PAGO PAGO (Samoa News/PINA) — Tonga’s king and queen and Samoa’s head of state lead the regional guests in American Samoa for the annual Flag Day celebrations.
King Taufa’ahau Tupou and Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho arrived accompanied by the royal party for the Flag Day, celebrating the raising of the U.S. flag over American Samoa 102 years ago.
A lead delegation from Tonga arrived last week. Members reportedly met with local government officials to discuss a number of issues, including the Tongan government warehouse in Tafuna.
Head of state Malietoa Tanumafili II heads the delegation which arrived from neighboring independent Samoa.
Also attending the Flag Day festivities is the head of the Tokelau government, Aliki Faipule Pio Tuia, who arrived on Monday with the Tokelau delegation.
Gov. Tauese Sunia said of American Samoa’s links with the U.S.:
“The prosperity we enjoy today is a unique balance of our strong cultural heritage, our rights as individuals within a democratic society, and our aspirations to secure a harmonious future for generations to come.”
He added, “Recent events in the world once again remind us that such freedom has a price and I am proud to say that American Samoans continue to do their part in securing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans.”
U.S. representation at the Flag Day events includes Gordon C. Benjamin, acting director of the Policy Division of the Office of Insular Affairs, representing the U.S. Department of the Interior.
