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Mauga Palepoi

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Mauga Palepoi
Palepoi with his grandchildren in 1954
Member of the Senate
In office
–1963
ConstituencyMaoputasi County
Personal details
Died7 February 1963
Pago Pago, American Samoa

Mauga Palepoi (died 7 February 1963) was an American Samoan chief and politician. He served as a member of the Senate

Biography

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Palepoi succeeded Mauga Moimoi (a signatory of the Treaty of Cession of Tutuila) as a high chief,[1] and served as a District Governor.[2]

In 1924 he was convicted of assault and battery.[3] This was followed by a conviction for illegal possession of alcohol in 1946, and a conviction for smuggling alcohol in 1952.[3] Following his third conviction, a petition was presented to the High Court requesting that his chiefly title be revoked. However, the petition was rejected as fewer than 75% of adult family members had signed it.[3] A previous petition had been rejected in 1945 due to a lack of evidence of misconduct.[4] He was pardoned for his smuggling conviction by the Governor in 1954, allowing him to be reinstated as a chief of Maoputasi.[2]

Palepoi became a Senator for Maoputasi County, serving until his death in Pago Pago on 7 February 1963.[1]

His grandson Malaetasi Togafau later served as Attorney General of American Samoa.

References

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  1. ^ a b High Chief Mauga Paleopi Pacific Islands Monthly, March 1963, p141
  2. ^ a b Chief Palepoi Mauga Pacific Islands Monthly, November 1954, p45
  3. ^ a b c Asuega v. Mauga American Samoa Bar Association
  4. ^ Mauga; Mauga Family v. American Samoan Bar Association