Voices were raised in the Senate Friday in a disagreement on the proper Samoan salutation for the Secretary of Samoan Affairs.
After the budget hearing for Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega, Senator Togiola Tulafono said he didn’t feel it was proper to refer to him as “aao tusi tusi” which literally translates as hand that writes. Co-Chairman of the budget hearings Sen, Utu Sila Poasa had used the term to refer to Mauga.
Togiola said the proper salutation for Secretary of Samoan affairs is “Faaao o le malo Lotoifale” which means head of the Office of Local Government.
On Friday, Senator Faiivae Alex Godinet without mentioning any names said he didn’t agree with the suggested salutation because the term “Faaao” applies to the Governor as the head of the government. According to Faiivae, the proper salutation is “”Failautusi o Mataupu Tau Samoa” which translates as Secretary of Samoan Affairs. He said this doesn’t take away any respect or honor afforded to Mauga as the Mauputasi.
Senator Togiola Tulafono immediately took the floor and expressed his disappointment that his comments would elicit a reaction from what he described as “a weak brain.”
He said it was the duty of senators to uphold and maintain the culture. The title of Secretary of Samoan Affairs, according to him, pertains to the government but according to tradition, this position is the head of local government so the term “Faao o le Malo lotoifale” is appropriate. Togiola said it’s the duty of senators to honor and preserve the dignity of these high titles like Mauputasi. He went further saying the Senate is not a venue for matai to show their status and for “a small matai” to flex his own status.
Senator Faiivae countered that Togiola didn’t use the salutation he had suggested when he was governor. He took issue with Togiola’s reference to “small matai” saying they are all senators each with their own titles.
Faiivae insisted that he was full of respect for Mauga as the Mauputasi and he was merely expressing his opinion on the right salutation for the government position he holds.
Togiola responded that he had used the salutation “Faaao o ke Malo lotoifale” when he was Governor, and Faiivae should watch tv recordings of his speeches as proof.
Tuiagamoa Tavai, a former deputy Secretary of Samoan Affairs, didn’t think the salutation that Togiola had suggested was fitting because he said it infers another head of the government when the Governor is the head of the territorial government.
Senator Soliai Tuipine stood to express his disappointment at the exchange and asked that the discourse stop now and that it never happen again.
Togiola offered an apology and asked that statements which may have offended be withdrawn.
Senator Faiivae accepted the apology,
