Speaker of Parliament, Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata’ivao and Tupa’isina Jesse James

 

By Nanai.T. Laveitiga Tuiletufuga

Five years later and more than $4 million spent, Tupaisina Jesse James is still committed to building the multi-million tala resort and tourism center in Sasina Savaii.

The Hawai’i-based Tupaisina last week Friday was in town to pay his annual lease of $350,000 tala to Sasina for the use of 600 acres of land to build the resort.

It’s the fifth payment made, totaling $1.3 million tala in lease payments.

Granted that the resort has not materialised Tupaisina said the global crisis delayed the project by four years.

But he reassured that things are looking up and remains optimistic that he will secure a development partner who is willing to build the resort.

It’s not easy to find someone with $US250 million dollars, ($WS520 million tala) to develop the Sasina resort envisioned, but he said someone does and “I’m going to find that someone.”

He has expanded his search for a development partner to Asia and meets with investors in Hong Kong and Korea next month.

And with the world economy on the mend he believes a development partner can be secured the middle or the end of next year.

Added Tupaisina;

“Our company motto is keeping paddling.”

“And we will. God’s delays are not God’s denials.”

Groups associated with Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman have shown an interest in managing and branding the golf course envisioned for the Sasina resort.

Hotel managers Wyndham has shown interest, said Tupaisina.

Speaker of Parliament for Sasina and MP Gagaifomauga No.3, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata’ivao said that they have confidence in the Hawaii-based businessman, who is also a Sasina matai.

Said Laauli;

“He has never missed paying the lease.

“Tupaisina is a man of his word and we have faith that he will deliver as promised.

“He remains committed to building the resort which will benefit not just Sasina but Samoa.”

Whether construction does start next year, the annual lease will go up by 10%.

The landowners will also receive a 1% profit sharing once the resort is operational.

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