Praise and Thank God that justice is done and that Samoa's justice system should be commended for upholding the laws and NOT deviate from them. This is a very important court case and it also sets a precedence and is again made on permanent record that we just cannot do anything based on our own desires even with the best of intentions without regard or the consultation of other relative parties who within their rights are directly impacted. In this case, it involved the other two clans Talavou and Natuitasina not just Moli. Now ALL rightful heirs have a say so in making their own nominees in the selection process which is FAIR and JUST only then can a true successor be elected!

God bless the Talavou, Natuitasina and Moli clans. May God's presence and guidance be among them during the selection process as rightful heirs begin to select their candidates for the next Malietoa! No matter who becomes the successor, we are still of one family and we will support the next Malietoa!

God bless all of you who read this and our Samoa! Faavae i le Atua i mea uma especially in this situation!

To the Lands and Titles Court - you have served our Samoan Matai system well
To the Malietoa clan - you have now discovered the true heirs of the 3 royal clans and you should all now deliberate in peace.
Whoever will be the next Malietoa should have full support this time with the blessings from all 3 clans, unlike the last bestowal which was a huge mistake to ignore the other 2 clans who have every right for the title as Moli. God give all the matai the wisdom to judge correctly the next Malietoa and for a more peaceful reunion.

I commend Samoalive News for simply doing what you are suppose to do - report the facts, especially regarding a major historic court decision like this! It is quite obvious that other Samoan-based media outlets can stand to take a good look at you as an example of how to report factual news rather than sensationalized rumours and gossip that runs rampant, while stories to this day are still posted without any verification.

What is ironic is that these same outlets were so quick to report an invalid saofa'i from a year ago, yet when there is a major historic court decision regarding such said event - NO MEDIA COVERAGE! Now all of a sudden, it's not news? This is how "yellow journalism", tabloid news and "REALITY TV type of news reporting" (unverified, non-merited and non-credible internet posting) plagues our Samoan-based media outlets. To all those biased Samoan-based media outlets who are hypocrites to your craft and professional, GROW A SPINE AND REPORT VERIFIABLE FACTS! Otherwise, you are no better than the next person who loves to spread faikakala! Step up or step off!

Praying that our next Malietoa is that of a wise and humble candidate who would help build the family, village and the people of Samoa.

God bless.

Ia au lava ia the court's decision is so unfair...........
how can they void the Malietoa title on Faamausili Moli Malietoa but there were so many reasons why Moli
is qualified for the title........
1) 51 petitions of which 24 were against and 27 in support of the new title holder.
2) within the 27 in support some were heirs from Talavou and Gatuisina...............
ia ae ia manuia lava ia le afioga ile Aloalii ia Faamausili Papaliitele Moli Malietoa male aiga tupu
soifua....

was not to question the man's qualifications nor his character nor does it matter how many petitions were for or against him. What was in question was the validity and the legality on how those certain parties went about bestowing this prestigious title to him. That was the whole reason why this case went to court to begin with. Because some thought it was valid and the rest didn't.

The Malietoa title is one of the highest ranking (tama'aiga) titles in Samoa. Therefore, the bestowal of this title is a VERY serious matter! If not done correctly rightful heirs will undoubtedly be highly offended.

In 1939 there was already a court ruling that the next Malietoa will be selected by all 3 clans and all families associated with those 3 clans which are obviously extensive by the show of petitions. Not to mention there were other major key role players who were also ommitted in the ceremonial saofai that took place last year.

Tradition and a previous court ruling were unfortunately disregarded and purposely ignored. This move was selfishly done and was to self serve its own purpose and that was to have the Malietoa title to stay within Moli's clan. The entire Moli clan was not in agreement to bless the honorable Papalii Faamausili Moli for the Malietoa. There were also petitions filed from members of the Moli clan against the bestowal, such as his own nephew, Moli's brother the late Laupepa's son, also a grandson of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II RIP, Papalii Malietau. Papalii Malietau was also considered a Malietoa title candidate from the Moli clan but was obviously totally overlooked therefore a petition was filed.

That's why this case was taken to court because this situation could not be settled peacefully and amicably within the clans. No one wants war or live in a hostile environment. That's why many family disputes over lands and titles go to court and that is to come to a peaceful resolution in respect to preserving the faasamoa perspective as well. Someone has to intervene peacefully when all else fails.

I just want to let Emi above know that it was not an election that occured but a legal court case. So its irrelevant if 27 parties were for Moli and 24 against. The law and whats right does not work that way (e faafuai numeraina le mea amiotonu ma le sao).
And in reality of the 51 parties in the case only 19 were used by the court as this 19 were the only parties that fell into the three clans of Moli, Gatuitasin and Talavou. of that 19 there were a total of 4 parties for Moli including his own making 5 in total and 14 parties against. So if we use your view point of majority support, its plain and clear that Moli was not supported at all. Manatua e tupu uma lava Samoa i o latou aiga.

Emi,

the reason why is it wasn't done the way of tradition as pulotu stated. It's nothing against Papalii Moli, it's just for the past 20 something years, the Malietoa title was within the Malietoa Moli with the great Malietoa Tanumafili Presiding well over it. Now, it will be up to the Malietoa talavou or Malietoa Gatuitasina to step up as a candidate and be bestowed the title.

So it's nothing personal toward Papalii Moli, and God bless the Sa Malietoa aiga.

The Malietoa title is not rotated from one family to the next nor is it passed down from father to son. Let's understand and be very clear about that. It is an election process chosen by the majority vote particpated by all clans Malietoa Talavou, Malietoa Natuitasina and Malietoa Moli.

All 3 branches will select their very best candidate to represent their clan. Then the Sa Malietoa aiga will vote to decide 1 successor out of the 3 chosen candidates to become the next Malietoa.

The long process will be finding the 3 best candidates to represent each clan because I'm sure there are many who are qualified. But most importantly these candidates must have strong leadership to be able to unify the family to be able to take on other challenges. People observe and learn of who their leaders are through their actions and not just humbling, grandure, eloquent empty speeches that speak of change but without any ACTION! People usually follow leaders who fullfill their visions/promises who take that leap of faith and who seriously take action into making their speeches become a reality.

We must understand that our people are no different we must see through our eyes and feel with our hands the tangible proof of change to be able to believe in what our leaders say.

However, because of Samoa's economy the innocense, virtues and moral character of a good follower can be easily tempted and persuaded by bribes that are also tangible. The reality is it is only a temporary fix. A band-aid over a flesh wound. The problem will remain but the need to survive is immediate therefore the lesser of the two evils is chosen. Get the fix now and compromise your reputation among a few seems to be the norm nowadays. Desperate means leads to desperate measures. The immediate need to survive is more urgent and outweighs the value of one's reputation of honor and dignity.

It's understood but is it right? Is it morally correct? Does one truly care? So much for Samoa's christian society.

The decision by the Court to let the three clans to consider -Malietoa Moli, Malietoa Gatuitasina and Malietoa Talavou was the correct and appropriate one.But bare in mind that Samoa is a nation already founded. If the Aloali'i Fa'amausili Moli Malietoa aka Papali'i Moli Malietoa Tanumafili is the majority, then I agree with what Emi comments about some of the Malietoa Gatuitasina and Malietoa Talavou ,family members supporting the Afioga ile Aloali'i Fa'amausili Papali'i Malietoa Tanumafili. Soifua ma ia Manuia

Moli broke the law and will never again be considered for the title. This does not mean that the suli of Moli are out, far from it. And its not an election but the selection of a title holder. The next Malietoa will be a person that is universally repected by all three clans and someone that could unite the whole family(3 clans). And I would have to say that Eni is dead wrong. Not one single Talavou supported Moli and only two Gatuitasina. Please also note that every suli of the Malietoa title is a Aloalii or Tooa.

Let us thank God and continue to pray to seek his guidance, peaceful resolution and wisdom as the Sa Malietoa Aiga makes a decision of who our next Malietoa will be. We pray that the Sa Malietoa Aiga become stronger, unified and that we happily love, serve and support the decision of whoever the successor will be.

We pray for a honest, honorable, humble, compassionate and knowledgable leader to unify and strengthen our families and to serve and protect Samoa and its people.

God bless us all!

Constructive criticism is always good - but when you make illogical comments, such as, "Moli will never again be considered for the title" then it makes me wonder how you reached such a conclusion. (?). Please, let's not pass judgement and rush to any conclusions. Based on the premise of the case, The Lands and Titles Court has completed their part. The other two clans had their wishes granted by the Court based on the 1939 L.C.853 - and so the hard part is yet to be met; the Court has no jurisdiction within the faamatai realm as/when further discussions of the title takes place - again. Apart from the selection process within the three clans - there is more complexity to follow. And if you understood the dynamics of the Malietoa title, you would not be too quick to disregard Moli - unless you're a spokesperson for suli o Moli, which I highly doubt.

Ma le ava e tatau ai. Soifua.

I understand the comlexities that you refer to. And in the end the matter will go back to court becuase its obvious that everyone wants to be the Malietoa. And when it does return to the court, Moli if he is nominated again will be disadvantaged by his previous behaviour and the fact that his nofo was soloia. My comments are not illogial they are based on historical precedence and analysis of court rulling in the Malietoa case and other case of similar significance in Samoa. And your comment about the faamatai realm is pre-mature. Please recall that the Lands and Titles court, has jusrisdiction over the faamatai realm, as the law it applies is based on customs and tradition of which the faamatai is an intergrat part. The complexities of the Malietoa title is known to all as its a national title steeped in the history of the Samoan nation. And if Moli was correct in what he did, then the court would have confirmed his saofai - IT DID NOT.

Soifua ma ia manuia

I like the positive vibe with most of the posters. It's a very sensitive subject but a very important one at that. The Malietoa is the most paramount title to hold in Samoa.

To Observer, Just Another Reader, Juss Me and Ala'ilima : Very humbling and positive comments God is good all the time. Thanks for the words of peace and encouragement.

To Happy Reader: You are fiesty! But your honesty is undeniably candid and truthful! Malo lava Samoalive for being one of the 1st to put the word out on such a newsworthy history in the making ruling. That is a very valid point Happy Reader. This statement here deserves a standing ovation...THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT!

To all those biased Samoan-based media outlets who are hypocrites to your craft and profession, GROW A SPINE AND REPORT VERIFIABLE FACTS! Otherwise, you are no better than the next person who loves to spread faikakala! Step up or step off! -well said!

To Emi: Um next time you post make sure you get parental supervision.

To Talatalamai, Analyst, Puaatuua Palaisa Su'a Lilomaia and alofa na - o alofa nei: Thanks for the insightful opinions giving us all the full gamet of what is going on with the ruling and what lies ahead in the decision making process. My goodness this will be a long pain staking process for the Sa Malietoa Aiga to endure. May God be with them all during this very pivotal moment in Samoa's history. I wonder if there had been appeals filed regarding this ruling not that I would be surprised.

Does anyone know? Has that bit of information been reported? Still laughing at HAPPY READER'S post! Se tala mo'i se! Cheers!

Malo soifua!

Speaking of “pre-mature” – thank you for coining the correct words to sum up your statements about Moli. If all three branches return to court based on your analysis of “everyone wants to be the Malietoa” then it’ll be solely on a different premise altogether; therefore it’s pre-mature, and presumptous of you to discredit Moli’s character at this point – based on what you think and learned from the recent court case-not facts! Moreover, there is always a ‘possibility’ of a positive resolution among the three branches – which would further invalidate your claims of Moli.

Moli is obviously the ‘fall-guy’ at this point and probably the only known and very public candidate for the Malietoa title – so he is easily reduced as the bad guy – but it will be interesting when other receipents are made public with their “squeaky clean” profiles. So, my friend, your conclusions of Moli are nothing more than highlights of the case ruling – which obviously was in your favor. Good for you.

Furthermore, the complexity of the faamatai realm I was referencing earlier also suggests the village(s) and all traditional aspects pertaining to title. As revealed in the case, certain village(s) of the Malietoa are divided and many did not agree with the case ruling. That’s a fact. Such a reaction is quite a complex matter because the court can and may appoint the next Malietoa; however, how ‘mamalu’ is a court appointed Malietoa without the full support and cooperation of his villages and many aiga(s). Is it even considered a valid Malietoa from the faasamoa’s standpoint?

My point is – the Court will have no jurisdiction or say to the will of the villages, nor a say if the villages don’t recognize a court appointed Malietoa. In addition, certain protocols or traditional aspects of the Malietoa title are carried out by the same/certain villages – namely saofai and “papa/s” of the Malietoa.

Lastly, I disagree with you. I don’t believe there’s any other significant title case similar to the Malietoa title case. I think the Lands and Titles Court made that mistake by treating it like any other title case - but, understandable their decision was accordingly to the 1939 ruling.

Fa'afetai.

o alofa na - o alofa nei

I believe that MOli is not addressed as ALOALI'I. He is addressed as le Matua Fa'amausili. Sure hes a aolali'i inthe sense that he is a prince thus, aloalii, but he does not hold a ALOALI'I TITLE. Therefore, I believe he is addressed as le matua. The aloali'i titles are reserved for AFOAFOUVALE, GALUMALEMANA, AND CHILDREN FROM HIS 5 MARRIAGES. If you wat that information, write and I can post it. E LE A'OA'IA E LE ATAPIA LE MANAIA

Talofae ia oe ma lau galogalo poo fea o le a oo i ai. O la'u mau ia Moli e tumau pea ma e sao ma moni, lables aside about "pre-mature".

Tagai ma silasila, e le mafai lava ona toe sao mai Moli i ni filifiliga a suli. I totonu lava o le latou ituaiga o loo toatele lava suli e lei i oe ia Moli. Iloga foi e i oe i ai. He is in the discount box already. And no one placed him there except himself.

Ma e matauina foi sa lagolago e Alii ma Faipule o Malie ma Sapapalii - ae pei tai na faamaonia mai e le faamasiniga mamalu e le ai se aia a nuu i le filifiliga o se matai o se aiga. This is reserved only for suli and both entities are not suli. There is also no room for aiga, just suli. And is also noted that Moli never enjoyed the universal support of Malie or Sapapalii and most defiantely the majority of the Tuamasaga. If you recall corrently na fono le fale tuamasaga ma fai le latou faaiuga e le talafeagai le saofai lea na fai. But its a threat that most suli are not at all worried about. Test the law of the land at your own peril.

How mamalu would a title be without the support of the groupings that you considered (an important point of course and so correct in brining it up). But history provides that lesson. O Malietoa Tanumafili II na tofia e le faamasinoga ma sa sao galemu le folauga i lana nofoaiga.

Talofa e, ia e pule lave oe i lou taofi ia Moli - ma e fa'agata ai foi iina ia te oe. E le faapea e faaali mai ni ou manatu ia te a'u ma le lautele o lo'o maitau ona maua ai lea ma faamaonia ai le sa'o. O le autu o lo'u manatu - e aua ete vavevave aua e faigofie lava ona lafo tala ae le'o iai se faamaoniga. A e silasila foi i le itu faaleagaga e leai lava se isi e sa'o ma lelei atoaatoa i lenei olaga - ma e tatau foi la ona e taga'i i lea itu ma le faatatau pea ua e le malie tele ma tete'e i ni uiga faaletagata o Moli.

E iai uma lava faaletonu i totonu o ni aiga poo ituaiga. O lena itu ete saunoa mai ai - e faigofie lava ona fofo e suli o moli ma e le ose faafitauli faigata o le a afaina ai Moli i se filifiliga. E foliga mai i lau saunoaga e le o iai se tofa mamafo ma se faautautaga oi ia te oe.

If Moli is discounted (irrevelant) according to you - then why should you care of his fate? You sound very insecure and intimidated by Moli. I suppose that comes with your presumptuous nature and your many assumptions. The truth is - you're not confident and obviously uncertain of the outcome in the near future - so, again, it is pre-mature to rule against Moli at this point.

E te le tau fa'amalalamaina mai le isi vaega e uiga ia Sapapalii, Malie, ma Tuamasaga - aua ua ou malamalama iai. Ma ua ou iloaina foi le iuga o le faamasinoga e le talanoaina e ni suli i tua atu le suafa. E talanoa suli e toatolu e filifili mai ai se nofo. O matai ma faipule Sapapalii ma Malie sa lagolago i ia Moli i le faamasinoga. O le manatu o Malie na faaali i le Faamasinoga o latou e e'e ina le suafa Malietoa ma oi ia latou foi le pule, o le manatu o Tumasaga na faaali i le faamasinoga o latou e e'eina papa ( Gatoaitele ma Tamasoalii) o le Malietoa. O suafa na e o faatasi ma le suafa Malietoa. O le tali a le faamasinoga e tuu ai ia faapea. Ua e maua mai? Test that at your own peril and realize the complexity of the matter.

O le nofo a Malietoa Tanumafili II i le suafa Malietoa sa filifilia e le Famasinoga. The difference of his nofo, although, chosen by court, was that the villages noted above had no issues - and fully supported the chosen candidate. The 3 suli (s) can pick and choose without village(s) interference. The Court can and may pick one. But the 'mamalu' and weight of the title is carried (validated) by his villages and families in the true Faasamoa sense.

Ma le ava e tatau ai

-Alofa

This is how they break down the Malietoa armies and navies, land and sea. This is also where the Malietoa lines run, these villages, thus, THE MALIETOA KINGDOM. E valu aiga faavae e pae fa'a itu taua,( 8 families or villages that are strategecally set for war purposes). #1 Safotulafai uta(land) #2 Sapapali'i tai (sea) #3Falealili uta(land) #4 Manono Tai(sea) #5 Afolau uta(land) #6 Mulifanua tai (sea) #7 Saluafata uta (land) #8 Faleapuna tai (sea). O aiga e valu ia a le Malietoa e pae fa'a itu taua, e ta'ua o aiga fa'avae o le Malietoa. Iva aiga a le Malietoa i le nu'u o Iva #9 i Savai'i. Sefulu (10) aiga a le Malietoa i lona nu'u o Malie, ma le itu malo o le Tuamasaga, e ta'ua o aiga pa pa. #11 Sefulu tasi ia Sapapalii, e ta'ua o aiga nofo o le Malietoa. ( O suli ia ole Malietoa, latou te filifilia le fotu tupu o le Malietoa. #1 Pouvi-Taimalelagi Gatuta'isina, #2Pouesi- Talavou, #3 Poutoa- Moli apapalagi. #12 Sefululua aiga a le Malietoa i le Atua, aua na talia e le aiga Malietoa le talalelei i Mataniufeagaimaleata. O le mea lena e momoli faa sefulu ai le ava a le Malietoa . E le a'oa'ia e le matapia le manaia

My point is this Malie and Sapapalii and any aiga have nothing to do with the chosing of candidates. And their support is irrelevant too and they can do what ever they like but they would still have nothing to do with it. And the Malietoa was a king in his own right without the Gatoaitele and Tamasoalii. And just becuase the Malie and other villages might not support the choice of the court or the suli means little also. We have all been through this before. First they say that Government wants Moli to be Head of State, then it was Auimatagi that wanted him, then it was Sapapalii etc etc. Point is this if those villages and aiga again try to influence and pre-determine the choosing of a Malietoa by saying that they will only support Moli and that they will never faae'e the suafa and the papa unless its Moli, then that is their choice but a Malietoa will still be chosen and that Malietoa will still have more then enough suli and aiga to support whom ever it is.

E le ai se isi e loto vale ia Moli. His problems are of his own making. And your correct, e ai uma lava faafitauli i tagata uma lava.

Ae ta talitali ia le taunuuga o le matupu. Because of course I don't agree with your point but its very weighty point you make....what use is a king without a country, a chief without his people or a member of parliament without his constituency and that is I think the essence of your point. What use or mamalu is there in a Malietoa that is not supported by his villages? (but a court appointment) Good Question - Ae o le fesili - mata e talafeagai (fair) le itu tasi o le lagolago a nuu ma aiga ia e te saunoa i ai? What if the perfect Malietoa is from the suli o Talavou or Gatuitasina for that matter? Something to ponder.

Please be reminded there were other sub-clans within the Malietoa Moli clan who were not consulted or did not agree to Papalii Moli being selected as Malietoa. The Malietoa Talavou families in Malie did not attend the ceremony. The majority of the villages in Tuamasaga did not attend the ceremony. Afega, the traditional capital of Tuamasaga, did not attend the ceremony and did not bestow on Moli the "Gatoaitele" papa or crown. Safata did not attend the ceremony and did not bestow on Moli the "Vaetamasoalii" papa or crown. These two papa or crowns are what entitles Malietoa to be called "king" of Tuamasaga. Mago (leading orator chiefs) of Sapapalii did not attend.

Hope this bit of information clarifies matters more incase any wondered who did not support the bestowal from the beginning.

Again, read the artical above by me, "heirs of the Malietoa title". The 3 suli clans, or aiga nofo has lines or gafas of the Malietoa running thru them. That is why they make the the compromised decisions, and try to agree on a canidate, if not, then that's where the courts come in and try to mediate the situation. Again, it all breaks down to the suli's of the Malietoa, or the aiga nofo.They decide the fotu tupu of the Malietoa. Yes they can and will be influenced by families, friends, the fale Malietoa, the fale Tuamasaga, politically(government), spiritually(church), and so forth. I think that some of the most important criteria's, is a genuine, true love for the families, and the people of Samoana, as a whole.Honesty and righteousness, will determine the length of his rule. The tautua is very important,( o le ala i le pule o le Tuatua). Knowledge of the geneologies, the customs( gafa's, le aganu'u, ma le aga i'fanua). Moral conduct, prudence , diligence, wisdom,patience,(le tofa moe, ma le fa'autaga mama'o, le amiotonu, le onosa'i ma le fa'apalepale). And then probably statics( mamalu, tulaga, tofi), and how much wealth he or she has. So this is just some of the comments and opinions from a poor humble servant, who is concerned for the health and welfare of his beloved country. If I have offeneded anyone, please forgive me, because if you will not forgive, then how can God, the Great Judge forgive you? Thank you very much! soifua

Here is a song by Murphy Mata'utia called, " le pule" dedicated to all of you who have the pule in the families, villages, churches, government, ect. ect. ect. In other words, LEADERS! Tuloa Samoa lo'u atunu'u pele ne'i sala se gagana, ina ne'i e maitau mai ita na ose auauna, ae ao lava ona ou tu'itu'i ma toe fa'amanatu, le tautai poto e ia le taimi e sese ai lana atu. Ma'imau pe ana toe fo'i samoa mai le amataga, i ou mamalu mai anamua e le mafaitauina e se tagata, i lau pule na sai'li ile tofa ma le utaga poto, a ole mea moni talofa ua natia e le tulafono. Pe a fai na tali i lagi samoa lo ta manuia, e le ole finagalo lena i se tasi ua filifilia,manatu ole poto ma le oa ua ave esea ai lou tofi, ua galo le pologa ole auauna fa'amaoni.(2x) Ua avea pea Mulinu'u e toe sa'ili ai ou gafa, e le ole fa'apogai tonu lena ole toto masa'a, e le ole i'a magumagu ne'i le u'pega ina ia sao, ia fili ile tai se ua agava'a mo a taeao. Toe sasa'a nei le fafao Samoa se'i toe silasila, le pule ma le amiotonu e manuia ai o se aiga, va'ai lou tofi ne'i e fa'apito ni manu ia Tasi, ia uli ma sao lo tatou sa mo le lumana'i.