Written By: Jaiyah Saelua, Fa'afafine Rural Project Manager

The American Samoa Alliance made history in July by hosting the territory’s first ever advocacy training for fa’afafine. After many months of unsuccessful scheduling, the program decided to move the training to Apia, to ensure availability and commitment from all intended trainees. Those who were selected and their positions in the training are as follows:

1. Shanee Masoli – ASADSV Board Chairperson
2. Tapunu’u Don Va’avale – ASADSV Board Member
3. Ertta Laumoli – Designated Western Zone Advocate
4. Joseph Zodiacal - Designated Eastern Zone Advocate
5. Ammon Fepulea’i – Designated Central Zone Advocate
6. Naea Tasha Atio’o – SOFIAS Executive Advisors Representative
7. Christian Sa’alea – SOFIAS Executive Officers Representative
   
   

The Alliance staff who worked and facilitated the training are as follows:

1. Jennifer Tofaeono – ASADSV Executive Director
2. Luana Scanlan – ASADSV PRIME Consultant & Evaluator
3. Jaiyah Saelua – ASADSV Fa’afafine Rural Program Manager & Lead Facilitator
4. Zee Romero – ASADSV Fa’afafine Rural Program Assistant & Training Support

 
The curriculum that was used as the core training tool is the first of its kind. The Fa’afafine Rural Program developed this Curriculum to train fa’afafine advocates to address domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking within the fa’afafine and SOGIESC communities of American Samoa. As the first curriculum developed by fa’afafine & allies for fa’afafine in American Samoa, the Program prioritized personal experiences and knowledge of fa’afafine and the SOGIESC community to inform the content, as well as relevant literature about the intersectionality of violence and gender. Consequently, this living document will be updated periodically using data collected through talanoa sessions with the fa’afafine and SOGIESC communities to define the current and changing realities of violence in the context of Samoan culture. The topics covered in the curriculum include “Foundations of Advocacy”, “Fa’afafine & Gender Identification – Fa’asinomaga”, and entry level “Introduction to Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault”, “Trauma & Healing”, “Safe Conversations & Spaces”, and the importance of building a network of “Allies & Partnerships”.

Upon arrival in Samoa, the group had lunch and then checked in to the Tanoa Hotel before meeting at the Tanoa Conference Fale to kick-off Day 1 of the training, beginning with Module 1. Day 1 set the tone for what eventually turned out to be an incredibly successful training. The program, with the guidance of our contracted evaluator, Mrs. Luana Scanlan of PRIME Consultancy, prepared a pre-evaluation questionnaire, at least one activity for each module, a quiz for each module, and a post-evaluation questionnaire.

Day 2 was our only full day of training, beginning at 8AM and ending at 6PM. During Day 2, we covered 4 modules, with guest presenters for 2 of those modules. Vaito’a Toelupe, founder of FAIVA – Fa’afafine Alliance for Intersectional Va-Tapuia Advocacy & of Anofale, the organization that helped secure the Miss Pacific Islands Title for Samoa for 2 consecutive years, presented on Module 2: Fa’afafine & Gender Self-Identification. Vaito’a gave a culturally profound presentation about the value Samoan fa’afafine hold in all aspects of our customs and nature, aligning her words with the many years Vaito’a has pushed for a decolonial mindset towards fa’afafine. Our second presenter of the day was Doris Tulifau, founder of Brown Girl Woke, a non-profit organization that focuses on women’s, youth & SOGIESC community awareness & support. Doris’s guest-presented on Module 7: Building Allies & Partnerships, focused on her personal experiences of having moved to Samoa over a decade ago with no community connections, to being one of the most visible advocates in Samoa.

Day 3, the final day of training, kicked off with guest presenter, Tuiloma Retzlaff, known for her incredible work in raising and amplifying awareness on Domestic Violence in Samoa. Tuiloma’s in-depth presentation provided an introductory-level crash course on what Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Stalking are, to include real-life scenarios and personal experiences. Tuiloma’s wealth of knowledge and captivating presentation allowed for the formal training to end on a very high note. All that was left was our planned site visits.

Our first site visit was to the Brown Girl Woke. Our team got to visit the space in which BGW operates – where they plan and coordinate activities and initiatives that support at-risk youth and women in Samoa. Our second site visit was to Samoa Fa’afafine & Fa’atama Association. SFFA welcomed us into their humble space, where we shared an intimate & emotional time over sushi and water, listening to the work they do for the fa’afafine and fa’atama in Samoa. For many of us, it was our first time at the SFFA space; surprising considering the many years SOFIAS and SFFA have been partners. Both site visits allowed our team to peak into the struggles and triumphs non-government organizations in Samoa experience and inspired us to find ways to potentially support the work these organizations do. After our site visits, we went back to the hotel to freshen up for our team dinner – a buffet and entertaining floor show at Le Manumea Hotel, hosted by the exuberant Dane Fabricious!

Friday was our free day, where we were able to do some shopping, some relaxation, and visit family members. In the evening, we enjoyed a delicious local meal at Taumeasina Hideaway, hosted by the president of SFFA, Alex Su’a, and members of the SFFA executive. It was an early evening for the group, as bright and early the next morning we were due to fly back to American Samoa.

As I reflect on the success of the training, thinking about how long it took to plan, how difficult it was to get approval to have it in Samoa, and the logistical hurdles we had to work around, I can honestly say that it was a huge success. I’m so proud of the work I can do through the Alliance – intentional allies of the fa’afafine community. The success of this training is only the beginning. Now begins the impactful work – to develop and execute a plan in which our trained advocates can be as effective as they possibly can, with the tools and the means to navigate the challenges of advocacy for a safer and more integrated American Samoa for fa’afafine. 

Written by: Jaiyah Saelua

After months of persistent coordination efforts and thoughtful planning, the ASADSV Fa'afafine Rural Program is having its highly anticipated Fa'afafine Advocacy Training in Apia, Samoa. This decision comes after numerous attempts to organize the training locally in American Samoa were met with logistical hurdles, primarily due to the deeply rooted roles that fa'afafine play in every aspect of daily life. Fa'afafine are widely recognized for their contributions to families, churches, workplaces, villages, and broader community affairs. Their commitment to service is immense, and it is precisely this dedication that made it difficult to align schedules and gather all designated advocates in one place at the same time. Recognizing the limitations of a local approach, the program made the strategic choice to host the training in Apia. This shift not only provides a change in environment that may be more conducive to focused learning and participation, but also reinforces the regional and cross-cultural strength of the fa'afafine identity and movement.

At the heart of this initiative is our newly developed and culturally responsive training curriculum — a first-of-its-kind for the region. Tailored specifically for fa'afafine advocates, the curriculum is designed to empower participants to serve as community liaisons of the Fa’afafine Rural Program, bridging the program’s services with the everyday needs and realities of fa'afafine across our rural community. Through this training, advocates will be equipped with tools to better support survivors of domestic and sexual violence, offer culturally grounded peer support, and increase awareness of available services.

This curriculum was developed by fa'afafine, for fa'afafine. It reflects our lived experiences, our values, and our strengths. We believe that advocacy rooted in culture is the most effective way to reach and uplift our people. By investing in advocates who live and breathe the realities of rural fa'afafine life, the ASADSV Fa'afafine Rural Program aims to expand its reach, deepen community trust, and provide more relevant, impactful services throughout American Samoa and beyond. The training in Apia is a powerful step forward, and a testament to resilience, cultural pride, and the ongoing journey toward community-led solutions in the face of adversity.

Written By: Zee Romero, Fa'afafine Rural Project Assistant

Talofa lava and Mabuhay! My name is Zee Jogno Romero, and I’m a proud first-generation Filipina born and raised in the beautiful islands of American Samoa. I’m 20 years old, from the village of Aua, and currently the reigning Miss Sireyna Queen Philippines in American Samoa.

I was raised in a Filipino household by my parents, Ramon Pajarillaga Romero Jr. and Melody Macaysa Jogno, but I grew up immersed in Polynesian values and traditions—particularly Samoan and Tongan culture. This blend of roots has shaped me into who I am: a Filipina by heritage, and a fa’afafine by identity and lived experience. Knowing my fa'asinomaga—my cultural belonging—as a Samoan fa’afafine is a huge part of how I walk through the world with pride.

I speak six languages, and with every language comes a deeper appreciation for the cultures I come from. I truly believe that diversity— especially cultural and gender diversity—is something to be celebrated, not just understood.

After being crowned Miss Sireyna, I set my sights on something bigger: Miss SOFIAS. I wanted to gain experience, express more of my fa'afafine identity, and—just as importantly—show other Filipina girls that this platform is for all of us. It’s about visibility, representation, and breaking stereotypes. I joined Miss SOFIAS as Contestant #1 to show that we belong on that stage too.

The preparation for the competition was nothing short of magical. It took a village—literally. My Filipino community showed up for me in every way. From costuming and rehearsals to encouragement and love, I felt supported at every step. The sisterhood among the contestants was one of the best parts; we laughed, bonded, and built memories that will stay with me forever.

For me, this was not just about crowns or titles. It was about breaking barriers, dreaming big, and creating space for those who have not seen themselves represented before. I want others to know that you can go beyond what anyone expects of you. Be authentically you, and do not let anyone tell you that you do not belong or that you are not enough.
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On that SOFIAS stage, everything I did was a love letter to my Filipino roots—from the music to the dancers, who were all Filipino too. It was my way of saying, “We are here, and we’re proud.” It meant the world to me to represent both sides of who I am—Filipina and Polynesian—with the love and respect they each deserve.
 

Written By: Jaiyah Saelua

     From April 20-26, the Fa’afafine rural Program & SOFIAS celebrated Fa’afafine Week. It is the first time we’ve called the week of the SOFIAS pageant “Fa’afafine Week”. To our surprise, the community was very receptive, not only joining us in calling this week Fa’afafine Week, but also joining us in celebrating our identity, our cultural significance, our societal contributions, and our value to our families, villages, churches and to American Samoa. The week was filled with activities that helped us bring awareness to the issues that are important to us.

On Sunday, we joined the Atu’u CCCAS for Easter Service to kick off the week of activities. After church, we had to’ona’I as an organization, where we talked about how beautiful the pastor’s sermon was – he shed some light on how important fa’afafine are to the church, and how integrated we are in all aspects of the EFKAS community & its activities.

On Monday, we were up bright and early to speak on 93KHJ & V103 Radio shows about Fa’afafine Week, and to promote the 2025 SOFIAS Pageant. Then we were hosted by the Director of the Arts & Humanities Council, Ammon Fepulea’i, & the director of the JP Hayden Museum, Ms. Marion Mageo, also a former Miss SOFIAS. KVZK TV joined in the museum tour, interviewing pageant committee members about the significance of Fa’afafine Week. We then joined the Visitor’s Bureau & Miss American Samoa to welcome tourists from the Cruise Ship to our shores. Later in the evening, we had the Meet The Contestants Event, hosted by the Fa’afafine Rural Program, at the Naumati Conference Space at Tradewinds. This is where the contestants got to speak about themselves, before pulling their contestant numbers for the pageant.

Tuesday was another early morning, with the Fa’afafine Pride Wave at the Alliance Nu’uuli Office. The wave doubled as the Alliance’s SAAM wave, bringing awareness to the impacts Sexual Assault has on our community. It was a colorful celebration of our visibility, and it was so heartwarming to witness so many of our community honk their horns and wave to us in solidarity! Thank you, American Samoa. Immediately after the wave, we went live on our Facebook page for Episode 3 of the Fala Lalaga Talk Show.

Wednesday wasn’t an early day. SOFIAS met at the LBJ Medical Center at 11am to give gifts to the children in the Pediatrics Ward, and snacks to the nurses who care for them. This is one of two philanthropic projects SOFIAS does annually; the other being a monetary donation to Fatuoaiga Hope House for the elderly. In the afternoon, Rural hosted the 2nd Annual Fa’afafine Forum, themed “Reclaiming Fa’afafine: Unpacking Colonial Impacts on our Indigenous Identity”. Our panel consisted of SFA President, Alex Su’a, UTPOIA Washington MANA Director, Ara Yandall, and Deputy Director of AS Veteran’s Affairs, Arrianna Auva’a. The forum was a huge success! You can find a replay of the forum on the Fa’afafine Rural Program Facebook Page.

Thursday was rehearsal day, for the pageant that was held on Friday. The 2025 SOFIAS Pageant was a sold-out show! Our Rural Program Manager spoke briefly about the support Rural offered SOFIAS this year, and how closely our partnership has grown over the few months Rural has been operational.

As the chairwoman of Fa’afafine Week, and as co-director of the 2025 SOFIAS pageant, much of the work fell on our Program Manager. Although she is thrilled it is over, she is even more excited that everything planned was a success. We look forward to improving on Fa’afafine Week over the years, continuing to ensure we hold value in society!  
 

Written by: Jaiyah Saelua

     At the end of 2024, the Alliance Executive Director and the Rural Program Manager felt it was necessary to add a new full-time position to the Rural Grant. Jennifer Tofaeono, our Executive Director, worked diligently with our OVW Grant Award Coordinator to make this happen. After successfully shuffling the OVW budget with approval from the grantors, we were able to add the new position. In January of 2025, the Alliance put out an advertisement for the new position – Community Educator for the Fa’afafine Rural Program. Unfortunately, before we closed this position, our Administrative Assistant resigned under duress. Considering this position is an original position of the grant, and a vital supporting position to the Program Manager, we moved to hold off on hiring for the Community Educator position until we are able to fill the Administrative Assistant position. We are pleased to announce that we’ve closed applications for the Admin. Assistant position, and will immediately begin deliberations.

Rural will have an in-house screening team to deliberate & decide on only three applicants to invite to an interview. The panel will include a Fa’afafine Board Member of the Alliance, an Executive Officer of the SOFIAS (of which Rural works closely with), and the Manager of the Fa’afafine Rural Program, Jaiyah Saelua. One applicant will get the call to fill the Rural Admin. Assistant position, and will be expected to work immediately,
               
After this process is completed, Rural will begin the process all over again; this time, for the Community Educator position that we put on hold.
               
We’re excited to fill these positions, because it helps us to move faster on executing our plans for 2025, which include our youth outreach initiative, the Advocates Training, and our elderly wellness checks. It has been difficult for the Program Manager to plan these activities on her own, so it will be an incredible milestone for the Fa’afafine Rural Program to build a reliable, effective staff. We look forward to sharing with you who our new staff members will be. Stay tuned!

Written by: Jaiyah Saelua
A brief account of my experiences in the U.S. Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico

   The Right to Democracy is an organization aimed at addressing the colonial and political issues United States territories face, as a result of the empirical structure. The handbook, called “Building a Movement” acts as a record of the initial work that was done for the first Right to Democracy Summit held in New York City in 2023. In September of 2024, co-founder Adi Martinez went on a tour of the US territories to hold workshops and sessions, in an effort to build a network of delegates for the 2025 Summit, themed “Intersection of Decolonization”. While in American Samoa, I was asked to help coordinate one of Adi’s workshops. Because of that, I was given the opportunity to be a part of the summit that was held in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands & San Juan, Puerto Rico. I was one of 5 delegates to represent American Samoa.

The first part of the summit began in St. Croix, which was organized for the different committees to convene before the actual summit began in Puerto Rico. Aside from the community outreach activities & rural site visits, this part of the summit was an opportunity for the cross-territorial leadership to meet and talk about our work in our respective territories. The group consisted of lawyers, activists, artists, philanthropists, legislative representatives, teachers, and community cultural leaders; we were a very diverse group. I spoke about the Alliance being American Samoa’s designated coalition for domestic & sexual violence, and how the Fa’afafine Rural Program adds a unique aspect to the Alliance’s work, being the only non-profit in American Samoa with a Resource Center & organized programmatic plan dedicated solely to the fa’afafine & fa’atane community.

In Puerto Rico, we were joined by the selected delegates from American Samoa, Saipan, Northern Marianas, Guam, US Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico. The second part of the summit included developing a plan to erect a Decolonial Monument – what that will look like, what it will represent, where it will be located, and what materials will be used to build it. The selected artist from American Samoa, Leia Tasi, spoke about the importance of having the monument represent our respective indigenous cultures, and the importance of using natural materials to create the monument. She then proceeded to talk about her form of art – the use of natural materials to create a la’ei Samoa for taupou, and how impactful it would be for the monument to be an indigenous woman.

The rest of the summit was panel discussion by funders, philanthropists and foundations from across the Caribbean region and in Washington DC. A lot of the conversations were about the importance of private funding as opposed to federal, especially with the uncertainties that stem from the Trump administrations efforts to cut federal funding to non-profit organizations.

My experience at the summit helped me realize the connection between having citizenship status for territories versus American Samoa who are nationals, and the level of federal & military presence, agency & activity within the colonies. Many of the other territories were on the side of “not pursuing US citizenship”. Opposingly, the lawyers in the space expressed that the conditions of the insular cases give Congress full control of all territories despite their political status, and can, at any given time, control lands and government in American Samoa without consulting with the people of American Samoa. At the end of the debate, everyone agreed that the status of American Samoa is unique, and should be studied further before re-convening in Guam in 2027.

The experience helped me realize the sensitivity of our political status, but also the beauty of our ability to maintain our lands and culture, especially after hearing from other delegates about the struggles (related to citizenship & colonial agency) they face in their respective territories. To end the summit, I led a grounding and wellness activity before we presented our cultural gifts to the organizers and closed with a siva Samoa. 

   Written by: Jaiyah Saelua

   With the new year came new leadership in both the U.S. and local governments. The Trump Administration has made a specific community a very clear target, especially the "T" community. As an indigenous community with experiences so different from that of the rainxbow community in the US, we cannot help but to feel anxious about traveling to the continental U.S. because of the conservative rhetoric that has taken over American politics. President Trump’s attack on the "T" community is reflective of what the majority of American voters feel is a priority to address, and fa’afafine and fa’atane who identify as "T" are not exempt. A lead mentor of the Fa’afafine Rural Program, Tuisina Ymania Brown, writes:

"Policies and rhetoric that enforce binary thinking erase the existence of people like me and countless others. They invalidate our identities, harm our well-being, and perpetuate stigma and discrimination. Research shows that this erasure has devastating mental health consequences for "T" individuals, leading to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. As Pacific people, we have always lived in harmony with the richness of human diversity. We are a valued and respected part of our villages, communities, families. We embody the balance of masculine and feminine, strength and grace, spirit and body. Our very existence is evidence that humanity cannot be confined to simplistic categories. I call on leaders, policymakers, and medical professionals who are capitalizing on cheap politics to gain social media likes, and societies to recognize what science and Indigenous knowledge have always affirmed: human diversity in sex and gender is real, valid, and natural. Attempts to deny this truth are not only scientifically flawed but also deeply harmful." [end quote]

Although "T" people in America are being further marginalized, in American Samoa, fa’afafine are being afforded new leadership roles in local government. The new Pula and Pulu transition team have appointed two fa’afafine cabinet members: Ammon Fepulea’i for the Arts & Humanities Council, and Arrianna Auva’a for the Office of Veteran Affairs. Although both positions are under the special programs of the Governor’s Office, they are considered cabinet positions. Another position, the director of the J. P. Hayden Museum, was filled by Marion Mageo under former Governor Lemanu. Having these fa’afafine in leadership roles is a testament to how different conservative leadership in America looks in comparison to here in American Samoa – taking into consideration our governor, lieutenant governor and congressional representative to the U.S. are all Republicans.

The beginning of 2025 is already presenting its unique challenges, but there are glimmers of hope that offer windows for optimism; the glimmers being the appointment of fa’afafine in local cabinet positions, and the legal systems that seek to defend the rights of marginalized people in the United States. While politics continues to play its part in our lives, the Fa’afafine Rural Program will continue to be a safe space for our local fa’afafine and SOGIE community. While much of the political climate in the continental United States is intentionally targeting our community, fa’afafine in American Samoa can feel secure in knowing we continue to hold our cultural significance and are on the right path towards progressing our vitality in Samoan society.

Written by: Jaiyah Saelua

The Fa’afafine Rural Program is 100% funded by the Office on Violence against Women, or OVW. Although the grant was awarded in 2021, the American Samoa Alliance needed to justify the need for creating this program, so the initial award became a planning grant. We are now in year 2 of the grant, finally able to move to the development stages of the program. A requirement for all grantees of the OVW grant is to attend a new grantee orientation. This year, on January 22 & 23, the OVW held a new grantee orientation in Reno, Nevada. The Alliance Executive Director, Jennifer Tofaeono, and the Rural Program Manager, Jaiyah Saelua, were able to attend the orientation.

Jaiyah Saelua recounts her experience at the FY2024 OVW orientation:

I’m extremely grateful to have been afforded the opportunity to attend this orientation. The panel of guest presenters each focused on different aspects of DVSA work, all very essential in their own right; topics that range from understanding root causes and the impact they have on violence in rural communities, recognizing the powers of oppressions that contribute to violent behaviors, the vital work of interpreters and the broader importance of making ‘language access’ a priority in the workforce, effective networking strategies for building community allyship, and the role criminal justice systems and public safety partners have in helping to make the work that non-profit service providers and prevention organization more efficient. There were also many informative workshops during the two breakout sessions, but I was only able to attend two workshops, as they were held concurrently with all the others. The first workshop was focused on resourcing useful tools for partners and allies to use for training, specifically healthcare providers, criminal investigators and prosecutors. The second workshop was a practical, hands-on session designed to help us understand the importance of connections as a part of healing, the importance of building boundaries (or helping victims build/rebuild their boundaries), and to help advocates develop our abilities to assist survivors. The other workshop topics were “Intergenerational Partnerships”, “Working with Rural Faith Leaders”, “Using VAWA to Maintain Safe Housing”, “Practices for Serving Immigrant Victims”, “Cultivating Well-being for Ourselves”, and “Tribal Victim Dynamics”. All of these workshops were focused on things our people, specifically the fa’afafine community in American Samoa, do not need help navigating. This is why I chose the workshops I went to; I was very intentional about recognizing what exactly the Rural Program needed. I look forward to using what I learned at the conference to better our work at Rural.

By: Jaiyah Saelua

We’ve come to the end of the year. Much has happened in the short time Rural became operational, but there is much more to look forward to in 2025.

When the Alliance comes back in January, the Fa’afafine Rural Program will initiate our first Youth Outreach activity. This outreach will target high school fa’afafine and fa’atane students, allowing our program to focus on helping students address violence in various forms in school, church and at home. We will offer a brief training on the signs of violence, how to address them, and ways of coping. The informative part of this outreach will provide accessible outlets for young fa’afafine to seek aid, to include our zone advocates, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations.

We’re also excited to announce that we are in the process of creating a new position for the program – Rural Community Trainer. The addition of a community trainer is essential to ensure the successful implementation of training activities under the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) Fa’afafine Program. This role will be responsible for the planning, coordination & execution of all activities that build community awareness on the issues that impact the fa’afafine, fa’atane & SOGIE community in American Samoa. They will also be responsible for ensuring all content therein is in alignment with the program’s objectives. This position will alleviate the workload of the Program Manager, whose responsibilities are already fully dedicated to managing grant deliverables, program oversight, and stakeholder coordination. The position will be made available to the public in the beginning of January.

We will also be rolling out our new Elderly Wellness Check initiative in the summer of 2025. This bi-monthly activity will allow the program to check on the wellness and safety of our elderly fa’afafine and fa’atane, therefore ensuring our program is meeting the safety needs of all age groups in our community.

Lastly, our Program Manager will be attending her first trip under Rural – the OVW New Grantee Orientation Conference in Reno, NV, in January. This will give her the opportunity to better understand the work expected of our program by the grantors, and how to better manage the grant through the deliverables and activities.

Although 2024 was busy for the program, we anticipate an even busier 2025. We want to ensure our community that we will continue to grow in our work. We looks forward to better serving our fa’afafine & SOGIE community in American Samoa in the coming year.
           
​Happy Holidays!