The American Samoa Chief Justice Michael Kruse has ordered landowner Avamua Dave Haleck not to carry out any further development in the Tafuna rainforest land.
Meanwhile, a hearing on the government's motion for a preliminary injunction to stop Avamua from bulldozing the land has been continued till next Tuesday.
Avamua has indicated that his threat to start clearing the land now has been put on hold.
Chief Justice Kruse says it is a very important land case and should be heard by the Lands And Titles court.
The government is proposing a temporary moratorium on development of the land.
It has been negotiating to purchase the Haleck property for conservation purposes for more than ten years but has been unable to raise the funds for it.
