Tofilau Eti Alesana
| Tofilau Eti Alesana | |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Samoa | |
|
In office 31 December 1982 – 30 December 1985 |
|
| Preceded by | Tufuga Efi |
| Succeeded by | Va'ai Kolone |
| Prime Minister of Samoa | |
|
In office 8 April 1988 – 23 November 1998 |
|
| Preceded by | Va'ai Kolone |
| Succeeded by | Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 June 1924 |
| Died | 19 March 1999 (aged 74) |
| Political party | HRPP |
| Spouse(s) | Pitolua Alesana |
Tofilau Eti Alesana, AC, born Aualamalefalelima Alesana (4 June 1924 – 19 March 1999), 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.
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 foreign minister 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.
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".
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