The Origin Story of the Mata'alii Name

This story is why our MATA'ALII FAMILY CREST holds so much meaning for our family.

1901 Pago Pago, American Samoa
The year was 1901 in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Siitupe Asuega first met Faitele Leauma, the Taupou from Nua-Seetaga, a village from the far side of the island.
They met at a dance. Siitupe was 31.

1902 Nua-Seetaga Village
Shortly after meeting and falling in love, Faitele became pregnant and returned to her family’s home in Nua-Seetaga, American Samoa.
This was a 6 hour walk from one side of the island to the other.
Faitele gives birth to a baby boy.
Our beloved Tifaga was born on June 14, 1902 and raised by his mother’s family in Nua-Seetaga. He grew up in this village.

1905 Fogapoa, Savaii
Our beautiful Siniva Simele Moananu was born on May 5, 1905 in Fogapoa, Savaii. 
In 1914 she came to Tutuila. She grew up living with her family in Mapusaga which is located near the village of Pago Pago.

1916 Nua'Seetaga
As a young man, Tifaga became Chief of Faitele’s family and received the name To’omata.
In 1916, Tifaga was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1926 Pago Pago
While in her late teens and early twenties, Siniva met Tifaga at church. She was a talented pianist, while Tifaga was a church chorister. The two developed an amazing friendship which led them to fall in love.
Tifaga worked as a painter, a profession he taught many of his children and grandchildren.

On the magical day of May 29, 1926, Tifaga married the love of his life, Siniva Simele Moananu. Tifaga was 24 and Siniva was 21 years old. The happy couple held their ceremony in Malaeloa, American Samoa and later went on to have 13 children; 10 of which were born in Tutuila, Samoa under the name To’omata

1932 Alofao
In 1932, Tifaga To’omata was called to serve as the Branch President in Alofau.
​He serves there for 3 years away from his village.

1935 Alao
In 1935, Tifaga was called to serve as Branch President in Alao.
​He serves in this village for 3 years as well.

1938 Pago Pago
In 1938, Tifaga was called to serve again as Branch President in Pago Pago. While in Pago Pago he and his growing family lived in the Mission Home grounds for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1941 Tutuila
Tifaga and Siniva were proud members of The Church of  Latter Day Saints.
On Dec. 1, 1941, Tifaga was called to become District President of Tutuila, American Samoa.
This meant he was called as a spiritual leader of the whole island.
​
He was to care for the needy, the poor, the sick, he was to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ, he was to teach the people of the island about Christ. He was called to be an example of what a Disciple of Christ is. To help others learn of Him. He held the Melchizedek Priesthood and used it to bless the people of Tutuila during this time.

​Shortly after his call, came the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which resulted in the United States military coming to American Samoa. They took over the Mission home grounds to use as their command post. 

1942 - 1946 Satala
Tifaga and his family were forced to move to Satala in January of 1942. Tifaga’s calling meant that he spent a large amount of his time traveling to visit the various areas of the island to help facilitate the growth of the church.
The family spent a lot of time in Satala where all the children were raised. Tifaga and Siniva had 10 children during this time.

​In 1946, an Apostle of the Lord visited Tutuila. His name was Matthew Cowley. Elder Cowley stayed with Tifaga and his family at their home in Satala. During the visit, Elder Cowley gave a priesthood blessing to Tifaga along with a mandate. Tifaga was told to be a light and an example to show the saints of Vaiola, Sauniatu, and Mapusaga that it is possible for them to take their family to the temple to be sealed.
At this time the closest temple was in Laie, Ohau, Hawai'i.

​The blessing would require Tifaga to move him and his family to Hawaii to not only be sealed in the Temple, but to set the example for others to commit and do the same for themselves and their families. They decided to fast & pray every Monday as a family for this blessing. After much fasting and praying, they received their answer. Tifaga and Siniva began to make preparations to leave Samoa and move to Hawaii. ​

1946  Nua-Seetaga Village
Being High Chief of his mothers village, Nua-Seetaga, Tifaga has to return to inform the elders of his plans.

​The To’omata family was not happy with the amount of time Tifaga had committed to his church callings. These church callings required him to spend a lot of time outside of the village which was in direct conflict to his high chief responsibilities. Now the news of Tifaga leaving for Hawaii, the family was not pleased with this decision. Therefore, they asked Tifaga to return his title of To’omata back to the family. The family forced him to make a choice of either being the high chief To'omata or the "Faife'au" of the church. Tifaga chose God and as a result he had to return the title and the last name of To’omata back to the family; leaving him without a last name.

1947 Si'itupe Village
A man without a name could not leave Samoa. Tifaga with no name went to seek help from his father, Siitupe Asuega about receiving a new name. The problem was that Asuega is a title and was held by his dad Siitupe. So Siitupe gave Tifaga a new matai name, Mata'alii. The literal translation is "eye of the chief''. Mataalii is a burial ground in the village where the chiefs are buried. This place sits above the village so that the past chiefs can watch over the village. Thus Mata’alii is the caretaker of the burial grounds of the High Chiefs in Pago Pago.

1947 Journey from Samoa to Hawai'i
In November, 1947, just 8 months after receiving his new Chief title, Tifaga Mataalii left for Hawaii. While in Hawaii, Tifaga and Siniva had 3 more children.
​In 1952 Tifaga and Siniva were sealed with their family in the Laie, Hawaii temple for all of time and eternity.

Read about our Family Crest Here

Facts gathered by Ron Mataalii from various family members.