Work has begun in American Samoa to remove asbestos from Pago Pago's Rainmaker Hotel, which has been sitting derelict for the past ten years.
The asbestos was discovered in the harbour wing of the once-majestic hotel during surveying to prepare for the demolition of the remaining part of the building.
The asbestos removal contract is worth 90 thousand US dollars and is expected to be completed in three months, before final demolition.
American Samoa's government has set aside 300 thousand dollars under special programmes to deal with the hotel, which it plans to replace with a Polynesian Cultural Centre.