The Department of Public Works has kicked-off the biannual Pacific Territories Meeting and will be working with the CNMI and American Samoa collaboratively. The two-week event brings together the Federal Highway Administration Hawaii, the Department of Transportation, the American Samoa Department of Public Works, and the CNMI Department of Public Works in an effort to partner and share ideas for best practices.

DPW director Glenn Leon Guerrero said, "They have different approaches and they have similar approaches and what we are trying to incorporate, and...best practices and whatever they have and think they accomplished is something we are interested in as well." By sharing ideas, Leon Gurerero they are not only looking at best practices for project and contract management, bridge inspections, and traffic engineering but also collaborating and sharing the challenges faced in the Pacific territories.

America Samoa Public Works director Sina Voight said, "In the last two years there is a lot has been happening I believe as far staffing in each territory and their program so I hope there is a better understanding and find out best management practices and how we can help each other improve moving forward."

One of the the biggest challenges for all three territories is funding as $40 million in federal funds is shared between the territories. "$40 million for the territory pool and Guam and the Virgin Islands get 40% each and America Samoa and the CNMI get 10% each, so out of that $40 million, American Samoa and CNMI get $4 million each," added Voight.

Despite, this America Samoa and CNMI continue to make due with the funding to complete projects however the limited funding does have a major effect on how many transportation projects they can complete within a year.