
Part of the American Samoa team to the Pacific Mini Games in Palau will miss the opening ceremony for the games Sunday (Saturday in American Samoa) because they missed their connecting fight in Honolulu.
The softball and volleyball teams were on the Hawaiian Airlines flight from Pago Pago to Honolulu, whose departure was delayed from Tuesday night to Wednesday afternoon.
Secretary General of the American Samoa National Olympic Committee, Vaiala Ethan Lake, reports from Palau that upon learning of the Hawaiian Airlines delay, they immediately contacted United Airlines Group Services, since United was the carrier for the connecting flights from Honolulu to Guam and onward to Palau.
The delay meant that all athletes departing from Pago Pago would miss their originally scheduled United connections.
He said The United Airlines agents were extremely responsive and helpful, working quickly to find and secure the next available flights for the teams.
Fortunately, they were able to rebook everyone on the next available flight to Guam once Hawaiian Airlines arrived in Honolulu. However, due to limited seat availability, only the volleyball players were successfully booked on the immediate connecting flight from Guam to Palau. Those who were booked all the way have since arrived in Palau. The rest of the delegates were not able to board that connection, as the flight was fully booked.
The next available United Airlines flight from Guam to Palau does not depart until Sunday evening, with an arrival scheduled for approximately 1:00 a.m. Monday morning. As a result, the remaining team members will need to remain in Guam for three additional nights and will miss the Opening Ceremony.
Lake expressed appreciation to the United Airlines Group Agents for their swift coordination and commitment to helping the teams navigate the sudden changes.
He also acknowledged the Governor and the ASG Office in Hawai‘i for their critical support in assisting with accommodations and logistical arrangements for all the team members who were stranded in Honolulu due to the flight delay.
Wrestler Latana Sopa is the flag bearer for Team American Samoa during the opening parade. He earned two gold, three silver, and a one bronze medal at the 2025 Oceania Continental Championships in March.
Describing the accommodations in Palau, Lake said the teams are staying at different schools in downtown Koror. The classrooms are outfitted with bunk beds and all have air-conditioning.
Aside from the flight issues, all are settling in and doing very well so far.