Tofilau Eti Alesana


Tofilau Eti Alesana, AC, born Aualamalefalelima Alesana, was a Samoan politician. He was born in Vaitogi, Tutuila, American Samoa to 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 Party 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 Minister of Foreign Affairs 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 former Lt. Governor of American Samoa, Faoa Aitofele Sunia and former Congressional representative, Faleomavaega 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.

Honours

Alesana was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal in 1953, and the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal. On 6 July 1994, he was appointed an honorary Companion of the Order of Australia, for "eminent service to Australian/Western Samoan relations and to South Pacific multilateral relations".