The Samoan culture in West Seattle, White Center and the entire region suffered a loss with the death of Sweetheart Failatusi on Aug. 16 but as was seen in the family's response in their on street memorial, their fund raising efforts and her services, these are very resilient people with incredibly strong family bonds.

On Saturday Sept. 3 a large Samoan family Field Day called Agia Mua Mua (meaning Family First) was held,"for the first time in ten years" at Roxhill Park in West Seattle said spokesperson Hale Eneliko.

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The event assembled families from all around the region for dancing, games, music, and a barbecue. "We do this to keep our kids safe, we just lost someone last week. This is the way we gather them and do activities, do games and especially for family, we're one big family. We haven't seen some of them for five years or ten years."

He concluded with a laugh, "They have to make sure they aren't cousins in case they marry each other!"

The multi-generational event brought together more than ten families who were given colorful T-Shirts to wear and assigned family teams. The members of each team then danced and performed in a friendly competition. Each one trying top the previous dancers moves to the shouts, cheers and laughter of everyone watching.