The annual White Sunday celebration coupled with the Monday federal and local holiday (Discoverer's Day), adds up to a three-day weekend, and a busy one at that, as residents gear up for Sunday, dedicated to the children of American Samoa.

 Introduced in the islands by Christian missionaries in the 1800s, White Sunday has became a special holiday, with children being treated to the best — from White Sunday outfits to food served during family toanai. It is always celebrated on the second Sunday of October.

Traffic today and tomorrow is expected to give many motorists headaches, especially in the areas of Laufou Shopping Center and downtown Fagatogo. Some shoppers opted to carry out this faithful duty since late last week so they would not be caught in traffic.

Police are beefing up road patrols today and tomorrow because of expected traffic congestion and are calling on drivers to watch out for pedestrians, especially young children. Police also urge parents to keep a close watch on their kids while out White Sunday shopping.

A check with local stores, bakeries and other merchants since Wednesday found that local businesses are prepared for White Sunday shopping from clothes to food and beverages. Lots of ice cream, in a variety of flavors is available in stores,  as well as cakes and pies from local bakeries.

Besides family feasts, it’s also traditional on White Sunday for families to take a full basket of food items to their church minister and senior matai.

Stores contacted yesterday and Wednesday said they are filling two popular orders — flower ulas and money ulas — which are not only given to children but to church leaders.

White Sunday is lavishly celebrated by the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa and the Methodist faith, but in past years it has spread to other faiths, although to a smaller degree. The Tongan community here and in Samoa are also holding White Sunday services — which are held tomorrow, their Sunday.

White Sunday is also celebrated in other parts of the world where Samoan communities are located, such as Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New Zealand.

Polynesian Airlines local station manager Toe Loia said that while flights on the inter Samoa route are full, the White Sunday traffic is not heavy heading to Apia. He said no extra flights are being added, as the current schedule is able to accommodate passenger demand.

However, Loia said there is heavy traffic for cargo, which the airline has been able to uplift on scheduled flights, using Polynesian’s two 19-seater Twin Otter planes.

A lot of cargo was also taken yesterday by the MV Lady Naomi on its weekly sail back to Apia.

On Monday, Discoverer’s Day, the local government will be closed along with the majority of businesses in the territory, including the commercial banks. The U.S. Post Office and all federal offices here and in the U.S. will also be closed.

However, the Election Office will be open from 8a.m.— 12noon for absentee voting.

The Samoa Consulate Office in Fagatogo will be closed Monday in honor of the local holiday, according to office staff, who pointed out that all American Samoa holidays are also honored by the Consulate Office.

StarKist Co. spokesperson Michelle Faist said StarKist Samoa employees are taking the Monday off, due to the holiday.

In honor of White Sunday and Discoverer’s Day, the Samoa News will not publish on Monday but will return on Tuesday. Tomorrow’s Toasivili edition will be published as usual.

Samoa News staff and management wish all the children of the world a day, such as our White Sunday, filled with special moments of loving-kindness, celebrating our children as gifts of God.

Have a happy and safe White Sunday American Samoa.