Tunumafono Apelu Aiavao (1931 — 3 June 2021)[1] was a Samoan journalist, editor, writer, and educator. He was editor of the government-owned Savali newspaper from 1979 to 2000 and the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa run Sulu Samoa from 2007 — 2018, and authored several volumes of short stories.

Aiavao was from Sataoa and was educated at Samoa College.[1] In 1953 he was the first Samoan to pass the New Zealand School Certificate examination.[1] He later studied in New Zealand, where he obtained a Teacher's Certificate, and returned to Samoa to become a teacher.[1] After teaching at Samoa College, where he edited the school's first publication, he became principal of Palauli Primary School.[2] He subsequently worked as government Chief Information Officer and editor of the government-owned Savali newspaper from 1979 to 2000.[3] After retiring from that position he edited the Congregational Christian Church Samoa's Sulu Samoa from 2007, finally retiring in 2018.[4] He was awarded the Head of State's Service Medal in the 2017 Samoa Honours and Awards.[3][1]

Aiavao published several volumes of short stories, some of which were adapted for radio broadcast.[4]

Aiavao died in June 2021 and received a state funeral.[2]

Works

  • E vaetulī le fale Sāmoa 'a 'o le fa'asinomaga : afemata tunumafono (2004)
  • O tala faafagogo tautaua a le lalolagi (1996)
  • Maunu mai loimata o 'Apa'ula (1987)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi (3 June 2021). "Long-serving editor, story teller passes away". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 "State funeral held to bid farewell to Samoa's longest serving journalist". Loop Samoa. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  3. 1 2 Sarafina Sanerivi (5 February 2017). "Samoa pays tribute to pioneers". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  4. 1 2 Lagi Keresoma (24 December 2018). "Veteran Editor and story teller Tunumafono Apelu Aiavao finally retires at 85 years old". The World News. Retrieved 5 September 2021.


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