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The Polynesian Cowboy is riding off into the sunset. Aliimau Jr. Scanlan passes away in Seattle.

One of American Samoa's best known musicians and recording artists, Aliimau Jr Scanlan, passed away in Seattle this morning.

His sister Mary Scanlan Anderson says Aliimau had been unwell for some time and had gone off island for treatment about a month ago.

Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde, a third cousin and a fellow musician, says Aliimau was one of the territory's musical greats.

Fagafaga Daniel Lankilde stated, "He was one of those entertainers that dared to be different from everyone else. While everyone was playing pop and rock and roll, Jr played country and western which earned him the nickname Polynesian Cowboy as everyone knows."

Aliimau JR Scanlan of Fagatogo and Malaeimi, one of American Samoa’s best known musicians and recording artists passed away in Seattle Washington this morning.
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His sister Mary Scanlan Anderson said Aliimau died at the home of his daughter Steffani around 2 am Seattle time.

Aliimau was one of nine children of the late Mulipola Herbert Scanlan and High chief Tiumalu Sia Scanlan of the famous Herb & Sia’s Motel in Fagatogo.

The family motel was the center of Polynesian entertainment with the Scanlan family band and dance troupe in the 1970’s and early 80’s. .

Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde, a third cousin and a fellow musician said Ali’imau was one of the territory’s music legends.

Mary Anderson said her brother had been unwell for some time and had periodically gone off island for treatment.

She said Aliimau left the island just over a month ago for a check up.

A few weeks ago his doctors told him that he did not have much time left.

Fagafaga was one of the people that Aliimau called to say good bye.

That was on Good Friday.

Aliimau’s public service includes being Chief of Staff for former Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, a former Director of Commerce for ASG, a special assistant to Governor AP. Lutali and chairman of the American Samoa Democratic Party.

Aliimau was also on the staff of KVZK TV in the mid 1970’s .

He was a proud Fagatogoan and sang about his village in a few of his recordings.

Aliimau is survived by his wife Susan, children and grandchildren, his mother Tiumalu, brothers and sisters.

Our deepest condolences to Aliimau ‘s family for their loss.

World Class Weight Lifter George Lealiifano passes away in car accident

SOUTH BEND — On the outside, his tremendous size and strength may have seemed intimidating, but to anyone who knew George Lealiifano, that hulking frame couldn't hide his gentle spirit for long.

Family and friends this weekend are paying tribute to Lealiifano, a Samoa native and former world-class weightlifter who was well known in the South Bend area as an outgoing ambassador of Polynesian culture, after he died in a crash Wednesday morning in LaGrange County.

In Lealiifano's memory, his family Saturday is carrying on with his Fourth of July luau, a tradition that started a decade ago as a small gathering for close friends and family and quickly grew to become a yearly neighborhood staple at his Battles Street home.

Proceeds from this year's luau will go to Lealiifano's wife, Kathleen Kennach, and their five children. Lealiffano was less known by his legal name, Hoffman G. Kennach.

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"The Samoan culture itself really helped bond him and his family," Lealiifano's brother, Chester Heather, said. "The luau was his baby. He was so excited to introduce Polynesian culture to his friends."

Lealiifano, 45, grew up in the village of Leone, American Samoa. He met Kathy, a Notre Dame graduate, when she was placed in Leone as a volunteer teacher, and he followed her back to South Bend a year later, in 1994.

As a powerlifter, Lealiifano bench-pressed 646 pounds in competition — a world record for drug-free competitive lifting in 2003 — and once was reported to have benched 700 pounds. In 2002, he told The Tribune he came to the United States weighing 160 pounds and started lifting weights as a way to fight homesickness.

Through his involvement in weightlifting, sports and security work at area bars and clubs, Lealiifano befriended thousands of people, said Amy Burris, a family friend. As an example of his influence, Burris said, fellow weightlifters from as far away as New Zealand are flying in to South Bend to pay their respects.

"He had a very magnetic personality, so everybody was family," she said.

Lealiifano, who grew to carry 276 pounds on his 5-foot-7 frame, was known as a gigantic but kindhearted bouncer at the bars.

"He looks intimidating, but his heart is just pure," Heather said.

Heather said Lealiifano was also a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He attended the Mormon ward in South Bend.

His friends are still trying to come to terms with the loss.

Hoffman Kennach, also known as George Lealiifano, was attempting to pass a semi when he was involved in a multivehicle accident.

He was not wearing a seat belt

Kennach held several fitness world records and was a power lifting world champion.

He could bench press over 700 pounds.

"He was definitely an icon,” said Luis Ruiz.

Ruiz was a teammate of Lealiifano.

They power-lifted regularly at Michiana Workout Company to train for competitions.

"The guy just reeked of positivity whenever you talked to him,” said Ruiz.

When his team found out that 'Big George,' as he's affectionately known, had been killed in a car crash, they were devastated.

"Disbelief, I thought it was a nightmare. I really thought it was a joke,” said David Boutsomsy.

Boutsomsy says Big George was an inspiration and he can't believe he's gone.

"He speaks highly of everybody, it's a loss. I don't think you can every replace somebody of that magnitude,” said Boutsomsy.

While his records for power-lifting are what he is known for, Thomas Davis says Big George will be remembered as someone who competed the right way.

"Some guys take steroids and whatnot but he did it naturally. All he did was eat his chicken and get up under the bar and do it,’ said Davis.

Davis says Big George is someone he aspires to be like. And his team hopes to win a power-lifting championship in his honor.

"I'm going to try to excel like he did as well, not just on the platform but as a family man as well,” said Davis.

REP. LEMAPU SUIAUNOA TALO PASSES AWAY ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

Representative Lemapu Suiaunoa Talo [Samoa News file photo]

By Joyetter Feagaimaalii-Luamanu
joy@samoanews.com

Lawmakers are still trying to come to terms with the recent passing of their colleague Representative Lemapu Suiaunoa Talo from Masefau, Sua County #2, who passed away Wednesday afternoon at the LBJ hospital.

According to his close friends, Lemapu was admitted to the hospital a few days after the November 4th election. He was in a coma and remained at the hospital until his passing this week. An educator by profession, in a previous legislature Lemapu chaired the House Education Committee.

Lemapu would have been serving his fourth term as faipule.

Tualauta faipule Larry Sanitoa expressed sorrow at losing a distinguished colleague, noting “Representative Lemapu and I entered the Fono the same time to serve our respective districts in 2009. I have come to know him as a very humble man, effective and a intelligent legislator full of love and pride for his village of Masefau and especially his beloved district.”

Sanitoa said it had truly been a privilege and honor for him to have worked alongside him on several important pieces of legislation benefiting their respective districts and the territory.

“My thoughts and prayers are with wife his Sima, the children, his family and his beloved district,” said Sanitoa.

The other Tualauta faipule, Vui Florence Saulo labeled Lemapu as a true servant of the people saying he was man who loved his District dearly and never forgot why he was in the Fono. “I have always admired him for his fighting spirit to improve the lives of his constituents as well as the overall welfare of the people of American Samoa. His many years as an educator became evident during his time in the Fono as he was a firm believer in the improvement of education in all areas, especially when it came to the health and well-being of the children”

In 2012 Lemapu sponsored a bill to increase the age at which females may marry. He said at the time the current age of 14 was enacted in 1962, but times have changed since then and that is the reason he introduced the amendment. He said 14-years of age is too young to be married because the youngster’s mind is not yet mature enough to make the many decisions faced by a mother in caring for a young infant.

The bill did not make it out of committee.

“It was an honor and a pleasure to have had the chance to know and to work with him. He was a great colleague and a dear friend. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him,” Vui said.

Samoa News expresses deepest condolences to the mourning family.

- See more at: http://samoanews.com/content/en/rep-lemapu-suiaunoa-talo-passes-away-new-year’s-eve#sthash.0OmDrbAN.dpuf

AFIMUTASI GUS HANNEMAN PASSES AWAY

By Fili Sagapolutele
fili@samoanews.com

American Samoa Government’s Hawai’i Office director Afimutasi Gus Hannemann, passed away late Friday night at Straub Clinic in Honolulu, with his wife by his side. Afimutasi was 78 and the cause of death will be released later by the hospital.

Afimutasi’s wife of many years, Lydia told Samoa News from Honolulu that the “biggest joy for my husband is to help people and he never shied away when asked for help, especially when there is a disaster.”

As a member of the Samoan community in Hawai’i, Afimutasi was sought out many times by Honolulu news organizations for comments when it comes to issues pertaining to Samoans in the U.S. or in American Samoa.

This was evident after the September 2009 tsunami when he was constantly interviewed by Hawai’i reporters for any updates from the territory before a military flight was allowed to land in Pago Pago bringing U.S. reporters. He also spearheaded relief efforts for American Samoa and Samoa reaching out to his friends in the corporate world for donations.

Prior to being appointed by Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga to head the ASG office in Hawai’i, Afimutasi has been involved for many years recruiting students from American Samoa to attend the federal Job Corps program - first in the Waimanalo, Hawaii and later at other Job Corps Centers in Hawai’i and the U.S. mainland.

Afimutasi ran for political office in American Samoa during the 1992 general election and served one two-year term in the House of Representatives for Ituau County. He was, however, unsuccessful in his re-election bid the following year and even tried unsuccessful for American Samoa’s seat in the U.S. House.

Funeral services are pending and Samoa News extends our condolence to the Hannemann family. More details as they become available.

- See more at: http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/afimutasi-gus-hannemann-passes-away#sthash.kJ67GtdR.dpuf

Musician Kelemete Wright passes away suddenly in Los Angeles, CA.

Kelemete Wright was found at his home in Long Beach, CA April 17, 2015 where he had passed away in his sleep. The cause of death was Heart Attack.

He is survived by his daughter Mamele Ane Wright who is married to Sosaia Pua and his siblings who include brother Ottley Wright married to Traci, Nebraska; sister Veli Fua married to Junior, Auckland NZ; sister Sharon Vaega married to Sinapati, Auckland NZ, brother George Wright married to Tusigafa, Lotopa Samoa; Sister Dorothy Raigans married to Marc, San Pedro CA,
sister Rhonda Tuafoe married to Paul, Auckland NZ;
sister Lily Kaio married to Leo living in Lotopa Samoa;
and sister Juanita Aitu married to Jacob, Santa Ana CA.

He was born Apia, Samoa on January 12, 1962 at Motootua Hospital. He was the eldest son of his parents: (both deceased) Father: Kelemete Lauvao Wright of Luatuanu'u, Upolu and his Mother was Mamele Su'a Wright of Sataua, Savai'i

Kelemete attended Pesega Elementary School; graduated from CCWS in 1978, then left for BYU-H right after.
He attended BYU Hawaii until he moved to Los Angeles in 1982.

Kelemete was well known in the music circles from Apia to the East Coast of the USA. He was well known for playing the piano and yet he also was a great guitarist and bassist. He played all styles from Samoan to Jazz. He was also a song writer. While at BYU Hawaii he wrote a number of songs which included the song that won the BYU Hawaii Club Song Competition in 1980. While at BYU Hawaii he was also a member of a band called TNT.

In 1982 he moved to Los Angeles, CA where he continued to play music and eventually was recruited to be a musician in a Polynesian Dancing troupe that toured throughout Canada and the East Coast. He eventually married and had a daughter, his pride and joy Mamele. He was a musician for a number of very popular Polynesian performers including Doug Alii Slade and Duke Galea'i performed in Florida, New York, Connecticut, Utah and many other States.

Kelly's final services are on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the LDS Chapel: 6979 Orange Ave, Long Beach, 90805 at 9am -10am will be the Viewing, 10am - 11am will be the Family Service. 11:30am - 12:30pm the Bishop's Service will be held. After the Bishop's Service, he will be buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery: 1500 E. San Antonio Dr. Long Beach, CA 90807.

Paul Patu passes away in Seattle, WA.

Paul Patu shown here with his family.

By Suluama T. Vivolo

Our own honorable Public Servant & member of Samoa Speaks, Director for the Seattle School District. Betty Patu's husband ‘Paul’ Patu, third Eldest son to my Uncle Pila Patu of Vaiala Samoa & Pago, Pago Tutuila Am/Samoa. South Pacific Islander advocate, dies at age 70 on February 24, 2015. My first cousin, Von Paul Patu has passed away. I'd like to take this opportunity to say my Epic heartfelt Condolences to you my dearest sister Betty Patu, the children & your grandchildren, for more than 30 years I have known you, endorsed you to run for our City Counsel & my cousin Paul Patu as your #1 Supporter at your side.

Paul was the husband of the Director of the Seattle School District, Betty Patu

You've been documented and well received by the School District as exceptional. Your path to this seat was not easy but since you have been in office your work has been influential in raising the proficiency level of the Seattle School District both you & Paul Patu alone own this Seat to help our Polynesian Community. You have touched so many of our Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Hawaiian & all Poly/Islands Students lives from Elementary, up to High School as well as College level. You have influenced, ingrained, touched & have impacted so many children's Lives in our Washington Community. Malo Tau o le Taua. Maua i le Lagi sou Nofoaga Tumau ma ou Manuia. Rest In Love my Dear cousin, till we Meet again. Alofaaga e le Uma mo o'e le Tuagane. Fa'afetai ma ia Soifua.

Respectfully signed by Suluama Teresa Patu Laumea-Vivolo & family.