Sialega Malaetasi Mauga Togafau was Attorney General of the U.S. Territory of American Samoa. He served two terms, first from 1993–1996 and again from January 2005 until his death in March 2007. He died due to complications of colon cancer. He was married to Dr. Oreta Mapu Togafau.
Biography
Malaetasi was born on June 4, 1946 to Femalua'i Palepoi Mauga Sialo'i. His grandparents Posiulai Mamea of the Maluia family in Nuuuli and Togafau Sefulu Aumoeualogo of Amouli raised him in Nu'uuli, American Samoa. Given the name Steve Mauga at birth, Malaetasi was the third of 11 children born to Femalua'i. Malaetasi was baptized by his grandparents Posiulai and Togafau at the Nuuuli Congregational Christian Church, officiated by the Reverend Elder Tanielu Aasa's tenure as pastor of Nuuuli EFKS. His mother's father, Paramont Chief Mauga Palepoi anointed him as *Malaetasi." Malaetasi was an ordained Deacon of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa and held this sacred role until his death in 2007. He was a staunch and active member of the Nuuuli Congregational Christian Church. He served on several church committees. He advocated having more youth participation in church roles and functions. Prior to returning to American Samoa, Malaetasi was associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and married Oreta Mapu in the LDS Temple in Laie in 1977. A memorial service was held in the Kalihi, Hawaii chapel of the LDS Church, West Honolulu Stake. . His final services were held at the Nuuuli Congregational Christian Church conducted by Rev. Dr. Elia Titimaea Taase.
Siblings
Malaetasi had 8 brothers and 2 sisters.
Marriage
Malaetasi married Dr. Oreta S. Mapu, from the villages of Aua and Aoa, on December 10, 1977 in Laie, Hawaii.
Children
Malaetasi Jr. & Tanja: Tatjana, Tasmin, Timo, Timothy
Wayne Ames & Gwendolyn Folau - Talalelei Asiasi, June Fagamalama & Jasmine Faifili Anne : Heavenlee, Solagaliua, Tajsha, Roseanne, Penina, Steve and Wayne II
Hillary Sinapioa Togafau & Howard Tautu: Patriots Junasmine Oreta-Salome
Malaetasi also raised many nieces and nephews as his own:
Imoasina Solomona, Tasiaeafe Mapu-Sandoval, Margaret Pisa, Mose Paopao, Vainiu Afo
Jocelyn, Renee, Terrie, Grace Togafau.
Jimmy Togafau, Tony Togafau
Malaetasi Jack Sialo'i, Iosef Toilolo
Johnny Ene, Roman Ene
Stephen & Sammy Maifea
Service to Family and Nuuuli Village
Malaetasi held the chiefly title of Afioga ile Taumafaalofi. He was bestowed this ancient title of Nuuuli, that was held by his maternal uncle, Palepoi Mauga Jr. The Sialega title was also held by Malaetasi's maternal grandfather, Mauga Palepoi Afamasaga Sr, also title holder of the paramount title - Mauga. Historically, it is through the Sialega lineage that a great-grandson of Fiame Muaugututi'a of Lotofaga married Solagaliua, daughter of Sialega. Seutatia's son Nofoatolu was bestowed the title Fonoti who married Va'asa the daughter of Fiame Muagututi'a in Lotofaga. This line descends from the Fonoti line of the Seutatia link to the Tuiatua title of Atua.
Atilavea --- a minor chiefly title of Atilave'a was conferred in 1993 from his grandmother Posiulai's Maluia Family. As Atilavea, Malaetasi was responsible for organizing and supporting activities for the young men of the Maluia clan as well as the village in general. Malaetasi actively participated in the Nuuuli Aumaga, young untitled men of Nuuuli, with the coordinating of training for the yearly long boat regatta, or tuuga Fautasi.
