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Celebrate and honor our children on White Sunday

Ona o lenei aso Sa o le a alo ai le fanau i o latou faiva, ua fa'auia atu ai lenei fa'amanuiaga mai le Lali mo fanauiti uma o le atunu'u, latou faia'oga Aso Sa , matua fa'aleagaga sa gapatia i le tu'ufa'atasiga o le sao o le fanau, ina ia tima'ia matua ma aiga, ia tausisi i le amiotonu a le Atua i mea uma! "Ia manuia le Aso Sa Paepa'e o le Fanau!!"
fili@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The annual White Sunday celebration, dedicated to the children of American Samoa, is this Sunday, Oct. 14th.

Introduced in the islands by Christian missionaries in the 1800s, White Sunday has became a special holiday, with children being treated to the best — from White Sunday outfits to food served during family toana'i. It is always celebrated on the second Sunday in October.

In his annual White Sunday message, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said, “White Sunday is a day set aside to celebrate our children by hosting special programs during church services, which is why it is called Lotu Tamaiti’ -  literally, children’s service. A day for our children to proclaim the Gospel through Scriptural recitations, Biblical reenactments and creative performances, while parents and families listen and watch with pride.”

“With the range of difficult experiences impacting our children today, it is our duty as mentors, ministers, parents and community to help our children cope through these adversities,” Lolo said. “The support provided especially by our ministers and clergy is essential to building our children and promoting success.”

As is the case every year, traffic today and tomorrow are expected to be a headache, especially in the Nuuuli area around Laufou Shopping Center and downtown Fagatogo.

Police are beefing up on road patrols today and tomorrow because of expected traffic congestion and are calling on drivers to look out for pedestrians, especially young children. Police also urge parents to keep a close watch on their kids while out White Sunday shopping.

Local stores, bakeries, and other merchants contacted by Samoa News early this week reported that they are always prepared in advance of White Sunday to ensure a happy day for the territory’s children.  Lots of ice cream, in a variety of flavors are available in stores, as well as cakes and pies from local bakeries.

The Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa and the Methodist faith lavishly celebrate White Sunday, and in past years, it has spread to other faiths, although to a smaller degree. The Tongan community here will also be holding White Sunday services.

White Sunday is celebrated in other parts of the world where Samoan communities are present, including Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fort Hood (Texas), New Zealand, and Australia.

White Sunday has always been one of the busy travel times of the year between the two Samoas. Reports out of the Tafuna Airport say air traffic has been busy since Wednesday.

It will be an even happier White Sunday for government employees who get their paychecks via direct deposit. Monday is government payday and direct deposit employees usually get their money in their bank accounts the Saturday before, which is tomorrow.

With that, ATMs will most likely be short on cash by tomorrow afternoon.

Have a happy and safe “Lotu Tamaiti” American Samoa.