The 2026 Independence fautasi races have given Samoa a clearer comparison between traditional Samoan wooden oars and modern spoon-style oars. The first race was held for foe laau, the traditional wooden oars. Telefoni o le Vainu’u, captained by Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt, won that race ahead of Tolotolo o Tamauli from Salelologa. Malu o Samoa, crewed by members of the Samoa Police Service and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority,...