Editor,

One of the problems with new initiatives presented to the islands is that almost none of these initiatives has proven successful in an island setting anywhere in the world. Check it, the alternative energy programs, from thermal, to windmill to solar, none has been very successful anywhere in the Pacific islands, and yet consultants seem to be able to get through to our leaders all the time. We end up paying mega bucks for studies that collect dust in our library of "good ideas" that never make their way to reality.

Here comes another. The solution for roaming pigs. Here is our solution from Malaeimi Valley, American Samoa.

First, an affordable low interest loan is afforded the piggery owner to build a secure and environmentally safe piggery. This includes stronger pens to keep the pigs in and with proper septic tanks, etc.

Second, and I think this is what really works for the program is that the village chiefs have gotten together and agree on a "gentleman's rule". Simply put, if your pigs get out and into my property it becomes mine and I can do whatever I want with it if I catch it in my property. And on top of that, the owner will also be liable to any damage caused by his pigs. No police or court involved.

The fact of the matter is that it is in the nature of the pigs to roam free. The strongest fence will only slow them down temporarily until they get a chance to get out.

It is when the owner, realizes that any time any of his prized pigs get out it may very well belong to someone else, it gives the owner an extra push to keep his pigs secure.

The projects in Te'ekiu can work to an extent until there are just too many pigs for the pig pens and then pig roaming will be a problem again, only this time, more of them roaming.

I am one of the pig farmers in the county and I learned real quick after watching my neighbor shoot too many of my pigs. He even asked me to help cook them for the village. Well, I have eaten a fair share of the neighbors pigs.

Bottom line is, you will not find a roaming pig in Ituau Malosi County. I have tried over the years to convince my Dad and the Chiefs of Kolomotu'a to adopt the same program. You see, Kolomotu'a's pig owners are weird, come to think about it. Families secure themselves and their property in and feed their pigs outside of their fence. So, the rest of the village of Kolomotu'a is their piggery. Hange pe 'oku pe he ha me'a. This is when the "gentlemen's rule" should be the obvious solution.

Mafi 'o Amerika Samoa

slkava [at] samoatelco [dot] com