Finding it difficult to raise a small child alone, Lavania's mother returned to her home in Western Samoa when Nia was 18 months old. Lavania thus grew up in her family's village, Faleula, on Upolu Island, Western Samoa.

She attended St. Mary's Primary School in Apia, Western Samoa, graduating in 1983. Following primary school, she attended Sagaga High School in Tuana'i Village, Western Samoa and graduated in 1986

In March 1987 she entered St. Mary's College in Vaimoso Village, Western Samoa. Her major courses of study were History, Social Studies and English. She completed her courses of study and graduated in December 1988.

In June 1990, at age 22, Nia returned to American Samoa where she lived with family friends for five months before venturing to Lake Elsinore, California to live with an aunt. While in California she worked for Carl's Junior and was twice awarded Employee of the Month honors.

Missing her family and the slow tropical island lifestyle, she returned to American Samoa in July 1991. She worked several different jobs until January 1992, when she was hired as an Office Clerk by CBT Ho Ching & Company.

In January 1993 she gave birth to her daughter, Evannah. While friends took care of the baby during the day, she continued working at CBT.

In the Summer of 1993 she met Ed when he came to work for CBT under contract. In June 1994 she resigned her position with CBT to marry Ed and stay home as a fulltime mother and housekeeper.

Nia returned to work at CBT in July 1996, when Evannah started pre-school. She continued to work right up until the family moved to the mainland in January 1999.

Nia was only in California for a few months before she learned that her family in Samoa was having some difficulties. She and Ed discussed it thoroughly for several weeks before deciding that Nia and Evannah should return to the island so that Nia might assist them. In July 1999 she and Evannah flew back to the South Pacific.

Nia was fortunate to be hired back into her old position at CBT shortly after she arrived back on the island. She will continue to work at CBT until she and Evannah depart the island in June 2000 to return to California. It has been a long and hard separation for everyone, and Nia is looking forward to returning to Ed and her home in California.