Senators reject bill creating new govt holiday — Samoan Heritage Day

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Citing the high cost to the government when declaring and observing an ASG holiday, the Senate yesterday rejected in second reading a House bill, that designates the first Monday of October as “Samoan Heritage Day” and creates an official holiday for the territorial government.

The Senate Rules Committee of the Whole held a discussion earlier in the day on the bill, which was sponsored by House Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr.

Before the vote, during the Senate session, committee chairman, Sen. Magalei Logovi’i explained that this is not an Administration bill. He pointed out that there are already too many ASG holidays and these holidays are costly to the government. He recommended rejecting the measure.

Under current law there are eleven ASG holidays, which includes those that are also national holidays observed by the federal government — such as Labor Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Sen. Soliai Tuipine Fuimaono agreed with rejecting the measure, also noting that ASG holidays are very expensive to the government for the many holidays it has under current law. He said that ASG employees who are required to work on an official holiday are also required by law to be paid time and half.

Sen. Malaepule Saite Moliga pointed out that the continued preservation of the Samoan culture is of utmost importance, as well as ensuring that the culture remains alive for generations to come. However, he said the committee of the whole had made its recommendation for the measure to be rejected.

The bill’s preamble points out that the Fa’asamoa continues to be practiced by Samoan people and remains the core of their everyday lives. “It has survived the arrival of foreign influences beginning with the early European explorers, Christianity and later the power struggles of world superpowers vying for a foothold in the Pacific region,” it says.

“While the Fa’asamoa continues to be practiced in the homes of Samoan people, its existence continues to be threatened,” the preamble said, noting that younger generations do not practice traditions and proper speech is “gradually eroding”.

And if immediate attention is not given by Samoans to this growing problem, the Fa’asamoa will find itself lost as seen in other Polynesian cultures.

Therefore, “it is prudent for the government to begin to address the protection of the Fa’asamoa, its culture, language, arts, and traditions. A weeklong celebration, beginning with a day of observation, should be planned and promoted by the government.”

According to the bill’s preamble, this “initiative aspires to keep the Fa’asamoa strong and vibrant, allowing it to flourish for another 3,000 years.”

It says that the earliest evidence of cultural activity in the Samoan islands dates back in 1050 B.C., “conceivably making it the oldest in the all of Polynesia.”