Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The status of the Fagaima Road Project and the Tualauta Mitigation Project can be characterized as being on a “slow crawl” as they go through each stage that will eventually allow the the projects to happen — just don’t hold your breathe.

The projects plan to control flooding in the most populous area of American Samoa, especially from heavy rainfalls that lead to the runoff in the Malaeimi and Fagaima plains. 

Right of Way (ROW) concerns and federal requirements for an environmental impact study & review of these mitigation projects — especially as plans are for the runoff to flow into the Pala Lagoon — are causing these projects to ‘crawl’ with no specific beginning dates for either project in sight.

In emails dating back to March 2025, between Faipule Fagaima Larry Sanitoa and the Department of Public Works (DPW), as well as the Department of Commerce (DOC) discussions of the status of the projects and the problems they are facing come to light — with both projects apparently still progressing through the pre-work stages.

(Of note, the history of the mitigation projects can be traced back to the Tauese Administration- 1997 to March 26, 2003. Funding hiccups are said to have been the major barrier to the projects.)

As of May 2026, these projects are still going through their planning stages, according to ASG responses to Fagaima’s inquiries about their progress — given his constituents’ concerns about the most recent heavy rainfalls that caused “significant flooding and runoff damage to private properties in the Malaeimi and Tafuna areas.

And, with the funding source for the projects being federal grant monies, it is doubtful that the timeline for either project can be adjusted to allow the work to happen faster, especially with the the Army Corps Of Engineers (USACE) involved.

THE TUALAUTA MITIGATION PROJECT

The Tualauta Mitigation Project as of March 2025, according to a DOC email to Fagaima, was in the procurement phase for the A&E design stage from the Army Corps Of Engineers (USACE) that would provide the scope of work so DPW and DOC could review to initiate the Procurement Process for A&E designing.

“The support of USACE is critical due to their historical involvement with the Tualauta Drainage System and its level of impact — USACE requires this funding to complete the hydraulic modeling of the Tualata Drainage System that will effectively play a part in the cost benefits of the drainage and the flood feasibility study (separate project) that is near completion.

“Very slow but steady progress. 

“At the same time, we [DOC] look to initiate the process for environmental review. The challenge with Tualauta Drainage is our efforts to clear the AR [Accounts Receivable] the grant currently has, so we can initiate payment for USACE and then the domino effect of the project tasks will occur. 

“We are looking to late 2025 to see construction happening, however, the A&E design might take a little longer.”

DOC noted in another email that they “recently entered into an MOA with DPW for their engagement in the project. “DOC will pay them. This is the only way we can get full commitment with their workload.”

The email further notes that DOC will get another stakeholders’ meeting scheduled in the future and keep him updated.

(Stakeholders include the landowners and the Nu’uuli pulenu’u, as well as faipule of the areas affected by the projects.)

In May 2025, Fagaima again asks for the status of the mitigation project having “received numerous inquiries from residents and motorists regarding the Fagaima road and drainage project, as well as the broader Tualauta flood mitigation efforts aimed at addressing the dangerous runoff in the Malaeimi and Fagaima plains.”

DOC replies about a week later that “as of now, the project remains in the pre-engineering phase. We are currently finalizing the payment process to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which is a critical step to formally initiate their involvement.

“Once the payment is processed, USACE, DOC & DPW will begin the procurement process to select a qualified Architecture and Engineering (A&E) firm. The engagement of the A&E firm will set into motion a series of technical activities.

“These components are essential for informing the full design scope, engineering plans, and accurate cost estimates. We anticipate a structured, phased approach moving forward, enabling a more defined timeline toward construction readiness. DOC and its stakeholders are committed to inform you at each major milestone and are happy to provide additional briefings or documentation as needed.”

As of June 2, 2026, Fagaima once again asks for the latest update of this project, noting that the recent heavy rains have caused significant flooding and runoff damage.

FAGAIMA ROAD PROJECT

The Fagaima Road project seems to be held up right now because ROW agreements with the two land owners affected by the project — Mrs. Valasi Gaisoa and the Lagafuaina family — are still in limbo.

According to a DPW email, sent in March 2026, they have not been able to secure any Right-of-Way (ROW) documents from any of the affected families near this proposed project. Emails indicate that DPW has been trying to coordinate the ROWs since last year.

In this recent email, Mrs. Gaisoa, DPW informs Fagaima, is off-island for medical reasons, with no confirmed return date, and her son, who would speak in her stead is on leave and off-island too, with no apparent return date confirmed.

For the Lagafuaina family, Fagaima was told that DPW inspectors recently “spoke with a lady from the family who said they would share information with our [DPW] office once the family has met and discussed the proposed project, she will then contact our office. To date, there has been no information about this coordination.”

DPW then asks Fagaima for any suggestion he might have for moving forward.

As of June 2, 2026, Fagaima replies that “given the recent heavy rainfall and the resulting property damage caused by dangerous runoff and flooding, it is critical that we find a path forward for this project;” and, asks for a meet to discuss and review current options.

Samoa News should point out that the ROW is also referred to as a "Grant of Easement" document and is prepared by the Office of Legal Affairs. It is unknown if there is any money being paid to either family for the ROW agreement.