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American Samoa Government - PR001-05292026
Posted: May 29, 2026
Territorial Administration on Aging Celebrates Senior Citizen Day
TAFUNA - American Samoa - Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula joined Congresswoman Aumua Amata, distinguished guests, and community leaders at the Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) to celebrate Senior Citizens Day, honoring the treasured elders of American Samoa.
The ceremony opened under the leadership of TAOA Deputy Director Faau Seumanutafa, who welcomed attendees with warm appreciation. Rev. Fetaiai Fui, also Deputy Director for TAOA, offered the invocation and spiritual message, followed by a beautiful hymn presented by the TAOA senior citizens.
Governor Pulaali’i delivered heartfelt remarks recognizing the lifelong contributions of American Samoa’s senior citizens. He spoke on the strength, wisdom, and service of the elder community, emphasizing that their longevity is a blessing from God. The Governor encouraged continued focus on health and well‑being, noting that the knowledge and love shared by the senior community remain invaluable gifts to the territory.
The program continued with special remarks by Congresswoman Aumua Amata, who highlighted that the longevity of our seniors is a reflection of their prayers and faith in God. She reaffirmed her commitment to working closely with TAOA to expand benefits and support services for senior citizens across the territory.
TAOA Director Paopao Kuresa then delivered remarks expressing gratitude to Governor Pulaalii, Congresswoman Amata, and the senior community for their presence and continued support. Director Paopao shared updates on TAOA initiatives, including efforts to revive travel programs for senior citizens in Tutuila and Manu‘a. He also announced that senior citizens will receive a pay increase to $7.25 beginning this July. The announcement was met with great satisfaction, filling the room with joy and appreciation.
Following the remarks, TAOA presented three distinguished awards:
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Oldest Senior Citizen Award, Awarded to Mrs. Pouiva Reid, age 101, the oldest TAOA‑registered senior citizen. The award was presented by Congresswoman Amata.
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Community Service Award, Presented to HTC Malepeai Setu, age 89, in recognition of his dedicated service to the community. The award was presented by Lions Club President Joey Cummings.
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Oldest SCSEP Employee Award, Awarded to Lolesio Faasau, age 76, honoring his continued service through the Senior Community Service Employment Program.
The program concluded with closing remarks by Deputy Director Faau Seumanutafa, followed by a closing prayer from Rev. Fetaiai Fui. A special dance and luncheon brought the celebration to a joyful close. Happy Senior Citizens Day to the beloved senior citizens of American Samoa. Your wisdom, strength, and legacy continue to guide and uplift our islands.
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Fa’amanatuina e le Ofisa o Tagata Matutua le Aso o Tagata Matutua
TAFUNA, Amerika Samoa – Na auai atu le ali’i Kovana ia Pulaalii Nikolao Pula i le ofisa o Tagata Matutua (TAOA), auā le porokalama o le Aso o Tagata Matutua, o le manulauti “Fa’ataua lou soifua maloloina.” O le aloa’iaina o tamā ma tinā matutua ma le amana’ina o latou sao tāua i lo tatou Teritori. Sa va’aia le sagisagi fiafia mai o tamā ma tinā ua maualuga ai le aso. Na saunoa amata le Susuga le Sui Fa’atonu ia, Seumanutafa Fa’aū e fa’afeiloa’i ma paelago pa’ia o le taeao ma le aofia ua potopoto. O le Susuga le Faife’au ia Fetaia’i Fui na momōlia mea i Matā’utusā, e sulaina ai le agalelei o le Atua aemaise le maualuga o lona alofa tausi mai i soifua o nai o tatou tua’a lauao sinasina. Saunoa le Faife’au, “E leai se Seleselega pe ‘ana leai se Lūlūga. E i ai le mea na tou lūlū ai, ‘a ‘o lenei ua tou seleseleina ma le olioli ma loimata o le fiafia. O outou o tautai a’e mālō, ua i’u manuia tou faiva.”
Na malele le ali’i Kovana ia Pulaalii Nikolao Pula e uiga i le fa’atāuaina o le soifua maloloina, e tusa ai ma le ‘autū o le aso. Saunoa le Kovana, “O le matua o le soifua, o le meaalofa a le Atua. Amuia Amerika Samoa ma lona Mālō, ona o outou Tina ma Tamā Matutua o le Atunu’u. Peita’i, e pei ona outou silafia, o Amerika Samoa o lo’o i le lisi o atunu’u e maualuga pasene i le ma’i o le suka, toto maualuga ma le tino puta (obesity). Atonu o le ala lea o la outou manulauti, ia u’una’i le fa’atāua o le ola maloloina o le atunu’u.” Sa fa’afetaia fo’i e le ali’i Kovana le Fa’atonu o le Ofisa o Tagata Matutua ona o lenei porokalama o le fa’atāuaina o i latou na mua i malae i le ati’ina’eina o le Mālō e ala i tiute ma fe’au ese’ese.
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Sa taua’aoina atu e le afioga le faipule ia Uifa’atali Aumua Amata le fa’ailoga aloa’ia mo le tinā aupito matua o le atunu’u, o le fa’ailoga o le soifua fa’afualoa mo le tinā ia Pouiva Reid, ua 101 tausaga o lona soifua.
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O le fa’ailoga lona lua, o le tautua matavela ma le lē fa’atuāoia mo le atunu’u, na taua’aoina atu e le Peresitene o le kalapu o le Līona ia Joey Cummings i le Fetalaiga ia Malepeai Setu. E 89 tausaga o lona soifua.
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O le fa’ailoga mulimuli, o le tagata matua o le kalapu o le Rotary, o le Susuga ia Lolesio Fa’atau. E 76 tausaga o lona soifua.
Na tanoa fo’i le afioga i le Faipule i Uosigitone ia Uifa’atali Aumua Amata “O le fa’alevalevaina o outou soifua, o le fa’ailoga lea o le tou matata’u i le Atua. O se fa’amanuiaga i le atunu’u le avea o outou ma tagata e utuvai ai.”
Saunoa le ali’i Faatonu ia Paopao Kuresa e fa’afetaia le ali’i Kovana, o mālō fa’aaloalogia, aemaise tagata matutua o lo’o resitara i le porokalama o le TAOA, ona o le afifio atu e fa’amamalu lenei fa’amoemoe tāua. Na ia saunoa fo’i e uiga i taumafaiga e toe fa'aolaolaina porokalama tau femalagaa'iga mo tagata matutua i Tutuila ma Manu'a, ma o le masina o Iulai e si’i ai totogi i le $7.25 mo tagata matutua.
O se fa’amoemoe na atagia ai le olioli, le soifua ta’uaogāina o tagata matutua, aemaise le alofa fa’amaoni o le Atua i mātua na asā le gasū o le taeao. Saunoa fa’ai’u le Susuga le Sui Fa’atonu ia Seumanutafa Fa’aū ma fa’amanuia i le aofia, ona ta’ape ai lea o le fuāmanusina, ua tofu le manu ma si ana i’a e pei o ia upu.
Agalelei le Atua i soifua o tatou tamā ma tinā matutua, ia saga fa’afualoa le ola ma maua atili ai lava. Manuia le Aso o Tagata Matutua!
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