At long last, a celebration for Swains Island Flag Day — 98 years

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa is celebrating the 98th year of Swains Island beoming a part of American Samoa and a U.S. Territory.  The celebration, which is taking place on Swains is slated to get underway on Saturday at 10 a.m. with the arrival of the Swains Island delegation followed shortly by the Gov. Lemanu P.S. Mauga and his delegation.

Guests will be welcomed by Master of Ceremonies Suafaasisina HT Pulou with the invocation by Rev. Mageo Patolo Mageo with the Raising of Colors taking place at 10:35.

After the Keynote Address by the Gov Lemanu special entertainment will be presented by the Swains Island delegation followed by Special Remarks by Su’a Alexander Jennings, the Swains Island representative to the Fono.

The ceremonies will end with the benediction and closing remarks and at 1:10pm the governor will host the Swains Flag Day reception there on the island. 

Historical photo of Olohenga church (left) and most recent photo of the same church (right). [SN archives]

BACKGROUND

The earliest known inhabitants of Swains Island were Polynesian voyagers who arrived around 1,000 BC. These early settlers were skilled navigators and seafarers, and they brought with them a rich cultural heritage that included complex social structures, intricate artwork, and sophisticated systems of agriculture and fishing.

In the 19th century, Swains Island was visited by European explorers and traders, including Captain James Cook and the crew of the HMS Resolution. In 1856, a group of American traders led by Eli Jennings arrived on the island and established a trading post. In 1872, the United States claimed Swains Island under the Guano Islands Act, which allowed American citizens to claim uninhabited islands for the purpose of harvesting guano for use as fertilizer.

In the years that followed, Swains Island remained largely isolated from the outside world. The island was governed by a series of American agents, who were appointed by the United States government to oversee its affairs. The islanders continued to maintain their traditional way of life, which was centered around fishing, farming, and weaving.

In 1925, Swains Island was formally annexed by the United States and made a part of American Samoa. However, the island was allowed to maintain a large degree of autonomy, and its traditional system of governance and customs were largely left intact. Today, Swains Island, earlier known as Olohenga, remains one of the most remote and least developed places in the world.

Swains Island is located 350 miles north of Tutuila Island and has a total area of 461 acres, of which 373 acres is land. The central lagoon accounts for the balance of 88 acres. There is a small islet of 914 square yards in the eastern part of the lagoon, according to Wikipedia.