Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate concluded its confirmation hearings last Friday by endorsing two additional acting directors nominated by Governor Pulaali’i N. Pula to serve as cabinet members.

Confirmed were Aaron Hall, the Acting Director for the Office of Public Information, and Sione Kava, the Acting Director of the Territorial Energy Office. Few senators posed questions to the nominees, while the majority offered their support, recommendations, and advice.

AARON HALL

In his opening remarks, Aaron Hall stated that KVZK-TV, a public broadcasting station, currently lacks the resources necessary to fulfill its role effectively. He identified four goals that must be achieved in the next four years to continue serving the public of American Samoa:

1. Re-establish the 'over the air' broadcast system.

2. Reconstruct and equip the TV Station at its original location in Utulei.

3. Invest in technological advancements for filming, archiving, documentation, and staff training.

4. Develop new content, programming, and source affiliates from other broadcasting stations.

Hall expressed confidence in his ability to meet these goals, stating, "With my professional background in media, coupled with my relationships with broadcasters, suppliers, vendors, affiliates, and production companies, I am confident that I can achieve this mission for the government and people of American Samoa."

Aaron Hall expressed his gratitude to his wife and children, family members, including his father, Assistant Attorney General Roy Hall, and the KVZK-TV staff who attended in support.

Senate President Pro Temp Magalei Logovii told the hearing that Hall, who is from Vaitogi was his son because he is from Tualauta District. He expressed full confidence in Hall's leadership capabilities, noting the significant improvement in the content broadcast by KVZK-TV during Hall’s previous tenure.

Senator Magalei recounted how, during broadcasts of local high school football games or other live events by KVZK-TV, the hosts frequently acknowledged Hall's presence. He remarked that he had never heard them acknowledge the presence of any former KVZK-TV director because they never appear there.

"This is an indication that you care and support your employees by always being there for them," Magalei observed.

He emphasized that true leadership involves engaging with employees at their level, rather than adopting a distant, authoritative stance. Magalei commended Hall for his approach and advised him to continue treating his employees with compassion and fairness if confirmed as the director.

Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono concurred with Senator Magalei, highlighting that Acting Director Hall possesses considerable experience in running the station, having previously held the top position during the prior administration. He also commended Hall's leadership qualities.

However, what distinguishes Hall from his predecessors is his expertise in modern technology. Togiola expressed longstanding concerns that the numerous recordings and footage of significant and historical events captured by KVZK-TV since its establishment in 1964 might be lost forever.

The Sua senator elaborated that the equipment used to record these events is now obsolete, leaving them with 3/4' reel-to-reel tapes containing the recordings but no machines to play them back.

Togiola recounted his visits to the old KVZK-TV Headquarters in Utulei, where he observed many old tapes stacked on shelves or lying around. He had inquired why these recordings had not been converted to a modern format.

Senator Togiola mentioned that he consistently received the same response from KVZK-TV technicians — they were still searching for modern equipment compatible with the old 3/4 tapes.

He recalled that when former Director Aoelua appeared before the Senate for his confirmation hearing last year, he posed the same question. Aoelua responded that they were still seeking a machine to convert the tape format for new storage.

Nonetheless, Togiola noted that during Hall's previous tenure, old footage of historical events from the late 1960s had been broadcast on Channel 2. He emphasized the importance of preserving these recordings for future generations to witness and learn from the past.

Togiola also reminded that American Samoa was the first in the Pacific region and the world to use TV broadcasts as a medium to deliver educational lessons to children in rural areas and outer islands.

He asked Acting Director Hall if he could facilitate the conversion, transfer, and preservation of these historical recordings using modern technology for future generations.

Hall affirmed this, revealing that an archival migration project is currently underway, converting reel-to-reel 3/4 tapes and DVDs. The project is in its penultimate phase, awaiting payment to vendors to send the hard drives with the content.

The director nominee stated that the final phase would involve translating and cataloging the videos for proper archiving and labeling.

Hall added that they plan to introduce an accessibility phase so that the archives can be accessed by the public, either on TV or upon request by production companies for use in documentaries. These archives will also be available for use in the content development of KVZK-TV.

Senator Togiola requested that Hall draft an official plan for the conversion and storage of archival resources, including Cloud storage, to ensure that they remain accessible and are never lost.

Hall responded that such a plan was a prerequisite for the federal grant funding the archival migration project, which includes provisions for the preservation of the footage beyond our time and for future generations.

Senator Togiola then requested copies of the plan so that the Senate can contribute to the preservation of our country's history.

Senators Muagututi'a Tauoa and Gaoteote Palaie Tofau commended Hall for his efforts to make available to the public the footage of significant and historical events captured by the KVZK-TV cameras since the 1960s, which had been inaccessible due to the lack of appropriate modern technology.

However, the senators pointed out one shortcoming — Hall, having spent most of his life off-island, did not speak Samoan. The two outspoken senators advised him to make an effort to learn the Samoan language and culture.

Muagututi'a emphasized that this is the time for the younger generation to take on leadership roles not only in government but also in families, villages, and churches. He stated that fluency in the Samoan language and culture is an important part of the rhythm of life in Samoa.

Senator Levu Iosia remarked that although he had heard many good things about Hall, this was the first time he had seen him in person. He praised Hall's innovative method for improving KVZK-TV's live coverage of the annual Fautasi Regatta.

Levu explained that ever since the regatta's inception, the public had only witnessed the event from a one-dimensional view: from the front as the fautasis entered Pago Harbor, and from the side as the race passed by on the way to the finish line.

"Then Hall introduced the use of drones to cover the race from the air, giving viewers watching on TV and on their phones a bird's-eye view of the race for the first time in the event's history!" Senator Levu acknowledged.

He wished Hall well and encouraged him to continue finding ways to improve the coverage of the Fautasi Regatta.

Meanwhile, Manu'a Senator Ma'o Gogo advised Hall to address the KVZK-TV local news service, which he accused of being silent and failing to report controversial discrepancies within government operations that might make the administration look bad.

Ma'o stated that if it weren't for deliberations and discussions in the Senate's regular sessions and hearings on these controversial issues, which are posted on the YouTube Channel, the public would never know about them. He complained that the KVZK-TV local news team was deliberately sweeping these issues under the rug.

During the regular session, senators unanimously confirmed Aaron Hall's appointment with a 13-0 vote.

Unfortunately for Hall, he did not receive enough votes to pass confirmation in the House of Representatives. He needed 11 votes, but only 10 representatives voted to confirm him, while 7 voted no.

The Chairman of the House Communication and Public Information Committee, Representative Luaitaua Gene Pan, who chaired Hall's confirmation hearing, moved for a motion for reconsideration of the nomination. The motion was passed, allowing the House to have another confirmation vote for Hall. It is not yet known when that will take place.

SIONE L. KAVA

Before delivering his opening remarks, Sione Kava requested to do so in English, explaining that his command of the Samoan language was not strong.

He informed the senators that on the 20th of the previous month, he received a call from the Governor's Office, notifying him that Governor Pula had nominated him for the position of Director of the Territorial Energy Office (TEO).

Kava mentioned that shortly after receiving the call, he visited the TEO, met with all the employees, took an inventory of all ASG assets, and reviewed the TEO organizational chart with them.

He stated that during his time at TEO, he had familiarized himself with their responsibilities to the people of American Samoa, their obligations to the Office of the Governor and other government departments, and most importantly, their relationship and obligations to the US Department of Energy.

"But most importantly, I introduced myself and worked with the staff over the past couple of weeks so that they know who I am, and I know who they are," Kava said. "I wanted to understand what kind of leader they expect from me, and I can honestly say that as of today, they are under the guidance of the most capable director of TEO.

"I thought the first thing I needed to do was to get confirmation from the TEO team, whether they would accept me and work with me as their director. And I have them all here today. I believe I have their confirmation. Honorable senators, now this is the real confirmation. I am here to ask for your blessings and your confirmation so that I can continue to serve as the Director of the American Samoa Territorial Energy Office. Thank you."

Senator Magalei Logovii took the floor first and explained to the senators that Kava was Tongan, which is why he was testifying in English.

Magalei then shared that Kava had served ASG for many years, heading the Office of Petroleum Management (OPM) under the Tauese and Togiola administrations. He mentioned that he had thought Kava had retired, to which Kava replied that it was an honor to be recalled to serve the government.

Senator Magalei acknowledged Kava's many years of service and urged him to continue his good work if he was confirmed for his current appointment.

Senator Muagututi'a Tauoa also commended Kava for his long service and advised him to do everything in his power to lower the price of gas.

Kava explained that he had dealt with this issue during his time at OPM, which was initially under TEO. However, OPM was separated from TEO in 1991 by order of the District Court of California.

Senator Utu Sila Poasa stated that ASPA was monopolizing the price of solar and wind-generated energy, but he believed that TEO should have a significant role to play in this. He urged Kava to work together with ASPA to negotiate a more realistic surcharge for consumers.

In his closing remarks, an emotional Kava thanked the senators for their confidence in him and the valuable advice he had received. He assured the Senate that he would give his all to serve the people and government of American Samoa if confirmed.

"The world has marveled at how far we have traveled to space and back," Kava said. "This Tongan kid traveled from a humble home in Tonga to the chamber of the Senate of American Samoa. It's a far longer distance than any I've traveled. Whatever your decision is, I'm honored. I'm glad I made it this far."

Sione Kava was confirmed in a 12-1 vote in the Senate regular session that followed.