Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Over $120,000 was distributed last Wednesday to Senators and Members of the House of Representatives as gifts to celebrate the opening of the new Maota Fono the previous week. This information was confirmed by lawmakers who spoke to Samoa News on the condition of anonymity.

The Senate President and Speaker of the House received their $5,000 each during the traditional presentations of sua & monetary gifts, as part of the dedication ceremony of the new Maota Fono, while senators and faipule received their ‘teutusi’ containing $3,000 dollar checks, after lawmakers met with the oversight committee last Wednesday.

Faipule Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr took to social media to explain that this funding would go directly to his constituents. In a post, he stated that the $3,000 was not for his personal benefit.

“It is for the people of Fagatogo District 8. Every single teutusi (envelope) I’ve received at faalavelave (traditional events) and government functions has always been given back to our community through church groups, village sports teams, and our public schools where our children attend. 

“I know it’s difficult to meet every kusi aisi (solicitation) that comes my way, but many of you know I try my best.

“For this $3,000 received, I pledge the following donations: $1,000 to Iseula o le Moana 2026, $500 to the Teine ole Malaeoletalu Cricket Team, $500 to the Fagatogo Men’s Cricket Team, $500 to Pago Elementary, and $500 to Matafao Elementary.”

According to the lawmaker, he has donated significantly this year to Samoana High through various student programs and will continue to support them, as well as many sports and church groups in Fagatogo.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean is reported to have remarked that it was right to recognize the lawmakers, given that so many other dignitaries were presented monetary gifts during the dedication ceremony.

Samoa News has been unable to confirm that monies expended for the celebration came not only from Legislative purse, but also from the Executive purse, which accounted for the large amount of monetary gifts the Fono was able to present to the visiting delegation from Samoa who performed a ta’alolo.

Reportedly, altogether, the $100,000 and the additional suas announced that day amounted to an estimated US $200,000. However, there has not been a public announcement or general accounting of how much was expended on the Maoto Fono dedication to date.

Neither has there been a general accounting of the gifts that were presented by Samoa to American Samoa — the massive ‘ie toga that were presented to honor each of the traditional districts of American Samoa; $10,000 in U.S. currency; and the carcasses of beef, coolers of fish, sausages, sacks of taro, and Samoan koko.

In contrast, Samoa’s Prime Minister, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, during a recent press conference gave a general accounting of monies it expended for the opening of the new Maota Fono.

The PM announced that a total of $300,000 tālā had been returned to Samoa’s Treasury following the return of the official delegation from the Territory. Approximately 70 police officers, cabinet ministers, associate ministers, and other officials traveled as part of the official entourage.

The Prime Minister confirmed that about $250,000 tālā from the Treasury was used to finance the delegation’s transport and provide for official fa’aoso (ceremonial gifts) and customary supplies, including the police band and other logistics.

Laauli also noted that contributions from cultural presentations and ceremonial obligations were shared among cabinet members, the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) political party, and members of the traveling delegation.

He indicated that cabinet ministers also contributed personal funds in addition to government allocations.

The Prime Minister also provided a breakdown of funds donated to various organizations and community groups.

He added that some funds, which were not disclosed during his press conference, were given to members of the delegation, including the police band. The prime minister further stated that funds were also allocated for Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi.