Politics of American Samoa takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democratic dependency, whereby the Governor is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Its constitution was ratified 1966 and came into effect 1967. Executive power is discharged by the governor and the lieutenant governor. Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of the legislature. The party system is a based on the United States party system. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.
Pago Pago is the territorial capital of American Samoa. It is in Maoputasi County on the main island of American Samoa, Tutuila. It is home to one of the best and deepest natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered from wind and rough seas, and strategically located. The harbor is also one of the best protected in the South Pacific, which gives American Samoa a natural advantage with respect to landing fish for processing. Tourism, entertainment, food, and tuna canning are its main industries. Pago Pago was the world's fourth largest tuna processor as of 1993. It was home to two of the largest tuna companies in the world: Chicken of the Sea and StarKist, which exported an estimated $445 million in canned tuna to the U.S. mainland. It is the number one port in the U.S. in terms of value of fish landed - about $200,000,000 annually.
Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia was the first non-voting Delegate from American Samoa to the United States House of Representatives. He was born in Fagasā, Pago Pago, and attended the University of Hawaii.
The Legislature of American Samoa or Fono is the territorial legislature of American Samoa. Like most state and territorial legislatures of the United States, it is a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate. The legislature is located in Fagatogo along Pago Pago harbor.
Fagatogo is the Downtown area of Pago Pago, the territorial capital of American Samoa. It is the government, commercial, financial, and shipping center of Tutuila Island. It is also the administrative capital of American Samoa. Fagatogo is the location of the American Samoa Fono (legislature), and is listed in the Constitution of American Samoa as the territory's official seat of government. Its population is 3,000.
The Eastern District is one of the primary districts of American Samoa. It consists of the eastern portion of Tutuila, American Samoa's largest island, plus the island of Aunu'u. The district has a land area of 67.027 km2 and a 2000 census population of 23,441. It contains 34 villages plus a portion of Nu'uuli village. Among these are Pago Pago, Fagatogo, and Utulei.
The Constitution of American Samoa is the constitution that defines the government of American Samoa.
The government of American Samoa is defined under the Constitution of American Samoa.
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Samoa. Its location is centered on 14.2710° S, 170.1322° W. It is east of the International Date Line, while Samoa is west of the Line.
Fatumafuti is a village in central Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located at the easternmost point of the entrance to Pago Pago Harbor, south of Pago Pago. Flowerpot Rock, also known as Fatu Rock, is found along the highway in Fatumafuti. Legend says Fatu and Futi were lovers living in the Manu’a Islands. They wanted to get married but were forbidden to do so. The couple sailed from Savai'i (Samoa), looking for Tutuila Island; their canoe sank, and the pair were transformed into these tree-topped islands.
Galea'i Peni Poumele was a Republican American Samoan politician and traditional leader. Poumele served as the third elected Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from 1989 to 1992.
The Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) or the "Ekalesia Faapotopotoga Kerisiano i Amerika Samoa" (EFKAS) is a theologically Reformed and congregational denomination in American Samoa.
Savali Talavou Ale is an American Samoan politician. He has served as the Speaker of the American Samoa House of Representatives since 2007. Ale, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1981, is also the longest serving current member of the American Samoa House of Representatives, as of 2015.
Gaioi Tufele Galeai served as the interim Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa from 1992 until 1993. She was appointed by Governor Peter Tali Coleman to fill the remainder of the term of her husband, Galea'i Peni Poumele, who had died in office. She was a member of the Republican Party of American Samoa.
Aumoeualogo Te’o J. Fuavai was a former American Samoa politician who represented the Republican Party of American Samoa and served as a member of the American Samoa House of Representatives, as a territorial Senator, and Speaker of the House of Representatives. He has also been the Commissioner of Public Safety, Director of Public Works, President of the American Samoa Rugby Union (1976-2019), Chairman of the Catholic Diocesan Council, and Chairman of the Republican Party of American Samoa.
Fainu'ulelei S. Utu was an American Samoan politician who served as Speaker of the American Samoa House of Representatives (1969-1970) and a member of the Fono legislature as both a member in the American Samoa House of Representatives (1969-1973) and the American Samoa Senate (1973-74).
Lutu Tenari S. Fuimaono was the longest-serving territorial senator in American Samoa history. He served as the President of the American Samoa Senate from 1996 until his death in 2004. Before being elected president, he served three terms in the American Samoa House of Representatives prior to becoming a senator.
Letuli Toloa was an American Samoa paramount chief and the longest-serving President of the American Samoa Senate. From 1989 until his death on January 30, 1996, Paramount Chief Punefu-ole-motu Letuli Toloa served as Senate President.
