A farmer and businessman, Veletaloola Fuimaono Avauli, from Salani, says the community’s dissatisfaction with the current Government is driving him to contest the Parliamentary seat of Falealili No. 2.

The 66-year-old will be running under the flag of the new Faatuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.) party.

Veletaloola will be up against another F.A.S.T. candidate, Maiava Viiga Fuimaono, the incumbent Member of Parliament, Fuimaono Teo Samuelu Atiifale, and Fonoti Samagapea Tuivasa Namulauulu

“With so much noise from the people, especially about the issues on customary lands, which is our identity and inheritance, I felt very concerned,” he told the Samoa Observer after a F.A.S.T. party campaign event on Friday.

“It prompted me to lend a hand to the leader of this party, to support their cause as well as Fiame [Naomi Mata’afa], looking at them motivated me to run [for] F.A.S.T.”

Veletaloola said that he aligns himself with the goals of F.A.S.T., saying the party is a political breath of fresh air that is giving people hope for the future.

Asked what he has planned for his constituency should be elected as a representative, Veletaloola said he is not making any promises yet but rather focusing on F.A.S.T.’s long term plans.

Veletaloola is married and has nine children and 16 grandchildren.

Falealili No. 2 is composed of Salani, Salesatele, Sapoe, Siuniu and Utulaelae.