Preparations are being finalised for the Samoa Heritage Week in Hawaii that's aimed at maintaining fa'asamoa or the Samoan way of life there.
The second Heritage Week to be held opens with a prayer service this Sunday.
Committee chairman Afimutasi Gus Hanneman says the celebration is important for the 30,000 Samoans now residing in Hawaii and gives an opportunity for other residents to learn more about Samoa.
He says it's costing 50-thousand US dollars to put on this year's celebrations.
"The premise of this entire thing is that if those of us of Samoan ancestry would bring the main premise of our culture while we are acculturating and assimilating here in Hawaii we'd make better citizens."
Afimutasi Gus Hanneman says the celebrations include sports competitions, food booths, career stalls, debates and evening entertainment from youth groups.
