Four more senators selected and confirmed — one of them is former Gov Togiola

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA —  Four additional senators have been added to the list of Senators who will be sworn in at noon on January 3, 2021, and the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Samoan Affair, High Talking Chief (HTC) Malemo Tausaga confirmed the new selections to Samoa News this week.

Malemo said that while a few districts are still deciding about their new senators, he’s confident that the new selections already made are more than qualified for the big challenge ahead and they have leadership skills to make good decisions for a better American Samoa for tomorrow.

“The new selections are not only those who have served in the American Samoa government as leaders, but some of them are currently holding the seat for their respective districts,” Malemo said, adding that, “American Samoa needs people who can lead by good example so that the young generation will look up to them as role models and follow in their footsteps.”

Malemo said that he’s hoping that by the end of this week, the remaining districts that haven’t made their final selections, will do so.

The four senators have now been certified by the county chiefs of their districts and affirmed by the Secretary of Samoan Affair, Paramount Chief Mauga Tasi Asuega.

For District #5, Sua, former Governor Togiola T. A Tulafono has been selected by Sua Chiefs to take over the seat from Sen. Faamausili Mau Jr.

For District #8, Tualauta — two seats — the district chiefs have re-selected High Chief Magalei Logovi’i and High Chief Fonoti Tafaifa Aufata to continue for the next 4 years.

For District #10, Tualatai, the district chiefs had agreed to re-select Paramount Chief Satele Galu Satele to continue in the seat.

SUA DISTRICT MEETING

It was during the Sua district meeting two weeks ago where their district chiefs agreed to select Togiola to take over the seat currently occupied by Sen. Faamausili Mau Jr.

People who were at the meeting told Samoa News that it was during the meeting that Sen. Faamausili Mau Jr requested to be given the opportunity to continue his service to the district in the senate seat. However, other chiefs did not agree.

At the end of the meeting, district chiefs unanimously agreed to allow Togiola to take over the seat for the next four years.

After voting yes for Togiola, two chiefs told Samoa News that they voted yes because they didn’t want to let the district decision down, however, they truly believe that Togiola should not have accepted the seat.

One of the chiefs told Samoa News that Togiola served in the highest position in the American Samoa Government — as Governor — and accepting the senate seat does not look good for him because it’s like he’s lowered himself by taking a second level position.

TUALAUTA DISTRICT MEETING

Representatives from the Tualauta district confirmed to Samoa News that it was during a meeting two weeks ago that district chiefs unanimously agreed to re-select Magalei and Fonoti to continue with their seats in the Senate.

District chiefs believe that they’re qualified leaders for the district and for the government.

TUALATAI DISTRICT MEETING

High Talking Chief Fauaa Elisara Fauaa confirmed to Samoa News that it was during the meeting last Saturday that district chiefs unanimous agreed for P.C Satele to continue.

Fauaa said that as long as Satele is well physically and mentally, he would continue to take the senate seat for the district.

After being re-selected for the senate seat, Satele told his district that he’s very humbled and thankful for their decision to allow him the opportunity to serve the district for the next four years in the Senate.

“The district chiefs wanted me to be a servant for them for the next 4 years. God knows my heart and I want to serve my district and the people of American Samoa while I still have the strength from God,” Satele told the meeting.

DISTRICT GOVERNORS

Three Districts have selected their District Governors for the next 4 years.

For the Eastern District, they selected High Chief Matautia Lui Tuiafono as their District Governor; the chiefs of the Western Districts have re-selected High Chief Fuamatu J.V Fuamatu to continue on for their district; while chiefs of the Manu’a District have selected current Senator Misaalefua John Hudson to take over the seat.

MANU’A DISTRICT MEETING

It was during the district meeting last month where Manu’a District Chiefs selected High Chief Misaalefua J. Hudson to take over the seat now occupied by High Chief Laolagi Fonoti Savali Vaeao, who is stuck off island due to the COVID-19 pandemic border closure.

A spokesperson for the Manu’a District and current Assistant Secretary of Samoa Affairs, HTC Malemo confirmed the district selection to Samoa News yesterday morning.

Malemo said that it was a smooth meeting and chiefs unanimously agreed for Misaalefua to take over the seat.

EASTERN DISTRICT MEETING

It was during the Eastern District Meeting last Saturday at Mauga’s guest house in Pago Pago when Mauga informed the meeting that it’s Sua district’s time for the district governor’s seat. He then appointed Matautia Lui to take over the seat currently occupied by High Chief Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson, who has been selected as one of the two senators for District #12 Ituau.

Mata’utia, a military veteran and a former Senator for Sua District where he was selected to fill the Sua county seat left vacant following the death of Sen. Sua Vaiuli in August 2013.