Samoa's Cabinet gifted $20K cash

Apia, SAMOA — Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa and her Cabinet were gifted $20,000 in cash and kind by the American Samoa government representatives as part of the fa'aoso (traditional gift exchange).

The presentation by Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga and his delegation marked the conclusion of the 4th Atoa o Samoa bilateral discussions between the two Samoas.

The gifts were presented as a token of appreciation for the hospitality provided by the government and the people of Samoa. It is not known if the cash gifted to the Samoa government leaders was in U.S. dollars or Samoan tala. 

At the conclusion of the two-day discussions on Friday, American Samoa delegates provided an envelope for the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister at a dinner held at the Stevensons Hotel in Manase. The $20,000 cash was presented to the Samoa government for Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament who were part of the Samoan government delegation. 

In addition, they were also presented with 80 boxes of tuna, 75 boxes of chicken, 75 boxes of turkey tail, 60 boxes of turkey, 60 boxes of ham, 50 boxes of wine and 50 boxes of whiskey. It is understood that these were distributed amongst the Samoan delegates upon their arrival in Upolu on Friday evening. 

A Samoan matai who operates a successful business in American Samoa, Li'o Papali'i Lauli'i Alofa also prepared a traditional presentation in Savai'i for the leaders of the two island governments. 

Read more at Samoa Observer