ASG monetary gift at new Fono opening goes into Samoa Treasury

Apia, SAMOA — (December 23, 2025) The total of $300,000 tala from the American Samoa Government's monetary gift to the Samoa Government during last month's official opening of the Territory's new Fono building, has now been formally deposited into the Treasury of the Independent State of Samoa — a gesture that not only strengthens ties between the two Samoas but also sets a historic precedent.

According to Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, the funds were presented as a reciprocal gesture to honor the gifts extended by the Samoa Government during last month’s opening of the new Fono Building of the American Samoa Legislature.

He explained that the amount deposited into Treasury includes $250,000 tala allocated to cover expenses from the trip and cultural presentations, along with a $50,000 tala reserve earmarked for similar future engagements.

Samoa’s delegation to the opening of American Samoa’s new Fono Building was led by the Head of State and included the Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers, Associate Ministers, and more than fifty members of the Police Band, who traveled aboard the Nafanua Patrol Boat.

The centerpiece of the Samoan Government’s presentation was the traditional Ta'alolo, which was led by the daughter of Samoa’s Head of State, resplendent in traditional taupou attire. She was followed by dancing sogaimiti — young men proudly bearing their tattoos — and other taupou who moved gracefully as the procession made its way onto the Malaeoletalu malae to the beat provided by Royal Samoa Police Band filling the air with Samoan music.

The young tattooed men and women, along with most of the participants in the ta‘alolo, were Samoa nationals employed at StarKist and others residing on-island, who came forward to support the Government of Samoa’s initiative. Their presence embodied both cultural pride and communal solidarity, reinforcing the deep ties that unite Samoans across the islands.

Bringing up the rear were young men proudly bearing massive ‘ie toga, treasured fine mats used only in events of this magnitude, which had been fastened to long poles and lifted high for all to see.

These massive ‘ie toga were presented to honor each of the traditional districts of American Samoa, while suas were bestowed upon local leaders and the servants of God who officiated. In addition, the Government of Samoa offered $10,000 in U.S. currency, along with carcasses of beef, coolers of fish, sausages, sacks of taro, and Samoan koko, a gesture rich in both material and cultural significance.

Laauli said the overall cost of the trip and expenses came to around SAT$250,000.

The American Samoa Fono reciprocated by presenting more than 50 suas, which included monetary gifts to members of the clergy, the visiting delegation from Samoa, as well as local current and former leaders.

A sum of $100,000 was presented in acknowledgment of the ta‘alolo performed by Samoa, accompanied by cases of chicken, corned beef, and wahoo. Altogether, the $100,000 and the additional suas announced that day amounted to an estimated USD $200,000, illustrating the depth of respect and reciprocity shared between the two Samoas.

The Prime Minister announced that the remaining funds from the recent trip have been gifted to several groups and institutions. Beneficiaries include the Ministry of Police, the brass band that accompanied Samoa’s delegation to American Samoa, Cabinet and Associate Ministers, as well as Chief Executive Officers who were part of the mission.

Additional gifts were extended to Members of the Council of Deputies and a range of charitable organizations, among them the Mapuifagalele and Logoipulotu Homes for the Elderly, the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG), schools serving children with disabilities, the Carmelite Monastery Sisters, and the Goshen and Cancer Societies.

Monetary gifts were also presented to former Prime Ministers Fiame Naomi Mataʻafa and Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, in recognition of their service to the nation.

The invitation extended to Samoa’s high-level delegation marks the beginning of a renewed relationship between the two Samoas. This partnership was first signaled when the Governor of American Samoa, along with the Speaker and President of the Senate, attended the swearing-in of the new FAST Government in Apia on September 16, this year.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean officially acknowledged this historical gesture by the Samoa government during his remarks at the opening of the new Fono building.

 He emphasized that for the first time in Samoa’s 63 years as an independent nation, the Governor of American Samoa and leaders of the Fono were invited to witness the swearing-in of Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa. Equally historic, he noted, was the unprecedented presence of Samoa’s Head of State, Prime Minister, and Speaker of Parliament together at an event in American Samoa — a moment that stood as a powerful testament to unity, kinship, and shared heritage across the Samoan people.

Tuaolo reflected on the meaning of wealth, contrasting Western values with Samoan tradition.

“For the palagi, wealth is measured in money. But for us as Samoans, our true wealth lies in our aiga — our families — and in the unity that binds us together,” he declared.

Looking ahead, the Atoa o Samoa annual talks are tentatively scheduled for March 2026. Priority issues on the agenda include strengthening border security, combating illegal drugs, advancing visa-free travel, and expanding trade opportunities between the two nations.