The former member of parliament for the constituency of Falealupo, Aeau Dr Peniamina Leavaise’eta was laid to rest on Saturday at his residence in Vini Fou. 

His life of service as a veteran politician and devoted member of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa was remembered before he was laid to rest. 

Former speaker and member of parliament, Aeau Dr Peniamina Leavaise'eta died at the age of 82. He first entered Parliament in 1985 as MP for Falealupo under the banner of the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.); in 1988, Aeau was appointed as Speaker of the House.

 But he re-entered Parliament in 2001 with the opposition and hasn’t left his seat until he called it quits in 2021. The former Speaker was initially married to the late Lagi Strickland Slade Leavai however, he is currently married to Leasiolagi Jane Smith Leavai. He is survived by 21 children (including his foster children), with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

His state funeral was held at the Vini Fou CCCS church and attended by the Head of State Tuimalealiifano Sualauvi Vaaletoa II, government officials, his district, families and friends. 

The Speaker of the House, Papalii Lio Masipau acknowledged the many ministerial roles and contributions from Faumuina during his public life.

While serving as an MP, Aeau worked during Cyclone Ofa to bring food and drinks to people in Falealupo via helicopter with the then Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana. He also pushed for connecting Falealupo to the electrical grid and building new access roads to the village. 

Aeau also fought for Falelupo to get access to clean water and encouraged Samoa Water Authority engineers to dig 190 meters below ground to access groundwater to do so. 

Aeau defied all odds when he became the first representative to successfully win the Falealupo seat under the Samoa National Development Party (SNDP) despite being banished from the village. Following his time in SNDP, Aeau joined other independent members and established the Tautua Samoa Party and remained with the political party until he retired at the 2021 election. 

Aeau was the Deputy Leader for Tautua Samoa and a staunch opposition despite the party not meeting the quorum of members to be recognised as an opposition in the House. He was a proud Marist old boy and attended the Fiji School of Medicine in 1968, graduating with a Diploma in Dental Surgery and studied at the University of London from 1973 to 1974. 

Aeau was nominated as one of Samoa Observer’s People of the Year in 2020, marking his exit from politics. During his political life, he met Queen Elizabeth II and presented her with an ava bowl during the monarch’s 1977 visit.  

He is remembered as a loving husband, proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His children acknowledged his presence in their lives. He paved the way for all their education and careers. For Aeau, education was the top priority. According to eulogies from his children, their father devoted his life to serving the church, family, and the constituency of Falealupo. 

Aeau's eldest son, Fuimaono Dr Peniamina Leavai said they were blessed because of the Lord’s blessings upon his father, adding that they may be living right next door to Apia Park, but their father never allowed them to set foot in it. For their father, all he ever wanted for them was to go to school, church and stay home and study. 

He recalled that his father had never once hit his sisters, just the boys, saying that he may have had a few bumps on his head. He also mentioned that his father does not believe in the mindset of letting your child choose their pathway. He decided their education pathways along with their careers.

Aeau Leota Tima said her father chose her career. In her teen years, she dreamt of becoming a pilot because she wanted to travel the world however, her father told her to take Arts instead. She took a leap of faith and did it anyway. She is grateful to her father for pushing her in that direction because she now sees her full potential. 

Aeau Tima said that her father will forever be remembered by those whose lives were touched by him. 

"He was such a people's person. He will do anything for his people without asking for anything in return," she said.