ASCC HOLDS TSUNAMI REMEMBRANCE

by James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer

“We want our students to know that even though this was a tragic event we all can join together to get through anything,” said Mrs. Tiare Tupua, former Administrative Assistant with the American Samoa College Research Foundation (ASCRF) based at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), as she explained the Tsunami Remembrance held by the Foundation Student Association on Monday, September 29.

At the front entrance to ASCC, Association members gave students and faculty the opportunity to sign a placard commemorating the tragic event of 2009, while also celebrating American Samoa’s resilient spirit by distributing hundreds of homemade cupcakes and offering free face and body paintings of hearts in the color purple, which Association member Rinna Vollrath described as “the color of hope”.

“Our vision at the Foundation is to inspire giving and partnership with the community to support ASCC and its students,” elaborated Tupua.

“The Foundation Association may not have unlimited resources, but they do have big hearts and we want their fellow students to know that they’re ready and willing to help out,” she said.

“Now in its third semester the Association assists the ASCRF in its mission by promoting the American Samoa Community College’s programs and services while working directly with all students. The club members act as ambassadors of the Foundation and work with their fellow students to create opportunities such as transferring off-island and helping students find resources to meet their needs.”

While the free cupcakes and face paintings served as an incentive to attract student attention, Tupua and several of the Association members explained that the underlying idea of the Tsunami Remembrance was the importance of community spirit.

“The Foundation Club members learning to give back to their community through activities such as this,” said Tupua. “Raising awareness about what happened, and remembering how we all can be affected by events like the tsunami serves as a reminder of how important it is to come together and work together.”

For Visual Arts Major and Association Vice President Manufanua Thomas, the event highlighted the club’s commitment to community involvement. “We want people to remember that if anyone needs moral support or support of any kind, our club will do what we can to help,” said Thomas. Liberal Arts major Anna Iosefo, who serves as the Association Secretary, emphasized the importance of gleaning a positive lesson from a negative experience. “The community should remember the 2009 tsunami because it was a tragic event for us — and we can learn from it,” said Iosefo. “Although we cannot prevent tsunamis from occurring, we can limit the amount of damage they inflict by being better prepared.”

While the Foundation Association had not intended the Tsunami Remembrance as a fundraising event, they did have a small donation jar which, to their surprise, garnered enough contributions for them to make a modest donation to the local Red Cross. “It’s about working together with others, collaborating, networking and just being a part of the community,” reflected Tupua. “We hope our Tsunami Remembrance helps promote what it is that the Foundation would like to do, and in turn encourages the community to give back, to assist in our continued efforts.”

The ASCRF worked in collaboration with the Division of Student Services and the Student Government Association of ASCC to facilitate the Tsunami Remembrance. For more information on the ASCRF, contact Director Matesina Willis at 699-9155, extension 301.

ROTARY CLUB OF PAGO PAGO & HAWAIIAN AIRLINES MEMORIAL

At the memorial dedicated in 2011 in Lions Park as a joint community project of Hawaiian Airlines and the Rotary Club of Pago Pago with the support of the Department of Parks and Recreation, the families affected by the tsunami of September 29, 2009 and those who lost their lives in the tragedy were remembered last weekend.

Lt. Governor Lemanu P. Mauga was one of the special guests on Saturday during the Memorial Remembrance Service hosted by Rotary Club of Pago Pago and Hawaiian Airlines for the victim’s immediate family members at the Tsunami Memorial Family Picnic Shelter at the Pala Lagoon park area in Tafuna.

The public was invited to join the annual memorial service, where people are invited to give testimony to their lost family and friends in the disaster. Human and Social Services Department also supported the service as part of the National Recovery and Wellness Healing for September 2014.

Opening the ceremony was Tupumanaia Galu Satele, with the invocation by Rev. Ulu. Utu Abe Malae, president of the Rotary Club of Pago Pago welcomed families and friends to the ceremony on behalf of his club and Hawaiian Airlines, represented by Sia Burgos. Lt. Gov. Lemanu P. Mauga gave special remarks.

The names of the 34 confirmed victims were read by Tina Ta'aga from the Alliance for Strengthening Families.

LEONE HEALING GARDEN

Leone residents gathered to remember the victims of the 2009 earthquake and tsunami at the shoreline for a candlelight ceremony this past weekend. 

Those who lost loved ones in Leone during the September 2009 tsunami were joined by the Leone Village Council, government officials, families and friends of the eleven victims to re-dedicate the Leone Healing Garden Sunday afternoon.

Leone each year conducts a ceremony of floating lantern candles in remembrance of the victims of the Sept 29, 2009 tsunami.