I enjoyed your article Mr. Sioa. A great read!

Alcatraz? And the resemblance to “ghetto life in the major cities of the US.” ? Do you always have to have some sarcastic and offensive American reference in every article you write, even though the subject matter has little or nothing to do with America? It’s quite an obsession you have. I wonder if, on the contrary, you would be able to refer and/or mention some of the thousands of worthy American contributions. Would you, one of these days, mention Alexander Graham Bell, Edison, Henry Ford, the Wright Bros., etc., in one of your editorials? Or only if they are also known for any flaws?

I guess you’re the kind of person who when you’re on an airplane to NZ, you would refuse to ponder and quietly acknowledge Wilbur and Orville, until you hear of a plane crash somewhere then you immediately start to denigrate them, aea? Se soia sole.

For your information, though it’s more known as a prison (military and federal), Alcatraz was also a military fort. I’m surprised you did not use Tafa’igata since this is SamoaLive’s NewsLine, but I guess your readership is mostly ...uuummm... Americans? ...so any opportunity you get to belittle and offend America is a golden one for you?

Speaking of offenses, here’s an offensive sentence.

“The young office workers they have met in Apia speaks educated English, are University graduates and are high enough on the corporate ladder to be decision makers as well.”

I wonder if you had noticed the irony in the sentence. You lauded the “educated English” spoken by Samoans in Apia with a “less educated English” of your own in the subject-verb agreement error (re: underlined text). ...and it’s not a typographical error.

Finally, “Samoa is not a part of something...” is one of those statements that sounds true, and yet cannot be defended intelligibly and sensibly, especially in this age of a globalized community.

Prevailing culture excels in the life of the children-- Given all the tools in the world to support the quest of these little ones.

ghetto is a ghetto-- no matter what country. Excess of parental support and family surroundings is a necessary to retain that which is lost. Samoans will return to true self, if familiarity is returned to the social determination and thought.

sifa you sound stupid!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I agree with Minoretta...

More billingual learning is needed. And it also ain't enough to go on school trips to experience Samoa. Children need to live the life in the villages to appreciate what they have in NZ or any other country.

sole sifa... take a chill pill man.... well wat da writer is saying is true...... aua e ke ika fua man..... dese are facts... wat da kids are doing in South auckland do resemble da ghetto life in da US... sole u can blame ur own television companies for they are da ones dat are showcasing american ghetto life in their movies,music videos and so on..... so dont be offended its da truth man...... i thought the article was a gud one..... it touches on issues that some have tended to overlook or ignore, but will definitely help with the problem if implemented..
nice article Mr Sioa....

God bless Samoa

I’m always looking forward to an entertaining piece; a sense of humour synonymous with your approach that often debunks serious issues especially of culture. I take the causality deriving from American street cultures associated with drugs, violence, sex and crime as clearly labelled by their gang titles; ‘Bloods’ and ‘Crisps’ among others. And perhaps Alcatraz reminds us of an island where criminals are sent to serve their punishments; a paralleled relation to Samoa is clear to me. I oppose the idea of sending NZ children to influence and perpetuate their behaviours among our own. Although it might be a global trend, it’s not quite the same rate and degree of risk as in NZ and the US as in terms of relative comparison. Yes it’s good to instil a positive view of their cultural roots, but let NZ solve its own social problems.
You see, Samoa has established an economic base in South Auckland where cultural production can be exported in terms of practical association with our NZ born. Straight from the source, our Samoan born teachers can run courses and exercises on things Samoan in NZ and even in the US. This may also have interesting aspects for Tourism.
I am hopeful that the influence of secular societies of the West is countered or at least balanced by our Fa’a-Samoa tradition and village life where NZ born may learn some social values and be responsible for the consequences of their action.

These school trips surely have a positive impact on the NZ-born...but it's only for those very few. As a father with 7 children, 6 of them living in NZ, I believe I am in a position to give an opinion.

I believe 99% of the youth problem with our Samoan children in NZ falls squarely on us, the parents. We are mostly ignoring the problem, as if the problem is for the NZ government to fix, not ours as parents. First and foremost, they are our children, and the problem is therefore ours. The problems are caused by what we did or didnt do,,, and there's a lot of help available,,,mostly free....if needed.

With free education in NZ, and student loans free for anyone...there's no excuse for young people NOT to succeed and get a paid full time job, to earn an income. Young people, should either be at school or doing a course towards a trade etc to get work ( a meal ticket for life). Those are the 2 directions they should be heading,,,and will keep them busy, positive and give them a gaol in life,,,to wake up for the next morning..And that will be the best start to keep them out of trouble....

Firstly, I would like to say that Sifa is such an idiot! I cant understand why Sifa takes everything personal when the comparisons between the ghetto life in American cities and some Samoans in the diaspora in my understanding is fair. Sifa sounds like a person in denial, the fact is, when people around the world think of gang life and ghetto's it is almost a natural instinct to think of the USA. So the authors use of this example speakes to the preceptions people around the world already have about the USA. I find it sad that you attack this article about this minor issues and your use of fiapoko attacks on the authors use of syntax and gramatical mistakes. What are your motives?
The fact is, this issue as raised by the autor is very helpful, it helps us to understand deeply the issues that are confronted not only by Samoans in the diaspora in New Zealand, but the Samoan diaspora in general. It would be nice Sifa if you could offer some constructive criticism which can help us reflect and determine what steps forwad we as Samoans around the world need to consider in seeking a solution to these issues. Offering shallow criticism on examples and grammer of the author exposes your insecurities about your brainwashed ideas about your American dream. So Sifa please offer some constructive criticism which can help us understand this issue deeper.
I think what is needed is to discuss clearly that Samoans born outside of Samoa are nurtured and brought up in two different understandings of life. Firstly, our parents, grandparents, churches etc, perception of the fa'asamoa. Secondly, the lifestyle of the west as taught in schools and the society in which they live in abroad. Both these different world views will always be held in tension. It is because of this tension that many problems exist in the lives of those born outside. I feel that the best way of dealing with such issues is to validate the experience of these young people by showing how both these lifestyles (that of the west and Samoa) can be intertwined together to benefit them in the long run. It is so easy to demonise one over the other but the reality is those born outside of Samoa will always have a different world view and understanding of life in general. Being able to validate these experiences instead of deeming it 'fiapalagi' will ultimately close the gap on those born outside of Samoa and those born in Samoa.

Don't try to take the credit for something you did not invent in America.

I think I agree with the article. What the writer is saying is true and it doesn't happen in New Zealand only but also here in Australia too, or any other country for the matter. I myself am a young Samoan teenager who was born and brought up in NZ but now lives in Australia. I didnt understand the inportance of my culture and heritage until I visited Samoa with my father in 2006. I came back home and now I realise that value of the thing that I own or have in my possestion. I think that the best way for kids to learn the right ways is if they go and experiene life like it is in the islands. They must experience they kind of life that our parents lived. And if they are smart kids, I believe that they will come back changed and more determined to change their lives.

Faafetai lava.

Ok, guys, gals and girly guys especially those of you who called me “stupid” ....hahaha.....let me warn you - it’s easy to write such a claim, but it’s extremely hard - and even worrisome and agonizing - to try and expound, let alone prove it. Your one-liners and empty rhetoric just don’t, and will not, cut it. You have to do more, a lot more. You need enough brain power, and I hope you even have what it takes. Let me digress a bit.

About the article. It is more a report than an editorial - and definitely not an intellectually stimulating piece. Why do I say that? Well, you see, sixty percent is straight reporting of Ms. Tapu’s efforts and goals; and thirty nine point nine nine nine nine percent comprises of regurgitated generalities; and the rest (real tiny portion) is what I call speculative writing and careless hypothesis.

To quote directly from the article, there is “nothing unique” or nothing new in it, and for the generalities, the writer aptly said, they are “universal for all cultures”. In other words, “common knowledge”. Here are a few examples:

“What is now becoming a discomforting trend for a lot of the young people raised in South Auckland, is the involvement in youth gangs, illegal drugs, violence, jail at a young age and ultimately death.”

“A bigger portion of Samoans is concentrated in places like Mangere, Otahuhu or Papatoetoe, where waves of mainly violence related crimes....”

“These children are the offsprings of struggling Samoan families.”

If any Samoan does not know these already, then he/she is to be charged for living a life of a hermit atop Mt. Silisili, or being confined all his/her life to living on Nu’usafe’e island without any outside contact. Furthermore, the idea of rehabilitative intervention in young people should not be news to Samoa and Samoans. Paradise Cove and other similar attempts of the last several years are proof of the same concept. Although one of Ms. Tapu’s goals had to do with the introduction of her students to their cultural roots and heritage, the underlying principle and methods are the same, if not similar. If any of you are ignorant of these social phenomenons, then you are guilty of not being well-read...uummm...stupid, put simply?

Therefore, the only part left (in the article) that would be considered thought provoking, triggering some activity among the brains’ neurons responsible for cognition and perception, is found at the very end: “Samoa Is Simply Samoa. Samoa is not a part of something....”

But again, as I alluded to earlier, I would challenge anyone of you who call me stupid to justify, qualify and quantify this statement. It’s the kind of debate that makes my brain cells excited and my dark succulent and sappy nipples erect.

Lastly, my gripe with anti-America sentiments has more to do with Mr. Sioa’s aggressive prejudices and continuing vindictiveness than my modest defense of America, which to a learned individual, is transparently unnecessary.
]
Tofa!

PS: Be careful with calling me stupid because I can turn around and prove preponderantly that, you, my accusers are the real idiots.

Sifa you are truly stupid and FIAPOKO, now go and rub your 'dark succulent nipples' in the little world you live in....

What makes your arguments so stupid is that they are personal attacks on Sioa, rather than anything of value and substance. Love the way you can talk rubbish with no real reflection and depth, obviously you learnt it off McCain and Palin your next president... (you are one of those idiot Americans who voted for W. Bush!.... just admit it)

So Mr Stupid Fiapoko, get off your high horse and actually reflect deeply on what has been said in the article, because Ninety nine point nine nine percent of what you have said in your one sided comments are just personal attacks on Sioa because you claim s/he has too many anti-american sentiments in his writting. But if this is true of Sioas writing style then its not unique only to him/her its international and universal the whole world is guilty of it!

I feel sorry for you and in actual fact I am praying and fasting for you now.... You need Jesus!

Aua eke fiapoko!

Maybe you should commit yourself to a shrink’s couch Sifa. There is soooo much aggro you have to clean out of your system.
I’m sure Sioa is putting himself to sleep without a SIFA character to bug him or keep the agitated vibes eating away at his beauty sleep.
Your critics say you let your American persona prejudice your better judgement and that rings a lot of truth you know.
You're not stupid Sifa. You Are Just A Nut-Job That Needs Fixing. Ain't that right Samoan Gal?

good article , and its the same challenges we are dealing with here in US. Too many young samoans here have no idea what respect is . They are conditioning with this show off live styles , fast life ameican system that really blinding them about our fine , respectful traditional culture . Most parents go to work early and come home late , some go to work while kid are sleeping and come home when they already in beds . Kids doesn't have time to see their parents , so most of their times are spending with freinds , other kids , tv , internets, etc. Thats where they get all the wrong answers to their questions , and by the time the parents have time for them , its too late , they already have their answers from those fields. In samoa when i got off school , one of my parent is home and 80% - 90% of the time , there's always at least a parent was with us kids. The ponding and experiences of respect and well manner was always there. You hardly find that here in US. Life is flying fast here , before you know it ,"boom! " Your kids are old . I think we need to send our kids to samoa for at least 2 years to live down there and gain some experiences , but i have seen a growing problems in samoa herself with youngsters involving with drugs also . So i guess we as parents should go back to displine our kids with samoan way .

Trying to intimidate anyone to challenge you on a GENERALIZE subject is blowing it out, to your GHETTO MENTALITY. And that is far from the AGENDA here.

Vao: Your qualifications as a boot-licker exceeds your aspirations to be a brown-noser. Your success in avoiding higher education is clearly apparent.

For those of you who call others "stupid", you remind me of people that have the mental agility of a soap dish. Obviously, hair and the ability to think does not grow on the same head.

Hello. Some of you read Sifa’s take on an opposing view for debate and all you can come up with is, “stupid”? Try explaining your views on how you came to that conclusion before you wrap yourselves in “stupid”.
I’ve concluded “Sioa is Sioa, not a part of something”… and so I just filter out the tart in his writing and ideology as a person with his own agenda and sophistry of America?
So for the most part, I do find it a good read minus Alcatraz & the “ghetto” life, which is debatable if we are talking precisely about NZ Samoans.

Sioa finds it extremely difficult to walk and chew gum at the same time, without referencing Lady Liberty.

What the African-Americans are in the U.S. is what Samoans and Tongans are in U.S., NZ & Australia in its ghetto projects. Wanna be meaulis dressing the part of “Crips” & “Bloods” while disturbingly and freely using the word “Nigga” & “F-bombs” in their everyday vocabulary as a norm. This is so appalling and disrespectful.

Palagis started the “Hippie movement” of liberal ideas, free sex and drugs. Meaulis took organized gangs and reinvented it to a more “street thug” fashion. Then rap & hip-hop as the “black man’s culture” of struggle and suffering by way of drugs, lack of money, teen pregnancy without fathers, illiteracy and uneducated due to high dropout rates in the ghetto projects.

How did the “Black man’s culture” in America’s ghettos become the attraction for other minorities to emulate and become so content with? Especially our young Samoan youths!

The rap & funk music Samoan youths listen to along with the environment of the ghetto they live in which promotes, “Cop killers! Hate the white man! Stop the rating! You’re a victim of the system!”? Hollywood, reality shows, MTV, Jerry Springer and the variety of free market entertainment does not help combat life in the ghetto or projects as being the “un-norm” for the people who live in it.
Some of these things along with their close friends have contributing factor in our Samoan youths, deviating from a path that their parents wish only the best for in their lives.

If this is the true then maybe the parenting & guidance or lack thereof, is 50% of a failed attempt to raise their kids and offer the opportunity through hard work and sacrifice, to move their families out of that environment?
I don’t mind the idea of sending a Samoan youth to Samoa to see what life is like in Samoa and learn of its culture and people, in order to appreciate who you really are and what opportunities you have in NZ, Australia & U.S. as oppose to beautiful Samoa?
But what is the value or lesson learned by a Samoan youth, who is sent off on a program like this, only to be sent back home to deal with the “ghetto” and it’s reality after a week or two of escape?

I guess it’s a good start. A seed planted in the youth for a different outlook in life? I hope so?

Nothing is greater for a Samoan youth than watching his/her family work hard, save, sacrifice and move from their ghetto environment that has the odds stacked against them in everyday life. The value and the lesson learned by a Samoan youth watching his/her parent(s) sacrifice and work hard to get out of the ghetto and its rat race is “priceless”. The experience and learning of the culture on hand in Samoa becomes a complimentary bonus to add to his/her “priceless” experience.

But again, the program offers potential and a different avenue for Samoan youths to look at it from a different angle. If they are denied the chance at programs such as this to make some type of difference in their lives, who or what will?

Except the only person(s) that really matters and counts in their lives, “Parents”.

Soifua,

Hahaha,
...you’re becoming a laughing stock (pun, yes!) of NewsLine. Your comments are therefore, you guessed it ...laughable! ...Your nick is a joke and thank you for making me laugh hard today....hahahaa ...LaughingOL! LaughingMAO!...ROTFLaughing!....ROTFLaughing...etc.,
You’re such a comedian...hahaha....you funny stupid idiot...hahahaaa....You say that I need Jesus?..hahahaa...good, and you? ...you need schooling - an education - and that’s no laughing matter...hahahaaa.....

Vao:
Malo Vao! Is that pupu-vao, koga-vao ...or... oh please don’t let me get to the rest of the conjugations. LOL! My American persona is but a component of my larger persona of a fairminded polymath and homo universalis. I represent my constituency well.

Minoretta:
“Generalize subject” ? What’s “general” about the subject? Why can’t you just admit that it’s a defenseless subject? Funny that you call me stupid, and when I raise a topic for debate you cringe and resort to name calling. If what you’re reading is ghetto mentality, can you imagine my polymathic mentality then?...ooohhh....it’s going to be excruciatingly intimidating. By the way, would you give me some idea of what the agenda here is?...or is it read and say “Amen!”? Stick around my friend.

Well done Robert! You're right on the money and i agree with you whole heartely!

Vao, I warned you brother about Sifa getting ready to apply Antibiotics soon if you didn’t control your viral growth?

I am glad that the three of you can come to a conclusion that GHETTO IS GHETTO and initiation with GHETTO attitude land you right where you belong in the GHETTO.

Hurry Samoan Gal ! Sifa is having a breakdown over Hahahahaha... Quick! He's convulsing...give him a wake up smack behind the ears or he'll go into a fit and choke or bite his tongue.
Hold yourself back Robert. Don't rush in .
Sifa is going to need someone later on to blow up his tail end to power his strength back up when he's calmed down a bit.
Hahahaha stop agitating Sifa. You too Minoretta!
You're not making the problem any easier for poor Samoan Gal and Robert. Why do you think they're always rushing to defend Sifa?
Those two will brown nose and bootlick their way to the gutter like dirty suds from dish soap, to save Sifa whenever s/he breaks out into ghetto mode....
C'mon Samoan Gal and Robert .....it's commendable what you guys are doing, but Sifa has a few head screws that needs tightening.
I don't know about Haahaahaa and Minoretta but, I'm going to try and not say anything anymore to agitate and aggravate poor Sifa .
Stay away from the pupu vao and the koga vao...kele ai akualoa ma akalava e ai ai le kagaka.
Love You See-Far....Mmmwaahhhhh...Get well soon.

LOL Vao!!!!!!

The antibiotic that she is adminisrating is to numb her from getting a colonoscopy to cut out polyps to aleviate hemerging, and to aleviate her brains from her polymathic mentality that she is carrying around in this forum.

Vao: Do what people like you do best...say nothing.

Minoretta: ??? Useless.

Alcatraz? Well, whenever family from Samoa visit us, this is what they say "Whew! I finally got off of Alcatraz" and when they're ready to return to Samoa "Its back to Alcatraz" ...lol

Alcatraz was a federal prison and a military fortification. I believe its a US National Park and a tourist attraction now. The comparison of Samoa to Alcatraz is based on the fact that Alcatraz is surrounded by water. People usually call it the "Rock". Offended???

Samoan gal Isn't that where you were born? poor thing in Denial nothing but trash out ur gutter.

Aua le faakusakusaiga fua Samoa i Alcatraz. Afai e leai sou pride ia Samoa ona aua lea sooga pu i luga le guku.
Faimai le kala e fiiu lava e gaga le kekea e ailiali i luga. E kau mai lava i au comments le kuaiga aiga e ke sau ai. E iloa gofie lava kagaka mai aiga sa gogofo i ghetto areas (government projects) ma ola i pegefiki a le malo e gao ga kau maua o siga pa'u kala pei ua miliogea ma le kalagoa. E iloa foi le vale i le faafiapoko ma aga kala. Aua le kuuiga fua i lalo le akuguu e sili ona pele i isi kagaka.

Could I please make a suggestion to the people making personal insults to each other here that they change their focus from blame to asking why things are how they are and then to how things can be changed?
As a pelagi I am ashamed of how missionaries and colonists behaved in Samoa and destroyed much traditional Samoan culture. I unfortunately met racist Pelagi and afakasi on my recent trip to Samoa; HOWEVER racism is a poison that exists in every culture. One can hardly imply that the term meauli and fa'apelagi are used in Samoan as a compliment; so Samoans can not claim not to engage in racist behaviour either.
Why do Samoan youth choose to copy a "black" lifestyle? Because nothing else is presented to them. Where are positive Islander role models presented in the media and why are they not fostered or encouraged.?
I find the comment that the free love movement, liberal thought and drug use of the hippie movement were the "beginning of the end" simplistic and racist. Did premarital sex exist before hippies in Samoa or before the missionaries? Is ava a drug? Was that in use before the arrival of the hippies? Is liberal thought such an evil? The hippies were the driving force behind the civil rights in the USA and other countries.
I do not think of myself as Samoan, nor Australian but a citizen of the world.
Every culture is a constantly evolving creature, and unfortunately Pelagi culture has changed Samoa for nearly 200 years now for better or worse. As an Australian there are many things I dislike about my own culture and many things I admire about Samoan culture.
What I would like to suggest is that to generalise about the negatives of any culture, whether Pelagi or Samoan is simply racism.
What about a new way of thinking that acknowledges the good and the potential in every human being , regardless of their skin colour? What about listening to each others ways of thinking and considering that our views could possibly be incorrect ? What about standing up to racism within our own communities?
The Samoan diaspora holds much pain. and much can be done to improve the lives of Samoans at home and abroad; but and us and them solution will not work. A Pelagi putting their own solutions forward will not work for Samoa, neither will a purely Samoan solution; what is needed is a HUMAN solution, one that recognises that we all bleed the same blood and have the same basic wants of food in our stomachs, a roof over our heads, safety, security, health, education and employment and love.
Peace.

I have to take the family to Disneyland and make good use of the annual passes! Then plan for a little vacation to Hawaii and joining the Te Vaka concert in Laie at the end of the month. Yeah!!!!

Sau: Kudos to you brother!

SamoaGal: Go easy on Vao. Don’t hurt him to much he’s still fun to have around? Lol. Also, be nice to Minoretta… she’s just spreading her wings and getting comfortable with getting to know who actually makes sense on here?

Vao: Hang loose brother! Your latest outburst & excitement was the most I’ve seen from you ever!?!? Makes you a good “heel”? That’s a compliment by the way.

Happy debating everyone!
Cheers,

Proud Samoan well said and done, you are right si keinge ga sa fai sea i savaii ae lei o'o i amelika ia ga ua ma ia samoa ma fai mai o alcatraz. How embarassing huh lol..........

Thank you for using such language that only makes my point. I am so happy to know that not all Samoans are like YOU. I never commented on this article until Vao mentioned my name. Understand? Doubt it. Keep using such eloquent words. You look so cool.

Its girls week out at the end of the month and we'll be in Laie as well. Cant wait to see Te Vaka, as this will be my first time. My Disneyland days are over as my little girls are not so little anymore. I do miss California tho'. Its gettin' chilly here in Utah and snow fell this passed weekend. I cant wait to be in Samoa this December. I just might stop by Samoalivenews office...lol.

Love one Another...

My concern are the comments being made in this forum that stem from racist views. What is so astonishing about it is that they are not aware that their comments are! Why is it very stereotypical for some people to associate U.S. ghettos to meaulis-black people, when the ghettos of America is a melting pot of all nationalities. Depending on where you live in the U.S. you will find in these low-income areas that also include Samoans, Palagi, Hispanics, Asians etc. Not all meaulis, Samoans, Hispanics etc. live in the ghettos just like not all palagis, Asians live in the suburbs!

America’s history will tell you how racially segregated we were and still are no matter how much wealth one has. Economically and financially the standards are different. Such as mortgage loan approvals are far more stringent among non-whites especially to live in predominantly white surburban neighborhoods. Believe it or not there are regulations and institutions that were and continue to be put in place to keep us segregated in every way possible. In America, a non-white would have to have A credit rating, jump through 3 rings of fire, do a cartwheel 3 1/2 twist in the air and a back flip LOL and possess substantial assets to own anything. When there are those who consider themselves to be privileged whites who have old money, meaning wealth passed down from one generation to the next. I really don't want to get into how the wealth was acquired. Most of us already know.

Instead of saying Samoan youths from the ghetto want to be and act meauli which seems to be the common conception, would it not be more appropriate that we say that Samoan youths from abroad seem to emulate and have adopted the life style and culture of the environment that they live in?

Let’s not make the mistake in believing such negative stereotypes of other people. Because you would not want to be stereotyped for being as such, especially when it is so far from the truth.

I recant some of statements that came across as offensive, wrong and racist to some of my fellow debaters on our forum.

Samoa-American: I do agree with you that depending on what part of the country in the U.S. one lives, there may be no meaulis-African Americans living there (Kuhio, HI or Mayrites, HI) etc.

I also retract the concept I gave off as meaulis being the problem for life in the ghetto. Also the Hippie and Liberal movement I vaguely mention in a sentence.

My apologies
Good day

No worries. I enjoy the discussions we have in this forum. The different views and positions taken are well noted and interesting but it is a learning experience for me as well.

Thank you Samoalive for providing these outlet for us and all of you who participate in the discussions. I very much appreciate and am thankful that through the ever changing modern technology we are able to have such an opportunity to share our thoughts, views and opinions with Samoans all over the globe.

Hey Robert and Another Samoan American ...do you guys have any hanky handy! I always melt when two people apologise to each other. So touching! Now kiss and apologise no more ...mmmwwwhhhaaaa...hey are you two guy/guy ?

LOL LOL LOL Vao you are too much.......huhhuhhuh.......................

wow! i thought this is all about this article and yet everybody is constantly grabbing each others throats, getting the chance to see who can strangle the most. well i agree and disagree with this article. we should blame the western influence and what they brought into the islands. i blame them for coming in and trying to change eveything except im thankful they introuduce clothing. not only do i blame the palagis that came to the islands, but the parents. where were they when their kids were going out playing with drugs and doing crazy things?? they are the ones who should be advising their chiildren and yet they are doing nothing to pull their kids out of their misery lives.

sending their problem children to be ‘rehabilitated’ by relatives in Samoa.


what does that mean??....are their relatives Wardens?? Siga mea fai mai e ave i o i Upolu...
why make it a problem and a heavy burden for these relatives? when they are struggling themselves to feed their families and survive in the islands. they bring their kids here and then they tend to forget their kids and the relatives. whats up with that???...i dont likethe idea of "sending their children to be "rehabilitated’. they are the ones who gave birth to these kids they should be the ones responsible for thier offsprings.

Gosh! stop calling each others "names" people..its so childish and immature.
isnt this about sharing your opinions and then read it and then ponder and wonder.

with the guidance from the parents and maybe from our culutre too. everything would have been alright. Samoa is simply Samoa. ae laa ova foi ga abuse foi Samoa.

Fa soifua ma ia manuia le aso.

Robert is a man who can admit and apologize when he is wrong. You assumed wrong. I am proud mother who is happily married to a good man and I believe Robert is happily married also. So sorry to disappoint your gay soap opera directorial debut but there is no hanky handy going on here. At least we all know now of your gay interests.

Vao, there is nothing wrong with taking the responsibility and being accountable for all that we say and do especially when we are also in the wrong. It's very commendable. It shows good quality of character in a person that they are able to recognize the wrong doing, admit to it and then apologize for it when he or she is wrong. It's called being a mature and responsible adult and you hint at this gesture as being gay?

So many people are so much of themselves, full of arrogance and pride that they can't see beyond their own big heads and will never take ownership, admit to and let alone apologize for their wrong doings. No one is perfect nor you and I Vao.

Vao now look what you have done!!!!!! Next time be careful you are not perfect lol!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear oh dear…ask for a hanky and you’re a hanky panky. Don’t go there ‘proud’ and ‘happily married mother.’ Your claws are not big enough.
Yes indeed …apologising is a noble deed. You two exchange it so intimately and with such warmth, one is reminded of a romantic flick where the lovers apologized, kissed and walked off into the sunset hand in hand.
If you’re a debuting director in a scene like that, it is important that you get your shooting angles right … you must also have a feel for your main characters.
In this day and age of enlightenment they could be a guy/girl or guy /guy combo.
In a guy/guy scene the camera will have to pan towards a hard and penetrative shot from the back…for maximum impact the shapes have to be seen as silhouettes pumping along in the darkened horizon of the setting sun.
But since you’re a mother and Robert is male it means a soft, ‘touchy, feely, dreamy’ shot. The shot can be tricky because if you’re not careful, a perfectly innocent moment could come across as an illicit liaison between two adulterous people….
It certainly doesn’t help either when you have a partner named ‘Frothing’ Robbie….apologizing is the least of your worries when hubby reaches for his shotgun.

After a hard day at work you make me laugh !!! Have a sense of humor Another samoan, it will help awaiting Robert's return from Mickey Mouse!!!!! Peace

Vao: I really don't think anyone else is on here for cheap thrills but if your imagination gives you that fulfillment by all means keep it in the privacy of your home and your own mind no need to share the intricate details of your framented mind with the rest of us in this forum.

How can you read into a genuine apology as being an intimate exchange or a romantic interlude in a blog? Where did you get that impression? Judging from your post above, I think it is safe to assume that you lack any kind of intimacy of your own therefore you project them by imposing your unfulfillment by creating false descriptive scenarios from your very vivid and wild imagination. Quit exposing yourself of your gay referrences, inquiries and tendencies. Stop your corruption now please. That is very scary!

Your analytic and reading comprehension skills are incredible! Because you sure do read into comments according to Vao's world and understanding then what is actually there and intended to be! This must be habit forming for you due to your expertise in online dating to imagine such imagery from a simple text apology made by Robert in a blog on the internet! LOLLLLLLLLLLL

Get a life and stop living your life vicariously through Samoalive posters on the internet! HEHEHEHE