Governor and Amata express their condolences on passing of A. U. Fuimaono
September 12, 2008

by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent

Gov. Togiola Tulafono and congressional candidate Aumua Amata yesterday expressed their condolences over the passing of Western District Governor A. U. Fuimaono.

Fuimaono, the Territory's first Delegate-at-Large to Washington, passed away Tuesday night at the age of 85.

"American Samoa has lost a great leader and it is with sadness that Mary and I, on behalf of the people and government of American Samoa, extend our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the family of the Western District Governor - Paramount Chief A. U. Fuimaono's for their loss this week. The prayers and sincere gratitude of the people of Tutuila and Manu'a go out to A. U. Fuimaono and his family," the governor said in a statement yesterday.

He said the district governor devoted his life to public service and our island community.

"We will forever be grateful to his leadership, dedication and contribution. He will be greatly missed," Togiola said. "May God rest his soul and provide strength to his loving children and family during this very difficult time."

Amata, who worked for Fuimaono in Washington D. C., also expressed condolences and sympathies for "a great, great man" who jump-started her career after she completed her studies at the University of Guam, which was an unforgettable experience.

Having just seen District Gov. Fuimaono several weeks ago at his home in Futiga, "I was devastated to hear the news of his passing," Amata told Samoa News yesterday.

"I owe a lot to him as he...actually brought me to Washington, D.C. to work in the office of the first American Samoa Delegate-at-Large as his executive assistant," she said. "I worked for him for a year before moving on to take a job with the Executive Office of the President. There were just three of us - Delegate Fuimaono, his legislative director Va'alele T. Ale and myself."

She said Fuimaono treated her like a daughter and part of the family and because she was so far away from home, it kept her from getting homesick.

During the 10th Pacific Arts Festival, Amata said, "we were all fortunate to view a documentary put together by Vasaloloa Taualii Ponder, a Samoan who centered her documentary on Fuimaono and his wife Felefele and the Fa'aSamoa. They were both so healthy and looked the way we all remember them."

"He was truly loved by many because he was so down-to-earth in spite of his very high traditional rank," Amata said. "My family and I extend our deepest sympathy to the children and family of District Governor Fuimaono. Eternity is but the blink of an eye and we will all be together again one day at family reunion time."

Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com.

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