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"MAUGA WRITES TO JUDGE KOBAYASHI"

[Editor’s Note: The following letters, in English & Samoan, were written by Mauga Tasi Asuega, Paramount Chief of Maoputasi County, in his capacity as a descendant of one of the signatories (Mauga-Pago Pago) of the 1900 Deed of Cession for Tutuila and Aunu‘u, Samoa News has reprinted the letters in their entirety, “as is”. Ra]

March 29, 2017

The Honorable Leslie E. Kobayashi

U.S. District Court Judge

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Dear Honorable Judge Kobayashi,

With a great sense of respect and sincere humility, I write this letter to you as the Paramount Chief (PC) of the Maoputasi County. Being a descendant of one of the signatories (Mauga-Pago Pago) of the 1900 Deed of Cession for Tutuila and Aunu‘u, I am extremely thankful that you considered the historical and cultural context of American Samoa’s fishing customs to aid you in your ruling to invalidate the 2016 National Marine Fisheries Service decision to reduce the Large Vessel Protected Area (LVPA) in American Samoa waters.

Upon hearing the favorable and just decision that you made for the people of American Samoa, a great feeling of peace and comfort came into my heart as I felt the warm presence of the Holy Spirit, and my forefathers who signed the 1900 Deed of Cession for Tutuila and Aunu‘u and the 1904 Deed of Cession for the Manu‘a islands. The wisdom that you exercised in this landmark court decision to bring justice to the people of American Samoa is commendable, applauded, and acknowledged by the people and leaders of American Samoa. 

Thank you very much!

Furthermore, your interpretation of the two Deeds of Cession for Tutuila, Aunu‘u, and Manu‘a reflected the wisdom and foresight of our forefathers when they ceded our islands to the United States of America. Our ancestors ceded the islands with the understanding that the United States government would protect and preserve our land, ocean, rights, language, culture, and other sacred resources and properties that the people of American Samoa value dearly.

Your favorable ruling for American Samoa has truly embodied the wishes and aspirations of our leaders and people. This landmark decision will continue to sustain, preserve, and protect the cultural fishing rights and practices for many generations to come.

May the Good Lord continue to grant you the wisdom, justice, foresight, and good health that will enable you to fulfill your duties and responsibilities as a U.S. District Court judge. In furtherance, I pray that God the Father will bless you and your family with the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will guide and direct you and your family for many years to come.

God bless the leaders and people of the United States and God bless American Samoa!

Respectfully yours,

Mauga Tasi Asuega

Paramount Chief of Maoputasi County

Mati 29, 2017

Afioga Leslie E. Kobayashi

Fa’amasino o le Fale Fa’amasino Fa’aitumalo o le Iunaite Setete

Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Lau Afioga i le Fa’amasino Kobayashi,

I le fa’aaloalo tele lava ma le agaga maualalo, ou te tusi atu ai lenei tusi i lau Afioga ona o a’u o le Fa’asuaga o le Itumalo o le Maoputasi. I le ma lea ona o a’u o se tasi na tupuga mai i se tasi o Fa’asuaga (Mauga-Pago Pago) na sainia le Feagaiga na tu’u atu ai Tutuila ma Aunu’u i le 1900 ia Amerika, o lea e fa’aalia ai lo’u agaga fa’afetai tele lava ma le fa’amalo i lau Afioga ona o le amanaia ma le fa’aaloalogia o tu ma aganu’u fa’apea agaifanua tau le faigafaiva ma fa’atautaiga i aso ua tuana’i e fesoasoani e fai ai lau fa’ai’uga e le fa’aaogaina ai le tulafono na pasia i le 2016 a le (NMFS) e fa’aitiitia ai Ogasami e Fagogota ai Va’a Tetele (LVPA) i Amerika Samoa.

Ina ua maua ma taunu’u mai tala o lau fa’atofalaiga fa’atupu ma le tonu ua e faia mo tagata o Amerika Samoa, sa ou lagona le filemu ma le mafanafana i lo’u loto, ae sa ou lagona fo’i le auai o le Agaga Paia fa’apea agaga o Tama o le atunu’u na sainia le Feagaiga na tu’u atu ai Tutuila ma Aunu’u i le 1900 ma le Feagaiga na tu’u atu ai Manu’a i le 1904 i le Malo o le Iunaite Setete. O lau tofamamao ma le amiotonu na e faia ai lenei fa’ai’uga tulaga ese ina ia fai ai le amiotonu mo tagata o Amerika Samoa ua matua fa’ataua, vi’ia, fa’aaloalogia, aloaia, ma fa’afetaia e ta’ita’i ma tagata o Amerika Samoa. Fa’afetai tele lava!

E le gata i lea, o lau fa’apupulaga ma le fa’auigaga o nei Feagaiga e lua mo Tutuila, Aunu’u, ma Manu’a o lo fa’aalia ma atagia ai le poto ma le atamai fa’apea le tofamamao a o matou tuaa ina ua latou tu’u atu o matou motu i le Iunaite Setete o Amerika. Na tu’u atu e o matou tuaa o matou motu ma le malamalamaaga e puipuia ma fa’asao e le Malo o le Iunaite Setete ia laueleele, sami, aia tatau, gagana, aganu’u ma isi measina ma punaoa e matua taua i tagata o Amerika Samoa.

O lau fa’atofalaiga fa’atupu ma le taua e ala i lau fa’ai’uga mo Amerika Samoa o lo o liutino ai mo’omo’oga, fa’amoemoega ma sa’afiafiga a o matou ta’ita’i ma tagatanu’u. O lenei fa’ai’uga taua ma le aoga o le a fa’aauaua le fa’atumauina, fa’asaoina, fa’apea le puipuiga o aia tatau ma le fa’atinoga fa’aleaganu’u o faigafaiva, fagotaga, fa’apea fa’atautaiga mo le tele o tupulaga o le lumana’i.

Ou te tatalo i le Atua Silisili Ese ma le Pule Aoao ia foa’i pea le mau, poto, amiotonu, tofamamao, fa’apea le soifua laulelei i lau Afioga aua le fa’atinoga o ou tiute ma faiva Fa’aFa’amasino. I le ma le isi, ou te tatalo i le Atua le Tama ia fa’amanuia lau Afioga ma le aiga i le alofa ma le filemu o lo tatou Ali’i o Iesu Keriso, ma ia mafutaina ma ta’ita’ia e le Agaga Paia lau Afioga ma le aiga mo le tele o tausaga i le lumana’i. Ia fa’amanuia fo’i le Atua i ta’ita’i ma tagata o le Iunaite Setete ma Amerika Samoa.

Ma le fa’aaloalo tele lava,

Mauga Tasi Asuega

Fa’asuaga o le Itumalo o le Maoputasi