Who’s running for Manu’a #1 seat discussed in midst of House health hearing

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Former Manu’a #1 faipule and current Department of Health deputy director, Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr assured the current Manu’a #1 Faipule Alumamalu Filoiali’i Ale that he will not run in the upcoming election, instead, he along with his family will fully support the current faipule in the November election.

It was at the House Health committee hearing last Thursday when the Manu’a #1 seat was publicly discussed in the House Chamber.

Vesi, along with the new veterinarian, Dr. Barbara Kahl and the veterinary clinic manager Shawntiarre Fuatino Faumui appeared before the committee to introduce Dr. Kahl to faipule and to announce her current plans for pets and farm animals in American Samoa.

The ‘election’ discussion took place in the middle of the hearing when the committee chair, Faipule Andra Tereise Samoa gave the floor to Manu’a #2 Faipule Tioali’i Fau Sai and one of the Manu’a #1 Faipule, Alumamalu Filoiali’i Ale to ask questions of the witness.

Tioalii acknowledged the plan by the veterinary clinic and DoH to build a new facility in order to provide better service to the community.

Tiaoalii told Vesi that based on his explanation, this new project would take a year or two to complete and it’s a huge project for American Samoa.

Tiaoalii then told Vesi that if this is the plan, it appears to him that he needs to make sure the project is completed while he’s still serving as deputy director of Health.

“I respectfully request to you honorable Vesi that you need to continue your service for our people through DoH. Never think of running for the seat again. You’re doing a lot for American Samoa and I recommend you stay there to finish up that new project. Allow your brother here, honorable Alumamalu to run for the seat in the upcoming election,” Tiaoalii said and there was laughter inside the chamber.

Alumamalu echoed Tiaoalii’s comment acknowledging Vesi’s service for the community through the DoH. He, too also thanked Vesi for his continuing service during this time of the pandemic.

“I salute you for your service for American Samoa for all these years and I humbly request you to please, allow me the opportunity to continue my service for our people in Manu’a through this seat in the House of Representatives,” Alumamalu said.

He continued, “If you’re planning to run for the upcoming election, I will rest and support you. But if you allow me the opportunity to continue my service for our people, I will accept it with a heart full of praise.”

Vesi addressed Alumamalu as “brother” and assured him that he has no intention of running in the upcoming election in November of this year.

“Brother, do what is best for our people for our constituency. I’m not running for the seat, but I, along with my family will support you in the upcoming election.”

BACKGROUND

Manu’a #1 has two seats and the 2020 local House race shows that while incumbent Fetui F. Fetui Jr., retained his seat with 358 votes, the second incumbent, Faipule Vesi Talalelei Fautanu Jr., lost his seat by one-vote to Alumamalu Ale S. Filoiali’i.

Vesi received 282 votes; Alumamalu got 283 votes.

Vesi submitted a “Challenge of a Recount” letter on Nov. 3 to the chief election officer who responded in a Nov. 6 letter, which the Election Office released after the 2020 general results were made official, that Alumamalu along with Fetui were declared winners.