Le Susuga Malietoa Talavou Tonumaipeʻa ( c. 1810 - November 9, 1880) was installed as "King" of Samoa to the western world on August 28, 1879, until his death on November 9, 1880. Since Malietoa Talavou's half brother's (same father M. Vai'inupo ) death, Malietoa Moli in 1860, ongoing wars due to power and authority struggle between Talavou and Laupepa (M. Talavou's nephew-his half brother M. Moli's eldest son) over the next Malietoa title holder and the gaining of support by the districts of Samoa. Family rivalry existed as did a 30-year age difference drew a wedge between Malietoa Laupepa and Malietoa Talavou. They were known to be longtime rivals over the Malietoa title.
56-457: Since the death of M. Moli in 1860, the people of Samoa were undecided in their allegiance to one Malietoa title holder. In 1869, Talavou was conferred the Malietoa title by the majority of the districts ( Faasalelega , Manono , parts of Tuamasaga to Mulinu'u . This included people from Leulumoega and Lufilufi ) all of whom were against Laupepa's claim to the Malietoa title. Also in 1869, Laupepa
112-673: A decision was made to establish a training institution on Upolu island which eventually led to the establishment of Piula Theological College in Lufilufi . The other two islands in the Apolima Strait are Apolima with one small village and the tiny uninhabited island of Nu'ulopa , which is 700 meters west-northwest of the northwestern corner of Manono. Nu'ulopa is 37 m high and about 100 meters in diameter (0.01 km²). Taimalelagi Ti'a James Senio Peau (3 February 1966 – 13 February 2020), known professionally as Jimmy Thunder ,
168-565: A feared reputation while still a young man. Talavou was often called Malietoa Pe‘a because he received the influential Tonumaipe‘a title shortly after Tamafaigā's death. Kraemer wrote that Manono assisted him in “wresting” the title from Sātupa‘itea (Kraemer I:320) but Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Efi asserts that the Tonumaipe‘a came to Talavou at “the instigation of Manono” through his arranged marriage to “a lady of Tamafaigā’s family" (Efi 1995). Talavou's first association with Christianity
224-645: A portion of the army fled south to Sāfata where they defended themselves so fiercely that Talavou’s warriors eventually grew weary of fighting and left Laupepa’s warriors in peace. Laupepa’s allies in Atua and A‘ana built villages to serve as refugee camps for Laupepa’s Tuamasaga supporters who were being driven from their homes by Talavou’s forces. A Native Government document shows that garrisons of Talavou’s “people” from Tuamasaga and Savai‘i were occupying tracts of land in Atua and A‘ana respectively (Tuvale 18). Laupepa's naval force, led by two “European boats”(probably taumualua )
280-637: A rehab centre run by Native Americans and became a personal trainer and part-time bodyguard. Peau married his second wife, Iris Whitemagpie, a Native American in 2008. The two met in 2006 and got married at Whitemagpie's reservation in Arizona in a cultural ceremony. He had three children in New Zealand , from his first marriage. His eldest son, Louis, was selected for the Samoa national rugby league team to play an Australian selection side in 2010. He also represented
336-411: A total population of 889 (2006 Census). Electricity was only introduced in 1995 and there are several shops with beach fale accommodation for visitors. The boat trip from Upolu island takes about 20 minutes. The neighbouring islands are Apolima , which has a small village settlement and the islet Nu'ulopa . Manono Island is part of the political district Aiga-i-le-Tai . The majority of people in
392-409: Is listed as a fourth wife who bore a child named Mu, although accounts are inconsistent as to whether this child was a male or female. (5) The details of the fifth wife are unknown. Talavou's appetite for war and talent for victory were developed early in his life under the tutelage of his father Vai‘inupō and his uncle Taimalelagi . He was already leading his own war parties in 1830 and had gained
448-605: The Fono of Faipule , with 36 representatives from the sub-districts” (Meleiseā 1987b:82). In May 1875, an influential American colonel, Albert Steinberger, coordinated the drafting of a constitution which did away with the co-kingship, reorganized the Faipule and Ta‘imua parliaments, and established a “rotating” kingship which provided the chance for both the Sā Malietoa and the Sā Tupua to occupy
504-676: The Mt Albert Lions at domestic level, playing at second-row . Peau was arrested and charged for battery and substantial bodily harm after an altercation at a Las Vegas street party. He was released from the Southern Desert Correctional Center , north of Las Vegas, to US immigration , after his case was considered by an Immigration Court, seeing Peau in threat of being deported to New Zealand . Peau also had previous immigration issues, after being held by US immigration authorities three years prior until Whitemagpie paid
560-474: The Aiga-i-le-Tai district live on the 'mainland' at the west end of Upolu island. Dogs of any kind are prohibited on Manono island. The four villages and their populations on Manono Island are Out of the four inhabited islands of Samoa, Manono Island has the third largest population, after the much larger islands of Upolu and Savai'i. There are no cars or roads. The main thoroughfare is a footpath that follows
616-628: The A‘ana border by Talavou's warriors from Vaimauga and Faleata (Tuvale 27). Malietoa Talavou suffered great humiliation when he was taken hostage in July 1879 under command of village leaders from the Gagaifomauga and Gaga‘emauga districts of northern Savai‘i. The village councils involved were fined $ 2,500 by the government and personal vengeance would later be exacted by Talavou through devastating attacks against Saleaula in 1880. By September 1879, another major war
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#1733093439524672-695: The British flag was torn from the British Consulate and the head of a decapitated British soldier was impaled on a fencepost in front of the Consulate building. Talavou feared British retribution and issued a formal apology by way of ifoga and even though Consul Williams rejected the gesture, Great Britain was counted “along with Malietoa Laupepa ’s party, as one of the vaivai” because the Consulate did not send warships to punish Talavou (Meleiseā 1987a:79). Many of Malietoa Laupepa ’s supporters fled to their homes but
728-503: The Faitasiga was actually a series of conflicts that did not truly end until Talavou’s death in 1880, even though official peace talks were held in April 1873. During the negotiations both parties decided that Laupepa would be installed in joint-kingship with a “co-king” nominated by the Sā Tupua and that Talavou would return to Savai‘i, ending his four-year occupation of Tuamasaga. As the leader of
784-542: The German, British and American governments. Malietoa Talavou was born c. 1810 to Malietoa Vai'inupo Tavita , by his second wife Fuataiotuimaleali'ifano Malietoa Muagututi'a (also known as Malietoa Ti'a) . It was reported, in a local newsletter, that Malietoa Talavou died on November 9, 1880 (at the age of 70). No official record of Malietoa Talavou's cause of death. Talavou (which means "young" or "energetic" in Samoan )
840-528: The Malietoa (Samoa Listened To) . Tuga'ula Publications . Gilson, Richard (1970). Samoa 1830-1900: The Politics of a Multi-cultural Community . Oxford University Press . Tuvale, Te'o (1918). An Account of Samoan History up to 1918 . electronic document filmed by Public Library of New South Wales . Sorenson & Theroux (2005). The Samoan Historical Calendar . electronic document by Government of American Samoa . Bevans, Charles (1968). Treaties and Other International Agreements of
896-867: The Methodist cause taken up by Manono, which was the home island of his Samoan wife Sālata. Tāufa‘āhau and the Tu‘i Kanokupolu establishment were deeply involved in Manono politics and it is likely that his support was held in high regard by the Malietoa faction as well. Talavou defected from the L.M.S. and joined himself to the Lotu Toga in 1842, perhaps in conjunction with a Tongan alliance formalized with Tonga during Tāufa‘āhau's visit in that same year. Sioeli [Joel] Tupou and Peniamina [Benjamin] Latūselu were both Methodist preachers of noble Tongan ancestry who were noted for their involvement in Manono religious and political spheres of
952-580: The South Pacific . Efi, Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese (1995). "Tamafaigā — shaman, king or maniac? The Emergence of Manono". Journal of Pacific History . 30 (1): 3–21. doi : 10.1080/00223349508572780 . Meleisea, Malama (1987b). The Making of Modern Samoa . University of the South Pacific . Masterman, Sylvia (1934). The Origins of International Rivalry in Samoa . Stanford University Press . Tu'u'u, Misilugi (2002). Supremacy and Legacy of
1008-506: The Sā Malietoa was torn along religious and geopolitical lines: Savai‘i, Manono, parts of Tuamasaga and the Methodists (including Tongan Wesleyans ) were behind the Sā Talavou while Malie, the rest of Tuamasaga, and the L.M.S. congregationalists remained loyal to Laupepa. The Gato‘aitele and Tamasoāli‘i were conferred upon To‘oā Sualauvī who was to serve as temporary guardian of the titles until
1064-517: The United States of America . Vol. I. US Department of State . Manono Island Manono is an island of Samoa , situated in the Apolima Strait between the main islands of Savai'i and Upolu , 3.4 km west-northwest off Lefatu Cape , the westernmost point of Upolu. By population, as well as by area, it is Samoa’s third largest island. There are four villages on the island with
1120-600: The Wesleyan [Methodist] sect “through his Tongan kin” (Meleiseā 1987b:239). Talavou was one of the first Samoan missionaries of the L.M.S. and he may have become an active advocate of Methodism as well. Talavou was a keen student and statesman who was highly respected by resident Europeans on account of his dignified and friendly demeanor, not to mention his impressive command of both the English and Samoan languages. On account of his linguistic proficiencies and religious interest he
1176-603: The chiefs of Palauli, Sāleaula, and Tutuila sided with the Tumua faction of the A‘ana and Atua districts. The Samoan chronicler Te‘o Tuvale recorded that the Talavou's enraged supporters from Sātuapa‘itea Fa‘asāleleaga “arose and drove away the people of Palauli and burned their village” (66). The Tumua quickly launched a counterattack against Talavou's districts in Savai‘i but the A‘ana-Atua fleet
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#17330934395241232-586: The coast. Dogs and horses are banned for environmental reasons. However, dogs were sighted on the island in September 2016. In the early 19th century, the island was sometimes called Flat Island , because it consists of a small, flat hill and surrounding low-lying terrain, which is only visible at close approach. During the 1800s, Manono island was a stronghold for the Methodist church and its early mission in Samoa. At an annual church meeting here on 21 September 1859,
1288-527: The count of 10, which was not even begun, so it lasted 3 seconds, during the quick walk from his corner to the ring centre, immediately throwing the first and only punch with his last step. He finished his 49 fight career with 35 victories, 28 by knockout. Throughout his career he won regional titles including the Australian Heavyweight Champion twice as well as winning the lesser IBO and WBF Heavyweight titles. After retirement in 2003, it
1344-423: The daughter of [Leta'a Uipo] of Apia, they had a son who acquired the titles [Papali'i Taimalelagi Tuiletufuga]. Taofimalo married [Tevaga Akalemo Filipo] of Lealatele. They had a son, [Tevaga Milo Filipo] and a daughter [Malia Taliilagi Filipo]. (2) (3) Third wife Tu‘ua was the daughter of chief Taliaoa from Afega , Tuamasaga and the mother of a daughter named Ali‘itasi . (4) An unnamed woman from Si‘umu
1400-467: The governments of the United States, Great Britain and Germany (Bevans 68-70). Laupepa was named Suitupu (“Vice-King” or “Deputy King”) and Matā‘afa Iosefo, Premier While support for Talavou as king was overwhelming, it was not unanimous. In June 1880 the Tumua confederates of Atua formally declared their opposition to Talavou's kingship; Talavou reacted by sending a war party to attack an A‘ana delegation headed for Atua. More chaos ensued in early 1880 when
1456-532: The heavyweight division, representing New Zealand at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh , Scotland . He defeated Dougie Young in his hometown by unanimous decision . It was one of the nine gold medals won for New Zealand in that year. As an amateur he had 89 fights, finishing his amateur career with 83-6 record. Thunder turned pro in 1988, after being omitted from New Zealand's Seoul Olympic Games team. He changed his surname from Peau to Thunder in 1989 at
1512-512: The itū mālō it seems strange that Talavou would agree to give up his holdings on ‘ Upolu and relinquish his claim to the throne and there is indication that the Tuamasaga-Manono-Savai‘i party installed him as King of Samoa in 1874. Tupua Pulepule was chosen over Tuiatua Matā‘afa Fagamanu to rule with Laupepa as joint-king. The dual kingship was supplemented by the “Fono of Ta‘imua, with seven members representing each main district, and
1568-829: The members of the Faipule and the Ta‘imua. The two Fono houses removed Malietoa Laupepa from the throne and Tupua Tamasese Titimaea emerged as a new leader. Meanwhile, Laupepa established himself in Malie and rallied support for his campaign, known as the Puletua. The Puletua declared Laupepa king in June 1877, reinforced the Taumuafā fortress and declared war on the Ta‘imua and Faipule. Malietoa Talavou mobilized his forces to attack Laupepa's Puletua in July 1877, prompting Laupepa's men to flee Taumuafā for Vaimoso (Tuvale 23). The Puletua disbanded in mid-July when Laupepa
1624-633: The new government was called; even the demoralized houses of the Ta‘imua and Faipule endorsed Talavou's right to the throne. The ascension was made official through the Bismarck Constitution signed on December 15, 1879, aboard the German corvette SMS Bismarck . Under the new constitution Malietoa Talavou was recognized as King of Samoa for life; this decision was ratified by the British government on January 14, 1880 (through Captain Purvis’ recognition of Talavou's sovereignty), and again on March 24, 1880, by
1680-653: The religion of his supporters. Since Talavou was unsuccessful in rallying all of Samoa behind his mālō, the espousal of the Methodist denomination may have been designed to provide a unified religious front in opposition to the Sā Mōlī's L.M.S. faction. Talavou's conversion to the Lotu Toga also emphasizes political connections with Tonga which are often overlooked. European accounts from the 1770s reveal that Samoa and Tonga were actively engaged in interisland travel, warfare, chiefly intermarriage, and political affairs. King Siaosi [George] Tupou Tāufa‘āhau of Tonga had staunchly supported
1736-459: The same generation and M. Laupepa was in the next generation. M. Moli and M. Talavou are also half brothers (same father M. Vai'inupo). M. Moli reigned for two years 1858-1860 and died in 2 years after M. Gatuitasina's death on October 1, 1858. Malietoa Laupepa was installed as "King" in 1875 then four years later Malietoa Talavou was finally proclaimed and appointed as "King" in his latter years on August 28, 1879, officially recognized on record by
Malietoa Talavou Tonumaipeʻa - Misplaced Pages Continue
1792-498: The suggestion of his manager at the time, Jack Rennie. Later in his professional career he also fought under the name James Thunder. Among his notable victories are wins over Tony Tubbs , Craig Peterson, Trevor Berbick , and Tim Witherspoon . On the 18 March 1997 edition of the USA Network 's Tuesday Night Fights he knocked out Crawford Grimsley with his first punch, scoring the fastest knockout in history at 13 seconds, including
1848-522: The throne in alternating succession. This meant that Laupepa would rule as King of Samoa for four years, at which time a king would be chosen from the Sā Tupua to rule for four years, etc. Steinberger also gained the trust and support of King Laupepa, the Ta‘imua and the Faipule and secured the office of Premier for himself on May 22, 1875 (Gilson 318). In 1876, King Laupepa was coerced by American Consul Foster and L.M.S. figures into signing Steinberger's deportation order, an action that sorely disappointed
1904-464: The time. Certainly there were many genuine converts to Christianity, but ulterior political motives cannot be ignored as the impetus for many religious conversions during this time period. Like his father, it seems that Talavou's professions of Christianity were more of a socio-political tactic than a spiritual conversion, especially since he continued to defy basic Christian tenets regarding plural marriage and warfare until his death. After Mōlī's death,
1960-611: The village of Falelatai. Thunder was born third out of six siblings. While born in Apia, he grew up in Auckland , New Zealand . He went to school at Onehunga High School in Auckland. His friend introduced Thunder to Gerry Preston . Preston took on the young Samoan into his boxing gym in Mangere Bridge. In his early amateur days, Thunder became the first Samoan-born fighter to win a gold medal in
2016-478: The “official” Malietoa was chosen and installed. Even though Talavou was a seasoned leader and feared warrior, Malie authorities opposed his leadership because of the loss of prestige his mālō had suffered at the hands of the British who had bombarded Sāgone and Palauli in 1859. The leaders of Savai‘i and ‘Āiga i le Tai opposed the nomination of Laupepa because of his youth and lack of experience in leadership and war. It
2072-545: Was a Samoan-born New Zealand professional boxer who held the IBO heavyweight title from 1994 to 1995. He held multiple regional heavyweight titles, including the OPBF title from 1989 to 1991 and the Australian title twice between 1992 and 1994. During his early life and amateur career, Thunder was known as Jimmy Peau. His mother is from the village of Fasitoouta, and his father is from
2128-539: Was also argued that the customary practice called toe o le uso, “the right of the remaining brother,” should have been followed (Keesing 1934:63) as set forth by the example of the Vaiinupō-to-Taimalelagi (brother to younger brother) succession. Although Talavou came the closest, neither candidate succeeded in gaining all of Samoa's support and so both were nominated and ratified as Malietoa by their respective constituencies. After Malietoa Mōlī died in 1860 there
2184-529: Was also commissioned to assist in the translation of the Holy Bible into the Samoan language. This “excellent” translation took place between 1835 and 1845 (Masterman 30) but Talavou probably only actively participated in the first seven years of translation process. Since the Malietoa and Lei‘ataua families were related to and allied with the ruling families of Tonga it was politically favorable that Talavou take up
2240-566: Was also “in retirement” in 1873 during which time he sought refuge for about two years with his father's-sister, Patosina [Emma]. In 1871, Talavou and Laupepa observed a brief period of peace and mourning in memory of their fallen kinsman Tuimaleali‘ifano To‘oā Sualauvī. Following this cease-fire the island of ‘Upolu erupted in violence as Talavou’s forces fought Laupepa’s in Tuamasaga, warriors from Itū-o-Tane, Savai‘i besieged Leulumoega, A‘ana and Talavou’s Fa‘asāleleaga fleet invaded Atua. The War of
2296-562: Was born in Sāpapāli‘i , Savai'i , Samoa sometime around the year 1810. He lived most of his life on Savai‘i where he commissioned the construction of his tulaga maota named Pouesi ("Papaya-wood Post"). A modern ceremonial meetinghouse now stands on the Pouesi land which is considered the crownland of Talavou's modern descendants, collectively known as the Sā Talavou . Talavou's tenure as Malietoa
Malietoa Talavou Tonumaipeʻa - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-444: Was captured by men from Manono and Talavou's victory against Laupepa's Faipule and Ta‘imua sympathizers was sealed three months later at Fale‘ula, Tuamasaga. The Ta‘imua and Faipule reassumed their operation but were unable to simultaneously govern the nation and deal with foreign consular demands; within months of Puletua's defeat, much of Samoa began looking once again to the two Malietoas for leadership. In 1878, Talavou's government
2408-514: Was declared King of Samoa in 1869, and relocated his government seat from Malie to Matautu on the east shore of Apia Harbor. Talavou's supporters soon discovered the plot and adamantly refused Laupepa's claim to the kingship, rejecting him as the leader or organizer of any such confederation (faitasiga). Talavou's supporters hurriedly established a rival government seat across the harbor on the Mulinu‘u peninsula, crowning Talavou as King of Samoa. Laupepa
2464-453: Was deeply insulted when “all the district leaders” of Samoa – including several from Malietoa Laupepa ’s territories – held the deliberating fono at Talavou’s base in Mulinu’u rather than convening at Matautu (Meleiseā 1978a:78). Even though the faitasiga was Laupepa’s brainchild, it was obvious that he would not be supported as its leader. Laupepa then sent an army to raid Mulinu‘u and Talavou
2520-443: Was destroyed by Talavou's Manono-based fleet off the A‘ana coast near Faleasi‘u and Tufulele in 1870, the same year that the Manono sea-warriors defeated Laupepa's Fagaloa-based fleet offshore at Nofoali‘i, A‘ana (Tuvale 18-19). On several occasions, Malietoa Laupepa himself fled Tuamasaga and sought temporary refuge in A‘ana where he garnered support among relatives and Tumua allies from A‘ana and Atua districts (Keesing 1934:63); he
2576-461: Was filled with warfare, religious partisanship, and political maneuvering (including marriage-alliances). He had five wives: (1) Talavou's first wife was Fa‘amelea; a daughter of Lei‘ataualesā Malulaufai of Faleu, Manono. Kraemer claims her father was Malulaufa‘i , the brother of Taimalelagi Lei‘ataua . Fa‘alataolefuaaleaigailetai [Fa‘alataitaua, Fa‘alataaloali‘i ] was the son of this couple who went on to become Malietoa, Seiuliali‘i and Ta‘imua . He
2632-424: Was forced to return to Savai‘i in 1869. Within a couple of months Talavou had amassed a fleet of warriors that far surpassed Laupepa’s militias and Talavou’s warriors from Savai‘i, Manono, Atua, and A‘ana reestablished his government at Mulinu‘u later on that year. “The battle was carried on,” according to Thomas Trood , “around Apia for 72 consecutive hours, without any intermission” and it was during this battle that
2688-477: Was installed as Malietoa in 1900 and also served as Ta'imua until his death in 1910 (Efi 1995). Gray, John (1960). Amerika Samoa . US Naval Institute . Keesing, Felix (1934). Modern Samoa: Its Government and Changing Life . Stanford University Press . Kraemer, Augustin (1994–1995). The Samoa Islands (volumes I & II) . University of Hawai'i Press . Meleisea, Malama (1987a). Lagaga: A Short History of Western Samoa . University of
2744-517: Was installed as the next Mataafa by Mataafa Iosefo the 'Alii Sili' during the German Rule in Samoa (1900 - 1914). (2) Talavou's second wife was [Taemanea Falenaoti, this woman was known as Mataouli as mentioned by Dr. Kramer] the daughter of the high chief [Sala Lenuanua] of Lealatele Savai’i. The couple had three children, a son named Tapu (Tapuulafiti) and 2 daughters Taofimalo (Taofimaloafiafiovasa) and Fuatai (Fuataiotui). Tapuulafiti married [Taele]
2800-539: Was no universally recognized leader of Samoa and since the rival contenders had not yet met in battle there was neither an itū mālō nor itū vaivai. Talavou's constituency vastly outnumbered the Laupepa partisans but neither succeeded in gaining complete control over all of Samoa's districts. In 1868, the chiefs and orators loyal to Laupepa instituted a government based on the Western notion of parliamentary monarchy. Malietoa Laupepa
2856-540: Was reestablished in Mulinu‘u with Talavou declared King of Samoa. Talavou reportedly received the Tuia‘ana title around this time, in January 1879 (Tu'u'u 2002). Talavou was again installed as king on August 28, 1879, and Laupepa's supporters immediately opposed to this new government. When the Ta‘imua and Faipule expressed their discontent with Talavou's coronation they were immediately dismissed from Mulinu‘u and literally chased to
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#17330934395242912-437: Was repelled and the Tumua's audacity was rewarded with further razing of A‘ana plantations and communities at the hands of Talavou's Tuamasaga faction (66). Malietoa Talavou, “the central figure” (Gray 68) of the newborn Samoan monarchy , died November 8, 1880, as King of Samoa, Tupu o Sālafai, Tonumaipe‘a, and alleged Tuia‘ana. His nephew Malietoa Laupepa was seated on the throne nine days later. Talavou's son, Fa'alataitaua,
2968-468: Was reported Peau was in financial debt. The Sunday Star-Times discovered he had been living homeless in Sunset Park near Las Vegas. World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, Thell Torrance reported Peau would ask for handouts and turn up to boxing gyms, offering himself for sparring work and was often turned down due to poor conditioning. It was later revealed by close family he was given casual laboring work in
3024-479: Was strongly supported by the majority in the Tuamasaga district. Both Talavou and Laupepa jointly held the Malietoa title until their deaths. At the end of Malietoa Gatuitasina's (M Moli and M Talavou's uncle) reign and death in 1858, the Malietoa title did not transition downward in its normal traditional order of succession by generation, age and seniority. M. Talavou should have succeeded M. Moli because they were in
3080-595: Was through John Williams (missionary) and the London Missionary Society . Talavou was one of Vai‘inupō's sons mentioned by Williams as having accepted the Lotu without Vai‘inupō's permission in 1832. Talavou abruptly ended his affiliation with the L.M.S. in 1842 when Taimalelagi turned against the Christians (Meleiseā 1987a:74-77). Taimalelagi remained anti-Christian until his death but Talavou later attached himself to
3136-542: Was waging between the two declared Malietoa kings of Samoa. Malietoa Laupepa had met with delegates of the foreign consuls and signed a convention through which “the Samoan Government gave up all jurisdiction over the town, harbour and neighborhood of Apia” (Sorenson & Theroux 2005). Many Samoans opposed Laupepa's actions, which were becoming more and more “puppet-like,” and by December 1879, most of Laupepa's Puletua chiefs had rallied behind Talavou and his Pulefou, as
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