Tuanaitau F. Tuia
Encyclopedia
Tuanaitau Fa'atamala Tuia (c. 1920 - January 22, 2010) was an American Samoa
n politician
and the longest-serving member of the American Samoan territorial legislature, the Fono
, in history. Tuia served a combined 49 years in the Fono, including thirty years in the American Samoa House of Representatives
and seventeen years in the Senate
.
Tuia was heavily involved in all major political changes and debates in American Samoa between 1961 and 2010. He was in office more than a decade before the current American Samoa Fono building, completed in 1973, was constructed. Following Tuia's death in 2010, the longest-serving member of the Fono is currently House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale.
in 1946. The couple, who had six children, remained together until his wife's death in 2005.
Tuia served as a sa'o in his village. He worked as a legal practitioner, specializing in cases relating to titles
and land. He was also a businessman within American Samoa's construction industry in addition to his political career.
began in the November 1960 legislative election, when he was elected to the American Samoa House of Representatives
representing Tualauta County in Western District
. At the time of his election to the House, Tuia's matai name, meaning family or chiefly title, was Muagututi’a.
Tuia, though virtually unknown in political circles, was elected as the Speaker of the House
in 1961, on his first day in office as an elected representative. His election as Speaker surprised many observers, as Tuia, a political newcomer and first-term representative, knew few people outside Tualauta County. The book, Fono Jubilee, which was published in 1998 and edited by the late Senator Fofo I.F. Sunia, described the surprise at Tuia's selection as Speaker, "Few people ever heard of him which is why his election as Speaker came as a shock." Tuia later served as Speaker on during several legislative sessions from 1967–68; 1978–1984; and 1987-1992.
Tuia spent 30 years in the American Samoa House of Representatives, including 18 years as the Speaker of the House. He chose not to seek re-election in 1992 to pursue a successful campaign for the American Samoan Senate.
for Tualauta County in 1992. His first term as Senator began in 1993 and he remained in that office until his death in 2010.
Tuia was taken to Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center and placed in the intensive-care unit on January 21, 2010. He died at the hospital in Faga'alu
on January 22, 2010, at the age of 89. He was survived by six children; grandchildren, including current Rep. Galu Satele Jr.; and great-grandchildren.
A state funeral
for Tuia was held at the Fono Guest Fale. Dignitaries in attendance included Governor Togiola Tulafono
, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie, Chief Justice
Michael Kruse
, as well as traditional American Samoan leaders.
Tuia's funeral was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his home village of Pavaiai. He was buried at his home in Pavaiai.
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 the longest-serving member of the American Samoan territorial legislature, the Fono
American Samoa Fono
The Legislature of American Samoa or Fono is the territorial legislature of American Samoa. Like most state and territorial legislatures of the United States, it is a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate...
, in history. Tuia served a combined 49 years in the Fono, including thirty years in 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....
and seventeen years in the 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...
.
Tuia was heavily involved in all major political changes and debates in American Samoa between 1961 and 2010. He was in office more than a decade before the current American Samoa Fono building, completed in 1973, was constructed. Following Tuia's death in 2010, the longest-serving member of the Fono is currently House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale.
Personal life
Tuia was from the village of Pavaiai. He was widely known by the name "Tua." Tuia married his wife, Betty, in HawaiiHawaii
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...
in 1946. The couple, who had six children, remained together until his wife's death in 2005.
Tuia served as a sa'o in his village. He worked as a legal practitioner, specializing in cases relating to titles
Land registration
Land registration generally describes systems by which matters concerning ownership, possession or other rights in land can be recorded to provide evidence of title, facilitate transactions and to prevent unlawful disposal...
and land. He was also a businessman within American Samoa's construction industry in addition to his political career.
American Samoa House of Representatives
Tuia's career in politicsPolitics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
began in the November 1960 legislative election, when he 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....
representing Tualauta County in Western District
Western District, American Samoa
The Western District is one of the primary divisions of American Samoa. It consists of the western portion of Tutuila Island. It has a land area of 74.781 km² and contains 29 villages plus a part of Nu'uuli village. Among these is the largest village of American Samoa, Tafuna, at its eastern end...
. At the time of his election to the House, Tuia's matai name, meaning family or chiefly title, was Muagututi’a.
Tuia, though virtually unknown in political circles, was elected as the Speaker of the House
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
in 1961, on his first day in office as an elected representative. His election as Speaker surprised many observers, as Tuia, a political newcomer and first-term representative, knew few people outside Tualauta County. The book, Fono Jubilee, which was published in 1998 and edited by the late Senator Fofo I.F. Sunia, described the surprise at Tuia's selection as Speaker, "Few people ever heard of him which is why his election as Speaker came as a shock." Tuia later served as Speaker on during several legislative sessions from 1967–68; 1978–1984; and 1987-1992.
Tuia spent 30 years in the American Samoa House of Representatives, including 18 years as the Speaker of the House. He chose not to seek re-election in 1992 to pursue a successful campaign for the American Samoan Senate.
American Samoa Senate
He was elected to the American Samoa SenateAmerican 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...
for Tualauta County in 1992. His first term as Senator began in 1993 and he remained in that office until his death in 2010.
Tuia was taken to Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center and placed in the intensive-care unit on January 21, 2010. He died at the hospital in Faga'alu
Faga'alu
Faga'alu is a village in central Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located on the eastern shore of Pago Pago Harbor, to the south of Pago Pago. American Samoa's lone hospital is in Faga'alu....
on January 22, 2010, at the age of 89. He was survived by six children; grandchildren, including current Rep. Galu Satele Jr.; and great-grandchildren.
A state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
for Tuia was held at the Fono Guest Fale. Dignitaries in attendance included 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....
, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, Senate President Gaoteote Tofau Palaie, Chief Justice
High Court of American Samoa
The High Court of American Samoa is the highest court below the United States Supreme Court in American Samoa. The Court is located in the capital of Fagatogo. It consists of a Chief Justice and an Associate Justice, appointed by the United States Secretary of the Interior...
Michael Kruse
Michael Kruse
Michael Kruse , LL.B , MCL is the Chief Justice of American Samoa.-Personal:...
, as well as traditional American Samoan leaders.
Tuia's funeral was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his home village of Pavaiai. He was buried at his home in Pavaiai.