Aifili Paulo Lauvao (December 24, 1919 – August 1, 2002), was twice governor of American Samoa (1985–1989, 1993–1997). The founder of the U.S territory's Democratic Party, he had a long career in the legislature and the judiciary in American Samoa.
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]
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 was appointed a permanent judge of the high court in 1972,[3] and later as chief judge of the Lands and Titles Division.
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.[9] 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.[10]
Death
Lutali suffered a stroke and was admitted to LBJ Medical Center. He died on August 1, 2002.[11]
Legacy
Lutali's political career began in 1953 when he was elected to the Saʻole County seat in the first ever elected American Samoa House of Representatives (3rd Legislature).[12] He was a signatory of the first American Samoa Constitution in 1960 and later chaired the 1966 Constitutional Convention, which produced the current 1967 Revised Constitution. His administration is remembered for its initiatives in public health, youth development, and environmental protection, including his strong opposition to nuclear testing in the Pacific region. As Governor, he initiated several private self-help business programs. He was instrumental in establishing Samoana High School, the first high school in American Samoa, in 1946. His commitment to education extended to higher learning; he chaired the first American Samoa Board of Higher Education, leading to the creation of the American Samoa Community College in 1974. Two years later, in 1976, he founded the American Samoa Democratic Party.[13][14]
He was involved in the establishment of the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) and played a significant role in the creation of the National Park of American Samoa. His efforts contributed to the modernization of public services and the preservation of the territory's natural resources. He was a founding member of the American Samoa Bar Association. After his defeat in the 1996 gubernatorial election, Lutali continued to serve in the American Samoa Senate, where he was involved in various community projects, including the construction of the Senior Citizen Center that now bears his name. In recognition of his lifelong service, he received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the government in 1997.[15][16]
The A. P. Lutali Elementary School on the island of Aunu'u is named in his honor. The A P Lutali Executive Office Building in Utulei is also named after him.[17]
^Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. Page 200. ISBN9780896103399.
^Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Page 78. ISBN 9829036022.
^"People". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 43, no. 1. 1 January 1972. p. 28. Retrieved 1 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"New Governor for Samoa". Papua New Guinea Post-Courier. 28 November 1977. p. 8. Retrieved 1 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Home-grown governor for the Samoans". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 49, no. 1. 1 January 1978. p. 30. Retrieved 1 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"People". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 49, no. 12. 1 December 1978. pp. 69–70. Retrieved 1 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
^"US flag Islands kick around incumbents". Pacific Islands Monthly. Vol. 66, no. 12. 1 December 1996. pp. 22–23. Retrieved 1 July 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
