Among questions which candidates for governor fielded during the American Samoa Bar Association Forum last Thursday related to the appointment of judges and justices to the local bench.
Out of 80 questions which were submitted by members of the Bar Association and the public, Bar President Lornalei Meredith Fanene and officers narrowed down the list to 30 questions of which 11 were asked o
f the candidates that night.
Topics included whether senators should be elected, whether judges should go through a review, should police officers be armed, the candidates’ vision for American Samoa’s future political status, should the Attorney General be elected, and appointment of boards and commissions.
Candidates were asked if judges and justices should face some sort of review of their conduct and if so what would they suggest,
Candidate for Governor, Faoa Aitofele Sunia, an attorney and former district court judge pro tem, said the member of the bar who came up with that question was brave.
Faoa favored the status quo with the appointment of federally appointed justices for American Samoa.
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Governor Lolo Moliga explained that local judges are recommended by the governor, appointed by the governor with confirmation by the Senate. 
As for the appointment of justices, Lolo said this was one of the issues that the Secretary of Interior has raised and one that needs public education.
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Candidate Tuika Tuika felt that conflicts of interest rules, were not being followed.
