Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Leaders from various Samoan churches and youth organizations gathered at the American Samoa Government- Hawai’i office on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for updates and discussion on various events that will take place during the 2024 Samoan Heritage Festival that will take place at Ke’ehi Lagoon Park in June.

Key topics discussed during the meeting included the Heritage Cricket League, the Heritage Festival — Cultural Games Event, the E Lelei Le Alofa o Le Atua Scholarship, vendors, and the Samoan Community Blood Drive.

Participants shared insights, discussed community participation, and offered suggestions and feedback on the yearly event.

Samoa News points out that the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture, will convene in Hawaiʻi, June 6- 16, 2024. “Ho'oulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania” is serving as the theme of FestPAC Hawaiʻi 2024, honoring the traditions that FestPAC exists to perpetuate with an eye toward the future.

American Samoa has announced it will be a participant in this festival as well as the Samoan Heritage Fest.

The scheduled beginning date for the Samoan Heritage Fest is June 15th, according to the ASG Hawaii Office. It will open with an Fa’aevagaia or Spiritual Night, and a church service will be held on June 16, 2024, followed by a Cultural or Aganu’u Night featuring local community performances on June 17. The finale is on June 18th, and will be marked by an International Night, culminating the Heritage Festival with a celebration.