AGP Executive Report

Meta Settlement Reaches American Samoa: Meta agreed to pay up to $18B and overhaul Facebook/Instagram safeguards for teens, including a combined two-hour daily limit, nighttime blocks, and stronger age checks; American Samoa is listed among the territories in the multistate deal. American Samoa Election Update: The Election Office set a Sept. 1, 4:30 p.m. nomination petition deadline for House and U.S. Congress candidates, while voter registration remains open. Deep-Sea Mining & U.S. Auction Watch: A U.S. plan to auction seabed blocks off American Samoa is framed as a major UNCLOS and environmental flashpoint, with critics warning about how mining rules are being handled. NOAA Ocean Exploration: NOAA announced deep-sea expeditions to map and survey waters around American Samoa, with live-streamed ROV dives and public release of collected data. Local Governance & Security: A House Homeland Security Committee hearing is set for Sept. 3 to review DHS Oticide drug and human trafficking cases and compare reported numbers with Public Safety records. National Park Spotlight: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata highlighted the National Park of American Samoa during National Park Week, tying local wildlife and cultural heritage to the park’s mission.

Deep-Sea Minerals: NOAA says it will run two deep-ocean expeditions to map and survey American Samoa’s seafloor, with live-streamed ROV dives and public data releases. Local Elections: The American Samoa Election Office set Sept. 1 (4:30 p.m.) as the deadline for House and U.S. Congress candidate nomination petitions, while voter registration remains open. Drug Enforcement Oversight: House Homeland Security Committee chair Fagaima Larry Sanitoa scheduled a Sept. 3 hearing to review DHS “Oticide” drug and human trafficking case numbers and results. Meta Settlement Impact: A major multistate Meta deal includes American Samoa in child-safety reforms for Facebook and Instagram, with new limits and protections aimed at teens. Pacific Security & Resources: Pacific leaders meet in Palau (Aug. 30–Sept. 4) to push for more control over security and ocean resources amid U.S.-China competition. National Park Spotlight: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata highlighted the National Park of American Samoa during National Park Week. Birthright Citizenship Fight: A U.S. judge declined, for now, to block Trump’s latest birthright citizenship order, keeping the legal battle active. Sports & Culture: Stanford’s Samoan-American coach won his debut on Pacific Islander night, featuring cultural celebration at the game.

Local Politics: American Samoa’s Election Office set a key deadline for House of Representatives and U.S. Congress candidate nominations: Sept. 1 at 4:30 p.m., while voter registration remains open for eligible residents and U.S. citizens. Territorial Citizenship Fight: A U.S. judge declined to immediately block Trump’s latest birthright citizenship order, and a conservative think tank is urging Congress to limit citizenship in U.S. territories like American Samoa. Youth Online Safety: A major multistate settlement with Meta requires sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram for teens, including daily time limits and nighttime blocks; American Samoa is listed among the jurisdictions joining the case. Public Safety Oversight: The House Homeland Security Committee chair scheduled a Sept. 3 hearing to review drug and human trafficking case numbers reported by DHS’s Oticide division. NOAA & Marine Science: NOAA announced deep-sea exploration expeditions to map and survey American Samoa’s seafloor, with live-streamed ROV dives and public data releases. Community & Culture: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata highlighted the National Park of American Samoa during National Park Week. Sports: Centennial’s football team posted a 74-41 win, but the coach flagged defensive focus issues after a big second-half slide.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to about $17.1B in a multistate deal and overhaul Facebook/Instagram teen protections, including a combined two-hour daily limit, “productive pauses,” nighttime blocks, and tighter age/content controls; American Samoa is listed among the territories receiving funds. Local Elections: American Samoa’s Election Office set Sept. 1 at 4:30 p.m. as the deadline for House and U.S. Congress candidate nominations, while voter registration remains open. Deep-Sea Exploration: NOAA announced two 2026 expeditions to map and survey American Samoa’s seafloor, with live-streamed ROV dives and public release of collected data. Security & Justice Oversight: House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Fagaima Larry Sanitoa scheduled a Sept. 3 hearing to review DHS “Oticide” drug and human trafficking case numbers and outcomes. Government Travel Freeze: ASG suspended all government-funded local travel for the rest of FY 2026, with limited exceptions for court, top officials, and grant-funded travel. Birthright Citizenship Fight: A U.S. judge declined—for now—to block Trump’s latest birthright citizenship order, directing plaintiffs to address it in their ongoing lawsuit. National Park Spotlight: Rep. Uifa’atali Amata highlighted American Samoa’s National Park during National Park Week.

Election Updates: American Samoa’s Election Office set the nomination petition deadline for House and U.S. Congress races at Tuesday, Sept. 1, 4:30 p.m., while voter registration remains open at the Tafuna office. Citizenship Debate: A conservative think tank is urging Congress to limit birthright citizenship in U.S. territories, including American Samoa, arguing for parent-based eligibility—sparking pushback from critics. Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to a landmark multistate deal totaling about $17.1B to $18B, with American Samoa included, requiring major changes to Instagram and Facebook for teens (daily limits, nighttime blocks, and stronger age checks). Deep-Sea Exploration: NOAA announced deep-sea expeditions around American Samoa aboard the Okeanos Explorer, with live-streamed ROV dives and public release of collected data. Local Governance & Travel: The ASG suspended all government-funded local travel for the rest of FY 2026, with limited exceptions for court-appointed and top leadership travel and grant-funded trips. National Park Spotlight: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata highlighted the National Park of American Samoa during National Park Week, tying the island’s wildlife and underwater resources to the NPS 110th birthday. Public Safety & Oversight: A House Homeland Security committee hearing was scheduled for Sept. 3 to review DHS Oticide drug and human trafficking case reporting and results.

Meta Youth-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $18 billion and overhaul Facebook and Instagram rules for teens, including a two-hour daily limit, overnight blocks, fewer school-hour notifications, stronger age checks, and limits on harmful content—settling claims brought by 47 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Local Impact on American Samoa: The settlement includes American Samoa among the jurisdictions requiring the new child-safety measures, with payments tied to the multistate deal. NOAA Ocean Exploration: NOAA announced deep-sea mapping and survey expeditions around American Samoa aboard the Okeanos Explorer, with live-streamed ROV dives and public release of collected data. Territory Policy Watch: A new report argues Congress can limit citizenship in U.S. territories, adding pressure to the ongoing birthright citizenship fight. ASG Budget Move: American Samoa suspended all government-funded local travel for the rest of FY 2026, with limited exceptions. Community & Safety: Police reported arrests after a Malaeimi disturbance involving alleged rock-throwing and shouting. Regional Fisheries: The Western Pacific Fishery Council will meet Sept. 15–17 to consider changes affecting commercial fishing prohibitions, including around Rose Atoll.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to about $17.1 billion nationwide and overhaul Instagram and Facebook for minors, including a combined two-hour daily limit, “productive pauses,” nighttime blocks, reduced school-hour notifications, stronger age checks, and limits on harmful features like extreme makeup filters; American Samoa is listed among the jurisdictions in the coalition. Local Budget Move: The American Samoa Government suspended all government-funded local travel for the rest of FY 2026, with limited exceptions for court-appointed travel, the Governor/Lieutenant Governor, and grant-funded trips. Visitor Economy Update: Hawaii’s DBEDT reported July 2026 visitor spending at $1.99 billion (+1.7%) with 883,248 visitors (+1.1%), though average length of stay fell to 7.59 days (-14.1%). Fishing Rules Meeting: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council will meet Sept. 15–17 to consider options affecting commercial fishing prohibitions, including around Rose Atoll. Public Safety Case: Two men were arrested after an alleged early-morning disturbance in Malaeimi involving shouting and rock-throwing at vehicles, with charges including public peace disturbance. Education & Work: ASCC is seeking local businesses and worksites to host Federal Work-Study students.

Meta Child-Safety Settlement: Meta has agreed to pay up to about $18 billion and overhaul Instagram and Facebook for teens as part of a multistate deal with 47 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The terms include default two-hour daily limits, nighttime blocks (midnight–6am), reduced school-hour notifications, “productive pauses” during continuous use, stronger age checks, and limits on features like public like counts and certain extreme beauty filters. Local Impact: Coverage notes American Samoa is among the jurisdictions included in the settlement, alongside other Pacific territories. Territorial Policy Watch: Separately, CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds urged the USPS to pause new duty-collection steps affecting mail from US territories, citing legal and administrative concerns for residents. ASG Travel Freeze: American Samoa’s Department of Treasury has suspended government-funded local travel for the rest of FY2026, with limited exceptions and a push toward virtual meetings. Youth Sports: Oceania Athletics officials are in American Samoa promoting Kids’ Athletics, a track-and-field program built around team-based games for young athletes.

Territorial Mail & Costs: CNMI delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds urged the U.S. Postal Service to pause new duty-collection requirements for mail sent from American Samoa and other U.S. territories, saying the system must match each territory’s legal protections. Youth Safety Online: Meta agreed to pay up to about $18 billion and impose sweeping new limits on teen use of Facebook and Instagram—including default daily time caps, overnight blocks, reduced school-hour notifications, and stronger age checks—under a multistate settlement that also includes American Samoa. Local Travel Freeze: American Samoa’s Department of Treasury suspended all government-funded local travel for the rest of Fiscal Year 2026, with limited exemptions and a push toward virtual meetings. Sports Development: Oceania Athletics Association officials are promoting a track-and-field youth program in American Samoa, using team-based games to teach fundamentals. Pacific Sports Spotlight: Va‘a paddling is going global, with Pacific teams competing in Singapore despite rising costs of overseas participation. Congress & ASG Funding: Lawmakers return to major unfinished business in September, with ASG funding and a possible stopgap still in play.

Meta Settlement for Youth Safety: Meta (Facebook/Instagram) agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion in a multistate deal, including American Samoa, ending a federal trial over claims the platforms were designed to be addictive and harmful to children; the agreement also requires new child-safety rules like tighter teen time limits, “productive pauses,” nighttime blocks, and stronger age and parental controls, with payments spread over about a decade and subject to court approval. Local Impact for American Samoa: The settlement includes American Samoa among the territories named in the case, meaning the territory is part of the nationwide push for safer online protections for kids and teens. Deep-Sea Mining Backdrop: Separate from the Meta news, conservation groups are challenging a proposed first U.S. sale of deep-sea mining rights off American Samoa, arguing federal wildlife review didn’t fully examine risks to endangered species and could threaten marine life and cultural ties.

Education & Health Readiness: The Department of Education and Department of Health finished weeks of school inspections and repairs under the Tautua Wellness Initiative, with teachers, volunteers, and maintenance teams painting, cleaning, and fixing issues ahead of the new school year. Workforce & Student Support: American Samoa Community College’s Financial Aid Office is asking local businesses and worksites to host Federal Work-Study students, paying $7.25 an hour under federal funding with hours that won’t clash with classes. Stormwater Funding: DPW won an $800,000 EPA grant to launch the STREAM program, building American Samoa’s first territory-wide stormwater asset inventory, GIS mapping, and planning framework, plus best practices at priority coastal outfalls. Deep-Sea Focus: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer is starting a 29-day expedition mapping deep waters around American Samoa, with ROV dives beginning Aug. 24 and live viewing available online, as a commercial lease auction is set for Nov. 19. Sports Funding Assurance: After concerns about the DOE FY2027 budget, the Department of Education says school athletic programs will continue as scheduled with necessary funding. Community & Safety: Police responded to a reported domestic incident in Ta’u, Manu’a, where a suspect was charged and held without bail after an alleged machete threat and assaults. Civic & Culture: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced milestone dates for future temples, including a Pago Pago dedication on Dec. 13 and an open house period in November.

Deep-Sea Mining Push Meets Local Pushback: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata urged the Interior Department to run an environmental impact study on at-scale deep-sea mineral extraction off American Samoa, saying residents remain unconvinced benefits outweigh risks to ocean ecosystems. NOAA Seafloor Mission vs. Mining Timeline: NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer sent robots to map American Samoa’s seafloor while a federal lease auction is set for Nov. 19—raising concerns about a gap between what’s collected and what the public can access before decisions. Territorial Politics: CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds said a bill to end automatic birthright citizenship for some territories has little chance this session, calling it an ideological push. Local Governance & Safety: American Samoa’s governor signed an FDA Model Food Code into law, with enforcement starting after a 120-day outreach period for food businesses. Community & Culture: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced milestone dates for the Vienna and Pago Pago temples, with the Pago Pago dedication set for Dec. 13 and an open house planned. Sports Spotlight: Taulia Tagovailoa’s brother, Taulia Tagovailoa, helped lead American Samoa to a major upset in flag football at the world championships. Public Health Watch: Samoa’s latest inflation report points to sharp fuel price jumps, with transport driving higher costs for households.

Deep-Sea Mining Push: The U.S. Marine Mineral Administration has proposed auctioning deep-sea mining leases covering about 28 million hectares off the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, drawing sharp opposition from Pacific territories and renewed calls for stricter science and protections. Local Politics & Environment: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata urged the Interior Department to commission an environmental impact study for waters near American Samoa, saying residents remain unconvinced benefits outweigh risks to the ocean. American Samoa Temple Milestones: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced key dates for the Pago Pago American Samoa Temple—dedication set for Sunday, Dec. 13, with a public open house running Nov. 4 to Nov. 21 (excluding Sundays). Cost of Living: Samoa’s latest inflation update shows transport costs driving prices higher, with fuel—especially diesel—jumping sharply over the past year. Public Safety—Domestic Cases: Tafuna Police reported arrests tied to alleged domestic assaults, with suspects held without bail. Food Safety: Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula signed an executive order making the FDA Model Food Code the official reference for retail food safety, with enforcement starting after an outreach period. Energy Rates: ASPA says electricity rates are expected to rise again in September as oil prices climb. Community & Service: ASCC mourned the passing of Cherylmoanamarie “Cherie” Ripley, a long-time college staff member.

Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata urged the Interior Department to order an environmental impact study before any at-scale deep-sea mineral extraction near American Samoa, saying locals remain unconvinced benefits outweigh risks to the ocean ecosystem. Regional Pressure on Leasing: The Trump administration advanced a proposed seabed lease auction off the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, while US territories criticized the process as too fast and too limited in public say. Local Health & Care: Congresswoman Amata’s office met with CMS officials to discuss Medicaid services and travel-related needs, highlighting ongoing healthcare challenges for American Samoa. Wildfire Readiness: A nine-member wild-land fire crew from the National Park of American Samoa is deployed to support wildfire response on the US mainland. Community & Culture: The inaugural American Samoa Seafood Academy graduated its first class, with leaders stressing ocean stewardship and passing knowledge to future fishermen. Public Safety: Police charged suspects in two separate domestic dispute cases, with defendants held without bail. Elections: The Chief Election Officer officially set American Samoa’s 2026 Midterm Election for Nov. 3, 6am–6pm.

Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Environmental groups including Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa and the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i sued to block the Trump administration’s first seabed mining lease sale off American Samoa, arguing regulators wrongly found the plan won’t harm protected species under the Endangered Species Act. Territory Pushback: Guam and CNMI leaders are also warning Washington not to move faster than science allows as a proposed Mariana Trench lease sale advances, with Guam saying it’s being shut out of the comment process. Local Governance & Health: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s office says CMS met with her staff and ASG officials to discuss Medicaid services and priorities, while Samoa’s oxygen shortage story highlights how critical supplies can affect surgeries. Public Safety: A nine-member wild-land fire crew from the National Park of American Samoa is deployed to the U.S. mainland for a monthlong wildfire response. Community & Education: The Seafood Academy American Samoa held its inaugural graduation, and the Midterm Election date was officially set for Nov. 3, 2026.

Deep-Sea Mining Fight: Fa’asao Amerika Samoa and the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, backed by Earthjustice, sued the Trump administration to stop the first-ever commercial seabed mining lease sale off American Samoa, arguing NOAA Fisheries wrongly concluded mining “is not likely to adversely affect” Endangered Species Act-protected animals and that the review was too thin for a process critics call rushed and risky. Local Government & Health: Acting Gov. Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. proposed a new way to fund school sports—taking a $2 deduction from monthly government paychecks—while Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata highlighted recent Medicaid discussions with CMS aimed at improving access for island residents. Public Safety: Police charged a man after an alleged domestic dispute turned violent in Aua, and another case after a 14-year-old called 911 when his mother’s boyfriend allegedly threatened and assaulted her. Community & Services: A nine-member National Park of American Samoa wild-land fire crew deployed to the U.S. mainland for a monthlong wildfire response, and the Seafood Academy American Samoa held its inaugural graduation. Elections: The Chief Election Officer officially set the 2026 Midterm Election for Nov. 3, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with candidate paperwork due Sept. 1.