Former Aua faipule who passed away is honored

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A House concurrent resolution to honor the service of a former faipule for Aua, District 11, Vasaifanua Fred Aisali Savai was introduced and passed in the House of Representatives yesterday morning. The concurrent resolution was introduced by Faipule Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen.

Vasaifanua passed away peacefully at his residence in Aua while surrounded by his family and loved ones on May 17, 2022. He was 87 years old. He was survived by 7 children, 22 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

According to the resolution, Vasaifanua was born on Nov. 22, 1934 in the village of Aua to parents Foa’i Vasai of Aua and Saeni Soliai Levu of Nu’uuli. After he graduated from Poyer High School, he began work as a stock clerk at Max Haleck’s Hardware store in 1984 and 3 years later, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served 25 years and retired as a Chief Petty Officer in 1977.

Vasaifanua came back home and worked in the ASG in the position of deputy director of the Department of Manpower Resources for 21 years until 1998 when he enrolled at the American Samoa Community College and excelled to become a member of the prestigious student honor society.

In 1998, Vasaifanua was elected by his village of Aua (District 11) as their Faipule in the American Samoa House of Representatives where he served two consecutive terms in the 26th and 27th Legislatures, from 1999 to 2002.

Vasaifanua was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was appointed as Stake auditor, and then he was bestowed the title of Bishop of the Aua Ward and the Pago Samoa Stake. He also served as the High Councilman of the Pago Samoa Stake. Vasaifanua was a donor to the Brigham Young University in the 1980s to the 1990s.

He was a prominent leader in his village. He became the village council secretary and treasurer, which spearheaded the construction of the well-known Paepaeulupoo 1 fautasi (longboat).

The House resolution was handed over to the Vasaifanua family during his funeral service on June 11, 2022.