The first local Attorney General of the American Samoa Government, Tautai Aviata Fano Faalevao, passed away in Vancouver, Washington earlier this month. He was 73.
Tautai was first appointed as AG by Governor Uifaatali Peter Coleman and Lt Governor Tufele Liamatua in 1979 after serving as Deputy AG under Attorney General Lyle Richmond.
He was given a second term as AG when the Coleman/Tufele government was re-elected in 1980 and a third term from 1989 to 1993 when Governor Coleman anf Lt Governor Galeai Poumele were in office.
In between his posts as AG! Tautai was in private practice in the Law Offices of Coleman and Faalevao.
From 1998 to 2008 he was Director of the Public Defender’s Office under the Togiola Tulafono and Faoa Sunia administration.
After he left ASG employment,Tautai operated his private law office.
He was Chairman of the Republican Party of American Samoa and once ran for Congress.
Tautai was also one of the founders of the now defunct ASG Employees Credit Union.
Outside government, he was a leader of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa in Fagatogo where he was a lay preacher and an active member of the choir.
He was also active in the CCCAS in his village of Fagaalu.
Tautai served many years as a legal advisor to the CCCAS.
As a young man he knew the importance of education and excelled in his elementary and secondary education.
Tautai was valedictorian of the Class of 1965 of the High School of American Samoa and was awarded a government scholarship to continue his studies in the US.
He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Tennessee and his juris doctor degree from Valparaiso University Law School.
He was a member of the Pensylvania Bar Association.
Due to illness, Tautai and his wife Lia Taeleifi Faiivae Leoso Faamausili Fano Faalevao moved to the mainland several years ago
They have 7 children and 11 grandchildren.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata says she had a great deal of respect for Tautai.
She described him as an honest leader who never hesitated to speak up to set the record straight on important issues.
“Tautai will be remembered for his dedication to the people of American Samoa and service to his church, village and devotion to his family. He was trusted and served as Governor Coleman’s Attorney General for two terms,” said Aumua.
“My family and I want to offer our deepest condolences to his wife Lia Faamausili Tautai Aviata Faalevao, their beautiful children and very large extended family. Thank you Tautai for your service to our Territory and to the Nation.”
The governor’s executive assistant Iulogologo Joseph Pereira who served with Tautai in the Coleman/Tufele cabinet said Tautai’s greatest strength was his open mindedness and willingness to listen to all and differing perspectives before rendering a decision.
“He was very unassuming and bashful at times but he was not timid when he needed to make a point or advance the rule of law.,” said Iulogologo. “He served our people well and did the best he could.”
KHJ News extends deepest sysmpathies to Mrs Lia Faalevao and family for their loss.
