Branson Missouri Directly Connected to the Tsunami in Samoa

Oct. 27, 2009 - PRLog -- On September 30, 2009 the islands of Samoa were hit by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that struck at 6:48 a.m. Local time and this quake caused a tsunami which brought 20 foot waves down on the villagers as they slept. Many bodies were recovered far inland in newly created swamps or runoff pools. Villagers continued to walk around in a fog while looking for their loved ones and their friends and neighbors. At least 119 bodies had been recovered and many more are missing.

What does this have to do with Branson you may ask? There is a show which performs at the Dutton Theater in Branson that is called Island Fire and it is featuring not only natives from Samoa but from other Islands. Iefata and Rachel Saoleititi lost their two year old son Iefata Steven Jr.in the tsunami. The child was just about 2 years old and was staying with Iefata's family while the parents were in Branson performing in the show through the season until December.

Rachel has a newborn daughter Deanna who is in Branson with Mom and Dad. Bella dutton a native of Samoa is the wife of Jonathan Dutton. That is the association between the folks from Samoa and The Island Fire show in Branson and the Dotton family.

On October 3rd a benefit show was performed by the Island Fire Dancers and all the proceeds went to the Saoleititi family to raise money so they can make an emergency trip back to their native island of Samoa. My wife and I attended the benefit and sat in front of several family members of the cast and watched the new infant sleeping completely oblivious of the family tragedy. We visited with the family and they told us of the added stress they were having trying to get a passport for the new infant. It usually takes weeks to get one and they had only days before the next flight which only goes on Tuesday each week. The family has been on the phone with the hospital and the government trying to expedite the process. Like always things seemed to be moving at a snails pace and the family and friends were making plans to drive to Dallas if necessary to move the process along.

Several other members of the cast also lost close relations. A performer Poinsettia Taefu heard that her sister who was missing was located OK however she lost 3 Child cousin's. Almost all family members of the cast lost all their homes and all they contained. Additional funds were also being raised to assist them. The airfare needed was about $4,000 and was raised in fact to this time over $20,000 has been raised. Other family members and cast members aren't going to leave the show at this time so it can continue and help raise more money and to make room on the flight for immediate family members of lost love ones.

It has always been a tradition in Branson to join together to help those in need and this was a perfect example of just that kind of effort. Everyone works hard to help by doing something extra or by contributing to the cause. We understand they received the passport in time to make the tuesday flight.

They told us that the airport in Samoa was closed so they would have to fly as close as possible then island hop to get to their home island.

(Update) Mrs. Saoleititi and infant Daughtor are in Samoa now to bury thier 4 year old Son. the gift account for all the cast members effected in the storm will remain open until the end of the season in Dec. All other cast members have stayed in Branson Missouri in true performer style until the end of the season. Over $22,000 have now been raised and more can be given at the Ozark Mountain Bank or information from the Dutton Theater at 1-800-451-8273

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You can read more about the Island Fire Show by going to this link located on the Branson website owned by author Donald Raether.
http://www.branson-ozark-mountain-country.com/IslandFire....