The Senate wrapped its sessions for the week on Friday with the confirmation of two director nominees. Dora Ah Sue received unanimous approval to be Director of the Office for the Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled, and Daniel Helsham got the green light to be Director of the Department of Agriculture. The senate vote for the two nominees was the same, 17-0.
Ah Sue said she was thankful to be selected by the Governor and Lt. Governor and this was an opportunity for her to serve the territory.
Senator Muagututia Tauoa said Ah Sue was a daughter to him and expressed pride that a daughter of Sua District has been chosen as director. He said this was the time for the children of Tutuila and Manu’a to take the reigns of government and lead the territory. Muagututia advised Ah Sue to be obedient and to lead with love. He also counseled her not to heed advice that she feels is inappropriate.
Senator Togiola Tulafono added to Senator Muagututia’s appreciation of Ah Sue’s selection to be director. He said when the proverbial pigeons return home, it was time for the elderly to take a back seat and make way for them to lead.
While there was a motion from Senator Magalei Logovii to excuse Ah Sue, Senator Levu Iosia asked the director nominee if OPAD enforces parking spaces for the disabled. She responded that OPAD enforces the parking spaces for people with disabilities together with the Department of Public Safety.
Senator Utu Sila Poasa said Ah Sue’s mother Talo had worked for him and he, too, was thankful to see the proverbial pigeons return to the nest and take charge of the government.
Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean acknowledged that Ah Sue’s father had served in the American Samoa Government for many years. He was a director of the Department of Human Resources, and was also a member of the House of Representatives. And the director nominee, herself, had worked for the Fono before, and had also served on the staff of the late Senator Daniel Inouye.
Ah Sue has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and a Masters in Education in Curriculum Studies from UH, Manoa. She was a Program director at OPAD from January 2012 to January 2024, and was a candidate in the House of representatives for Sua #5 District in the last election.
Confirmation hearing for Daniel Helsham
At the confirmation hearing for Daniel Helsham as Director of Agriculture, the Senate President said this was the first time he had seen the nominee and asked if he had worked at the Dept. of Agriculture before. Helsham said he has been with the Land Grant Program at the college.
Tuaolo remarked that while Helsham is just 37, he possesses high academic credentials. He said it’s with a sense of pride that they are witnessing the flock of young leaders who have returned home to serve.
Tuaolo asked Helsham if he planned to continue the previous Director of Agriculture’s plan to import cattle from Samoa.
The director nominee gave this reply…
Play Audio
(Trancs.) Helsham: Honorable senator. Right now we’re– with– coming into the role, we want to make sure that, we’re looking at things being done to properly. If we want to continue to look at the paperwork, the documents, and– with, with your guys blessing, can look into if we’re going further that, because we want to make sure it’s safe for our people to, bring in the cattle and things like that.
Senator Olo Uluao Letuli acknowledged that Helsham was a son of Fofo District and, while young, he has been called by God to serve the territory as a director.
Senator Atualevao Asifoa urged that Helsham address invasive species, which he believed is now a bigger problem on the east side of the island, without much evidence that Land Grant efforts to stop their growth is working. Asifoa also wanted stricter monitoring of roadside stalls operated by Asians.
Senator Tuanaitau Malaki Togiola had questions regarding a federal grant awarded to the Department of Agriculture of $2 million, and also asked for a review of pesticides. He questioned why EPA had recently cited an Asian owned farm for using a pesticide that had been used in the territory for a long time without any issues.
Helsham has a BA in Mass Communications from Chaminade University and a Master of Science in Agricultural Communications from Texas Tech University. He has been the Media Specialist at the Agricultures, Community and Natural Resources Division at ASCC from 2013 up to the time of his appointment as Acting Director of Agriculture in January, 2025.
