The recent decision by the Utah Federal District Court granting automatic US citizenship to all US nationals, makes it necessary to devote attention to the issues involving American Samoa’s political status and its relationship with the United States, as well as the Constitution.
That’s a point made by Governor Lolo Moliga in his State of the Territory report.
He says the favorable ruling by the Hawaii court on the Large Vessel Prohibited Area (LVPA) “grants us hope that our Deeds of Cession will be recognized by the federal government as being legitimate and binding.”
The governor notes that the people of American Samoa are desirous of maintaining our political ties with the United States to continue access to financial assistance,
However he says being a territory of the United States subjects us to federal economic polices such as the cabotage, federal minimum wage, US Coast Guard enforcement, federal monuments and sanctuaries and others “which have stifled the development of our economy to move us towards the attainment of our aspirations for self sufficiency and self reliance.
“Regrettably our people’s perceived absence of faith in our government and lack of understanding of the issues at play will continue to stall any attempt to amend our political status and Constitution to reflect our aspirations relative to the protection of our land based culture.”
The governor observes that the viability of the fisheries industry is being threatened from many fronts, thus the economic future of American Samoa is in jeopardy which necessitates exploration and implementation of drastic actions.
To this end the governor advised that he has dispatched letters to President Trump and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao requesting a waiver allowing Samoa Airways to pick up passengers in American Samoa destined for Hawaii and the mainland.
Lolo goes on to say that if this request is denied he has alerted American Samoa’sWashington DC consultants to prepare to file suit against the US Department of Transportation “for purposely restricting our ability to grow our economy and displaying discrimination against our people.”
The governor concludes, “Invariably our people must hasten the consideration of our political status and to propose actions to change our relationship with the United States and our Constitution or the decision will be made for us by others lacking understanding of our historical –socio-economic landscape, the passion and love for our homeland.”
