Education from American Samoa to Hawaii and across the South Pacific
Pago Pago Afualo’s educational journey started with a literal voyage—a steamboat trip from American Samoa to Hawaii. And his journey has continued for decades and has crisscrossed the South Pacific.
Afualo was part of the very first class at Brigham Young University–Hawaii. After earning an associate’s degree, Afualo transferred to Brigham Young University in 1957 to study education. Afualo graduated in 1961 from the BYU College of Education, which would become the David O. McKay School of Education.
Afualo first taught science at a Church-owned college in Western Samoa. Three years later he moved to Hawaii, teaching science at several schools—including Kahuku High School—for most of his career. He later taught three more years in American Samoa.
Afualo has a passion for the experimental aspect of science. Even at age 92, he can remember the student experiment groups he formed and the day one student burned her hand with sulfuric acid. “We would do experiments day in and day out,” Afualo said. In later years, former students fondly recalled Afualo standing in front of his class and joking, “Hmmm, I wonder what would happen if we mixed this chemical with this chemical?”
Now retired, Afualo still enjoys designing experiments. He lives in Hawaii and likes cultivating fruit trees, riding his scooter around town, and watching general conference talks. His educational journey took him across the sea many times, but he never lost track of his love for teaching.
Full Name: Pago Pago Afualo
Grad Year: BS '61
College: BYU College of Education (Now the David O. McKay School of Education)
Original Post date: Fall 2021
Originally posted in the McKay School of Education Magazine