The territory farewelled and paid tribute to Mrs Pohakalani Mauga, wife of Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga yesterday afternoon at a memorial service at Lee Auditorium.
A word that was repeatedly used by church ministers, those who gave eulogies, as well as her husband of more than 25 years, to sum up Mrs. Pohakalani Dawn Mauga, was love.
Play Audio love
It was a sad but at the same time uplifting memorial service at the Lee Auditorium yesterday afternoon.
There were tears but also laughter.
Tears when Lemanu talked about he and his sons feeling helpless when his wife and mother of their sons cried because of the pain from her illness and all they could do was massage, give her pills and injections, and pray.
He said though she is gone, they thank God that she’s now resting.
Tears at seeing photos of a beautiful and healthy mother, grandmother and wife, with a beautiful smile, now gone from his earth.
Laughter at a husband and father’s personal reflection of moving back home with a Hawaiian wife used to stateside way of life with all the amenities of modern living to a simple and easy Samoan household that did not offer what she was used to…
And tupe or money being one of the first Samoan words that Poha learned, when Lemanu’s mother and aunt would ask Poha for money for bingo.
She thinking they were borrowing….her inlaws presuming she understood the Samoan version of borrowing.
Lemanu said he expected the Hawaiian woman to tell him to move back to the mainland but she persevered out of love for him, first and then his children.
Laughter at when Rev. Solomona Faiva cautioned Lemanu about making a wise decision if he were to re marry.
There was also respect and admiration as was evident in the eulogy by First Lady Cynthia Moliga.
Play Audio Poha cindy
Vicar General Viane Etuale who gave the sermon said Mrs. Pohakalani Mauga ‘s impact as a teacher went beyond the boundaries of her family, and students.
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Mrs. Pohakalani Mauga was 54 years old. She is survived by her husband, Lemanu Peleti Mauga, three sons and two grandchildren.
She will be laid to rest in Honolulu,
Play AudioClosing prayer
