Eti Saaga, also spelled Eti Sa'aga, (February 2, 1950 – December 13, 2017) was a Samoan-born American Samoan poet, writer, journalist, 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 1978, also served as a speech writer, 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, 1950, in Apia, Samoa.[2] In 1970, 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 journalist for the Samoa Times, based in Apia, during the 1970s.[3] In 1978, 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, 2017, at the age of 67.[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]
References
^ abcdefghij"Samoan poet Eti Saaga dies aged 67". Radio New Zealand International. December 27, 2017. from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
^ abcde"Eti Sa'aga – Libraries Australia Authorities". National Library of Australia. from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
^ abcdef""Me the Labourer" author Eti Sa'aga passes away". Talanei. December 20, 2017. from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
April 21, 2023
saaga, also, spelled, february, 1950, december, 2017, samoan, born, american, samoan, poet, writer, journalist, press, officer, television, radio, host, producer, most, well, known, poem, labourer, studied, part, curriculum, universities, throughout, oceania, . Eti Saaga also spelled Eti Sa aga February 2 1950 December 13 2017 was a Samoan born American Samoan poet writer journalist 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 1978 also served as a speech writer 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 1950 in Apia Samoa 2 In 1970 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 journalist for the Samoa Times based in Apia during the 1970s 3 In 1978 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 2017 at the age of 67 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 References Edit a b c d e f g h i j Samoan poet Eti Saaga dies aged 67 Radio New Zealand International December 27 2017 Archived from the original on December 26 2017 Retrieved January 1 2018 a b c d e Eti Sa aga Libraries Australia Authorities National Library of Australia Archived from the original on January 1 2018 Retrieved January 1 2018 a b c d e f Me the Labourer author Eti Sa aga passes away Talanei December 20 2017 Archived from the original on December 29 2017 Retrieved January 1 2018 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Eti Saaga amp oldid 1149951717, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
