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Afioga
Vaai Kolone
Member, Council of Deputies
(Brief
History of His Life)
- Born
: 11th November,1911 at Vaisala
- Parents:
Vaai Ropati Saleimoa and Vaotupu
- Family
:(Refer to pamphlet attached)
- Education
- Was
sent to Malifa school in Apia by his parents in 1930-31 after attending
Vaipouli (1927-1929). He
completed schooling after 1 year at Avele in 1932 with a Certificate of
Proficiency
- Working
Career
- A
teacher at Malifa School from 1933 and then moved onto Vaipouli and Avele
College until 1939, He taught English,
History or Maths. His monthly pay was five shillings which
made him a shrewd and disciplined money manager
- 1940
went to work with his father in developing the family’s cocoa plantation
at Vaisala
- 1942
he was employed by Morris Hedstrom at Vaisala in managing the trading
outpost. This outpost later formed the basis of the family’s trading
business.
- Development
of cocoa plantation continued with 150 acres of cocoa in 1955.By 1960 the
plantation had expanded to around 400 acres. He later developed the
plantation to 1000 acres including a large plot for cattle under coconuts
by the early 1970s.
- Was
Chairman of the WSTEC Board and held directorships in the Cocoa and Copra
Boards.
- Extended
Family and Church
- The
people skills he learned from father were put to good use in building a
large and close extended family
- Not
only adopted a number of nephews and nieces but also took keen interest in
encouraging the family members on the value of a good education and a hard
and honest day’s work
- Conferred
the title Vaai in 1949
- Deacon
of the EFKS (Vaisala) and was a regular delegate at the Malua annual
conferences. Also regularly attended the Methodist church at Siusega when
in Apia.
- Community
- 1949-1950
became one of the 7 member Commission of Inquiry into District and Village
Government which was chaired by Dr J.W.Davidson
- Instrumental
in setting up the Sataua Hospital with his brother Lesatele Rapi through
persistence with the then NZ Administrator. Also a strong advocate for
developing the Asau port as a gateway for Savaii.
- Patron
of many organizations like the Planned Parenthood Association
- Political
Career
- Political
and economic development perspective influenced not only from the
application of his basic life principles of hard work and honesty but also
through new ideas he learned from his longtime friendships with the likes
of Dr Davidson, Dr Stace and Sir Guy Powles
- An
avid reader of international journals and magazines which kept him abreast
of regional and international affairs
- Developed
close friendships with other regional leaders
- Entered
Parliament in 1967 until 1993 when was appointed to the Council of
Deputies
- Cabinet
posts
- Prime
Minister in 1982, 1985
- Minister
of Health 1975
- Was
involved in a number of Parliamentary Committees. Was Chairman
of
the Public Accounts Committee