Guam, American Samoa and Palau Head To The Polls

Voters in American Samoa, Guam and Palau went to the polls on Nov.2 to elect their political representatives and in the case of Guam, vote on a controversial gaming bill.

And while the status quo was retained in some cases, there were also some big changes, particularly in Guam where Speaker Ben Pangelinan was ousted-although this is subject to a recount-and in Palau where Vice President Sandra Pierantozzi lost her seat.

Guam

Voters in Guam have returned control of the 15-member Guam Legislature to the Republican Party, the party of the island's current Governor. As they elected nine Republicans, the voters turned out five incumbent Democratic legislators including Speaker Ben Pangelinan. Also on the ballot was an initiative to legalize casino gambling, which was defeated by a margin of 22 percent. Madeleine Bordallo, Guam's delegate to the U.S. Congress, ran unopposed for another two-year term.

Ben Pangelinan missed returning to office by only four votes behind incumbent Republican Senator Joanne Brown. A recount was underway as Pacific Magazine went to press.

Supporters of Guam election candidates on local roadsides Photo: Frank Whitman

With the exception of Pangelinan, the losing incumbents were those senators most closely associated with former Governor Carl Gutierrez: Senator Randy Cunliffe, and Senator John Quinata.

The gambling initiative was the subject of an advertising barrage by both sides that featured, most prominently, Bordallo opposing the proposition. During October, proponents claimed that the vote on the proposition should be postponed and a special election held because the Guam Election Commission had not mailed a copy of the 80-page proposal to all voters as required by law. Proponents said before the vote, they would ask the courts to invalidate the results and require a special election.

Palau

As expected, President Tommy E. Remengesau, Jr. was reelected by a strong majority over businessman Polycarp Basilius in the seventh Palau General Election that brought a 70 percent turnout of voters to the polls. Vice President Sandra Pierantozzi lost to challenger Camsek Chin while Palau Micronesia Air president Alan Seid, radio personality Alfonso Diaz, businessman Santy Asanuma and Public Health Director Caleb Otto took seats in the Senate along with incumbent Senators Surangel Whipps Sr., Mlib Tmetuchl, Yukiwo Dengokl, Johnny Reklai, and Joshua Koshiba. Most incumbent delegates retained their offices.

American Samoa

Incumbent Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono and his running mate Lieutenant Governor Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia are the winners in American Samoa's gubernatorial run-off election held Nov. 14.

The run-off was required following the Nov. 2 general election because none of the candidates received 50 percent plus one vote to win outright. Once the results are made official, Tulafono and Sunia will lead for the next four years.

"Isn't it nice to win?" Tulafono told supporters immediately after the run-off. "However, this win is a win for all of us, our government and I need all your support as we move forward to the next four years."

Meanwhile, Eni H. Faleomavaega, a Democrat, was re-elected with 52.5 percent of the vote in the race for American Samoa's congressional delegate seat, beating out Republican challenger Aumua Amata Coleman. In the local house race, six of the 19 incumbent lawmakers were unseated.

Hawaii

Former City Councilman and state executive Muliufi (Mufi) Hannemann is the first person of Samoan ancestry to be elected as mayor of Honolulu. He won a close contest in November. Hannemann, who was born and raised in Hawaii, is one of seven children of immigrants Gustav and Faiaso Hanneman. Gustav Hannemann was from Samoa, while his wife was an American Samoan. Mufi Hannemann has held high level government positions in Hawaii and nationally.

Speaking at a function in American Samoa after his win, Hannemann said, "As a people, sometimes we are not on the same page…But Samoan people pull together and that's what you did for me. You pulled together and you allowed me now to go forward."

-Jim Cook