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2021 will welcome new leadership for the Territory — Happy New Year

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fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa wlcomed the New Year at the stroke of 12 midnight, ushering in 2021, as the territory is preparing to start off the year with the inauguration of the new governor and lieutenant governor, and swearing in ceremonies for the new members of the 37th Legislature.

American Samoa is the last in the U.S. “family” to ring in 2021, while Guam was the first U.S. possession to see New Year’s Day as well as countries in other parts of the world, including our neighbors in Samoa.

INAUGURATION CEREMONY

Perhaps the biggest event that local residents are looking towards at the start of 2021, is the inauguration ceremony for the new Administration taking over the helm of government for the next four years from the outgoing Lolo Administration, whose term officially ends before 12noon on Jan. 3, 2021.

In accordance with the local constitution, the governor-elect, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga and lieutenant governor-elect, Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale — who won the 2020 general election — will take the oath of office at 12noon on Jan. 3, 2021.

The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Fagatogo Pavilion — at the Malae o le Talu — where invited guests and others will start arriving at 10a.m, with plans to begin the church service at 11a.m and at 12noon, Lemanu and Talauega will be sworn in, followed by religious blessings bestowed upon the new leaders by leaders of all religious denominations in the territory that have been invited to the ceremony.

While special invitations have been sent out — including all three branches of government  — the public is also invited to the inauguration, according to officials from the Lemanu and Talauega Inauguration committee.

A luncheon will follow the ceremony — at the Fagatogo Pavilion — where the public is also invited.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on KVZK-TV Ch: 2 — which is also Ch: 2 on Moana cable TV.

Also on Jan. 3rd, is the swearing-in ceremony at the Senate — starting at 10:30a.m — at the Senate Chamber and the House at the House Chamber.  No information was available at press time on what time the House’s ceremony will start.

Family members of the lawmakers are expected to witness the ceremony, with the new senators serving a 4-year term, while faipule serve a 2-year term.

After lawmakers are sworn-in, each chamber will then move to elect their new leader — the Senate President and the House Speaker. Also to be elected is the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief House Clerk as well as the Sargent-at-Arms for each chamber.

With these three major events occurring all at one time, traffic in the town area is expected to be busy.

NEW YEAR 2021

Church services and parties usually top the list of activities in the territory for New Year’s Eve celebrations, but with COVID-19 restrictions imposed on operating hours for businesses as well as churches, activities were only allowed from 5a.m to 9p.m.

It’s not known if private parties were also restricted, however New Year’s Eve church services were still being held, with all of them completed before 9p.m, according to information received by Samoa News.

For the “Po o Moli” or  “Night of Lights” — a lavish tradition of the Methodist church on New Year’s Eve — some church members, reached by phone on Wednesday, told Samoa News that due to current COVID-19 restrictions ending services at 9p.m some parishes have either cancelled the tradition this year or scaled-it down to something simple.

Night of Lights involves different families and church groups making trees, about 10- 15 ft high, and decorating the ‘trees’ with candy or flower ulas, fabric, food items such as chips, cookies, canned goods and boxes of saimin; and of course, cash. At the end of the service, which traditionally has been held after midnight, decorations from the trees are presented first to church and village leaders, the elders, invited guests and finally, church members.

For those who follow Chinese astrology — 2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox — and the “Ox is a representation of diligence, kindness and generosity”.  Chinese New Year is celebrated on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021, according to the thechinesezodiac.org website.

As residents continue activities over the weekend, keep in mind that the police holiday enforcement program is ongoing and will fully enforce all local laws as well as COVID-19 restrictions.

As in past years, the sound of fireworks — illegal in American Samoa — were heard island-wide, mixed with the ‘boom’ of homemade Samoan canons or “fagaofe”, which were heard across the territory even before Christmas Eve.

In observance of New Year’s Day, a local and national holiday, all government offices are closed, as well as many businesses including the local banks. DPS reminds the public to celebrate responsibly, as they will be out in full force to ensure a safe and happy New Year.

Samoa News did not publish today, New Year’s Day and will return on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.  Catch up with any breaking news on our website or Facebook page.

Samoa News management and staff wish the people of American Samoa, our Toa o Samoa, and our citizens stranded overseas a safe and prosperous 2021. We ask everyone to please stay healthy and safe and be kind to one another.