Konelio Alofaituli teaches social studies for grades 9-12 at Manu’a High School, Ta’ū Island, Manu’atele, in American Samoa. Born in California and raised in Hawai‘i, Alofaituli moved to the territory in 1992 to teach in the tropical birthplace of his parents. Samoa is known as the “Cradle of Polynesia.”

Alofaituli received his Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the University of Hawai‘i in 2013 and his Master of Arts in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix in 2017. He is currently working on his doctorate. Alofaituli has been an ordained licensed minister with the Full Gospel Association from Little Rock, Arkansas, since 2003 and a music minister since 1996. One of his favorite titles is Sunday school teacher, which he has held for over 40 years.

When asked about pedagogy, Alofaituli responded: “The greatest gift any teacher can give his students is the hunger for truth and the skills to pursue it.”