Manu’a Cession Day commemorates the July 14, 1904 signing by the last king of Manu’a, Tuimanu’a Elisara, the Deed of Cession of Manu’a, the instrument by which the eastern most group of islands in the Samoa group were ceded to the United States.
The signing came four years after the chiefs of Tutuila and Aunuu had signed their Deed of Cession with the United States.
The Manu’a Deed of Cession reads in part, “Whereas at the request of Tuimanu’a, the King of Manu’a, and his chiefs, the United States Flag was, on the 15th day of June, 1900, raised on the Islands of Tau, of the Manu’a Group, for the purpose of granting protection to the people of the Manu’a Islands;
“… It is intended and claimed by these Presents that there shall be no discrimination in the suffrages and political privileges between the present residents of said Islands and citizens of the United States dwelling therein, and also that the rights of the Chiefs in each village and of all people concerning their property according to their customs shall be recognized.”
The signing took place at Faleula in Tau, Manu’a on July 14th, 1904.
Signing the Deed of Cession with Tuimanu’a were the leading chiefs of Fitiuta, Ofu, Olosega, and Falesao, namely Tufele, Misa, Tuiolosega and Asoau and District Clerk Logoai.
Govermor Lolo Moliga is leading a group of government leaders flying to Ta’u this morning for a flag raising ceremony to commemorate the 114th anniversary of the signing of the Deed of Cession of Manu’a.
It’s an ASG holiday but federal agencies are still opened as are several businesses.
The Bank of Hawaii and ANZ Bank are opened today.
