Director of the Office of Insular and international Affairs, US Dept of Interior Nikolao Pula was one of the honorees at the Native Hawaiians Award Ceremony held during the 18th National Native Convention.
Pula was honored for his significant contributions to the Pacific particularly the territories and the Federated States of Micronesia.
He was nominated by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s Pacific Islands Caucus chaired by Esther Kia’aina.
Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, the governor’s executive assistant said Pula was the only non-Hawaiian who was honored.
Iulogologo said, “I was privileged to represent Governor Lolo M. Moliga at this award ceremony for the Governor has made it a point to constantly and continuously credit and express our people’s gratitude for Nikolao Pula and Lydia Faleafine’s tremendous contributions which has facilitated the completion of so many infrastructure projects for American Samoa.”
Lupesinaasamoa Esther Kia’aina, former Assistant Secretary of Insular and International Affairs of the Department of the Interior who made the introductions mentioned that Nikolao Pula is the first person of Pacific ancestry who successfully climbed the leadership ladder in Washington, DC and who is currently the Director of the Office of Insular and International Affairs within the Department of the Interior.
