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American Samoa Government - PR001-05142026
Posted: May 14, 2026
Swains Island Day Commemorates 101 Years Since the Raising of the United States Flag on Swains Island
FUTIGA, American Samoa — Wednesday, May 13, 2026 marked the 101st anniversary of the raising of the United States flag on Swains Island, commemorated with a church service held at CCCAS Futiga, “O le Ti’aseu O le Atua.” The church service was led by Reverend Liusamoa Simolea and fellow religious leaders and was attended by Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula, members of the Legislature, cabinet members, and the Swains Island community.
A significant moment during the service was the reading of the Swains Island proclamations in both English and Samoan by two Swains Island representatives. The English version was read by Thomas Campbell Edgar, grandson of Campbell Dallas Edgar, the Naval commanding officer who traveled to Swains Island to raise the United States flag on May 13, 1925. His participation as a direct descendant added a meaningful historical connection, bridging the legacy of his grandfather’s role in this pivotal moment with today's commemoration.
In his special remarks, Governor Pulaali'i congratulated the people of Swains Island on reaching this important milestone and emphasized the vital role the Swains Island community continues to play within the Territory. “Today is a day that our Heavenly Father has made, and we gather together in thanksgiving and worship as we commemorate this special occasion,” Governor Pulaali'i stated. “As we celebrate this public holiday, let us also take time to enjoy the company of our families, friends, and loved ones in the spirit of unity and gratitude.”
“To all the descendants, families, and our brothers and sisters of Swains Island, congratulations on this meaningful achievement and celebration,” the Governor added. Governor Pulaali'i also gave special recognition to Swains Island Representative to the Legislature, Su'a Alex Jennings, for his resilience and continued efforts to prioritize the needs of the people of Swains Island. The Governor commended Representative Su'a for his advocacy, dedication, and leadership on behalf of the Swains Island community.
“As we honor more than a century since the raising of the United States flag on Swains Island, the people of American Samoa stand with you in celebration,” Governor Pulaali'i concluded. “We are one people, one community, and one family grounded in faith, culture, and shared history.”
In his remarks, Representative Su'a Alex Jennings reflected on the historical significance of the occasion and acknowledged the shared history between Swains Island and American Samoa. “Today we honor and reflect on two remarkable chapters in the shared history of Swains Island and American Samoa,” Representative Su'a stated. “One hundred and seventy years ago, in August 1856, Swains Island first entered the story of the United States. Then decades later, Congress passed House Resolution 294 on March 4, 1925, formally recognizing Swains Island as part of American Samoa.”
“Then on this day, 101 years ago on May 13, 1925, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Campbell Dallas Edgar traveled to Swains Island accompanied by Alexander Eli Jennings Sr. to raise the American flag on Swains Island, officially recognizing Swains Island as part of American Samoa,” he added.
Representative Su'a also thanked Governor Pulaali'i for working closely with him in addressing the needs of the Swains Island community and for organizing the church service commemorating 101 years since the raising of the United States flag on Swains Island.
The American Samoa Government extends its heartfelt congratulations to the people and descendants of Swains Island on this historic milestone and prays for God’s continued blessings upon the island and its people for generations to come.
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Sauniga e fa’amanatu ai le 101 Tausaga talu ona Sisiina a’e le Tagāvai o le Iunaite Setete i le Motu o Swains
FUTIGA, Amerika Samoa — O le sauniga e fa’amanatu ai le 101 tausaga talu ona sisiina a’e le tagāvai o le Iunaite Setete i le Motu o Swains, sa fa’ataunu’uina i le Aso 13 o Me 2026 i le 8:00 le taeao, le malumalu “O le Ti’aseu o le Atua” EFKAS i Futiga. O le Susuga le Fa’afeagaiga ia Liusamoa Simolea na ta’ita’ia le sauniga, na ‘auai atu i ai le Kovana ia Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, sui o le fono, sui o le kapeneta, ma le mamalu o le Motu o Swains.
Na faitauina e sui mai le Motu o Swains ia Poloa’iga Fa’alaua’itele ma o le Fa’aperetaniaina na faitauina e Tomasi Campbell Edgar, o le tamā a lona tua’ā o Campbell Dallas Edgar Sr., sa iai i le ulua’i sisiina o le Fu’a a le Iunaite Setete i le motu Swains ia Me 13, 1925.
O le afioga le Kovana o le saunoaga autū o le sauniga. Na ia fa’ailoa le tāua o le Motu o Swains ma ia fa’afetai ma fa’amanuia i le auaunaga ma le tautua fa’aauau a Swains i totonu o le Teritori. “O le aso lenei na faia e le Atua tatou te mafuta ma fa’afetai ai ona o lenei sauniga. O le fa’amanatuina o lenei Aso Mālōlō e fiafia fa’atasi ai aiga, o uo ma ē e pele, ina ia maua le agaga o le galulue fa’atasi. Mo le mamalu uma o aiga, o uso ma tuafafine uma o Swains, fa’amālō ma fa’amanuia atu i le fa’amanatuina o lo outou aso.”
Na fa’afetaia fa’apitoa e le Kovana ia Pulaali’i le afioga le faipule o Swains, le afioga ia Su’a Alex Jennings, i le fa’aauau pea o lona agaga tautua ma le fa’amuamua o mana’oga o tagata o le Motu o Swains. Saunoa le Kovana i le tāua o le ta’ita’iga a le Faipule o lo’o fai mo ona tagata.
“I le silia ma le selau tausaga talu ona sisiina a’e le tagāvai o le Iunaite Setete i le Motu o Swains, ma e tūtū fa’atasi tagata o Amerika Samoa e fa’atāuaina lona fa’amanatuina.” O le finagalo fa’aalia a le Kovana Pulaali’i e tasi o tatou tagata, tasi le fa’alapotopotoga, tasi le aiga, o le fa’atuatuaga ma le aganu’u, ma fa’asoa i talatu’u.
O le Faipule ia Su’a Alex Jennings na fai ma sui o le Motu o Swains e oto’oto tala’aga o le vā o le Motu o Swains ma Amerika Samoa. “O le aso lenei e matou te fa’aaloalogia talafa’asolopito i le vā o le Motu o Swains ma Amerika Samoa, Selau ma le fitu sefulu tausaga ua tuana’i ia Aokuso 1856, na ulua’i fa’amauina ai Swains i tala’aga o le Iunaite Setete. I le Aso 4 o Mati, 1925, na pasia e le Maota o Konekeresi se i’ugafono (294) ia avea ai le Motu o Swains o se tōtino o Amerika Samoa. O tausaga 101 ua tuana’i ia Me 13, 1925 na malaga atu i le motu o Swains le U.S Navy Lieutenant Commander ia Campbell Dallas Edgar, fa’atasi ai ma Alexander Eli Jennings Sr. i le sisiina a’e o le tagavai o le Iunaite Setete i laufanua o le motu o Swains, ma avea ai loa ma se tōtino o Amerika Samoa.”
Saunoa le Faipule ia Su’a e momoli le fa’afetai i le Kovana ma le Faigamālō mo le galulue fa’atasi, so’oso’otau’au, atoa ai ma le tapenaina o le sauniga lotu e fa’amanatu ai le 101 tausaga talu ona sisiina a’e le tagāvai o le Iunaite Setete i le Motu o Swains. E fa’aalia le loto fa’afetai a le Faigamālō a Amerika Samoa ma fa’amanuiaga mo le mamalu o le Motu o Swains, o le tatalo i le Atua ia fa’aauau pea ana fa’amanuiaga i luga o tagata ma augatupulaga fai mai o le Motu o Swains.
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