A relief effort is underway in Hawaii to assist victims of cyclone Heta in both American Samoa and Samoa.
Speaking from Honolulu, the American Samoa Senate Liaison officer for governmental affairs, Gus Hannemann says the drive targets supplies such as dry food, bottled water, bedding and other emergency necessities.
He says all items collected will be shipped to the Samoan islands in just under two weeks free of charge.
He says he is still awaiting word from the governments of the two countries about what is urgently needed.
As American Samoa receives federal assistance following such a disaster, Mr Hanneman says the first focus will be victims in Samoa.
