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FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY CELEBRATES SAMOA INDEPENDENCE DAY IN HAWAI'I

Honolulu, HAWAI'I — Leo o Tumua ma Pule, a newly formed group of Samoa citizens living in Hawai’i will celebrate Samoa Independence Day Saturday, June 1 with a flag raising ceremony 8:30 a.m. at the Kuhio Park Terrace Community Resource Center in Kalihi.

 

“We believe this effort is a voice for Tumua ma Pule, and not just for the flag raising, but something for the Samoan community in Hawai’i, especially for our youth,” said Fa’amausili Misa Tauave Galuvao, a U.S. Navy retiree and founding member of the group. “This is a voice for Samoa and a call for everyone from Upolu, Savai’i, Manono and Apolima to unite.”

 

The flag raising ceremony is the group’s first move in their efforts to highlight and assist in meeting the specific needs of Samoa citizens living in Hawai’i.

 

Members of Leo o Tumua ma Pule are: Fa’amausili Misa Tauave Galuvao and wife Tina; Ape Fuli Lei Poleki and wife Malia; Leafa Suliveta and wife Lufi and Seumanutafa Fouvale Aetonu and his wife Sele.

 

“We have plans in trying to set up services for Samoa citizens,” said Ape, a resident of Moanalua and founding member of Leo o Tumua ma Pule. “We are trying to get a Samoa Consulate out here in Hawai’i and we hope to talk to the Prime Minister in asking for a consulate for Hawai’i. Some of the people here have no connection to Samoa, no communication. We want to help set up some services for them in Hawai’i.”

 

Malofie Samoa Hawai’i, a new Samoan cultural tattooing group based on O’ahu— founded by Master Tattooist Su’a Sulu’ape Peter and Wadalife Executive Producer Tracey Poleki Puaina—will assist Leo o Tumua ma Pule in marking Samoa’s Independence Day.

 

Along with Radford High School junior Nadezna Leafa, who was born in Samoa, Malofie will perform the ‘Ava ceremony. Nadezna, who will be Taupou on Saturday, is a member of the Radford High School group that won first place at the We Are Samoa High School Cultural Arts Festival hosted early this month in La’ie.

 

A prayer will open the flag raising and a traditional welcome will be offered by Leo o Tumua ma Pule. Malofie Samoa Hawai’i members will raise the flags of Hawai’i, Samoa and the United States.

 

The event is at 8:30 a.m. at the Kuhio Park Terrace Community Resource Center on Linapuni Street. The flag raising ceremony will be held outside at the pavilion behind the center’s building.

 

Leo o Tumua ma Pule says their trade name is registered with the Hawai’i State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the Internal Revenue Service. The group is working hard to secure a 501c3 non-profit designation.

 

On the evening of June 1, Leo O Tumua Ma Pule invites everyone to the Puerto Rican Hall for a Fiafia Night, the closing of their Independence Day events. Monies raised will go toward establishing services to assist the group in their plans to serve Samoa citizens living in Hawai’i. Tickets are $10. There will be free entertainment and pupus. It’s BYOB, say event organizers.

 

Leo o Tumua Pule invites all Samoans in Hawai’i to Saturday’s events and urges all to live in harmony, or “nofo fealofani.”

 

Read more at tautalatala.com