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Sam Ioka Ale Meleisea helping break down political barriers for youth

Newly elected Tualauta Representative, Samuel (Sam) Ioka Ale Meleisea, who will be sworn in on January 3, 2017.  [Courtesy Photo]
joyetter@samoanews.com

“I am 25 years old since March 2016. There are those who are saying that I might be the youngest representative in Fono history, and I can understand that this is a big deal for most. But I have to say that I didn't run to break any records, but to help break down barriers for Tualauta district, our youth, and for American Samoa,” says Samuel (Sam) Ioka Ale Meleisea.

He won the Tualauta county with 978 votes, while incumbent Vui Florence Saulo’s came in second with 760 votes. Sam is a Terrestrial Biological Science Technician with the National Park of American Samoa.

Responding to Samoa News queries, Meleise said that he had the full support of his family and church. “Honestly, my family and church held high hopes that I would do well in the election. However, I considered the fact that I was a newcomer running against more affluent and influential veteran politicians.

“But I promised myself I was going to try regardless of the circumstances, which were daunting,” he said.

Meleisea said that he’s had a hard time believing that he’s been elected to the House of Representatives. “When the results were revealed, I had a hard time believing. It wasn't until KVZK-TV broadcast the results on election night and Samoa News published an article the very next morning that the idea of victory began to settle in. And now that the results are officially final after no challenges, I am very honored and humbled by Tualauta district's vote of confidence.”

The Tualauta Representative-elect said he’s been campaigning hard on employment, immigration, education, infrastructure, as well as on youth and veteran issues.

“But after walking the Tualauta district, most, if not all our constituents seem to agree that the priority is infrastructure, specifically roads and drainage.

This has been a recurring issue for Tualauta district, and we’ve made some progress thanks to the efforts of past and present Tualauta representatives. I realize that such a huge undertaking isn't going to happen all at once during my two-year term,” he said.

According to Meleisea, he’s looking forward to working with incumbent Vui Florence Saulo “to look at ways to attract funding opportunities to help alleviate the district's priority to fix our roads and drainage issues.”

He said that each village has shared with him their concerns, whether it’s sidewalks for Mapusaga Fou, lights for certain roads in Ottoville, paved road for the Turtle and Shark (Vaitogi) road, drainage in Fagaima and Pavaiai, or a mini-gym for Lupelele Elementary School (Ili'ili).

“Our district has lots of needs and challenges, and it is my hope that we can work together to make progress on these and many more issues. It won't be easy, but it is not impossible!” Meleisea said.

He also acknowledged the youth of Tualauta district for turning out to vote in this year's election. “The youth are disenfranchised or disconnected with the political process because they don't see any benefit for them. I hope to be their representative for Tualauta district and across American Samoa.

I also want to thank the mothers and fathers who believed in me even though they were dubious of my chances from the very beginning.” He said that this was a long shot attempt, but he’s thankful for his constituents for standing with him on election day.

“I have so much love for our culture and traditions, but at the same time I realize that we must also adapt to the changing world around us. You have spoken and I am ready to share our new Vision in the local Legislature. Thank you for your prayers and support. This is a collective victory for Tualauta district!”

He also pointed out that the youth are ready and willing to serve. “I know that there are those who say that I am too young or that our youthful vigor/ energy will not blend well with the more traditional sense of the Fono. I am filled with respect and pride for our traditions, and I am not going to the Fono to challenge our traditions.

“However, I have been elected to provide a fresh perspective and voice in the Fono. Young individuals have served in the House of Representatives before such as Senator Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga, Gary Sword, Roy Hall, Archie Taotasi Soliai, Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, and many others. These individuals are living proof that it has been done before. Our youth are capable of great things and this is only the beginning.”

Meleisea says he grew up watching and observing his grandparents (Ia Masalosalo Ale and Leilua Ia) at family faalavelaves and church events. “They are staunch traditionalists and conservatives who taught me respect from an early age. They taught me how to speak, eat, walk, sit properly.

“My parents Peniamina and Faauliuli Julie Meleisea taught us ‘tough love’ and were quite the disciplinarians. Those lessons made me who I am today,” he said.

“My family and I didn't have much when I was growing up, which is why I understand the challenges of so many of our Tualauta constituents. I have experienced first-hand the challenges that our constituents face on a daily basis on issues of infrastructure, employment, immigration, education, crime, and so much more.

Meleisea also thanked his families who helped post his campaign signs on their properties throughout Tualauta district.

“Thank you to all the families, friends, supporters and Tualauta constituents who helped spread the word of my candidacy for Tualauta representative. Together WE truly made a difference. Thank you all and God bless. Through much prayer and fasting, God revealed His will for me. I thank God for making this possible because this victory wasn't suppose to be humanly possible.”