23 Facts About Togiola Tulafono

Togiola Talalelei A Tulafono was born on February 28,1947 and is an American Samoan politician and lawyer who served as the sixth governor of American Samoa.

Togiola Tulafono had previously served as the seventh lieutenant governor.

Togiola Tulafono then became acting governor and officially became governor on April 7,2003.

Togiola Tulafono was elected to a full 4-year term in the November 2004 gubernatorial elections and was re-elected in the November 2008 gubernatorial election.

Togiola Tulafono did not run for governor in 2012 as he was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.

Togiola Tulafono was an unsuccessful candidate for American Samoa's at-large congressional district in 2014.

Togiola T A Tulafono was born on February 28,1947, in Aunu'u Island, American Samoa.

Togiola Tulafono was educated in Samoa, attending elementary school in Autu'u and Samoana High School.

Togiola Tulafono attended Chadron State College in the United States, where he earned bachelor's degrees in both political science and sociology in 1970.

Togiola Tulafono received a doctor of laws degree from the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, in 1975.

Togiola Tulafono has served as a deacon of the Congregational Christian Church in Sa'ilele, American Samoa, for over 25 years.

Togiola Tulafono spent two years each working as a private practice attorney and as a vice president for South Pacific Island Airways during the late 1970s.

Togiola Tulafono was appointed as a district court judge in 1978 and then to the American Samoa Senate in 1980.

Togiola Tulafono chaired the board of directors for the American Samoa Power Authority and was the first chairman of the Board of Higher Education.

Togiola Tulafono further co-chaired the South Pacific Mini Games committee in 1997 when American Samoa hosted the games.

Togiola Tulafono later co-chaired the American Samoa Centennial Committee in 2000, which was formed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American Samoa becoming a territorial possession of the United States.

Togiola Tulafono presently serves as vice chairman of the territorial church general assembly of American Samoa as of 2008.

Togiola Tulafono was sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa under Governor Tauese Sunia on January 3,1997.

Sunia and Togiola Tulafono were re-elected in 2000 and sworn into their second terms in office on January 3,2001.

Togiola Tulafono remained lieutenant governor until Sunia's sudden death from a heart attack on March 26,2003.

Togiola Tulafono became acting governor until he was formally sworn into office as Governor of American Samoa on April 7,2003.

Togiola Tulafono took part in endorsing Senator Hillary Clinton for President of the United States during the 2008 presidential primaries and the American Samoa Democratic caucuses, 2008 and became the national co-chair of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders for Hillary.

In July 2006, Governor Togiola Tulafono issued a mandate to Hawaiian Airlines, giving the airline ninety days to cease service to Pago Pago International Airport in Pago Pago.