A brief history courtesy of his daughter Lucy Mataalii Wallwork for his eulogy via Family Search website.
Tifaga as a young boy, (Tifaga To'omata as chief at his mother's village), Tifaga Asuega Mataalii was born June 14, 1902 in PagoPago American Samoa. His father was Siitupe Asuega and his mother was Faitele Uigaese. He has (4) brothers and (5) Sisters they share the same Father. BROTHERS: Leulua'i Asuega Tamaolemale Asuego Iupati Asuega Tuini Asuega SISTERS: Taufao To'alepai Mauputasi Pele Fuiagiga Ameperosa Vaalele Ho Ching Aitui Colombres Tifaga Asuega Mataalii was baptized and confirmed in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on April 2, 1916. On May 29, 1926 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii and Siniva Simele Moananu enter in Holy matrimony in Malaloa PagoPago American Samoa. They had 62 wonderful years together and thirteen (13) children in the following order: Tifaga Jr. Mataalii Wallace Mataalii Lucy Mataalii Wallwork Kyle Henry Sa Mataalii Ida Mataalii Wilson Tigi Mataalii Katherine Mataalii Barnabi Anderson Lilyann Mataalii Joyce John Mataalii Alvin Mataalii Espell Mataalii Newport Lincoln Mataalii May Mataalii Swafford They also raised one of their grand-daughter Mavis. Tifaga Asuega Mataalii was ordained to the office of a Deacon in the AAronic Priesthood on May 6, 1927. On September 25, 1932 at the age of 30, The stewardship of the Alofau Branch ws assigned to my father. On September 25, 1933 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii became a teacher at the church-sponsored school in Mapusaga. On March 31, 1935 Tifaga and Siniva Mataalii were called to serve as Branch President in Alao and then later as Branch President in PagoPago Branch. On April 10, 1935 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood in the office of Elder. On December 1, 1941 President Kuinise sustained Tifaga Asuega Mataalii as District President of Tutuila American Samoa. In his personal journal it reads that He served 5 1/2 year in this capacity. He expressed his appreciation for his wife's Love and Patience and support during thier ter m of service. On November xx, 1947 Laie Hawaii became his new home. Tifaga's arrival was timely as the time Laie was desperately in need of a chapel. Tifaga served as the chairman of the fundraising committee and was instrumental in the fundraising effort. In the early 1950's President McKay prophesied that a school on higher learning would be build in Laie. In fulfillment of this prophecy on February 1, 1958 Tifaga was called as a Labor missionary to assist in the construction og yhr BYU-Hawaii campus. Tifaga labored for 2 1/2 years. Tifaga was second conselor in the Laie ward Sunday School having been sustained on May 6, 1952. Tifaga became a High Councilman in the Oahu Stake on May 15, 1965 for 15 years. Tifaga Mataalii served as an ordinance worker in the Hawaiian Temple having been set-apart on May 15, 1965. In 1966 Tifaga was president of the Samoan Organization and helped in the promotion of the Samoan culture. Tifaga succeeded in arranging for the Samoan Choir to sing in the October Conference of the church in Salt Lake City. On December 4, 1966 Tifaga was called to served as second counselor to the Laie First Ward Bishopric. On May 26, 1978 Tifaga and Siniva Mataalii was called to served a mission for 18 months in Samoa. Many time Tifaga was acting as mission president in the absence of the mission president. In 1980 Tifaga served as the High Priest Group Leader in the Laie ward. In 1982 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii and Siniva moved to Lomita, California. On December 30, 1988 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii passed away early morning.
Entered by kanderson2696778 via Family Search Website
Tifaga as a young boy, (Tifaga To'omata as chief at his mother's village), Tifaga Asuega Mataalii was born June 14, 1902 in PagoPago American Samoa. His father was Siitupe Asuega and his mother was Faitele Uigaese. He has (4) brothers and (5) Sisters they share the same Father. BROTHERS: Leulua'i Asuega Tamaolemale Asuego Iupati Asuega Tuini Asuega SISTERS: Taufao To'alepai Mauputasi Pele Fuiagiga Ameperosa Vaalele Ho Ching Aitui Colombres Tifaga Asuega Mataalii was baptized and confirmed in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on April 2, 1916. On May 29, 1926 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii and Siniva Simele Moananu enter in Holy matrimony in Malaloa PagoPago American Samoa. They had 62 wonderful years together and thirteen (13) children in the following order: Tifaga Jr. Mataalii Wallace Mataalii Lucy Mataalii Wallwork Kyle Henry Sa Mataalii Ida Mataalii Wilson Tigi Mataalii Katherine Mataalii Barnabi Anderson Lilyann Mataalii Joyce John Mataalii Alvin Mataalii Espell Mataalii Newport Lincoln Mataalii May Mataalii Swafford They also raised one of their grand-daughter Mavis. Tifaga Asuega Mataalii was ordained to the office of a Deacon in the AAronic Priesthood on May 6, 1927. On September 25, 1932 at the age of 30, The stewardship of the Alofau Branch ws assigned to my father. On September 25, 1933 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii became a teacher at the church-sponsored school in Mapusaga. On March 31, 1935 Tifaga and Siniva Mataalii were called to serve as Branch President in Alao and then later as Branch President in PagoPago Branch. On April 10, 1935 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii was ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood in the office of Elder. On December 1, 1941 President Kuinise sustained Tifaga Asuega Mataalii as District President of Tutuila American Samoa. In his personal journal it reads that He served 5 1/2 year in this capacity. He expressed his appreciation for his wife's Love and Patience and support during thier ter m of service. On November xx, 1947 Laie Hawaii became his new home. Tifaga's arrival was timely as the time Laie was desperately in need of a chapel. Tifaga served as the chairman of the fundraising committee and was instrumental in the fundraising effort. In the early 1950's President McKay prophesied that a school on higher learning would be build in Laie. In fulfillment of this prophecy on February 1, 1958 Tifaga was called as a Labor missionary to assist in the construction og yhr BYU-Hawaii campus. Tifaga labored for 2 1/2 years. Tifaga was second conselor in the Laie ward Sunday School having been sustained on May 6, 1952. Tifaga became a High Councilman in the Oahu Stake on May 15, 1965 for 15 years. Tifaga Mataalii served as an ordinance worker in the Hawaiian Temple having been set-apart on May 15, 1965. In 1966 Tifaga was president of the Samoan Organization and helped in the promotion of the Samoan culture. Tifaga succeeded in arranging for the Samoan Choir to sing in the October Conference of the church in Salt Lake City. On December 4, 1966 Tifaga was called to served as second counselor to the Laie First Ward Bishopric. On May 26, 1978 Tifaga and Siniva Mataalii was called to served a mission for 18 months in Samoa. Many time Tifaga was acting as mission president in the absence of the mission president. In 1980 Tifaga served as the High Priest Group Leader in the Laie ward. In 1982 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii and Siniva moved to Lomita, California. On December 30, 1988 Tifaga Asuega Mataalii passed away early morning.
Entered by kanderson2696778 via Family Search Website
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Legend at BYU-H
Contributed on the family Facebook Group by Kiani Tausala Ruiz
I just wanted to take the time to express my gratitude towards the sacrifices and hard work of those who have paved the way for our future. This showcase of labor missionaries is posted in the BYU Hawaii library. Everyday when I go into that building to do my assignments and study I look at this picture and am reminded of just how lucky I am to receive an education at this beautiful University. A very familiar face on the left is Tifaga Asuega Mataalii. A great grandfather, grandfather, father and role model to us all. Who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life to serving the Lord and for that I am so grateful. This small reminder gives me motivation and strength to grow closer to my Savior and work hard in every aspect of my life.
Faith to Follow
Contributed by Ron Mataalii via Family Search Website
Faith to Follow- Tifaga was raised with his mother's family in Nua-Seetaga, American Samoa. There he received the high chief title To'omata. Later Tifaga was called to be the District President. This church calling required him to spend a lot of time outside of the village which was in direct conflict to his high chief responsibilities. 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. A man without a name could not leave Samoa. Tifaga with no name went to see 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. I have also heard that Mataalii is the name of the caretaker for the burial grounds for the Alii. My grandfather was a small but stern man. He was all business and took a lot of pride in his work and of his name. Laie, HI is a very small town. I spent summers out there with my grandparents. When I was about 12 or13, I was rebellious and was always into trouble. I don't remember exactly what I did but one day when I was at the strip mall; word got back to my grandpa that I was being bad again. He waited for me in the car port and when I got home, he grabbed me by the shirt and started whooping me with the "salu". He started in the carport and continued chasing me, whooping me towards the back of the house around the back and towards the front of the house of the other side. The whole time while he was whooping me, in his broken English he kept saying, "No make shame my name, no make shame my name…”. I never forgot that lesson-“No Make Shame My Name”. Tifaga Mataalii did not have a lot to give me, but he did give me his good name.