Eti sa aga biography
Eti Saaga
American Samoan journalist, press officer, TV and radio host, and producer
Eti Saaga, also spelled Eti Sa'aga, (February 2, – December 13, ) was a Samoan-born American Samoan poet, writer, reporter, press officer, television and radio host, and producer.
His most well-known poem, "Me the Labourer", is studied as part of the curriculum at universities throughout Oceania, including Fiji, New Zealand, and his native Samoa.[1][2][3] Saaga, who emigrating from Samoa to American Samoa in , also served as a speech scribe, press officer and translator for the late U.S.
Congressman Eni Faleomavaega for more than 20 years.[1][2]
Saaga was born on February 2, , in Apia, Samoa.[2] In , Saaga graduated from Samoa College, where he studied under Albert Wendt, an English teacher and novelist who was one of his greatest influences.[1][2][3] He did not accept a scholarship offer to study in New Zealand, choosing, instead to work as a road builder and labourer in Samoa.[1] During this time, Saaga wrote his most famous poem, "Me the Labourer", which is now taught at colleges and universities throughout Australia and the Pacific Islands.[1]
Saaga next worked as a correspondent for the Samoa Times, based in Apia, during the s.[3] In , he emigrated to nearby American Samoa with his wife, Otilia Hunkin Saaga.[1][2] He soon became a press officer for the American Samoan Department of Education.[1]
Saaga then worked for the late U.S.
Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS) for more than twenty years as a senior aide, press officer, speechwriter, and translator.[1] He also worked as a broadcaster and announcer for KSBS-FM Flag Day programming during this same era.[3]
Saaga died at the Kuakini Medical Centre in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 13, , at the age of [1][3] He had been in declining health for the previous six years.[3] He was predeceased by his wife, Otilia Hunkin Saaga, and survived by their four children.[1]