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American Samoa Government - PR002-05182026
Posted: May 18, 2026
Church Service Marks the Beginning of National Public Works Week Celebration
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AUA, American Samoa — National Public Works Week was officially proclaimed by Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula to be observed from May 17 through May 23, 2026, under the theme “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community.” To mark the beginning of this important observance and celebrate the dedicated service of the American Samoa Department of Public Works (DPW), a special church service was held on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The church service was held at CCCAS Aua, “O A’u o le Ola o lo’o Ola Lava,” and was led by Reverend Elder Viliamu Leilua. The service was attended by Governor Pulaali'i and First Lady Dr. Lois Pula, members of the Legislature, cabinet members, and management and staff of DPW.
In his message of encouragement and comfort, Reverend Elder Leilua acknowledged the vital role the Department of Public Works plays throughout the Territory, especially during times of need. He shared that DPW remains on the frontline whenever challenges arise in American Samoa. Whether responding to landslides, floods, road maintenance needs, infrastructure concerns, or emergency situations. Reverend Elder Leilua recognized the department’s hard work and dedication in all weather conditions and encouraged employees to continue serving the community with honesty and integrity while trusting in God's continued blessings.
Director of DPW, Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei, expressed his gratitude to the Governor and the American Samoa Government not only for proclaiming National Public Works Week, but also for joining in recognizing and celebrating the department. Director Taeaotui thanked the employees of DPW for their unwavering dedication and service to the people of American Samoa and reminded the department of its responsibility and duty to continue serving the Territory with commitment and excellence.
In his special remarks, Governor Pulaali'i reflected on this year's theme and its significance to the work carried out by DPW. "The theme for this year, 'Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,' perfectly reflects the important role Public Works plays in American Samoa," Governor Pulaali'i stated. "Public Works is more than roads, buildings, and infrastructure. It is about service. It is about maintaining the foundation that supports our schools, our villages, our government facilities, and the daily lives of our people."
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The Governor also acknowledged the dedication and sacrifices of DPW employees. "To all of our Public Works employees, your efforts do not go unnoticed. We recognize that the work you do is not always easy. We know there are many challenges—limited resources, difficult conditions, and long hours—but despite these obstacles, you continue to serve with strength, determination, and heart."
As a source of encouragement, Governor Pulaali'i shared a Bible verse from Galatians 6:9: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
The Governor concluded his remarks by expressing gratitude on behalf of the government and people of American Samoa. "On behalf of Lieutenant Governor Pulumataala, the people and government of American Samoa, thank you for your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. May God continue to protect, guide, and bless the Department of Public Works and each of your families."
As part of the program, special acknowledgment was given to employees whose many years of dedicated service and commitment to the Department of Public Works were recognized before attendees and guests in appreciation of their contributions to the Territory:
● Migi Mua — 49 years
● Iakopo Meleisea — 39 years
● Tilaima Aiumu — 34 years
● Fiatagata Anoa'i — 32 years
● Ioelu Meleisea — 32 years
● Taumaoe Mariner — 31 years
● Patrick Nomura — 31 years
● Pelenato Kosetino — 30 years
● Ta'afua Ta'afua — 30 years
● Kioleafi Aina — 30 years
● Pena Tuia — 30 years
● James Urhle — 30 years
● Mikaele Senio — 30 years
The American Samoa Government extends its sincere appreciation to all employees of the Department of Public Works for their years of service, commitment, and dedication to improving the lives of our people. On behalf of the Government and people of American Samoa, Happy National Public Works Week.
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Tatala Aloa’ia le Vaiaso o Galuega Lautele i se Faigālotu
AUA, Amerika Samoa — Na poloa’iina e le afioga le Kovana sili ia Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula le vaiaso o Galuega Lautele, ma e fa’amamaluina mai ia Me 17 se’ia o’o atu ia Me 23, 2026, ma lona manulauti “Maua’a i le tautua, fa’amalosi e le lautele”. E fa’ailogaina ai le amataga o lenei fa’amanatuga tāua, ma fa’atāuaina ai le soifua ofoina atoa a le Matāgaluega o Galuega Lautele. Na fa’ataunu’uina se sauniga lotu i le Aso Sa, Me 17, 2026, i le EFKAS i Aua, “O a’u o le Ola o lo’o Ola lava”, ma na ta’ita’iina e le Susuga le Faife’au Toea’ina ia Viliamu Leilua. Na auai atu ai le ali’i Kovana ia Pulaali’i ma le masiofo ia Dr. Lois Pula, o sui o le Maota Fono, sui o le Kapeneta, ma le aufaigaluega a le Matāgaluega o Galuega Lautele.
E tusa ai ma lana lauga fa’amalosi’au, na apoapoa’i le Faife’au Toea’ina ia Leilua i le tāua o le matāfaioi o le Matāgaluega o Galuega Lautele i le Teritori, aemaise taimi e mo’omia ai le fesoasoani. Sa ia fa’asoa mai i le tutumau o le DPW pe a o’o ina a’afia i lu’itau e tula’i mai ia Amerika Samoa. Po’o le tali atu i so’o se fa’alavelave fa’alenatura, mauga solo, o lologa, ma le fa’aleleia o alatele, o galuega fausia, po’o tulaga i fa’alavelave fa’afuase’i. Na tā’ua e le Fa’afeagaiga ia Leilua le fitā o faiva a le Matagaluega ma le galulue punoua’i, e tusa po’o a tulaga o le tau. Ma e fa’amalosia tagata faigaluega e fa’aauau le tautuaina o le atunu’u ma le fa’amaoni ma ia talitonu i fa’amanuiaga liligi mai a le Atua.
O le fa’atonu o le DPW ia Taeaotui Punaofo Tilei, na ia fa’asoa le agaga fa’afetai i le ali’i Kovana ma le Mālō o Amerika Samoa, ona e le gata o le fa’atāuaina o le vaiaso o Galuega Lautele, a ‘o le auai fa’atasi i lona fa’amamaluina ma le fa’amanatuga o lenei Matagaluega. Sa ia fa’afetaia fo’i le aufaigaluega a le DPW mo le latou tautua matavela ma le mautū mo tagata o Amerika Samoa, ma le taulogologo pea i le Matagaluega lo latou matafaioi ma latou tiute fa’aauau, auā le tautuaina o le Teritori ma ona tagata i le mea e gata ai le atamai ma le malosi.
I le saunoaga fa’apitoa a le ali’i Kovana ia Pulaali’i, na atagia ai le autū o lenei tausaga ma lona tāua i galuega o lo’o faia e le DPW. “O le autū mo lenei tausaga, “Maua’a i le tautua, fa’amalosi e le atunu’u” ua talafeagai ma atagia lona tāua i faiva a le Matāgaluega o lo’o faia mo Amerika Samoa.” Na ia saunoa fo’i, “O lenei Matāgaluega e le na’o auala, fale tetele, ma fausaga, a ‘o le tautua. E fa’atatau i le fa’atūmauina o le fa’avae o lo’o lagolagoina ai A’oga, o Nu’u, o ofisa a le Mālō, ae fa’apea soifua a ō tatou tagata i aso fai so’o.” Na aloa’ia fo’i e le afioga le Kovana le tautua matavela a le aufaigaluega a le DPW. “Mo tagata faigaluega uma o le Matāgaluega o Galuega Lautele, o tou tiute ma faiva manaia ua silafia e le atunu’u atoa. Ua silafia e le Mālō o Amerika Samoa le lu’itau o ā outou matāfaioi. E le faigofie le ‘uti’uti o meafaigaluega, o taimi faigatā ma itula e le mafaitaulia, ae ui i nā faigata uma, ua outou fa’atinoina la outou tautua ma le loto malie, naunauta’iga, ma le loto atoa ” O se saunoaga fa’amalosi’au a le afioga i le Kovana sili, na ia saunoa ai i se fuaitau tāua mai le Tusi Pa’ia, mai le tusi o Kalatia 6:9 “‘Aua tatou te faavaivai i le faia o mea lelei, auā o ona po e tatau ai tatou te selesele mai ai pe a tatou lē fa’avaivai.” Na fa’ai’u le saunoaga a le ali’i Kovana i le fa’aalia o lona agaga fa’afetai, e fai ai ma sui o le afioga le Kovana Lutena ma tagatanu’u o Amerika Samoa, “Fa’afetai tele i galuega ua outou fitaituga ai, o le ofoina o le soifua galue, ma le galulue punoua’i. Ia fa’aauau ona puipui, ta’ita’iina, ma fa’amanuia e le Atua le Matāgaluega o Galuega Lautele, ma nai o outou aiga.” E tusa ai ma le Porokalama, na aloa’ia fa’apitoa ai nisi o le aufaigaluega ua iloga latou tautua i le Matāgaluega o Galuega Lautele. Sa fa’alauiloa i luma o le fa’apotopotoga ma le fa’afetai tele mo latou tautua i le Teritori:
● Migi Mua — 49 tausaga
● Iakopo Meleisea — 39 tausaga
● Tilaima Aiumu — 34 tausaga
● Fiatagata Anoa'i — 32 tausaga
● Ioelu Meleisea — 32 tausaga
● Taumaoe Mariner — 31 tausaga
● Patrick Nomura — 31 tausaga
● Pelenato Kosetino — 30 tausaga
● Ta'afua Ta'afua — 30 tausaga
● Kioleafi Aina — 30 tausaga
● Pena Tuia — 30 tausaga
● James Urhle — 30 tausaga
● Mikaele Senio — 30 tausaga
E momoli atu le agaga fa’afetai a lau Faigamālō i aufaigaluega uma o le Matāgaluega o Galuega Lautele mo nei tausaga e tele o le tautua, ta’utinoga, ma le ofo atoa o le tautua mo a tatou tagatanu’u o Amerika Samoa. Ia manuia tele le vaiaso o Galuega Lautele.
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