Prime Minister, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, is in American Samoa to attend the state funeral of former governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga.

The prime minister and his wife, Tauānu’ufaigā Heather Schmidt, arrived in the islands of Tutuila and Manu’a on an official visit. He is representing the government and people of Samoa at the funeral.

During the visit, the prime minister is expected to deliver messages of sympathy and condolences to the people of American Samoa following the death of a longtime leader.

Moliga, who served as governor from 2013 to 2021, died early in the morning on 6 March in Honolulu. He was 78.

He was taken to Kuakini Medical Centre on Saturday and died there at about 2 am.

Moliga served two terms as governor alongside Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga. Previously, he served as president of the Senate from 2005 to 2008. He also led the Development Bank of American Samoa and served four terms in the House of Representatives for Manu’a District No. 2.

His state funeral will be held at the EFKAS Church in Kanana Fou.