AGP Executive Report

Regional Sports Travel: Cook Islands hosts the Oceania Beach Volleyball Championship Oct. 13–16, with teams from American Samoa among about 50 athletes expected from across the Pacific. Health for Travelers: Hawaii reported its eighth travel-related dengue case of 2026. Officials say local transmission risk is low, but dengue remains a year-round risk in American Samoa and other Pacific destinations. Pago Pago Flights: Hawaiian Airlines moved check-in and bag drop for Honolulu–Pago Pago flights to Terminal 2, Lobby 4, effective Oct. 3. Travelers should no longer head to the route’s longtime Terminal 1 counter. Samoa Connection: Maota Airport on Savai‘i reopened after 26 years, restoring a roughly 10-minute air link with Upolu and creating new opportunities for tourism and business.

Mail and Packages: USPS now estimates 10 days or more for some Priority Mail and Ground Advantage shipments to and from American Samoa, with delivery times varying by route. The change took effect Oct. 1; prices are unchanged. Travel Health: Hawaii’s eighth travel-related dengue case of 2026 is a reminder that dengue is present in American Samoa and other Pacific destinations. Travelers should check health advice for their destination and reduce mosquito exposure. Flight Check-In: Hawaiian Airlines has moved Pago Pago flight check-in and bag drop at Honolulu’s airport to Terminal 2, Lobby 4. Regional Air Links: Samoa’s Maota Airport has reopened after 26 years, restoring flights between Upolu and Savai‘i and creating new opportunities for tourism and business. Beach Volleyball: American Samoa teams are among the regional competitors heading to the Oceania Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship in the Cook Islands, Oct. 13–16.

Pacific Sports Travel: American Samoa teams are among competitors at the Oceania Zonal Beach Volleyball Championship in the Cook Islands, running Oct. 13–16 and expected to draw more than 50 athletes from across the region. Regional Air Links: Samoa’s Maota Airport has reopened after 26 years, restoring flights between Upolu and Savai‘i and creating new options for visitors; officials also see the service as a boost for Savai‘i tourism. Travel Health: Hawaii has reported its eighth travel-related dengue case of 2026, with all cases linked to Pacific Island travel. Dengue is also a year-round risk in American Samoa, so travelers should check current health guidance and take steps to avoid mosquito bites. Pago Pago Flights: Hawaiian Airlines’ Honolulu check-in for Pago Pago flights has moved from Terminal 1, Lobby 3, to Terminal 2, Lobby 4. The change took effect Oct. 3.

Travel Health: Hawaii has reported its eighth travel-related dengue case of 2026. Health officials say the risk of local spread is low, but dengue is also a year-round risk in American Samoa and other Pacific islands. Travelers should check current health guidance and reduce mosquito exposure. Regional Air Links: Samoa reopened Maota Airport on Savai‘i after 26 years, restoring flights to Upolu and opening new opportunities for tourism, business and emergency medical transfers. Pago Pago Flights: Hawaiian Airlines has moved Honolulu check-in and bag drop for Pago Pago flights to Terminal 2, Lobby 4. The change took effect October 3; travelers who have long used Terminal 1 should allow time to find the new counter.

Travel Health: Hawaii’s eighth travel-related dengue case of 2026 is a reminder that dengue is present in American Samoa and other Pacific islands. Health officials say transmission risk from the Oahu case is low; travelers should check current health guidance and avoid mosquito bites. Regional Air Links: Samoa’s Maota Airport reopened after 26 years, restoring flights between Upolu and Savai‘i and offering a new boost for tourism and emergency travel. Pago Pago Flights: Hawaiian Airlines passengers departing Honolulu for Pago Pago now check in and drop bags at Terminal 2, Lobby 4, instead of Terminal 1, Lobby 3. The change took effect Oct. 3.

Traveler Health: Hawaii’s eighth dengue case of 2026 was linked to travel in the Pacific. American Samoa is among the islands where dengue is a year-round risk, according to Hawaii health officials. Regional Air Links: Maota Airport in Samoa reopened after 26 years, restoring flights between Upolu and Savai‘i and supporting tourism, business and emergency medical transfers. Pago Pago Flights: Hawaiian Airlines has moved Honolulu check-in and bag drop for Pago Pago flights to Terminal 2, Lobby 4. The change took effect October 3.

Samoa Air Links: Maota Airport has reopened after 26 years, restoring flights between Upolu and Savai‘i and supporting tourism, business and emergency medical access. Pago Pago Flights: Hawaiian Airlines has moved Honolulu check-in and bag drop for Pago Pago flights to Terminal 2, Lobby 4; the change took effect October 3. Travel Health: American Samoa’s Health Department says there is no known local HIV outbreak and the virus is not spread through travel or everyday contact.

Regional Air Links: Maota Airport in neighboring Samoa reopened after 26 years, restoring flights between Upolu and Savai‘i and creating new tourism and business opportunities. The service also offers faster access to emergency medical care. Pago Pago Travel: Hawaiian Airlines’ Honolulu check-in and bag drop for Pago Pago flights moved to Terminal 2, Lobby 4, effective Oct. 3. Travelers accustomed to Terminal 1 should allow time to find the new counter.

Pago Pago Flights: Hawaiian Airlines moved Honolulu check-in and bag drop for Pago Pago flights to Terminal 2, Lobby 4, effective Oct. 3. The new location is next to the old one; Hawaiian says the separate 50-minute bag-drop rule does not apply to Pago Pago flights. Travel Health: American Samoa’s Health Department says HIV does not spread through casual contact or travel to and from Fiji, and encourages confidential testing for anyone who may have been exposed. Time Changes: American Samoa does not observe daylight saving time; clocks in most of the U.S. are scheduled to go back one hour on Nov. 1.

Beach Protection: Community groups from American Samoa and other U.S. territories are backing a Supreme Court challenge over Air Force explosives disposal at Guam’s Tarague Beach, arguing federal environmental review and public input are essential. The hearing is set for Oct. 7. Pago Pago Flights: Hawaiian Airlines moved check-in and bag drop for Honolulu–Pago Pago flights to Terminal 2, Lobby 4, effective Oct. 3. Travel Health: American Samoa’s Health Department says Fiji’s HIV surge is no reason to fear infection through travel or everyday contact; it encourages confidential testing for anyone who may have been exposed.

U.S. Supreme Court Watch: Five amici curiae briefs were filed supporting Prutehi Guåhan in the Dept. of the Air Force case over open detonation at Tarague Beach in Guam, with arguments set for Oct. 7 (midnight Thursday Guam time). Travel Logistics: Hawaiian Airlines moved Honolulu check-in and bag drop for Pago Pago flights to Terminal 2, Lobby 4 (from Terminal 1, Lobby 3) starting Oct. 3. Local Government Milestone: SystemCenter officials visited American Samoa to review furniture and workplace materials for the new Fono building ahead of next Friday’s official opening. Public Health: ASDOH urged HIV testing after Fiji declared a national HIV crisis, stressing HIV isn’t spread through everyday contact or travel. Mail & Travel Planning: USPS lengthened delivery expectations for packages to and from American Samoa and other noncontiguous areas, with Ground Advantage now showing 10+ days-plus service expectations from Oct. 1. Time Change Reminder: Daylight saving time is set to end Nov. 1, 2026—American Samoa won’t shift clocks. Marine Conservation: NOAA Fisheries, ASDMWDR, and local fishermen completed a bottomfish survey using community partnerships to guide future management. Civics & Travel: South Pacific Academy student Shalidiloya Faavaoga will represent American Samoa at the 2026 National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 14.

Travel & Timing: Daylight saving time is set to end Nov. 1, 2026, with clocks “falling back” at 2 a.m. local time—though American Samoa won’t shift, along with Hawaii, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Air Travel: Hawaiian and Alaska flyers should plan ahead: new checked-bag rules require tags and drop-off 50 minutes before departure (up from 30) starting Oct. 3, tied to higher island capacity. Mail & Logistics: USPS lengthened delivery expectations for packages to and from American Samoa under Ground Advantage and Priority Mail, with Ground Advantage now showing a 10-days-plus service expectation effective Oct. 1. Health: ASDOH says Fiji’s HIV crisis shouldn’t change everyday travel or contact concerns in American Samoa, and reiterates HIV isn’t spread through casual interactions. Marine & Community: NOAA Fisheries and local partners finished a bottomfish survey, shifting management toward individual species to better set fishing limits. Youth & Civic Travel: American Samoa’s Shalidiloya Faavaoga will represent the territory at the 2026 National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. Environment & Policy: U.S. Supreme Court filing urges the Air Force to follow stronger environmental and community engagement rules for open detonation decisions affecting Pacific territories.

USPS & Travel Logistics: Starting Oct. 1, USPS lengthened delivery expectations for packages to and from Alaska, Hawaiʻi and American Samoa under Ground Advantage and Priority Mail, with Ground Advantage now showing “10 days-plus” for American Samoa and other noncontiguous locations as the service shifts more sub-pound shipments to surface transport. Air Travel: Hawaiian and Alaska flyers should plan for new checked-bag rules—bags must be tagged and dropped off 50 minutes before departure (not 30) as airlines adjust for higher island capacity. Local Youth & Civic Travel: The American Samoa Chamber of Commerce says South Pacific Academy student Shalidiloya Faavaoga will represent the territory at the 2026 National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 14. Ocean Conservation: Scientists say a filmed leopard shark sighting off Samoa’s Apolima is the first verifiable record for the species in Samoa waters, supporting better marine protection planning. Regional Policy & Environment: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata used an IGIA remarks to renew opposition to seabed mining in American Samoa waters. Visitor Economy (Hawaiʻi): August 2026 visitor spending in Hawaiʻi fell 9.7% year over year, with total arrivals down 5.6%, amid storm impacts. Time Change: Daylight saving time ends Nov. 1 in most places, but American Samoa won’t shift clocks.

Travel Alerts: Hawaiian and Alaska flights are tightening checked-bag rules starting Saturday—bags must be tagged and dropped off 50 minutes before departure (not 30). Local Travel & Timekeeping: Daylight saving time ends Nov. 1 at 2 a.m. in Seattle, but American Samoa won’t shift clocks. Territory Spotlight: American Samoa Chamber of Commerce says South Pacific Academy student Shalidiloya Faavaoga will represent the territory at the 2026 National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 14. Environment & Conservation: National Geographic Pristine Seas reports the first verifiable record of an endangered leopard shark in Samoa waters from filmed footage off Apolima. Regional Governance & Ocean Protection: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata used an IGIA remarks session to renew opposition to seabed mining in American Samoa waters. Safety & Monitoring: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory shared that staff recently serviced American Samoa’s volcano monitoring network and did K-12 outreach with local emergency partners. Broader Travel Context: Hawaii visitor spending fell in August 2026, with total visitors down year over year.

Travel & Flights: Hawaiian and Alaska travelers are being told to arrive earlier for bag drop—if you’re checking a bag, tag and drop it 50 minutes before departure starting Saturday, not 30, as new aircraft and higher island capacity ramp up. Time Changes: A push to make daylight saving time permanent is stalled in the Senate for now, and in the U.S. territories that includes American Samoa, clocks won’t “fall back” on Nov. 1. Tourism Economy: Hawaii visitor spending fell in August 2026—$1.59 billion, down 9.7% year over year, with fewer total visitors but higher average daily spend. Local Youth & Travel: American Samoa’s Shalidiloya Faavaoga will travel to Washington, D.C. to represent the territory at the 2026 National Civics Bee on Oct. 14. Nature & Conservation: Scientists say a leopard shark filmed off Samoa’s Apolima is the first verifiable record, using baited underwater cameras to guide marine protection planning. Community Travel Note: A Matāsaua Fautasi delegation departed Pago Pago for a U.S. fundraising tour to support a new fautasi—safe travels.

Air Travel Tips: Hawaiian and Alaska travelers are being told to tag and drop checked bags 50 minutes before departure starting Saturday, not 30, as airlines ramp up capacity for new Alaska-branded Boeing 737-800s. Local Travel & Tourism: A new spotlight on the National Park of American Samoa highlights its low crowds and remote appeal, with practical “know before you go” guidance for hiking and camping rules. Marine Conservation: Scientists say a globally endangered leopard shark was filmed off Samoa for the first verifiable record of the species in local waters—useful for marine protection planning. Community & Youth: The American Samoa Chamber of Commerce selected Shalidiloya Faavaoga to represent the territory at the 2026 National Civics Bee in Washington, D.C. Volcano Safety: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports it recently serviced American Samoa’s volcano monitoring network and did K-12 outreach with local emergency partners. Visitor Economy: Hawaii’s August 2026 visitor spending fell to $1.59B (-9.7%) with arrivals down 5.6%, after storms affected travel. Governance & Environment: Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata used an IGIA meeting to renew opposition to seabed mining in American Samoa waters.