Tala Samoa, News from American Samoa
Fono staff to compete in Flag Day Fautasi Race
By Fili Sagapolutele
[email protected]
Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie during yesterday’s Senate session announced that Fono staff is to compete in this year’s Flag Day Fautasi Race, using the old Fagatogo fautasi. He smilingly noted that House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale would captain the Fono fautasi. [SN file photo]The Fono is planning to enter a fautasi in the 2016 Flag Day Fautasi Race and they will be competing against the strong Fuao fautasi from Vatia captained by none other then Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie.
During yesterday’s Senate session Gaoteote informed senators that in the event they were wondering why Fono staff is busy out on the shoreline in the late afternoon or early evening hours, it is because staffers are practicing for the fautasi race for this year’s Flag Day.
Gaoteote says the Fono leadership had approached the leaders of Fagatogo for the use of their old fautasi so the staff could race this year. And Fagatogo leaders graciously granted the request, he said, adding that the Fono is very appreciative of this gesture.
According to the Senate President, the staff will be holding practice and if any of the senators, especially those in who are strong and good health, want to be part of the team, the Fono fautasi team is seeking a lead rower (or foe mua). That brought laughter from senators and Fono staff in the Senate.
And at the close of the session — after the prayer — Gaoteote added to laughter from senators, that House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale would captain the Fono fautasi.
It’s unclear how many fautasi will participate in this year’s race, as a meeting of fautasi captains last week called by the Office of Samoan Affairs was canceled and a new meeting date is now set for Feb. 26.
At this point, Samoa News understands that nine fautasi are expected to race: Fetuo from Vatia; Aeto of Pago Pago; Iseulaolemoana III of Fagatogo; Paepaeulupo’o II of Aua; Manulele Tausala II of Nu’uuli; Taema II of Leone; Fetu o le Afiafi of Fagaalu; Matasaua representing the Manu’a islands and one fautasi invited from Samoa.
It’s also understood that at least three more fautasi — including the one from the Fono — will take part as well. It has not been made public whether the Fono will maintain the Iseulailemoana II name of the Fagatogo fautasi during the race.
The invitation for a fautasi from Samoa to take part in this year’s race was announced early this month by Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga T. Ausega during a cabinet meeting, where Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said this year’s Flag Day theme is “People, Culture, and Future” (or Tagata, Aganu’u ma le Lumana’i)
In addition to the fautasi, Samoa is also being sent an invitation for a group to participate in the siva and pese.
During the cabinet meeting, Mauga says the Flag Day committee is working on making sure that past problems with fautasi races will not occur this year, when it comes to following the rules, especially with the many fautasi expected to take part this year.
He said the committee is looking at holding two heats because of the expected number of fautasi. Flag Day 2016 will be celebrated on Apr. 18 because Apr. 17 — the official flag-raising day falls on a Sunday.
- See more at: http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/fono-staff-compete-flag-day-fautasi-race#sthash.HvtMMuIm.dpuf
[email protected]
Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie during yesterday’s Senate session announced that Fono staff is to compete in this year’s Flag Day Fautasi Race, using the old Fagatogo fautasi. He smilingly noted that House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale would captain the Fono fautasi. [SN file photo]The Fono is planning to enter a fautasi in the 2016 Flag Day Fautasi Race and they will be competing against the strong Fuao fautasi from Vatia captained by none other then Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie.
During yesterday’s Senate session Gaoteote informed senators that in the event they were wondering why Fono staff is busy out on the shoreline in the late afternoon or early evening hours, it is because staffers are practicing for the fautasi race for this year’s Flag Day.
Gaoteote says the Fono leadership had approached the leaders of Fagatogo for the use of their old fautasi so the staff could race this year. And Fagatogo leaders graciously granted the request, he said, adding that the Fono is very appreciative of this gesture.
According to the Senate President, the staff will be holding practice and if any of the senators, especially those in who are strong and good health, want to be part of the team, the Fono fautasi team is seeking a lead rower (or foe mua). That brought laughter from senators and Fono staff in the Senate.
And at the close of the session — after the prayer — Gaoteote added to laughter from senators, that House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale would captain the Fono fautasi.
It’s unclear how many fautasi will participate in this year’s race, as a meeting of fautasi captains last week called by the Office of Samoan Affairs was canceled and a new meeting date is now set for Feb. 26.
At this point, Samoa News understands that nine fautasi are expected to race: Fetuo from Vatia; Aeto of Pago Pago; Iseulaolemoana III of Fagatogo; Paepaeulupo’o II of Aua; Manulele Tausala II of Nu’uuli; Taema II of Leone; Fetu o le Afiafi of Fagaalu; Matasaua representing the Manu’a islands and one fautasi invited from Samoa.
It’s also understood that at least three more fautasi — including the one from the Fono — will take part as well. It has not been made public whether the Fono will maintain the Iseulailemoana II name of the Fagatogo fautasi during the race.
The invitation for a fautasi from Samoa to take part in this year’s race was announced early this month by Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga T. Ausega during a cabinet meeting, where Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said this year’s Flag Day theme is “People, Culture, and Future” (or Tagata, Aganu’u ma le Lumana’i)
In addition to the fautasi, Samoa is also being sent an invitation for a group to participate in the siva and pese.
During the cabinet meeting, Mauga says the Flag Day committee is working on making sure that past problems with fautasi races will not occur this year, when it comes to following the rules, especially with the many fautasi expected to take part this year.
He said the committee is looking at holding two heats because of the expected number of fautasi. Flag Day 2016 will be celebrated on Apr. 18 because Apr. 17 — the official flag-raising day falls on a Sunday.
- See more at: http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/fono-staff-compete-flag-day-fautasi-race#sthash.HvtMMuIm.dpuf
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Meet the new Ms. American Samoa United States for 2015, Constance PaleleiThe new Miss American Samoa United States was crowned during the Miss District of Columbia United States pageant in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 3rd, 2015. Constance Anna Palelei was named the successor to the title and crown held by Meagan Moana Palelei Ho Ching, the 2014 Miss American Samoa United States. Meagan, unable to attend as she takes her finals just prior to graduating from the prestigious Harvard University expressed the following, “I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you that have helped and supported me throughout the past year as your Miss American Samoa United States 2014. E fo'i le vi'iga i le Silisile Ese mo ana fa'amanuiaga ua taunu'u ai le fa'amoemoe. E momoli atu fo'i la'u fa'afetai fa'alelava mo le tou sapasapaia o la'u taumafaiga vaivai. Fa'afetai, Fa'afetai, Fa'afetai Lava! Ia alofa le Atua ia fa'amanuia outou uma ae maise si o tatou malo Amerika Samoa. I also want to congratulate my sister Queen, the recently crowned Miss American Samoa United States 2015, Constance Anna Palelei. Connie I wish you success and know you will make us all proud, and trust you will represent our beloved Territory, People and Culture to the best of your abilities. Thank you for accepting the challenge, I love you! Soifua, ma ia Manuia- Meagan Moana.”
Constance—26—is the daughter of retired NFL player Jack Siulagi Palelei and Catherine Ann Palelei. Constance currently resides in Pennsylvania; however, her Samoan roots run deep by virtue of her American Samoan father who hails from the proud village of Nu’uuli—the very same village that won the competitive fautasi (longboat canoe) race—a highlight of the annual American Samoa Flag Day that marks the anniversary of becoming a U.S. territory when the American flag was raised on Samoan soil in 1900 by U.S. Navy Captain B. F. Tilley. Constance attended Loyola University of New Orleans for Theater and Mass Communications with a minor in Russian Ballet, later transferring to the University of Nevada Las Vegas to take courses in Entrepreneurship and Geology. Realizing that her dream is to design fine jewelry, she enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America and opened a New York-based jewelry company, Constance & Carob. She routinely travels the world for trade show; tours factories abroad; promotes her jewelry on live television; and designs jewelry for celebrities, socialites, as well as private labels found in some of the biggest retailers around the world. With two brothers and a boyfriend in the military, Constance is a staunch supporter of American troops and veterans, personally donating funds and volunteering with the USO, the Wounded Warrior Project, and the Travis Manion Foundation.
Constance’s extra-curricular activities include professional Polynesian dancing, attending horse racing and football games, visiting art museums and galleries, as well as taking classes and workshops to stay current on her jewelry craft and trade. On the Miss United States Organization application, Constance expressed her favorite thing about her state (territory): "The People of American Samoa are the kindest, most loving, and loyal people.” It is the year of the woman in American Samoa with the first elected female delegate to Congress, Constance wants “to represent the people of American Samoa, to share our loving culture with others, and to bring the title of Miss United States to our beautiful island that sometimes gets forgotten.” The Miss United States Organization exists for the purpose of providing an avenue of achievement for women and girls ages 8-39. At a local, state, and national level, the program promotes each titleholder's platform for service, while acting as a national partner with Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. Titleholders further enjoy opportunities in fashion, media, and community events while giving back to their communities and being recognized as positive role models to young women across the nation. Under the direction of Chris Wilmer, the national Miss United States contests includes the divisions of Miss, Ms., Teen, Junior Teen, Pre-Teen, and Little Miss and take place in Washington, DC during Independence Day activities and Las Vegas, NV in late July (Ms. Only).
For anyone who would like to help Miss American Samoa United States 2015 realize her dream of competing at Miss United States, her fundraising website is http://www.gofundme.com/MissAmericanSamoa. Additionally, the Miss American Samoa United States 2015 Committee is seeking corporate and small business sponsorships for wardrobe, jewelry, shoes, hair, makeup, hotel room, flights (for community events especially American Samoa), pageant book ads, photography, pageant coach, etc. CONTACT: Christina Maiava Schaff Assistant Director, MASUS Miss American Samoa United States 2015 Committee Email: [email protected] Manulele Tausala repeats as 2015 Fautasi Champion in American Samoa Flag DayBy
Samoa News staff The Manulele Tausala I fautasi of Nu’uuli is the unofficial winner of the 2015 Flag Day Fautasi Race, held this morning after it was postponed twice due to bad weather, according to the Flag Day Fautasi Committee. Manulele Tausala won last year’s race. Perhaps the big battle, was between the Don Bosco 200 fautasi of Samoa and Fealofani Samoa III of Fagasa, once the race was inside the Pago Pago Harbor vicinity. The two battled for second and third place. According to the fautasi committee the unofficial second place is Don Bosco, followed in third place by Fealofani Samoa; fourth place Paepaeulupo’o of Aua; fifth place Fuao of Vatia; sixth place Matasaua of Manu’a; seventh place Taema II of Leone; eight place Aeto of Pago Pago; and ninth place Fetu o le Afiafi of Fagaalu. Committee chairman Lualemaga Faoa made it clear after the race that these are the unofficial results with the final results to be announced later today once the committee and Flag Day Committee meets. One big incident that occurred was just before the turn at the old Rainmaker Hotel, heading into Pago harbor. KVZK-TV live video footage showed oars of the Fuao and Paepaeulupo’o were entangled, enabling neither of the two fautasi to move forward and allowing the Don Bosco 200 to move past them into second place. Another incident, although minor, occurred before the start of the race, with Paepaeulupo’o in front of the starting line. What was clear from KVKZ-TV live video footage as well as from the Samoa News reporter on one of the private boats on the racecourse is that Manulele Tausala was the clear winner and didn’t encounter any problems. Just before 10:15 a.m. the race got underway with all fautasi already at the area for the starting race, although it was originally planned that the race would begin at 11a.m. Prior to the 5-mile race, the Fautasi Committee along with fautasi captains and their village representatives held a briefing where Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who is also co-chair of the Flag Day Committee, emphasized the safety of not only fautasi crewmembers but also the fautasi committee. He also revealed that some of the Flag Day VIPs had stayed behind to watch the granddaddy of all Flag Day festivities. The VIPs along with other guests were taken out to the starting line by the ASG boat Segaula, while support vessels were the DPS marine patrol boat, Marine and Wildlife Resources, along with the two ASG tugboats and DPS officers on jet skis. Around 7a.m. Fautasi Committee chairman Lualemaga Faoa announced in a KSBS-FM broadcast that the race was reaffirmed to start at 11a.m., and that seas were semi-rough. However, an hour later, KSBS announced, based on information from the committee, that the race was to start 30-minutes early, and that seas were calm. Around 9a.m. Samoa News witnessed jet-skis escort fautasi out to the startling line from within Pago Pago Harbor, while fautasi fans and supporters gathered early in the morning to pick a spot to watch the race along the shoreline. At the time of the race, the National Weather Service in Tafuna had issued a high surf advisory in effect until this afternoon. It said hazardous surf of 8 to 10 feet would subside to near 7 feet later in the morning and then fall below advisory level criterion by this afternoon. Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie, captain of the Fuao fautasi of Vatia, during last Saturday meeting between fautasi captains and the fautasi committee, insisted that the race should be 5-miles, which is how each team was trained. Other fautasi captains supported him. - See more at: http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/update-manulele-tausala-i-nu%E2%80%99uuli-takes-first-place#sthash.bYteJlw1.Nlj5McEU.dpuf |