Pacific / American Samoa

Retired judge named new American Samoa senator

14:56 pm on 7 January 2019

The retired chief associate judge of the High Court of American Samoa, Logoai Siaki Logoai, is the new senator from Fiti-uta County in Manu'a islands.

Photo: 123rf

Logoai will fill the position of the late senator, Galea'i Moaali'itele Tu'ufuli who died in October.

Galea'i had two years left on his term in office.

The late Paramount Chief was one of two senators for Manu'a District Number One - comprising Ta'u, Falesao and Fiti-uta.

The other current senator is Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga T. Nua.

Logoai officially retired from the bench in 2015 after serving more than 50 years in various roles in government.

It's unclear when Logoai will be sworn into office.

The incoming 36th Legislature will officially open 14 January.

Savaii retains Speaker role in American Samoa

Meanwhile, Savaii Talavou Ale has been re-elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the American Samoa Legislature.

Savaii Talavou Ale congratulated on Speaker retention Photo: RNZ Pacific / Monica Miller

He was unanimously voted for at the swearing in of the 21 members of the House after facing no challengers.

Savaii has held the Alataua District seat since 1981.

He has been Speaker for nearly 30 years.