American Samoa's acting governor, Faoa Aitofele Sunia, says the biggest issue facing Manu'a is its population decline.
Faoa says most of the traditional leaders of Manu'a and the elderly live on the main island of Tutuila because of their jobs and to be close to the hospital.
Faoa had been speaking at a government church service to mark the 108th anniversary of the signing of the Deed of Cession by the last King of Manu'a, Tuimanu'a Elisara.
He said the delivery of government services and programmes are determined by the number of people living in an area and that makes Tutuila the recipient of most government resources.
However, he says that doesn't take away from the government's duty to provide for its citizens in Manu'a.