While the Apia shoreline has been cleaned and restored, piles of rubbish at Fagali’i remain untouched, with residents and visitors worried that pollution could lead to environmental degradation.

Lana Foaina Sioli said the situation has persisted for weeks.

“This matter has been raised for like three weeks now, and it’s still there,” she said. “The same being done at Apia can be done at Fagali’i. Tourists are coming in, and of course, every Samoan doesn’t want to hear when people say bad stuff about how careless Samoan people are,” she said.

Sports enthusiast Annfereni Sene, who often walks around town, echoed the concern.

“People would love to come to our country, but seeing these rubbish piles around makes them not want to come again to Samoa and visit here,” Sene said. “Also, this has been raised for three weeks, and it’s almost a month, and still people can’t even make an effort for it.”

An email was sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) for comments on the situation. The ministry has not responded as of this report.

Residents say the ongoing rubbish problem at Fagali’i not only affects tourism but also raises questions about local waste management and accountability, especially after Apia’s shoreline was successfully cleared.