Happy Flag Day!
Today American Samoa celebrates 119 years as a territory of the United States, symbolized by the raising of the US flag on local soil for the first time on Sogelau Hill in Fagatogo in 1900.
Already schools, army reservists, JROTC units, government departments, businesses, sports groups, church and civic organizations have assembled at Veterans Memorial Stadium for the celebration.
It’s planned that the ceremony will be getting underway between 7:00 and 7:30 am in consideration of the heat.
The National Weather Service is expecting high temperature of close to 90 degrees. Light showers are expected with light variable winds.
Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga is leading this year’s celebration with Governor Lolo Moliga still recuperating from medical treatment in Seattle, Washington.
First Lady Cynthia Malala Moliga is scheduled to deliver a message from the governor to thank the territory for prayers and well wishes for him.
The keynote address will be delivered by Rear Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commander of the 14th District, Coast Guard Honolulu.
Acting Governor Lemanu will also give remarks.
Joining the leaders of the Fono, Judiciary and Congresswoman Aumua Amata at the Flag Day ceremony are Samoa’s Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II & Masiofo Faamausili, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Faipule Kelihiano Kalolo from Tokelau, along with representatives of the various branches of the Armed Forces, StarKist CEO & President Andrew Choe, high commissioners of New Zealand and Australia based in Apia as well as counsels from Korea and China.
KHJ News requested comments from the Department of Interior, as the administering agency of the United States Government over American Samoa for Flag Day.
We received this statement from Niklolao Pula, Director of the Office of Insular and International Affairs:
“On behalf of our recently confirmed Secretary of the Interior, the Honorable David Bernhardt, the Assistant Secretary-Insular and International Affairs, Douglas Domenech, and the Office of Insular Affairs, we salute and congratulate the people of American Samoa in the 119th Commemoration of the US Flag being raised in the only US territory south of the equator.
“We are pleased that Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga invited our good friend Rear Admiral Kevin E. Lunday of the US Coast Guard to represent the United States Government and be the keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony and celebration.
“We extend our best wishes and warm alofas to all the people of Tutuila, Aunu’u and Manu’a and Swains Island.”
