Governance Information for American Samoa (US)

Government:

As an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US, American Samoa is administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, USA Department of the Interior. American Samoa is represented by an elected congressman to the United States House of Representatives (two-year term).

Capital city:

Pago Pago

Other towns:

Tafuna (est. pop.  8,409), Nu'uuli (est. pop.  5,154), Pago Pago (est. pop. 4,278), Leone (est. pop. 3,568)

Population:

57,496 (July 2008 est.)

Year of current Constitution:

Ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967

President:

George W. Bush of the US (since 20 January 2001)

Vice President:

Richard B. Cheney (since 20 January 2001)

Delegate to the U.S. House Of Representatives:

Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomaveaga (since January 3, 1989)

Governor (Head of government):

Togiola Tulafono (since 7 April 2003)

Lieutenant Governor:

Aitofele T.F. Sunia

Ministeries:

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES:

Mr. Nu'utai Sonny Thompson, Director


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

Mr. Apefa'i Taifane, Director


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE:

Department Of Commerce Website


DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:

Dr. Clair Poumele (Director)


DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH:

Mr. Utoofili Asofa’afetai Maga, Director


DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY:

Michael Sala (Director)


DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES:

Malu Mageo (Director)


DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN AND SOCIAL SERVICES (DHSS):

Mr. Talia Faafetai I'aulualo (Director)


DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS:

Attorney General
Fepulea'i Afa Ripley, Jr., Director


DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

Mauga Tasi Asuega


DEPARTMENT OF MARINE & WILDLIFE:

Mr. Ufagafa Ray Tulafono, Director


DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION:

DIRECTOR Mr. Ta'amuvaigafa Lakopo


DEPARTMENT FOR PLANNING AND BUDGET:

Magalei Logovi'i


DEPARTMENT OF PORT ADMINISTRATION:

Mr. Fofo Tuitele, Acting Director


DEPARTMENT FOR PROCUREMENT:

La'au M. Seui


DEPARTMENT FOR OFFICE OF PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY:

Fa'afiti P. Tauanu'u


DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER:

Aviata F. Fa'alevao


DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INFORMATION:

Mr. Paolo Sivia Sivia, Director

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY:

Mr. Tuiteleleapaga Peseta Fue Ioane, Director


DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS:

Mr. Punaofo Tilei, Director


DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY:

Vacant


DEPARTMENT FOR YOUTH AND WOMEN'S AFFAIRS:

Leiataua Dr. Leuga Turner

Parliament:

American Samoa has a Fono or Legislative Assembly, with a Senate (Upper House) and a House of Representatives (Lower House). American Samoa holds elections for its Governor and its 21-seat House of Representatives, however one seat in the House, from Swains Island, is an appointed, nonvoting delegate. The 18-seat Senate comprises chiefs, selected by other chiefs under the aiga tradition.  The Senate President is Lolo M. Moliga.

Electoral System:

Plurality Voting System (First Past the Post)

Most recent election:

House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008); Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008)

Previous elections:

2004, 2002

Political Parties:

Democratic Party [leader Oreta M. Togafau];

Republican Party [leader Tautai A. F. Faalevao];

Green Party

Judicial System:

High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)

Chief Justice:

Chief Justice F. Michael Kruse

Auditor General:

Sialega Malaetasi Togafau

Chief Election Officer:

Soliai T. Fuimaono

Commissioner of Police:

Sotoa Savali

Military Commander:

Defense is the responsibility of the US

International Memberships

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Interpol

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)

Universal Postal Union (UPU)

Sources:

(1) Government of American Samoa Official WebSite
http://americansamoa.gov/departments/index.htm

(2) The US Central Intelligence Agency World  Factbook
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/aq.html