Vice-President Biden makes stop in American Samoa’s capital

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – Vice-President Joe Biden made a refuelling stopover in Pago Pago while en route from Hawaii to Australia and New Zealand.

While on the ground Friday, he was able to shake hands, say hello and take photos with more than 100 residents including several young children.

The vice-president’s plane was on the ground for nearly 90 minutes. American Samoa Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga led the local delegation to meet Biden.

“This is awesome for my son, this is historical and myself and my son will never forget this,” Tini Ierome said after both she and her 9-year-old son, Jacobson Ierome, took separate photos with Biden. “I wanted my son to meet the vice-president because it’s history when a vice-president of the nation visits.”

Many residents used their cellphone to take photos with Biden.

Biden is the second U.S. vice-president to make a stopover in Pago Pago. The first was by Vice-President Dan Quayle in 1989, whose comments that local residents are “happy campers” caused objections from local leaders and a protest from American Samoa non-voting delegation to the U.S. House.