Lelei Taligā Toliniu-Masina

Lelei Taligā Toliniu-Masina, daughter of the late Fa‘agau Agalilo of Sa’ilele and Orepa Soli Fuimaono Toliniu of Vailoatai and Faleāsao, was raised between Samoa and the United States, shaping her ability to move fluently between cultures, languages, and identities. Grounded in Fa’a Sāmoa through village, church, and family, and inspired by the servant leadership of her grandfathers—esteemed orator Fa’agau Toliniu and Reverend Soli Fuimaono—she learned that true tautua is rooted in love, humility, and action rather than recognition. After migrating to the U.S. in 2009, Lelei’s sense of purpose was reignited following her father’s passing in 2017, leading her into community and youth-centered cultural work. She has since dedicated herself to teaching and revitalizing Gagana Sāmoa and Aganu’u Fa’a Sāmoa through after-school language programs, Aganu’u Fa’a Sāmoa 101 USA, youth cultural advising, private instruction, grassroots organizing, and collaborative service efforts addressing community needs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work has included leadership roles with cultural organizations, tattoo arts as cultural education, hospital board service, and long-standing mentorship alongside Taimane Tuia’ana. Guided by faith, elders, ancestors, and community relationships, Lelei continues her heart-work with UTOPIA Washington, committed to empowering youth to carry culture forward, and is known lovingly in her community simply as “Aunty Lei”.