It’s official. Manono will not compete in the Flag Day fautasi race.
The call was made by Governor Lolo Moliga after deliberation with Manono chiefs and the Fautasi Committee.
KHJ News had reported this morning on a meeting yesterday where Governor Lolo addressed leaders of the Manono Malaga concerning the fautasi race.
Our account of what the governor said at that meeting differs slightly from what the governor told KHJ News today was his statement to the meeting.
We reported the governor assuring the Manono chiefs that they will be given a fautasi to row and they should not have any trepidation on this issue.
The governor was speaking in Samoan and KHJ News had a recorder in front of him to record his statement and that of the Manono chiefs.
However our recorder was removed from where the governor sat, and it’s not known who removed it.
Governor Lolo said today he apologized to the leaders and Manono Malaga about a misunderstanding concerning a fautasi for them to row, but that the two fautasi rowed by the Fono and ASG belong to villages.
He also pointed out that the crews of both the Fono and Executive Branch fautasi had been practicing for 3 to 4 months for the Flag Day race.
Lolo said he told the village to concentrate on their pese and siva for Monday and be part of the tapuaiga or well wishers for the flag Day race.
Speaking to KHJ News this afternoon, Governor Lolo said he just found out last Friday about Manono’s situation.
Their long boat Telefoni-o-le-Vainuu was too long to fit on the Lady Naomi hence they could not bring it here for the Flag Day race,.
The Manono captain Leiataua Lesa Naseri stated yesterday their group had contacted the Governor’s Office before hand about this and he claims they were given assurances that a local fautasi would be made available for their use.
Leaiataua did not mention who in the Governor’s Office gave that assurance.
Governor Lolo has now spoken and Manono will now sit out the fautasi race and focus on their pese and siva for the traditional entertainment on Monday for the official Flag Day program.
