The final day of the 2022 Constitutional Convention saw delegates approving a handful of proposed amendments.
One would give the Swains delegate in the American Samoa House of Representatives the right to vote on the House floor.
This issue was not in the list of amendments approved by the Constitutional Review Committee but earlier in the convention Swains faipule Su’a Alex Jennings made an impassioned plea to delegates for Swains to have voting privileges in the House. This, he said, would place this part of American Samoa on an equal footing with the rest of the territory.
Ituau delegate Taotasi Archie Soliai said, while he supported a vote for Swains there needs to be a review and amendments to the current law because, at present, the Swains faipule is not elected by popular vote like the rest of the districts; but is selected by adult permanent residents of Swains.
The motion to give Swains voting power was approved by a vote of 73-43.
Other changes approved on the final day was the inclusion of Malaeimi as part of the district of Ituau, changing of the name Ma’opuTasi to Maoputasi, and naming District #17 the District of Leasina and Aitulagi, instead of just Keasina.
There was some discussion on how the third seat for Ituau would be apportioned, there was also consensus to have two seats for Nuuuli and Malaeimi and one seat for Matuu/Faganeanea and Fagasa.
A third seat for Tuala-uta was also approved, earlier in the week.
The convention has deferred a decision on the American Samoan ancestry amendment. Chairman Tuaolo Manaia Fruean said that the officers, attorneys, and staff feel that it’s best to refer this to the legislature.
Rev. Asaua Fuimaono raised concern about current laws which prohibit children, who are 100% American Samoan, but are born outside of the territory from owning individually owned land or holding matai titles.
He asked that those tasked with reviewing the definition of American Samoan ancestry, consider the rights of such children they won’t want to return home.
He also asked, that the review take into account the contributions of “our brothers and sisters in Samoa” and not discriminate against them.
Delegate Togiola Tulafono asked that the proposed amendments be presented one by one on the ballot, instead of as a group.
“We all saw that the voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposed changes which were presented as one yes or no questions,” he told the delegates.
Chairman Tuaolo announced at the end of the ConCon that the proposed amendments will be presented separately.
Paramount Chiefs, Mauga Tasi Asuega, on behalf of Tutuila, and Lefiti Pese, on behalf of Manu’a, spoke to thank the delegates and officers and called in the voters to support the amendments and make voters understand each amendment— to ensure success at the polls.
