Governor to attend Samoa’s Independence Day
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga was scheduled to depart yesterday for Apia to attend Samoa’s Independence Day celebration on June 1st - Friday in Samoa, Thursday in American Samoa.
This year marks the 56th anniversary since the Independent State of Samoa — also known as Western Samoa — gained independence. While the country achieved independence in January 1962, the official independence celebrations are held June 1.
According the Governor’s Office, Lolo will be accompanied by his chief of staff, Fiu J. Saelua, along with other personnel to Samoa.
Information from the Samoa government states that it’s a one-day celebration on June 1, with church service the day before. However, there are two public holidays in that country — June 1st and then next Monday, June 4th, according to a Samoa Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labor notice.
Although there are local residents heading to Apia for Independence Day, it’s unclear whether they are invitees of the Samoa government or participants in the celebration.
POLYNESIAN LEADERS GROUP SUMMIT
Lolo will also be attending the annual summit of the Polynesian Leaders Group (PLG), chaired by Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and hosted by Tuvalu from June 25-29th, under the theme, “Protect the Pacific - Polynesian Connection”.
The governor attended last year’s PLG meeting where he offered - and was endorsed by the Polynesian leaders - for American Samoa to host the 2019 PLG meeting.