1 Jul 2016

Wife of American Samoa Lt Gov dies

10:46 am on 1 July 2016

Pohakalani Mauga, the wife of American Samoa Lieutenant Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, has died in Honolulu aged 54.

(Third from left) Lt Gov Lemanu Peleti Mauga and (First from Left;) Mrs Pohakalani Peleti Mauga representing American Samoa at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Induction dinner. Pictured here with Founders Award Recipients Papali'itele Tihati Thompson and Cha Thompson.

(Third from left) Lt Gov Lemanu Peleti Mauga and (First from Left;) Mrs Pohakalani Peleti Mauga representing American Samoa at the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Induction dinner. Pictured here with Founders Award Recipients Papali'itele Tihati Thompson and Cha Thompson. Photo: Facebook

Mrs Mauga died overnight.

Lt Governor Lemanu arrived in Honolulu yesterday from French Polynesia where he had been attending the Polynesian Leaders Group.

Mrs Mauga, or Poha as she was known to her friends, has been in Honolulu for more than a year undergoing cancer treatment.

At a cabinet meeting last month American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga told directors that plans were being made to bring her home as doctors had said there was nothing else they could offer in the way of medical attention.

Mrs Mauga had taught at Samoana high school and when her husband became Lt Governor one of the projects she took up was being a tutor for children in the juvenile detention center.

She was also active in community events relating to cancer.

A native of Hawaii, she is to be laid to rest there.