guam to Palau, carries a return cost of $42,000. A $20,000 deposit has been made, but the remaining $22,000 must be paid by today, May 23, or the deposit will be forfeited.

"We've been reaching out to every possible avenue — businesses, government departments, and private sponsors," said Saleapaga. "It's a race against time."

The women's volleyball team is navigating similarly turbulent financial waters. Logistics manager Sisifo Ta’atiti stated that they need to raise approximately $38,000 by the same deadline. Each player paid a $75 deposit to reserve their seat, but a total of $16,035 is still required to cover Hawaiian Airlines fares. Meanwhile, the United Airlines segment from Honolulu to Palau costs $1,457 per person, totaling $21,855 for their 15-member delegation.

To date, the volleyball team has raised about $15,000, leaving a shortfall of roughly $23,000. “The airfare costs are steep, and we’re still short,” said Ta’atiti. “But we’re doing everything we can to get our athletes there.”

Many of these athletes are young. In compliance with Pacific Mini Games rules aimed at promoting youth development, each volleyball team must include at least seven players under 19. For American Samoa, eight of the twelve volleyball athletes are high school students, making this opportunity their first exposure to international competition.

 

The eight local players include Captain Titiula Manuma (Tafuna HS c/o 2014), Nadene Taase (Leone HS c/o 2025), Tupu Pa’au (Nu'uuli VTHS c/o 2025), Malinah Purcell (Samoana HS c/o 2024), Sina Taatiti (Tafuna HS c/o 2025), Kamerynn Reid (Tafuna HS c/o 2025), Celestial Fouvale (Fagaitua HS c/o 2026), Kailani Afatia (Leone HS c/o 2026), Heiress Palepoi (Tafuna HS c/o 2025), and Janet Moeai (Tafuna HS c/o 2024).

 

The team will also be reinforced by two off-island players who are scheduled to join the squad in Honolulu before continuing on to Palau. Keonahiilani Solaita (Oak Hills High School, c/o 2025) and V. Aranauh Liufau (Utah, c/o 2025) will bring additional talent and experience to the team as they prepare to compete on the regional stage.

Recognizing the financial burden, both federations made a final appeal to ASNOC leadership. On Wednesday, Saleapaga and Ta’atiti met with ASNOC President Tuiatua Ed Imo and Secretary-General Vaiala Ethan Lake. The meeting proved fruitful.

We are extremely grateful,” said Saleapaga. "ASNOC has agreed to cover the airfare balances for both teams from Hawaii to Palau. However, we have committed to repaying the funds after the Games.”

The volleyball team is still fundraising for their tickets from Pago to Hawaii.

American Samoa will compete in five of the 12 sports featured at this year’s XII Pacific Mini Games: Women’s Softball, Women’s Indoor Volleyball, Triathlon, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.

As the countdown to the Games continues, both teams are preparing to represent the territory with pride, knowing full well the road to Palau has already tested their resilience, determination, and unity.