Outgoing Gov Lolo offered praise and thanks during book-launch last Friday

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The “First Edition” of the “Tusi Fa’alupega o Tutuila ma Manu’atele” — book of salutations for Tutuila and Manu’atele — was officially launched last Friday morning at the “Afioga Tufele Li’amatua Sr. Tufele Cultural Center” at Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park at Utulei Beach.

Out-going Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, was joined by Chief Justice Michael Kruse, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, cabinet members, Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga T. Asuega along with District Governors and traditional leaders, as well as others for the launching, which included the traditional welcoming ava ceremony performed by American Samoa Community College students.

This was Lolo’s last and final public appearance as his Administration exits the helm of government after 8-years. Lolo told the audience that the book-project, which was overseen by the Office of Samoan Affairs, would assist future generations to ensure they have accurate and proper historical salutations of each village in American Samoa.

Lolo acknowledged that the book-project is not complete, but points out that it’s being launched so that the community knows it’s available through the work of the government, especially the Office of Samoan Affairs.

He thanked the Secretary of Samoan Affairs, District Governors and other traditional leaders who worked together in completing this important project, which serves as a Samoan traditional-guide for the territory’s future generations.

The governor also thanked the committee appointed to oversee the project, headed by Sala Dr. Mata’ese Samuelu — who was appointed and confirmed by the Fono in January last year as the Agriculture Department director.

And to ensure that all students and teachers have access to the Tusi o Fa’alupega, Lolo directed that copies of the publication were to be made available to the American Samoa Community College and the local Education Department.

Lolo also expressed appreciation for support from the Judicial and Legislative branches of government. Lolo requested leaders of the two branches of government to continue to support the incoming Lemanu- Talauega Administration (who were sworn in yesterday.)

To his cabinet members, Lolo said this was his final and last public acknowledgement of the cabinet on behalf of himself and then Lt. Gov. Lemanu for their public service. He also said that last Friday was their final-work day for the outgoing administration.

He told cabinet directors that who ever is able to assist the new incoming administration to continue to do so as the government is not just for Lemanu and Talauega but its a “government for all of us”.

He urged all cabinet members to support the new incoming administration for the benefit of the people and the territory.

To the general public, Lolo asked the community to lend their support to the new administration and to offer prayers for a continued bright future of American Samoa.

Funding for the book-project was provided by the US Interior Department, which Lolo thanked but didn’t provide the funding amount.

However, it was during a five-hour stop over in American Samoa in September 2018 by then Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke that the funding of $50,000 was announced during a ceremony at Su’igaula park to start the book-project.

DOI Office of Insular Affairs director Nikolao Pula — who was among those who accompanied Zinke — made the announcement.