Tia Carrera has fond regard for her time in both Samoas. And with her Dad and tennis Ace sister's time in the Territory, you can bet she would listen to an offer to perform at the next Samoa Jazz Festival. Only problem, nobody ever thought to invite her.  

Cool Stuff was en route to Pago for the Jazz Festival and assumed Tia was coming. After a nice private chat about her time singing at The Tedreck's Country Club and Derek Le Godinet's upscale Apia Mulinu'u restaurant, Cool Stuff knew she would give serious consideration if approached properly.

The Samoa News did all we could to promote the last Territorial Jazz Festival because we love the potential and we have great affinity for the classic Samoan groove-masters that honored the Territory with their return.

American Samoan Tourism appears to lean solely on cruise ship visitors. Sometimes ASG might need to rethink the status quo by injecting a little connected star power... invite Tia and her awesome pal Willie K... who if you don't know Willie, will rock the Territory onto the other side of the International Dateline.  

Willie's ears perked when I asked him at the August Western Union Ohana Cup Concert if he would consider it. He responded, "So, you like for me fo' call Tia now?"

So a surprise onstage siva from superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson? Yup, could all happen if some made the "pitch", showed sincerity and admitted how mativa the event is in its infancy... and how the celebs could make a major difference by supporting Samoa's classic and upcoming musical talent. Willie to Tia to Dwayne and plentee mo' stars would want to join in… with Samoan entertainers still the focus.

You Coolios know how major a draw this event could become, with tourists flying in from Asia, Europe, the US Mainland, Hawai’i, NZ, Australia, and our fellow Pacific Island Nations.

Success in this event would carry over to hotels, restaurants, J Len Tees, Shark & Turtle, Lua Tala Beach, and the farmers & fishermen that supply accommodations and restaurants (and of course we gotta support Sepp's Sama Beer and GHC's Coors Light)

Last year’s hiccups can be quickly resolved if complete delegation to the American Samoa organizing committee is given over from Apia. Only a few of the entertainers and us know how close things were to partially collapsing in Tutuila and horrendously collapsing in Upolu.

The VIP event at the Tradeswinds Hotel was wonderful, but how about smaller diameter upfront VIP tables with us regular guys in seats behind, to max the entertainment values with lower overhead?

Would the new Bluesky owners, Hawaiian Air, Fiji Air, Western Union and the canneries help out?  

With a firm American Samoa game plan and more than lip service from the ASG, the Territory’s Samoa Jazz Festival could be featured on CNN (who Cool Stuff occasionally serves), all the US, NZ & Oz TV entertainment shows, ABC's Good Morning America (Maria, their Production Manager is a kindred Drone buddy with Cool Stuff), magazines, Radio NZ Intl, Radio Australia, Oz's Channel 7 & Channel 9, TVNZ 1, our beloved Fresh TV, and (drum roll please) — what if Three Wise Cousins 2 (the sequel) was to use this event as a backdrop for their wished for next film?

What are your inputs Mr. Langkildes (all of you), you my dearest strictest boss Rhonda, the generous staff and management of Evalani's (who really saved the day) and the hot Kiwi bass player that bounced a lot and smoked too much? What do you guys feel in your hearts? 

Lasting Coolio fond memories I hope we all make, on an even more vibrant scale this year.