Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Standing among artifacts of her ancestors in the Jean P. Haydon Museum in Pago Pago, Congresswoman and High Chief Uifaʻatali Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, the first Republican woman of Samoan descent in Congress, reflected on her rich Pacific heritage and the profound influence of her father in shaping her path to public service during an impromptu “talk story” session.

Among centuries-old woven and carved Samoan artifacts, a large mural painting depicting the signing of American Samoa’s first constitution on April 27, 1960, captured my attention.

Congresswoman Radewagen pointed out her father in the picture, Governor Peter Tali Coleman, the first Samoan to serve as Governor of American Samoa, as well as the territory’s first public defender and first attorney general.

The moment was surreal, as spontaneous as this engagement was, here were united three generations: Governor Coleman’s painting in the midst of his daughter Congresswoman Radewagen, and her daughter Meaitiiti Erika Radewagen, who is the volunteer curator of the museum.

BRIDGING US-PACIFIC CULTURES

In the halls of Congress, I have always seen Congresswoman Radewagen proudly wear a regal Pacific Puletasi, which is a formal and elegant Samoan dress, and an Ula Fala or Pandanus necklace—a symbol of the great responsibility she carries. She dons these cultural symbols with pride and confidence as she tirelessly advocates for the people of American Samoa and the Pacific Islands.

Inspired by her father, Congresswoman Radewagen shared, “He was my pal, my best friend … I learned much from him.”

Her father and mentor, Governor Coleman was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as governor of American Samoa in 1956 after earning his law degree from Georgetown University and serving as a public defender and the territory’s attorney general. He later served as the district administrator for the Marshall Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands and was the deputy high commissioner of the US Trust Territories for seven years. He was also the longest-serving governor. In fact, his 16 years in office made him for a time the longest-serving governor in US history.

“He knew everybody … every Pacific Islands leader on a first-name basis,” Congresswoman Radewagen recounted, highlighting her father’s innovative approach to leadership.

One year, he hosted the South Pacific Conference in American Samoa despite limited funds. “He invited businesses from off-island to help fund the event, and it was a huge success,” she recalled, emphasizing his gift for pioneering ideas and innovative solutions.

LIVING HERITAGE AND SERVICE

Her father’s stories and advice have had a lasting impact on Congresswoman Radewagen’ s life. “He told me, ‘Always remember who you are. You’re a Samoan. You must help the Samoan people wherever you are and wherever they are,’” she shared.

His guidance inspired her eventual decision to run for Congress, despite the challenges of being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated society. “It took me 22 years to get elected,” she noted, a reflection of her perseverance and commitment to serving.

Her father’s lifelong public service began in the US Army. She recounted that he was stationed on Oʻahu at Schofield Barracks, “Dad, after the Pearl Harbor attack was heading right in the path of these oncoming planes,” and his jeep was strafed as he was en route. He served in the Pacific throughout World War II, including in Guadalcanal, and attained the rank of captain.

She added, “My dad and Governor Waiheʻe (former Hawaiʻi Governor John Waiheʻe III) were very close because my father and Governor Waiheʻe’s father served in the Army together.” This fact was revealed to me in my previous interview with Governor Waiheʻe.

Coleman’s legacy of service can be found in the Army Infantry Hall of Fame, at Ft. Moore (formerly Ft. Benning), Georgia. Despite the gravity of his service, she said when asked why he joined the Army, Governor Coleman humorously replied, “I really liked those black Army boots and the only way I could get a pair was to join the Army.”

TEACHING VALUES THROUGH HUMOR AND STORIES

Congresswoman Radewagen recounted a story that her father told her about Chinn Ho, a good friend of Governor Coleman and a multi-millionaire in Hawaiʻi.

One day, Chinn Ho was standing by the Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki, waiting for his limousine, when a tourist mistook him for a bellhop. A lady exiting her taxi called out to him, “You, young man, come over here.” Unaware of his identity, she asked him to take his luggage inside. Chinn Ho, embodying the humility and good-natured spirit common in the Pacific Islands, obliged and carried her bags inside.

He later shared the story with Governor Coleman, who asked, “Well, then what happened?” Chinn Ho answered, “She gave me a tip.” They both laughed, Coleman told his daughter. From this, the Congresswoman added, “So, I think that you’ve got to have a sense of humor when you live out in these areas. You’ve got to get over yourself and can’t take yourself too seriously.”

This spirit was vividly expressed during events like Flag Day, where the community uses cultural dance and festivities to convey messages to their leaders, blending humor with poignant commentary. “That’s what Samoan people are all about,” Radewagen emphasized. “That’s what I love.”

When Governor Coleman passed away on April 28, 1997, his funeral in Hawaiʻi revealed the profound impact he had on people. Held at St. Augustine by the Sea in Waikiki, the service saw an outpouring of respect from people who did not know the identity of Coleman when they received acts of kindness from him.

A woman recounted how Coleman had once helped her and her children in a moment of need. “Oh my gosh, I never knew who this man was,” she said. “But my children and I needed money for something. And this man came along and said, ‘Can I help you in some way?’ And he just gave it to us.”

Stories like this emerged throughout the funeral, shared by people who read about his passing in a Honolulu newspaper and realized the kind stranger was, in fact, Governor Coleman.

The Congresswoman concluded our time saying, “My father would share stories … this is the way a child can learn, through stories, and so I have all these stories from my father.”

Author’s Note: Learning from our Pacific leaders and elders is an honor, and the stars aligned for me while in American Samoa for the 74th Flag Day. There, I seized a priceless opportunity to “talk story” with Congresswoman Uifaʻatali Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen.