Manu’a Day Celebration includes flag raising and Ava Ceremony

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa celebrated Manu’a Day with a local holiday last Friday — which was also a welcome reprieve from the extreme bad weather that hit the coastal shores of Tutuila & Aunu’u islands.

Although the actual date of signing of the Deed of Cession was July 16, 2022, Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga approved the commemoration ceremony to be held on Friday, July 15, 2022.

In addition to the Flag Day Celebration, Manu’a was also celebrating the grand opening of the Ofu Airport Runway which was dedicated the day before, Thursday, July 14, 2022. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]

Samoa News photographer and reporter was on hand to witness a beautiful scene during the early Friday morning, July 15, 2022 in Ta’u Manu’a, as the sun peeked through the sky, the shadows of the United States, American Samoa and Manu’a flags stretched out on the sands of Malaetele, after it was raised by officers of the Department of Public Safety.

The traditional Samoa Ava ceremony to not only welcome ASG Dignitaries and visitors but also to convey well wishes as American Samoa began its celebration of the Manu’a Flag Day, which was held Friday, July 15, 2022 at Malaetele, Ta’u Manu’a, to commemorate 118 years since the signing of the Manu’a Deed of Cession to the United States. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]

Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale was on hand, along with ASG dignitaries and joined by Manu’a residents celebrating the momentous occasion with an Ava Ceremony, raising of the flags and entertainment.  During his Flag Day speech, Lt. Gov. Talauega told the people of Manu’a that their government leaders are doing all they can to make sure that the same services and opportunities given to the people of Tutuila are also available to the people of Manu’a.  He told them that they are never forgotten.

The “Faatui ma To’oto’o”, “Aumaga” and residents of the district of Faleta’u, Manu’a are seen walking towards “Malaetele” for the Flag Raising ceremony on Friday, July 15, 2022, to commemorate the 118 years since the signing of the Deed of Cession, July 16, 1904, of the Manu’a islands by Tui Manu’a Elisara to the United States.  [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]