Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Like every professional journalist, Taafili “Fili” Sagapolutele never wanted to be the story. Sadly that is not the case today as our friend, colleague and mentor-to- many, passed away last week.

Her family is handling the funeral arrangements and a formal notice will follow when all details have been finalized in the coming week or so.

Here are some of the tributes we’ve received from her colleagues, friends and fans and a few of the nearly 100 messages on Facebook’s American Samoa Through the Years where you can read more posts.

MONICA MILLER ~

Still at a shock to hear that Fili is no longer with us. It’s a sad day for journalism. Fili contributed so much to keeping the people of American Samoa informed and her passing leaves a big void in our profession. Though we worked for different news organizations we’ve always helped each other with information.  

I would say we encouraged each other to stay the course and not give up despite the many challenges of reporting in such a small community.

I think Fili began at Samoa News nearly 30 years ago after working as a radio and tv reporter in Hawaii. She definitely was a gutsy journalist asking hard questions and covering controversial issues. And what I admired about Fili was that she was passionate about journalism. And she stayed in the profession. I know that she was offered jobs in government but she remained with Samoa News knowing the value of independent journalism in our small island.

Her byline didn’t just appear on Samoa News. Fili was also a correspondent for Associated Press and her name appeared in national news outlets and the foreign press via the  AP. She was also a stringer for Radio New Zealand.  

Fili was also a very talented broadcaster, and those who followed her Faleoo stories on KSBS would attest to Fili making them laugh with her funny tales.  And she would be the calming and informative voice for endless hours while we were awaiting a hurricane. 

She was also the life of the party with a wicked sense of humor as those of us who knew her well will remember. Everyone would have a Fili story. 

You were one of a kind Fili.  There’ll never be another you!

PATTY PAGE ~

There’s nothing that energizes a reporter like breaking news and the absolute model for composure in those times of stress was Fili.

I remember the night Tauese died and Fili insisted on sticking to protocol — you must have not one, but two confirmations on “anonymous” tips.  And she set about getting those confirmations.

Then there was the morning of the earthquake, I was at home and Fili and I were on the phone together as she described to me the tsunami coming into the harbor and fountaining water up through the main wharf.  Then she was out the door of Samoa News with her camera taking the first photos of the biggest story any of us were ever involved in. 

She was my go-to person for fact checking, with Fili around we didn't need an archive, she knew the facts of every one of her stories by heart.

Fili's spirit will always be in the Samoa News newsroom and we’re all better at what we do because of her example of journalistic ethics and diligence — not to mention when she dispensed her “tough love”.

She was my friend; my mentor, and I miss her.

TERI HUNKIN ~

Kalofae ia Fili. 

What a great loss to the community of American Samoa. 

She was an honest reporter, and dedicated to her craft.  She worked long hours with one thing in mind: to present the news of American Samoa clearly, without bias or opinion. 

She was a treasure in the world of Pacific news.

My deepest condolences to her family.  She will be missed.

LARRY SANITOA ~

My sincere condolences on the passing of our dear friend, Fili. Talofae, she was an awesome journalist and good friend.

May she rest in peace.

ABRAHAM R. KING ~

I am at a loss for words, but my emotions are overflowing.

Fili was my radio broadcast partner, a mentor, and a friend. She was the consummate reporter; professional and compassionate. Her news reports were often pick up by national and global news outlets. Fili’s command of the Samoan language was often sought after for translations and announcements.

We were always the go-team whenever a tropical storm hit the islands. Fili and I would broadcast throughout the storms, sometimes 24 hours straight, and sometimes without air-conditioning or lights, because the backup generator was focused on keeping the broadcasting equipment running. We made sure to keep everyone informed and up to date with all emergency announcements, road closures and shelter locations.

While I brought the levity, Fili brought the legitimacy to our broadcast. But as serious as Fili was, she had impeccable comedic timing. I still laugh at all of her "Fili's Faleo'o" stories, especially during the tropical storms.

You are missed deeply my friend. Ia manuia lau malaga, Fili. You can finally rest in your beautiful little faleo’o in Paradise.

OEY AMEPEROSA ~

Rest in love aunty Fili.

DAN AND RUTH MATAGI-TOFIGA ~

A good friend, sad to hear of your passing, professional journalist. Will definitely miss you, but I know you are resting safely with our Lord. Love you dear Fili.

CHERYLMOANAMARIE RIPLEY ~

May God open those Pearly Gates wide to honor you, Fili, home to your final destination…Fly high with God’s band of Heavenly Angels… Thank you for your dedication and service…Alofaaga ma faamaisega mo le aiga faanoanoa

ROBERTA BOBBIE HUFF-LAUSEN ~

So sad to hear this, Talofae.. always enjoyed listening to her on the radio, reading her write ups, seeing her getting to a news report… a smile and wave… ia Manuia lau Malaga Fili… thank you for all you have done for our island home.

TERRY CUSTODIO AUVA'A ~

Taafili Sagapolutele was a Journalist. She had the ability of taking an average news story and turning it into an Enthralling news piece. Her professionalism was so thorough that the staff of Samoa News was lectured on an almost daily basis by Fili regarding ethics.

She was adamant about fact checking, identifying sources, and not distorting facts. She refused any Managerial role offered but never backed down when she fought for a story.

Fili was our expert who never wanted the accolades. She was the first one in the office and usually the last to leave until her eyesight couldn’t handle driving at night.

She hated posing for photos. Anytime there was a staff group pic she would always try and hide in the back or be partially hidden.

But Fili had the kindest heart. Her bark really was louder than her bite. If you ever asked Fili for anything she would give her last dollar. But if you got on her bad side… we heard about it over a glass of wine. lol

She loved to hate us and hated to love us but her love showed through when any of us were in trouble. When my husband suffered a stroke 20+years ago she came to my house laden down with bags of groceries, threw it down into the front door and said “ take care of that man”. And walked back to her car.

I am absolutely devastated Fili that I didn’t get a chance to come visit you before I left for NZ and found out you had left us on the day I returned home.

May you rest in Peace and Love forever. It was an honor to know you as a true journalist and work colleague and a pleasure to have you as a friend.

Moe filemu . Alofa tele mo oe.

LEUA AIONO FROST ~

Where ever we are, we always get connected, yet now, the link is broken and will never be there again...

We thank you for our times of service together, but above all, we thank you for being the Voice of the Public that we represented through the years.

Your last 30 years of service to your people has been at Samoa News+ Media, We do miss you and will hardly find someone to fill that Void. From I and the sons and Daughters with their families, we bid you farewell... Always remember you as I continue to cover news of our people and their interests at heart.

“One of the things I knew about you, you tried your best to hide from photo-taking, while I am the opposite!"

We love you Fili Sagapolutele, we will always remember you and the good works we did together and the services you did through the years...

JOANNA TAVAI ~

Our dearest Fili, the one and only, such an honor to work alongside her during our days at Samoa News. Loved her wicked sense of humor and her work ethics. Rest in Love, our dear Fili.

AUSAGE FAUSIA ~

Fili was the type of person who loved to help everyone.

She was a professional through and through. She would always fight for truth. She always stood by her ethics. She treated everyone the same, whether you are the Governor of American Samoa or the janitor.

She had the biggest heart. 

JOYETTER FEAGAIMAALI ~

I knew Fili through familial ties in Lalomanu, but as a colleague, she was fearless, well-connected, and did not back down from any issue or anyone.

Fili believed that respect is earned, regardless of your social standard. She also mentored many of us in the media here in the territory.

You will be missed Fili, tafi mala lau faiga malaga.

JEFF HAYNER ~

I worked with Fili at Samoa News. She was very professional. She will be missed.

BEA TADEO GALZETO ~

Samoa News in 2015 was also memorable to me. I will never forget those days working with you and everyone. Especially when Nancy decided to leave the island, you were the one who's been helping me understand more about the news and the newsroom. Teaching me about journalism.

It is sad to hear the news about your passing, and it is hard to believe it. It is a shock for everyone. If only we know what life could bring us tomorrow. How I wish all of us should have planned a reunion. I now once again remembered how precious our lives were.

We all should live the life that we love and be happy. A life lesson I learned from you. Your passion and dedication in your work is also your life. You are happy with the career that you chose and choose to live your life with the work that you love.

You are a selfless person. You are willing to share what you gain. A strong and courageous person who never backs down to what is right. You are a dependable friend, colleague, and a dependable citizen of American Samoa. You bring news with a fact and the right source.  Your professionalism regarding work is highly respected.

I will always cherish our memories during lunch breaks. Our laughs, jokes and sometimes serious matters. There are more memories that we spent and will be forever cherished. You may rest in Paradise our dearest Friend Fili.

AIOEVAGA TUNA ~

I remember the first day Fili walked into Samoa News, she was 'three snaps' and a 'hair whip'! lol! She was such a stickler for protocols and ethics.  Whether it was a hurricane, elections, death of dignitaries, whatever the occasion, you'll always find Fili in the midst of it all, getting that story out to the people of American Samoa, here and abroad. 

Truth was her motto. Her knowledge of the government, laws and people surpasses all. But it was her heart that I will cherish the most. 

As a colleague said, her bark was bigger than her bite. Fili loved all and gave of herself completely. I am honored to have been her errand girl, her chauffer most times, her ifa ifa partner some times, her target a few times. hahaha. Her lunch partner many times.

I was privileged to have worked alongside her for the Lali and be considered as one of her friends.  She'd always say when anyone calls her a bitch... that she's the QUEEN bitch and to never forget it. There is always and forever be, only one Fili.  Rest Easy dear friend.  You will be sorely missed.

BLUE CHEN FRUEAN ~

On good days she'd call me her "pretty niece"

On bad days, she'd call me "auleaga moe*i*i"

Oh Fili,,,,I miss youuuuu

LEWIS WOLMAN ~

Fili came to Samoa News from Hawaii and quickly established herself as a hard-working, fearless, caring, highly-skilled news reporter. It was the yin to her KSBS Morning Show yang.

Over more than two decades, Fili played a huge role in helping Samoa News demonstrate the practice and value of professional journalism to American Samoa. It was a privilege to work beside her.

She was very loyal to her friends and colleagues, and she treated her detractors with respect (at least in her news reporting). She was crafty as well as a craftsperson.

All those who knew Fili will forever miss her: her cackle, her reporting, her Fili-ness (good days and bad days). We treasure the good times we had, and express our love for her.

UIFAATALI AMATA ~

Fili was a joy to know, and I've known her many years, both as a friend and in her profession as a journalist covering my activities as a Member of Congress.  She was a delightful person with a great wit and sense of humor, full of energy and fun, and occasionally, passionate and committed about making a point that she believed in strongly.  She desired to be fair and true and compassionate in her reporting. 

Humanly, it can be difficult to understand why God called her name already, and she departed us much too soon. She helped make our islands a better place, and did important work keeping our people informed. The writers of the U.S. Constitution understood the importance of journalists to a free country and good government. They enshrined in the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, an enduring principle of a free press in a way that even now, few other countries can guarantee. 

Journalists like Fili fulfill an important part of democracy by helping keep people informed and giving people a voice. We will miss her and remember her.  May our prayers and God's love surround her family and friends and all who knew her, and bring comfort.

Manuia lau malaga, Fili Sagapolutele, my dear friend.

C.J. SAGAPOLUTELE FLOOR SR. ~

On behalf of my family I wish to thank everyone for your kind words, shared memories and heart felt condolences.

RHONDA ANNESLEY ~

I lost a friend when you passed Fili — one that I did not need to see or talk to everyday, but knew she was there, hovering to once again tell me how as “a humble servant” she knows nothing — and then fires herself.

You always were our guiding light and it would be presumptuous to use the word, colleague, when describing my work relationship with you, Fili. Instead I think of you as a mentor. From you I learnt and will continue to learn how to be report the news, the faikala of the moment.

I am still reeling from your passing Fili. It’s been one hell of a journey and selfishly I had taken it for granted that you would be with us, your Samoa News family and friends, until we were each ready to say farewell over a glass of wine, or a sip of beer, or a snappy phone call.

From my family, from Samoa News management & staff, from good memories, we wish you a well-deserved rest from the life you chose for yourself. Our prayers will always be with you.

Fili was 64 years old and despite increasing health problems in the last year, she filed her last story just a day or two before she passed. 

Perhaps her last email to a fellow colleague, she spoke of getting to some Samoan food and watching movies — something she loved to do, in that order.

Alofa atu Fili.

Taafili “Fili” Sagapolutele with her Samoa News family in December 2011. [SN file photo]