American Samoa receives $250,000 grant for audit help

On August 30, 2025, Delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen (R) of American Samoa stated that the territory will receive $250,000 from the US Office of Insular Affairs. The money will help the Treasury Department examine how public money is used. Radewagen thanked former Governor Lemanu Pulaali’i Mauga for helping achieve the grant.  

The funding was approved through the Technical Assistance Program, which supports US territories to improve financial systems and government operations. The Office of Insular Affairs, part of the US Department of the Interior, provides these grants to strengthen services like education, safety, and public health. As part of this effort, the Treasury plans to train staff, improve reporting, and update audit procedures—steps that build on past efforts to boost transparency in departments such as Public Safety and Medicaid.

“Working together helps us make progress for our people,” Radewagen said.

The Treasury will use this money to improve audits or checks that show how money is spent. US law requires that territories perform audits when they receive federal money. If audits are weak, territories could lose future support. In American Samoa, federal money is spent on schools, hospitals, and roads. A 2004 GAO report highlighted the need for better accountability for key federal grants, especially in areas like hospital safety and staffing. More recently, performance audits have been used to evaluate departments like Public Safety and Medicaid, aiming to improve efficiency and transparency. 

“When people see clear reports, they trust their government more,” Radewagen says.

This grant is one of many given to American Samoa in 2025. In June, the US Department of Education restored the territory’s access to COVID-19 recovery funds. These funds will go toward student tutoring, new books, and teacher support. The reinstatement of COVID-19 recovery funds marks a turning point in American Samoa’s push to strengthen its education system. With renewed access, the islands can continue building on earlier efforts to support students and schools.

 “I’m delighted with this news… and her responsiveness and willingness to put American Samoa’s children first,” says Radewagen, referring to Secretary Linda McMahon’s decision to reinstate access to federal education funds.

In August, the Federal Highway Administration provided $175 million to improve ferry services. The funding, part of the Ferry Boat Program, will support upgrades to terminals, vessels, and operations in communities where bridges or tunnels are not feasible.

“We make life easier when we make the transportation of people and products smoother,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy says. He emphasizes that reliable ferry systems are essential for connecting remote communities and supporting local economies.

The grant aims to modernize ferry infrastructure and improve access for island communities that rely on maritime transport. For many Samoans, ferries are not just a mode of travel. They are a lifeline connecting essential services, loved ones, and economic opportunity.

By May 2025, American Samoa had also listed a $9 million hospital expansion project. The goal was to improve healthcare services for families across the islands. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, which supports local projects like hospitals, schools, and clean water systems.

From education and healthcare to transportation and government accountability, each investment aims to improve daily life for the residents of the islands.

Furthermore, Radewagen explains how she expects this grant to encourage future support. She notes that when federal agencies see consistent accountability, they are more likely to invest in long-term partnerships that benefit local communities.

The full impact of this $250,000 grant and other aforementioned 2025 funding remains to be seen. But for many in American Samoa, the money represents a chance: a chance for better schools, safer roads, and stronger healthcare. These grants may not solve every challenge overnight, but they offer something vital: momentum.

“With each new investment and every step toward financial clarity, our people gain confidence in the future—and that sense of shared promise keeps our community hopeful,” Radewagen says.