No. 875 Faaolataga Salana, 2008

File — Box: 79, Folder: 8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Faaolataga Salanoa was born in Tula, American Samoa. He attended Catholic schools growing up. Salanoa was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when he was eight years old. When he was about 20, Salanoa and his family moved to Hawaii, where he worked, went to school, and eventually joined the United States Coast Guard. In the Coast Guard, he traveled to the North and South Poles, Europe, and the South Pacific. Salanoa describes his military service and tells a few stories about his time in the Coast Guard. Though his parents had arranged a marriage for him in Hawaii, Salanoa met a woman in Samoa that he fell in love with and married. He and his wife had four daughters and a son. Salanoa tells a story about traveling to the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, where he met the Mormon prophet. He talks about his spirituality and the Mormon religion. Salanoa also describes the Samoan culture and the traditions from his childhood he remembers. Salanoa currently resides in Utah with his family.
Project: Pacific Islander oral history project.
Interviewer: Savani Aupiu.

Dates

2008

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.