As the sun set over the hills with the Veteran Memorial Stadium lights switching on, the party began at the Governor Togiola T. Tulafono and Lt. Governor Faoa Aitofele Sunia Inauguration celebration on Friday night, with entertainment which Master of Ceremonies Pagofie Fiaigoa described with his favorite words, “Makua seki lava”.

The quality of the performances during the celebration for the “Fai Pea Mea Sili” team’s second and last 4-year term was a certainty when the  Leone High School swing choir, lead by Pati Pati, held their flags up and sang God Bless America and Lota Nu’u.

Then, young and upcoming singer, Heta Aumoeualogo, with brother Taleni and Albert Taala performed the Governor’s inauguration theme song. As Heta hit her high notes, the purity of her voice evidenced the talent native to American Samoa. “It was like hearing Mariah Carey,” one of the spectators said with pride. 

Heta is a graduate from Fagaitua High School and is attending the American Samoa Community College.

The spiritual song called “Le Atua Faamanuiaga” wished the Governor and the Lt. Governor good luck during their last term. Taleni and Taala added that it was a blessing song for the leaders of our country.

The night only got better as voices lifted in song to music, both cultural and ‘imported’, became more enlivened the spirit of the celebration and dances were spectacularly performed.

There were the sensational cultural performances, by Leone High School and the Malaeloa youth.

The Leone High School performance caused MC Pagofie to comment that he thought it was the South Pacific Arts Festival again, as the girls looked like they were from Rapa Nui, while the Malaeloa girls did a “faa kaupaki” (slap dance) to a tempo that included a slow motion style reminiscent of a Matrix 4 action scene.

Even the parade marchby was done to a hit from Kool and the Gang from the Petesa village band and Tafuna Committee trumpets.

The bottom line was the entertainment for the night couldn’t have been any better. And, then to top it off, a performance from Vaniah and comedian Sumeo.

The crowd, especially young students who were present, sang with him as his voice filled the stadium. Vaniah was also invited by the Governor a week ago to perform at his house during the Samoa Bowl reception dinner.

Toloa told Samoa News in an exclusive that he loves coming to American Samoa. Vaniah’s mother, Fesolailogomaliematagi Toloa, normally comes with him to the territory, but due to the short notice, he traveled here with Sumeo only.

Another local band and favorite of the First Lady Maryann Tulafono, the Siliva Band from Nuuuli, played the Electric Slide that night as the Governor and other dignitaries got up and danced. The Siliva band is headed by brothers Siliva, Muliufi, Tony and Afa, with lead singers Jesse, Junior and bass Philip.

The  celebration also included food and drinks for the public, from KFC. Aiga baskets could been seen leaving the stadium -- adding to the success of the evening.

MC Pagofie ended the night with a final message for the Inauguartion celebration, telling the crowd, “United we stand, divided we fall”.