Sadness and shock. That’s how people are reacting to news of the passing of Utu Abe Malae.
Utu died early this morning at the LBJ Hospital. He was 65.
People are expressing a sense of loss that someone who did so much for the territory and gave hope to the younger generation, has died.
And this sense of loss is not being felt only in American Samoa but also around the Pacific region and all the way to Washington, D.C.
Director of the Office of Insular and International Affairs at the Department of Interior, Nikolao Pula, said when he received a message on the passing of Utu from DOI Field Representative Lydia Faleafine-Nomura saying how it was a great loss for American Samoa, he felt it was not only true for American Samoa but also for the Pacific region and many other places.
Pula told KHJ News that he thought about “this wonderful, intelligent and caring High Chief, a scholar, an engineer, a manager, a Director, a CEO, a leader, a son of a Faifeau, and many other things. He was also an awesome friend to many people.”
According to the OIA director he received a number of emails from colleagues who knew Abe Malae expressing their sorrow and the same sense of loss in his passing.
“I also am deeply saddened and agree with the sentiments expressed by Ms. Charlene Leizear of my Technical Assistance Division – “He has always been so Young at heart, unexpected. He has done so much for so many.”
Going back to his youth, Pula said he first heard of Abe Malae while attending Marist High School when Abe taught Calculus at the American Samoa Community College.
“I got to know him well when he worked for Governor Lutali’s Administration and he would accompany the Governor to Washington, DC, at times,” he said.
Utu was widely known in the Pacific region for his work with the Pacific Power Association (PPA). He was one of the founders of the organization.
Pula had a hand in Utu moving to CNMI to help resolve power outages there.
He said when the CNMI was plagued with blackouts and terrible power outages in the 2010s, “I reached out to Abe if he would be willing to help the CNMI people manage their Utilities Commission.
“Abe not only accepted a job there but took a pay cut to help out with the struggling government. He is that kind of a friend.”
Utu was also known and well regarded by many Congressional Committee members and staff who work with US Territorial Delegates and issues.
“Throughout the last three decades, many current and former Department of the Interior staff remember the fine and good work of this man.”
Pula had this message for the Utu family, relatives and friends: “Please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences for the passing of lana Afioga Utu Abe Malae. Ia alofa Le Atua fa’amaise atu ma foa’i atu lona Agaga Paia e fa’amafanafana ia te outou uma. Ma le Fa’aaloalo tele, Nikolao Pula.”
