An economist from the United States Department of Interior says American Samoa should look at what Hawaii does if it's to maintain fiscal stability.
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Wali Osman says Hawaii is regarded as one of the most financially stable states of the union because its laws require it to live within its means.
Mr Osman was in the territory earlier this month to gather input from government and private section officials on how American Samoa can achieve economic growth.
He said American Samoa should study the Hawaii approach which also includes a requirement that any budget growth is more than matches by wage increases.
"And that has to be certified by the Hawaii judiciary. So if the government of Hawaii says we need to increase the budget by nine percent they have to show that personal income increased nine percent. If personal income increased one percent their budget has to increase less than one percent."
