Hey American Samoa, It’s Coral Reef Awareness Week, and you don't have to be a marine biologist to protect our Corals! Our amazing, resilient corals do so much to protect our islands from big storms and feed our families. Now, it's our turn to protect them. [Photo: Brooke Butterfield]





![“Stand with the Moana” (Stand with the Ocean) organized by Finafinau was held on Manu’a Day — Thursday, July 16, 2026 — rooted in Pacific values, participants gathered along the Utulei shoreline dressed in blue, offered flowers to the ocean, observed a moment of silence, and reflected on the moana’s role as a source of life, culture, identity, and the wellbeing of future generations. [photo: AF] Stand with the moana](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/stand_with_the_moana3.jpg?itok=yd5Z3fda)

![Youth Developmental Professional Irene assists BGCAS Music Club members on how to string their ukuleles. [photo: BGCAS] Irene assists BGCAS Music Club members learn how to string their ukuleles.](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/30.jpg?itok=Z7Fo4kK3)
![Dr. Peni Biukoto, AD Talalupelele Sunia-Fiso, RN Patricia Masaniai, and PD Ipuniuesea Eliapo-Unutoa [Facebook photo]](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/doh_at_summit.jpg?itok=3YU7bif8)





