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American Samoa Government - PR001-07202026
Posted: July 20 2026
Manu’atele Commemorates the 122nd Anniversary of Manu’a Cession Day
Ta’ū, Manu’a - The Manu’atele community gathered in a profound display of heritage and unity to celebrate the 122nd anniversary of the Manu’a Cession. The week-long festivities, characterized by vibrant cultural activities and spiritual reflection, culminated in an official program honoring the historic signing that remains a cornerstone of American Samoa’s identity.
The spiritual foundation of the celebration commenced with a solemn church service at the CCCAS Fitiuta Church. Led by Rev. Kimoko Lifuka, the service featured a moving invocation and hymns performed by the CCCAS Olosega, Ofu, and Fitiuta choirs. Rev. Lifuka’s message centered on Christlike love and resilience, setting a contemplative tone for the anniversary. The service concluded with a benediction and was followed by traditional fa’afiafiaga at Fitiuta Elementary School, where youth and church groups showcased live cultural entertainment that brought the community together in celebration.
On Cession Day, July 16, the official proceedings began at Avaloa Malaetele with an ‘ava ceremony, hosted by the traditional leaders of Manu’a for government dignitaries. Following spiritual guidance from Rev. Elder Ekitoa Sopoaga and Rev. Elder Taii Fuiava, the flags of the United States, American Samoa, and Manu’a were raised to the strains of anthems sung by the CCCAS Ta’ū choir.
In his keynote address, Honorable Governor Pulaaliʻi Nikolao Pula expressed his sincere gratitude to the church leaders for their unwavering spiritual guidance and the vital role they play in strengthening families, communities, and the Territory through faith. Reflecting on the significance of Manuʻa as the cradle of Samoan heritage, the Governor encouraged everyone, especially the younger generation, to continue leading with faith and purpose, stating, “If Manuʻa is the genesis of all things in Samoa, then it is here that positive change should begin.” He emphasized the importance of preserving Samoan values, remaining grounded in God, and working together to build a stronger future for American Samoa.
Governor Pulaali’i concluded his remarks by extending his heartfelt appreciation to the people of Manuʻatele, the organizing committee, government agencies, volunteers, church leaders, and everyone whose dedication and support contributed to the success of the celebration.
The celebration continued with a spirited parade featuring the villages of Ofu, Olosega, Ta’ū, Faleasao, and Fitiuta. Government agencies, the private sector, and community members marched past the reviewing stand, where Governor Pulaali’i, First Lady Dr. Lois Pula, and traditional leaders offered their waves of support. A highlight of the day was the official blessing of a new marine patrol boat, presented to the First Lady to service the people of Manu’a.
The day concluded with ceremonial gift-giving and a prize-giving ceremony led by HTC Malemo, recognizing the participating teams and villages for their dedication to ensuring a deserving 122nd celebration for Manu’atele.
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Fa'amanatuina le 122 Tausaga o le Fu'a a le Manu'atele
Ta’ū, Manu’a - O le fa’amoemoe ua taunu’u o le La’au o le Soifua lea. Na tatalaina le polokalama o le Fu’a a Manu’a i se Sauniga lotu sa faia i le Malumalu EFKAS Malamalama o le Fa’aolataga i Fitiuta, Iulai 15, 2026, i le itula e 12:00 i le aoauli. Na ta’ita’ia le Sanuiga lotu e le Susuga le Faifeau Fitiuta, Kimoko Lifuka, fa’atasi ai ma nisi o Fa’afeagaiga a le Itumalo. O viiga o le Atua sa lagi’ina lava e Aufaipese mai aulotu taitasi a le EFKAS i totonu lava o le Itumalo o Manu’a. O lea Sauniga na auai atu i ai le Afioga le Kovana, Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, ma le tinā o le atunu’u, fa’apea le mamalu o le Mālō ma le aotelega o le motu o Manu’a. Sa fa’ataunu’uina foi nisi o ta’aloga e pei o le Kirikiti fa’a-Samoa ma ta’aloga voli i le amataga o le vaiaso ae taualuga ai, i fa’afiafaiga matāgofie na faia i le afiafi lava o le Aso Lulu, Iulai 15, 2026.
O le taeao o le Aso Tofi, Iulai 16, 2026, i le itula e 7:00 i le taeao, na tagata atoa ai le Malae Tele i Taū, ina ua olioli le livaliva auā lo latou fa’amoemoe ua taunu’u. Na amata lava i le Aliʻitaeao ma le Usualele a Fa’atui ma To’oto’o fa’apea le Manu’atele, ma sa auai i ai le Afioga le Kovana Sili Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, ma le tinā o le atunu’u, Afioga le Senatoa ia Utu sa fai ma sui o le Peresetene o le Senate, Sui Fofoga Fetalai Fetu Fetui Jr, Sui Aoao o le Konekeresi Uifa’atali Aumua Amata, fa’apea Afioga Fa’atui, Kovana o le Itumalo ma le paia i le mamalu na fa’atasia i lea taeao.
O le ma’ea ai o le Ava o le Feiloa’iga, ona soso’o loa lea ma le Sauniga Lotu, ta’ita’ia lava e le Susuga le Faifeau Toeaina Ekitoa Sopoaga o le EFKAS i Taū, ae lagolagosua i ai le faifeau Toeaina EFKAS mai Ofu, ma le Faifeua EFKAS mai Fitiuta, matāgofie le upu fa’alaei’au mai le Afioga Paia a le Atua e fai ma ta’iala o lea Aso, o le aufaipese a le EFKAS i Taū na o latou lagiina viiga o le Atua. O le ma’ea ai o le Sauniga Lotu, ona Sisi’ina aʻe loa lea o Tagāvai o le Mālō o Amerika, Amerika Samoa fa’apea ma le Tagāvai o le motu o Manu’a, o le mamalu lava o nisi o tamāali’i o Manu’a sa o latou sisiina Tagāvai, fa’atasi ai ma le fa’amalumaluga a Malu o le Mālō.
O le Afioga le Kovana Pulaalii Nikolao Pula, sa malele e fai ma saunoaga autu o le Aso, sa momoli lona agaga fa’afetai ia Manu’a ma ia sa’afi e fa’apea, “Afai o Malaetele na amata atu ai mea uma, e tatau foi ona amata atu ai suiga lelei i ona tupulaga ma ia fa’amuamua pea le Atua i mea uma,” ma taualuga ai lana saunoaga i ni fa’amanuiaga mo le Motu Sā.
O le Afioga le Kovana o le Itumalo o Manu’a, le Afioga le Falefa ia Poumele Piti na fai ma sui o le Itumalo, ona soso’o ai lea ma solo fa’aaloalo a afioaga, ma Au ta’aalo a le Itumalo. O le Fetalaiga le To’afa ia Vaiutusala Sataua, o ia foi o le Sui Failautusi sa fai ma Fofoga o le Faigāmalo, e fa’atauataia polokalama o le aso, matagofie fa’afiafiaga o pese fa’a-Samoa ma siva a Afioaga ma Alalafaga. Na fa’aiu le aso i fa’aaloaloga fa’aleaganu’u a le Itumalo mo le Faigāmalo, o le tofā To’oto’o ia Malemo Tausaga na fai ma fofoga o le Itumalo, ona soso’o ai lea ma le tufatufaina o fa’ailoga mo au ta’aalo fa’apea Aufaipese ma ausiva a Afioga o le Itumalo. Na fetalai fa’amatafi le tofā ia Vaiutusala Sataua ma to le matu’u palapala mo le Motu Sa, ona soso’o lea ma le toe tu’uina i lalo o Tagāvai o le Mālō o Amerika, Amerika Samoa fa’apea ma Manu’a. O le tatalo fa’aiu na saunia e le Susuga le Toeaina ia Sopoaga Ekitoa, na ta’ape le fuāmanusina ma tatala le fili o alii, ae foi le viiga ile Atua, ina ua fa’ataunu’uina mea uma o le Aso fiafia o Manu’a i le saogalemu ma le matagofie.
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