In 1974, he became the first vice president of the newly established American Samoa Community College, and later served as the Director of the Department of Education from 1984 to 1988.

His political career began in 1992 when he was elected as Lieutenant Governor on the Democratic ticket alongside A. P.

The runoff was caused by a split in the Democratic Party in American Samoa between Sunia and incumbent governor Lutali Aifili Paulo Lauvao, who received third place, with no candidate gaining a majority.

[1] Tauese Sunia graduated from Samoana High School and attended Kearney State Teachers' College in Nebraska, where he later taught.

Returning to American Samoa in 1965, he taught Government and History at Leone High School and on television.

In 1974, he assisted the President of the American Samoa Community College with its relocation from Utulei to Mapusagafou.