Biography
Passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in Pago Pago, American Samoa on Sunday, November 27, 2016. Born November 29, 1921 in Gataivai, Samoa, Vaiao served in the USMC and attended Lahainaluna HS. He went on to receive a Bachelor's degree McPherson College in Kansas (1950) and a Master's degree American University in Washington, DC (1952) where he met and married his beloved lifelong partner, Dr. Fay Gilkey Calkins (deceased 2010).
Vaiao returned to American Samoa to serve as Personnel Director for the American Samoa Government and established a 300-acre plantation in Samoa. In 1962 became the first Public Service Commissioner of the newly independent state.
In 1964, Vaiao and Fay moved to Honolulu as East West Center research fellows. Vaiao served as Co-Chairman, State Council on Samoan Heritage and as a Samoan Methodist lay preacher. He served as a Community Organization Specialist and an instructor at the Honolulu Community College. He also served as an Adult Correction Officer and Counselor for the State of Hawaii before retiring to Samoa in 1986.
Elected to Parliament in 1988, his ministerial portfolio included Public Works; Justice, Labor and Public Service; Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister before retiring from politics in 1996 to complete research on "Our Ancestors." and pre-European Samoan chiefdoms.
At his passing, Vaiao held four prominent high chief titles: Amituana'i, Leiataualesa, and Fuimaono. He is survived by 7 children, 22, grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Memorial service celebrating his life were held at LBJ Hospital Chapel in American Samoa, Wesley United Methodist Church in Hawaii and Matafele Methodist Church in Samoa
