Marie Alailima's nomination as Administrative Law Judge rejected

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The governor's nomination of Marie A. Alailima as Administrative Law Judge for an additional 6-year term was overwhelmingly rejected by the Senate last Thursday in a 12-4 vote.

This came as a surprise as senators who spoke during her brief confirmation hearing all complimented her on her long service.

In his opening remarks, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Tuiagamoa Tavai stated that Alailima needed no introduction as everyone knows her as a hard-working and conscientious government official.

Not surprisingly, Tuiagamoa said, her diligent service has prompted the governor to reappoint her for another term in office.

Echoing the committee chairman's sentiments, Vaifanua senator Muagututi'a Tauoa stated that he was very impressed with what he has read about Alailima's service and he thanked her for her willingness to serve the government and people of American Samoa, especially the fair and impartial way she handles cases referred to her office.

He subsequently endorsed her reappointment giving her his blessings and moved that she be excused.

Senator Tuiasina Salamo Laumoli asked the only question in the hearing, wanting to know if there was any truth in what he had heard that the Administrative Law Judge only hears cases involving government employees and not semi-autonomous agencies' employees.

Alailima replied that her office has a broad jurisdiction and hears cases of employees of all government entities including semi-autonomous agencies, unless the statute governing any agency stipulates that their cases must be referred directly to the High Court.

In his letter to Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean nominating Marie A. Alailima as Administrative Law Judge for an additional 6-year term, Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga stated that, “Ms. Ala’ilima has proven that she is highly qualified for this position.

"She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of Hawaii at Manoa, and received her Juris Doctorate from the William Richardson School of Law at Manoa. She is an inactive member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and active member of the American Samoa Bar.

"She has practiced law in American Samoa since 1996, including having sat as Administrative Law Judge Pro Tempore from 2007 to 2018 and then being appointed Administrative Law Judge in 2018.

"As Administrative Law Judge, Ms. Ala’ilima has made significant improvements to the Office ofthe Administrative Law Judge and has engaged in agency and community outreach to facilitate the services and duties of the office."