Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate resumed its regular sessions for the final five days of the 38th Legislature yesterday with the swearing-in of a new senator.

This change came about due to the resignation of former Manua District #2 Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga, who vacated his seat and title, leaving an unexpired term of less than three months.

Malaepule is taking up the title Ta'aga from Fitiuta and therefore can no longer represent Manu'a District #2 which includes Ofu, Olosega, and Sili.

Under local law, if a Senate vacancy arises less than three months before the end of the current legislature, the Governor is required to appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy.

In accordance with this provision, Acting Governor La'apui E.V. Ale appointed Lualemaga Sofeni Lualemaga to fill the vacancy left by former Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga's resignation.

Acting Governor La'apui in consultation with Manu'a District Governor Misaalefua J. Hudson and county chiefs, appointed Lualemaga to serve out the remainder of Malaepule's term.

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives resumed sessions yesterday after a long break. This break was initially intended to allow for the completion of the new Fono building, with the aim of holding the final five days of the 38th Legislature in the new facility.

Unfortunately, that plan did not eventuate as the new Fono building is far from ready and won't be completed until some time next year.

Yesterday morning, Chief Associate Judge Mamea Sala, Jr. administered the oath of office for Senator Lualemaga, who will serve until January 23, 2025. His wife held the Bible on which the new senator swore to uphold the laws of the United States and American Samoa.

Lualemaga, who is 60 years old, worked for many years in the Electric Division of the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) before his retirement.

Before the swearing-in ceremony, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean appointed a committee comprising Senators Magalei Logovi'i, Togiola Tulafono, and Ma'o Gogo to review Lualemaga's credentials.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Senator Togiola Tulafono noted that the County chief's signature did not appear on the document naming Lualemaga to fill the Senate vacancy. However, he stated that the governor's signature was sufficient to meet the requirements of the law.

After being sworn in, Lualemaga took the seat that his predecessor had occupied for the last four years.

Senators confirmed as members of the 39th Legislature include High Chief Togiola Tulafono and High Chief Muagututia Tauoa as the two senators for Sua District No 5. Togiola and Muagututia currently hold the two seats for the District.

Samoa News has also received confirmation that High Chief Tuialu'ulu'u Vaimili Tuialu'ulu'u of Ta’u and High Chief Ma’o Faauma Gogo of Faleasao have been selected as the two Senators for Manu’a District #1, which includes the villages of Ta’u, Fitiuta and Faleasao.

This will be the first term for Tuialu'ulu'u, a US Air Force retiree and also a retired Department of Education teacher. This will be the second consecutive term for Senator Ma’o.

The Maoputasi seat for Leloaloa, Lepua and Aua will be occupied by a new senator, Ponausuia Faleono.

For the Maoputasi seat for Fagatogo, Utulei and Fagaalu, High Chief Fano Frank Shimasaki has been selected for another term as senator. Samoa News understands that Senate President Tuaolo has also been selected for another term for the Maoputasi seat for Pago Pago.

High Chief Magalei Logovii will also be returning to the Senate as one of the two senators for Tualauta in the new Legislature.

Magalei, a former ASG Treasurer and Budget Director, was Senate President Pro Tem in the last Legislature. This will be his third term as senator of Tualauta District.

A new senator will occupy the second seat for Tualauta. High Chief Tuana'itau Malaki Togiola has been selected by the county of Tualauta and this will be his first term as senator.

Tuana'itau replaces Senator Fonoti Tafaifa Aufata who was the only female senator for the last four years. She has been off-island for several months for medical reasons.

Samoa News has also received confirmation that Senator Olo Uluao Letuli has been selected for another term for Fofo District and Senator Utu Sila Poasa for Saole District.