Fautasi Reps Happy with Money Distribution

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Village fautasi were happy with the decision by the co chairs of the Main Flag Day Committee, Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega to award $10,000 to each of the village fautasi that participated in the flag Day fautasi races.

Checks of $10,000 were awarded to Nu’uuli, Fagatogo, Aua, manu;a, Leone, pago pago, Fagasa,  fagaalu Vatia and Faleniu .
And the ASG and Fono fautasi were given checks of $2,000.

Representatives of the Pago Pago Aeto and Paepaeulupoo from Aua told KHJ News that they agree with and support the equal distribution of the money.

KHJ News was unable to find out if Nuuuli which had 2 fautasi was given just $10,000 or double the amount.

The Committee received a vote of thanks for their patience and efforts to organize the fautasi races, in comments made by Leone High Chief Faiivae Alex Iuli, Captain of the Taema from Leone and Senator Soliai Tuipine for Manulele Tausala from Nuuuli.

The decision to award $10,000 for the village long boats was discussed by the Co chairs at a meeting with Governor Lolo Moliga

At today’s meeting the idea of a Commission that would set the rules and guidelines for the conduct of future fautasi races was floated.

Mauga said the governor had mentioned the idea of a commission  to the fautasi captains at an earlier meeting, and it’s  his hope that there’ll be a lesson learnt from this year’s races and a way forward to ensure the tradition of fautasi racing is maintained for the future.

The commission, he said, would organize races independently of the government.

Mauga said if nothing is done to set the conduct of fautasi races on the right path, problems will continue.

He asked, “ if not us, who will correct it?”

Senator Soliai was in full support of the idea of a commission and expressed confidence the commission would help resolve issues arising from fautasi races, issues that come up year after year.

House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale seemed to think that even if a commission is established with all the right intentions,
regulations and authority, the long boat races will continue to be riddled with problems if captains are not honest and continue to disobey the rules.

At today’s meeting, prices for the pese and siva were presented.

Manu’a’s check that KHJ News saw was $20,000.

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