The other islands in the strait are Manono which has four village settlements and the tiny uninhabited islet of Nu'ulopa.
Safotulafai is always consulted by Malie village (Tuamasaga) in conjunction with Manono (Aiga-i-le-Tai) in the election of Malietoa title-holders.
The political vacuum left by the ousting of Talakaifaiki was immediately filled by Savea, who was unanimously nominated as paramount ruler of 'Upolu, Savai'i, Manono and Tutuila.
The people of Atua experienced the same fate when the newly refurbished Matā‘afa-Malietoa fleets from Manono and Fa'asaleleaga invaded the coastal villages of Tamasese’s allies in Falefā, Faleapuna, Lufilufi and Sāluafata.
•
Matā‘afa’s people refused to recognize Tamasese as king, especially Manono and Apolima.
The joint commission of Germany, the United States and Great Britain abolished the Samoan kingship in June 1899 and placed Manu'a and Tutuila under American control while Germany received ‘Upolu, Savaii, Manono, and Apolima.
::For other meanings of this word, see Manono.
Given that the district of Aiga-i-le-Tai (Manono and Apolima) and the district of Fa'asaleleaga on Savai'i are two key footholds of the Aiga SaMalietoa (Malietoa clan), Malie must consult with Manono (capital of Aiga-i-le-Tai) and Safotulafai (capital of Fa’asaleleaga) in the election of the Malietoa.
Manono | Manono Island |
In 1869, Talavou was conferred the Malietoa title by the majority of the districts (Faasalelega, Manono, parts of Tuamasaga to Mulinu'u. This included people from Leulumoega and Lufilufi) all of whom were against Laupepa's claim to the Malietoa title.
The other two islands in the Apolima Strait, are Apolima with one small village and the tiny uninhabited island of Nu'ulopa which is 700 meters WNW of the northwestern corner of Manono.