To Sunny Vili: Why Malietoa is respected....
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Posted by Felix {144.120.8.71} on November 08, 2001 at 08:14:09:

...the Malietoa title has its humble roots in the Tuamasaga village of Vaiusu where its progenitor Fe'epo lived. It does not have any divine beginnings like the TuiAana and TuiAtua lineages. It was achieved rather than ascribed. Unlike any of those titles also, it does not have a particular sphere of influence or confined to a particular district. I know what you are getting at, no he is not the bruttish manipulative dictator that you think he is. If he was, then he would have been chucked from office long time ago. He is no King Taufa'ahau.
Most, if not all, Samoans respect him because of the 'man' himself. He is extremely humble, kind and generous. His involvement in politics has been very minimal(despite many politicians who tried to manipulate his influence) throughout his long term in office. His involvement in traditional matters is very minimal. Despite the urgings from his villages of Malie and Sapapali'i, he refuses to live there for he knows that the chiefs their will capitalize on his national influence. His involvement in traditional matters is very minimal. His involvement in politics is very minimal(despite the many politicians who tried to manipulate his influence in politics)throughout his long term in office. He refuses to live in the posh govt houses that were built for him by past govt because of this detachment from national politics. He still resides at his humble family home(a two acre property) at Fa'ato'ia-le-manu(a crowded little village in the suburbs of Apia). When I was a boy, we use to come through his property on our way to Apia Park for rugby practice and help him out. He is always at the back scraping coconuts and taro. Now in his old age, he is looked after by his family. Non of his family members or his children are extravaggantly rich or influential in politics
He refuses a body guard or any police protection. He once told a palagi reporter his people(160,000) look after him. I can honestly say that is true(I am no relation to him). Despite being given a limo, he still drives around on a golf cart! on the main road. When he passes on, there will be no more Malietoa(s) as Head of State. His successor will be chosen from the Council of Deputies(all with common district titles).
Malietoa Tanumafili II is the one person that has kept a factious, quarrelsome people together. I dont know what will happen to Samoa when he is gone.
To Samoan Sensation, I don't know what your ethics is but if your protecting Vili's right to slander a humble old man that has done a lot for his country, then I don't know whats fair. We are not Americans where people can say all they want about their president. O Samoa o le i'a iviivia. E oo le vao.
To Sunny Vili, maybe your wish will come sooner than you think, Malietoa is 86 and most Samoans don't live to 100....

I le ava ma le migao,
soifua.


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