Samoan taxpayer-funded gifts were presented to the visiting American Samoa delegation last Friday at the conclusion of the 4th Atoa o Samoa conference which was hosted by Samoa.

The gifts, which were prepared by Samoa government officials for the American Samoa Governor and his delegation, were shipped to Pago Pago on the Lady Naomi II ferry on Tuesday this week. They comprised 30 boxes of fish, 100 boxes of local sausages, 40 boxes of locally made chocolate, 30 sacks of taro and 250 koko Samoa. 

The Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Agafili Shem Leo announced the gifts from the Samoa government for the visiting delegation at the official closing of the Atoa o Samoa conference in Savai'i last Friday.

The U.S. territory's administration reciprocated the gesture with Prime Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and her Cabinet also gifted over $20,000 in cash and kind as part of the fa'aoso (traditional gift exchange). The gifts in cash and kind were presented as a token of appreciation for the hospitality provided by the government and the people of Samoa. 

American Samoa delegates provided an envelope for the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister at a dinner held at the Stevensons Hotel in Manase. Coupled with that $20,000 cash was presented to the Samoa government for cabinet ministers and MPs who were part of the Samoan government delegation. 

Additionally, the Samoa government also received 80 boxes of tuna, 75 boxes of chicken, 75 boxes of turkey tail, 60 boxes of turkey, 60 boxes of ham, 50 boxes of wine and 50 boxes of whiskey. It is understood that these were distributed amongst the Samoa government delegates upon their arrival in Upolu last Friday evening. 

Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga expressed his gratitude to Samoa for hosting yet another successful visit, particularly taking them to the big island of Savai'i. He said the visit to Savai'i finally completes the 4th Atoa o Samoa conference. 

"There's a common phrase in American Samoa that you've never been to Tutuila if you've never been to Manu'a," Lemanu said. "I'm not sure if that is also true for Samoa. 

"But I believe that it can also be said here that you haven't been to Samoa if you haven't been to Savai'i and now we can finally say we have been to Samoa. 

"We've seen and heard so many great stories and things about this island and we can finally go back and talk about it knowing that we've been to this place and visited some of the historical sites and also places where our culture is still maintained and practised. 

"We are grateful that we finally got to see how siapo (tapa) is made. I'm amazed at how this place has kept our cultural values, beliefs, customs and practices alive. I've seen that from the different sites and villages we have visited. 

"This is why this visit was important. We are one. Despite the different systems of government, we are one and whatever happens in Samoa can have an impact on American Samoa and vice versa. Hence, continuing the Atoa o Samoa executive meeting is crucial. As leaders, we also need to continue this great partnership and pass it down to the next generation."

Preparing fa'aoso or traditional exchange is a long-standing Samoa government policy where the administration in office prepares gifts for the visiting delegates using tax-payer funding.

The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt confirmed this earlier this year in response to questions from the Samoa Observer and emphasised that there is always a budgetary allocation for such activities each financial year.

"But the budget does not cover everything that the government takes as the fa'aoso for the American Samoa government," he said at that time. "We each had to contribute by providing ie toga (fine mats), taro, banana, fish and other goods and products. 

"It's part of our fa'aaloalo and culture. We know the American Samoa government does the same when they travel to Samoa. This exchange of gifts and goods is also a way to promote our goods and the same for them (American Samoa) so it's a policy that has been there for such a long time."