December 2007

Amata to announce whether she's running for the congressional seat after the Holidays

by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent

With less than 12 months before the November 2008 general election, there are already speculations about possible candidates for the Congressional race, now that incumbent Faleomavaega Eni has confirmed he is seeking re-election.

One candidate, who has been in the congressional run in past elections is Aumua Amata Coleman. Samoa News asked Amata as to her plans for next year's election; if she is running and what would the focus of her campaign platform be.

"I think for candidates to announce plans so early in such a small community as ours would be a disservice to the voters, who I think would at least like to get through our joyous Holiday Season and celebrate the birth of Our Lord in peace before having to think about politics," she said yesterday. "In short, it is customary to wait for an election year to state one's intentions, and I will honor that custom."

"Having said that, I must tell you that a lot of people have asked me to consider offering my candidacy for Congress in 2008 and I have promised to listen carefully to their arguments and take soundings of my own," she said. "I have been listening to my supporters from 2006 and this weekend will consult with my village elders in Pago Pago and Nuuuli. Then over the Holidays I will talk with my family."

Amata said she is very concerned with our future and senses the deep frustration of people who have spoken to her about the uncertainty of our economic future tied to the tuna industry. She said voters have also expressed concern "at what appears to be a weakening of our self government and have spoken of their despair over the lack of teamwork among our leaders."

She said a fautasi crew that paddles in opposite directions stands still in the water.

"In the end, it is all about making a difference," said Amata. "If I believe I can make a difference in the lives of our people and the people want me to offer a different vision for the future, I would be willing to try if I have the blessing of my family, the support of my village and the commitment of my previous supporters."

During the past two elections, Amata has taken strong lead in several polling stations, including those in Manu'a and outlying villages, against the incumbent.

Lolo asks Togiola for inclusion of Manu'a islands in fiber optic project
by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent

July 31, 2007

As Governor Togiola moves forward with the fiber optic cable project, Senate President Lolo M. Moliga has requested that the Manu'a Islands be included in this "pivotal project" along with Tutuila.

The governor had said that if all goes well in accordance with current plans, American Samoa should be connected to the fiber optic by early 2009, if not sooner.

"The inherent business, economic, and social benefits which prompted your commitment and enthusiasm to pursue American Samoa's involvement in the fiber optic initiative will also accrue to the Manu's Islands," Lolo wrote in a July 27 letter to Togiola.

"It is my strong belief that this project will contribute positively in supplementing our collaborative efforts, dedicated to the development and repopulation of the Manu'a Islands," he said.

Lolo said he shares the governor's assertion during the Fono opening that American Samoa's future pathway will be strewn with monumental challenges that could very well be manifested in human suffering if America Samoa fails to fully mitigate conditions precipitating these problems.

"The fiber optic initiative is one of the universal remedies that would lessen the adverse impact of conditions perpetrated by external policies or interventions," he wrote. "It behooves us therefore to maximize its utilization so its scope mitigation is pervasive."

He also commended the governor for his vision and efforts to ensure that American Samoa "totally captures the economic and social benefits embedded in this project".

"In light of this conviction, I hope that connectivity forged by fiber optic links between Tutuila and all of the Manu'a Islands and within the Manu'a islands themselves will be established and operational within the same time frame Tutuila's system becomes functional," the said.

"This project will appreciably enhance Manu'a development environment which will in turn entice the establishment of businesses and creation of jobs: the formula that will attract residents back to the Manu'a Islands," said Lolo.

Copies of Lolo's letter were forwarded to all senators and the three House members from Manu'a. Lolo represents Manu'a District #2 (Ofu, Olosega, Sili) in the Senate.

The governor announced in mid June following a meeting with Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne that a letter of intent was under review in the regards to the fiber optic project (Pacific Rim East cable) and was to have been finalized at the time.

There has been no response from the governor, who is currently off island, as to the status of this letter of intent. The governor believes this project will build local infrastructure and attract foreign investors to the territory as well as build and promote a local skilled labor force.

Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com.

Bill to strike 'hereditary right' from matai title considerations pending in Senate

By Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent

A bill now pending in the Senate would remove 'hereditary right' as a point of consideration for the High Court when determining which candidate is awarded a matai title.

Senate President Lolo M. Moliga, the sole sponsor of the bill, said the "hereditary right" criterion "is not fair" when it comes to determining the qualified candidate.

Current statues state that in the trial of title cases, the High Court shall be guided by the following considerations, in the priority listed.

• the best hereditary right, as to which the male and female descendants are equal in families where this has been customary; otherwise the male descendant prevails over the female;
• the wish of the majority or plurality of those clans of the family as customary in that family;
• the forcefulness, character and personality of the persons under consideration for the title, and their knowledge of the Samoan customs; and
• the value of the holder of the title to the family, village and country.

Lolo said this 'hereditary right" consideration should be deleted and leave only the other three considerations for the court to base their final decision on.

"I believe this amendment, if enacted, is fair for everyone who has bloodline to any chiefly title," said Lolo. "As long as you are bloodline and endorsed by the family and approved by the court, you should be given every consideration for that family title."

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