Alo

People were in constant fear as they travelled by sea from Savaii to Upolu because of the great sea monster called "Paitele" which would attack and devour them and all their belongings including the canoes. A brave young chief named Alo from Palauli took the challenge to destroy this sea monster so that the people might again enjoy the freedom of the sea.

He went into the forest and selected choice pieces of bamboo and made twelve knives. Upon completing his project, he set out on his journey to meet the sea devil. As Alo approached Upolu, sailing from Savaii, the "paitele" spotted him. With extraordinary speed and wrath, the Paitele followed Alo. In a moment, Alo was swallowed, canoe and all.

Alo was inside the stomach of the Paitele. He took his bamboo knives and started to gouge the heart of the sea monster. Paitele was in such great pain and was so blind with rage that he made break in the reef in Safata and then made the big channel in Vaie'e. The people rushed with their spears, axes and weapons to kill Paitele. When he was dead, they cut open his belly and out jumped Alo, the great warrior.

The people were so grateful to him for his great achievement that they rewarded him with a high chief title of Savaii called Lilomaiava to which was added "aulualo" (the fish enterer). Soon the news spread all over Samoa and his deed was made famous in speeches and songs.

Today, when you go to Safata, you will see the break in the reef and the great channel in Vaie'e. They pay tribute to the warrior, Lilomaiava.

The above information was taken (as written) from the MCKAY-FALE located in Sauniatu (on the island of Upolu) Western Samoa.