A. P. Lutali

Aifili Paulo Lauvao (December 24, 1919 – August 1, 2002), was twice governor of American Samoa (1985–89, 1993–97). The founder of the U.S territory's Democratic Party, he had a long career in the legislature and the judiciary in American Samoa.

A. P. Lutali
52nd and 54th Governor of American Samoa
In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1997
Lieutenant	Tauese Sunia
Preceded by	Peter Tali Coleman
Succeeded by	Tauese Sunia
In office January 3, 1985 – January 2, 1989
Lieutenant	Eni Faleomavaega
Preceded by	Peter Tali Coleman
Succeeded by	Peter Tali Coleman
Personal details
Born	Aifili Paulo Lutali (1919-12-24)December 24, 1919 Aunu'u, American Samoa, U.S.
Died	August 1, 2002(2002-08-01) (aged 82) Pago Pago, American Samoa, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Susana Le'iato
Children	9
Education	University of Hawaii, Manoa

Governor Lutali was a preservationist who wanted to preserve large areas of the territory's nature. Lutali also worked to preserve American Samoa's ancient sites and historical buildings. He revitalized the Historic Preservation Office.[1]

Biography

Education

From 1951 to 1954, Lutali served as administrative supervisor for public schools. He was chairman of the Samoan Culture Curriculum Committee from 1952 to 1954, a member of the Board of Education from 1955 to 1958, and chairman of the first American Samoa Board of Higher Education, which established the American Samoa Community College, Mapusaga, in 1974. He was admitted to practice in the High Court of American Samoa in 1954 and was one of the founders of the American Samoa Bar Association in 1972. He served as chief judge of the Lands and Titles Division.

Political career

Lutali was elected to the American Samoa House of Representatives in 1955 and served as its speaker in 1955–58. He was a member of the 1966 Constitutional Convention and was American Samoa's Delegate to Congress from 1975 to 1977. He was elected to the American Samoa Senate in 1977 and was elected its president in his first year. He was first elected governor of American Samoa in 1984 and lost his bid for a second term in 1988. In 1989, he was returned by his district (Sa'ole) to the Senate where he served as chairman of the Committee on Government Operations until he was again elected governor in 1992. Lutali played a key role in working with Samoan chiefs and the U.S. Congress to create the 50th national park of the United States in American Samoa. He lost his bid for a third term as governor in the 1996 elections.

Death

Lutali died around 6:45 am at LBJ Medical Center on August 1, 2002.

Legacy

American Samoa's newest school, The A. P. Lutali Elementary School, is named in his honor. It is located on the island of Aunu'u, American Samoa.

Sources

• Rulers.org
• Appearances on C-SPAN

References

1. Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. Page 200. ISBN 9780896103399.

Party political offices
First	Democratic nominee for Governor of American Samoa 1977, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992	Succeeded by Tauese Sunia
Political offices
Preceded by Peter Tali Coleman	Governor of American Samoa 1985–1989	Succeeded by Peter Tali Coleman
	Governor of American Samoa 1993–1997	Succeeded by Tauese Sunia