Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu, a Samoan jurist and politician, died on February 14, 2026.
Born in November 1963, he was a lawyer, politician and high chief (matai) who served as Samoa’s minister of justice and courts administration from 2016 to 2021. He was also a member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, representing Vaimauga West 2.
Ainuʻu was formerly a member of the Human Rights Protection Party and became a founding member of the Samoa Labour Party in 2025. Before entering politics, he practised as a barrister and solicitor in Samoa and American Samoa and owned the independent newspaper Samoa Post.
Afioga Faʻaolesa Katopau Ainuʻu (November 1963 – 14 February 2026) was a Samoan lawyer, politician and high chief (matai). He served as Samoa’s minister of justice and courts administration from 2016 to 2021, and was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa representing the constituency of Vaimauga West 2. Previously a member of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), he became a founding member of the Samoa Labour Party in 2025.