An Open Letter to the Leaders of Fagatogo

With a very heavy and grieving heart, I hope this letter reaches the leaders of my village, in time to have a change of heart and soul before the big race begins. My parents, siblings and I put so much time, effort and hard work to help fund the making of Iseula Ole Moana II. My father, all he ever wanted to do was to give back to a village he so dearly loved and the result of his love was, Iseula Ole Moana II.

In a recent article published by Samoa News, “Fono leadership approached the leaders of Fagatogo for the use of their old fautasi and Fagatogo leaders graciously granted the request.” I cannot be the only one disappointed and outraged by such a devastating decision.

With a team of almost 100 men, maybe even more, who want to show their village pride, there are never enough seats to compensate for everyone that wants to row. Fagatogo finally has the opportunity to take two boats, why are we not taking two boats this year?

Why can’t the Fono leaders go row for their own villages?

How could my village leaders just sit by and let this happen to our village and most especially to our youth? Are my village leaders seriously out of their minds? Fagatogo cannot be the village to stand by its motto; “Church. Family. Village.” and yet our leaders are allowing such a negative impact to occur. “A village divided against itself cannot stand.”

For the sake of our youth and the unity of our village, I urge the leaders of Fagatogo to do what is fair and amend their decisions. Our youth is the future of our village, please be an example to us all and allow our village to row two boats. There is so much negativity that exists within Fagatogo, as our leaders, this is by far, one of the worst choices ever made. It is my hope, that we as a village can put aside our differences and come together as one, to showcase our Fagatogo pride.

I for one, cannot just sit here and watch what was built out of love, be given away or borrowed freely to the most underserving group of people in American Samoa right now. Show some love and appreciation to our youth and bring back our Iseula Ole Moana II. It is the least our leaders of Fagatogo can do for a father who contributed so much, but was never compensated for the creation of his boat!

To the leaders of Fagatogo, please pull your big heads from out of your bums and FOCUS ON OUR VILLAGE AND OUR YOUTH.

May the villagers and fellow youth members arise, unite and take charge of what they know, is rightfully theirs.

Regards and best wishes,

Behira L. Maugalei