A family from Fa’atoia has criticised Police officers who raided their house, saying Police used excessive force and terrified their children.

Loreta Sinapati claimed that the Police took children and a person in a wheelchair to the Police station on Saturday, along with their older family members.

She said one child was allegedly at the station for about four hours, following the raid.

It is the second time the family has been raided this year.

The Samoa Observer was first alerted to the raid by a member of the public, who claimed to have seen children and a person in a wheelchair being taken into the Apia Police Station.

The anonymous tipster was concerned about what they had allegedly seen.

Ms. Sinapati said the Police behavior “was too much” for them.

The 25-year-old said Police arrived in the early hours of the morning when they were all sleeping.

“It was around 6:30 in the morning when they came,” she said. “We were all sleeping, some were sleeping in the sitting room and some of us were sleeping in the rooms.

“They broke in to our house, and started waking us up. They were pointing flashlights at us.”

She said they asked them for a search warrant and they showed them “a piece of paper”, saying it was a search warrant. She also said they asked for a copy of the search warrant, and were told they would get one later on.

“No-one actually saw the paper, if it was a search warrant or not, and they never gave us a copy of it.”

The whole family was asked to gather in the sitting room while Police searched the house, the unhappy mother said. “We weren’t even allowed to use the toilet.”

Nor were they allowed to accompany officers searching the premises, as had been allowed during the first raid earlier in the year.

“My husband politely asked them not to be harsh and to be very gentle with our belongings but they told him to shut up and one police officer pushed him down while he was carrying my 5-month-old baby.

“So my husband fell down with my baby and I wanted to take hold of my baby, but they pushed me back as well and they pulled my baby up away from my husband.” The ordeal left her five-year-old daughter, who has heart problems, terrified, the mother said.

She said there were more than 10 policemen in the house, with more outside. Her brother, who is in a wheelchair, was sleeping in another room with another guy.

“They went inside the room and saw that my pipili (crippled) brother was sleeping on the same bed with a guy, and they started swearing at them, telling them to wake up and to stop doing ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ actions. They assumed that they were having sex and they called him a*****).”

The mother was alarmed at what she claimed was foul language used by Police.

Her 13-year-old nephew, Sopo Vave, said he was sleeping in the room next to where the pipili was sleeping.

“I was sleeping in a mosquito net with my other cousin when I heard them waking the pipili up and [they] started swearing at them telling them to wake up,” he said.

The boy said the Police came in to the room they were sleeping in right after that, pulled down their ta’inamu (mosquito net), pointed flashlights at their faces and asked them to get up.

“I wasn’t fully aware of what was happening because I was disrupted from sleeping and I was half-awake.”

He said he stood on the side watching them search their room, and they asked him to go to the front where the rest of the family were. “I wanted to use the toilet but they didn’t allow me.” Loreta Sinapati said Police did not find anything after searching the rooms. “Then one policeman went up using the ladder and climbed up the ceiling,” she said.

“He came back down and I saw him signaling to the other policemen that there was nothing. “However, another policeman climbed up again and when he came down, he called out saying that he found something.”

She said they found four marijuana seeds in white envelopes.

They asked them to show them what they had found, and they showed them three envelopes and a leaf of marijuana.

She said they were all shocked and terrified. “I swear to God we didn’t know where they got those things from,” she said.

“They asked all of us to go with them to the police station.”

She said they asked the policemen if one or two of them could stay back and look after their kids, but that was denied.

Then, she said, they were all taken to the police station, including six children, the youngest of which was Loreta’s fivemonth- old baby. “Even my pipili brother was taken with us,” she said.

The interview with Loreta took place after they were allegedly held at the police station. She said the kids started to cry and they were hungry, and that was why they allowed them to go home.

However, a two-year-old child was still allegedly held up at the police station during the time of the interview, because she wanted to stay with her mother, who was also at the police station.

The mother added that police announced they had found a gun at their house as well, though they did not mention it to them when they were at the house.

“They just told us about that when we got to the police station. And they never mentioned that to us when they were here and they also didn’t show it to us.”

Her five-year-old daughter, Malaeti’a To’oto’o, who has heart problems, said she was so scared by what happened.

She said it was the second she witnessed the police coming in their house, which caused a “mess” at home.

“They came in and pulled me by my shirt and asked me to go to the front…I was scared and nervous.”

The Samoa Observer went to the Police station in Apia to seek comment, speaking to a couple of Police officers, who directed all comments to the Police Media Officer.

The Police Media Officer was not working on the day of the alleged incident, and the Samoa Observer has not yet been able to contact them.

Four new judges for the Land and Titles Court will be sworn in by the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asue Falefatu Sapolu, on Wednesday next week.

Among the new judges is a woman, Fiu Mesepi Sialaoa.

The other judges appointed by the Judiciary Services Commission chaired by His Honour Patu are Masoe Tovia Tufuga, Nanai Pologa Ioane and Tauiliili Sekuini Solomona Auelua.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, Masinalupe Tusipa Masinalupe, said the swearing-in ceremony was scheduled for Friday (yesterday).

But that did not happen.

According to Masinalupe, it was postponed until Wednesday next week so the Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and others can attend.

More than 50 people applied for the new judge positions and 18 were interviewed.

The C.E.O said the appointments were approved by Cabinet.

He explained: “The new judges will replace three judges that have left the office”.

One of the judges is Fa’amatuainu Saivega, who passed away this year.

The other two judges, Fonoivasa Lolesio Ah Ching and Maiava Nafatali.

They have retired.

Masinalupe said there are currently 16 judges in the L.T.C and more are needed.

In explaining the procedures of L.T.C., Masinalupe said when a Court sits it requires at least three judges, an assessor and a Deputy President.

“It’s not the same as the Supreme Court and the other Court,” said the C.E.O. “L.T.C. requires more judges to sit in one case and with the other judges retiring and passed away we need new ones.”

A young man who wants to become a lawyer is the top student for Marist School at Mulivai this year.

Syrorio Chanel Le’iu, of Solosolo, is also the school’s Head Boy. He is heading to St. Joseph’s College next year.

“It was a tough journey,” he said. “Being the Head Boy and balancing my time with my studies was not easy.”

Mr. Le’iu is also a keen rugby player.

“I was keen to learn and I also wanted to become the best rugby player.” “However, I thank God I made it and it makes me happy that I have made it.”

His mother, Vaela’a Nunuimalo, said they are proud of their son’s achievements.

“As parents, we give our hundred percent to support him to pursue what he wishes,” she said. “We are very happy with the outcome.”

Syrorio is the second child of Vaelua and Vaela’a Nunuimalo’s four children.

Leifiifi College’s Head Girl, Tina Mareko, has been named as the Dux for this year.

Her award was announced at a prize giving held at the E.F.K.S Hall last week. The 18-year-old is the second of Tina and Pale Mareko’s five children, from Vaitele Fou and Vailele.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Miss Mareko said she is thrilled with her achievements this year.

“I am thankful with what I achieved this year...I have made my family and my parents so proud. “It’s a good feeling, when at the end you reap [what you sow] with joy, knowing that you really struggled and faced a lot of temptations from the start.”

The Dux had not decided on a future path just yet, and said she would leave it up to God. “He will show me the path to go, because I believe our ways are not God’s way, so whatever he [has planned] for me in the future, that’s where I am going to go,” she said.

“As for now, I will be praising God for all that He has done for me, because I owe it to him, for broadening my knowledge and for gifting me with His wisdom.”

Balancing her Head Girl duties with her studies throughout 2015 was a big challenge. “It wasn’t easy because I have the teachers depending on us (head girl and head boy) to be their eyes and ears in school and also my family, on the other hand, to be able to make them proud,” she said. “It was complicated but we (Miss Mareko and the head boy) worked together and that made it easy for us to get to where we are now.” The top student’s father said, in tears, that first and foremost he gives God all the glory and the honour for being with his daughter throughout her journey.

“I see her struggle in trying to balance her duties and finding the time to study,” he said. “I always tell [her] that if it’s too much for her she can always let the teachers know so they can help out, but she always says that she can do it. “Today she has proven it to us, that she did it and that she can handle anything that life can throw at... her. “I cannot find the right words to tell you how [I am] feeling right now, and it’s just amazing [that] He answers your prayers through your children.”

An 80-year-old German man who has lived in Samoa for more than 40 years is fed up.

So much so, Josef Baukes, wonders if the government should continue to invest taxpayers money in the Samoa Post Office’s mail delivery system.

Mr. Baukes told the Samoa Observer he has lost count of the mail he sent to his family in Berlin, Germany, which never arrived, and likewise for mail coming in for him.

Even with the costly seal he has signed and paid to get his mail on the “priority” list, he said it is never delivered, nor received.

“I find it unbelievable that these mails never arrive in Germany and the same with mail being sent from my family,” said Mr. Baukes.

“We are in a modern world where everything goes forward, and yet for the hundredth time my mail still hasn’t arrived. Samoa is going backwards.”

Contacted for a comment yesterday, Samoa Post Chief Executive Officer, Tupe Ualolo Nun Yan, said she was not aware of Mr. Baukes’ case.

However, she invited him to provide his mail details so she can look into it.

For Mr. Baukes, he said the hassles is the last thing he needed.

“The envelope clearly states ‘priority’,” he said. “I have paid almost a hundred tala to make sure this one gets there on time. Again the tracking number doesn’t work and I have no idea where it has landed.”

Mr. Baukes said this has been going on for years. “What worries me is that some of these documents are very important documents,” he said. “When we give them these documents to send, we are entrusting them in their care and yet they don’t seem to look after it.

“Even mail from my wife’s family in San Francisco, it never arrived.”

Mr. Baukes suspects that something is not right in the system.

The father pointed out he had gone down the office four times, asking questions and being told they could not track the mail.

When he was given this explanation, he recalled that some 15 years ago, an employee of his in Australia told a story of his father’s career as a mail man.

“This employee told me his father was a mail man and in most cases they would open up mail from certain countries [which was] never delivered,” remembered Mr. Baukes. “It never really occurred to me then but I had told him that what his father was doing was very dishonest.” On that note, Mr. Baukes questioned whether it could be the same case with the mail going in and out of Samoa. “I want to know if there is any security in place for the system,” he asked. “There are certain people who say not to trust the air mail, but it shouldn’t be the case.

“It’s unnecessary to question whether my mail will arrive or not. This is a body that keeps the world connected and there should be security in place.”

He added that if there is a sabotage group that interrupts mail service, “then it’s absolutely disgusting”. “I think that the (mail) system in Samoa is not good enough. If they find faults in a particular carrier then why can’t they change it to ensure there is little or no interruption?”

Each week, Maggie Aiono can be found on a sports field in Pesega, practicing the shot put.

She is training with Samoa’s Paralympic Committee, preparing herself for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

Each training session is the same – she warms up, does fitness training, and then sets to work on throwing the shot put ball. She has a lofty goal – she wants to throw it 12 metres – a distance which would put a Paralympic podium finish close.

“I just want to represent my country,” the athlete said. “I was born in Samoa and I really want to go out there and see what I can do.”

Aiono has battled a disability since she was only a few years old, having lost her leg in a car accident in 1984.

That has not stopped held her back. The athlete has a current personal best throw of 7.5 metres.

“I need to practice more,” she said, as she prepared for another training session – one of the two hour –long sessions she is doing with her trainer, Maylani Ah Hoy, each week.

“I think she needs to be able to throw a 12 to be able to qualify,” the trainer said, speaking of the Olympic Qualifier Aiono is working towards, likely to take place around March. She was pushing fitness in the training sessions, and helping Aiono to improve her strength, to meet that goal.

If that doesn’t happen, Aiono still has a chance to represent Samoa, as wildcard spots are given to developing countries’ athletes, Ah Hoy said.

The training has not been smooth-sailing, howe ver.

Aiono had to stop for two weeks, as her leg developed an infection due to the prosthetic – it was not aired out properly after training.

It’s hoped a proper throwing prosthetic would make moving around much easier for Aiono.

However, the basic throwing leg costs U.S. $5000.

“The leg that she has now is for sort of everyday use,” said the trainer. “With the throwing leg, it gives [Aiono] more mobility... [she would be] able to have more mobility with her throw.” That could equal more distance in Aiono’s shot put. And more distance could mean Samoa’s first-ever medal in the Paralympic games.

For now, Aiono is continuing her training quietly, as the end of the year draws close.

Her trainer is pushing her to do much more training on her own, to make her Paralympic bid much more likely to be a success.

That’s because Ah Hoy will be away over Christmas, putting the weight of her Paralympic bid on Maggie Aiono’s shoulders, as she looks to improve her throw, and give Samoa its first podium finish.

A long and tough year for the Women’s Committee of the Congregational Christian Church at Vaoala concluded with a Christmas celebration on Friday.

The Church Pastor’s wife, Manuia Petaia, said the celebration was held as a way to acknowledge the work done by the women’s committee in supporting the church activities throughout the year.

“It was an early Christmas treat for them,” she said.

“The main idea was to have something exciting for them before the festive season. I know they will be busy during Christmas, so we thought [we’d] have a little something special for them, before they get busy.” She said they had an enjoyable time at the function, and it was great seeing the smiles on the faces of the women.

There was traditional dancing, singing and various entertainments throughout the night, with many loving the exchanging of Christmas gifts the most.

As part of the Catholic Church’s commemoration of the Holy Year of Mercy, a singing competition was held at the Tuutuuileloloto Hall on Monday night.

The competition saw Upolu churches compete in three different songs.

The three songs were the Holy Cross (koluse paia), Jubilee of Holy Mercy (Iupeli o le Agaga Alofa) and the Lord’s Prayer (tatalo o le alii).

The biggest choir from Leauva’a, who represent Vicarage West, came second in the Holy Cross song while Poutasi, Falealili, which represents Vicarage East, came first in the competition.

Vaimauga, which represents Vicarage in the middle took first place in the second song of the competition, Jubilee of Holy Mercy, while Apia, which represents Vicarage East, came second.

The competition was packed with families and friends and church members, amongst them the Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga and Miss Catholic Naomi Magasiva.

The main judges for the competition were Leituala Fiu Lagaaia and Mano’o Fatu Te’o.

A mass ceremony was held last night at the Immaculate Cathedral at Mulivai, to commemorate the Holy Year of Mercy from 8 December - 26 November, 2016.

Savai’i did not make the competition.

Miss Samoa, Ariana Taufao’s mission to keep the Miss Pacific Islands crown in Samoa has started.

During the weekend, Ms. Taufao joined the other contestants from the Pacific to begin the quest for the Bluesky Miss Pacific Islands Pageant title in the Cook Islands.

The Pageant started with a church service on Sunday.

With this year’s Pageant theme ‘Our Spirit of Adventure’, the eight beautiful contestants were traditionally welcomed in Rarotonga by Paramount Chief Queen Tinomana Ariki at her palace grounds before attending the church service in the village of Arorangi in the district of Puaikura, the first district in all the 15 islands to accept Christianity.

Also present was the Cook Islands Head of State, Tom Marsters.

The contestants were joined by the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Executive Director, Papali’i Sonja Hunter and the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Host Committee President, Clee Marsters and Committee Members, the respective chaperones, parents and supporters of the contestants.

The contestants and all parties attended the Cook Islands Christian Church Service in Arorangi led by Reverend Tinirau Soatini.

They were later treated to a delicious luncheon hosted by the Arorangi Church.

The first day of a weeklong celebration of this year’s pageant concluded with the initial briefing of contestants at Club Raro Hotel, where they each had the opportunity to select their numbers in their order of appearance throughout the Pageant events and activities as well as their having selected their Topics for the Pre-Pageant Presentations and Interviews on Friday morning.

Below are the contestants’ names, the order of appearances and their Presentation & Interview topics.

The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2015 marks 29 years since the inception of the pageant, formally known as Miss South Pacific, and will run from the 6th to the 12th December, with the actual competition to be held on the final two nights, on Friday 11th and Saturday the 12th of December with the winner to be crowned by Miss South Pacific 2014, Teuira Napa.

A plan to see the Oceania win Olympic weightlifting medals is being put together, and a Samoan weightlifter could hold the key.

This was discussed at an Oceania Elite Coaching Seminar held Saturday last week, which was also put together to identify one or two athletes who can be helped to win gold medals.

The General Secretary of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation, Paul Coffa, said their main focus is the Olympics in 2020.

“I need to ask why we are not winning medals at the Olympics nor are we doing well at the Commonwealth Games and we are going to do well in the Gold Coast, we won four gold medals in India in 2010 [and] four medals in the region in 2014.

“We think that we are going to double the figure to eight gold medals in the Gold Coast and really dominating the Commonwealth but that’s not enough.

“The Olympics is the one.

“The only medals we won from the Olympics [in Oceania] was...the gold medal in 1984 and silver medal in 1994, Australia won the silver medals in 1996 and that was the end of it.”

“We need to set up a plan on where we can achieve a gold medal and we should also identify one or two athletes to assist them on this. “One of these athletes is Mary Opeloge,” he said. “Samoa was very unlucky to miss out on a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics [due to] Ele Opeloge coming fourth and it’s too late for her now because there’s not much chance for her to get into the top three, but Mary is the one.

“She is the best person for us to win a medal at the games and we’ve got to do everything possible to make sure she gets there.

“There are other lifters but Mary Opeloge is our number one priority because she is just world class, and it’s a pity that she didn’t compete in the world championship in Houston due to the stupidity of visa requirements.

“[But] today we have to be realistic and she is on par if not better than Dika Toua from Papua New Guinea, and those are the superstars in women[‘s] weightlifting. “In the men[‘s], it’s very difficult, and we have a lot but they are not in the same classes as those two.”

He reiterated that the seminar was to plan for the 2018 and 2020 Olympics and map out the next few years of Oceania weightlifting.

“We need to set up more international training camps, we need to set up international events and focus on those lifters who have a chance for the games, and identify athletes that have chances to make the Olympics in Tokyo,” he said. “We are also setting up [a development] programme for young kids throughout schools so that the quantity will give us the quality in the end.”

Today is the last day of registration for the Nuanua O Le Alofa [N.O.L.A] Samoa Disability Human Rights Awards.

Held for the second time, the awards programme recognises initiatives by individuals, non-governmental organisations and government ministries, in promoting equal rights for people with disabilities.

The programme started last year, and is divided into three main categories.

The first award is called the “Ministry of the Year Award”.

This is a new category added to the programme, said N.O.L.A representative, Fa’aolo Utumapu-Utailesolo.

“This is awarded to a government ministry who has and continues to portray the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in its strategies, polices, programs and services,” she explained.

The second category is the “N.G.O of the Year Award”, which is also known as the Private Sector of the Year Award.

“This is in recognition of the work of civil society to create an enabling environment for persons with disabilities.”

The final category is called the “Disability Champion Award”.

It recognises individuals with or without disabilities that have and continue to show significant changes to the delivery of services and programmes to promote a barrier-free and rights-based Samoa for persons with disabilities.

“The timeframe for this programme is one year,” said N.O.L.A representative Andrew Taofi. “This means that for this particular programme, we are looking at the work done by individuals, N.G.Os and government ministries from 2014-2015.

He added that the main motive behind the programme was to create awareness on the equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Moreover, N.O.L.A believed that giving credit to the initiatives that had been put forth by others in protecting and promoting the rights of people with disabilities could help break down the barriers preventing persons with disabilities from having equal opportunities. It was hoped the awards programme would encourage more organisations, government ministries and individuals to help address and recognize the rights of people with disabilities.

Entries for the programme opened on 11 November and end today.

This is N.O.L.A’s final activity of this year, and a celebration of their hard work for 2015, together with the awards ceremony, will be held at the Development Bank of Samoa Conference Room on 16 December.

Nuanua O Le Alofa is the national advocacy organisation of and for persons with disabilities in Samoa.

Hard-running centre Manu Tuilagi has become the highest-paid player in English rugby after penning a three-year £1.3million contract with Leicester Tigers.

The Samoan-born England international, who is out of action with a long-term groin injury, agreed to a deal that will earn the 24-yearold more than £425,000-a-year with the East Midlands club.

The contract puts him among the world’s richest players, and Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill praised Tuilagi’s loyalty after he knocked back lucrative offers from Wasps, Worcester, Saracens and Toulouse.

“Manu is in the prime of his rugby life,” Cockerill told the Daily Mail.

“He has had very close connections to the club from a very young age and is a big part of the Tigers family.

“The club have been very good to him and he has shown huge loyalty in return in wanting to stay here. This is where he is at home, the supporters love him and we’re looking forward to getting him back out on the pitch in the near future.”

Tuilagi has been sidelined since last October but rumours have swirled in recent months about which club he would sign with, and Cockerill revealed “obscene offers” were thrown his way.

But Tuilagi opted to remain with Leicester, who provided tremendous support throughout a year blighted by a horror run of injuries and a guilty verdict of assault.

“Tigers have been a big part of my life and following my brothers into the team here was a very proud moment for me,” explained Tuilagi.

“I’m very settled here and the club have been very good to me.

“The way the team has been playing this season is very exciting with Aaron Mauger as head coach, and that’s another reason I’m looking forward to getting back out on the pitch.”

O vaiaso uma e le misi ai Maggie ‘Ai’ono i malae-ta’alo i Pesega, e koleni ma fa’ata’ita’i lana togi pulu-mamafa.

O lo’o sauniuni le tama’ita’i lea ma koleni e le Komiti mo ‘Auta’a’alo a Samoa e le atoatoa le malolosi, mo le Olimepeka Fa’apitoa mo Tagata Mama’i e faia i Rio i le 2016.

E tutusa koleniga i aso ta’itasi – e fa’amalosi-tino muamua, koleni ai e sa’ili le-malosi fa’atoa fa’asolo ai e togi le pulu-mamafa.

She has a lofty goal – she wants to throw it 12 metres – a distance which would put a Paralympic podium finish close.

“I just want to represent my country,” the athlete said.“I was born in Samoa and I really want to go out there and see what I can do.”

Aiono has battled a disability since she was only a few years old, having lost her leg in a car accident in 1984.That has not stopped held her back.

E tele lava le fa’amoemoe o Maggie – e mana’o ia ‘ausia le 12 mita – o se mamao e ono mae’a ai loa ma tauvaga mo tagata-mama’i.

“’Ou te mana’o e fai ma sui o lo’u atunu’u,” o le fa’aaliga lea a le tama’ita-ta’alo. “Na ‘ou fanau i Samoa ma ‘ou tem atua naunau lava ia ‘ou alu e tauva i le mea e gata ai le malosi.”

Na finau lava Maggie ma fa’afitauli o le le-atoa o le malosi o le tino, a’o tuputupu-a’e na motu ai lona vae ona o se fa’alavelave tau-ta’avale i le 1984. E le’i taofia ai i’ina le finau o le tama’ita’i.

I le taimi nei, o lo’o tulaga mai i le 7.5 mita le mamao o lana togi ua iai.

“E tatau ona ‘ou to’aga e koleni ma togi so’o le pulu-mamafa,” o lana fa’aaliga lea a’o tapena mo le isi fo’i koleniga e soso’o ai – e ta’i-lua itula e koleni ai ma lana faia’oga o Maylani Ah Hoy i vaiaso ta’itasi.

“’Ou te iloa e tatau ona o’o atu i le 12 lana togi ina ia agava’a ai,”o le fa’aaliga lea a le faia’oga e uiga ia Maggie ma lona taumafai lea e tatau ona ‘auai ai tauvaga e sa’ili ai le ‘Au-ta’alo ia Mati 2016.

O lo’o finau lava i lona malosi ma ia lava lana manava i koleniga ta’itasi ma o lo’o fesoasoani malosi ia Maggie ina ia fa’aopoopo pea lona malosi mo le fa’ataunu’uina o lona fa’amoemoe.

A le ‘ausia loa le tulaga lea, o lo’o iai pea le avanoa o Maggie e avea ai ma sui o Samoa, aua e maua lava avanoa mo tagatata’a’alo fa’apea mai atunu’u tauatia’e, o le fa’aaliga lea a Maylani.

A’o koleniga lava ia, e le faigofie i le taimi nei mo Maggie.

E masani ona malolo pe ta’i-lua vaiaso, pe a tau afaina lona vae ona o le vaega-fa’apipi’i – e le sao iai se ‘ea e mo’omia pe a mae’a koleniga.

O lo’o tatalo, ia maua se vaetalafeagai mo le ta’aloga tonu lea, e mafai ai ona fegaoioia’i ma faigofie ona fealua’i.

Peita’i, e le taugofie, e silia i le lima-afe tala Amerika ($US 5,000.00) le tau o le vae-lelei ma talafeaga mo le ta’aloga.

“O le vae o lo’o ia fa’aaogaina i le taimi nei, e mo fealua’iga masani i aso ta’itasi,”o le fa’aaliga lea a Maylani.

“Ae a maua se vae-talafeagai, o le a matua malosi atu Maggie... o le a lava lona malosi e togi ai le pulu-mamafa.”

Ma ono mamao atili ai lana togi ma ono maua ai se ulua’i pine mo Samoa i ta’aloga nei.

O le taimi nei, o lo’o fa’aauau pea koleniga a Maggie a’o aga’i atu i le fa’ai’uga o le tausaga.

O lo’o una’i malosi fo’i e lana faia’oga ina ia to’aga e koleni malosi ma fa’amaoni, ina ia ‘ausia ta’aloga mo tagata le-atoatoa le malosi o le tino ma manuia ai ana taumafaiga i le lumana’i.

O le mafuaga lea, ona o le a to’esea Maylani i le taimi o le Kerisimasi, ua lafo ai le mamafa o ana taumafai ia ia lava ma le fa’amoemoe maualuga ia solosolo lelei ma maua ai se ‘ai o Samoa i le lumana’i.

The girl Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said would only get “pa’upa’u” (snots) for competing at the Miss World pageant might end up having the last laugh.

Reigning Miss Pacific Islands and former Miss Samoa, Latafale Auva’a, remains in the competition with a very good chance of even winning it with the finale approaching.

On Thursday, Ms. Auva’a made the final of the Miss World Sports Challenge Event in Sanya, China and came fifth. The Challenge was won by Miss Namibia with Miss Seychelles finishing second and Miss Guam third.

Her performance gained her valuable points for the Miss World leaderboard, which will determine the overall winner.

For Ms. Auva’a, the Sports Challenge follows other top performances in the Talent and Traditional Wear category where she made the top 10.

Posting on her Facebook page, Ms. Auva’a said the spirit of the Lord has been her strength since the beginning of the Miss World.

She said the Sports Challenge was a tough battle but she was comforted by the thought that the people of Samoa and the Pacific are supporting her.

In another post, she wrote: “My faith has been the backbone to my drive for life.

"Jesus keeps me sane, comforts me when I am so often away from the rock of support which is my family, assures me that I am loved, treasured, fearfully and wonderfully made to do amazing things (that I haven't even dreamt of yet), coaches me in the meaning of love and calms me in the midst of the storms that life has to bring."

“An incredible speaker once said, 'our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure'.

“With God’s grace, I am overjoyed to understand the power within us to succeed, achieve and dare to dream of things we think can never happen.

“Last year, I would never have thought I'd be involved in beauty competitions! But God’s hand delivers me a forum to show true beauty comes from your heart, your actions and not merely aesthetics. So here I am now. 22. Competing in the biggest pageant in history."

“I pray for those who are suffering worldwide - and I count my blessings of being alive, in good health, and knowing the love of God. Thank you so much to all who have commented and supported me.”

Prior to her departure, Prime Minister Tuilaepa had blasted Ms. Auva’a for choosing the Miss World Pageant over the regional Miss Pacific Islands.

“The only pageant that our Miss was supposed to contest in is the Pacific Islands one,” Tuilaepa said.

“But to go on the world stage is a waste of time (na’o pa’upa’u mea e maua ai).”

According to Tuilaepa, the Miss Pacific Islands should get her priorities right.

“The Miss Pacific is to promote Samoa and the other Pacific islands,” he said.

“But to jump up onto the world stage is just wanting too much…it is common practice for us to leave what we are capable of and to reach for something that we are nowhere near accomplishing. All you get is embarrassment.”

Ms. Auva’a has had to overcome 132 other contestants in all the categories of the competition.

The Manu Samoa is unlikely to have a local take over as Head Coach, if the independent panel assessing candidates for the job has its say.

The Panel is chaired by Graham Mourie, a renowned former All Black Captain, who is representing World Rugby. Brian Hopley, from the S.R.U, is another panellist.

Alex Abraham, from Bluesky, represents the sponsors and stakeholders of the S.R.U. while S.R.U. Secretary, Matafeo George Latu, is acting as Secretary.

The panel, which was appointed at the end of November, has met via teleconference and shortlisted three candidates. Mr. Hopley confirmed there are no locals on that shortlist.

He would not be drawn on where the shortlisted candidates have come from, nor would he comment any further about the shortlisted candidates.

Last month, the Samoa Observer reported applications for the Head Coach job with the Manu Samoa had closed, with 18 people putting their names forward.

Of that 18, four were locals.

The remainder came from all over the world, from areas including Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

In an interview yesterday, Samoa Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i, detailed the make-up of the independent panel.

The panellists were appointed by the S.R.U. Reforms Committee, under the mandate of the S.R.U. board, Faleomavaega said.

He expected the panel would be very busy over the next few weeks, as the S.R.U. wants a nominee for the Head Coach job before the year is up.

Only three weeks remain of 2015.

“The plan is still there, to make an announcement before the end of the year,” Faleomavaega said.

He said the board was likely to accept the recommendation for the job made by the independent panel, once they had chosen their ideal candidate.

A Supreme Court decision over the injunction orders sought by Associate Minister, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga, through his lawyer Leulua’iali’i Olinda Woodroffe, has been postponed to Monday next week.

Peseta is seeking 10 injunction orders against Apulu Lance Polu, Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt and Martin Schwalger, in relation to a dispute surrounding the company Local Partners and Associates (L.P.A).

Justice Lesatele Rapi Vaai presided over the hearing yesterday.

Peseta and Local Partners and Associates were represented by Leulua’iali’i.

The respondents, Apulu Lance Polu, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao Schmidt and Martin Schwalger, were represented by Semi Leung Wai.

The Court heard that the dispute arose after the Associate Minister’s son, Lei’ataua Danny Schwenke, transferred his shares to his father, Peseta. Leulua’iali’i said when the shares were transferred to Peseta; he became the Director of the company.

But he was allegedly blocked from viewing the company’s financial statements, participating in company activities such as meetings, and even entering the company’s properties.

“How can you refuse someone who had put millions on the company?”

Leulua’iali’i asked.

In Leulua’iali’i’s injunction submissions, she sought an order from the Supreme Court to stop the defendants from barring and excluding Peseta from L.P.A properties.

She sought to restrain the respondents from barring or excluding Peseta from participating in any L.P.A activities, because, as the Director of the company, he needed to be included.

Leulua’iali’i also asked the Court for an injunction order to restrain La’auli, who is the second defendant, from participating in or taking control of the company, or being part of any L.P.A activities.

She believed La’auli was not a shareholder of the company or a Director of Local Partners and Associates.

But Mr. Leung Wai countered Leuluaiali’i.

He argued that Associate Minister Peseta was neither a shareholder nor a Director of the company.

Leulua’iali’i submitted to the Court that there should be an order granting leave under section 97 of the Company’s Act 2001 to the first applicant, plaintiff Peseta Vaifou Tevaga, to bring these proceedings in the name of and on behalf of the second applicant, plaintiff Local Partners and Associates.

In her submissions, she also asked for a Court order for the first and second defendants, Apulu Lance Polu and La’auli, to provide forthwith information that can assist the Court with its proceedings.

The second defendant, the Speaker of the House, was not present in Court yesterday.

“Money is not important to other people, but their positions are very important to them,” Mr. Leung Wai said, adding that his client respects his position as the Speaker of the House and the constituency.

However, Leulua’iali’i told the court that both La’auli and Peseta are Members of Parliament, and that despite the fact her client is an Associate Minister, he made the effort to appear in Court.

“What about my client, he also has to protect himself, his family and the constituency he represents and it’s no excuse, it’s irrelevant.”

Leulua’iali’i confirmed to the Court that police froze the account of the business (belonging to the Speaker of the House) Samoa Nonu Delights, which is a company used to trade for L.P.A, to sell nonu juice

"The Local Partners account had not been frozen." she said. Justice Lesatele asked Leulua’iali’i if the plaintiff can still work with the other shareholders.

If not, he will have to appoint someone else to run the company if he is to grant the orders, Justice Lesatele continued.

Leulua’iali’i confirmed it would be better to appoint someone else to run the company, but the position would have to be advertised locally and in New Zealand.

The matter is now adjourned, awaiting the Court’s decision and for the applicant to provide a recommendation for someone who can run the company.

The girl Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said would only get “pa’upa’u” (snots) for competing at the Miss World pageant might end up having the last laugh.

Reigning Miss Pacific Islands and former Miss Samoa, Latafale Auva’a, remains in the competition with a very good chance of even winning it with the finale approaching.

On Thursday, Ms. Auva’a made the final of the Miss World Sports Challenge Event in Sanya, China and came fifth. The Challenge was won by Miss Namibia with Miss Seychelles finishing second and Miss Guam third.

Her performance gained her valuable points for the Miss World leaderboard, which will determine the overall winner.

For Ms. Auva’a, the Sports Challenge follows other top performances in the Talent and Traditional Wear category where she made the top 10.

Posting on her Facebook page, Ms. Auva’a said the spirit of the Lord has been her strength since the beginning of the Miss World.

She said the Sports Challenge was a tough battle but she was comforted by the thought that the people of Samoa and the Pacific are supporting her.

In another post, she wrote: “My faith has been the backbone to my drive for life.

"Jesus keeps me sane, comforts me when I am so often away from the rock of support which is my family, assures me that I am loved, treasured, fearfully and wonderfully made to do amazing things (that I haven't even dreamt of yet), coaches me in the meaning of love and calms me in the midst of the storms that life has to bring."

“An incredible speaker once said, 'our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure'.

“With God’s grace, I am overjoyed to understand the power within us to succeed, achieve and dare to dream of things we think can never happen.

“Last year, I would never have thought I'd be involved in beauty competitions! But God’s hand delivers me a forum to show true beauty comes from your heart, your actions and not merely aesthetics. So here I am now. 22. Competing in the biggest pageant in history."

“I pray for those who are suffering worldwide - and I count my blessings of being alive, in good health, and knowing the love of God. Thank you so much to all who have commented and supported me.”

Prior to her departure, Prime Minister Tuilaepa had blasted Ms. Auva’a for choosing the Miss World Pageant over the regional Miss Pacific Islands.

“The only pageant that our Miss was supposed to contest in is the Pacific Islands one,” Tuilaepa said.

“But to go on the world stage is a waste of time (na’o pa’upa’u mea e maua ai).”

According to Tuilaepa, the Miss Pacific Islands should get her priorities right.

“The Miss Pacific is to promote Samoa and the other Pacific islands,” he said.

“But to jump up onto the world stage is just wanting too much…it is common practice for us to leave what we are capable of and to reach for something that we are nowhere near accomplishing. All you get is embarrassment.”

Ms. Auva’a has had to overcome 132 other contestants in all the categories of the competition.

Former Member of Parliament, Levaopolo Talatonu Va'ai, has blasted Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, over his criticisms of a group of independent candidates for the election.

Speaking during an interview with the Sunday Samoan, Levaopolo said Prime Minister Tuilaepa should promote what the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P) stands for.

“If he is the leader of H.R.P.P, he should be respecting our rights to run (as independents),” said Levao. “Tuilaepa and his party should stop fooling people by singing their human rights slogan when they don’t follow it.”

Levao made the comments in response to Prime Minister Tuilaepa’s criticism over the new independent group of which Levao is the spokesperson.

Before Tuilaepa left the country two weeks ago for France, he cautioned candidates about a group set up by Levao, referring to them as old tricks.

Yesterday, Levao, who changed his constituency to run from Salega under his matai title Olo, said he had waited patiently for Tuilaepa’s return from meeting His Holiness Pope Francis, so he could reply.

According to Levao, Tuilaepa was getting old and was worried about their group.

“I don’t blame him if he’s worried,” said Levao. “He’s more than 70 years old and old people get that a lot…they worry all the time.”

Levao also slammed the H.R.P.P for what he felt was deceptive tactics, in having Independent candidates.

“So what Tuilaepa is basically saying is that for the H.R.P.P, Independents are not a priority but they can always be on the side to be spare parts when sitting M.Ps fail. The only thing that I know requires spare parts is a car and I cannot believe that the H.R.P.P Independent candidates can be called such things.”

“If somehow the sitting M.P wins, then [those] spare parts will never be used.”

The former M.P. for Gagaemauga no. 2 reminded Tuilaepa of the crucial role Independent M.Ps played in Parliament. He recalled that even the Prime Minister got his shot in Parliament through a by-election around 1980, where he entered as an Independent M.P.

Tuilaepa was first elected to Parliament in 1980 following the death of a previous M.P. “I want to know why he decided to run as an Independent M.P in the past,” said Levao.

“He should also be reminded that if it wasn’t for Independent M.Ps, H.R.P.P would not be in government today. “From [the] 2006 to 2011 election, from 33 H.R.P.P members, only 16 of them returned and the other 21 were Independents supported by people who believed that Independent M.Ps can express their needs in parliament independently without any interference from political tactics and political party propaganda.”

In criticising the independent group initiative, Tuilaepa told the media he wanted to remind Independent M.Ps not to be late to the party’s meeting the day after the general election, where they will give away candies.

He was referring to the H.R.P.P meeting on the day after the election, to acknowledge the winning candidates.

“I want to remind these guys (Independents) that if they come late to the candies giveaway because they’ve been sitting on the fence for too long, they will get scratched when they try to get off it,” said Tuilaepa.

“That is the reason why we have the early ava ceremony, so we can tell which one is the lamb and the goat.”

But Levao laughed at what he said is a bribe from the Prime Minister. He said the only time he was bribed with candies was by his parents when he was five years old.

“We don’t want lollies,” said Levao. “We want to look for the person who is sitting with the sack of lollies and distribute it to the rest of the country. About 90 percent of the country are only eating leftovers from that sack of lollies.”

Still on the lollies, Levao said he felt sorry for the H.R.P.P. Independent candidates. From what he saw, he pitied the candidates, if they were being swayed by candies.

“If they were swayed with a Big Mac from McDonald’s that would be okay but lollies, that’s cheap, I’m quite disappointed.”

Lastly, Levao said they are not sitting on the fence as the Prime Minister claimed.

“We actually want to jump over the fence and get to the other side to get into Parliament,” he said. “We didn’t come to represent any political party in Parliament.”

“We came to represent our constituency and voice their needs. I’ve realised that these things called political parties are not good. Their political agendas and propagandas suppresses the voice of other M.Ps from expressing their views and that of their constituency.”

A Samoan mother and soldier currently serving in the United States Army is in Apia this week for a very special purpose.

Mrs. Sorepa Thomas, “a product of Siumu and Afega”, is in Samoa to promote an “educational programme” aimed at giving the young people the chance to achive their goals in life.

She is offering two scholarships to two top students from Siumu and Afega to attend the Nationl University of Samoa’s preparatory year (UPY) programme starting January next year.

Her offer is continuous.

In an email, she reveals: “I am currently serving in the United States Army.

“I am writing in regards to procedures and processes on how to advertise or promote educational programmes in the Samoa Observer.”

Mrs. Thomas says “the winners will be published the Samoa Observer.”

In response to Mrs. Sorepa email, the Samoa Observer wrote: “Your decision to offer these scholarhips is quite refreshing, and so we are willing to help where we can."

“It is a wonderful idea. It is also gratifying to know that although you're living in far-away America, you are reaching out all this way to help the children of Samoa.”

“Malo le loto nu'u.” (Kudos to patriotism).

Mrs. Thomas said her decision to award these scholarhips was inspired by the knowledge that many Samoan students with the ability to go further in life are denied the chance because of circumstances beyond their parents’ control.

She says she feels she has the chance to help.

Mrs. Thomas CW2, QM, is the Division Chief of the United States Army’s 101st Division Sustainment Brigade and Airborne Division (AASLT), stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

This is to say she is a Warrant Officer.

According to an official army document, “Warrant Officers make up the technical foundation of the U.S. Army.

Throughout their careers, they specialize in a technical area like intelligence, aviation, or military police.

Although they make up less than three percent of total Army strength, Warrant Officers have a great job responsibility that includes training soldiers, organizing and advising on missions, and advancing within their career specialties.

The documnent also says “those interested in becoming Warrant Officers must be selected for Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS), which is generally held in Fort Rucker, Alabama."

“Technical specialty applicants must be Staff Sergeant/E-6 or higher to be considered for selection. There is no minimum grade requirement for aviation applicants."

“The school is designed to assess candidates’ potential for appointment as Warrant Officers and prepare them for service in 16 of the Army’s 17 branches (the Special Operations branch trains and appoints its own Warrant Officers).

“The course also focuses on training similar to Officer Candidates School (OCS), and provides candidates a foundation of leadership skills that will eventually help them manage others.

“After a candidate completes WOCS, he or she is appointed as a Warrant Officer (WO1). Graduates are then sent to their specific U.S. Army branches, where they receive more focused technical training in their specialties.”

The document explains that “applicants for the Warrant Officer Candidate School and Warrant Officer Flight Training program must have an high school diploma, be at least 18 years old at the time of enlistment and not have passed their 33rd birthday at the time of selection (for aviators) or their 46th birthday for all other specialties.”

It says “applicants have to be citizens of the United States.”

Mrs. Thomas is returning to America on Tuesday.

The Powerlifting fraternity in Samoa is in a state of mourning.

It follows the sad passing away of the President of the Samoa Powerlifting Federation, Aitken Fruean.

He died on Thursday in Apia. He was 53.

A family member said Mr. Fruean’s death came as a shock as he was well and was preparing for a trip overseas with the national powerlifting team.

Two years ago, Mr. Fruean was nominated as a Person of the Year for the Samoa Observer by his lifters and colleagues for his work behind the scenes. They said Mr. Fruean had often paid from his own pocket for many things to help his athletes win.

And with the Federation’s goal to develop and promote the sport of power lifting and to foster an enjoyable and drug-free experience for the power athletes of Samoa, Mr. Fruean was a man who led by example.

“I am humbled by those comments and am not sure if I am deserving of such high praise,” Mr. Fruean told the Samoa Observer.

“I believe Samoans are well suited to strength sports such as powerlifting and therefore believe that we as sport administrators/ coaches and managers need to provide the best environment for our lifters to excel and to pursue their dreams.”

Married to wife Francine, they have one son, Aitken John, better known as Trey.

Away from sports, Mr. Fruean is an IT Consultant with Fruean Consult.

Mr. Fruean’s family service is scheduled for tonight, before his burial this week.