Eight freshly painted trash barrels now line Lions Park after a collaborative effort by Rotary Club of Pago Pago, Lions Club of Pago Pago, Rotaract Club of Pago Pago, and Leo Club of South Pacific Academy replaced rusted bins that had deteriorated from salt air exposure.
The project, completed October 15th, marks the second time the service organizations have joined forces to maintain waste disposal infrastructure at the popular coastal site. Starkist Samoa donated the replacement barrels, just as they did for the original installation two years ago.
Volunteers gathered October 4 at Pala Lagoon Swimming Center to sand and paint the barrels. Lions Club covered all paint and material costs, while Westland Construction provided skilled workers to safely remove barrel tops using angle grinders.
“It wasn’t just one person, one club, or one company—it was a community,” said project organizer Rotarian Faafua Cummings. “These barrels are more than bins; they’re a shared reminder that keeping our spaces clean is everyone’s responsibility.”
The effort drew international participation from Lions District Governor Lynda Halverson and District Secretary Christine Ford, visiting from New Zealand. Work continued despite morning rain, with volunteers regrouping at Vila’s Snack Bar before resuming.
Multiple businesses contributed to the project’s completion. When weather prevented some volunteers from attending, the Floating Coconuts Crew finished painting. GeoGas provided truck transportation, and All Star Signs created graphics featuring club logos and slogans including “Can You Spot Me Some Trash” and “Don’t Trash Where You Splash.”
Environmental groups regularly collect more than 20 bags of trash monthly from the park, making proper waste disposal infrastructure essential. The American Samoa Government Department of Parks and Recreation maintains regular barrel-emptying schedules.
The original barrels, installed in 2023, served both Lions Park and Pala Lagoon Swimming Center before coastal conditions necessitated replacement.
