Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale was taken by surprise when his family was recognised at the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial Garden Party.

The event honours the memory of Robert Louis Stevenson, also known as Tusitala and was held on Thursday night at The Villa in Vailima. 

The presentation of the award was done the by R.L.S. president James Winegar, who read the plaque out loud. 

“The Robert Louis Museum honors the Annandale family, the sons and daughters of Samoa who are dedicated to Samoa’s history, tourism and community service and in doing so to the preservation to the memory of Tusitala.”

Tuatagaloa told the audience that he was only told to be prepared to receive something. 

“I have been sitting here and now this and what an honour to receive this on behalf of my family. 

“I receive with a lot of humility with my sister Sose with us,” he added.  

Tuatagaloa said his grandfather Taisi Olaf Nelson was of Samoan Swedish ancestry. 

“This comes as a big surprise to our family, but we’re just living out a legacy of ancestors and our grandfather and members of our family who passed on and their legacy of service to the community; that’s what we are trying to do.”

The Annandales own the Sinalei Reef Resort that recently celebrated its 22nd anniversary in February this year.