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]
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]