The fact that some people are fighting over land worries an elderly father from Malie. 

Speaking to the Village Voice team yesterday, Tauaniu Iolama said if parents don’t maintain the land in their lifetime, it may be taken away.

“Land is the reason most families go to court,” he said.

“Most the cases are to do with people fighting over land.”

“So the way I see it, if we parents don’t make sure our lands are willed to our children, others will force their way in to take it.” 

Aged 66, Mr Iolama said land is a precious gift Samoans are blessed to have.

“We should be proud and thankful for that,” he said.

“Money is buried in the land, we just only need to dig in and work hard to find it. “ 

“As we all know, most of the business people from overseas are here to buy land for development because they don’t have any where they live.” 

“The land provides everything,” he said.

“So, for the sake of our children, let’s work on saving it for them.” 

And he believes that in Samoa, most families are doing the best they can to work land to get what they need, to earn money and also to make sure their children and grandchildren continue on with their heritage.

Mr Iolama said that what he’s working on is trying to develop his family’s living situation. 

“We are staying at Malie but I bought this land so that my children and their small families get to have somewhere to stay.”  

“Our family is doing very well; we just need to keep developing but we have everything we need in our homes.” 

“Like I said before, land is the most important gift we Samoans have, therefore we need to make sure it is protected and maintained.” 

“Make sure our kids, grandkids, the next and the next generations are able to develop their families too.”

As well as the benefits from maintaining the land Mr Iolama said it’s good exercise for his body. 

“Working is also a good way to stay healthy.”