Ads by Google Ads by Google

Community Briefs

ASG TREASURER’S FUNERAL THIS WEEKEND IN UTAH

 

Funeral services for the late ASG Treasurer Dr. Falema’o ‘Phil’ M. Pili are set for later this week in Orem, Utah. They will be held at the LDS Chapel there, at 1075 South Geneva Road on Friday, June 27 from 6-8pm (visitation), with the funeral on Saturday, June 28 at 10a.m according to a family notice.

 

Pili passed away peacefully in Utah on June 19, surrounded by all those who loved him deeply. He was 69 years old, the family notes.

 

“His mortal experience was a labor of love. His love for God identified him. His work dignified him. His love for family sustained him. His love for culture and others motivated him. His actions spoke volumes of his character. His dignity never questioned. He was a man of God,” the family says.

 

Pili was born in humble circumstances on May 15, 1945 to Matina and Tusaga Pili in American Samoa. When he was eight years old, his father died. After his father’s death, his mother moved his family to the U.S.

 

“A good work ethic and a sense of responsibility were instilled in him at a very early age,” the family said, adding that Pili went on to marry the love of his life, his first wife Vickie Jane Lua. Falema’o and Vickie had seven beautiful children —Pursonna, Paula, Falema’o Jr., Priscilla, Pennylyn, Pam, and Fa’aifoauolelagi.

 

“His role as a father and husband was foremost and was never taken for granted. His family loved and revered him. Vickie passed away and two years later Falema’o was fortunate to find love a second time marrying Alice ‘Ali’ Goetz in 2004.

 

“Education was important to him, and he always encouraged his children to reach higher levels of learning. Even at the age of 59, he fulfilled a lifetime goal to earn his PhD. In addition to traditional educational pursuits he earned a 3rd degree black belt in Shotokan karate.

 

“His dedication and love for God was evidenced by the way he served others and in the way he lived. He served as a Stake President twice for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for a total of eighteen years. He also served as a Bishop and Regional Representative, along with countless other callings throughout his life. He was serving as the Patriarch for the Pago West Stake at the time of his death.

 

“He is survived by his second wife, Ali, his seven children, 24 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, a brother, a sister and one step-daughter. Dr. Falema’o “Phil” Pili will truly be missed by all who knew him,” the family said.

 

TAOA RESPONSE TO COMPLAINT ON “EMPLOYMENT” PROGRAM

 

Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) senior official Tafia Taimalelagi last week responded to complaints received by Samoa News from senior citizens regarding the TAOA ‘employment’ program for seniors.

 

Samoa News received phone calls as well as three separate Samoan letters to the editor — all targeting the same issue. For example, one elderly mother who is 68 years old wrote her letter to the editor saying that she is aware of two women, both 55 years old, working under the ‘employment program’, which is only for seniors who are 65 years and over.

 

Another mother, age 63, complained that if TAOA is trying to push away from the federally funded program those over the age of 65, this means that such a move is not in compliance with spending of federal money for TAOA.

 

A male senior citizen complained in his letter to the editor that the TAOA management should provide to them a through explanation as to why those who are 55  are working in the employment program.

 

When asked for an explanation, Taimalelagi said the interpretation of the age of who should be employed at the program is incorrect. She says all those seniors who are age 55 and over do qualify to work under this program — for a four-year period.

 

After that, TAOA looks at the waiting list and places people into employment who have been on the waiting list.

 

Additionally, after the four-year period, the senior citizen can put in a request for another four-years.

 

Currently there are 147 seniors employed under the “employment program” where seniors work just four hours a day. This program is separate from those seniors — age 60 and over — employed under the cooked food program where they work at the centers for food distribution.

 

Taimalelagi apologized to seniors if there was a miscommunication from the TAOA main office, which caused confusion about the age of those who qualify to work in the employment program.

 

(Original Samoan version of this story was published in last Saturday’s To'asavili edition).

 

MARITIME EDUCATION PROGRAM SUGGESTED BY ECON TASK FORCE

 

The task force who came up with the territory’s Economic Development Implementation Plan has recommended a maritime education program in American Samoa.

 

According to the task force, jobs are abundant on commercial vessels, particularly when more decide to use American Samoa as their home base. “This creates more opportunities for local employment on island particularly when high paying positions like captains, engineers or navigators are made available.”

 

To support this activity, the task force recommends a trade school or a maritime school home based in American Samoa to promote this industry and suggests that the U.S. Coast Guard could help with this development on the maritime end.

 

Samoa News should point out that just recently, twenty local residents — including those from the Department of Port Administration — have been attending a U.S. Coast Guard certified maritime training course, which began on June 10 for two and half weeks.

 

Organized by locally based Pacific Marine Services & Maritime Training, the program is conducted by instructors from the Honolulu-based Maritime License Center, and was organized by locally based Pacific Marine Services & Maritime Training. The course trains participants to be licensed as captains for 100 ton and 200 ton vessels. They will also receive a UPV or Uninspected Passenger Vehicle license. A UPV license allows the licensed operator to carry up to six paying passengers.

 

The training also included those from the private sector — mainly boat operators for Aunu’u and the Manu’a islands.