Governor ‘dismisses’ 6 members of ASTCA board

By Samoa News staff reporters@samoanews.com Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a stunning move to many in the community, Gov. Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula has notified six (6) members of the Board of Directors of the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority in a letter last Friday of his decision, “effective immediately” — to reconstitute the Board. He gave no specific reason. Dated August 28, 2026, the letter is addressed to 6 members of the 8-member Board, and cc’ed to ASTCA CEO Folasaitu Sorepa Fata Thomas. The Board members notified are Vice Chairman Maota Alex Sene Jr., Ella Gurr, Lewis Seau, Omar Shalhout, Karen Satele and Molitogi T. Lemana. Not on the list of Board members addressed in the letter are Board Chairman Avamua Dave Haleck and Board member Andrew Berquist. It’s unknown at this time if the two men officially remain on the Board. The full text of the letter is as follows: “After careful consideration, I believe it is in ASTCA's best interests to reconstitute the Board at this time. This was not an easy decision and is the result of many factors. My decision is effective immediately, which means you are not to represent ASTCA in any capacity moving forward. Please also coordinate any necessary close out processes with ASTCA management and HR. I want to thank each you for your service and contributions. Your knowledge and insight helped ASTCA navigate a critical time with multiple high-level projects underway. However, as ASTCA continues to make progress in all areas there are new challenges that must be met to keep momentum moving in the right direction. I am grateful for your willingness to serve and wish each of you the best moving forward.” A member of the Fono, who wishes to remain anonymous, remarked of the Governor’s move, “Crazy stuff by this Administration!” ASTCA HEARING Of interest, the Governor’s move to reconstitute the ASTCA board last Friday, comes as the Senate Government Operations Committee has scheduled a hearing with ASTCA to scrutinize its July 4th spending and general finances for today. Earlier this month, Committee Chairman Sen. Togiola T.A. Tulafono requested that ASTCA CEO Folasāitu submit a detailed report outlining the funding sources used for the celebrations. Togiola said the committee wants to know whether ASTCA relied on local revenues, federal funds, or a combination of both. He noted that several members of the public have questioned the use of local funds for ceremonial events at a time when the government faces pressing financial obligations. One example he cited is the mounting debt owed to the American Samoa Government Employees Retirement Fund, a long‐standing fiscal concern that lawmakers have repeatedly urged the administration to prioritize. What affect this move by the governor will have on the Senate hearing today, if it is held, is unknown — but will no doubt be an explosive part of the scrutiny the Committee will bring to bear on ASTCA officials who appear to testify. It should be pointed out the ASTCA CEO is currently leading the American Samoa delegation at the 55th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum Meeting, which is being held in Palau. The meeting will not end until Sept. 4th. Meaning, there is a good possibility that the hearing will be postponed. Samoa News should point out that the House Communications and Information Committee had also planned to question the ASTCA CEO regarding the authority’s finances and its spending on the July 4th celebrations at the beginning of August, but postponed the hearing because the CEO was off‐island. At the time, it was noted that the ASTCA second-in-command was available instead, however it was decided that the ASTCA CEO is who was needed to answer questions. Section: Local News Tags: ASTCA BOARD
2026-08-31 17:04:34