The Director of the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office, Letitia Tish Peau, has hinted at the impact of future funding being affected by the paving of part of the Fagatogo malae.
A July 13 email from Peau to Director of Public Works Faleosina Voigt spelled out that the Fagatogo Malae is part of the American Samoa Historic District.
“I passed by last week Thursday and noticed the concrete flooring on the malae when the soil erosion fence was removed,” said Peau.
She informed Voigt that before former director of ASPHO David Herdrich left, because the Fagatogo Malae is on the National Register of Historic Places, he recommended the use of paving stones to
allow the natural grass to grow through and Herdrich was against the use of concrete floors.
Peau said the “concrete floors” has an adverse effect on this historic landmark and can possibly have a negative impact on funding requests for future projects in this area.
She requested a meeting with Voigt or a DPW representative to resolve the issue.
A group of Fagatogo residents are continuing their protest against the paving of the malae on a daily basis.
Macy Faagata Woo Ching who initiated the protest said they are hoping to get a court order to stop any further pavement of Malae o le Talu and remove the playcourts and parking .
Responding to questions as to why they only acted after the work was finished, Faagata Woo Ching said they only became aware of the paving when the fence around the construction site came down last week.
ASPHO Director Peau gave the same explanation when asked why her office didn’t act earlier .
She said the plans of the Fagatogo Pavilion Rehabilitation only included pavers directly in front of the Pavilion, which would allow the grass to grow and will not have any impact on the malae.
Peau said because the work involved a historical site she was present when the contractor laid the pavers..
She explained that the contractor was required to have a fence around the project site and it was only when the fence was removed last week that the extent of the paving to the malae was visible.
