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by Fili Sagapolutele
Samoa News Correspondent
Swains Island's first Flag Day celebration in 80 years was described yesterday by Swains Island Delegate Alexander Eli Jennings as "successful, beautiful and historical."
"What we learned today is that the Swains Island and the Tokelau community, never asked for a fair chance," said Rep. Jennings. "We had less than a few weeks to get ready for the celebration and all we wanted was a chance and I thank the Governor and the Fono for giving us this day to celebrate 80 years of being under the United States."
The day began with a non controversial fautasi race.
Nu'uuli's Satani, which participated on short notice, took first place. Paepaeulupo'o of Aua came in second and McDonald's fautasi (formerly Afaluko), captained by Senator Faamausili of the eastern Sua County, took third place.
Gov. Togiola recognized contributions by Swains' residents to American Samoa and the nation, with honorable mention of the two young ladies who sang the U.S. and the American Samoa anthems and Swains native, businessman and Hawai'i entertainer Papali'itele Jack "Tihati" Thompson who was in attendance yesterday.
Swains "colorful history" was touched on briefly by Togiola who described the Jennings family coconut plantation which flourished in the 1960s producing copra sold for the overseas market which helped the economic development of American Samoa.
The Governor said he was told of two versions of the beginnings of Swains. A Manu'a version relayed to him by Manu'a District Governor Tufele Li'a and a Tokelau version, which he left to Congressman Faleomavaega Eni, who traveled down for the celebration, to tell.
"American Samoa, this is the first time, all the people that constitute the Territory of American Samoa have come together," Togiola declared. "From Swains island to the north, Manua to the east, Tutuila to the west, and Samoa further west."
Togiola's address was followed by a parade, including floats, provided by Read to me Samoa; Mafutaga Tina-Tokelau, Matu'u Fa'aneanea Tokelau Community and Women in New Dimension.
By 11am the official program moved seamlessly into the pese and siva, opened by the Samoa Tokelau Community from Apia. The group said their participation is to "pay tribute and salute" to Swains Island.
Next the Pavaiai Elementary School Swing Choir, which has a lot of Tokelau students, performed their siva ma pese. They had been personally invited by Rep. Jennings.
DOE Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers/staff, Hawaii Tokelau Community, Leone High School Swing Choir and Swains/Tokelau Community in American Samoa performed items throughout the day.
During their pese, the local Tokelau group, numbering around 200, paid tribute to the "heroes of Samoa (Toa of Samoa)" including Swains' four sons serving in Iraq.
The group called on government to designate a piece of land in Tutuila for Swains and for their island to be included in the American Samoa National Anthem, which mentions only "Tutuila ma Manu'a."
Traditional sua were presented by the local Tokelau community during the closing ceremony, followed by Rep. Jennings thanking the community, on behalf of Swains Island, for joining the celebration.
Lt. Gov. Ipulasi Sunia thanked the VIPS and participants on behalf of government and said that Togiola is working with Rep. Jennings to improve Swains transportation, especially air transportation.
Monetary gifts were then awarded for the float, siva/pese categories and fautasi race.
None of the amounts were announced. Leaders of the fautasi were told to see the Governor's chief of staff Pati Faiai for their checks.
Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com.
Osini Faleatasi, Inc. dba Samoa News reserves all rights.
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