Samoan governor mourned
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| Mourners packed Central Union Church in Honolulu yesterday for the funeral of American Samoa Gov. Tauese Pita Sunia, who died Wednesday.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser |
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Parking overflowed from the ample lot to every spare foot of Central Union Church's broad, green lawn yesterday as mourners arrived for funeral services for American Samoa Gov. Tauese Pita Sunia.
American Samoa officials carry the coffin of American Samoa Gov. Tauese Pita Sunia into Central Union Church. Sunia, 61, died Wednesday en route to Honolulu.
Men dressed in traditional Samoan clothing and women in white dresses and broad-brimmed hats filled the pews in the nave and balcony. As the service progressed, more people entered the church until standing room along the rear walls was taken and the entry foyer filled.
Sunia, 61, died Wednesday night during a flight from Samoa to Honolulu. He had been traveling to Hawai'i, which he frequently visited, for treatment of abdominal pains at Straub Clinic and Hospital.
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His body is to be returned home today.
American Samoa Gov. Tauese Pita Sunia loved the culture of his homeland.
A color guard of American Samoan police officers in formal dress escorted the coffin into the church yesterday. They will stay with Sunia's body as it is returned to Samoa, said Afimutasi Gus Hannemann, an American Samoa liaison for federal, state and territorial affairs and brother of former City Council member Mufi Hannemann.
A brief exchange of words that preceded the placement of a ceremonial cloth on the coffin before it was taken into the church was an abbreviated form of a traditionally lengthy debate that determines who should be given the honor of covering the coffin of a high chief, Hannemann said.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Hawai'i Gov. Linda Lingle spoke during the ceremony, saying that her brief contact with Sunia had convinced her he was a man who fought hard for causes he believed in, and he would long be missed by those who had known him.
One of many mourners dressed in white weeps for the American Samoa leader. Among the mourners yesterday was Hawai'i Gov. Linda Lingle and former Gov. Ben Cayetano.
She nodded to former Gov. Ben Cayetano and his wife, who were friends to Sunia, and stooped beneath Sunia's wife's broad hat to plant a kiss on the widow's check.
American Samoa congressman Eni Falemavaega said Sunia's love for the culture of his homeland was well known, and his lifestyle exemplified the best of it.
"He would be playing marbles with the children one day, meeting with prime ministers, kings and queens the next," Falemavaega said.
Sunia is survived by his wife, Fagaoalii Satele Sunia, 10 children and many grandchildren.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Outside the church yesterday, as the congregation sang hymns and the Honolulu sky gathered clouds for a downpour, Hannemann talked about Sunia's skills as a singer and dancer, and of the late governor's favorite song, "Sentimental Journey."
American Samoa police officers carry Sunia's coffin into Central Union Church. Sunia died en route to Hawai'i, where he was to be treated for abdominal pains.
Hannemann said he remembers the last time he saw the governor smile and say goodbye. At the time, he said, the lyrics of that song seemed to play in his head.
Reach Karen Blakeman at 535 2430 or at kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
