Case ID: am-samoa-3d_2/html/0225-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

AGATHA TA'IFI LEASIOLAGI SASA, and FALEMALAMA L. VAESA'U for and on behalf of the “TAMASA” clan of the LEVU family, Plaintiffs v. AIFO'I TAGATA LEVU, FA'ALILIU TAGATA LEVU and SEUI LA'AU, Defendants
    High Court of American Samoa Land and Titles Division
    LT No. 09-98
    October 16, 1998
    Before KRUSE, Chief Justice, AFUOLA, Associate Justice, and ATIULAGI, Associate Justice.
    Counsel: For Plaintiffs, Katopau T. Ainu'u
    For Defendants, Malaetasi M. Togafau
   ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND DENYING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO DISMISS

I. Plaintiffs’ Motion for Reconsideration

Plaintiffs bring before this court a motion for reconsideration of an order denying application for temporary restraining order and order to show cause. For the reasons given below, this motion for reconsideration is denied.

Plaintiffs base their motion for reconsideration on an erroneous interpretation of Fairholt v. Aulava, 1 A.S.R.2d 73 (Lands & Titles Div. 1983). Plaintiffs assert that the court in Fairholt held A.S.C.A. § 41.1309(b) unconstitutional as violating the due process clause of both the United States Constitution as applied to American Samoa and the due process clause of the American Samoa Revised Constitution.

Plaintiffs’ interpretation of Fairholt, however, is too broad. Fairholt does not provide that A.S.C.A. § 43.1309(b) is unconstitutional in all circumstances. Rather, A.S.C.A. § 43.1309(b) is unconstitutional only if a family member is prevented court access to enjoin a sa'o from jeopardizing a family member’s constitutionally protected property rights. Otherwise, the sa'o should be given the opportunity to act as the family matai before family members intervene. As we earlier stated in our order denying plaintiffs’ ex parte application for a temporary restraining order, the legislative design behind A.S.C.A. § 43.1309(b) clearly must be to ensure that the sa 'o is not totally displaced by the judicial process. Plaintiffs’ motion for reconsideration, therefore, is denied.

II. Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss

A. A.S.C.A. § 43.1309(h)

Defendant’s motion to dismiss is also denied. Although A.S.C.A. § 43.1309(b) does provide that the sa 'o is the only authorized person under this Act to bring an action regarding disputes or controversies over communal or aiga land, the early posture of this case does not warrant dismissal of this case, regardless of the sa 'o’s failure to bring this action initially. In addition, the complaint alleges that the sa 'o is not adverse to plaintiffs’ claim of entitlement. Joinder of the sa 'o, therefore, may be necessary if the sa 'o fails to come forth.

B. AN.QA. § 43.03.02(a)

Defendants also argue dismissal of complaint for non-compliance with the mandates of A.S.C.A. § 43.0302(a). This enactment provides that “[bjefore any action relating to controversies over communal land . . . may be commenced in the land and titles division, each party shall file with his complaint a certificate [of irreconcilable dispute] signed and attested by the Secretary of Samoan Affairs ..Defendants’ reliance on this subsection is misplaced.

Plaintiffs’ complaint is one for injunctive relief.' A.S.C.A. § 43.0302(b) provides that the certification requirement of subsection (a) is not a prerequisite requirement to the issuance of a temporary restraining order. Tupua v. Faleafine, 5 A.S.R.2d 131, 133 (Land & Titles Div. 1986). Additionally, A.S.C.A. § 43.0303(a)(l-3) authorizes either the Chief Justice or Associate Justice to issue interlocutory orders, upon ex parte application, to restrain certain enumerated activity before the commencement of proceedings before the lands and titles division.

Therefore, plaintiffs’ motion for reconsideration is denied, and defendants’ motion to dismiss is also denied.

It is so ordered. 
      
       Under certain exceptions, A.S.C.A. § 43.1309(b) requires that the sa'o be the only authorized person under this Act to bring an application for injunction pertaining to communal land within his own family.