Mr. Lee departs “Paradise” after 50 years in the territory

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Local Korean businessman and long-time resident of American Samoa, Hyun-Hwi Lee — affectionately known as Mr. Lee — returned to his native South Korea on Monday night, retiring after spending nearly 50 years of his life in American Samoa.

The South Korean national who owned and operated the Paradise Inc. store next to the Laufou Mall in Nu'uuli was a prominent figure in the local Korean community. Over the past 47 years, he became well-known and liked by many members of the public who had the pleasure of interacting with him.

His affable and sometimes comical demeanor endeared him to many. 

Yet, behind his easy-going facade, Mr. Lee was a profoundly altruistic man. His dedication and unwavering efforts to make a positive impact extended beyond his personal life, touching the broader community. He wasn't just a businessman, but also a journalist and an educator, committed to the betterment of others.

Mr. Lee first arrived in American Samoa on May 17, 1977, as a 25-year-old young man, taking up a position as a clerk at KMIDC Company, a South Korean fisheries company with a local agent's office in Atu'u (Van Camp Co.). 

Before this, he had spent three years serving in the South Korean Army, where he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. At the time, all South Korean males were required to complete three years of mandatory military service.

Mr. Lee told Samoa News that he fell in love with American Samoa and its laidback island lifestyle. More importantly, he saw an opportunity to improve his economic situation and thrive as a business operator. 

After nine years at KMIDC and a local private business, he resigned in August 1986 and started his own retail store, Paradise Inc. in Nu'uuli, specializing in general merchandise and family-oriented products.

That same year, until 2011, he pursued his passion for journalism by becoming a reporter for the Korean Daily newspaper (Jong Ang Ilbo), covering local events, particularly those involving the Korean community and American Samoa. 

Business at Paradise Inc. was brisk and flourishing — until disaster struck in December 1991 with Tropical Cyclone Val, the worst cyclone to hit the Samoan islands, even stronger than Tropical Cyclone Ofa, which had struck in February the previous year.

Mr. Lee recounted that his store took a direct hit and was completely disintegrated, with the building and all its contents scattered in every direction by the cyclone's forceful winds. 

However, he refused to give up and resolutely started from scratch again. Fortunately, his siblings came together and sent him the money he needed to get back on his feet. He was the youngest of seven brothers in his family.

Today, Paradise Inc. still operates at its original spot next to the Laufou Mall on the eastern side and remains one of the most popular retail shops, attracting shoppers from all walks of life.

After overcoming the devastation caused by Cyclone Val, Mr. Lee's business rebounded tremendously, with sales increasing to the point where he needed to expand his staff. He attributes his success to the unwavering support of the public. 

Over the years, Mr. Lee has found numerous ways to give back to the community, sponsoring various community groups and non-profit organizations in their activities.

He sponsored the participation of an 11-member Samoan dancing group at the Gangneung Danoje Festival in South Korea. Additionally, he donated and helped plant more than a hundred coconut trees at the Ili’ili Golf Course. His generosity didn't stop there he also donated seven 48” TV sets to various wards of LBJ Hospital and three 60” TV sets for the Airport Lounge.

He also contributed to the celebrating holidays in the Territory with his store’s window dressings — Easter, White Sunday, Graduation, Thanksgiving, Christmas, to name a few, became a customary signal that a ‘festive’ season was upon us.

His Christmas decorations — reindeers and Santa Claus lighting up Paradise’s roof — will hopefully be continued by the new owners of Paradise, Inc., as well as his many contributions to making the community a better place to live.

EXPERIENCE:

In 1996, as his business thrived, he found time to pursue his passion for journalism. He established a lasting relationship with Samoa News, keeping the local Korean community informed about local, Korean, and international news in the Korean language. 

He became the editor of the 'Korea Daily' (Jong Ang Ilbo) section in Samoa News publications in 1997-1998, a section he also sponsored.

From 1997 to 1999, the successful self-made businessman served as president of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in American Samoa. 

On February 20, 2002, he secured the copyright for YTN distribution on Bluesky Cable Moana TV in American Samoa. In 2003, he was named YTN International Reporter for American Samoa. 

Then, on September 18, 2005, Mr. Lee secured the copyright for KBS-World distribution on Bluesky Cable Moana TV in American Samoa.

That same year, he was named DongPo News Reporter for American Samoa and Hawaii Christian Week Reporter. In 2006, he ventured into radio journalism, compiling and presenting local news reports about events in American Samoa in Korean on Radio Korea in Los Angeles. Mr. Lee has provided all these journalistic services for free up to the present time.

He also embraced the role of an educator from January 2006 to November 2012, promoting his native tongue by teaching Korean to non-Koreans. This was done in close collaboration with the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), and the course was offered for free to students and the general public.

From 2007 to 2013, he secured the copyright for MBC-TV distribution on Bluesky Cable Moana-TV in American Samoa. 

In 2008, Mr. Lee's journalistic services to the local and international Korean community were recognized by KBS, which appointed him as World Korean Network Reporter, a role he still holds today. 

In 2010, he was instrumental in coordinating and facilitating the participation of the renowned South Korean Gangneung Danoje Festival International Performers in the American Samoa Flag Day festivities.

The following year, he organized a Samoan traditional dancing group to travel to South Korea on an invitation to participate in the Gangneung Danoje Festival from June 2-10, 2011. Mr. Lee managed the American Samoa contingent, which included the reigning Miss American Samoa 2010-2011, the beautiful Cindy Fonofili Silao.

From July 25-30, 2011, Mr. Lee had the honor of participating in the International Conference for Educators of the Korean Language. This initiative was coordinated by The Education Foundation for Koreans Abroad and supported by the South Korea Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, as well as the National Institute for International Education Sponsorship.

He was also appointed as a member of the 20th Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, Hawaii Chapter, for two two-year terms: from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2023, and from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2025. 

Reflecting on the many years he spent living in American Samoa, Mr. Lee stated that although there had been challenges, it was the happiest period of his life.

 Asked what he would miss most about American Samoa, he replied that he was going to miss the many close friends of different ethnicities he made, the warm climate, the Samoan culture and way of life and most of all, the friendly Samoan people.

“I would like to thank Governor Lemanu, Lt. Governor La’apui and their administration, and also to the former governors whom I had the honor to meet, thank you for your assistance and friendship,” Mr. Lee acknowledged.

“Thanks also to Samoa News Editor-in-Chief, Rhonda Annesley for her help over the years, and to everyone who had helped me in any way. Fa’afetai, fa’afetai, fa’afetai tele lava! It has been an honor serving the people of American Samoa. God bless you all.”

Asked what his future plans were, he stated that he was returning with his wife to their homeland and they hope to now and then, visit their only child, a son who is based in the States. 

"I am going to spend the rest of my life doing volunteer work in my country to help my people," Mr. Lee said, although he did not reveal what kind of volunteer work he will do. 

Before his departure, Samoa News honored him with a Plaque of Merit to formally recognize and thank him for his many years of service to the community as a journalist.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:

- YTN Foreign Correspondent Achievement Award from the YTN President, Pyo Wan-Soo (Sept. 01, 2004)

- Community Service Award from the Governor of American Samoa, Hon. Lolo M. Moliga (Aug. 03, 2005)

- Community Service Award from the Lt. Governor of American Samoa, Hon. Ipulasi A. Sunia (Sept. 22, 2006)

- Achievement Award for Community Service Teaching from the President of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), Dr. Adele Satele Galea'i (May 18, 2007)

- KBS Appreciation Award for contribution to the KBS-World Global Strategy Team.

- Community Service Award from the Governor of American Samoa, Hon. Togiola T.A. Tulafono (May15, 2008)

- YTN Special Achievement Award from the YTN CEO Bae Seok-Kyu for Breaking News Report on Sept. 29, 2009 Tsunami in American Samoa. (Nov. 06, 2009)

- Achievement Award for Community Service Teaching from the ASCC State Director, Mr. Herbert Thweatt (Dec. 04, 2009)

- YTN Appreciation Award from the YTN CEO Bae Seok-Kyu for "Qualitative Improvement of YTN Broadcasting as International Reporter.” (Dec. 31, 2009)

- Gangneung Danoje Festival Achievement Award for Gangneung Danoje Globalization, from the Committee Chairman Choi, Jong-Seol (Jun.06, 2011)

- KVZK-TV Appreciation Award from Director Paolo A. Sivia for contributions to American Samoa Programs edited by Korea Broadcasting KBS World, MBC-TV, YTN and World. (Dec. 18, 2012)

- Achievement Award for Community Service Teaching from ASCC State Director, Mr. Herbert Thweatt - contributions include 8 years of tuition-free lectures provided to all who were interested in the Korean language. (Jan. 04, 2013)

- Achievement Award for Community Service from the Editor-in-Chief of Samoa News Rhonda Beverly Annesley. (March 11, 2024)

PUBLICATIONS:

- Samoan/English/Korean Language, a Conversation Book. 500 copies (Oct. 20, 2003) American Samoa Community College & Locale Korean/Samoan/Travel people Donate.

- Samoa News Dailynews - The Korean alphabet (Hangeul) Page Publication. (1997 to 1998)

- Samoa News Dailynews - Korean Language News Report and Columnist.