La manuia Le Malaga PaPa The Lord has called home one of his children, an angel of music, dance, love and laughter. Pita Sala, 75, passed away surrounded by family on March 10, 2017. Pita's gifts and his passions guided his wide-ranging career. Known for his keen ear for music, Pita travelled with his "Ma`ulu`ulu of Polynesia" show group across the South Pacific, the Orient, Europe, and the U.S.. Part of the original International Market Place show group, he also performed at the Kahala Hilton, the Royal Hawaiian, and at Duke Kahanamoku's as a guitar player for top performing artists. Leader of the only Polynesian group promotions team, Pita represented Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines throughout the world. His love of travel took him to South Pacific Island Airways as their Station Manager, Aloha Airlines as City Manager in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and Duty Manager for Hallmark Aviation Services. His compassion led him to Hawaii Job Corp. where he guided education and vocational training programs for economically disadvantaged youths of Samoan and other Polynesian ancestry. Pita also taught Samoan cultural dance and storytelling at the University of Hawaii for 10 years. He retired as the Manager of the Kahale O`Kameha`ikana Resource Center at Kuhio Park Terrace, managed by Realty Laua, for the State of Hawaii. Pita was born on July 23, 1942 in Fagasa, American Samoa. A graduate of McKinley High School and Woodbury College, Pita often said that his six years of service to his Country in the Air Force were some of the best years of his life. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Luana Sala; sons David (Mae) Sala , Kahekili (Kim) Gomez , Kealii (Tara) Gomez; daughters Charlotte (Duane) Sugioka, Charleen Bueno, Tamar (Jeff) Hoapili and Sianiu (Colin) Mattos; 18 beautiful grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; brothers Lelu (Amanda) Alapati, John (predeceased), Mamea (Amy), and Masiano (Epi) Sala; sister Lurieta (Lepupa) Fale. Predeceased by sister Rita and brothers John and Fa`ata`a (Ainoama) Manu. His Life's Celebration will be held at Kawaiaha'o Church on April 6, 2017. Visitation: 8:30am; Services:10:00 am. Private Burial at The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
La manuia Le Malaga PaPa The Lord has called home one of his children, an angel of music, dance, love and laughter. Pita Sala, 75, passed away surrounded by family on March 10, 2017. Pita's gifts and his passions guided his wide-ranging career. Known for his keen ear for music, Pita travelled with his "Ma`ulu`ulu of Polynesia" show group across the South Pacific, the Orient, Europe, and the U.S.. Part of the original International Market Place show group, he also performed at the Kahala Hilton, the Royal Hawaiian, and at Duke Kahanamoku's as a guitar player for top performing artists. Leader of the only Polynesian group promotions team, Pita represented Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines throughout the world. His love of travel took him to South Pacific Island Airways as their Station Manager, Aloha Airlines as City Manager in Pago Pago, American Samoa, and Duty Manager for Hallmark Aviation Services. His compassion led him to Hawaii Job Corp. where he guided education and vocational training programs for economically disadvantaged youths of Samoan and other Polynesian ancestry. Pita also taught Samoan cultural dance and storytelling at the University of Hawaii for 10 years. He retired as the Manager of the Kahale O`Kameha`ikana Resource Center at Kuhio Park Terrace, managed by Realty Laua, for the State of Hawaii. Pita was born on July 23, 1942 in Fagasa, American Samoa. A graduate of McKinley High School and Woodbury College, Pita often said that his six years of service to his Country in the Air Force were some of the best years of his life. He is survived by his wife of 45 years Luana Sala; sons David (Mae) Sala , Kahekili (Kim) Gomez , Kealii (Tara) Gomez; daughters Charlotte (Duane) Sugioka, Charleen Bueno, Tamar (Jeff) Hoapili and Sianiu (Colin) Mattos; 18 beautiful grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; brothers Lelu (Amanda) Alapati, John (predeceased), Mamea (Amy), and Masiano (Epi) Sala; sister Lurieta (Lepupa) Fale. Predeceased by sister Rita and brothers John and Fa`ata`a (Ainoama) Manu. His Life's Celebration will be held at Kawaiaha'o Church on April 6, 2017. Visitation: 8:30am; Services:10:00 am. Private Burial at The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
