First time contender for American Samoa’s seat in the US House of Representatives Vaitinasa Dr Salu Hunkin-Finau did very little speaking at her campaign kick off Saturday at the Samoa sports Center or Bowling Alley.
She listened and watched testimonials some delivered in person and others video recorded and displayed on a big screen, by supporters about why she is American Samoa’s best candidate for Congress.
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hose who gave testimonials included Deputy Attorney General Mitzie Jessop Taase, Rev. Eleasaro Faata’a, Mara Tuimavave and a few others.
Vaitinasa’s brother and former Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunki delivered a videotaped testimonial.
The speakers spoke about Vaitinasa’s passion for education, her efforts to make the Samoan language as the language of instruction in pilot schools as a way to improve student learning, her recognition of senior citizens which led to elderly mothers and fathers working in the schools through the Toe Afua Mai Matua program and her 40 years of service as an educator and community leader.
Faleomavaega said Vaitinasa’s public service reminds him of the Samoan proverb, “O le ala i le pule o le tautua,” the path to leadership is through service. This is Vaitinasa’s campaign slogan.
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Vaitinasa also heard a ballad by about 20 members of the Toe Afua Mai Matua group praising and thanking her for
giving them the opportunity to work in the schools.
The two cabinet members present were Director of Homeland Security Utualii Iuniasolua Savusa who was Vaitinasa’s lt. governor running mate in the 2012 gubernatorial elections and Dr. Peter Tinitali, Director of the Office for the Protection and Advocacy for the Disabled.
Rev. Elder Faletoi Uso who gave the invocation, Reverend Eliasaro Fa’ataaa and Pastor Alu Faamasino sat in the VIP seating with Afioga Lopa Seti from Vailoa.
The crowd of about 200 included several of the candidates colleagues from the Department of Education led by Deputy Director Faauifono Vaitautolu.
In brief remarks which concluded her kick off rally, Vaitinasa thanked everyone who attended for giving of their time, talents and money and reflected on their shared mission.
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Children from the Tongan Community entertained the audience with a few numbers.
Each of the committees to support Vaitinasa for Congress from the Eastern, central, Eestern District and Manu’a did their siva and a special taualuga was performed by the daughter of Rev. Alu Faamasino.
