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This website is supported by Grant Number 90ZD0009 from the Office of Family Assistance within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Family Assistance.

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Cal Fresh

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June V. Pouesi, Executive Director

In these trying times, please keep our Los Angeles families and community in prayer. Here are some ways in which help is being organized:

Financial Assistance: There are numerous funds set up to provide direct financial aid to those who have lost their homes or livelihoods. Organizations like GoFundMe have centralized hubs for verified fundraising pages related to these wildfires, ensuring that donations reach those in need. The GoFundMe Wildfire Relief Fund 2025 is one such initiative where you can contribute or seek help.
Shelter and Temporary Housing: The federal government has declared a major disaster, enabling affected individuals to apply for temporary housing assistance through FEMA. You can apply for this aid by calling the FEMA helpline or visiting their website for more information.
Volunteering and Donations: Local organizations, including the Anderson Munger Family YMCA and Koreatown YMCA, are accepting donations of essential items. Volunteers can also find opportunities through California Volunteers or by checking with local community groups that are coordinating relief efforts.
Mental Health Support: The trauma from such events can be overwhelming. There are resources available for mental health support tailored to disaster recovery, which can be accessed through various health services or through specific disaster relief programs.
Legal and Insurance Guidance: For those needing help navigating insurance claims or legal issues post-disaster, resources compiled by local organizations like Humanitas – Los Angeles Fire Resource List can provide guidance.

Please know that you are not alone, and the community, both local and national, is rallying behind you.

Our COMMUNITY

Help for YOUR FAMILY

Parliament Dissolution and Upcoming Election: Samoa’s parliament was formally dissolved on June 3, 2025, after the government failed to pass the 2025-2026 budget on May 27, with 34 votes against and 16 in favor. Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, facing internal divisions within her FAST party and opposition from the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), announced an early general election scheduled for August 29, 2025. The dissolution followed months of political turmoil, including Fiame’s expulsion from the FAST party in January and attempts to oust her through no-confidence motions.
Political Crisis and Leadership Dispute: The political crisis deepened with reports of an attempt by the Clerk of Parliament to appoint La’auli Schmidt, the FAST party chairman facing multiple criminal charges, as caretaker prime minister, a move described as illegal and flawed. This has added to the uncertainty surrounding Samoa’s leadership as the election approaches.
Media Freedom Concerns: Samoan and Pacific media groups are calling for the repeal of Samoa’s defamation law after a senior journalist faced criminal charges over a report involving police officers. This has raised concerns about press freedom in the country.
New Zealand’s Sea Wall Proposal: New Zealand has offered to fund the construction of a sea wall to protect Samoan coastal villages from rising tides. However, skepticism persists, with critics questioning its durability, suggesting it may not last two years despite the high costs of design, construction, and maintenance.
Energy Crisis Aftermath: Earlier in 2025, Samoa faced a severe energy crisis with rolling blackouts, prompting Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to declare a state of emergency in April. The outages disrupted businesses, schools, and infrastructure, with over 90% of businesses reporting frequent power cuts. The government is exploring solutions like importing generators and diversifying power sources beyond hydropower.
Manawanui Sinking Support: Communities affected by the sinking of the New Zealand navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui in 2024 are seeking aid from China after the Samoan government redirected requests for support to the prime minister’s office. The Chinese embassy in Apia has met with affected villagers to discuss assistance.

Fiame & 15 confirm resignation and want share of FAST Funds

TALAMUA

Fiame and her Deputy Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio have established separate political parties to contest this years elections.

Caretaker government leader Fiame Naomi Mataafa and 14 of her Cabinet are claiming $105,370 of the FAST Party funds in its savings account with the Samoa Commercial Bank.

In a letter dated 27 May 2025 on the Office of the Minister of Public Enterprises, Commerce, Industry and Labour letterhead, Fiame told the Bank’s Managing Director that “following the Parliaments session this morning which resulted in Parliament being dissolved and our Cabinet now operating as the Caretaker Government, we wish to inform you that we are no longer members of the FAST Party and we will be forming our own new party.”

She also said that since 15 of them contributed to the FAST Party’s fundraising events, they therefore believed that they were entitled to half of the remaining balance in the savings account.

She also wrote that the amount will give the 15 in their group $7,024 each, to enable them to fund their new party.

The FAST party’s fundraising drive in Australia, New Zealand and the United States in November/December last year, was to fund its headquarters in Samoa. A major portion of the funds raised was used to settle the party’s overdraft.

Inside party sources said that the internal differences started to intensify shortly after when it was revealed that the move to clear the overdraft was linked to removing the Party Chairman and family assets used as guarantee the overdraft with the bank.

This was followed by police laying charges against the party Chairman and the revelation of a plan by cabinet to take control of the party caucus. This ultimately led to the split with 20 MPs siding with the Chairman and the Cabinet ministers siding with Fiame.

Fiame and five others were then terminated as FAST members on 15 January 2025 while nine remained listed as registered members of the party until they confirmed their resignation in Fiame’s letter of 27 May 2025.

MP Maulolo Tavita Amosa to leave HRPP

TALANEI

Member of Parliament for Sagaga No. 2, Maulolo Tavita Amosa, confirmed he will leave the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) once Parliament dissolves on June 3, rejecting comments made by HRPP leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi as “very low” and “sad.”

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Maulolo responded directly to Tuilaepa’s claim that while he remained in the party, his “mind was never in the party.”

“I disagree,” Maulolo said. “That was a very low comment [indeed] from the leader of HRPP,” Maulolo said. “It is sad that a leader like Tuilaepa would say that about his members. There is no justification for that. When I was there, I was devoted and I gave the best of myself right up until we had different views regarding the land and titles bill.”

He added that he had not received invitations to recent HRPP meetings.

Maulolo also called into question the party’s leadership, suggesting the HRPP should reflect on why members have continued to exit.

Maulolo said he is still officially a member of HRPP until Parliament is dissolved, but did not confirm whether he plans to join another party or form his own ahead of the upcoming snap election.

Maulolo said the decision to leave HRPP was not easy but ultimately came down to respect for his constituency and village leadership.

“I still feel for HRPP, but given the leadership [and that] I had to leave,” Maulolo said.

He said the final straw came after an altercation with HRPP secretary Lealailepule Rimoni Aiafi during a parliamentary session earlier this year, where Leala allegedly swore at him.

Maulolo said his village council discussed that he withdraw from HRPP after the party failed to issue and apology.

‘Never say never’: Sefo rises above hardships

Samoa OBSERVER

Sefo Fuiono Solia lost his mother at birth, and at seven, his father passed away. The hardship in his life had him leave school for four years, but he overcame all that to become the only Samoan to be awarded the New Zealand Manaaki Scholarship this year.

The scholarship is enabling him to pursue a Bachelor of Information Technology in Invercargill, New Zealand.

He was born in Falealupo, Savai’i. He began his studies at Falelupo Primary School and later continued at Vaivase Primary before moving on to Avele College from 1991 to 1995. But tertiary education remained out of reach.

“During my school years, I was unable to attend University or Samoa Polytech due to limited access and qualifications at the time,” he recalled.

Still, Solia pressed forward. In 1996, he began his professional career at Samoa Telecom and Post, where he specialised in electronics. He later joined the Ministry of Police in 1999, serving with distinction for 19 years. His journey continued to the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority as a Senior Technician and eventually to his current position at the Disaster Management Office under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Solia’s rise through the ranks of public service came not from university degrees but from years of dedication, technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to contribute to his country.

“However, my passion and commitment to pursuing higher education never faded. My dream has always been to give back to my country by serving in government and supporting our communities,” said Solia.

His long-awaited dream has now become a reality. Through the highly competitive Manaaki Scholarship program, which this year awarded scholarships to only seven Pacific Island students from Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa, Solia is finally undertaking formal higher education.

“Opportunities like this are rare. The process of reviewing and approving applications within the New Zealand Government is thorough and lengthy, ensuring that scholarships and benefits are awarded based on merit, skills, and education, particularly qualifications earned from developed countries such as New Zealand and Australia,” he said.

Solia arrived in Invercargill in January to begin his studies toward a Level 5 Bachelor Certificate.

“I believe many government employees and students from Samoa and across the Pacific are working hard to seize these opportunities to expand their knowledge and expertise,” he stated.

“These scholarships offered by countries like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Canada are vital for the professional and personal development of Pacific Island people.”

“I am deeply grateful to Va’ai Solia Papu and Gaualofa Leotasuatele Va’ai, my father’s relatives from Mulivai Safata and Vaisala, who raised me from the age of seven until I completed my education and got married,” he shared.

“I thank God for their love, care, and support. Without their unwavering guidance, I truly believe I would have been lost. I praise the Lord for this opportunity, which has been both a great blessing and the fulfilment of a long-held dream.”

Now set to complete the program by 2025, Solia plans to return home and apply his knowledge in the service of national development. More than anything, he hopes to empower others with the skills he gains.

Socioeconomic Status of Samoans and Pacific Islanders in California (2025)

Samoans and other Pacific Islanders in California face a mix of socioeconomic challenges and opportunities, shaped by systemic factors, cultural dynamics, and regional cost-of-living pressures.

Key Socioeconomic Indicators

Population and Demographics:
- In 2023, the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) population in the U.S. was approximately 1.6 million, with Samoans (268,539) being the second-largest NHPI group after Native Hawaiians. California hosts a significant portion of this population, with an estimated 240,000+ people of Samoan descent and over 0.5% of the state’s population identifying as NHPI. The five largest NHPI groups in California are Native Hawaiian, Chamorro/Guamanian, Samoan, Tongan, and Marshallese.
- Many Pacific Islanders, including Samoans, identify as multiracial (69% of NHPI Americans in 2020), reflecting cultural integration and intermarriage, particularly with European and Asian groups.
Income and Poverty:
- The median household income for Pacific Islanders in the U.S. in 2022 was $76,421, slightly above the national median of $74,755. However, Samoans specifically had a lower median household income of $67,344, 9.9% below the national median and significantly less than Tongans ($86,675).
- Poverty rates are higher among Pacific Islanders (11.4% in 2022) compared to the national average (8.9%). In California, 11.7% of Samoan families and 9.0% of Tongan families reported incomes below the poverty line, compared to 4.4% of non-Hispanic Whites.
- Socioeconomic challenges are particularly acute for Samoans and other NHPI groups due to California’s high cost of living, with 35% of working households (including NHPI families) unable to cover basic expenses.
Housing:
- Pacific Islanders in California face housing costs 20-34% higher than the national average, with renters paying $248 more and homeowners with mortgages paying $342 more than the U.S. average. This is especially burdensome in California, where median rents are $2,750/month and median home prices are $904,000.
- Homelessness rates among Pacific Islanders are 5.5%, significantly higher than the general population, exacerbated by limited affordable housing in urban areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Education:
- In California, cultural pressures to prioritize family support over higher education and a lack of targeted resources contribute to only 18% of Pacific Islander adults holding bachelor’s degrees.
Health and Healthcare:
- Samoans and Pacific Islanders in California face significant health disparities, including high rates of obesity (32% obese, 38% overweight in 2009), diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers (e.g., breast, colon). These are linked to dietary shifts from traditional to Westernized foods, genetic predispositions (e.g., “thrifty gene” hypothesis), and socioeconomic stressors.
- Mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and substance use, are prevalent but under-addressed among Samoan Americans in Southern California, with low mental health service utilization (e.g., only 0.006% of Samoans in Los Angeles sought substance abuse treatment in 1995-1996). Cultural stigma and limited awareness of services exacerbate these issues.
- Language barriers (e.g., 13.3% of Samoans and 20.3% of Tongans in California have limited English proficiency) hinder access to healthcare and health education.
Employment and Economic Contributions:
- Pacific Islanders, including Samoans, have a slightly higher employment-to-population ratio (61.0% vs. 59.0% nationally from 2013-2015). Many work in service-oriented or labor-intensive jobs, with some contributing through entrepreneurship and military service.
- However, economic mobility is limited, particularly for young Pacific Islander men, who face downward mobility due to systemic barriers and cultural expectations to support extended families.
Cultural and Community Strengths:
- Samoans and Pacific Islanders maintain strong cultural ties, with family (‘aiga in Samoan) and community playing central roles in resilience and problem-solving. These networks provide emotional and practical support but can also create financial strain due to expectations of remittances or communal obligations.

Challenges Specific to California

High Cost of Living: California’s exorbitant housing and living costs disproportionately impact Samoans and Pacific Islanders, who often have lower median incomes than other groups. For example, 35% of California households with children, including NHPI families, struggle to afford basics due to housing costs.
Data Disaggregation: Pacific Islanders are often grouped with Asian Americans in data, masking their unique challenges. This lack of disaggregated data hinders targeted policy solutions for Samoans and other NHPI groups.

Practical Advice for Struggling Samoan and Pacific Islander Families in California

Building on the general advice for managing California’s high cost of living, here are tailored strategies for Samoan and Pacific Islander families, considering their cultural context and socioeconomic challenges:

Leverage Community and Cultural Networks:
- Engage with ‘Aiga and Community Organizations: Utilize family and community networks (‘aiga) for shared resources, such as childcare or housing support.
- Cultural Resilience: Incorporate traditional practices, such as communal decision-making, to address financial and health challenges. Community advocates emphasize cultural resources as sources of resilience for mental health issues like depression or substance use.
Housing and Cost Management:
- Explore Affordable Areas: Consider relocating to more affordable California cities like Bakersfield or Fresno, where housing costs are lower than in Los Angeles or San Francisco. F
- Housing Assistance Programs: Apply for state and federal programs like CalHFA for down payment assistance or Section 8 vouchers. Pacific Islander renters face 20% higher costs, so explore subsidized housing options through local housing authorities.
- Shared Living: Embrace multi-generational or communal living, common in Samoan culture, to split housing costs. This can help manage California’s high rents ($2,750/month average).
  - Free Training Programs: Enroll in community college programs or online platforms like Coursera for job skills training. Focus on high-demand fields like healthcare, where Pacific Islanders are underrepresented but needed.
Health and Mental Health Access:
- Culturally Competent Care: Seek healthcare providers familiar with NHPI health disparities, such as obesity and diabetes, through community clinics or organizations like the Asian American Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO).
- Mental Health Support: Address stigma by connecting with Samoan community advocates or faith-based groups for mental health education. Programs integrating physical and mental health services align with Pacific Islander holistic health concepts.
- Language Access: For families with limited English proficiency (13.3% of Samoans), request translation services at clinics or use community organizations offering Samoan-language support.
Financial Strategies:
- Access Public Assistance: Apply for CalFresh (SNAP) to offset high grocery costs ($298/week in California) and Medi-Cal for healthcare, as 11.7% of Samoan families rely on public assistance.
- Tax Credits: Claim the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) and Young Child Tax Credit if eligible (household income under $30,000). These can provide critical cash relief for low-income NHPI families.
- Side Income: Explore gig work to supplement income, but balance this with cultural obligations to avoid financial strain from remittances or family support.
Address Systemic Barriers:
- Advocate for Data Disaggregation: Support initiatives like those from AAPIData (aapidata.com) to ensure Pacific Islander data is separated from Asian American data, improving visibility for Samoan-specific needs.
Managing Debt and Savings:
- Debt Relief: Work with nonprofit credit counselors to manage high debt burdens (e.g., California’s average mortgage debt is $422,909). Avoid predatory lenders, which disproportionately target minority communities.
- Emergency Fund: Save small amounts ($500 goal) in a high-yield savings account to cover unexpected costs, reducing reliance on credit cards.
Diet and Lifestyle:
- Return to Traditional Foods: Address high obesity and diabetes rates by incorporating traditional Samoan foods (e.g., taro, fish) over processed foods, which are linked to health disparities. Community gardens or local markets can provide affordable options.
- Exercise and Community Activities: Engage in culturally relevant activities like traditional dance or community sports to promote physical and mental health, countering sedentary lifestyles.

Samoans and Pacific Islanders in California face significant socioeconomic challenges, including lower median incomes ($67,344 for Samoans), high poverty rates (11.7% for Samoan families), elevated housing costs, and health disparities like obesity and diabetes. Systemic issues, such as data aggregation with Asian Americans and limited access to education and healthcare, exacerbate these challenges. However, strong cultural networks and community organizations provide resilience and resources. By leveraging these strengths, accessing targeted programs, and advocating for policy changes, families can navigate California’s high cost of living more effectively.