NEWSROOM: 01 October - 07 October 2006

Bruno's Magic Circus returns to Samoa
07 October 2006 - Source: eventpolynesia.com

Once again, Tupa'i Bruno has chosen Samoa as the first Pacific stopover for his end of year Magic Circus of Samoa tour.

Bruno and his performers were spotted behind the government building this week in their overalls and boots, unloading equipment from the containers where they are stored and shipped around the region.

It has been almost two years since the Magic show visited Samoa. Bruno was forced to miss Samoa on his last scheduled visit due to the extension of their shows in French Polynesia (Tahiti) and other Pacific Islands.

But Bruno has a soft spot for Samoa and a special connection with its people after he was bestowed the chiefly title of Tupa'i some years ago. This was in acknowledgement of his service and contributions to Samoa and the delight he has brought to the country's youth who would never have experienced this standard of entertainment unless they had travelled overseas.

Samoa has won over the heart of Bruno who now even calls Samoa his home renaming his
circus the 'Magic Circus of Samoa'. This is the name he carries everywhere he goes.

During an interview with eventpolynesia.com he was asked why he chose Samoa to see this years show first. His response was "Because it is home."

Tupai promises locals an even better experience for the upcoming tour.

"There will be ice skating and other performances we have never showed before, it will be thrilling and exciting because we have more surprises and more magic for the kids to enjoy," said Tupai.

More than thirty performers will perform in Samoa over the two weeks it will run.

The first show will start before White Sunday.
 

Samoa responds to American Samoa immigration accusations
06 October 2006 - Source: Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

The Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet makes the following response in regards to statements by the American Samoa government accusing Samoa's Immigration Office of issuing passports under false names.

The statements were published by the Samoa Observer newspaper (21st Sept, 2006) and Samoa News, American Samoa (28th Sept, 2006).

The statements were over the entrance of one, Mataitusi Mataitusi, to American Samoa despite allegedly being incarcerated there within the last 20 years.

To clarify the matter, the sequence of events is as follows:

On 29 August, Mataitusi came to the Samoa Immigration Office seeking travel documents to attend a funeral in American Samoa. Members of his family were also to travel with him;

The same day, a Document of Identity (no. 4098) was issued to him;

Mataitusi then requested the Secretary of the PM and Cabinet Ministry chief executive officer for a permit so he and his relatives can travel to American Samoa for the funeral;

The Secretary then faxed over to the Attorney General's Office in American Samoa an,
* Application for a travel permit
* A copy of the Document of Identity
* A receipt of the airfare
* A copy of the death certificate
* And residence of family where Mataitusi will be staying in American Samoa

Approval was duly given by the Attorney General's office for Mataitusi and his relatives to travel over;

Mataitusi then left for American Samoa;

A passport can only be issued in the name given in the birth certificate.

The observance and upholding of basic human freedoms is the cornerstone of the Samoan Constitution. The freedom to speak, the freedom of belief, the freedom to travel outside of Samoa, etc. Travel restrictions can only be imposed on a person under Section 5 of the Immigration Act, 2004.

Entrance into American Samoa is solely the jurisdiction and responsibility of the Immigration Office in American Samoa who is in charge of the Territory's border control. If Mataitusi was convicted in American Samoa in the past, then he should not have been issued a permit by the American Samoa Attorney General's office to enter the Territory.

Samoa has neither been provided Police records of Mataitusi in American Samoa nor requested by American Samoa authorities to bar Mataitusi from entering the Territory.

The exchange of such important information is one pertinent issue the two governments are working on at the moment.

Mataitusi had satisfied all requirements needed by Samoa when he left for American Samoa.

Auseugaefa M T V Poloma Komiti
Chief Executive Officer

Ministry of the Prime Minister/Cabinet
 

Samoa Apia Run to produce first international marathon
05 October 2006 - Source: Mati Sapolu

In response to the growing need for fitness events in Samoa, a Honolulu-based woman is heeding the call.

Race Director Mati Sapolu started the not-for-profit organization Samoa Island Run (now Samoa Apia Run) in 2002 in hopes of creating world class running events to get locals healthy and encourage tourism. The race has grown steadily each year, and with 2007 comes a new addition.

On Saturday, June 30th, 2007, Samoa Apia Run hosts it's 7th annual Tamara's 10K walk/run along with the 2nd annual Tamaiti's 3K walk/run and the year's banner event, the 1st annual Samoa International Marathon (SIM). SIM is a monumental affair that is expected to draw hundreds of participants and spectators, tourists and residents alike.

Born and raised in Samoa, Ms. Sapolu founded Samoa Apia Run after realizing that annual running events were not as readily available here as in other places. Her background in personal fitness made her the perfect person for the job: Ms. Sapolu has the distinction of being the only female Samoan Ironman competitor, having participated in 8 Ironman races in Australia, California, New Zealand, Hawaii's world championship and currently in training for Honolulu's Half-Ironman in June
2007.

The Samoa International Marathon is truly unique in many aspects. Visiting runners get the benefit of not only stunning scenery, but an untainted cultural experience as well. The 26.2 mile course will begin in Apia at Funway Rental Matautu out to Saluafata and finish back at Funway Rental.

First aid/water stations will be set up in each village throughout the course with special contests that encourage villagers to decorate, play music, and welcome the runners in their own distinctive ways. Local runners are motivated by family and personal pride, as well as the desire to show their support of fitness education and honour their heritage.

The marathon winners in the male and female category will win airfare and accommodations to return for the 2008 SIM event. Local winners will receive airfare and accommodations to attend SIM's sister run, the Rotorua Marathon in New Zealand.

With much-needed help, community support and dedicated volunteers, Samoa Apia Run has blossomed into an organization that not only produces first-class running events, but raises awareness of Samoan culture and landscape. When asked about the key to success with the Samoa Apia Run organization, Mati had this to say: "Our mission is to promote Samoa as one of the best running places in the world and encourage local people to integrate running as a healthy lifestyle activity. Our organization depends on support from local businesses to gain credibility, create a high quality experience, and secure loyal competitors that return annually."

Eventually, Sapolu and her team hope that Samoa Apia Run will generate enough income to not only grow and promote upcoming events, but also to give back to the Samoan communities. "We will strive to promote health and fitness through a variety of avenues, and we'd also like to use the funds to help make Samoan businesses, public buildings and roadways handicapped-accessible." Sounds like Samoa Apia Run and its supporters are on the right track.

Registration for the 2007 Samoa International Marathon is available through the Samoa Apia Run website at www.samoaislandrun.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mati Sapolu - Race Director

Samoa Contact
P.O. Box 6360 Apia, Samoa
Telephone: (685) 31-252 *
Email: samoaislandrun@hotmail.com

Hawaii Contact
6973 Niumalu Loop
Honolulu, Hawaii 96825
Telephone: (808) 203-0776
Email: samoaapiarun@hotmail.com
 

BEN receives Donation from Switzerland
04 October 2006 - Source: BEN

Beautiful Expressions of Nature or BEN, Fine arts Academy, studio and gallery at Lelata has received a donation of equipment from Switzerland, through their embassy in Samoa.

Switzerland Ambassador to Samoa, His Exellency Beat Nobs presented equipment worth over $52,000 to BEN for wood and rock carvings. BEN studio was established with many students enrolled.

Founder of the studio, Mr Papalii Penehuro Papalii, well known as Penehuro, was pleased to receive the equipment. He said that this will help the development of the school.

"Having this equipment will minimize the time each student spends on cutting and carving by using the simple tools we have," says Penehuro."

The Government of Switzerland will bring in experts to provide the academy with training on how to operate the machines. As for the students, the excitement is in the air and they could barely wait to give it a go.

Penehuro recently returned from China attending a Symposium on culture in one of China's provinces. His project was to carve a sculpture of a Samoan talking chief and was acknowledged by the Samoan government for his achievements.
 

Putting financial independence in reach for our people
03 October 2006 - Source: Debt FREE Ltd

Debt FREE Ltd is a new and innovative company that is due to launch on Wednesday, 27 September 2006.

Our mission statement is to 'Put financial independence in reach for our people'. We will do this by offering a debt collection service to the public of Samoa where customers can confidently leave their uncollectible accounts with us to collect any outstanding accounts hassle free!

We will offer a range of services from training recovery officers, data cleansing services we can mediate disputed accounts between customer and debtor and offer detailed reports to support uneconomical debts, to consider a write off or provide reports for our customers to make more
calculated annual provisions for bad debt.

Our services do not stop there as we can also facilitate a 'blacklist' to decrease the risk of delinquent debtors from receiving future credit.

Debt FREE Ltd is lead by a highly qualified and experienced team. We have formulated modern and professional collection program that has been modified to produce a unique debt collection company designed specifically for our people.

We are here to provide a full debt collection service not just picking up payments and sending debtors off to court. Debt FREE Ltd offers a professional service, where we will commit ourselves to practicing the highest level of privacy and confidentiality to protect both our customer and debtor.

We consider our staff our most valued asset, where they will look to develop effective relationships within the business community. We have invested in state of the art IT facilities and implemented information systems specially designed for debt collection, legal collection and credit history reporting.

Debt FREE Ltd is situated on the 2nd Floor Shop9, Nia Mall Fugalei APIA. Please feel free to contact Mandy Siitia-Ailoi or Caroline Williams anytime from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm if you have any further inquires.

As we embark on this new journey and begin to move around the community, may God Bless you as we look forward to meeting with you all.

Mandy Siitia-Ailoi
Managing Director DFL
 

SamoaTel Offers Better Mobile Deals
02 October 2006 - Source: SamoaTel

SamoaTel, a 100% owned Samoan company, will offer customers great new GSM mobile solutions in January, and broadband solutions in November, and customers should wait for SamoaTel's offers to get better deals - guaranteed.

At a presentation to top business and government customers today, SamoaTel unveiled its plans for new mobile and broadband solutions. The presentation included demonstrations of ADSL broadband solutions, a wide range of GSM phones, demonstrations of GSM data solutions, and Hybrex PABX solutions.

The presentation was opened by Veletaloola Vaa Ofoia, SamoaTel Sales Manager, who welcomed guests and talked about SamoaTel's existing product range of voice and data, and PBX solutions.

John Mauli, Product Development Manager, explained the features of the GSM network.
"SamoaTel's network will include extensive national coverage for both voice and data, including texting.

Customers will also be able to use their phone (including models with digital cameras) anywhere in the world.

"Any GSM phone such as Vodafone, Telstra, and Optus, will work on our network."

"A great part of SamoaTel's solution is that through our new mobile network we can provide GSM based internet solutions to most of Samoa - this means schools, community groups and churches where there is no current fixed line deployed. We consider this as a very important community service obligation.

"As part of this we are adopting the Go Mobile brand and building several new shops such as the new one at Faleolo airport to cater for this new mobile demand. The Go Mobile reflects the fact that people using mobiles are on the move. The branding components are derived from the colours and logo of the SamoaTel brand."

Junior Lene, Marketing Manager, presented the ADSL broadband solutions SamoaTel will be launching in November. "This broadband solution is fast - up to ten times dialup speed - reliable and works on your existing phone line.

"We will provide this as a more reliable alternative to Wireless Data solutions that are currently available in the market, and will ensure it is very competitively priced to promote business and residential uptake."

Justin Caswell, General Manager of Business and Consumer, outlined commitments to customers with these new technologies.

"Our GSM licence to operate starts in January, and we expect our competition to launch their network before us. That's why we are sending clear messages to the market that for the best deals customers should wait for real competition to finally get to the Samoan mobile market - that's January. If customers sign up before then they'll probably pay too much"

"We have today made clear commitments to our customers. These commitments are:

. As a 100% Samoan company, to benefit the Samoan economy through keeping sponsorship and profits in Samoa (not sending them offshore);

. To offer cheaper call prices for mobile calling - guaranteed;

. To offer cheaper calls to SamoaTel phones from fixed lines;

. To offer compelling solutions involving fixed, mobile and data products to make doing business easier; and,

. To drive increased internet and broadband penetration through better, faster, cheaper solutions for our customers."
 

Reprint: Lessons from Miss Teuila "Fiasco"
01 October 2006 - Source: Media Release - Iuni & Josefina Fuimaono-Sapolu

To the various correspondences under the protection of pseudonyms including K.T and Envy-Intolerant both of Puipa'a the only lesson learnt from this Miss Teuila "fiasco" is a reminder to those who lie and support liars, of the simple rule of THOU SHALL NOT LIE!

Criminal laws and the likes are based on that simple truth.

The continuing attacks against the messenger / informants, Iuni Sapolu and Sosefina Sapolu condone the lies, then hide behind those same lies by using false names. False names used by false people with poisoned pens.

What's wrong with an open dialogue without cowardly hiding behind false names?

We are not politicians, out to win a popularity contest for people's votes. We are lawyers. However, judging from the thousands of Samoans in New Zealand and Samoa who have contacted us and show their support for what we did in revealing corruptive practices, we can safely say that the silent majority value principles and rules more than the pseudo authors who write in support of lies and deceptions.

HOW we revealed the corrupt practices, was determined by the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Committee's attitude towards us. We went to see Mr. Matafeo in the presence of his committee. We were advised that our complain does directly to the Chairman of the STA Committee who would contact us. We were never contacted and the inference is, the Chairman, Misa Telefoni, was not interested in what we had to say!!

It is not for the STA to choose the forum or medium through which to air the lies. However, we went to the Samoa Tourism Authority Committee first before we went to LAU TV.

Had the Samoan Tourism Authority and its Chairman-Minister come down from their "ivory tower" and acknowledge us, then perhaps the forum would have been different.

We had three choices available, Go private to the Samoa Tourism Authority, which failed; go public via the media or go via the justice system, to the police. We chose the media so Pearl McFall does not end up with a criminal conviction on her records that will impact on her future.

Do the honourable thing and stop shooting the messenger with poison pens, coming from poisoned minds. The justice system with its criminal proceedings were not initiated which saved Pearl and her supporters from further embarrassment. Consider yourselves lucky that criminal court proceedings were not initiated.

If any lessons are learnt they must surely be

1. DO NOT LIE KNOWING THAT THE FA'ASAMOA WILL FORGIVE YOU. If you lie in the way Pearl and her supporters did, ten you are abusing your Samoan people's trust, abuse the fa'a-Samoa, break that TULAFONO and breach Jehovah God's laws!!

2. ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME FORTH AND EXERCISE THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS TO FREEDON OF EXPRESSION.

3. INFORM PEPLE THAT IT IS A RIGHT TO EXPRESS YOUR VIEWS OPENLY. Carry out logical dialogue and not emotional and personal attacks against messengers of what people want to say but cannot say because of the personal attack!

Please do not strangle people's human rights by telling them to seek so called "higher authority's" consent on HOW those human rights should be expressed!!

There are people in Samoa, South Pacific's Paradise who are scared to open their mouths for fear of being vilified for what they say and believe in.

4. JUDGING MUST BE FAIR AND MUST BE SEN TO BE FAIR. There should be no pre-determination, no open attacks on some contestants by local judges based on where the contestants live!! Judges should not discriminate and patronize the contestants. Miss Samoa Australia rebutted a judge at the preliminary by saying "Are you being sexist?" when the male judge commented that women should wear men's clothes and be like men if they want to get into politics!!

Further, judges should be representative of all the contestants and not just local judges in Samoa. The judging of the interview in particular was clearly unfair4 and continues to be so...the best interview has not been awarded!!

There has to be TRANSPARENCY in the criteria and how the marks are allocated. The contestants and their sponsors should have access to their score sheets.

5. INDEPENDENCE IN JUDGING without favour and connections. Enticements and publicity such as giving money to the charity, donations to the Miss Teuila Pageant by sponsors for instance holding a charity ball at the NUS, should not happen before the pageant night.

6. THE STA COMMITTEE SHOULD NOT ACCEPT BRIBE from sponsors or supporters of the contestants. THE STA COMMITTEE SHOULD NOT INFLUENCE THE JUDGING AND THERE SHOULD BE NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST BETWEEN JUDGES AND CONTESTANTS & JUDGES AND SPONSORS.

We were advised by a sponsor of a previous winner of the Miss Teuila that we would have to pay lots of money to some members of the STA committee if we want Josefina to win!! Our response was swift and uncouth!

At the end of the day, the Miss Teuila fiasco is all about greed and fame taking precedence over principles. If Pearl and her supporters had respect for the rules and if they had ALOFA for the other contestants and the people of Samoa, she would not have lied on stage in public view.

What some considered should be private matter became public when Pearl presented herself on stage to the world at large. From then on, she became public property, subject to public scrutiny. Greed and fame underlie hers and her supporters' actions and that is not fa'a-Samoa.

We are all equal before the laws of Samoa and New Zealand alike, whether more people supported Pearl and no one supports Josefina..and we will not be silenced by corruption and personal attacks.

Yours sincerely
SAPOLU LAW
(Iuni Sapolu - Principal)


PRESS RELEASE: 27 September 2006

Well well well. many are attacking the messenger and not the facts and issues. The relevant facts and issues are (1) That Pearl McFall lied in her application (2) That N.U.S. supported her lie (3) The S.T.A. failed to verify applications according to the S.T.A. rules of the pageant and (4) What can be done to ensure such a "fiasco" does not occur in the future.

As to the issue regarding what can be done to ensure this does not occur again, that is an issue for Samoa and the S.T.A. to decide. But given many are feed secondary information and making assumptions based on such information, irrelevant issues have arisen. I have been reluctant to answer such issues due to their irrelevance, but if it helps clarify the circumstances for people, I answer such issues as follows:

1. "Why did I not reveal the lie earlier?" I was not informed about her age until after the pageant, on Tuesday 12 September 2006. This was the day I was leaving to New Zealand to return to work and familial obligations. A person, who did not want to be named because of fear of damage to reputation and endangerment of personal and family safety, was persistent about the breach of the age-rule and wanted myself and my mother to check if Pearl's age was correct.

But regardless of whether or when I revealed the age, it is not up to me to reveal the truth. The first person to admit responsibility for making a lie is the person herself and her sponsor. Should that person wait until someone else finds out before revealing the truth? Why do we have to wait to be caught before we tell the truth? What are we teaching our youth these days? It is okay to lie or even worse, deceive for pecuniary advantages? Matters for people of Samoa to consider.

2. "Josefina did this revelation out of sour grapes or being a sore loser". I nor my supporters/sponsors have lost nothing by participating in the pageant. If anything, we GAINED an insight in how the administration of the S.T.A.'s handling of the pageant must be improved. We also gained an insight in how far one and her sponsors will go, to win a pageant - that is, by lying.

It is often where one complains after the pageant, s/he is immediately perceived as being a sore loser. No matter how valid, factual and logical one's complaint is, the excuse of "sore loser" arises to quickly shut-up the complainant. Not for me. If you see an injustice, what would you do?
Shut-up for fear of damage to reputation or personal safety? Principles of integrity, in particular for the Miss Teuila pageant, must be maintained. If I was to shut-up, it would then considered I am a sore loser because I've lost my principles in fairness and doing justice.

But once again, regardless of what my motive was or any complainant's motive, one must look to the facts and make decisions based on those facts. That being, she lied about her age, that lie breached the rule and she and her sponsor gained an advantage from that lie. Those are the facts. But is it a fact to say I made a revelation out of being a sore loser? No, that's speculation because it's based on one's subjective assumptions.

3. "Why not tell Pearl first about the lie?" Am I the one that lied? If you know you have committed a wrong, you should be the first to do the honourable task and admit responsibility. Why wait for me to tell someone they have been caught?

Once proof of age was discovered, the S.T.A. committee including CEO General Manager Matafeo, was approached. They were advised of the breach and given reasonable time to respond as to what their remedy should be. They did not contact Iuni Sapolu within that reasonable time, let alone indicate that they will resolve the matter as soon as possible. LAU TV were then approached regarding the breach and an interview with Lau TV was conducted.

An opportunity for the S.T.A. to remedy the fault was given. Once this opportunity was not taken by the S.T.A., it was reasonable to approach the media to bringing the issue out, in the hope that the S.T.A. would consider the matter seriously, particularly given that the Miss Teuila/Samoa is a role of high regard amongst our Samoan people.

4. "Why involve the law and the courts? That is not the Fa'aSamoa way!".To maintain the integrity of the pageant, it is important that every participant enters in good faith and honesty. If we are to be treated with fairness, by the committee or anyone involved with the pageant, in return we must abide by the rules especially the age-rule. The law and courts are an important function of our society which enforces rules and maintains integrity and honesty amongst all of us. If we have disregard for the law, we suffer the sentences in court and similarly if we disregard the rules of
the pageant, legal action in court is an option.

Furthermore, the benefits from winning the pageant and the pride/prestige you gain from being a Miss Teuila/Samoa, is considerable. I understand winning the Miss Teuila results in at least 38,000 tala worth of prizes, increased goodwill for the winner and her sponsor and most importantly, being one of the very few young and female ambassadors for Samoa. In other words, winning the pageant results in huge valuable prizes. The huge value of prizes, gives more reasons to involve courts and legal action if need be. People would want to see the monetary prizes delivered with fairness, and for that to be done so, the rules must be followed whether it be by a contestant, her sponsor, the S.T.A. or a judge.

Pearl and her sponsor have done the appropriate task of relinquishing the crown and making a public apology. If this occurred in New Zealand, the Serious Fraud Office would have the option of making criminal enquiries. But luckily, Samoa has a heart for rehabilitation and restoring justice especially for our youth. However, it is important that future contestants and their sponsors really do consider the consequences of the breach and not be enticed to follow the same footsteps.

But I believe what we must assess are the representatives from the S.T.A. They must take responsibility for making this oversight, which has damaged the Pageant's reputation and image, let alone damage Pearl's repute.

I refuse to believe Pearl did this out of malice. She is an intelligent young woman, has a bright future particularly in science, and I understand scholarships have been offered to her from overseas. But I find it ironic how a seventeen year old has done the honourable task of admitting responsibility and yet the adults in the S.T.A. have not admitted to negligence. At least we know that our youth understand the consequences of admitting responsibility, maintaining dignity and integrity.

If anyone wants to receive first-hand information from myself or Iuni Sapolu, you are welcome to contact us DIRECTLY on these phone numbers: +64-(0)9-267-6453 or mobile +64-(0)27-444-2650. Please do not follow the gossip, but focus on the facts.

Alofa atu,
Josefina Fuimaono-Sapolu

Miss Samoa New Zealand 2006-2007 - Barrister & Solicitor in Samoa & New Zealand.
 

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