Sec. Kempthorne bestowed title “Puleleiite” – ruler who foretells future

(PAGO PAGO) - In a gesture of Samoan respect at the conclusion of the ava ceremony to officially welcome the Secretary of the Interior today at Maota i Gagamoe (Paramount Chief Mauga’s Guest Fale) in Pago Pago, the Honorable Dirk Kempthorne was bestowed the Samoan chiefly title of Pulele'i’ite, or as translated by Governor Togiola Tulafono, “the ruler who can foretell the future.”

“The ava ceremony is the highest honor and mark of respect that the Samoan people can offer a visiting dignitary, and I am proud to have had Paramount Chiefs Mauga, Tuitele, Galea’i, Tufele and Misa and the high talking chiefs of Tutuila and Manu’a witness this special day for the Honorable Secretary and for American Samoa,” said Governor Togiola. “Pulele’i’ite is quite fitting in that the Honorable Secretary can work in the nation’s capital and, after seeing the Territory first-hand, will know what’s happening in American Samoa.”

“This official Department of the Interior visit has been made even more special with the investiture of the chiefly title Pulele’i’ite to Secretary Kempthorne to commemorate his visit to our island home.”

Governor Togiola, who served as interpreter during the ceremony, said the highest traditional honor of Samoa is accorded to the Secretary with the Territory’s prayers and blessings.

“We are honored with his presence in our homeland and we know that his assistance is important for the future of our people and government,” said Governor Togiola.

Secretary Kempthorne expressed his sincere gratitude to the Paramount Chiefs of the Territory on extending the highest respect to him in bestowing the chiefly title, Pulele’i’ite.

“I wish to say thank you for this great honor,” said the Honorable Secretary. “I will strive to be worthy of this distinguished honor and pledge that I would do my best to help American Samoa.”

Also in attendance at the ava ceremony were BJ Penn, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment, Donald Schregardus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Environment and Papali’i David Cohen, Interior’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs, Chief Justice Michael Kruse, Senate President Lolo Moliga and House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, high-ranking orators of Tutuila and Manu’a and Pago Pago village chiefs.

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Sec. Kempthorne bestowed title “Puleleiite” – ruler who foretells future