Afoa Moega Lutu
Encyclopedia
Afoafouvale Leulumoegafou Su’esu’e Lutu (born February 24, 1947) is an American Samoa
n politician
and lawyer
. Lutu has served as the former American Samoan Attorney General
.
Lutu was defeated in the 2004 gubernatorial election by Togiola Tulafono
. He is currently challenging Togiola Tulafono in a rematch in the 2008 American Samoa gubernatorial election
, teaming with Velega Savali
as his running mate
for Lieutenant Governor
.
Su’esu’e Solofa Lutu and Vaituutuu Patu Leota Leuluaialii Lutu. He was the fourth of twelve children in his family. Lutu's parents taught at the theological school at the Ekalesia Fa' apotopotoga Kerisinao I Samoa (Congregational Christian Church in Samoa) in what was then known as Western Samoa, which is now the independent nation simply known as Samoa
. Lutu's family moved back to American Samoa
when he was less than a year old and settled in Amanave, where his parents worked as Christian
ministers.
Lutu originally attended St. Theresa Elementary School in Leone, American Samoa
. However, his parents moved again to the towns of Fagatogo and Utulei by the time he was six years old to live wife extended family. He was admitted to Feleti Memorial Barstow Foundation Demonstration School for first grade
.
He became salutatorian
of his eighth grade class upon graduating from the school. Lutu next entered American Samoa High School. While in high school, his parents relocated to the village of Lauli'i, east of Pago Pago Harbor
, to work as ministers in the village. He resided with his grandparents, Rev. Su’esu’e and Sola, in Utulei during the school week, at travelled to see his parents on the weekend. Lutu graduated as the valedictorian
and student body president
from high school in 1965. Following his graduation, Lutu was one of four American Samoan students chosen for a cultural exchange program in the United States. Lutu moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa
, to attend an extra year of high school as part of the cultural exchange, where stayed at the home of Berkley and Elinor Bedell and their family. Berkley Bedell
, Iowan businessman, was later elected as a United States Congressman from Iowa (1975–1987).
Lutu attended Northeast Missouri State University, now known as Truman State University
, on a full American Samoa Government scholarship
. Lutu met his future wife while at Northest Missouri, Etenauga Alvina Lam Yuen. Etenauga, whose parents were Pastor Tini Inu Lam Yuen and Tululautu Fueainaula Tagaloa Lam Yuen, was also from a large American Samoan family of 11 other siblings.
He transferred to University of Hawaii at Manoa
after two years in Missouri
to be closer to his parents, who were working at a Samoan church in Nānākuli, Hawai'i
, at the time. He graduated from the University of Hawaii - Manoa in 1968 with a bachelor's degree
in political science
with a minor in prelaw. His future wife, Etenauga, received her bachelor's degree in nursing
from Walla Walla College
. Lutu enrolled in the Valparaiso University School of Law
with another American Samoa Government scholarship.
Lutu and Etenauga married in Lynwood, California
, in 1972. The couple relocated to Valparaiso, Indiana
, where Lutu completed his Juris Doctor
. Their first child, Christinna Sola, was born in Indiana in 1973. The couple moved to Hawaii
following Lutu's completion of law school
.
The couple had several more children, including Alvina Lore in 1976; Faauuga Hannacho in 1977; Elinor Matuaifaleese in 1980; Kimberly Malaeimi in 1982; and Florence-Emma Le’ala in 1983. They also had tow sons, Justin Fouvale and Joshua Simanuali’i.
The Afoafouvale clans of American Samoa gave the title of Afoafouvale to him in 1989 and was formally granted in a 1990 ceremony. This marked the first time that anyone had held the title of Afoafouvale since the middle of the 1970s.
. They eventually settled in Taputimu.
Lutu was appointed Attorney General
of American Samoa by Governor A. P. Lutali
after he was elected governor in 1985. He represented American Samoa and the Lutali administration at the early South Pacific Tuna Treaty negotiations. As Attorney General, Lutu also successfully defended challenges to the traditional Samoan communal land
system before United States federal courts
and the United States Supreme Court.
He next became the special legal counsel for the President of the American Samoa Senate
from 1998 until 1992. Lutu was elected to the American Samoa House of Representatives
for Maoputasi District #7 in 1992. He spent two terms, a total of four years, in the House, before leaving his seat to become legal counsel to the American Samoa House of Representatives from 1996 until 1997.
Lutu next served as the head of the Legislative Reference Bureau from 1997 until 2004.
Lutu campaigned as the running mate
for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
with Senator
Lealaifuaneva Peter Reid for Governor during the 1996 and 2000 American Samoan gubernatorial elections. However, Reid and Lutu lost both elections. They were defeated by former governor Tauese Sunia
and then Lt. Governor Tulafono in both 1996 and 2000.
Lutu ran for Governor of American Samoa in 2004 with Taeaoafua Dr. Meki Solomona as his running mate. The two faced incumbent Governor Togiola Tulafono
and Lt. Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia
in the 2004 general election. However, Tulafono defeated Lutu in the second round runoff election. Tulafono earned 56 percent of the vote while Lutu garnered 44 percent.
. Lutu's running mate for Lieutenant Governor is Velega Savali
, a former American Samoan Treasurer
.
Lutu and Savali launched their campaign for Governor at a kick-off campaign rally at the Tradewinds Hotel on May 17, 2008. Approximately 700 people attended the rally. Lutu promised to run on issues such as transparency and improving the territory's public education system.
The gubernatorial election will take place on November 4, 2008.
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
. Lutu has served as the former American Samoan Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
.
Lutu was defeated in the 2004 gubernatorial election by Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono is the Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor, taking this position on January 3, 1997....
. He is currently challenging Togiola Tulafono in a rematch in the 2008 American Samoa gubernatorial election
American Samoa gubernatorial election, 2008
The 2008 American Samoa gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2008, coinciding with the 2008 United States general elections and the American Samoa general election. Because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election between the top two candidates was held on...
, teaming with Velega Savali
Velega Savali
Velega Savali Savali Jr. is an American Samoan politician. Savali is currently a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa in the American Samoan gubernatorial election in 2008. He served as the American Samoa Treasurer from 2005 until 2008.-Personal life:Savali is married to Leleiga...
as his running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
The government of American Samoa consists of a locally elected governor, lieutenant governor and the American Samoa Fono, which consists of an 18-member Senate and a 21-member House of Representatives. The first popular election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor took place in 1977...
.
Early life
Afoa Moega Lutu was born on February 24, 1947, to his parents, the Rev.The Reverend
The Reverend is a style most often used as a prefix to the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions. The Reverend is correctly called a style but is often and in some dictionaries called a...
Su’esu’e Solofa Lutu and Vaituutuu Patu Leota Leuluaialii Lutu. He was the fourth of twelve children in his family. Lutu's parents taught at the theological school at the Ekalesia Fa' apotopotoga Kerisinao I Samoa (Congregational Christian Church in Samoa) in what was then known as Western Samoa, which is now the independent nation simply known as Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
. Lutu's family moved back to American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
when he was less than a year old and settled in Amanave, where his parents worked as Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
ministers.
Lutu originally attended St. Theresa Elementary School in Leone, American Samoa
Leone, American Samoa
- Tsunami :Leone was devastated by a tsunami on September 29, 2009. The tsunami was generated by a magnitude 8.0 suboceanic earthquake.- References :...
. However, his parents moved again to the towns of Fagatogo and Utulei by the time he was six years old to live wife extended family. He was admitted to Feleti Memorial Barstow Foundation Demonstration School for first grade
First grade
First grade is a year of primary education in schools in the United States and English-speaking provinces of Canada. It is the first school year after kindergarten...
.
He became salutatorian
Salutatorian
Salutatorian is an academic title given, in the United States and Canada, to the second highest graduate of the entire graduating class of a specific discipline. Only the valedictorian is ranked higher. This honor is traditionally based on grade point average and number of credits taken, but...
of his eighth grade class upon graduating from the school. Lutu next entered American Samoa High School. While in high school, his parents relocated to the village of Lauli'i, east of Pago Pago Harbor
Pago Pago Harbor
Pago Pago Harbor is a large natural inlet in the central south coast of the island of Tutuila in American Samoa. The capital, Pago Pago is located on the inner reaches of the harbor, close to its northwesternmost point....
, to work as ministers in the village. He resided with his grandparents, Rev. Su’esu’e and Sola, in Utulei during the school week, at travelled to see his parents on the weekend. Lutu graduated as the valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
and student body president
Student body president
The President of the Student Government is the highest ranking officer of a student government or student union association on the high school, college, or university level...
from high school in 1965. Following his graduation, Lutu was one of four American Samoan students chosen for a cultural exchange program in the United States. Lutu moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa
Spirit Lake, Iowa
Spirit Lake is a city in Dickinson County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,261 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Dickinson County.The town is located along the western shore of East Okoboji Lake, in the Iowa Great Lakes region....
, to attend an extra year of high school as part of the cultural exchange, where stayed at the home of Berkley and Elinor Bedell and their family. Berkley Bedell
Berkley Bedell
Berkley Warren Bedell is a former U.S. Representative from Iowa. After starting a successful business in his youth, Berkley Fly Co., he ran for the United States Congress in 1972, but was defeated by incumbent Wiley Mayne...
, Iowan businessman, was later elected as a United States Congressman from Iowa (1975–1987).
Lutu attended Northeast Missouri State University, now known as Truman State University
Truman State University
Truman State University is a public liberal arts and sciences university in Missouri, United States and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. About 6,000 students attend Truman, pursuing degrees in 43 undergraduate and 9 Graduate programs. It is located in Kirksville in...
, on a full American Samoa Government scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
. Lutu met his future wife while at Northest Missouri, Etenauga Alvina Lam Yuen. Etenauga, whose parents were Pastor Tini Inu Lam Yuen and Tululautu Fueainaula Tagaloa Lam Yuen, was also from a large American Samoan family of 11 other siblings.
He transferred to University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is a public, co-educational university and is the flagship campus of the greater University of Hawaii system...
after two years in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
to be closer to his parents, who were working at a Samoan church in Nānākuli, Hawai'i
Nanakuli, Hawai'i
Nānākuli is a census-designated place in the Waianae District on the Island of Oahu, City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. In Hawaiian, nānā kuli means literally "look at knee". The population was 10,814 at the 2000 census.- Geography :...
, at the time. He graduated from the University of Hawaii - Manoa in 1968 with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
with a minor in prelaw. His future wife, Etenauga, received her bachelor's degree in nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
from Walla Walla College
Walla Walla College
Walla Walla University is a University offering liberal arts, professional, and technical programs located in College Place, Washington, just a few miles from Walla Walla. The current President is John McVay. It was founded in 1892 and is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.The...
. Lutu enrolled in the Valparaiso University School of Law
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
with another American Samoa Government scholarship.
Lutu and Etenauga married in Lynwood, California
Lynwood, California
Lynwood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 69,772, down from 69,845 at the 2000 census. Lynwood is located near South Gate and Compton in the southern portion of the Los Angeles Basin. Incorporated in...
, in 1972. The couple relocated to Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
, where Lutu completed his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
. Their first child, Christinna Sola, was born in Indiana in 1973. The couple moved to Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
following Lutu's completion of law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
.
The couple had several more children, including Alvina Lore in 1976; Faauuga Hannacho in 1977; Elinor Matuaifaleese in 1980; Kimberly Malaeimi in 1982; and Florence-Emma Le’ala in 1983. They also had tow sons, Justin Fouvale and Joshua Simanuali’i.
The Afoafouvale clans of American Samoa gave the title of Afoafouvale to him in 1989 and was formally granted in a 1990 ceremony. This marked the first time that anyone had held the title of Afoafouvale since the middle of the 1970s.
Career
The family returned to American Samoa in 1975 where Lutu worked as an attorneyLawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
. They eventually settled in Taputimu.
Lutu was appointed Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of American Samoa by Governor A. P. Lutali
A. P. Lutali
Aifili Paulo Lauvao , was governor of American Samoa . The founder of the U.S. commonwealth's Democratic Party, he had a long career in the legislature and the judiciary in American Samoa. From 1951 to 1954, he served as administrative supervisor for public schools...
after he was elected governor in 1985. He represented American Samoa and the Lutali administration at the early South Pacific Tuna Treaty negotiations. As Attorney General, Lutu also successfully defended challenges to the traditional Samoan communal land
Communal land
Communal land is a territory in possession of a community, rather than an individual or company.-Zimbabwe:...
system before United States federal courts
United States federal courts
The United States federal courts make up the judiciary branch of federal government of the United States organized under the United States Constitution and laws of the federal government.-Categories:...
and the United States Supreme Court.
He next became the special legal counsel for the President of the American Samoa Senate
American Samoa Senate
The American Samoa Senate is the upper house of the American Samoa Fono. The Senate, like the lower House of Representatives, is a nonpartisan body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term.-List of Senators:* Utu Abe Malae...
from 1998 until 1992. Lutu was elected to the American Samoa House of Representatives
American Samoa House of Representatives
The American Samoa House of Representatives is the lower house of the American Samoa Fono. The House consists of 21 representatives serving two-year terms, with 20 popular elected members, and one representative elected by a public meeting on Swains Island....
for Maoputasi District #7 in 1992. He spent two terms, a total of four years, in the House, before leaving his seat to become legal counsel to the American Samoa House of Representatives from 1996 until 1997.
Lutu next served as the head of the Legislative Reference Bureau from 1997 until 2004.
Political ambitions
Lutu ran for the American Samoa Delegates eat in the United States House of Representatives, but was defeated by Eni Faleomavaega.Lutu campaigned as the running mate
Running mate
A running mate is a person running together with another person on a joint ticket during an election. The term is most often used in reference to the person in the subordinate position but can also properly be used when referring to both candidates, such as "Michael Dukakis and Lloyd Bentsen were...
for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
The government of American Samoa consists of a locally elected governor, lieutenant governor and the American Samoa Fono, which consists of an 18-member Senate and a 21-member House of Representatives. The first popular election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor took place in 1977...
with Senator
American Samoa Senate
The American Samoa Senate is the upper house of the American Samoa Fono. The Senate, like the lower House of Representatives, is a nonpartisan body. It is composed of 18 senators, serving a four-year term.-List of Senators:* Utu Abe Malae...
Lealaifuaneva Peter Reid for Governor during the 1996 and 2000 American Samoan gubernatorial elections. However, Reid and Lutu lost both elections. They were defeated by former governor Tauese Sunia
Tauese Sunia
Tauese Tuailemafua Pita Fiti Sunia was the governor of American Samoa from 1997 until his death. He died during his second term, on March 26, 2003, while on a flight to Hawaii for medical treatment....
and then Lt. Governor Tulafono in both 1996 and 2000.
Lutu ran for Governor of American Samoa in 2004 with Taeaoafua Dr. Meki Solomona as his running mate. The two faced incumbent Governor Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Tulafono
Togiola Talalelei A. Tulafono is the Governor of American Samoa. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He had previously served as Lieutenant Governor, taking this position on January 3, 1997....
and Lt. Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia
Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia
Ipulasi Aitofele Toese Fiti Sunia is an American Samoan lawyer and politician. Sunia has served as the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa since April 11, 2003.-Early life :...
in the 2004 general election. However, Tulafono defeated Lutu in the second round runoff election. Tulafono earned 56 percent of the vote while Lutu garnered 44 percent.
2008 Gubernatorial election
Afoa Moega Lutu once again decided to challenge Gov. Togiola Tulafono for his office in the 2008 gubernatorial electionAmerican Samoa gubernatorial election, 2008
The 2008 American Samoa gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2008, coinciding with the 2008 United States general elections and the American Samoa general election. Because no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election between the top two candidates was held on...
. Lutu's running mate for Lieutenant Governor is Velega Savali
Velega Savali
Velega Savali Savali Jr. is an American Samoan politician. Savali is currently a candidate for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa in the American Samoan gubernatorial election in 2008. He served as the American Samoa Treasurer from 2005 until 2008.-Personal life:Savali is married to Leleiga...
, a former American Samoan Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
.
Lutu and Savali launched their campaign for Governor at a kick-off campaign rally at the Tradewinds Hotel on May 17, 2008. Approximately 700 people attended the rally. Lutu promised to run on issues such as transparency and improving the territory's public education system.
The gubernatorial election will take place on November 4, 2008.
External links
- Official campaign websites