High Court of American Samoa November 13, 1990, MT No. 5-89 (Fuata v. Mulitauaopele)

On Motion for New Trial:

This action concerns the selection of a successor to the late Mulitauaopele Tamotu of the Village of Lauli‘i.

I. Facts and Procedural History

This case began as most matai title cases do, with an offer by one family member to register the title in his own name and an objection by another member of the family who contended that he and not the claimant should hold the title.