Dear Editor,

A few years ago, a couple of Samoan comedians toured the region entertaining our Pacific diaspora with their unique humour.

Their shows brought great happiness to all who attended and unified the Pacific communities.

Many of their jokes were repeated as our Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Cook Islanders and others poked fun at each other's size, food, sport, language and immigration status.

Recently, a talented young Tongan-Hawaiian singer toured the Pacific, the United States and Japan singing beautiful songs at sold-out concerts, including here in Apia and Pago Pago.

His music brought joy and happiness to the young and old of the diaspora.

At the same time, the Ms. Pacific beauty pageant, which began in Samoa, has grown into a truly regional event to showcase our culture and tradition.

The pageant brings out friendly competition amongst our islands for a week of fun and enjoyment, creating many life-long friends amongst our families wherever it is hosted overseas.

These are wonderful events that have brought out the true Pacific spirit of love amongst our diasporas.

Then, we have our very own Dancing and Singing Samoan Politicians troupe which has been touring almost non-stop for the last 4 years.

Their flashy song and dance routine is now well-known and predictable.

Arrive, feast, criticize everyone and everything in Samoa, blame HRPP, promise the world, sing karaoke, collect envelopes, and fly out.

Repeat. No vision. No responsibility for anything. No new development initiatives. No results to show for all the millions of Samoan taxpayers' money wasted.

Leaving the diaspora wondering how exactly their hard-earned money just magically disappeared.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP