The tsunami also hit Okushiri Island, the site of a more deadly tsunami 10 years later.
He was one of five staff scientists entrusted with the big task of alerting Pacific countries and the United States military to deadly tsunamis.
All British tourists who were visiting Samoa when the deadly tsunami struck on Tuesday have now been traced.
But by far the most damaging quake was the one that led to Japan's deadly tsunami on 11 March.
Mr Tuila'epa won his seat unopposed, despite criticism over the government's handling of a deadly tsunami that struck the country in 2009.
Earthquakes sometimes trigger deadly tsunamis, which could strike coastal areas of Ecuador or the Galápagos Islands.
The deadliest tsunami recorded was on December 26, 2004.
In 2011, when Japan was devastated by the deadly tsunami, the organization moved swiftly to help the affected people cope with their mental anguish.
But in the days following last month's deadly tsunami, The Thorn Tree has provided a different kind of lifeline.
Now, the task of cleaning up in the aftermath of the deadly tsunami has, at least temporarily, brought elephants out of technological retirement.