Government and society

Constitutional framework

Because American Samoa is an unincorporated, unorganized territory of the United States, not all provisions of the U.S. Constitution apply. Moreover, the United States has not provided an organic (charter) act setting forth a system of government. Instead, the U.S. secretary of the interior, who has had jurisdiction over the territory since 1951, gave American Samoa the authority to draft its own constitution (1967). The people are U.S. nationals (with the right to enter and reside in the United States) but not citizens. The territory’s chief executive, according to the constitution of 1967, is the governor. In 1976 American Samoans approved a referendum that provided for the popular election of the governor and lieutenant governor for four-year terms; prior to that time, the governor was appointed by the U.S. government. The minimum voting age is 18.

American Samoa has a bicameral legislature, called the Fono, which meets for two sessions each year. It is autonomous in its disposition of local revenues and is the sole lawmaking body, although the governor has the power to veto legislation. The members of American Samoa’s House of Representatives (lower house) are elected by universal suffrage to two-year terms; one member is a nonvoting delegate elected from Swains Island. Members of the Senate (upper house) are chosen by councils of chiefs, in accordance with Samoan custom, to serve four-year terms. In 1981 the first official nonvoting delegate from American Samoa to the U.S. House of Representatives was elected. The United States is responsible for defense.

Local government

Apart from Swains Island, the islands are divided into several administrative districts (each with an appointed district governor), which are subdivided into counties. The influence of the extended families (aiga) reaches to the district level. The aiga are headed by chiefs (matai), who are selected by their extended families on the basis of consensus. Most chiefs’ titles are very old. The matai together make up village and district councils (fono), which control and run local affairs. This autonomous village control is linked with the central government through the district governors, who are appointed by the governor.

Justice

The highest legal authority is the High Court, which is headed by a chief justice and associate justices, all appointed by the U.S. secretary of the interior. The High Court has appellate, trial, and land and titles divisions. Each village has a village court with authority to adjudicate matters pertaining to village rules and local customs. District courts hear preliminary felony proceedings, certain cases arising from the village courts, and civil and small claims.

Health and welfare

Health conditions are generally good. The leading causes of death include heart diseases, cancers, and diseases of the respiratory system. Life expectancy is in the low 70s for men and low 80s for women, somewhat higher than the averages for the region.

Education

Education is compulsory between ages 6 and 18 and is provided by public elementary and secondary schools as well as a small number of private schools. The Office of Public Information provides educational television programming to supplement the curriculum of local schools. American Samoa Community College, on Tutuila, offers programs in liberal arts and sciences, vocational and technical training, and nursing school. University education is available from universities in Hawaii or on the U.S. mainland.