Mauri Pacific leader shocked at assassination of Pacific leader

Mauri Pacific leader, Hon. Tau Henare, said he was shocked and saddened by the assassination of Samoan cabinet minister, Luagalau Leva Ula Kamu.

Mr Henare and his wife were hosted by Mr Kamu and his wife and fellow MP, Maiava Visikota Peteru, while on a tour of Pacific nations in 1997.

"Luagalau and his wife represented a new generation of Samoan leaders, who were educated in the West but returned to use their skills for the benefit of their people back home. Luagalau was passionate about his people, he was articulate in English and Samoan, and he was comfortable walking in the palagi world and that of his own Samoan culture.

"I am deeply shocked to hear that the life of this progressive man was prematurely ended. My thoughts are with his wife Kota, and their children right now.

"The future generations of Samoa will benefit from the work of this man, and it is my hope that many will follow his footsteps," Tau Henare said.

Luagalau was from a pioneering family, from the village Sagone, Salega on the island of Savai'i. His father Kamu, was known in Samoa as one of the first Methodist missionaries on the island nation. Today the Methodist church is the second largest Christian denomination in Samoa. The late Minister of Public Works held the title of Luagalau, a high chiefly name of the Aiga Samoeleoi.

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