THS educator, Elisaia Ma'ilo, wins prestigious Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of the Year Award
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A dedicated educator at Tafuna High School, Elisaia Ma'ilo, has been named the 2025 American Samoa Gilder Lehrman History Teacher of

!["It's an incredible honor to be recognized for something that I love doing," said Ma'ilo, reflecting on the award. "Teaching history isn't just about dates and facts; it's about understanding the stories that have shaped who we are today. [courtesy photo] Elisaia Ma'ilo](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/elisaia_mailo.jpeg?itok=08fqOaSA)
![The "Simply Ono" Food Truck served impending tsunami evacuees at Kaiser High School parking lot on 7/29/25 at 8pm. The customer and cashier are learning from their phones that ocean waters are receding at Haliewa and Kailua Bay in Oahu, Hawaii. The state of Hawaii was on alert for a tsunami after an 8.7- magnitude earthquake off Russia yesterday. An emergency alert was issued by the National Weather Service around 1:30 p.m. — effective at 0243 PM HST. [Photo by Barry Markowitz, 7/29/25, 8pm] Simply Ono food truck](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/img_0638.jpg?itok=RY5lVClp)





![The Samoa government says the fala plants trap water and breed mosquitoes and villagers have been asked to remove the decorative plant, as it contributes to the spread of dengue fever. According to the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) Aufa’i Alan Aiolupotea, bromeliads, although attractive, have become a serious concern. [Photo: Junior S. Ami] children looking at fala plant](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/fala_plants.jpeg?itok=YKSbozPB)

