Community
Briefs
Compiled by
Samoa News Staff
DEPT. OF YOUTH
AND WOMEN'S AFFAIRS LAUNCHES 'AFA REVIVAL PROJECT
Nine students
enrolled in the Adult Basic Education program at ASCC are participating
in the Dept. of Youth and Women's Affairs Samoan 'Afa Making
Revival Project, launched yesterday at Utulei Beach.
The students,
who are studying for their GED requirements will begin weaving
the 'afa, woven fibers from large coconuts used in traditional
Samoan fale Samoa construction, on Monday under the guidance
of instructors Paletaoga Faamata Tunufeula Pualau and Tuautu
Lemuelu Kitiona.
Government leaders
joined DYWA director Leiataua Leuga Turner to launch the project
yesterday and were presented with niu 'afa that they have been
encouraged to plant.
Lt. Governor
Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia said he is "saddened" that the
'afa cannot be found and is no longer being produced on Tutuila,
leading to a slow down in plans for a number of fale Samoa slated
to be constructed for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts that
opens July 20.
He said the 'afa,
used by Samoan builders in place of nails to lash together parts
of a Samoan fale, will have to be procured from Manu'a, Upolu
or Savai'i. He thanked Leiataua, elders and students for choosing
to revive the 'afa, that was once a key part of everyday Samoan
living.
Sen. Atonio Mailo
shared how Samoans have been known to use the 'afa, which goes
through a methodical time-consuming process, in order to produce
usable fibers for construction. Fibers from the husk of large
coconuts (niualama or niu malo) are soaked in ocean water, beaten,
dried out and then woven to form the 'afa.
People who gathered
for the launching had the chance to see firsthand how Samoan
elders produce the material that, more recently, have become
accessories in contemporary island fashion.
Students Justin
Tagoa'i, Leo Vaimasenu'u, William Muasau, Isitolo Ieremia, Reuben
Seilala, Vatia Tagaga, Manatua Maluia, Toto'a Tavita and Maselina
Lemana will meet Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays for six months
to learn to weave the 'afa. DYWA invites all interested students
to join the program. For more information call 633-2836.
FEDERAL COURT
SETS TRIAL FOR CIVIL LAWSUIT FILED BY SAMOAN MINISTER AGAINST
FOUR HPD OFFICERS
The federal court
in Honolulu has reaffirmed Apr. 22, 2008 as the trial date for
a civil case filed by a Samoan church minister and his family
against four Honolulu police officers in connection with the
search of their home in Ewa Beach, Hawaii in March 2005.
The civil suit,
which seeks unspecified monetary damages, was the result of a
March 2005 incident in which the plaintiffs allege that police
officers - Jason Pistor, Al Balasba, Denis Ahn, and Mike Hall
- illegally entered and searched without a warrant, the Leaeno
family home and property in Ewa Beach.
According to
court documents the home and property is owned by Rev. Suevale
and his wife Faauila Leaeno. Besides the reverend and his wife,
others named as plaintiffs are Jerry S. Leaeno, Mafutaga S. Leaeno,
Leuea P. Paleafei and Rinei S. Paleafei.
During a pretrial
conference held on Tuesday, the court reaffirmed the trial date,
to be presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi.
Federal court
records shows the plaintiffs plan to argue their case for four
days, while the defendants will argue two to three days. Plaintiff
plans to call 12 witnesses while the defendants will call between
4-5 witnesses. There is also a huge amount of exhibits-close
to 400-that will be presented by both sides.
Reach the
reporters at news.newsroom@samoatelco.com.
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