Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A special touring group of independent small market radio owners and operators was recently in American Samoa from May 25 to May 29, 2023, over the Memorial Day weekend to tour our small island. 

While they were here, the group met with local broadcasters to learn about radio operations in the territory including community service efforts, technical challenges and the unique way radio has become a part of the fabric of American Samoa. Their visit follows the Idea Banks annual meeting in Kauai, Hawaii.  

“For over 20 years, the broadcasting community has been watching the development of radio and media in the territory. The way news, announcements and other program elements are approached here are not quite like anything else you find off-island.

“There has been so much interest, in fact, that we decided to put this conference together on the ground where it’s all happening”, said Idea Bank member and South Seas Broadcasting President Larry Fuss. 

The visitors included radio, TV, and digital media operators, along with engineering and legal experts from across the United States including Alaska, Nevada, Washington D.C., Ohio and Florida.

Idea Bank members from Apia, Samoa and Wollongong, Australia also participated along with International Broadcasters Idea Bank executive director Dan Latham and prominent Washington D.C. attorney John Garzigilia. 

The group, who departed on Monday, May 29, 2023, got to know the feel of radio broadcasting in this far-flung part of the United States, and during their stay, the group met with members of the emergency broadcasting community as well as community service organizations closely tied to the radio industry. 

The group also toured the National Weather Service office, NOAA Observatory in Tula, spent an evening at Tisa’s Barefoot Bar, and conducted evaluations at the radio stations owned in part by a veteran member of the Idea Bank, Fuss. 

The visitors also enjoyed the majestic views of Maliu Mai Beach Resort with Miss American Samoa Hani Fuimaono and celebrated at a farewell dinner prepared by Isabel Steffany-Hudson at Moana o Sina on Sunday evening. 

The Executive Director of the International Broadcasters Idea Bank Latham expressed thanks and gratitude on behalf of the group before presenting Certificates of Appreciation to the General Manager of South Seas Broadcasting, Pauga Joey Cummings and all staff members who assisted in hosting them.