Fifty-Two Years of Service: Roy JD Hall Jr. Confirmed Unanimously as Administrative Law Judge

By Kaki

Originally reported by Talanei (July 27, 2026)

In American Samoa, a career spanning over half a century in the legal profession is a remarkable milestone. This week, that dedication was officially recognized by the highest legislative levels in the territory.

On Monday, July 27, 2026, prominent senior attorney Roy JD Hall Jr. received a ringing endorsement from the Fono, winning a unanimous vote of 17–0 in the Senate to be confirmed as the territory’s new Administrative Law Judge. He steps into the role as the fourth person to hold this important position.

A Storied 52-Year Legal Career

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hall reflected on a remarkable journey that has shaped the territory’s legal and political landscape for 52 years. His extensive resume reads like a roadmap of public and private service in American Samoa:

• Executive Leadership: Served four years as Deputy Attorney General.

• Legislative Service: Elected to a two-term tenure as a member of the House of Representatives.

• Judiciary & Public Boards: Held roles including District Court Judge Pro Tempore and leadership positions on the boards of the American Samoa Visitors Bureau and ASTCA.

Facing the Senate, Hall expressed deep appreciation to Governor Pulaaliʻi Nikolao Pula for the nomination. He took a moment to honor his roots, acknowledging his late parents—his father, a retired U.S. Navy veteran, and his mother from Vaitogi—alongside his wife and children who have stood by him through decades of rigorous legal practice.

Unanimous Praise from the Senate

The confirmation was met with universal respect from senators, who highlighted Hall’s depth of experience, balanced temperament, and unwavering integrity.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean lauded Hall's qualifications and even hinted at potential future collaborative advisory roles between the new judge and the Senate. Other senators used the floor to offer words of wisdom, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded in the community and maintaining fairness and equity on the bench.

A Fitting Next Chapter

For a man who has spent more than fifty years drafting laws, representing clients, guiding public corporations, and serving in both the executive and legislative branches, stepping into the role of Administrative Law Judge feels like a natural culmination.

It is rare to see a public servant give a lifetime of continuous work to their home territory. Congratulations to Roy JD Hall Jr. on his unanimous confirmation, and we wish him the absolute best in this vital new chapter of service to American Samoa.

What are your thoughts on this appointment? Leave a comment below and join the discussion.

 

Remembering Lewis Wolman: A Lifetime of Journalism and Dedication to American Samoa

By KaKi My Amerika Samoa

Originally reported by Talanei (July 27, 2026)

It is with deep sorrow and shock that our community received the news this week of the passing of Mr. Lewis Wolman.

In a tight-knit territory like American Samoa, certain individuals leave an indelible thumbprint on our history through the sheer depth of their work, their intellect, and their commitment to the islands. Lewis Wolman was undoubtedly one of those figures.

A Pillar of Local Media

For many in the territory, Wolman is best remembered for his foundational contributions to local journalism. As a former publisher and editor of the Samoa News, he helped guide the publication through crucial decades of reporting.

In an era before rapid digital communication, local newspapers were the vital heartbeat of the community. Wolman understood the immense responsibility of the press—holding leadership accountable, giving voice to local stories, and chronicling the daily triumphs and struggles of American Samoa. His dedication to truth, thorough reporting, and editorial integrity set a high bar for journalism in the Pacific.

A Man of Many Hats

Wolman’s impact stretched far beyond the newsroom. Throughout his time in the territory, he wore "many hats," applying his sharp mind to economic analysis, public policy, and community development.

Whether examining local industries, contributing to economic future studies, or working closely with territorial planning and commerce initiatives, he was deeply invested in building a sustainable path forward for American Samoa. He cared deeply about the economic health and future resilience of the islands he called home.

Honoring a Legacy

Losing someone who shaped the intellectual and journalistic landscape of American Samoa is a heavy blow. Lewis Wolman helped document who we are as a people, and his work will remain a permanent part of our territory's historical record.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all those across the Pacific and beyond whose lives he touched.

Rest in peace, Lewis Wolman. Thank you for your service and your dedication to our islands.

If you have memories or tributes to share regarding Mr. Wolman's impact on American Samoa, please leave a comment below.

Close Call in Manuʻa: Samoa Airways Flight Veers Off Fitiuta Runway

By: KaKi My Amerika Samoa 

Originally reported by Talanei (July 28, 2026)

Landing a plane in the islands is never just a routine commute—it's an exercise in respect for the raw, unpredictable power of the Pacific weather.

On Tuesday morning, July 28, 2026, that reality hit home in the Manuʻa islands when a Samoa Airways charter flight dramatically veered off the runway while touching down at Fitiuta Airport.

According to official statements from the airline, initial reports point to a sudden, punishing wall of strong crosswinds catching the aircraft during its final approach.

The Aircraft and the Crew

The plane involved was the Twin Otter (registration 5W-FAY)—a familiar sight in our skies, and one carrying a bit of history. This particular aircraft had just recently returned to active service following an extensive, multi-million-dollar refurbishment and overhaul in Canada.

There were five souls on board: two pilots, three passengers, and one Samoa Airways staff member. Local reports from Manuʻa noted that the charter flight was carrying CCCAS youth back home to Fitiuta after attending a conference last week.

While aviation incidents always spark immediate anxiety, quick thinking and professional handling by the flight crew prevented a much worse disaster. Samoa Airways has publicly commended the crew for prioritizing the safety of everyone on board amidst the sudden crosswind hazard.

The Aftermath and Injuries

Amidst the relief that a catastrophic crash was avoided, there were still injuries to report. One passenger sustained a leg injury during the incident. They were initially treated at the Fitiuta Clinic, with community members monitoring the situation closely to see if a medical evacuation to Tutuila would be necessary for more advanced care. No other injuries were reported.

Samoa Airways has activated its emergency response protocols, working hand-in-hand with local aviation authorities, airport officials, and emergency services to investigate the exact sequence of events.

A Reminder of the Skies We Navigate

For those of us who live across American Samoa, aviation isn't a luxury—it’s our lifeline. Whether it's medical referrals, family visits, or youth groups returning from church conferences, our inter-island flights connect our communities across an unforgiving ocean.

Incidents like this remind us just how much we rely on the skill of our pilots, the readiness of our emergency responders, and the resilience of our outer-island infrastructure.

Here’s wishing a speedy recovery to the injured passenger, and commendations to the flight crew who kept their cool when the winds turned hostile.

Have you ever experienced a wild landing flying into Manuʻa? Drop a comment below and share your travel stories

Shadows on the Horizon: The Unseen War Against Illegal Fishing in the South Pacific

Shadows on the Horizon: The Unseen War Against Illegal Fishing in the South Pacific By My Amerika Samoa 

 Originally inspired by Edgar Feliciano’s insights on Talanei (July 2026) 

 Imagine sitting in your home, secure in the knowledge that your neighborhood is patrolled, your borders are safe, and the rules apply to everyone equally. Now, imagine a neighborhood the size of a continent, completely dark, where foreign poachers can loot your backyard pantry right under your nose—and you have almost no way to stop them. 

Welcome to the reality of the South Pacific. A recent incident in the tiny island nation of Tuvalu has blown the lid back off a quiet, devastating crisis that threatens not just local waters, but the entire ecosystem and economy of the Pacific: rampant illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Caught in the Dark: The Lu Rong Yuan Yu 138 On July 9, 2026, the Tuvalu Police Force—working alongside the conservation group Sea Shepherd—pulled off a textbook interception. They cornered a Chinese longliner, the Lu Rong Yuan Yu 138, red-handed. The ship was using the oldest, dirtiest tricks in the book: "Going Dark": Fishing at night with all navigation lights completely shut off. Spoofing: Transmitting a fake GPS location thousands of miles away near the equator to mask its true coordinates. 

The Smoking Gun: When authorities finally boarded, they found expired fishing licenses, a deck piled high with tuna, and terrified crew members actively tossing shark carcasses overboard to hide the evidence. Logbooks? Blank or entirely fabricated, hiding months of devastating shark bycatch. It sounds like a dramatic scene from a Hollywood maritime thriller, right? Unfortunately, it’s just another Tuesday in the Pacific. 

The Tip of a Massive Iceberg The real tragedy isn’t just that the Lu Rong Yuan Yu 138 got caught. It’s that they are the exception only because they were unlucky. Thousands of miles of pristine ocean make up the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of Pacific Island nations. For small island governments, patrolling an ocean territory larger than many continents is an impossible logistical nightmare. They simply don't have enough ships, aircraft, or resources to watch every horizon. As local maritime experts like Feli Fisheries’ Edgar Feliciano have pointed out, these illegal fleets operate with impunity, knowing the odds of getting caught are remarkably low. The Unfair Fight: Legal vs. Illegal What makes this pillaging especially frustrating is the sheer hypocrisy of the system. Legal, law-abiding fishermen—the ones trying to feed communities and keep local economies afloat—face an mountain of red tape: They must pay expensive licensing fees. 

They are forced to carry Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS). They must accommodate onboard observers and meticulous catch logs. They must respect strict quotas meant to keep fish populations alive for our children. Meanwhile, illegal fleets bypass every single rule. They pirate the ocean, dump waste, falsify data, and undercut honest fishermen on the global market. It’s David versus Goliath, except Goliath is operating in the shadows with an infinite budget. 

 Why Should We Care? You might be asking: I live thousands of miles away, why does a boat illegally fishing off Tuvalu matter to me? Because the ocean doesn’t care about borders. Fish stocks are interconnected. When foreign fleets overfish, fin-strip, and destroy marine habitats unchecked, the entire global marine food web feels the shockwaves. Furthermore, places closer to home—like the remote waters around American Samoa’s Swains and Rose Atoll—face the exact same vulnerabilities. Vast, isolated, and thinly monitored, they are sitting ducks for foreign industrial poachers looking for their next easy score. Time to Shine a Light The South Pacific is more than just a blue space on a map; it is a lifeline, a cultural identity, and an economic engine for the islands. 

If we want to protect our oceans, the international community has to step up. We need better technology, tighter satellite tracking, greater cooperation between island nations, and zero tolerance for ships that turn off their lights to steal from our future. The shadows are deep, but the first step to fighting the dark is turning on the spotlight. What do you think can be done to crack down on illegal fishing in remote waters? Drop a comment below and let's talk about it!

Digging Deep for Treasure (and Maybe Stirring Up Trouble?) Off Our Shores

My Amerika Samoa

Digging Deep for Treasure (and Maybe Stirring Up Trouble?) Off Our Shores

So, a company with the rather ambitious name of "Impossible Metals" has apparently decided that the seabed near our very own American Samoa is just brimming with all sorts of goodies. We're talking nickel, cobalt, the whole shebang – the building blocks for those fancy electric cars and gadgets everyone's obsessed with. And guess what? They want to go digging. Deep.

Potato-Shaped Riches Just a Few Nautical Miles Away

Apparently, the waters around our little slice of paradise are estimated to be chock-full of these "polymetallic nodules." Sounds like some sort of futuristic potato harvest, doesn't it? Except instead of fries, these spuds are packed with the stuff that makes your phone buzz and your Tesla go "vroom."

"Impossible" Request Lands on Bureaucrats' Desks

This "Impossible Metals" – a privately held firm, so you know they're serious (or at least have some serious funding) – has actually asked the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to hold a commercial auction for the rights to these underwater nuggets. BOEM, for those not in the know, is the agency that oversees mineral deposits in federal waters. You know, the places where the rules get a little… murkier.

Will They Bite? BOEM's Got Until May to Decide

A BOEM spokesperson confirmed they got the memo and said they'll decide by May 23rd "whether to initiate steps that could lead to a lease sale." Now, here's a fun fact: BOEM hasn't held a competitive lease sale since way back in 1991. So, this could be a real blast from the bureaucratic past! And if they do decide to move forward, you know there'll be public comments galore before any actual digging starts. Get ready for some strongly worded opinions about disturbing the deep-sea denizens.

Good for the Land, Bad for the Sea? The Great Mining Debate

The folks in favor of this deep-sea treasure hunt argue it'll mean less of those messy, unpopular land-based mining operations. You know, the ones that tend to upset local communities and, oh, you know, the entire ecosystem. But the naysayers? They're saying we need a tad more research on how this underwater vacuuming might affect the delicate balance of the deep-sea world. What could possibly go wrong with giant robotic claws in the abyss?

Robots vs. Sea Cucumbers: The Underwater Rumble

Speaking of giant robotic claws, Impossible Metals claims they've developed one with artificial intelligence that can tell the difference between a valuable nodule and, say, a cute little sea cucumber. Let's hope that AI is having a good day when it's down there. No accidental sea cucumber smoothies, please!

Dodging International Red Tape? Clever Move, Maybe

Here's a potentially sneaky bit: any country can greenlight deep-sea mining in their own territorial waters, which extends roughly 200 nautical miles from shore. Since American Samoa is, you know, part of the U.S., Impossible Metals doesn't need permission from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) – a UN-created body that the U.S. hasn't even ratified. Looks like someone found a loophole! And apparently, the White House is even considering making it easier for companies to bypass the ISA for international waters. Things are getting spicy in the deep blue.

Our Backyard's About to Get a Whole Lot More Interesting

So, what does this all mean for American Samoa? Well, our quiet little corner of the Pacific might be on the verge of becoming a deep-sea mining hotspot. Will it bring economic prosperity or ecological disaster? Only time (and possibly a few confused AI-powered robots) will tell. One thing's for sure: the neighbors are getting noisy.

© 2025 My Amerika Samoa - Keeping it (mostly) real.