Le Vasa Pathways: Who We Are

Who We Are

Welcome to Le Vasa Pathways! We are a non-profit organization with a deep commitment to the future of American Samoa and its invaluable ocean resources. We believe that by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of fisheries and ocean resource management, we can cultivate a new generation of ocean stewards who will ensure the sustainability of these vital resources for years to come.

Our Vision is of a thriving American Samoa with a skilled workforce and an informed community dedicated to the sustainable management and the long-term success of its ocean resources.

Our Mission is to cultivate a new generation of ocean stewards in American Samoa by inspiring youth, empowering communities, and promoting responsible fisheries and ocean resource management.

What We Do

Le Vasa Pathways engages in a variety of educational programs and initiatives aimed at achieving our mission. Our key activities include:

• Youth Education and Engagement: We provide hands-on fishing experiences for youth, encompassing both shore-based and boat-based methods. We also organize tours of fishing vessels, processing plants, and other fishery-related businesses. Furthermore, we offer mentorship and job shadowing programs for students interested in fisheries and marine resource management.

• Teacher Professional Development: We conduct workshops and training sessions for K-12 educators to equip them with the knowledge and resources to incorporate fisheries and ocean resource management into their curriculum. We also develop and distribute high-quality lesson plans, videos, and other educational materials for classroom use.

• Public Awareness and Outreach: We create and distribute public information materials through print, social media, radio, and television to inform the community about the cultural, economic, and social significance of fisheries.

• Educational Partnerships: We collaborate with local partners and stakeholders to promote technical training programs related to fisheries, including institutions like the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School, and the American Samoa Shipyard Authority. We also work to establish scholarship funds to support students pursuing marine science or other ocean-related fields. Our American Samoa Community College Marine Science Scholarship Program supports two students in obtaining an Associate of Science degree in Marine Science at ASCC. This program includes financial aid, internships with local environmental resource management agencies, monthly mentorship, and engagement in fisheries management meetings.

• Mentorship and Internship Programs: We partner with government agencies, fishing businesses, and research institutions to provide youth with practical experience. This includes the summer internship component of the ASCC Marine Science Scholarship Program with agencies like the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (AS-EPA), the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR), the American Samoa Department of Commerce (ASDOC) and the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (NMSAS).

• We also organize educational workshops and engage in community engagement initiatives.

Who We Serve

Le Vasa Pathways serves a diverse group of stakeholders in the American Samoan community:

• Youth (ages 14-24): Engaging young people, who represent the future workforce, is crucial for fostering a culture of ocean stewardship and ensuring sustainable fishing practices.

• K-12 Educators: Equipping educators with the necessary tools and knowledge enables them to integrate relevant content into their curricula, thereby reaching a broader student audience and raising awareness.

• Fishing Community Members: This includes fishers, boat owners, and those involved in fish processing and distribution. Collaboration with this group is essential to develop and implement sustainable fishing practices.

• Government Agencies, Private Businesses, and Research Institutions: Le Vasa Pathways works in partnership with these entities to create internship opportunities, offer training programs, and foster knowledge transfer.

We operate throughout the territory of American Samoa, encompassing all villages and communities within the islands of Tutuila, Aunu’u, Ta’u, Ofu, and Olosega.

The Importance of Our Work

American Samoa's economy heavily relies on the tuna industry. Our work is vital to American Samoa's community and workforce capacity because it:

• Develops a Skilled Workforce: We provide training and education programs, apprenticeships, and internships that address the specific skills gaps within the tuna industry and related sectors.

• Fosters Community Stewardship: By building a workforce composed of local community members, Le Vasa Pathways promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility toward the sustainable management of American Samoa's marine resources.

• Creates Economic Opportunities: Investing in local talent creates economic opportunities within the community, reducing reliance on external labor and supporting local businesses.

• Promotes Sustainable Fishing Practices: Through our programs, Le Vasa Pathways raises awareness about sustainable fishing practices and encourages their adoption by the fishing community.

• We address the lack of educational and career opportunities related to the territory's fishing industry, reversing the trend of declining fishing effort among younger generations.

Our Team

Staff:

• Nate Ilaoa, Administrative Officer: Nate brings extensive experience in resource management and fisheries, having previously worked with the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and the American Samoa Government, as well as operating a business in the territory. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology and an

  
  
  
  

  Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts. Nate is deeply dedicated to fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of ocean resources and is passionate about cultivating a new generation of ocean stewards in American Samoa. As the Principal Investigator for projects like the ASCC Marine Science Scholarship Program proposal, he is responsible for overall management and implementation. His leadership is central to Le Vasa Pathways' mission.

• Felix Penalosa, Projects Officer: Felix is a hardworking and reliable professional with extensive experience in grant management, financial analysis, and fisheries management. He previously served as the Island Coordinator for the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, where he managed grants and conducted outreach on fisheries issues. He holds an Associate of Science in Accounting. His skills in grant writing and management, financial reconciliation, and strong communication are invaluable to Le Vasa Pathways. He also serves as a Co-Manager and Education Coordinator for the ASCC Marine Science Scholarship Program, providing mentorship and academic support to the students. Felix is committed to collaborating with government agencies and community stakeholders to advance ocean stewardship in American Samoa.

• Sean Felise, Development Officer: Sean is a highly experienced fisherman and ocean resource manager with deep knowledge of American Samoan fisheries. He is a Fisheries Biologist at the American Samoa Department of Marine & Wildlife Resources and a member of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council's Pelagic Plan Team. Sean is an expert fisherman, born and raised in American Samoa. His expertise and passion for ocean resource management are a significant asset to the organization. As Development Officer, Sean will focus on building partnerships and securing resources to support Le Vasa Pathways' initiatives.

Board of Directors:

• H. Gingerlei Porter, PhD: Dr. Porter has over 20 years of experience in program design, development, and implementation in areas including information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D), disaster management, health, and education. She is the Director of the Pacific International Training Desk (Pacific Desk) at the University of Hawaii, which provides training on operational weather forecasting for WMO Region V Pacific Island countries. Dr. Porter oversees several US international programs for weather and disaster communication systems deployment, maintenance, support, and training in the Pacific. She has also worked on several strategic planning, rapid assessment, and vulnerability study teams in the Pacific Region. Dr. Porter is also involved in training with the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC). Her research interests focus on building resilience of small island communities through the use of ICT and its sustainability through long-term education and training. She continues to coordinate regional projects for emergency management, humanitarian assistance, information and communication technology, telehealth, and distance learning projects in the Pacific.

• Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola: Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola is the State Director of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the American Samoa Community College.

• Taotasi Archie Soliai: Mr. Soliai is the Former Chairman of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. He is also the Former Director of the American Samoa Department of Marine & Wildlife Resources and Former Human Resources & Government Relations Manager at StarKist Samoa.

Our Board Members and staff are all from American Samoa and have worked extensively with the local and federal agencies, as well as the communities. We invite you to join us in our mission to cultivate ocean stewards and ensure the sustainable future of American Samoa's marine resources. Stay connected with Le Vasa Pathways to learn more about our initiatives and how you can get involved!