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That earthquake triggered a destructive tsunami that killed close to 200 people on the official death count across all three islands. American Samoa’s official death toll, although no casualty list released, states 34 died; Samoa released an official casualty list of more than 140 dead including at least 70 children no older than 11 years old; Niuatoputapu lost 9 people including a child and an infant.

That catastrophic event has forever changed the landscape of the islands and also the hearts of those who have lost loved ones, lost their homes and lost their livelihoods.  It is estimated that it will take years for the people to recover emotionally and psychologically from this national trauma.

The loss of lives on American Samoa prompted reporters to ask questions about where the millions of dollars of disaster preparedness funding went. American Samoa had no island-wide tsunami emergency siren on the day of the tsunami. The Governor’s office, through its Homeland Security Director Mike Sala, has provided lengthy responses to justify why it wasn’t needed on the day. That the nation was prepared on the day for the tsunami. Others disagree and that’s where we kick off today.

Part 3:

After the CNN investigation blew the lid on corruption in the American Samoa Government, we later received a fabricated “story” from the Governor’s office purporting to be a story published and written by Samoa News. The current Homeland Security Director for American Samoa, Mike Sala, said in an email that a Teri Hunkin was writing a story with him. He had cc’d Teri into the email sent to pacificEyeWitness.org. Teri Hunkin is a copy editor for Samoa News.

The “story”, among other things, pointed the finger at the former Homeland Security Director, Lei’ataualesā Birdsall Ala’ilima.  We  have, however, spoken to others and cited official correspondence that supports Ala’ilima’s version of events. Governor Togiola Tulafono and his then Lieutenant Governor, along with the Treasurer of American Samoa, were responsible for inappropriately drawing down homeland security funds intended for disaster preparedness. That is why on Tuesday 29th September, there was no island-wide tsunami emergency siren to warn the people.

They spent the money on other things and refused to comply with any instructions from US authorities to return the funds to the office of Homeland Security, which at that time was under the direction of Ala’ilima.

Yet despite all his rhetoric and speeches to young American Samoans at graduation time about honesty, Governor Tulafono and his Cabinet seems unable to hold itself accountable to the people. If  Governor Tulafono did so, he, and his Cabinet, would have turned up for the Emergency Preparedness Hearings organised by the House in American Samoa this week. Yet each time,  twice so far, the Governor and his Cabinet have found reasons to not attend.

Now we’ll follow more of the paper trail.

Who oversees and manages federal funds firsthand in American Samoa?

The Treasurer of American Samoa under the authorisation of the Governor or in his place, the Lieutenant Governor, or GAR Governor’s Authorised Representative.

With the disaster preparedness funds designated for American Samoa, what happened there?

In an email dated 19^th January 2007, an official with America Homeland Security wrote to Governor Togiola Tulafono to express concern at the drawdown of homeland security funds by the Treasurer.

…the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was notified that the American Samoa Treasury, authorized by the Lt. Governor, executed drawdown of DHS Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funds to pay the salaries of personnel not affiliated with this program.

This drawdown of emergency management funds to pay other personnel was done without the knowledge of its then Homeland Security Director, Lei’ataualesā Birdsall Ala’ilima.

Once Ala’ilima found out, he asked Treasurer to reinstate the emergency funding. To jog your memory, these are the funds that were intended for disaster preparedness in the event of a tsunami. But the American Samoa Government simply continued to ignore the authority of Homeland Security to stay away from those funds.

Instead, the American Samoa Treasurer, authorised by the Governor’s office, continued to blatantly misuse funds. They were simply a law unto themselves. They ignored a request from their own Homeland Security Director, Ala’ilima. They also ignored a direct command from US officials. That hints at the degree of sheer arrogance from the Governor and his Administration.

the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was notified that the American Samoa Treasury, authorized by the Lt. Governor, executed drawdown of DHS Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) funds to pay the salaries of personnel not affiliated with this program… The first event occurred on or about 15 December.  Mr. Ala’ilima, when he became aware of this chain of events, requested that the Treasurer reinstate those funds to the EMPG accounts.  Austerity measures (locally) were drafted by TOHS Director Mr. Ala’ilima in an attempt to once again remind everyone of the parameters of the “In Lieu of High Risk” letter ASG agreed to, dated 6 January, 2006.  To our dismay, DHS was notified that the Lt. Governor and the Treasurer once again authorized a second draw down for similar purposes during the week of January 10.  Subsequently, a chain of events unfolded to rapidly “freeze” all DHS funding to ASG until an audit between the ASG Treasury and DHS Office of Grant Operations can be conducted.

No Option But to Freeze Emergency Preparedness Funding

Finally, Department of Homeland Security was left with no option but to freeze all homeland security funding. That is very clear from a reading of official correspondence and talking to those familiar with American Samoa governance. Before funds were frozen, however, US authorities commended Ala’ilima to the Governor for this actions in trying to get the Treasury to reinstate the funds:

Mr. Ala’ilima has worked valiantly to promote the TOHS mission and align DHS practices and policies with the Homeland Security Grant Program Guidance, to ensure enhanced capabilities are the end result.  Unfortunately, there are procurement delays, contractual authority, and several other factors that continually challenge TOHS from executing the program accordingly.

The  Governor’s response to this official rebuke?

From: Ttulafono@aol.com [mailto:Ttulafono@aol.com]
Sent: Thu 1/18/2007 11:32 PM
To: [ ]
Subject: Re: DHS Funding Shutdown

In a message dated 1/16/2007 12:57:22 PM Hawaiian Standard Time, [ ]writes:

Many of the recommendations you have outlined below mirror the recommendations that have been brought before ASG leadership previously.  I am hopeful that this recent travesty results in swift overhaul of current practices and becomes the catalyst to promote positive change to the TOHS endeavors — Protecting the American Samoa Citizens from Terrorism and Catastrophic Disaster. Your recommendations are sound, necessary, and long overdue.

Mr [ ], can you elaborate more for me about this paragraph of your email to Lei’ataua please.  Particularly, the statements highligted above.

Finally, one direct question in this matter:  What are the particular reasons for the shut down in the fundings for Homeland Security for American Samoa?

The Governor’s response is somewhat bizarre given the detailed explanations and warnings given previously. Instead of admitting wrong, there is a tone of belligerence and arrogance in his response. It is clear he did not appreciate the help Ala’ilima may have provided  US Authorities in uncovering the misuse of funds that were being diverted away from disaster preparedness. Ala’ilima later lost his job. That has to be a most costly price to pay for those who perished on Tuesday 29th September 2009.

The Role of the Governor’s Authorized Representative, a post currently held by Evelyn Vaitautolu-Langford.

She is the second in command in American Samoa. Since the role of the GAR or the Governor’s Authorized Representative is a powerful one, we wanted to know about the current levels of responsibility  for federal funds and in particular emergency preparedness funding. We sent questions to Evelyn Vaitautolu-Langford who currently holds the role. But no response as yet.

Next Friday: We look at the Memorandum of Understanding signed by American Samoa Government and the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority. This Samoa Telco was  responsible for installing an island-wide tsunami emergency siren, that never happened.

CNN Report Part 1: Tsunami Warning Funds Sqaundered in American Samoa

CNN Report Part 2: An Avoidable Crisis?

Latest: Whistleblower Responds to American Samoa Governor’s Accusations