American Samoa Gov. Tauese Pita Sunia valued his traditional culture but possessed a vast knowledge of modern and world affairs. TAUESE PITA SUNIA / 1941-2003
American Samoa’s governor
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embraced past, presentBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com"He represents the example of bringing the best of two worlds together," said Papalii Failautusi Avegalio, director of the University of Hawaii's Pacific Business Center Program.
Sunia died Wednesday night on a Polynesian Airlines flight to Honolulu. He was suffering abdominal pains and was to receive medical treatment here. He was 61.
Sunia was born on Aug. 29, 1941, in the village of Fagatogo, where his parents served as ministers. He graduated from Kearney State Teachers College in Nebraska in history and political science with a certificate in secondary education.
Sunia was a frequent visitor to Hawaii, where he obtained a master's degree in education administration at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.
"Hawaii has lost a dear friend," said former Honolulu City Councilman Mufi Hannemann.
Taugaifala "Rags" Scanlan, president of Royal Guard Security in Honolulu, grew up with Sunia in America Samoa.
"He was a great guy, dedicated to his family and a hard worker," Scanlan said.
In 1992 he served as lieutenant governor for former Gov. A.P. Lutali. Sunia was elected governor of American Samoa in November 1996 and re-elected in 2000.
For nearly eight years, he served as chairman of the Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa and oversaw church affairs in Samoa, the United States and New Zealand.
Avegalio said he learned from Sunia that one should always firmly embrace one's culture and language and at the same time be able to benefit from Western knowledge and education.
"When he stood in front of traditional leaders, his oratorical skills were awe-inspiring," said Avegalio, who knew Sunia through educational and social gatherings. "In the same token, he can stand in front of a professional assembly and equally inspire the audience with depth and breadth of knowledge on a variety of topics.
"He was an amazing person."
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Central Union Church, 1660 S. Beretania St. Sunia's remains will be flown to American Samoa on Monday.