Alia boats

American Samoa 'alia' boats to be repaired

The Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has approved using part of the $US1 million the territory received from the federal government following the 2009 tsunami, which damaged and destroyed many "alia" boats, to hire a dedicated mechanic for the Manu'a islands.

The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources will also be hiring a contractor to complete the repairs of the boats located in Manu'a and purchase necessary supplies for the boats there.

Manu'a alia boat owners have been asking for help from the government to repair their alia boats for years.