Faafetai Lesa

Faafetai Lesa is an Assistant Professor of Samoan at the University of Hawai’i, specializing in heritage language education and cultural identity development. He has been affiliated with the university since 1989, coordinating the Samoan Language Program from 2007-2016 and teaching 12 credits per semester for 31 years. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Curriculum Studies, an M.A. in English as a Second Language, a B.A. in Secondary Education, and an Associate of Arts in General Education.

His research focuses on fostering Samoan youth cultural identity through language competency. Before joining the university, he taught in Samoa and at McKinley High School. He resides in Kaneohe, Hawaii, with his family.