Tamara Vaifanua, a Samoan journalist with 25 years of experience and Utah’s first Samoan news anchor, has been awarded an Emmy for her coverage of the Maui wildfires, alongside her team.

Vaifanua said the honour humbles her. “Being recognised for a piece about the people of Maui is bittersweet. Their loss was heartbreaking. Being invited into their lives during such a difficult time is something I will always cherish. This recognition feels like an extension of their voices, not mine.

“What stood out was the selflessness. People who had lost everything were still looking for ways to help each other. Their humility reminded me of who we are as Polynesians."

She added that being invited to share in the community’s experiences showed their strength and reinforced her purpose.

"In major disasters, people are scared and searching for clarity, so my job is to stay calm and measured while giving them the information they need. I try to be factual and steady, but also human. These are real people with real loss,” she said.

“Taking care of my own mental and emotional well-being is part of the work because I cannot serve others if I am not grounded myself. 

“This was not just another assignment for me. Because of who I am and who I represent, I approached these stories with deep care. This documentary reached a global audience, and I felt a responsibility to show the world both the devastation and the resilience of the people of Maui. 

"I was chosen for this project because of my background, and I do not take that lightly. I will always seek stories that honour Pacific identity and bring our experiences to the wider world.”

A proud Samoan from Alao, American Samoa, and Pesega, Samoa, Vaifanua grew up between cultures and built a career in Utah media. She discovered her passion for storytelling at Southern Utah University and began her career at TV stations in Nevada and Arizona before returning to Utah. Throughout her career, she has focused on stories that highlight underrepresented communities, youth, education, meaningful sports, faith, and service.

Becoming Utah’s first Samoan news anchor was a milestone that shaped her reporting style. “Being Samoan and reporting in Utah comes with a deep sense of responsibility,” she said. 

“I intentionally seek out stories that impact our Pacific Islander community because our voices are underrepresented in mainstream media. I want to show that our contributions go far beyond athletics. Pacific Islanders are leaders in politics, medicine, education and the arts. My heritage grounds me, guides my decisions and reminds me to approach every story with respect, context and care.”

A major turning point in her career came when she fully embraced her Samoan identity. For years, she tried to fit the image of what a news anchor should be, but she realised her greatest strength lies in her Samoan heritage—coming from voyagers, creators, and storytellers. Embracing this made her feel grounded, confident, and connected.

Her reporting has also expanded her perspective on Pacific representation, showing how interconnected the global Pacific community is. She now aims to pursue stories that highlight Pacific identity on an international stage.

Vaifanua encourages young Pacific Islanders in journalism to embrace their heritage. 

She urges non-indigenous journalists to respect Pacific communities, learn their history and protocols, build genuine relationships, and earn trust rather than just chasing a story.