The American Samoa Office of Samoan Affairs plays a vital role in preserving the traditional Samoan way of life, known as Fa'a Samoa. It coordinates closely with village chiefs (matai), county mayors, and district leaders. The office is instrumental in facilitating local governance, resource management, and community engagement, ensuring that both cultural traditions and modern development are aligned. The matai system emphasizes communal values, where the family or aiga is the core unit, and decisions regarding land and resources are made collectively by the matai.
