A total of $150,000 allocated for Swains Island 98th flag day

A total of $150,000 has been budgeted by the American Samoa Government for the upcoming Swains Island flag day to mark 98 years since it became part of American Samoa in an Act by Congress.

Chief of Staff, Loa Tuimavave Tauapa’i confirmed this with KVZK news; adding that the Lemanu and Talauega administration is looking at the long-term development of Swains Islands and celebrating their flag day as the first step.

The Swains flag day celebration is set on May 13, 2023.

In a press statement released by the Governor’s office says government staff were deployed on a two-hundred-mile journey to Swains Island last month.

The team were transported by the Manu’atele and a 14 man-crew from the Department of Port Administration.

Swains Island, also known as Olohenga, is a small atoll calculated to be 373 acres and is considered part of American Samoa.

The Island is geological of the Tokelau Volcanic Island Group but is owned by the Jennings family and administered by the United States of America.

The Island is located approximately 200 miles north of American Samoa and part of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, which is protected by both territorial and federal laws.

The advance party will be joined by Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga and his party of expeditions on Swains Island, departing American Samoa on the 10th of May.

The governor’s office has yet to release an official flag day program for the Swains Island celebration.