Eni & Hina
The Foundation
The Eni & Hina Faleomavaega Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to promoting academic excellence through student scholarships, innovative programs, and supporting other organizations that preserve and perpetuate culture in the Pacific Islands.
About Eni & Hina
Eni was born in Vailoatai, American Samoa to Eni F. Hunkin Sr. and Taualai. His father joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and moved his family to Guam and then Hawaii (Pearl Harbor) to server our country for several years. With an associate degree from Church College of Hawaii (CCH), and a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, Eni became a strong advocate for higher education. After serving in the armed forces (Vietnam), Eni earned a juris doctor from the University of Houston and a Master's of Law in Letters from the UC Berkeley.
(Antonina) Hinanui was born in Papeete, Tahiti to Dave and Léonne (Bambridge) Cave. After high school (fall semester of 1968, Hina also attended CCH (now BYU Hawaii). Eni and Hina met during the summer of 1969 at the Polynesian Cultural Center where they worked respectively as canoe paddler and tour guide; the center had only been open six years. Hina graduated from BYU with a degree in linguistics and speaks 6 languages today. Eni and Hina have 5 children and 12 grandchildren.
Eni's Career Highlights
1989 - 2015 - Longest-serving elected member of U.S.
Congress to represent American Samoa
1985 - 1989 - Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
1981 - 1984 - Deputy Attorney General of American Samoa
1975 - 1981 - Staff counsel for the House Committee on
Interior and Insular Affairs
Eni was privileged to be a guest crew member on the Hokule'a Voyaging Canoe (Tahiti to HI), he released 3 traditional Samoan music albums, authored Navigating the Future, and played the ukulele, guitar, and piano by ear. He was notorious for 'strongly encouraging' his friends and family to sing into the wee hours of the morning. There was never a dull moment in Eni's presence.
How to Give
Your contribution helps fund scholarships for Pacific Island students and supports cultural preservation initiatives.
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