Lolo Matalasi Moliga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lolo Matalasi Moliga
|
|
|---|---|
Moliga in 2012
|
|
| 7th Governor of American Samoa | |
| In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2021 |
|
| Lieutenant | Peleti Mauga |
| Preceded by | Togiola Tulafono |
| Succeeded by | Peleti Mauga |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 12, 1947 Taʻū, American Samoa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2011, 2016–present) Independent (2011–2015) |
| Spouse | Cynthia Malala |
| Education | Chadron State College (BA) San Diego State University (MPA) |
| Signature |  |
Lolo Letalu Matalasi (born August 12, 1947) is an important politician from American Samoa. He has also worked as a teacher and a businessman. He was the seventh governor of American Samoa, serving from 2013 to 2021.
Contents
Growing Up and School
Lolo Moliga was born on August 12, 1947, in Taʻū, a place in American Samoa. His father was High Chief Moliga Sa'ena Aunuua Moliga. His mother, Soali’i Galea’i, was from Fitiuta and Olosega.
He went to Papatea Junior Elementary School. He also attended Samoana High School. Later, he graduated from Manu'a High School.
Moliga earned a bachelor's degree in education. He studied at Chadron State College in Nebraska. On July 30, 2012, he received a master's degree. This degree was in public administration from San Diego State University.
His Career
Moliga started his career as a teacher. He then became a principal at an elementary school. After that, he was the principal of Manu'a High School. This school is located in the Manu'a Islands.
He later worked as an administrator for education. He helped manage elementary and secondary schools. This was for the American Samoan Department of Education.
Moliga also served as the director of the ASG Budget Office. He was also American Samoa's chief procurement officer for two terms. This means he was in charge of buying things for the government. Outside of his government jobs, Moliga owns a construction company.
Getting Involved in Politics
Moliga was elected to the American Samoa House of Representatives. He served four terms in this role. Later, he became a Senator in the American Samoa Senate. He was the Senate President from 2005 to 2008.
In 2008, Moliga thought about running for governor. He was still a Senator at the time. However, he decided not to run. He said he had other important commitments.
Governor Togiola Tulafono appointed Moliga as president. This was for the Development Bank of American Samoa. The Senate approved his appointment.
Running for Governor in 2012
In October 2011, Moliga announced he would run for governor. He chose Senator Lemanu Peleti Mauga as his running mate. Mauga would run for Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa. Mauga was a retired U.S. Army member. He also led important committees in the Senate.
Moliga resigned from his bank president job. He did this to focus on his campaign.
Moliga ran against five other candidates. The election was on November 6, 2012. He received the most votes. However, he did not get more than 50% of the votes. This meant a second election, called a runoff, was needed. The runoff was held on November 20, 2012. Moliga won, defeating Lieutenant Governor Faoa Aitofele Sunia.
Winning Re-election in 2016
Moliga ran for governor again in 2016. He won re-election on November 8, 2016. He received 60.2% of the votes. He defeated Faoa Aitofele Sunia and Tuika Tuika.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 16, 2020, Moliga decided to self-isolate. This was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He had recently traveled to Seattle and Hawaii. These places had reported cases of COVID-19.
At the Democratic National Convention
Moliga appeared online during the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Two uniformed soldiers joined him. The United States Department of Defense investigated this. Soldiers in uniform are not allowed to take part in political events.
See also
In Spanish: Lolo Matalasi Moliga para niños
