High Talking Chief Velega Savali Savali of Ofu, Manu’a and Iliili, passed away Friday evening at the age of 72.
Velega was an outspoken and independent individual who called a spade and spade and not afraid to take on the establishment.
His criticisms of government leaders and their decision making made him popular with the general public.
The last position that Velega held in government was as Chief Election Officer in the Lolo Lemanu cabinet.
However he stepped down before the first year was over saying that there was nothing much for him to do in that position.
He served as senator for Ofu and Olosega and had a brief stint as treasurer under the Togiola Faoa administration.
In the 2008 general elections, Velega had an unsuccessful run as the lt. governor candidate for candidate for Governor Afoa Moega Lutu.
He was one of the longest serving Legislative Financial Officers for the Fono, was vice president of the Development Bank of American Samoa, was administrator for the High Court, a manager at Human Resources, and also head of the Office of Motor Vehicles.
He was also a key staffer for Congressman Fofo Sunia in Washington D.C. for many years.
His education was at Ofu, Papatea Junior High and the High School of American Samoa and he graduated from Radford High School in Honolulu.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and business administration from California State University, Los Angeles.
Velega was also an avid golfer and was on American Samoa’s gold medial winning teams at South Pacific Games.
He was a deacon of the CCCAS.
Only those who knew him well are aware of Velega’s unselfish giving for many community causes.
His name is always on the list of donors for Hope House, Special Olympics, school and sports fundraisings.
Relatives also talk about how he has helped people he had no ties to who were ill treated by their immigration sponsors.
Even after he left government service Velega was a avid news connoisseur and would offer comments, both solicited and unsolicited, about government leaders and what they were up to,
And he was not one to ask for anonymity.
Velega is survived by his wife Leleiga Esera Savali, two daughters and two sons and several grandchildren.
Our sincere condolences for their loss.
