The Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church (S.I.S.D.A.C) has taken the Development Bank of Samoa (D.B.S.) to court as the matter was called for mention in the Supreme Court on Monday.

At this point it is unclear what the issue of contention is between the two parties.

Attempts by this newspaper to get a comment from the S.I.S.D.A.C this week were unsuccessful. Samoa Observer visited the Moanalisa Hotel which has been re-named the "Trinity Hotel" since S.I.S.D.A.C took over its ownership.

The receptionist and staff at the hotel said only Pastor Ata Tanuvasa of the S.I.S.D.A.C can respond to the media. This newspaper also contacted him on his personal mobile number and a relative said to call back in the afternoon but no one picked up when this newspaper called back.

S.I.S.D.A.C acquired the 15-year-old, three-star hotel in Vaitele from previous owners, the family of the former Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt. 

The hotel was put up on the market with a price tag of SAT$14.4 million, however, the confirmed price for which the hotel was sold for is believed to be lower.

It is believed that the official handing over of the hotel ownership between the entity and the previous owners of Moanalisa was conducted on the 9 February this year and S.I.S.D.A.C has since been running the business.

A reliable source said earlier this year that the business name will be changed to 'Trinity Hotel' and the new sign will soon appear in front of the hotel.

However, Samoa Observer understands that the main hotel board at the top front still has the Moanalisa name on it while the new name, Trinity Hotel can only be seen at the receptionist's desk inside the lobby.

Samoa Observer understands that the new owners have not yet made major changes and have kept all staff who were employed by the previous owners.

Meanwhile, Moanalisa hotel's old official Facebook account has been removed and Samoa Observer understands that prior to the acquisition the hotel was consistent with its social media posts about their promotions.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, a downturn in Samoa’s tourism industry had forced the senior politician’s family to put their hotel up for sale for $14.4 million tala. 

Tialavea in an interview with this newspaper at the time explained the dire situation of their family business as well as the rationale behind his family’s decision to sell. 

“I started this business with the understanding that the tourism industry is thriving, 10 years later sadly that is not the case,” Tialavea said. 

“As soon as I became a Cabinet Minister, my shares were given to my children. I sold the construction equipment to my son’s company, and my wife and daughters took over ownership of the hotel.

“We spent over $4 million on the project and this was possible through a loan from Development Bank of Samoa of $2.1 million; $1 million from Samoa Commercial Bank and the rest came from the construction company. 

“And I regret going into the hotel business, it was the wrong decision. I should’ve built rental homes, at the time.”

The hotel opened for business in 2009 and was placed on the market in January this year. It has 22 rooms, six villas, a swimming pool and a restaurant. 

Despite the hotel’s location in the Samoan capital and its close proximity to the Faleolo International Airport, it struggled to attract customers.

Tanuvasa of the S.I.S.D.A.C can respond to the media. This newspaper also contacted him on his personal mobile number and a relative said to call back in the afternoon but no one picked up when this newspaper called back.

S.I.S.D.A.C acquired the 15-year-old, three-star hotel in Vaitele from previous owners, the family of the former Minister of Revenue, Tialavea Tionisio Hunt. 

The hotel was put up on the market with a price tag of SAT$14.4 million, however, the confirmed price for which the hotel was sold for is believed to be lower.

It is believed that the official handing over of the hotel ownership between the entity and the previous owners of Moanalisa was conducted on the 9 February this year and S.I.S.D.A.C has since been running the business.

A reliable source said earlier this year that the business name will be changed to 'Trinity Hotel' and the new sign will soon appear in front of the hotel.

However, Samoa Observer understands that the main hotel board at the top front still has the Moanalisa name on it while the new name, Trinity Hotel can only be seen at the receptionist's desk inside the lobby.

Samoa Observer understands that the new owners have not yet made major changes and have kept all staff who were employed by the previous owners.

Meanwhile, Moanalisa hotel's old official Facebook account has been removed and Samoa Observer understands that prior to the acquisition the hotel was consistent with its social media posts about their promotions.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, a downturn in Samoa’s tourism industry had forced the senior politician’s family to put their hotel up for sale for $14.4 million tala. 

Tialavea in an interview with this newspaper at the time explained the dire situation of their family business as well as the rationale behind his family’s decision to sell. 

“I started this business with the understanding the tourism industry is thriving, 10 years later sadly that is not the case,” Tialavea said. 

“As soon as I became a Cabinet Minister, my shares were given to my children. I sold the construction equipment to my son’s company, and my wife and daughters took over ownership of the hotel.

“We spent over $4 million on the project and this was possible through a loan from Development Bank of Samoa of $2.1 million; $1 million from Samoa Commercial Bank and the rest came from the construction company. 

“And I regret going into the hotel business, it was the wrong decision. I should’ve built rental homes, at the time.”

The hotel opened for business in 2009 and was placed on the market in January this year. It has 22 rooms, six villas, a swimming pool and a restaurant. 

Despite the hotel’s location in the Samoan capital and its close proximity to the Faleolo International Airport, it struggled to attract customers.