American Samoa’s Gov. Sunia
dies on flight to Honolulu

He was heading to a hospital on Oahu
for tests after suffering abdominal pains

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Associated Press

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa >> American Samoa Gov. Tauese Sunia died last night on his way to Honolulu for medical treatment.

Lt. Gov. Togiola Tulafono announced Sunia's death on state-run television around 10 p.m., before the Polynesian Airlines flight arrived in Honolulu.

Family members said Sunia, 61, was admitted to LBJ Medical Center in American Samoa during the weekend after suffering abdominal pains. Doctors recommended the governor be taken to Honolulu for precautionary observation and testing.

Togiola said Sunia's death was not caused by the abdominal problem, but he did not elaborate. The governor's wife accompanied him on the flight to Honolulu.

Togiola said a police guard will fly to Honolulu to accompany the governor's body back to American Samoa.

Sunia and Togiola were elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. Sunia had served as lieutenant governor under Gov. A. P. Lutali from 1993 to 1996. He also served a two-year term in the American Samoa House of Representatives and was a former director of the territory's Department of Education.