The Valley Journal

Berl Tiskus/Valley Journal
Sika Ulutoa, a Samoan chief who lives in Polson, lost friends in the Sept. 30 earthquake and tsunami that devastated his village in Samoa. Ulutoa plans to return to Samoa to help his village and other damaged villages plan for long-term recovery.

By Berl Tiskus
Valley Journal
POLSON — “Everybody felt the shake,” Sika Ulutoa said.
That’s how Sika, a Samoan, described the magnitude 8.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that decimated Samoa and American Samoa on Sept. 30, as described to him by family and friends in Samoa.
Sika and fellow Samoans Ropeti Apaau John Togia Ulutoa, Ropati Faoa Ulutoa and Toafa Fiti live in the Polson area and serve the Youth with a Mission ministry. One of their many community activities is operating the Zone Cafe at the Lake City Bakery on Saturday evenings. The Zone Cafe provides a safe place for young people to gather and hang out from 7 to 11 p.m.
Sika tried to call his family as soon as he heard about the earthquake, but he couldn’t get through. He finally got hold of his sister, who assured him that his family was okay. However, a friend’s grandmother was swept away, Sika said, although her body was recovered. Sika also mentioned that friends in Canada who also serve Youth with a Mission lost a sister and her children.
Sika’s father and brothers immediately started hauling people, mostly the elderly, to higher ground.
“We have some vehicles,” Sika explained.
Otherwise it would take about an hour and a half to walk from Sika’s village to the coconut plantations, which are on higher ground in the interior of the island. The people were stranded at the plantations until the next morning, but at least they were safe.

Sika said his village was on the southwest part of the island and the southeast was hit harder.
“We are blessed,” Sika said, adding that he believed approximately 4,000 Samoans were left homeless and nine villages were destroyed.
Sika, who is a chief in Samoa, will return to his home.
“I personally plan to go back and meet up with the chiefs from the other villages and plan for long-term recovery,” Sika said.
“At this time, our village is packing up to go out to the other villages,” Sika reported, “to at least build some homes and help other villages.”

POLSON — A benefit for victims of the tsunami and earthquake in Samoa will be held at the New Life Christian Center from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9. The benefit will be hosted by the Zone Cafe and will include a Samoan performance.
On the menu will be chili, chilidogs, cornbread and a Samoan dessert. Donations will be accepted for the dinner and entertainment. If anyone would like to donate but can’t attend the dinner or would like to help cook or donate ingredients, please contact Marilyn Humphrey at 883-2013.