Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka is no longer the Director of the American Samoa Resilience Office. Her employment was terminated last month by Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula.
In response to KHJ News questions, Dr. Suluai-Mahuka said she received a termination letter dated January 22, which was delivered to her home on January 23. The letter stated that her termination was effective immediately and cited a review of administrative, operational, and management matters, indicating that roles, expectations, and responsibilities had not been fully met.
Dr. Suluai-Mahuka said she learned of her removal after her staff had already been informed. She noted that during an in-person meeting on January 9, staff were told she was no longer in charge. Following that meeting, she requested an opportunity to meet with the Governor to discuss her situation and offered to assist with the transition, including providing files and reports, but said she did not receive a response.
During her tenure, Dr. Suluai-Mahuka said she was questioned about personnel and management decisions and was expected to submit biweekly reports detailing office activities, a requirement she said was never outlined as a written policy.
When asked about specific issues referenced in her termination, she explained that one employee resigned voluntarily to pursue further education, and she was later criticized for not allowing him to remain as a full-time employee. Another employee was separated after the discontinuation of a federal grant; she said that decision was later questioned despite the employee being offered the next available position. She also noted that she was required to submit invoices for prior approval in a manner she believes was not uniformly applied to other executive directors, and that those invoices were submitted according to the protocol advised by the office manager, yet she was later blamed when the vendor was chosen.
While acknowledging that directors serve at the pleasure of the Governor, Dr. Suluai-Mahuka said she does not agree with the grounds cited for her dismissal. She added that this was why she requested an exit interview and offered to assist with a smooth transition for the next person assuming the role. She shared that her goal was to be as professional and respectful as possible, but was not granted an opportunity for an exit interview.
Dr. Suluai-Mahuka expressed pride in the work accomplished by the American Samoa Resilience Office during her one-year tenure. Under her leadership, the office conducted 22 outreach events in schools, churches, and community settings, reaching more than 1,000 participants and engaging approximately 70 organizations at the local, regional and federal levels.
She has also been a vocal advocate opposing proposals for deep-sea mining in waters near American Samoa, a task she said was assigned to her outside of her regular duties and which resulted in significant efforts to elevate American Samoa’s opposition at the national level. When asked whether her advocacy may have contributed to her removal, Dr. Suluai-Mahuka said that while some have suggested that possibility, she declined to comment. She indicated that she will continue to elevate American Samoa’s opposition to deep sea mining, with or without support from the government.
Dr. Suluai-Mahuka told KHJ News she has since accepted a new position as a Project Coordinator with the Anthropocene Alliance, working on a project based in American Samoa.
KHJ News has sent questions to Governor Pulaali’i regarding Dr Suluai Mahuka’s removal.
