Director of Homeland Security Samana Semo Veavea told the Senate Investigative Committee his department’s investigation report on the private owned vessel Kite Runner’s trip to Samoa, in April, was forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office and Department of Public Safety in August. But, up until now, there’s been no action on it.
Samana and lead investigator Joleen Mageo Kava appeared before the SSIC on Friday morning.
Upon questioning by Committee Chairman Senator Togiola Tulafono and Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, Samana confirmed what has been publicized about the April trip—that clearance requirements before the vessel could depart were done after the fact, and did not follow normal procedures. That is, the approvals were done via email and phone communication between the two Samoa after the vessel arrived in Apia.
Samana said their investigation was launched after KHJ News inquired about the Kite Runner’s trip. He told the Committee the investigation report was submitted to the Governor, Lt. Governor, the AG’s Office and KHJ News.
The investigation showed that regulations were not followed and their report recommended that three ASG employees be prosecuted.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked if he had talked with the Customs employee, Seigafo.
According to the Director, he had told Seigafo to call him but he hasn’t. When Togiola asked if Seigafo is still working for ASG, Samana said Seigafo’s been off island and he’s still working for the government.
Sheehan Samuela Seigafo was named in the DHS report as having forged the signature of the Customs Chief. Samana told the committee that the customs chief was off island at the time, and the deputy chief didn’t know about the clearance.
Tuaolo said perhaps the reason why Seigafo hasn’t contacted the director is because he has retained an attorney to represent him.
According to the Senate, President Seigafo was surprised with the report and many things happening at customs will be revealed.
Tuaolo asked Samana about public comments by Samoa’s Prime Minister that the Kite Runner and its crew should have been detained. “This is an embarrassing situation affecting relations between governments,” he said. “How would we feel if a boat from another country enters our territory without proper clearance?”
Tuaolo also asked Samana if they’ve made a recommendation regarding Tish Peau. Peau is listed as the owner of the Kite Runner, and she is also Acting Director of the Historic Preservation Office.
Samana responded that Tish has a conflict of interest in that she works for ASG and also for Laulii, meaning Papalii Laulii Alofa, the owner of Paramount.
Tuaolo pressed if Samana had advised the Governor about Tish.
The Director said the report was given to the governor, but he doesn’t know what action the administration has taken on Tish.
The Senate President also brought up other incidents like the drugs that came through the ASG Office in Hawaii. This is the case of drugs found in Medicaid Office computers that arrived during the COVID pandemic on a repatriation flight.
Tuaolo told Samana the public is asking what’s happened to the many cases of drugs and incidents that were supposedly investigated.
Senator Tuiasina Laumoli suggested the committee bring in the Department of Public Safety to be questioned about the Kite Runner trip and other cases.
Committee Chairman Togiola noted at the end of the hearing that if Homeland Security had been given arrest powers as a bill had proposed, there may have been a different result.
