Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A final farewell to American Samoa Meteorologist Leilua Mase Akapo, longtime American Samoa meteorologist, a post he held for decades until his retirement. 

Leilua was the face of every major natural disaster including some of the most memorable Hurricane Ofa, Tusi and Val to tropical cyclones, floods and the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 2009. 

We all tuned in as he kept the public informed. 

He was both the trust and the calm of American Samoa during such times. Manuia lau malaga Mr. Akapo Akapo, as he was known to many of us. 

Heartfelt condolences to his children and family from the local community and Samoa News.