Supporters of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) in Savai'i showcased their loyalty to the former ruling party, as they rallied on the big island on Thursday morning despite the party's demonstrations meeting an often hostile reception. 

While the big island has been branded as the "F.A.S.T. (Fa'atuatua I le Atua Samoa ua Tasi) island" given that 16 out of 20 constituencies in Savai'i were secured by F.A.S.T. candidates, loyal H.R.P.P. supporters proved that Savai'i is not a lost cause for the party.

Despite attempts by several villages to disallow a protest convoy from the former party of Government from continuing around the island they were not discouraged from showing their loyalty. 

Those who could not join the party's car convoy were seen on the sides of the roads dressed in blue and white, or with H.R.P.P. t-shirts, dancing, singing, and cheering as the vehicles passed by their villages. 

There were blue (H.R.P.P.) supporters at the villages of Lalomalava, Iva, Sapapali'i, Fatausi, and Pu'apu'a. 

The houses of the H.R.P.P. supporters were easily identified and spotted as they were decorated with the national flag of Samoa and the party's name written on them. 

Even though banners from F.A.S.T. dominated the roadsides, it was not hard to spot the eye-catching banners and flags from the H.R.P.P. supporters. 

The village of Pu'apu'a at Fa'asaleleaga No.5., rolled out the red carpet and put on quite a show for close to two hundred H.R.P.P. party members and supporters who took a tour in Savai'i as part of their anti-judiciary campaign. 

People of all ages were dressed up in blue and white, dancing and singing on the sides of the roads, in support of their M.P. and veteran parliamentarian, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga. 

The party could not continue with their plans to tour Savai'i island as several villages had roadblocks preventing them from continuing with their plans. 

This newspaper understands that other villages, including Safotu and Manase at Gagaifomauga No.1. were dressed in blue and white, waiting to welcome the leader and the party, however, they could not make it to the other side of the island. 

The H.R.P.P. party that had been at the helm for close to forty years only managed to secure four seats from Savai'i after the general elections in April. 

However, the party lost one seat after Senior Lawyer and victor of Falealupo's seat, Leota Tima Le'avai resigned as a Member of Parliament as part of a settlement between her and petitioner, Fuiono Tenina Crichton. 

The electoral constituency of Falealupo will not have to go through a by-election following Leota's resignation. 

That leaves them with only three seats from Savai'i: Gagaifomauga No.1. (Faimalotoa Kika Stowers), Satupa'itea (Lautafi Fio Purcell) and Fa'asaleleaga No.5. (Peseta Vaifou Tevaga.)

On the other hand, the F.A.S.T. party initially won 15 seats out of the 20 seats from Savai'i. However, the Independent Member and M.P. for Gagaemauga No.1., Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio decided to join the party two weeks after the results were out and have brought up the number to 16.