Papua New Guinea (PNG) businessman and major shareholder of the Taumeasina Island Resort, Tulaniu-O-Atua Sir Kostas Constantinou has passed on.

The family of the late Sir Kostas issued a statement on social media on Sunday to advise of the passing of the businessman in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday following heart complications. He was 65 years old at the time of his passing. 

Taumeasina Island Resort General Manager, Tuiataga Nathan Bucknall confirmed Sir Kostas' passing when contacted by the Samoa Observer on Monday. 

“Taumeasina Island Resort management and employees are deeply saddened upon learning of the sudden passing of our major shareholder, Tulaniu-O-Atua Sir Kostas Constantinou OBE," Tuiataga said in an email response to this newspaper. "Tulaniu-O-Atua Sir Kostas Constantinou was a humble and successful businessman and well respected across the South Pacific Islands, where his absence will be sorely felt.  

"Tulaniu Sir Kostas had a love for the people of Samoa and took his responsibilities as a matai from the village of Lepa very seriously."

Recalling his interactions with the late businessman, Tuiataga said he will miss Sir Kostas' "kindness, guidance, advice and witty sense of humour".

"Our sincere condolences to the family and friends he leaves behind, he has touched many in the South Pacific, and he will be sorely missed. Manuia Lou Malaga Tulaniu-O-Atua Sir Kostas Constantinou OBE Rest in Peace.”

According to the statement issued by the Constantinou Group of Companies, the late businessman built an empire across the Pacific with the Constantinou Group continuing the legacy of his late father, Sir George Constantinou.

"His business savvy and charisma had him appointed chair for various organisations including BSP and Air Niugini, Sir Kostas was also the Honorary Consul for Greece and Cyprus," reads the statement. "Sir Kostas was a resilient and proud Papua New Guinean at heart, creating employment opportunities, inspiring and encouraging so many people of this country in pursuit of opportunity and progress for the future.

"He will be greatly missed, but his memory has been forever forged and will be cherished especially for the vision he has inspired within all he touched through his philanthropy. An amazing human being. His legacy will be irreplaceable." 

The late Sir Kostas was previously the group chairman of the BSP [Bank South Pacific] Financial Group – of which BSP Samoa is a member – for over a decade until his retirement in February this year. Some of his key achievements as the group chairman of the BSP Financial Group included the PNG bank's expansion to several Pacific Island nations including the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Samoa as well as entering the asset finance markets in Cambodia and Laos. 

The late PNG businessman was bestowed the chiefly title Tulaniu-O-Atua from the salutation of the paramount chief title Auelua and Fatialofa of Lepa – in October 2018. 

The Constantinou Group comprises Airways Hotel & Apartments, Lamana Hotel, Loloata Private Island Resort, Gazelle International Hotel, Taumeasina Island Resort-Samoa, Heritage Park Hotel, Texas Chicken, Sir Theo Foundation, Lamana Development Ltd, Hebou Constructions (PNG) Limited, Monier Limited, Monier Water Solutions, Central Sands Supplies, and Rouna Quarries.