Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The newly upgraded, extended and renovated main Fale Samoa at the Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park at Utulei was dedicated last Saturday and it has been named after the late traditional leader Tufele Li’amatua Sr., as the “Afioga Tufele Li’amatua Sr. Tufele Cultural Center”.

Even before the dedication ceremony, which includes new beach fales, or faleo’o, along the side of the park, families were seen last week using the beach fales. And this was all part of the major upgrade and renovation to the park.

The entire project and work, was close to $1 million, according to Public Works director Faleosina Voigt, who provided during the dedication ceremony the summary of the project work, which includes construction of a seawall along the park and Utulei beach areas that should be completed soon.

In his remarks, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga told the audience, which included Chief Justice Michael Kruse, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale and Mrs. Tofiga Tufele, that he was pleased and happy to see families have already started to use the faleo’o for family events. He said this is the role of government — to provide and assist the public.

He pointed out that the most important part of the dedication ceremony is the official naming of the newly renovated extended Fale Samoa after Tufele, who served as Secretary of Samoan Affairs during Gov. Togiola Tulafono’s Administration from 2009 to 2011.

Lolo extended appreciation to Togiola for his vision in building the Samoan Fale, which is a symbol of maintaining Samoan culture and tradition while the current administration’s role was providing the necessary upgrades for the future.

Prior to serving as the Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tufele was appointed by Togiola, as Manu’a District Governor from 2005-2008. Tufele also served two separate terms as Manu’a District Governor — appointed by then, governors Coleman and Lutali.

A plaque, installed next to the Fale Samoa memorializes and transcribes Tufele’s “legacy of leadership service”, which includes being appointed by Gov. Haydon to coordinate Public Works jobs on Manu’a — 1970 to 1973; appointed by Haydon as Police Commissioner - 1973 to 1977; and elected as the first lieutenant governor, along with then Gov. Peter Tali Coleman - 1978 to 1980, which is when American Samoa elected its first governor and lieutenant governor.

The Coleman and Tufele administration was reelected serving from 1981 to 1984. Tufele also served as Senator.

During the dedication ceremony, Lolo recalled searching for a name for the newly upgraded Fale Samoa and sought advise from  Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga T. Asuega and District Governors.

Lolo said the written advice back from Mauga resulted in naming the Cultural Center after Tufele, a well respected leader.

In her remarks, Mrs. Tofiga Tufele expressed appreciation to the governor and the current administration for the honor bestowed on her late husband.

Mrs. Tofiga Tufele speaking at last Saturday’s dedication of the “Afioga Tufele Li’amatua Sr. Tufele Cultural Center” at Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park at Utulei. The cultural center was previously known as the Fale Samoa and noted as the brainchild of the former statesman. [photo: Gov’s Office]

With the upgrade of the park and its new beach fales, the ASG Island Wide Clean up Committee has called on the community using these facilities to keep it clean at all times.

BACKGROUND

Togiola renovated, upgraded and named this area Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park as American Samoa prepared to host the 10th Festival of the Pacific Arts in summer of 2008. And the idea of a Fale Samoa came from Tufele.