LE MAOTA 

 Community Space

In 2022, Samoan Solutions was awarded a grant from the Asian American Futures Fund. As an organization, we were over the moon excited to have the opportunity to map out how best to use the award. We considered different needs of both the community and capacity of Samoan Solutions. After much deliberation, we elected to put the bulk of the grant funding towards securing a community space in San Mateo County. 

Once we decided on a community space, we jumped right in to make it all happen.  Developing the space took a ton of time and care. Some of the tasks were a bit overwhelming as none of our team had ever tackled a project such as this. It was certainly a beautiful challenge for our team, and one worth taking. 

The space is currently open & available for use to our Members & Community Partners. To take a look at how to become a Member, visit our MEMBERSHIP page.

Take a look at the thought & hard work put forth to bring the space to life. 

THE VISION

PRIORITY IDEALS

TIMELINE

Each step we took towards officially opening the space, was HUGE in our eyes. Below is the timeline .

2022-07-21-102716033.mp4

2023 - Samoan Solutions Board Members at Grand Opening of

 Le Maota 

Fulu Tuitele - Late night run to prepare the space.

David Siataga - Installing our EXIT signs.

Puataunofo Aumavae - Repairing a part of the Measina Collection for the Soft Opening

Jason "JP" Pereira - Mural Installation - Drawing out the Taupou on the TAUTUA panel

LE MAOTA COMMUNITY SPACE

PUNA'OA MEDIA WORKSPACE

A co-working and meeting space for Pasefika Businesses and Partners. Also currently housing Measina Samoa exhibit, donated by the Geer Family of Burlingame, CA

MALAMALAMA PASEFIKA LIBRARY

Community Pasefika Library that houses literature and periodicals from the Pacific Islands

ACE TAGO VISIONARY SPACE

A multipurpose/flex space that can be transformed to meet the needs of different member events and art exhibits.

The space name is a tribute to Samoan Community Leader - Ace Tago, who was the first to bring the prospect of an owned & operated Samoan/Pacific Islander community center to us.  In 2014, Ace approached Samoan Solutions requesting support for an owned & operated Samoan/Pacific Islander Community Center in San Mateo County. Ace invested time & resources to scout a potential site location & building. He even had remodel plans developed for the location. We came on board and conducted a community needs assessment based on the project. The results of those surveyed, showed a strong desire for a space such as this to exist. The project was put on the back burner for a number of reasons. Even still, it is our hope that naming the flex space after the late Ace Tago and displaying the remodel plans will help keep the vision alive until it becomes a reality. 

WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT ALONE...

This space is made possible through the generous support of: Asian American Futures & the talents of David Siataga, Xavier Siataga & Ursula Ann Siataga.  As well as all the many hand & hearts that helped us get the space together:


Design, Moving, Setup:


Mural Installation & Artistic Contributions:


Measina Display Items:

The Geer Family, Burlingame, CA


Space Signs:


Floor Mats: @partywish_


Pasefika Books & Gifts: