Arerangi “Sammy” Tongia Obituary (1962 - 2024)

Arerangi “Sammy” Tongia left for his heavenly home on November 17, 2024 after a brief illness. He was born in Rarotonga, Cook Islands in the South Pacific on August 21, 1962. He graduated from Tereora College where he was an avid sportsman in soccer, rugby and long-distance running. Before attending university, Arerangi worked in the Justice Department for the Cook Islands government. In the Registrar’s office, he handled birth registrations and in Parliament he was a translator in the native language of Cook Islands Maori. In 1985 he represented his country as team manager for the Junior Olympics in Greece and the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. From 1986 to 1991 he attended Brigham Young University – Hawaii and was president of the Cook Islands Cultural Club. Working as a dancer and drummer at the Polynesian Cultural Center gave him the opportunity to pay for his education. He graduated with majors in Social Work and History. In 1992 Arerangi went back home to Rarotonga and was appointed Director of the National Museum of the Cook Islands before the opening of the Pacific Arts Festival, a job he truly loved. Several years later, he came back to the United States becoming heavily involved in Polynesian cultural festivals and seminars. Arerangi married his wife on New Year’s eve in 2006 and moved to the San Francisco Bay area. Together, they produced a successful educational and cultural Polynesian festival for fifteen years. Arerangi is preceded in death by his parents Tongia Unuia, Rose Paera Oiaua and his siblings Ngarima, Iobu, Teina, Unuia, Potai, Tuiau, Roimata and Matamaru. He is survived by his wife Cynthia Atuirangi-ki-Tuakirikiri Cowell-Tongia and siblings Teremoana, Marie, Makiuti, Raera, Tongiarua, Tukuau, Tereapii, Ngatamaine and multitudes of nieces, nephews and their children. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Brigham Young University – Hawaii for Cook Islands students’ tuition scholarships.