Ituau District candidate profiles her priorities if elected

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The drug pandemic in the territory and efforts to eliminate it is one of the reasons Fa’afeo Lagafuaina is running for a seat in the House of Representatives from the Ituau District.

Lagafuaina made the comments in response to questions from Samoa News. Ituau District consists of the villages of Nuuli, Fagasa, Faganeanea and Matuu.

She said the drug pandemic should be a priority on the government’s list.

 “We must continue the work and priority for me if I'm ever blessed with the opportunity to serve my district is the ever grown drug problem our people are currently facing.  

 “We are losing our children to drugs,” said the mother of five.

 “I would never want my children to battle drug abuse. Let alone anyone else's children. 

 “The family unit is never the same when drugs are involved. My hope is family reunification is reached through counseling and rehabilitation and the work must be done through all efforts from government, private sectors, churches, villages, and families.

 “A cohesive group dedicated to fight the drug problem in American  Samoa.  I would advocate for real solutions to the drug pandemic that has been growing for the last 20 years.”

While being in the political arena was “never” on her mind, but current issues prompted the move to throw her hat in politics.

 “I was always interested in politics but never in a million years did I think I would run for office. “The government's response to Covid 19 was what did it for me.

 “Shutting down of people's livelihoods/ businesses, churches, schools, family gatherings, the borders, forcing people to vaccinate against their will, forcing people to wear masks, telling people where to sit, where to stand, requiring approval from TALOFAPass before being allowed to come home and when we can and can't see our loved ones.  

 “All this over a virus that CDC stated from the beginning had a 99.6 to 99.99% recovery rate depending on your immune system,” she said.

Lagafuaina also commended the past and present faipules for paving the way for future generations.

“Their tireless efforts and dedication to our district and our island have made a tremendous impact on what we have accomplished today but the work is not done.

“I would encourage, establish and maintain the youth focused programs; self sustainability; job assistance & placement; education services; veteran services; domestic abuse services; environmental protection; village water and protection of family lands.”

Lagafuaina believes she can make a difference that is much needed in the Ituau district.

 “If given the privilege to serve, I will work with the families, village and district councils, church leaders, community leaders and the government to bring about the improvements, that I feel with the input of our people are paramount to the success of our community.” 

Lagafuaina also commented on the lack of women’s representation in the legislative.

 “I do believe it is not for lack of trying, realistically, this is still a man’s world, but history shows us that women have come a long way from being submissive and subservient.

 “We are seeing more and more of our Samoan women in leadership roles.

 “Women bring a completely different perspective, attitude, passion and a cultural difference to leadership roles.  

 “It is my hope that this will continue to progress and see more of our women in the house of representatives, as senators, or even as Governors one day. I strongly encourage our Samoan women to run for office.”

BACKGROUND

There are a total of 20 seats up for re-election in the Fono, while the 21st seat, occupied by the Swains Island representative — is not voted at the poll, but is selected by consensus by the people (voters) of Swains.

For the Ituau District — #12, there are a total of 4 candidates on the ballot vying for two seats. Two are the incumbents — Logoituau Mark Atafu and Manumaua Wayne Wilson, and the other two are ‘first timers’ to the arena — Tautoloitua Sausetoa Ho Ching and Fa’afeo “Feo”  Lagafuaina.

Feo is one of the nine women running in the 2022 general election for the Fono. The other eight are: Andra Samoa, the incumbent of District 13, Vaasa Ulugia Simanunu in Saole, Alaese Tina Faisiotamo’i Vivao Ioane in Mauputasi #4, Fatumalala Leulua’i al-Shehri in Alataua, Fiatagata Maloa Amani Johnson, Bartley Papali’i Su’a Lucia and Vui Florence Vaili Saulo for Tuala-uta - District 15, and Moira Fatima Maiava for Tuala-tai - District 15.

For the US House of Representatives — the Congressional seat — incumbent Uifa’atali Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagan is running unopposed.