Pacific

5 years after tsunami, American Samoan reflects on its loss

07:18 am on 1 October 2014

Time has not diminished the pain for Taitas Fitiao who lost her 6 year old daughter, Vaijoresa, five years ago when a huge a tsunami struck the Samoas and Tonga.

More than 180 people died and destruction was widespread.

Families of victims in American Samoa gathered at the Leone memorial on Sunday.

Mrs Fitiao was one of the family members who floated candle lit lanterns in memory of their loved ones.

She told our reporter she has mixed feelings about the remembrance.

"It's really hard for me to stick it through this day. You know, you wake up and go to church and you're happy once you've been to church and then you have to wake up in the evening to come to this."

Taitas Fitiao, who lost her daughter when a tsunami struck American Samoa five years ago.

Taitas Fitiao, American Samoa Photo: RNZI correspondent