Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Affairs Esther Kia’aina says she was stunned when she was bestowed the honorary matai title Lupesinaosamoa.
The bestowal took place during the ava ceremony, hosted by the Office of Samaon Affairs on behalf of the American Samoa Government to welcome off island dignitaries invited for Flag Day.
Conferral of the title was symbolized by the sprinkling of coconut water on the assistant secretary’s head by Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega and Manu’a District Governor Misaalefua Hudson.
Lupesinaosamoa Esther Kia’aina said she was completely taken by surprise.
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The Assistant Secretary was introduced as Lupesinaosamoa at the Flag Day dinner Saturday night and when she delivered the keynote address for the 116th Flag Day.
Kia’aina is coming to the end of her tenure and will leave when President Barack Obama steps down at the end of his second consecutive term as US President.
