On his 61st birthday, Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga is being sworn in as the next Governor of American Samoa.
The Fagatogo Pavilion at the Fagatogo Malae, regarded as the seat of government, is filled with church leaders, chiefs and orators and business owners who have shown up this Sunday morning to witness the inauguration of the 6th locally elected gubernatorial team to take office.
It’s an overcast sky and tents surrounding the perimeter of the malae are filled with invitees and choir members participating in the ceremony.
When he stepped out of his government vehicle Lemanu raised his hand to wave at the crowd.
He was by himself as First Lady Ella Perefoti is stranded in Hawaii due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
The last guest to arrive was Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Mrs Cynthia Malala Moliga, who were both wearing masks. Governor elect Lemanu came down from the Pavilion to greet them.
The two men embraced for a few minutes, eliciting a round of applause from the crowd.
Before they walked onto the Pavilion for the start of the swearing in ceremony Lolo took off his red ula laufala and put it around Lemanu’s neck.
Already in their front row seats were Lt Governor elect-Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale and his wife Marian, Chief Justice Lealaialoa Michael Kruse and his wife Gail, Rev Dr. Leatulagi Fa’alevao, Vice Chairman of the CCCAS, who’s leading the prayer service for the inauguration and church leaders selected to give the spiritual blessing.
Governor Lemanu’s mother, Iva Pedro Palepoi Mauga, the father of Mrs Ella Mauga, Perefoti Gaea Perefoti, and the parents of Mrs Marian McGuire Ale, Helen and James McGuire, were seated immediately behind the two leaders.
Other invitees included Local Government officials, judges, business leaders, and close relatives of Governor Lemanu and Lt Governor Talauega.
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