A long time Director of Agriculture, a former chairman of the Board of Higher Education, an author and entrepreneur, Tauiliili Leiataua Taulapapa Pemerika, passed away August 19 after a long battle with cancer. He was 89.
Tauiliili served as Director of Agriculture for over 30 years and was also director of the Land Grant Program at the American Samoa Community College. The Land Grant Building is named after him.
He was also a member and chairman of the Board of Higher Education during his retirement years.
Tauiliili was a devoted member of the Susana Uesele Methodist Church in Tafuna, as well as the Salamumu Tai Methodist Church in Samoa. He was a long serving member of the Methodist Church’s Standing Committee and remained on the committee up to his passing.
Tauiliili was also a song writer and collaborated with well known composer and songwriter Namulauulu Dr. Paul Pouesi in compiling a Methodist hymn book.
He was also an entrepreneur. In his retirement years, he ventured into producing noni juice, lemongrass essential oils and frozen packed breadfruit.
And he authored more than four children’s books, written in both English and Samoan, and two volumes on Samoan cultural practices and language (Anoafale o le Gagana). These publications have been used in classrooms and households in American Samoa and the US mainland.
In his early 20’s, Tauiliili served in the US Navy then attended the University of Hawaii majoring in Agriculture before returning home to become Director of Agriculture. He helped with projects such as the market in Fagatogo and raising cattle in, what is now, the golf course in Iliili. He later earned his Masters Degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University.
Tauiliili passed away at his home in Tafuna surrounded by his family. His funeral service will be held at the Susana Uesele Church, Tafuna at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 31.
He is survived by his wife Sylvia, five children, 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. KHJ News extends deepest condolences to them for their loss.
