Members of the private sector are now serving on American Samoa’s new COVID-19 Task Force which Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga appointed the day he was sworn into office, January 3rd.
The Governor’s Office released the memo of appointment, yesterday, which names the following people:
- Lieutenant Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale as the new Chairman
- CEO of LBJ Hospital Faumuina John Faumuina
- Acting Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua
- Director of the State Medicaid Agency Sandra King Young
- Acting Director Homeland Security Samana Semo Ve’ave’a
- Acting Attorney General Fainu’ulelei Alailima Utu
- Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega
- Acting Director of Port Administration Chris King
- Acting Director of Budget Catherine Saelua
- Acting Treasurer Malemo Tausaga
- Acting Director of Human Resources Lynn Pulou Alaimalo
- Acting Director of Education Talauega Samasoni Asaeli
- Acting Director of Human and Social Services Muavaefa’atasi John Suisala
- Director of the Veterans Affairs Clinic Dr. Fred Uhrle
- President of GHC Reid Olivia Reid representing the Public at Large
- Chair of the Chamber of Commerce Ella Gurr representing the Public at Large
- Station Manager of Hawaiian Airlines Tuli Fruean
- Director of ASG’s Hawaii Office Tuiafono Vaiuli Sua
- Ginger Porter of the University of Hawaii representing the Public at Large
- Chief of Staff of the Governor’s Office Tuimavave Laupola.
Eight members are continuing on from the previous Task Force:
- CEO of LBJ Hospital Faumuina
- Director of Health Motusa
- Catherine Saelua
- Sandra King Young
- Mauga Tasi Asuega
- Fred Uhrle
- Muavaefa’atasi John Suisala
- Tuimavave Tauapa’i Laupola
The first meeting of the new task force was set for this past Monday.
In 2020, the Chamber of Commerce requested that former-Governor Lolo Moliga place a Chamber member on his Coronavirus Task Force. However, their request was denied. The forming of the new Task Force marks the first time that private business and the public at large has had any direct representation in the American Samoa Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the previous Task Force under former Governor Lolo were paid stipends of $1000 per month using federal funds earmarked for coronavirus response.
Chief of Staff Tuimavave says that Governor Lemanu is “not exercising that thought at this time.”
