Friday, July 28, 2006

American Samoa vs. Hawaiian Airlines

American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono Governor Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa - pictured on the left - wants to force Hawaiian Airlines out of his territory. American Samoa has complained for years that Hawaiian Airlines charges higher rates for flights between Pago Pago and Honolulu then they do for same-distance flights between other cities. Last month, after giving Hawaiian Airlines 45 days to lower airfares, he asked them to voluntarily terminate all of their flights to American Samoa. Now he has issued an executive order accusing Hawaiian Airlines of "harassing or discriminating against passengers of Samoan ancestry". Not everyone in American Samoa agrees with the governor's approach to this issue. See the July 1 Pacific Magazine Article. For some history about this controversial issue, see Congressman Faleomavaega's 2003 Press Release.

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