Marston Alaimalo Porter

Long time American Samoan educator Marston Matāava Alaimalo Porter, 81, of Auasi, American Samoa passed away surrounded by the love and laughter of his children and family September 4, 2024 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Marston’s lifetime of service was to his church, Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa in Amouli, his immediate and extended family, ‘Aiga Sa Utu, and teaching math. He is survived by his wife Wilma Banse Matuu Porter, 4 daughters, 5 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. 

Marston was born on May 25, 1943. He graduated from the High School of American Samoa in 1963 and is an alumnus of the first graduating class of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) in 1972. Marston’s 53-year career in education began at the American Samoa Department of Education (DOE) in 1966 as part of Education TV supporting the development and delivery of distance learning courses via television to classrooms across American Samoa. Between 1972-1974, he worked at the DOE Media Resource Center (now eRATE program) when key functions and responsibilities were transitioned to local Samoans, the Samoanization Project under Governor John Morse Haydon. During that period, Marston Mataava pursued higher education at Columbia College, Ohio and received his first bachelor’s degree in

Production and Communications in 1975. 

Marston Mataava returned home to American Samoa during a period of political transition and began his teaching journey. Marston spent the next 20 years at Fagaitua High School as a Math Teacher 1976-1991, Vice Principal 1991-1993 and Principal 1993-1996. Marston received his second bachelor’s degree (BA in Education) in 1985 and Master’s of Education in 1993 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He worked with the Division of Curriculum and Instruction between 1996-1999 and retired from ASDOE after 33 years. Immediately, Marston answered the call for teachers to return to the classroom due to shortage of math teachers on island. He once again taught math at Leone High School and Fagaitua High School between 2000-2005. At the same time, Marston started teaching math at the ASCC as part of the American Samoa Teacher Education Program and later on as a permanent Math Instructor. He officially retired in 2023 after 53 years of being an educator. One of his greatest joys was seeing the growth and

success of students who came through his classrooms. He had quite the witty personality!

Marston Matāava was also fond of his animals and took care of the countless animals, cats, dogs and chickens of Auasi who sought refuge with him.

Marston Matāava will be transported to American Samoa for Final Services at CCCAS Amouli and laid to rest in his village of Auasi, American Samoa.