We Return to Samoa One Year following The Tsunami

It has been one year since the tsunami in Samoa. A disaster that was remembered today through prayer. A Hamilton Maori choir took part in today's ceremony. For more information we will cross live to our reporter Kingi Kiriona in Lalomanu, Samoa. Today, one year ago, this area on the eastern side of Upolu was hit by a tsunami caused by an 8.0Mw earthquake. 143 people were killed, and 49 were remembered today in Lalomanu. In the crowd that attended the memorial service today was a group of Maori from the Hamilton Community Gospel Choir. On the steps of the Lalomanu temple, Maori voices could be heard expressing love and support. The choir group of 40 came to support their members who had suffered loss in the tsunami. At home, we forget about how the tsunami has affected them. The choir took part in the dawn march to the temple to unveil a memorial stone. Apart from the service, the bereaved families had time to mourn. One year later and the carnage of the disaster is still visible. Landmarks to remember, and songs to rejoice. One of the families to be remembered in this morning's ceremony in Lalomanu was the Taupua family. 13 members of this family were lost in the tsunami. Eight of them are buried behind me, and their headstones were unveiled earlier. What will the Taupua family be doing tonight? According to one of the elders of that family, they will feast tonight, and on Sunday some will attend the national memorial ceremony organised by the Samoan government at Tafaigata. On Saturday, there will be a concert at which the Hamilton Gospel Choir will be performing again. Kingi Kiriona, live from Samoa, thank you for that report.