American Samoa

Celebrates With VIPs Galore

From Edward Johnson, in Pago Pago

Despite torrential downpours

of the Somerset Maugham

variety, the Flag Day celebra

tions in American Samoa in De cember were the biggest and brightest ever. It’s been a memorable occasion here that will be a highlight in American

Samoan history.

THE occasion, also marking as it did the opening of the big new Samoan-owned Pago Pago Inter continental Hotel, was a time for taking stock of Samoa’s progress, and no opportunities were lost.

Aircraft brought in Senators, Con gressmen, Ambassadors, Governors, Premiers, and a wide selection of other VIPs, including editors and travel writers from all over.

More than 500 guests attended the Government House reception on the evening of December 5. Because of the rain all guests remained indoors.

In the confusion, a Samoan Senator asked somebody to point out Governor John Burns, of Hawaii, whom he had previously met in Honolulu.

He was told to look for a tall man in a maroon jacket. Wending his way slowly through the crowd he suddenly saw a red-coated gentleman, grasped

his hand and said, “It is good to meet you again, Governor Burns”.

The red-coated gentleman re sponded to the handshake, and said, “Thank you for the compliment, but I happen to be John Harold of your Education Department”.

The following day 2,000 people gathered in front of the Administra tion building, where the colours were hoisted as school children sang the National and American Samoan anthems.

Gov. H. Rex Lee, speaking with feeling, said the day was one of the greatest for American Samoa. He praised the Samoans for their co operation in supporting the many changes that had taken place, and said they had managed to blend to

some extent the Samoan way with the ways of the modern world, select ing the best from both.

He particularly thanked Congress man Michael Kirwan for helping Samoa procure funds to create the educational television program, the consolidated schools and many other improvements so badly needed.

Many speakers followed, all paying tribute to some facet of the work, or to Governor Lee.

In spite of the threatening clouds, a huge parade marched from the newly completed modern market place in Fagatogo, down the main road, around the hotel plaza and on to the Utulei High School grounds.

It was the longest parade in Samoa’s history. Nearly every schoolchild in the islands took part.

They were garbed in varied, colour ful costumes, from oiled bright leaves to school uniforms of cotton print.

The Agriculture and 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girls and Boys Brigades, Police Division in dress uniforms, veterans and the US Air Force were part of the parade. Unfortunately, before the secondary schools and military came by, the clouds opened and a downpour ensued, drenching everyone. The deluge forced a post ponement of all field activities until another day.

The fautasi race, however, went on on schedule in the afternoon. Four

Longboat races are a feature of American and Western Samoan festi vities. Oarsmen such as these get an amazing turn of speed out of their boats. The Samoan word for "long boat" is "fautasi".

longboats took part in the race from the harbour mouth to Pago Pago.

Manu’a’s crew took an early lead and kept it. Leone’s crew in their exuberance snapped three oars and kept even with Fagaitua, but at the close it was Manu’a first, Fagaitua second, Leone third and Pago Pago well back.

A second fautasi race took place during the morning of the next day, winner again being Manu’a, with Leone second, Fagaitua third and Pago covering the rear. Fagaitua had changed coxswains but apparently this did not improve them.

Despite the bouts of rain, sporting events continued throughout the several days of festivities. American Samoans competed against their neighbours from the independent State of Western Samoa in tennis and softball. American Samoa won the women’s and men’s softball. In tennis, Apia took the Vaipapa and Phineas Cups. Pago finally took the Reid Memorial Trophy after a hot contest.

The visitors were transported to Vailoatai on December 7, and found so much entertainment and feasting that they did not return until evening.

Clad In Samoan Finery

The following day schoolchildren from Manu’a presented a song and dance program for visitors gathered at the historic malae. This was the prelude to a magnificent Ta’alolo, in which practically every ranking chief in Samoa appeared, clad in old Samoan finery. The Vaiusu Village Band of Western Samoa led the show and won a big hand. Many tapas, strings of beads and carved boats, and even dancing knives, were provided the visitors. Fine mats were given out —approximately 20 to the top delegates in Samoa.

During the afternoon the Inter continental Hotel was formally opened, and the third and last fautasi race also took place—a stirring affair, for both Fagaitua and Leone crowded close to Manu’a all the way down the course, Manu’a managed to win its third leg by half a length over Fagaitua, while Leone was barely a boat length to the rear of Fagaitua. Pago Pago was again far in the rear, due to an aged and leaky boat.

Other events that took place the last day included a breakfast on the Monterey for 125 guests and a luncheon at the Rainmaker Hotel, in which several Congressmen addres sed department heads and administra tive assistants. • See pictures p. 120.