The CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, Mr. Joe Sprague, was welcomed at an ava ceremony at the Fale Samoa at Suigaula this morning.
Lt. Governor Laapui Talauega Eleasalo Alo led government officials at the ceremony. The Lt. Governor told KHJ News that Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga left this morning to attend the closing of the CHOGM meeting in Apia.
House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, Senate President Pro Tem Magalei Logovii, Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega and District Governors were present along with Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata.
Miss American Samoa Pauliana Angel Felise Vitale was the taupou.
Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tauese Vaa Sunia, welcomed Mr. Sprague and thanked Hawaiian Airlines for its commitment to serving the people of American Samoa in the last four decades. He cited the Samoa saying, “O le ala i le pule o le tautua, The path to authority or leadership is through service.”
Tauese used the opportunity to make this request to Mr. Sprague.
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In an interview, after the ava ceremony, KHJ News asked Mr. Sprague for his response to the request to lower airfares.
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The airline CEO said they will be adding a third weekly flight on the Honolulu Pago Pago route early next year.
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This is Mr. Sprague’s first visit to American Samoa since being appointed the new CEO of Hawaiian Airlines following Hawaiian’s merger with Alaska Airlines.
