Today's inauguration ceremony for American Samoa's Governor and Lieutenant Governor is being held at the Fagatogo Pavilion.
Lolo Matalasi Moliga and Lemamu Palepoi Sialega Mauga won a second term in office by winning more than 3,000 votes over their challengers Faoa Aitofele Sunia and Larry Sanitoa in last November's general election.
Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga (left) and Lieutenant Governor Lemamu Palepoi Sialega Mauga (right) are sworn in a Fagatogo Pavilion in American Samoa. Photo: Supplied/Monica Miller
Today's inauguration ceremony will be the 10th since American Samoa began electing its own governor and lieutenant governor in 1977.
Since then only five people have held the governorship: Uifaatali Peter Coleman, Aifili Paulo Lutali, Tauese P. Sunia, Togiola Tulafono and Lolo Matalasi Moliga.
American Samoa's speaker of the house Savali Talavou Ale (left) and the Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi (right) at the swearing in of the territory's governor and lieutenant governor on the 4th January, 2017. Photo: Supplied / Monica Miller
More have served as Lt. Governor: Tufele Li'a, Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin, Galea'i Poumele, Gaioi Poumele, Tauese Sunia, Togiola Tulafono, Faoa Aitofele Sunia and Lemanu Peleti Mauga.
Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, and Samoa's Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, and the Minister of Finance from Tokelau are attending the event.
