In the latest report from Samoa concerning the entry of the local boat, Kite Runner, into Samoan waters without proper clearance, a government minister Toelupe Onesemo is quoted by the Samoa Observer saying that he was asked by his cousin Tish Peau, in American Samoa to help get the proper documentation for the vessel to gain entry into Samoa.
The Kite Runner is owned by local businessman Papalii Laulii Alofa, President of Paramount Builders.
According to the newspaper, Toelupe, Minister of Communication and Information Technology, said he received paperwork sent by Peau and he instructed his secretary to assist his cousin to obtain the required clearances.
As listeners would recall, Peau told KHJ News that all of the paperwork needed for the vessel to enter Samoa was obtained before it left for Apia two weeks ago.
The newspaper said it contacted Papalii Laulii Alofa by phone, and this is what was reported about their conversation with Papalii.
Papali’i was not happy with the phone call and insisted that this newspaper should reach out to the “people in Samoa” who were working on the paperwork for his vessel.
“I own the boat, but I wasn’t the one who was in charge of getting the boat there,” Papali’i said. “I don’t want to talk to you, I have better things to do.”
When pressed on whether he followed the proper channels, Papali’i said, “I own the company, I don’t do that. I have people that are paid to do that.
“I told you already, I have people that worked on the papers. Why [are] you asking me stupid questions like that? You don’t need to call me, we are not the same, you don’t get to call me.
“You have no business calling me directly on my phone. This is my personal phone. There’s people that work for me that do all the paperwork for me, so talk to them.”
KHJ News can report that according to our sources, the vessel didn’t have clearance from the local Port and customs when it arrived in Apia, and these were only obtained after the vessel was held up in Samoa.
Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa has told Samoa media that the vessel should have been seized by the Samoan authorities, and the crew arrested.
Peau told KHJ News there were four people on the vessel.
The Kite Runner was traveling to Savaii to deliver food and other supplies for a faalavelave for Papali’i’s family in Saleologa. According to Peau, this was the boat’s first trip to Samoa.
Peau’s role in facilitating the paperwork for the Kite Runner raises some questions. She was recently appointed by Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga as Acting Historical Preservation Officer, but it also appears that she is also an employee of Papalii Laulii Alofa.
