[Reprinted from pcc50.com, the Center’s 50th-anniversary website which is no longer active; originally posted September 12, 2013; interview and photo by Mike Foley.]
From Savai’i, Apia, and Porirua (near Wellington), to Laie… and actually, his full name is Aiolupo Brent Lafoga-Tonumaipea Malolo. He grew up in Salelologa, Savai’i, then lived in Apia until he went to Porirua and Wellington, New Zealand, in 1976 for schooling.
After returning to Samoa in 1982, he was called back to New Zealand as a Latter-day Saint missionary, and from there he attended BYU–Hawaii.
A job with a Phoenix-based airline led him to leave Laie in 1989, before graduating. Brent eventually got his degree from Arizona State, and he and his family settled in Mesa.
He recently retired from the US Post Office in Tempe, and his other job turned into working for American Airlines at Phoenix International Airport. He and his wife have four children.
Canoe dancer and night show performer: My first job at PCC was as a canoe dancer in the Samoan Village, and later I joined the night show.
I loved all the excitement. It was
completely new, and the best memories I have are of the instructors we had: Aunty Vai Fa’amaligi, Regina Pasi, Ellen Gay [Dela Rosa], and Fakasi‘ieiki “Fasi” Tovo.
One of the best instructors I had, who really became my confidant in my life here, was Uncle Tommy Taurima for the Maori section.
Even though I took a lot out of here, I think the instruction I got from him was the best, because that’s what I leaned toward more in my later years. It also helped me instruct younger kids on my own.
One of my funniest memories at the PCC is when the Samoan canoe used to go from village to village, doing exchanges.
I would climb any tree in any village, not just the coconut trees in the Samoan Village.
For example, Tahiti loved it when I would climb their coconut trees, but one time when I climbed a coconut tree in the Tongan Village, I jumped into the lagoon and broke my foot.
One night, when I was supposed to do the lip-synch in the night show, I had completely forgotten that it was my assignment.
When they reminded me, the countdown was already less than
one minute, I ran in, grabbed the Elvis suit, dressed real fast, and started to run on stage — but I didn’t have the microphone.
I reached into the narrator’s room and grabbed the first thing that looked like one — a hairbrush.
The two guys I was with couldn’t believe it, plus when that thing was close to my mouth, the hair got all over my lips.
Now 24 years later, I have a lot of pride that the PCC instilled in me in Polynesian cultures, not only for my own self but so I could share it with other people.
I carry that with me everywhere, and I’m so happy I came to the reunion.
