A senior park ranger of the National Park of American Samoa, Fuiava Bert Fuiava, left last night with his family for another opportunity with the National Park Service.
After 13 years as Manu’a park ranger, Fuiava is joining the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada.
A native of Faleasao, Manu’a, Fuiava is a graduate of Manu’a High School, holds an A.A. degree from ASCC, a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a Masters degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and University.
“The National Park of American Samoa has been very lucky to have Bert as an employee and leader during his time here,” said Scott Burch, Superintendent of the National Park of American Samoa. “His excellent work ethic, dedication to public service, focus on safety and commitment to preserving and protecting the natural resources of American Samoa for future generations has been an inspiration to us all.”
After working as a fishery biologist at DMWR, Fuiava joined the National Park in 2009 as a Marine Biological Technician and SCUBA Diver.
In 2020 he became the NPS Manu’a Ranger.
Bert holds the Matai High Talking Chief title Fuiava from the village of Faleasao, Manu’a.
Pua Tuaua, NPS Cultural Liaison, explains the value of Fuiava’s contribution to community relations. “The National Park of American Samoa has been very fortunate to have someone from the Manu’a islands who has the experience and knowledge of the culture like Fuiava. His communication skills have brought our partnerships with the villages of Manu’a that much closer,” said Tuaua. “It has been a privilege to work with him and I wish him all the best in his new job.”
Fuiava is a Deacon at the Christian Congregational Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) in Utulei, and is also a member of the CCCAS in Faleasao.
“I am very proud to have served our local communities and our people while working at the National Park of American Samoa for the past 13 years,” said Fuiava. “I am also honored to be a part of such an innovative group of people and beyond proud to be a member of our National Park aiga (family). Under the great leadership of Superintendent Scott Burch and others before him, I’ve accelerated to greater heights and done the impossible. This has brought me the confidence to move on and take the challenge of working at a larger park like Lake Mead NRA. I hope to return in the future and continue to serve our underserved communities.”
In his new role at Lake Mead NRA, Fuiava will serve as a Park Ranger, within the Interpretation and Education Branch under the Resource Management and Visitor Services Division.
Fuiava’s wife, Kimberly Lutu Fuiava, is a recent graduate of the Oceania University of Medicine where she received her degree in Doctor of Medicine (MD). She plans to apply for a medical doctor residency program in the U.S. on her path to being a U.S. licensed physician.
Kimberly is currently the Vice Chairperson for the non-profit organization, Agency for Better Living Endeavors (ABLE) which serves the community with a wide range of services. The most notable project that she contributed to is the Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Project in November.
