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Govt and friends gather to remember Mike Sala

Poster of Mike Sala
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — KVZK-TV live streamed the memorial service for the late High Chief Tualamasala Michael Ryner Sala held Monday afternoon at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, which was attended by Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga and First Lady Ella, as well as by family members, friends, cabinet directors, and members of the Lions Club of Pago Pago.

Born on Sept. 29, 1944 in Avaio village in American Samoa, the former director of the local Homeland Security Department (ASDHS), passed away on Jan. 17, 2022 in Portland, Oregon.

At the time of his passing, he was serving as the President of the Pacific Consultants Services, a private agency that offers security, management, investigation, collection, grant application and  international technology assistance, according to the House Concurrent Resolution read during the memorial service and then presented to Tualamasala’s family.

Tualamasala’s “infectious smile and presence will be missed by all who knew and benefitted from him.  His passion and accomplishments for the protection of the American Samoa will be difficult to emulate, but his legacy will live on in his family and all who knew him,” according to the resolution, which details his life of public and community service.

The resolution conveys the deepest condolences of the Legislature and the people of American Samoa to the bereaved Sala family on the passing of Tualamasala and pays its highest tribute to his extensive and dedicated service to the people of American Samoa.

In addition to his government service, he served his community. “He was an active lifetime member and Charter President of the Lion’s Club in American Samoa.  He joined the Boy Scouts of American Samoa in 1964 and is an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, American Samoa District Committee under the Aloha Counsel in Honolulu where he has served as chairman for the last 17 years,” according to his bio provided by his family.

Some members of the Lions Club of Pago Pago pose for a photo, with a large photo on the screen behind them of the late High Chief Tualamasala Michael Ryner Sala as well as a bigger than life poster, at Gov. Rex Lee Auditorium, where Tualamasala’s memorial service was held Monday afternoon. Tualamasala, who passed away on Jan. 17 in Portland, Oregon is a lifetime member and Charter President of the Lion’s Club in American Samoa. This photo was on the Lions Club of Pago Pago’s Facebook page. [photo: Lions Club Facebook]

He retired as the first ASDHS director and is a veteran law enforcement and public safety officer with over 40 years of experience.  He has been recognized locally, within the Pacific Region and by the U.S. federal community for his outstanding and invaluable contribution to enhance law enforcement services and protection of the people of American Samoa. 

Tualamasala is survived by his children, Jennifer Rebecca Sala Jones and Matthew Michael Sala, and his grandchildren: Olivia, Malia and Betty Merleann.

Samoa News extends condolences to the grieving family.

This photo posted on the Lions Club of Pago Pago’s Facebook page shows a display of photographs of the late, High Chief Tualamasala Michael Ryner Sala during his memorial service Monday afternoon at the Gov. H Rex Lee Auditorium. Tualamasala passed away Jan. 17 in Portland, Oregon.  [photo: Lions Club Facebook]

Click on attachment to dowload full family biography.