At the Territorial Climate Infrastructure Workshop in Honolulu, the U.S. Department of Transportation and federal broadband partners held office hours and informal networking sessions to assist territories not actively presenting.
During a listening session on the Build America Buy American Act (BABAA), attendees were reminded that the BABA Act waiver will expire in December 2025.
Mika Aga, an engineer from the Department of Port Administration (DPA), inquired about extending the waiver beyond 2025, noting that all port projects are expected to be completed within five years. Supply chain issues have caused delays, as American Samoa relies on imported materials and supplies for infrastructure projects.
Additionally, shipping costs from the U.S. mainland are three times higher than for similar non-U.S. manufactured products from Pacific and Asian region countries, provided the specifications are the same.
The American Samoa Invasive Species topics included Green Waste/Debris Management for Little Fire Ant and Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle presented virtually by director of the Governor’s Biodiversity Office, Mr. Tavita Togia.
The Department of Agriculture Chief Quarantine Officer Mathew Tuia presented on fumigation and incineration and ASCC Entomologist Mark Schmaedick provided information remotely online on little fire ants in American Samoa.
The American Samoa Broadband roundtable session was led by Department of Commerce Deputy Director Michael McDonald, who provided updates on the $37 million in Broadband Equity Access and Development program funds that American Samoa received through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Ms. Gloryana Mase from the Department of Commerce discussed the status of the Digital Equity Act funds, another BIL initiative.
Mrs. Edna Noga, Special Projects and Grants Specialist for the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority, emphasized the importance of the Hawaiki cable for local residents in the new global and digital economy.
She highlighted the critical need for redundancy in communication and connectivity, especially during and after disasters.
The CEO of Blue Sky Communications, Justin Tuiasosopo, echoed Mrs. Noga’s call for redundancy and requested FEMA’s assistance with the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
He also sought information from federal partners on available BILIRA funding opportunities to support communication infrastructure, particularly for emergency response coordination.
Lisa Tuatoo, the ASG BILIRA coordinator, emphasized the importance of redundancy in communication connectivity for both ASTCA and Blue Sky Communications—the only two communication companies in American Samoa. She highlighted their crucial role in assisting first responders in saving lives during disasters or emergencies. “Without effective communication, lives will be lost,” she said.
