The Director of the ARPA Oversight Office, Puialii James Faumuina, has said that the interest earned from ARPA funds can be a possible source of funding to complete the unfinished road project between Alofao and Amouli.
Faumuina, along with the Director of Public Works Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei and Deputy Director Faalevai Taase, testified before the Senate Public Works Committee concerning the poor state of roads on the eastern end of the island.
According to testimony by former Treasurer Donald Kruse during the budget hearings, the accrued interest from ARPA funds with Zions Bank is $14 million.
The ARPA Office Director said the Fono can request the Governor to use the interest earnings to finish the road project, which could be done through a supplemental budget request.
Deputy Director Faalevai Taase explained that the original project was to upgrade the road from Alofau to Tula.
The contract amount was $3 million. The project was later expanded to include constriction of seawalls to protect the Matatula Elementary School, bringing the seawall project cost to $8 million.
The scope of work for the road project was also expanded to include widening and drainage improvements before asphalt pavement was completed. However, the DOE funding ran out, and it was planned that $4.5 million from Special Programs would be used to finish the road project.
KHJ News understands this is one of the Special Programs projects that were suspended when the new administration took office due to the lack of written contracts and supporting documents.
Taase said they had requested ARPA funding but were not successful. They are also hopeful to acquire CIP funds for the road project.
But Senators Utu Sila Poasa and Togiola Tulafono pointed out that the CIP projects for FY 2026 do not include the unfinished road.
Senator Utu said the contractor was ready to resume the road project as soon as ASG made payment of $2.9 million that the government owed.
Further, he has discussed with the Governor a way forward to get the project rolling again, but nothing has been done.
Utu told the Public Works officials they cannot sit idle and wait for the money to appear. Rather, he said, it is their job to look for funding and submit a complete package to the Governor to complete the road. He said the unfinished road is a safety hazard for residents of his district.
Senator Togiola questioned why the road between Alofau and Amouli has been neglected when it was the main focus of the project from the start—before it expanded into seawalls and widening of other roads. He said this section is the worst part of the road.
The Public Works officials were also questioned about tree trimming. Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean observed that trees are cleared in the Western District, but the eastern end of the island doesn’t get the same attention. Director Taeaotui said they have cleared trees in eastern villages except for the stretch from Afono to Vatia, which will start once a bucket truck is available.
