Fofo County selects Olo Uluao Letuli to fill vacant Senate seat

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In accordance with Samoan customs, traditional leaders and chiefs of Fofo County selected High Talking Chief (HTC) Olo Uluao Letuli as their new senator, filling the senatorial seat left vacant after former Sen. Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet stepped down last month to take up the post of Western District Governor.

Fofo County’s decision was outlined in a June 13 letter from Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega to Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, who was informed of the “results of the elected Senator of Fofo, District No. 11.”

Mauga said that representatives of Fofo, in “accordance with Samoan customs, elected HTC Olo Uluao Letuli.” The nomination form signed by the County Chief of Fofo to certify Olo’s selection was attached to Mauga’s letter.

“I am confident that the elected senator will have a most successful and productive term,” Mauga wrote to Tuaolo.

Olo will take up the senatorial seat for Fofo — which comprises Leone village — when the Fono convenes July 10 for the Second Regular Session of the 38th Legislature.

Of his selection, Olo told Samoa News, “I am honored and humbled and with God’s help, look forward to serving my district and the territory as best I can.”

Local laws call for senators to be elected in accordance with Samoan custom by the county councils of the county or counties they are to represent. The decision of the members of the county councils must be certified by the county chiefs of such counties.

Another provision of the law states that the person elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office during the remainder of the term of his predecessor. A term for senators is 4-years.

The current 38th Legislature officially ends on Jan. 03, 2025 when the new Legislature takes the oath of office following the November 2024 general election.