Galea'i Peni Poumele

Galea'i Peni Poumele (December 18, 1926 – July 27, 1992) was a Republican American Samoan politician and traditional leader. Poumele served as the third elected Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from 1989 to 1992.[1][2]

Galea'i Peni Poumele
4th Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
In office
January 2, 1989 – July 27, 1992
GovernorPeter Tali Coleman
Preceded byEni Faleomavaega
Succeeded byGaioi Tufele Galeai
President of the American Samoa Senate
In office
1979–1985
Personal details
Born(1926-12-18)December 18, 1926
Fitiuta, Manu'a, American Samoa
DiedJuly 27, 1992(1992-07-27) (aged 65)
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1946)​

He was the first Chairman of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa and instrumental in its establishment in the 1980s.[3]

Biography

Personal life

Poumele was a paramount chief of the village of Fitiuta, where he was born, located on Tau in the Manu'a Islands.[4] After graduating from Papatea, Poumele joined the Fitafita Guard in 1943, the United States Navy in 1950, where he served there for thirty years. He moved with his family back to American Samoa in 1967 in order to work with the Office of the Attorney General. He was later appointed Director of Civil Defense for American Samoa. From 1971-79, he served as the Director of Personnel at StarKist. The title "Galea'i" was bestowed upon him in Fitiuta on September 26, 1972.[5] The chiefly title of Galea'i became vacant upon Poumele's death in 1992.[4] He is buried in Nu'uuli.

Political career

Poumele served one term in the American Samoa House of Representatives representing Itu'au County in the 12th Legislature. In 1972, Ta'u, Fitiuta and Faleasao elected Poumele to the American Samoa Senate, where he was re-appointed for five consecutive terms. He was the President of the American Samoa Senate for six years. In 1985, he was also appointed to Secretary of Samoan Affairs by Governor A. P. Lutali.[6]

In 1988, Peter Tali Coleman and his running mate, Galea'i Peni Poumele, were elected Governor and Lt. Governor of American Samoa.[1] Coleman and Poumele were inaugurated on January 2, 1989.[1] Poumele became the third elected Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa, while the 1989 inauguration marked Coleman's fourth nonconsecutive term as Governor.[1]

Lieutenant Governor Galea'i Peni Poumele died in office on July 27, 1992 at the age of 65. His term was then finished his wife, Gaioioi Tufele Galea'i. He was succeeded by Tauese Sunia, who was inaugurated Lt. Governor on January 4, 1993,[7] with incoming Governor A. P. Lutali.

References
  1. Sorensen, Sam (2008). "The Samoan Historical Calendar 1606-2008" (PDF). Office of the Governor American Samoa Government. p. 5. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  3. Sunia, Fofō I. F. (1998). The Story of the Legislature of American Samoa: In Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee 1948-1998. Pago Pago, AS: Legislature of American Samoa. Page 262. ISBN 9789829008015.
  4. "In re Matai Title "Galea'i" - American Samoa Bar Association". American Samoa Bar Association. 2000-05-12. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
  5. Sunia, Fofō I. F. (1998). The Story of the Legislature of American Samoa: In Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee 1948-1998. Pago Pago, AS: Legislature of American Samoa. Page 262. ISBN 9789829008015.
  6. Sunia, Fofō I. F. (1998). The Story of the Legislature of American Samoa: In Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee 1948-1998. Pago Pago, AS: Legislature of American Samoa. Page 262. ISBN 9789829008015.
  7. Sorensen, Stan (2007-01-09). "Historical Notes - page 2" (PDF). Tapuitea Official Newsletter of American Samoa. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
Political offices
Preceded by
Eni Faleomavaega		 Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa
1989–1992		 Succeeded by
Gaioi Tufele Galeai
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