His Majesty Malietoa Tanumafili II died in hospital today, aged 95. Malietoa had been the world’s third longest-reigning monarch, after the Queen of England and the King of Thailand. My sympathies for the Samoan people – they are mourning a man who has led Samoa for 45 years, since independence was achieved in 1962.
Malietoa is not the only Pacific monarch to die recently. King Tomasi Kulimoetoke II of Uvea, in the French territory of Wallis and Futuna, died last week. In 2005, the King was involved in a dispute with French administrators after he refused to hand his grandson, accused of accidentally killing a pedestrian while drunk, over to the authorities. Reformists wished to depose the King and have a successor appointed, but locals rioted in his defence, and the King called for independence from France before surrendering the drink-driving grandson.
The Wallis and Futuna crisis reflects the tension between traditional and modern forms of governance in many Pacific islands. The rioting in Tonga following the death of Tonga’s king last year is another example of this conflict. Traditional and modern forms of justice and administration can only coexist if they have clearly defined spheres. The passing of an older generation of Pacific leaders will create an opportunity for reform in many island states, but the tension between the modern and the traditional will remain, and the resulting conflicts must be carefully managed.
This is Princess, ROSALINA JEWETT” who’s the great grand daughter of a King of Samoa. The Malietoa…and Mata’afa. And I’m about to return home to Apia Western Samoa where I was born. It because of my father, Faletui Mila Fesola’i Lolagi Tuitama”….died last Christmas 2008…and I’m coming home to my royal family land to take my father’s and I land. That he left for me and family. Eventhough that I was around the time of Queen Salamasina and King Malietoa until I left my island moved to PagoPago Am.Samoa 1983 and became resident of Am.Samoa. Then I met my husband in American Samoa and moved again to USA” where my husband, Bruce Jewett originally from USA. He’s white and American and we are about to return to Samoa to take over my father’s high chief of Faleasi’u…and replaced his high title of Fesola’i my grand father….Fesola’i Lolagi Tuitama”….that is know as Taisi or Tupuola Efi is my other blood royal family that I’m looking forward to meet. More later on when I arrived to Faleolo airport….more for princess, Rosalina Jewett and Bruce Jewett. When they ready to take off and goodbye to America and moved to Samoa for good as their future plan to become reunite with the royalty family of Apia Western Samoa where princess Rosalina Jewett her main homeland….thanks,
RJ
Left by ROSALINA JEWETT on September 23rd, 2009