Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — It's now recorded in the History of American Samoa, his lifetime appointment being sealed and approved on the morning of Tuesday, June 21, 2023 as the Western District Governor — Fai'ivae Iuli Godinet.

His swearing-in ceremony was held at the “Afioga Tufele Li’amatua Sr. Tufele Cultural Center”, located at the Su’igaula o le Atuvasa Park in Utulei. The swearing-in was officiated by Associate Justice Fili Sunia, before an audience comprising government leaders, which included Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga, Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega, Deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, Tauese Va’a Sunia, Leone Village council chiefs as well as those of the Western village and district levels of governance. Families and friends also made up the more than 100 people who gathered to celebrate the selection.

An Ava Ceremony was performed to honor and commemorate the official appointment and swearing-in of the new Western District Governor, replacing the late Western District Governor Fuamatu Joseph Fuamatu, who passed away three months ago.

Governor Lemanu was given the honor of taking the 'ava mua’, the first cup — and reminded everyone, "O mea moni lava ia, ole Malo le Atunuu, ae le'o le Atunuu le Malo." (The truth is: it is the government of the people, not the people of the government.)

The second cup or 'ava serving, was served to the newly seated Western District Governor Fai’ivae, who thanked and blessed all leaders of American Samoa, as well as family and friends who had gathered to celebrate his day.

Samoan Affairs Secretary Mauga was given the honor of taking the final serving of the ava cup, where he took the time to advise everyone to respect our culture, practice it and be proud of it.

Through a June 2 memorandum, Gov. Lemanu officially announced his appointment of former Fofo County senator, Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet to the post of Western District Governor.

Pursuant to provisions of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa and local law, the governor said that the Western District council has met and provided their recommendation through the Secretary of Samoan Affairs, who had forwarded the appointment for the governor’s final approval.

Fai'ivae was the former senator for Fofo County.

HTC Olo Uluao Letuli is replacing former Sen. Fai’ivae in the Senate and also attended the ceremony. He was chosen in accordance with Samoan customs, traditional leaders and chiefs of Fofo County and their selection was outlined in a June 13 letter from Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega to Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, who was informed of the “results of the elected Senator of Fofo, District No. 11.”

According to Olo, Tuaolo has advised him that the Senate will be ready to formally welcome him when the 38th Legislature, which is currently in recess, returns on July 10th, for the Second Regular Session.

Today's Swearing in Ceremony lasted about an hour with a shower of blessings to close it on a high note, with a take home lunch provided for all. 

[Courtesy photo]