Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa Power Authority executive director, Utu Abe Malae, who is also chairman of the Territorial Bank of American Samoa board of directors, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning at LBJ Medical Center.

ASPA board chairman, Fonoti Perelini S. Perelini has asked all employees of the power authority to come together this Friday for a prayer service to remember Utu and his family at the ASPA compound in Tafuna.

Utu, who had been in Washington state for health reasons, seeking medical treatment for an undisclosed illness, returned to the territory last Thursday night. He was among a handful of cabinet members who attended last Saturday’s memorial service at Lions Park for the 34 victims of the September 2009 tsunami.

News of Utu’s passing quickly spread on island yesterday morning as mourners gathered around 6a.m for a prayer service at the LBJ chapel, attended by Lt. Gov. Lemanu Sialega Palepoi Mauga, who is also the acting governor, several ASPA employees, some lawmakers as well as family and friends. Utu’s body was in the chapel during the service, and afterwards, many of the attendees stopped to say their goodbyes.

The Governor’s Office has informed Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, who is in Honolulu attending meetings, of Utu’s passing. An official statement from the Governor’s Office is printed elsewhere in today's edition.

ASPA BOARD

“Our Board and staff are all shocked and saddened by the passing of Utu,” said Fonoti through a statement in response to Samoa News inquiries.

“We were all looking forward to his return this week to attend our board meeting this Friday and be with the staff before he returns to Seattle for continuation of his treatment,” he said, adding, “Ae talitonu le manatu e le o le finagalo lea o le Atua (not the will of God).”

“In respect for Utu who had made the trip back to be with us this week and attend the board meeting, the Board has decided to cancel the board meeting this Friday,” he said,  “but instead call on all our staff and workers to come together for a service of prayers to remember Utu and his family to be held at the Tafuna compound at 12 noon on Friday.”

“We will miss him,” said Fonoti. The same message was echoed by many local residents, including government officials, yesterday morning after learning of Utu’s death.

TBAS RESPONSE

Responding to a Samoa News request for comments, TBAS president Drew Roberts said that it’s “with heavy heart” that the TBAS “family acknowledges the passing” of the bank’s board chairman.

“I know I speak for the entire staff when I say just what a pleasure and privilege it was to work with such a giant of a man. His influence and direction for the bank cannot be overstated. He served with vigor and purpose,” Roberts said. “The bank would not be where it is if it hadn’t been for his efforts. He will be sorely missed.”

“While saddened, we will remember him with joy and fondness. He became a member of our ‘family’ and as such earned our respect and admiration,” Roberts noted. “Personally, he has been by my side from the beginning, always with a voice of encouragement and determination. We shall never forget him or the contribution he made to the people of American Samoa.”

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and those close friends and acquaintances. He shall never be forgotten,” he said.

Since the establishment of TBAS by law, Utu worked closely with the bank’s management in moving the financial institution forward, with complete trust and confidence that it will be a very successful venture in the future.

Utu even told Samoa News — before the bank opened its doors two years ago — of his future vision of TBAS getting Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) approval later down the line.

BACKGROUND

As reported by Samoa News in March 2017, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer ‘America’s Ship for Ocean Exploration’ mission scientists, in recognition of unprecedented leadership in advancing science and engineering in the US Pacific Territories, named a newly discovered submarine geologic feature — "Utu Seamount" — after the ASPA executive director. (See today’s editorial page for reprint of story)

Utu, who is also the current chairman of the ASG Educational Reform Task Force, took over the ASPA leadership post about five years ago, around the same time the Lolo Administration took the helm of government.

In June 2012, he resigned as executive director of the Commonwealth Utility Corporation (CUC), the government owned utility provider in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

He took over the CUC post in the latter part of 2009, after he stepped down as Saole senator that same year. He was a candidate for governor in the 2008 gubernatorial race, with running mate, current Sen. Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga T. Nua, but lost in the run-off election to the incumbent at that time, the Togiola and Faoa Administration.

Utu had also served as president of the Development Bank of American Samoa up to September 2004 and prior to that, he was executive director for ASPA for many years and during his ASPA tenure, he was asked by previous governors to oversee Port Administration and LBJ Hospital for a certain period of time.

Between 1985 and 1986 he served as both the ASPA boss and director of Public Works. Utu also served as Operations/Assistance Manager for PRI-South Pacific Resources from 1983-1985 and Assistant Manager for Marlex Petroleum from 1981-1983.

In April 2001, Utu was named one of the "Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year" by the American Public Works Association. In the same year, he was named Vice Chair of the Pacific Power Association (PPA). He later became the acting chairman of the PPA in 2002 where he was chosen for a full two-year term as chairman of the PPA while still the ASPA boss.

Utu, representing ASPA, is a board member of the PPA, whose office is based in Fiji, according to the PPA website (ppa.org.fj).

Utu earned a bachelor's degree with a double major in chemistry and English from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa in 1970. In 1973 he received a master's degree in physical chemistry from Iowa State University of Science & Technology in Ames, Iowa. In 1976 he received two separate master's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh in Civil Engineering and Public Works Administration.

Samoa News expresses our condolences to the Utu and Malae family in their time of grief. Funeral services are pending.