‘Auafa o Upu, Treasure Trove of rare Samoan words, the latest publication by author Fofo Iiga I.F. Sunia, contains 5,000 words that Fofo says, “all speakers of the Samoan language should know, cherish and use to improve and enrich their vocabulary and speech.”
The book was launched at the Naumati Room of the Tradewinds Hotel today, in a ceremony which was opened with a prayer by Pastor Papalii Laulii Alofa. 
The author is stranded in Las Vegas due to the suspension of flights but he participated by VTC and spoke to the crowd of pastors, government leaders, educators, talking chiefs, and family members who gathered to celebrate his work.
The reception was not clear so his son, Associate Justice Fiti Sunia delivered Fofo’s prepared remarks.
Fofo lamented there are 60,000 people in American Samoa but not even 1,000 want to read books in the Samoan language, so writers of Samoan language books do not become rich from it.
For him just reward is knowing that his books will help preserve and promote the richness of the Samoan language by educating the young and even orators of rare words which are in danger of being extinct because they are hardly ever spoken these days.
The book took him three years to complete as he was also working on other publications including a dictionary.
Fofo took the opportunity to propose the establishment by law of a Samoan Language Commission to set standards and guidelines for the Samoan language, that would work in tandem with a commission with the same purpose in Samoa.
Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Mauga spoke on behalf of Governor Lolo Moliga who was on the program as one of the speakers but could not make it, to congratulate Fofo on his book. He commended him for his valuable contribution to the understanding and appreciation of the Samoan language and culture, not just for the youth but for all speakers of the Samoan language. 
A good friend of Fofo, Senator Tuaolo Fruean, an orator of note, gave the keynote address.
He said despite the depth, intricacies and nuances of the Samoan language, especially the language of old, Fofo makes the reader understand because he writes in easy to understand language. 
Fofo’s brother Faoa Aitofele Sunia expressed thanks on behalf of the author and his family to all those who turned out for the launch.
The invited guests of more than 60 were given free copies of the book and invited by the emcee Taupa’u Tauileave Toluono to buy more at $60 a copy. Other publications by Fofo were also on sale.
Go to FB page Auafa o Upu/Treasure Trove of Words to buy online.
