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In Loving Memory of Leanne Ferrer

In Loving Memory of Leanne Ferrer

Aug 28, 2021 | Lifestyle, Photography

On Friday, August 27, 2021, an intimate gathering was held at Fatu Ma Futi beach in loving memory of Leanne Ferrer. She was an impactful individual who encouraged and gave voice to pasefika peoples through media and film.

I’m glad I got a chance to work with her through my office, but even more than that, I’m glad I got to know of her through the eyes of my best friend Gabby, who was mentored by Leanne in Hawaii. I showed up this morning in support of Gabby, who considered Leanne a sister-aunty. She credits Leanne with propelling her film work since she was 18 years old.

Leanne was cherished by many in Hawai’i, here in American Samoa, and all throughout the Pacific.

Sending love, warmth, and deep condolences to the Ferrer family.

Scenes around Vaoto Lodge: Ofu Photo Journal

Scenes around Vaoto Lodge: Ofu Photo Journal

Jan 27, 2019 | Lifestyle, Travel

Welcome to Scenes around Vaoto Lodge – a photo journal that depicts my experience at Vaoto Lodge.

Vaoto Lodge was, up until recently, the only establishment that offered accommodations in the tiny island of Ofu, American Samoa.  There is now one other spot, but we opted for Vaoto Lodge because of word of mouth and it’s ideal location right across the Ofu Airport runway, next to the NPS Ranger Station, and just a few minutes from (my favorite beach ever) the To’aga lagoon.

Right: NPS Ofu Ranger Station

Left: Vaoto Lodge

The Ofu Airport runway is literally a stone throw’s away from the Lodge and within earshot of the NPS Ranger Station – not a bad thing at all because there’s only one flight a week and the hubbub lasts a total of half an hour (which is actually an exciting time for the otherwise quiet village).

One of my favorite visual aspects of Vaoto Lodge is the herbage that surrounds the property, especially after a bout of rain.

You can tell that lot of thought, diligence, and patience was involved in making the landscape what it is.

The rooms are simple but have everything you need and more (yesss to comfy beds and hot showers!). This was our room, and right across we had a garden vignette of the ocean.

This bookcase is filled with history, nature, and pieces of people who travel.

This particular evening was really cool. Deborah and Ben, who own and manage the Lodge, had some leftover fish and tied it to a rock to see what would eat it. Over the next couple of hours, we watched six black tip reef sharks swim into the shallows, but only two actually took a bite. It was interesting to observe their behavior.

Alice and Marley (Deb and Ben’s dog).

We sat in the little drifter’s fale, on the beachfront of Vaoto Lodge, and watched the sky desaturate and darken.

Here, another soft evening glow surrounds us at Vaoto Lodge. Ian biked around the runway, and I hung out by the beach to snap photos of Olosega and Ta’ū in the distance; the sun hiding behind the clouds not wanting to say goodnight.

There is so much more to Vaoto Lodge… I didn’t originally plan on blogging about the place so I didn’t get photos of the main house/interior rooms, the spacious utilitarian kitchen, and oh man the mozzies! This is just a compilation of bits and pieces from my two weeks at Vaoto Lodge.

Between family, friends, and strangers, Vaoto Lodge is a home away from home.

 

Check out their website here: http://www.vaotolodge.com/