Tributes are flowing in for former Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin who passed away in Provo, Utah yesterday at the age of 73.
Faleomavaega slipped out of the public eye following his loss at the polls in 2014 when he was aiming for an unprecedented 14th term as American Samoa’s non- voting Delegate to Congress.
He had been taken ill the previous year and was hospitalized at LBJ Hospital during one of his field visits, then was medivaced to Hawaii.
A Vietnam War vet, it was believed that exposure to Agent Orange contributed to his ailing health.
But it was also widely known that Faleomavaega’s love for food, his work schedule and extensive travels took a toll on his health.
Family members say he had been hospitalized and last Saturday he was taken off life support and returned to their home in Provo, where he died.
His wife Hinanui, children, grandchildren, close relatives and some friends were by his bedside.
When Faleomavaega first ran for Congress, some had referred to him as the tamaititi, the boy. ‘
Faleomavaega was not discouraged. He capitalized on that with his youthful looks and charisma, appealing to the younger generation and becoming their candidate and symbol of hope for the “lalovaoa, ” the youth.
Throughout his 26 years as American Samoa’s congressman, while he portrayed a deep love for the faaSamoa and respect for matais and leaders more senior than him, he embodied that youthful spirit and image.
Photos: Aoelua Solomona
He was the go to man if those who weren’t part of the establishment.
Aoelua Solomona worked for Congressman Faleomavaega for 14 years and was his deputy chief of staff in Washington D.C.
Asked what he remembers most about his former boss, Aoelua, now a special assistant to Lt Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga said he will never forget how Faleomavaega would handwrite his full name on calendars which he sent out to constituents.
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The former Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Benigno Fitial said in a message of condolence sent through the Director of the Office of Insular Affairs, Nikolao Pula, “Eni helped the CNMI during his many years as a US Congressional delegate for American Samoa.
“He supported without any reservation all CNMI requests for financial assistance to help develop the CNMI economy and improve the livelihood of the people.”
Fitial said the residents of the CNMI are eternally grateful to Eni for his tremendous help and support.
His message concluded, “We pray and ask our Lord to bless him and grant his soul eternal rest and and peace in heaven.”
