THURS JUL 16 26

Vita Tanielu—if you listen very closely—

has a voice like Winnie the Pooh. If!

He smoked Pall Mall’s from 7-Eleven 

outside of Webster Hall before class and. 

If! He wore his ʻie old man style with no

bebedeez, holding onto life by a

belt as old as he is and. If! He knew the

faʻalupega of every nuʻu in all of the

Samoa’s and. If! He would ask, “Sole,

mai sʻka tape, faʻamolemole?” outside

Varmey Circle before class and, If! He

taught Fa’a Sāmoa like it was a party

and, If! He was still checking out the

college girls like he never look hāpai

and, If! Winnie the Pooh was a Sāmoan

man, indelible, uncle kine teacher, the 

kind these young men need, that sit

in their beach chairs, cigs in mouth,

oloʻs hanging out, drinking all the beer,

and still dedicated to the perpetuation 

of his culture. Vita Tanielu had a voice 

like Winnie the Pooh, if he were a punk 

rock Sāmoan, teaching the youth that

this life, is not so serious. Vita had a 

voice the depth of ocean trenches and

as soft as a cartoon bear.