Tofilau Eti Alesana
Encyclopedia
Tofilau Eti Alesana, AC, born Aualamalefalelima Alesana, (June 4, 1924 – March 19, 1999) was a Samoa
n politician. He was born in Vaitogi
, Tutuila
, American Samoa
to a Samoan upper-class parents, Reverend James Alesana Fai'ivae and Vaoita Iosefa Mala'itai. At the age of 24, he became a clan chief.
which won power in 1982. Alesana served as prime minister
for the first time from 1982 until 1985 when he was deposed by Parliament with the help of disgruntled members of his own party. He regained control of the party in 1988 and became prime minister. Alesana led the party to almost complete control of the country, with more than a 2/3 majority in the Parliament. In 1997 Alesana's government changed the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa.
Alesana began to suffer from health problems in the 1990s, finally resigning as Prime Minister in November 1998 but remained a member of Cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio until his death in the capital, Apia. His party still holds power. Alesana was also foreign minister
of Samoa from 1984 to 1985 and from 1988 to 1998.
Tofilau is the first of a prominent political family in both Samoas. He is the uncle of former Governor of American Samoa, Tauese Pita Alesana as well as the former U.S. Congressional Representative Fofo Sunia, the present Lt.Governor of American Samoa, Faoa Aitofele Sunia and present Congressional representative, Eni Hunkin also of American Samoa. His wife was Pitolua Alesana.
Alesana's son, Tautua Samoa Party
President Va'aelua Eti Alesana
, died in 2011.
, for "eminent service to Australian/Western Samoan relations and to South Pacific multilateral relations".
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...
n politician. He was born in Vaitogi
Vaitogi
Vaitogi is a village in American Samoa. It has many missionaries and tourists who are attracted by the shopping for local products....
, Tutuila
Tutuila
Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa in the archipelago of Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific located roughly northeast of Brisbane, Australia and over northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor,...
, 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...
to a Samoan upper-class parents, Reverend James Alesana Fai'ivae and Vaoita Iosefa Mala'itai. At the age of 24, he became a clan chief.
History
In 1957 he was elected to the legislative council, and in 1958 he became health minister. He helped draft the constitution for the newly independent state of Western Samoa. Alesana helped form the Human Rights Protection PartyHuman Rights Protection Party
The Human Rights Protection Party is a Samoan political party. It has been the dominant party in Samoan politics since 1982.The party was co-founded in May 1979 by Va'ai Kolone and Tofilau Eti Alesana in opposition to the government of Tupuola Efi...
which won power in 1982. Alesana served as prime minister
Prime Minister of Samoa
This is a list of Prime Ministers of Samoa from the establishment of that office in 1875 until the present day.-List of Prime Ministers of Samoa :-See also:*Samoa**Politics of Samoa...
for the first time from 1982 until 1985 when he was deposed by Parliament with the help of disgruntled members of his own party. He regained control of the party in 1988 and became prime minister. Alesana led the party to almost complete control of the country, with more than a 2/3 majority in the Parliament. In 1997 Alesana's government changed the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa.
Alesana began to suffer from health problems in the 1990s, finally resigning as Prime Minister in November 1998 but remained a member of Cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio until his death in the capital, Apia. His party still holds power. Alesana was also foreign minister
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
of Samoa from 1984 to 1985 and from 1988 to 1998.
Tofilau is the first of a prominent political family in both Samoas. He is the uncle of former Governor of American Samoa, Tauese Pita Alesana as well as the former U.S. Congressional Representative Fofo Sunia, the present Lt.Governor of American Samoa, Faoa Aitofele Sunia and present Congressional representative, Eni Hunkin also of American Samoa. His wife was Pitolua Alesana.
Alesana's son, Tautua Samoa Party
Tautua Samoa Party
Tautua Samoa is a political party in Samoa. The party's policies include economic development, particularly in the agricultural sector, public service reform, a limit on the number of Associate Ministers, and a reduction in the term of Parliament from 5 to 3 or 4 years...
President Va'aelua Eti Alesana
Va'aelua Eti Alesana
Va'aelua Eti Alesana was a Samoan politician and opposition leader who served as a founding member and President of the Tautua Samoa Party in 2011.He was the son of former Prime Minister of Samoa, Tofilau Eti Alesana...
, died in 2011.
Honours
On 6 July 1994, he was appointed an honorary Companion of the Order of AustraliaOrder of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, for "eminent service to Australian/Western Samoan relations and to South Pacific multilateral relations".