Title Paramount: ‘Fonoti of Lotofaga’.

John Brown Fonoti.(J.B. Fonoti) / Fonoti Ioane of Lotofaga and Lalovaea.

Prepared By: J.B. Fonoti Family.

Published By The Following:
– Samoa Times News in Samoa
– NZTEC. (On Political History)
– Book: ‘Samoa Mo Samoa’ by Professor J.W. Davidson
– J.B. Fonoti Family

He Was Mata’utia (J.B. Fonoti) of Lotofaga and Lalovaea. Born 17 Feb 1900, And was Educated at Marist Brothers School from 1908 to 1913. He worked with Westbrook, O.F. Nelson and Burns Philip. ‘Then J.B. Fonoti became ownership to several numerous Successful Companies of his own, and was one of The Earliest Samoans to distinguish himself in this field’.

He owned a Bakery in Matatufu, A Trading Vessel called ‘Star Of The Sea’ And was Engaged in Agricultural Development in Lotofaga. (In time he became The Most Successful of Planters and Cattleman). He Established the First Primary School at Lotofaga which taught Agricultural Subjects. J.B. Fonoti Set up: The Samoa Traders Ltd.; The Mulifanua Trading Ltd.; and JB Fonoti Ltd. He also opened a Supermarket including a Bakery with delivery for Aleipata district and Lotofaga in Atua District from his property in Lotofaga. He also operates a petrol station on that premises as well.

While Engaged to all Business Activities, J.B. Fonoti was also A Successful Politician. He was a Leader of ‘The Fono a Faipule’ from 1939 to 1947. And was a ‘Member of The Legislative Assembly’ from 1948 to 1951 and 1954 to 1957. When the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall and New Zealand Prime Minister Mr. Fraser visited Samoa in 1944, J.B. Fonoti Presented to Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall and NZ Prime Minister Mr. Fraser with a ‘Petition for:- More Samoan Participation in The Government, For appointment of more Samoans to key Positions, And for Limiting the Term of Expatriates to Three Years and No more than Six years’.

J.B. Fonoti on his leading mission to New Zealand included 7 Members of ‘Fono of Faipule’, again demanding and firmly requested for ‘Independent Government for Samoa in 1949′. In 1958 The United Nations travelled Samoa to investigate. In 1954 J.B. Fonoti become Minister of Health and Agriculture until health forced his Retirement in year 1957. J.B. Fonoti was the Founder of ‘The Democratic Party’ after the year 1951 Elections; Even thou the Party died, its Ideals Have Lived On in the form of Demand for Universal Surfrage with Matai Candidacy, the replacement of ‘The Fono a Faipule’ and ‘The Legislative Assembly’ – by ‘One Body’.

J.B. Fonoti was Always Fought for the Rights of Modern Samoans for Their Right to Dissent and to Hold Peaceful Rallies. Of him, ‘Professor Davidson’ words in news ‘Samoa mo Samoa’ – ‘He Was A Man Of Drive And Considerable Shrewdness’. In 1935, J. B. Fonoti became the Representative Leader for the ‘MAU of Samoa’ for Lotofaga District, Lepa and Falealili. Until he was made Lotofaga District Representative Leader for the ‘MAU Committee of Vaimoso’, Faleata in 1942.

J.B. Fonoti was one of ‘The First Directors’ of ‘The Bank of Samoa’ from year 1959 to 1962. J.B. Fonoti was also One of ‘The Foundation Members of The Copra Board’. Three Times J.B. Fonoti was a Member of Parliamentary delegations to New Zealand. J.B. Fonoti started and donated funds of his own towards ‘The Scholarship Fund for sending The First Group of Samoan Scholarship Students to New Zealand’. Prime Minister Mr. Fraser recognized the intentions and importance of the nature of such idea, Mr. Fraser then with approval to profits made from ‘The New Zealand Reparation Estates in Samoa’ to be used and funded also on other things for improvement like: the local hospitals, roads etc.

J.B. Fonoti achieved many goals within his lifetime. Believed to be the most generous and respective person in Samoa in his days. J.B. Fonoti was very Generous in Every Way in numerous of things to mention for his District of Lotofaga, the community and for his country of Samoa. John Brown Fonoti is Holder to Title Paramount ‘Fonoti of Lotofaga’; Also ownership of Up to 8,000 Acres of Land in Lotofaga District.(Including ‘The Land of Oliula’) and more not to mention. J.B. Fonoti was Married to his Wife Luisa Tuala Manulesa in 1923 with 12 Children. J.B. Fonoti died in 1974 and was buried at his Land of ‘Oliula in Lotofaga’.

I wish you well..

I remain,

The Godfather.