Death and 4 Year Old drowns at Aggies pool

A four your old boy drowned at the Aggie Greys Resort at Mulifanua last Saturday. An unfortunate and heart wrenching incident, the boy was accompanied by his grandparents. He was pronounced clinically dead on site. According to a source at the Hotel, there was no one around the pool as it was raining, there were no guests swimming and no workers in that area of the Hotel. "It was raining that day and everyone steered clear of the pool." Unfortunately by the time they had realised the child was missing, it was too late. Asked if the Hotel had any first aid trained workers the source said yes, but the staff turnover was high.
Hundreds turned up to the funeral today, to mark the passing of the young boy. He was described as bright, energetic and pleasant child.
His name was Phoenix and his 5th birthday is one month away, his parents are Joachim Keil and Tasha Shuster.
Before we sleep tonight, let us spare a thought for the parents, family and friends of Phoenix.

Personal Note
What a sudden, tragic and unfortunate ending to such a young life. It certainly makes me think twice now before taking out my nieces and nephews. It also emphasises on how we take life for granted sometimes. This has been such a strange year for me, so many people I know have passed on and it has forced me to face it, the fact that one day we all die, and that this is a temporary state and that death is the one thing man has yet to avoid.
These people that have died, except for my grandmother they did not play any part in my life, they were people I see every week, they were distant relatives that I have known since I was a child, it was the guy that I talked to last week, it is people who I never sat down and had a chat with, but somehow our paths cross and only in their passing do I realise how special they were. There is a saying that 'something is valued only when it is gone for good' this is true in some respect when it comes to death.
A tribute to those who have passed on this year.

Faleasiu Liki Tiatia
Not a day goes by that I do not think of her, and every now and then I cry, remembering the things she said, her humour and her infinite patience, strong faith and the will to live so long without walking and without sight.

Dr. Vaasiliifiti Asaua
Such a gentle soul, so humble and so genuine in everything he does and say.

Hirene Tofilau
He loved life more than anyone I know, he embraced it with a passion that no one could understand. Never without a smile, always with something funny to say.

Elena
A faithful public servant with something to say about everything. She lighted up anyones day who walked into the physio ward at Motootua.

Phillip Amituanai Seti
The thing about death is, you never really see it coming. For Phillip he denied this, he fought it to the end. He was fun man who loved his family and brought people together with his charm and humour.

Reader Opinion: Military Base

By Tagata Nuu o Samoa

As a local I totally disagree and am appalled with the prospects of a US army in Savaii. I think u mustn't trash the editor as I doubt many people agree with him. One funny thought crossed my mind though what would happen to ol' American Samoa who's only connection to the US(freebies) is their harbour and militany base? hmmm American Samoans should worry about this as it mean the US has had enough of them its time to move onto the next victims. American Samoa seems to be costing more to the US then being an advantage. Back to Savaii, I believe in our PM really, he ain't stupid and he will not be bullied into agreeing to the US demands. hullo he already detained the US soldiers that came through without passports to get them cos we ain't bending backwards for anyone. He also told the Aussies to get a grip when they demanded to see our books that was supposed to be readily available to them never mind that we have no interest in theirs. So I think Mr PM will see that a US base will do alot of harm than any good in Samoa. Unbelievable... the US will just about have a base in all countries of the Pacific. And yeah they left ruin where-ever they were. Look at Tonga they never recovered economically after the US marines left their shores with their money leaving lots of half americans at the that! eeewww. And diplomatic imunity my foot, some US soldiers are committed atrocities in Iraq ( which is under world scrutiny) why would Samoans be any safer for some psychopaths that would be posted to Samoa! reading about it made my skin crawl. Samoa is doing very well economically and our culture and people being unique and still having a culture is our greatest selling point to the world. With all the terrorist attacks all over the world, soon enough travellers will realise that the Pacific especially Samoan(untouched) will be the next best thing. So our country need not worry about money handed to us, look at what it did to our brothers and sisters in Am Samoa.