“One heart, one voice, one team” is the motto behind the village of Leone as they christened their fautasi — Lady Taema II — over the weekend. It’s been 50 years since their first fautasi had been damaged in 1966 following a hurricane, said Fiu Johnny Saelua, who’s also Gov. Lolo M.Moliga’s Chief of Staff.

The ceremony was attended by all the ministers of the churches in Leone, who all played a part in the christening service of Lady Taema II last Saturday in front of the Catholic Church Hall, where Father Kolio Etuale performed the christening and blessing of the boat.

Faaivae Iuli Alex Godinet, one of the leaders of the village, said when the issue of building a fautasi (long boat) surfaced at the beginning of last year, he posed the question, “How would this fautasi be beneficial for the village?” and the response was that this would bring the village together, not only the chiefs, but also the village police (aumaga). He said a committee made up of professionals was selected and the name Papu Williams came up.

Williams is a shipbuilding professional who also built the “Le Tolotolo o Tama Uli”, a fautasi from Salelologa Savai’i that’s been winning the fautasi races in Apia, Samoa.

Fa’aivae said it was not an easy task seeking someone who had special skills, and when the committee met Williams, they second guessed him. “When the committee asked him for a photo of the boat he built, Papu fetched his pen and drew a picture of a boat.”

When the boat builder left Faaivae requested the committee to reconsider hiring Williams. When they traveled to Apia to see him, he was about to work on a boat for the village of Pesega. It took a convincing phone call from Fa’aivae for Papu to return to American Samoa for the Leone fautasi project. He thanked Papu Williams for his work, his commitment and for the beautiful fautasi.

Faaivae with high spirits noted that Mrs. Papu Williams also played a part in the project by helping to build the boat. He further stated that they conducted a fundraiser called the Bonus — “Pogesi” — which they conducted three times, and as a result they raised $250,000. The pogesi was a fundraising idea from Papu Williams, said Faaivae.

According to Fiu, in 1964 a group from Apia was hosted by the Leone village and they brought their Fautasi along with them, which was then purchased by Leone.

In 1965, a team of rowers was selected and the late Fiu Saelua was the Captain. His co-captain was the late Olo Letuli. In 1966, the boat was damaged by a hurricane and in 1981, the village wanted to build a new fautasi, however Leone was not ready at the time. In 1983, another request was made, but was met with the same response, “No.”

He said a third request was made, and it was finally granted. Fiu’s voice broke when speaking of the passing of the former Faaivae and Tuitele, as well as the other high chiefs of the village, before the new fautasi could be built.

The Taema II is of fiberglass composition, has the scoop or spoon oars,  and is built for speed as are most of the fautasi built over the last 5 years — however, Nu’uuli, the winner of last year’s Flag Day Fautasi Race has proven that it is not all about the hi-tech boat, or the use of the scoop oars — it’s about the captain and crew, and how “badly do you want it”.

Leone has yet to finalize its captain and crew, but it has been practicing using Fagatogo’s boat as well as training with road work, powerlifting, etc.

On Monday the new Leone Fautasi-Taema II that was towed to Fagatogo from Leone by the Department of Public Safety. It is now docked right behind the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources building.

Samoa News wishes the village of Leone the best in its efforts and looks forward to reporting about all the captain and teams of “FAIGAMEA ILE TAI” 2015, sponsored by GHC Reid & Co., Ltd. 'Oloa O Leala', your family of Fine Beverages.