Dear Editor,
As sons and daughters of American Samoa, we take pride in our culture of fa‘aaloalo, service, and unity. We honor our leaders, our traditions, and our history. But there comes a time when we must also look honestly at the choices being made in our name—and ask whether those choices reflect the values we claim to uphold.
The recent distribution of $3,000 checks to Senators and House Representatives during the dedication of the new Maota Fono is one of those moments that forces us to stop and say: Ua lava lea. Enough is enough.
While our leaders enjoy monetary gifts to “celebrate” a building, families across our islands continue to face real, painful challenges:
• Parents working two jobs just to afford food and utilities.
• School classrooms still lacking basic resources.
• Roads that crumble every rainy season.
• Healthcare systems stretched thin, especially for our elders.
• Young people leaving home because they see no opportunity here.
And yet the priority—once again—is to enrich those already in positions of power.
It’s disappointing to see culture used as a shield for decisions that do not reflect the heart of fa‘a Samoa. Respect is earned through service, humility, and stewardship—not by writing checks to ourselves while the people struggle. There is a difference between honoring tradition and exploiting it. We must not confuse the two.
Yes, our culture teaches us to give. It teaches us to show gratitude. But it also teaches us tautua—service. And service means putting the needs of the people first. It means recognizing that leadership is a responsibility, not a reward. It means understanding that our government funds are not a gift basket to be shared among lawmakers but a lifeline that should be used wisely for the benefit of our entire community.
At some point, culture must draw a line—a clear boundary where tradition ends and accountability begins. Because when we justify every questionable action with “that’s our culture,” we are not preserving fa‘a Samoa… we are corrupting it.
Imagine what that money—those checks handed out like party favors—could have done instead:
• Help schools buy computers or repair classrooms.
• Support small businesses still recovering from economic strain.
• Provide assistance for families struggling.
• Improve infrastructure in villages long ignored by development plans.
We are constantly told that the government lacks funds, that budgets are tight, that programs must be cut or delayed. But somehow, there is always money available when it benefits the few instead of the many.
The people of American Samoa deserve better. We deserve leadership that reflects integrity, transparency, and foresight. We deserve lawmakers who understand that public funds are for public good. And we deserve a government that respects us enough to prioritize our needs over their own celebrations.
There is a Samoan proverb that speaks clearly to this moment: “E lele le toloa ae ma‘au i le vai.” The toloa may fly far, but it always returns to the water.
No matter how high our leaders rise, they must return to the source—the people. They must remember who they serve, who they represent, and who pays the price when decisions are made without wisdom.
This is not about disrespecting culture. It’s about protecting it. It’s about ensuring that fa‘a Samoa remains a system of service and compassion, not a convenient excuse for government excess.
We can do better. We must do better. And it starts with demanding more from the people we entrust with power.
Respectfully,
Fautua A. Thompson
A Concerned Citizen of American Samoa
