Welcome to the Office of Samoan Affairs

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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.

Headquarters: 454 E. Carson Plaza Dr. #109, Carson, CA 90746

Sacramento Main Office 2255 Watt Ave., Suite 385 Sacramento, CA 9582

Sacramento Satellite Office 11779 Bagota Way Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

June V. Pouesi, Executive Director

Dear Friends and Families,

I extend my warmest love to each of you during these challenging times. In our nation and especially here in California, we continue to face significant hardships that test our resilience and unity. In the true spirit of Alofa, we stand strong together, drawing strength from our faith, cultural values, and family support.

Trials remind us that no one walks alone. Our Pacific Island communities, along with all who call California home, have shown remarkable courage. Whether navigating housing, employment, health, or daily struggles, know that your endurance inspires us all. Hold fast to hope, lean on one another, and remember that brighter days are built through our unwavering faith.

The Office of Samoan Affairs remains fully committed to serving you. If you or your loved ones need assistance—be it with resources, counseling, employment support, or simply a listening ear—please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here for you, always.

Finally, I offer my deepest thanks to our Chairwoman Talalelei Misa for her kind leadership, our dedicated fiscal officer, Anita Mondares, and to our devoted staff for their tireless hard work and dedication to uplifting our communities every single day. Your service makes a profound difference.

Fa’afetai tele and blessings to all.

Our COMMUNITY

The Pacific Community

- Samoa (Independent Samoa)
  New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s official visit (March 16, 2026): Luxon met with Samoa’s Prime Minister Hon. La’aulialemalietoa Polataivao Leuatea Fosi Schmidt (often referred to as La’auli Leuatea Schmidt) for bilateral talks and a joint press conference in Apia. Discussions focused on strengthening family ties between NZ and Samoa, regional cooperation, and taking the relationship to the “next level.” Luxon addressed calls for visa-free travel for Samoans to New Zealand but appeared cautious without firm commitments. This marks one of the first major engagements with Samoa’s relatively new leadership following recent political shifts.
  
  Ongoing local and cultural news: Coverage includes the official opening of the upgraded Savalalo Market and Bus Terminal (around March 16), support for Samoan Language Week 2026 from entities like Bank South Pacific, and community/environmental stories like “Puega’s Journey Toward Environmental Stewardship.” Daily Samoan-language news updates (e.g., “Tala Fou Mai Samoa”) continue highlighting local events.
  Broader context: Samoa’s FAST party government remains in power under the new PM, with emphasis on “God-centred leadership” themes from earlier in the term.
  
  American Samoa
  Health alerts: The Department of Health (DOH) issued an alert for an increase in leptospirosis cases in the community, linked to constant rainfall. Residents are urged to take preventive steps (e.g., avoiding contact with contaminated water).
  Power authority changes: The American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) Board terminated/announced the resignation of Executive Director Wallon Young Fong (effective March 6, 2026). Separately, the House approved a nomination (Theodore Le’iato) for the ASPA Board, but the Senate rejected another (Ma’aelopa Bob Tuiasosopo for the LBJ Board).
  
  Other local developments:
  Shortage of blank cards at the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is delaying issuance of valid IDs.
  Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata testified in Washington, D.C., on March 5 for American Samoa’s 2027 funding requests and congratulated a local resident (Alek West from Vatia) on acceptance to U.S. Service Academies (Naval and Air Force).
  Fuel reliability efforts: A suppliers meeting in Bangkok (March 2-3) involved American Samoa Government reps and companies like Pacific Energy and Clipper Oil.
  U.S. Coast Guard conducted boardings off Pago Pago (early March).
  
  Other notes: Congressional Delegate Amata honored women for Women’s History Month, and there’s a first community donation to the American Samoa Community Food Bank. No major crises reported, but ongoing issues like infrastructure, health, and governance nominations persist.

Late starter Ola Tauelangi on finding ‘brotherhood’ at Moana Pasifika

rnz

Ola Tauelangi Photo: Facebook / Moana Pasifika

Ola Tauelangi is a late starter in rugby. From his early beginnings to a place with Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific has been a remarkable journey.

The Tonga heritage player did not take up the sport until he was 16 years old.

Born and bred in Ballarat in Melbourne Australia, he was into Aussie Rules and basketball, until he got a rugby scholarship that sent him to St Patrick’s College, where he made the First XV after being spotted at a men’s club rugby training.

“I didn’t get into playing rugby union until I was about 16, so a bit later, and then I sort of just really wanted to play rugby,” he told RNZ Pacific.

“But there was no rugby, obviously Victoria being a small, not very big rugby state. And then I was just lucky enough to get a scholarship to one of the schools and they sort of just gave me opportunity to play.

“From there, that’s sort of how I got into rugby.”

Ola Tauelangi Photo: Facebook / Moana Pasifika

Tauelangi spent two years at St Patrick’s College Ballarat before joining the Melbourne Rising Academy programme.

Making the Melbourne Rebels Academy in 2019 and advancing into the Melbourne Rising’s National Rugby Championship team that same year, saw him make his professional debut.

His first taste of Super Rugby was the same year when he went through pre-season with the Melbourne Rebels ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby.

He moved to New South Wales and played for Gordon RFC in the Shute Shield from 2020 to 2022 and made the Waratahs pre-season squad for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Then he got called into the Waratahs as an injury replacement in 2023 ahead of Round 12 of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Moana Pasifika came calling in 2024 and he made his debut for his new franchise team against the Fijian Drua in Super Round on 2 March 2024 in Melbourne.

On 29 July 2024, Tauelangi was named in the Auckland squad for the 2024 NPC season and is a current squad member.

Moana Pasifika and Umaga

On his experience with Moana Pasifika so far, Tauelangi said understanding the Pacific culture and living that daily as a team has been a big inspiration for him.

“It’s just the culture,” he said when asked what stood out for him at Moana Pasifika.

“I think sort of every team talks about it, but we really be about it, the boys, the brotherhood that’s in this team.

“It’s a lot of the off field culture always just comes back onto the on field and makes the performances like what we’ve been playing sort of the last couple years.

“I think that’s sort of the biggest change, and the biggest thing that I’ve gotten from the last two years.”

The aspiring ‘Ikale Tahi player admitted head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has also been a big influencer for him and the team.

He is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to grow his professional game.

“He’s (Umaga) been unreal, especially for him always vouching for us Pasifika players,” he said.

“Just having someone that believes in us, believes in the players, believes in the group, it’s just helped not only the team but myself, giving me an opportunity to come into a professional environment really shifted my career and open eyes for us, not only for myself, but for the other Pasifika boys who just needed a chance.

“I think that was the biggest thing that that he’s done for our team, he’s always given us boys a chance to shine on the big stage.”

Ola Tauelangi Photo: Facebook / Moana Pasifika

Opposition and World Cup dream

Over the years of playing in the different competitions and against different teams has also given Tauelangi the opportunity to meet and play against players from different international teams like Fiji, Samoa, Australia and New Zealand.

And he picks the All Blacks players as the ones to match.

“Obviously, the All Black boys, going up against them, even last week against the Chiefs,” he said responding to the question on who would have been his toughest opponents so far.

“They’re always going to be physical, they bring it to us, and then it’s just our challenge to match that and go above that.

“It’s always a good opportunity against the best of the best, and it’s a good sort of marker for us. I definitely think it’s definitely the AB boys that you want to get one up on.”

Tauelangi is also keen on chasing a possible Rugby World Cup spot with the ‘Ikale Tahi if given the opportunity.

“Definitely like it’ll be a dream come true,” he said.

“I think just all the boys being able to just play for their families, play for their countries, and we know that a World Cup the pinnacle of rugby.

“So, if you do get the opportunity to play and represent your country, you’re always do it to the best of your ability and we know there’s a lot of a lot of players vying for the spot, so you just got to do whatever you can and the best that you can to make that sort of last 33 men squad.

“We’re definitely excited, especially the boys here.”

Family support

For that dream to be achieved Tauelangi believes he will need to keep doing the hard work, get back into the playing 23 for Moana Pasifika, show consistency in his game and get his family’s support and blessings.

On his family’s backing he said “they’ve been massive”.

Tauelangi has had to make the move to Auckland so that he can chase his rugby dream, with his family back in Melbourne.

But he gets all the support he needs and reckons its that which keeps him doing what he loves doing.

“Obviously, like they’re they’re not there with you out on the field, in the training paddock, but just being able to give them a phone call, see their faces, I know, for all the boys in our team, like sometimes that’s all you need to just be rejuvenated again,” he stated.

“It gives you a little bit of up and a little bit of why you’re playing and why you’re doing what you’re doing is always for family.

“They’ve been huge in this, in the support for me, especially being over here in New Zealand by myself. Just being able to phone call your partner, phone call your parents, that’s sometimes all you need.”

And to Moana Pasifika fans, Tauelangi said they should not lose hope.

He said the team will keep improving and need fans backing them all the time.

“As a team we know about how faithful our crowd, our fans are. There’s enough support, especially whenever we play, whether it be Eden Park or North Harbour, just keep supporting.

“It doesn’t go unnoticed from us boys. We know we have the best fans in the competition.”

ECONOMY: Samoa

American Samoa's Economic Development Authority announced two new bond series (2025A and 2025B) totaling millions for revenue refunding, amid threats to its fishing economy from climate change, deep-sea mining, and overfishing. A new $9 million Frankie Siusega Supermarket opened on October 25, signaling retail growth.

HEALTH CONCERNS

Health authorities report a surge in influenza and dengue fever cases, with over 200 confirmed dengue infections in the past week alone. Vaccination drives for flu are underway, and vector control measures (e.g., mosquito fogging) are intensified in Apia. In neighboring American Samoa (often covered in tandem due to shared health risks), a dengue outbreak has reached 348 confirmed cases, with sustained transmission.

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Pasifika communities hit hardest by food insecurity in New Zealand – Hunger Monitor

RNZ

Pasifika communities hit hardest by food insecurity in Aotearoa, according to the 2025 Hunger Report. Photo: Supplied

Nearly three-quarters of the Pasifika population experienced food insecurity in Aotearoa last year, according to the inaugaural “Hunger Monitor” by the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN).

This compares to 68 percent of the general population, according to the 2025 Hunger Monitor, which is New Zealand’s first comprephensive tally of food security and will serve as a benchmark for annual updates.

Meanwhile, 55 percent of the Pasifika population reported receiving food support from outside of their households, compared to 44 percent of the general population.

Delphina Soti, who manages the St Vinnies main centre in Onehunga, told RNZ Pacific they have seen a surge in demand, mostly from Pasifika families, that has beome unsustainable for them.

“I don’t think we really have time to think about whether we’re coping or not,” she said.

“There’s a lot we want to say, but also we are so careful, because we need some of those (government) grants to come through.”

It comes at a time when Pasifika are at the bottom of disposable income levels, and at the top of child poverty levels, according to government figures from early March.

Nearly a fifth of Pasifika children in Aotearoa lived in poverty in the last year, while nearly a third remained in material hardship, a marked increase over the last six years.

The Pasifika unemployment rate rose to 12.3 percent in February, a record high, having doubled in the past two years.

Reflecting on a turbulent year, Soti said the number of Pasifika families her centre works with has risen to more than 3000, stemming from around 25,000 referrals for food support in the last financial year.

“There’s a whole bundle of pressures that are landing on these families … food is becoming a discretionary item,” Soti said.

“Their rents are too high, they’re struggling with the work, some of them are holding down two or three jobs.”

For Pasifika, who mostly live in South Auckland communities, making the trip to Onehunga is often out of their reach financially.

“We’re pushing the bulk food out to our centers that are closer to these families, even to churches and schools… because there’s no petrol [for them] to come and pick up the parcels,” Soti said.

“They need to see the financial mentors to draw down on their Kiwisavers.. there’s the cars being repossessed, or there’s risk around their houses being sold to the bank … it’s no simple budget.”

RNZ reported last week that one in three households have struggled to access affordable, nutritious food in the past year, according to the Hunger Report.

The NZFN said many were hesitant to access food support, citing shame or embarrassment as the reason.

Here are some practical, natural remedies for flu symptoms (like fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue) drawn from home-based, traditional approaches often shared in our Pacific Island community. Samoans and other Pacific Islanders are mostly people of faith and so view the body as God’s creation (stewardship per 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), emphasizing simple, God-given foods/herbs for support, rest, and prayer alongside recovery.

Please note: These are not medical cures—flu is viral and resolves naturally—but they help ease discomfort and support the body’s healing process.

Core Practical Remedies

Rest and Hydration — Prioritize plenty of sleep and fluids (water, herbal teas) to honor the body’s God-designed recovery. Stay home to avoid spreading illness (loving your neighbor).
Chicken Soup or Bone Broth — Classic nourishing remedy; the hot broth soothes throats, provides hydration, and nutrients from veggies/chicken help reduce inflammation and clear congestion.
Garlic — Raw or in food; crush a clove, mix with honey, or add to soup. Known for antimicrobial properties to support immune response and ease symptoms.
Honey — Raw honey (for ages 1+) soothes coughs/sore throats better than many OTC options. Take a teaspoon alone or in warm tea; antibacterial and comforting.
Ginger — Fresh ginger tea (slice root, steep in hot water) reduces nausea, aches, and inflammation; add lemon/honey for extra soothing.
Elderberry (if available) — Syrup or tea for symptom relief and immune support; traditional use for shortening flu duration.
Lemon/Hot Teas — Lemon in warm water or herbal teas (e.g., thyme or ginger) for vitamin C boost, congestion relief, and throat comfort.
Steam/Humidify — Hot showers or bowl of hot water (with towel over head) to loosen mucus and ease breathing.

Quick Combinations for Symptoms

Sore Throat/Cough → Honey + lemon + ginger tea; or fermented garlic honey (chop garlic, cover in raw honey, let sit days/weeks for potency).
Congestion → Chicken soup with garlic/onion; steam inhalation.
Aches/Fatigue → Rest, warm broths, ginger tea.
Overall Support → Nutrient-rich foods (garlic, citrus, broths) while praying for healing (e.g., declare Psalm 103:3).

These draw from timeless home wisdom (e.g., biblical-era herbs like garlic/thyme mentioned in sources tying to “God’s provision”). Start with what’s in your kitchen in Carson—local stores often have honey, ginger, garlic, lemons. If symptoms worsen (high fever >3 days, breathing issues), seek medical help while trusting God’s care. God bless your family—may He bring quick restoration!