Comments to this story (39)
Anonymous wrote: |
18 Mar 2010 02:30 PM |
| Wow ...thanks for the history less. Both sides have excellent points. When we put God first will guide our paths. God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to do onto others as we would have done on to us. God Bless! |
Repeka wrote: |
07 Feb 2010 03:06 AM |
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I appreciate Translator's input, thank you... Since relocating to Australia many years ago from Pago where I grew up as a child, I learned very quickly from my Samoan friends and others that WS is referred to as “Samoa.” Since then, I've always understood this differentiation. This is also shown in newspapers that are sold here because they are directly shipped from WS where everything is “Samoa.” I appreciated this because this helped me understand which place I am reading about. So to us Samoan/Australians here, we understand that it is a common term that 'Samoa' is WS. AMERICAN SAMOA, on the other hand was somehow something “NEW” to the many Aussies I've met because whenever I'm asked where I'm from, I've answered “American Samoa.” Interestingly enough, the very next question I'm asked, 'Is that the same as SAMOA? I then have to answer, “No, that is WS.' Followed by very simple explanation, 'whenever you hear “Samoa” they are referring to WS...whereas American Samoa is simply 'AMERICAN Samoa'....Then to see the 'Ohhh or 'Ahhhh'' I never knew that!' look on their faces is worth the explanation because they find it not only interesting but very Educational. Therefore, I personally don't believe or feel that it is a matter of who's from which island or looking down or whatever, rather from an 'educated geographic point of view' if there is such a thing. At least that is how I see it. I just wished we could look at things this way rather than fighting each other unnecessarily. It does not reflect well to who we are, or does it? At the end of the day, we are all brothers and sisters from the same God whom we worship and claim to be FIRST in our dealings and our lives...perhaps it is time to put that into action by supporting each other, always.
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jenn wrote: |
30 Nov 2009 10:50 AM |
| Wohw, no idea what's going on here. ... I like the coin though. Could someone explain? |
Anonymous wrote: |
12 Nov 2009 09:07 AM |
| OMG!What is the problem here?I think its simple.The quarter is beautiful and I congratulate the comittee who designed it.American Samoa is the territory of the United States not Samoa, and the quarter is the U.S. money. "O le sene Amerika e le'o se sene Upolu." |
TB wrote: |
29 Jul 2009 09:40 AM |
| Is this about the coin or debating two island? Have a good look at the coin and see what is says. American Samoa, or Samoa? Stop throwing dirt at each other. |
sharkie wrote: |
29 Jul 2009 09:10 AM |
| It was only a simple suggestion for future American Samoa coins, motto, stamps, logo, etc. May God bless Samoa, American Samoa and Samoa people. |
teine amerika samoa wrote: |
29 Jul 2009 07:27 AM |
right on sharkie! i totally agree with you girl.Your simple point is looking from a political/government perspective not SAMOA as a people. There's no way SAMOA government will have a coin that reads "SAMOA on the top and right below it FAAVAE ILE ATUA AMERIKA SAMOA. SAMOA to them means SAMOA GOVT. not Samoan people. Simply our coin belongs to the American Samoa Government not Samoa Government so please don't mix up the two. |
Anonymous wrote: |
29 Jul 2009 02:45 AM |
Noble Cause,saying that people have a right to voice their opinions, then the anonymous person (s) on here have done so. We are not on here to call each other jerks or other names,but to read and maybe comment to each other's comments on agreeing or disagreeing on the matter of the subject, not name call anyone and to degrade the govermnet as we all know it's already degrading and corruptive. Since the coin has already been commemorated into circulation,lets continue to support American Samoa and U.S.A. I pray that God will give our government leaders direction and the knowledge/wisdom to do what is positive and right, we are not a perfect people but we have the mentality and sound mind that God gives us to take our actions and judgements seriously. "Samoa, muamua Le Atua". May the Lord bless everyone on here and hope you all have a blessed day.Fa'afetai tele Samoanews. |
Anonymous wrote: |
28 Jul 2009 08:59 PM |
| right on teinesamoa... i totally agree wit u girl... |
TB wrote: |
28 Jul 2009 05:43 PM |
| I belive if you live in any country you follow the rules and their law simple.
I think the picture on the coin its cute has the island logo on it. |
Elisa wrote: |
28 Jul 2009 04:58 PM |
| Yes, the two Samoa's have different ways of running their governments and who they fall under but my point is that aside from all of that, "WE ARE ALL SAMOAN!" I understand my Samoan history on both Samoa's and I am not knocking on it's diffferences. All I am saying is that why can't all Samoans just be Samoans and not bring up weather your from the east or the west. That is so over rated and a waste of energy. SAMOAN PEOPLE, BE PROUD AND BE HAPPY BEING TOGETHER!!!!!!! |
sharkie wrote: |
28 Jul 2009 12:09 PM |
Thank you teinesamoa (samoan girl) or are you- teine amerika samoa. Wow! To get aid from U.N. Is this a joke? So they couldn't get any aids if they were called Western Samoa or Independent State of Samoa? For whatever reason or excuse their leaders knew very well that they were not the only Samoan islands in the Pacific. |
"Noble Cause" Purple Heart Recipient Vietnam War>. wrote: |
28 Jul 2009 08:55 AM |
| Anonymous, there is no fuss about it. It is something need to be straighten up if you don't know their dummy. American Samoa and W/S are two different island for your information. Have a life and don't try to abetting wrongful doing, you sound like one of those who support all the bad things that are happening within the government of (A/S) "Tutuila" that is.
If you don't like the way people response to issues, and to right the wrong, take a hike back to were you come from Anonymous...And don't come back to U.S.A...You sound so much like a "JERK PRECISELY" over!! Citizens have a right to disputed issues, because they have a right to voice their opinion to right the wrong. But what about where you come from Anonymous? They do whatever like what the Governor is doing here, and you totally supported that. You must related to him by the way. Keep your nose clean for one thing their Anonymous. Leave our U.S. Territory affairs alone to us U.S. citizens. |
ed wrote: |
28 Jul 2009 08:17 AM |
| i'm pround of American Samoa God Bless (Tutuila Aunuu Ofu Olosega Tau Swains Island Rose island ). yea.look at them now. they have all the land and yet still meddling with youger brother's affair with his wife (U.S.) very rich woman. matter of fact the Richest on earth. that little brother is actually the most Powerful brother in the south pacific. think about it . he's been fighting in shooting wars modern weaponry over 60yrs plus and still fighting 2 major wars as we speake. God Bless American Samoa. keep shining. |
teinesamoa wrote: |
28 Jul 2009 02:50 AM |
| Sharkie: please learn your history. The reason why Samoa decided to identify themselves as such was to receive aid from the UN. It had nothing to do with them thinking they had ownership over the name SAMOA. They had to do what they had to do in order to help their country. Amerika Samoa has no jurisdiction over our neighbors to the West because they are an Independent entity, that is why they went ahead with their re-classification. It was a bit arrogant of Amerika Samoa officials to petition them to stop the process of re-naming themselves simply SAMOA. All in all, whether we add Amerika or not to our motto, we know who we are and what our history is. Who cares if foreigners mix us up? Our motto was not for their benefit, it was a statement of who we are and what we stand for. I'm sick of Samoans who are so insecure about their identity that they have to restructure it to fight the Western perspective. E iloa e le Samoa o ia o le Samoa. |
"Noble Cause" Purple Heart Recipient Vietnam War>. wrote: |
27 Jul 2009 07:34 PM |
| I totally agree with translator, it has to be that way only. take out samoa is too contradicting. She or He exaplined it quite well, and that is the way it should be... Translator is absolutely right..Thanks Vietnam War Veteran...Put it that way as stated, but the government people will always put God in their pockets or last..Tell me if I'm wrong! |
Anonymous wrote: |
27 Jul 2009 07:07 PM |
| If Western Samoa is no longer called Western Samoa, but just SAMOA, then we Am. Samoa can also called ourselves SAMOA. We also need our share of SAMOA, don't we? What's wrong with that? |
sharkie wrote: |
27 Jul 2009 10:47 AM |
| okay, 'Samoa, muamua le Atua' was our motto before Samoa decided to take the name for themselves only. Our fono members while Sao Nua was Speaker went to Samoa requesting not to change their name to Samoa because we are also Samoa but they refused. Therefore, we must think of changing our motto by adding Amerika to Samoa so that foreign countries won't be confused with the two Samoas. It was nice when they were identified as Western Samoa (Samoa i Sisifo) or Independent Samoa (Samoa Tutoatasi) and here American Samoa. To take 'Samoa' for themselves is not fair because we're also Samoans. |
Dan wrote: |
27 Jul 2009 09:10 AM |
| Samoa Muamua Le Atua is not bad. What difference does it make whether is "Samoa" or "American Samoa"? We're all the same people. Only difference is, American Samoa is a US territory. We're all from the same ancestor. |
ed wrote: |
27 Jul 2009 08:26 AM |
This is an American Samoa matter. you need to concentrated on which side of the road you people in Western Samoa want to drive on . that is a more serious concern of us here in the US for you Western Samoan brothers. thank you. |
ANONYMOUS wrote: |
27 Jul 2009 07:32 AM |
Yes our cultures are the same and we both are Samoans but think, Tutuila and Manu'a is a part of the United States of America and in order to differentiate the two Samoas we were officially part of U.S.A in 1900 under the name American Samoa and Western Samoa formly known as Samoa today... They became independent and we became under the United States. So, please I think you already knew that but try to think where all your benefits are of being part of the United States is all about... THE COIN REPRESENTS US AS A TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES... THE COIN IS AMAZING AND I CAN'T WAIT TO GET ONE FOR MY COLLECTION... |
Anonymous wrote: |
27 Jul 2009 07:13 AM |
| Why is everybody on here making such a big fuss about the two samoas? It is so true that we are one SAMOA and yes under 2 governments, BUT!!! The coin is AMERICAN, it's an AMERICAN currency. We are only fortunate to have our logo on "THE QUARTER" coin, because we are a U.S. territory, the word SAMOA itself represents who we are, we are a people of culture, of value, of representation of where we come from, of pacific migrates and morals, of happy people whether from the east or west. Changing it doesn't mean anything, it just means division, we may all live under different rules, but whats that saying that most of you say, if your samoan, your always gonna be a samoan, whether your from the east or west, whether you claim it or not, or want to look different from your usos, so leave it as is, the subject at hand of changing it to "American Samoa" on the coin, doesn't change who we are, cause all in all, the blood that runs thru you as a an American Samoa, also runs thru your brothers blood as a Western Samoa. |
PROUD DAUGHTER OF THE MANU'ATELE wrote: |
27 Jul 2009 03:29 AM |
| The coin is just fine. O le a le mea o le a tele ai fua le vevesi i tupe a le lalolagi? It does say American Samoa. The original motto for American Samoa is, "Samoa, muamua le Atua". Because Western Samoa changed its name to Samoa, therefore, maybe they are planning to take over the whole Western and Eastern Samoa. lol. For the comment that says, Manu'a was not part of Samoa, ia solo ou mata. Tala a le toeaina, Too Late!!! We are proud Samoans. Let it go. The coin is just fine. O tupe a le lalolagi e pala`, ai e mogamoga, ma e gaoia fo'i e tagata o le lalolagi. Ae saili muamua le malo o le Atua o lo'o iai le oa sili. Manuia Samoa Atoa!!! |
sharkie wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 10:27 PM |
| Meemo - It is not rude or disrespectful if we say Tutuila/Aunuu/Manu'a is not the same as Upolu/Savaii even though we're Samoans. Tutuila/Manu'a under the US Flag and Upolu/Savaii under their own flag. Samoa is an independent nation and Amerika Samoa is a US Territory. This is why an article by Pa'u Fuiavailiili Roy Ausage "American Samoa Travellers Beware!" warns us that Samoa charges Am.Samoa if you are a transiting passenger returning to American Samoa, and if you are a U.S. National, expect to pay WST$50 for your single entry permit to a Samoa Immigration official at Faleolo International Airport and an additional WST$30 for your AFC (Airport Facility Charge) to a Polynesian Airlines official at Fagalii International Airport.
DO YOU THINK SAMOA CARES OR RESPECTS AMERIKA SAMOA? |
Chris Hayward wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 08:33 PM |
| Maybe HE (Almighty) is off island getting $200,000 of these beauties to haul back to Hawaii?
But seriously these coins look great. These coins will be the best promotional avenue for both Samoa's as far as tourism goes. Americans prefer to travel on American airlines so maybe there maybe a rversal of people travelling through AS to get to Samoa.
Just think, the whole of USA people will have these coins in there pocket shortly. People will want to know about this place and they're check out on the Internet. This needs tidied up big time. Just check out "Lonely Planet" on AS and it doesn't look good.
Hopefully when these visitors come they won't come and find out about HIM and the "A teams" ethics/poor preformance and outright B#%@&*^( etc or the big US money might disappear.
This is a huge bonus for American Samoa and guess what?
It did cost anything and Him, the A team, the Fono nor the house had anything to do with it so it MUST work.
Well done |
meemo wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 08:07 PM |
| I was thinking highly of leaving a comment for the new quarter coming up soon for the first time but after reading some of the comments I said to myself, wow, I can't believe how stupid they are to say things like this over what or how should the wording on the new quarter be. Very rude and disrespect your own people your ancestors who have come a long way to put where you are right now, to me it doesn't really matter at all we are all one call Samoa, that is if you know who you are, your culture, values, religion, traditions, and proud to be call a samoa, se faaaoga aoaiga ma faataitaiga na avatu e tou tua-a ma matua. |
DLT wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 06:06 PM |
| To change the motto in order to differentiate between the two islands is ridiculous. If truth be told, essentially there is no difference. Yes government and education systems are different, but values are identical. Systems come and go depending upon efficacy, but values and principles are part of the building blocks of a society and culture. So let's stop pretending we're so different from each other. The fact of the matter is, we're not different at all. In fact we are family.
This quarter represents American Samoa, as a territory of the US. Since the motto for American Samoa has been and still is "Samoa muamua le Atua", then that is what should go on the coin. Why would it be an insult to anyone? The motto is true. In Samoa, whether Eastern or Western, God is first. |
muaautaus finest wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 03:09 PM |
| LOVE IT!!!!! |
Translator wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 11:22 AM |
| Any 4th grader knows that we're all Samoans but living under two separate governments. The word American Samoa above the coin should be translated below with the motto "Amerika Samoa, Muamua le Atua" |
sharkie wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 11:08 AM |
| I agree with all of your comments that we are all Samoans through blood relationship from different Samoan islands BUT there are two different governments. If Samoa (Independant State) has a coin with Malietoa's potrait, do you think American Samoa(American Territory) could use it because he's a Samoan? Samoans who are US nationals and US Citizens don't have the same rights Samoans living in Samoa. I remember one old lady from Savaii who became a US citizen and then went to see her family in Samoa. She was told by the immigration officer at Faleolo airport that she has limited days to stay. She was mad and told the officer she was born there. But the officer humbly replied "You're a US Citizen". This is what I'm trying to explain to you Samoans. Two different governments and two different mottos. |
Sivai Folausaua Bennett wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 09:48 AM |
| I'd like to congratulate the committee who designed the Am. Samoa quarter. It is beautiful! The 'Samoa Muamua le Atua' refers to all the people of Samoa. Let us not forget our Samoan history. Before there was ever an American Samoa, there was only one country called 'Samoa' which was made up of Savaii, Upolu, Apolima, Manono, Tutuila and Aunuu. Manua was a separate country under Tui Manua |
STEVE wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 03:53 AM |
| WE ARE ONE TYPE OF PEOPLE,ALTHOUGH WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS.WE ARE SAMOANS,PERIOD.WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.AWESOME QUARTER DESIGN.MALO LAVA.. |
thoughtful wrote: |
26 Jul 2009 03:13 AM |
| putting what's on the quarter aside, I'm just happy to have a quarter representing the place I'm from, that's it. Thank you :) **my comments are not against or for any of the previous comments** there were good points made tho |
Anonymous wrote: |
25 Jul 2009 10:48 PM |
| I second the motion by sharkie. This motto tells me are sending a message to remind Upolu and Savaii that they need God first! |
TAMA SAMOA wrote: |
25 Jul 2009 08:48 PM |
Faafetai ua maua lenei avanoa e tala- talanoa ai foi i lenei subject. My question for translator and shrarkie, why is that a big setback for you guys to have the word Samoa with muamua le atua? You guys are still stuck in that old mentality-e look down ia savaii ma upolu. I am a shark alum myself and proudly from satani vil and it make me sick and wanting to throw up because of people like you. O tatou uma lava o Samoa it doesn't matter whether you're from Pago or Apia. Samoa muamua le atua o se alagaupu matagofie toe taua i soo se tagata samoa. As a Samoan livin in the state for the last 20+ years, it hurts me when I read non sense like this because when you found another uso, youre just happy that you have another brother that you can relate to. So my final opinion in this matter, SAMOA MUAMUA LE ATUA IS PERFECT. |
Anonymous wrote: |
25 Jul 2009 08:18 PM |
| What is the big deal in weather it is American Samoa or Samoa? If you look at it any way we are all Samoan regardless if your from American Samoa or Western Samoa. I am so sick of Samoans saying that American Samoan people and Western Samoan people are different. We all have the same language, culture, beliefs and love for our Samoan people. I am from American Samoa, but I don't look down on our Samoans from the West. If you really say your Samoan then you should not be worried if it is American or Western or even if your not Samoan. You should give people the chance to be them and allow yourself the opportunity to get to know them as people and not by where they are from. |
ed wrote: |
25 Jul 2009 01:56 PM |
| i waited along time for this quater . i dont wanna start again with Heritage week in Hawaii. God bless Gov's trip. safe return home so we can agree and disagree another day. be safe. i still dont like you 200000 dollar idea to party in heritage week |
sharkie wrote: |
25 Jul 2009 10:52 AM |
| Dear Governor, It's time to change that motto. It's "Amerika Samoa, Muamua le Atua" not "Samoa, Muamua le Atua" Samoa is officially Upolu and Savaii not Tutuila and Manu'a. Do we need a petition or approval from the fono to correct this? |
Translator wrote: |
25 Jul 2009 03:20 AM |
| My first impression when I saw the coin is that there should be no Samoa below American Samoa because it's contradicting. American Samoa above would be enough then below our motto "Muamua le Atua" instead of "Samoa, Muamua le Atua" because we are referring to Samoa the Independent State. The translation "Muamua le Atua" should be "God be first" or "God first" In other words "Faamuamua le Atua" - 'Let God be first'
Why? You're advising the people to place God first. It's a reminder. 'God is first' means "E muamua le Atua" but "Muamua le Atua" is "God be first" or "God first" But I prefer "Faamuamua le Atua" - "Let God be first"
In Samoa "Faavae i le Atua Samoa" is the same as 'Faavae i le Atua Samoa" (Samoa be founded in God) or 'Samoa, founded in God' if the translator wants to make it short due to space. In this case I prefer 'Amerika Samoa, God First' |
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