The Tongan community in American Samoa is holding a prayer service today in Tafuna in remembrance of their late King George Tupou V.
Tongan chief, Mafi o Amerika Samoa, Sione Kava, estimates there are close to 5,000 Tongan citizens residing in the territory.
Chief Kava says they hope through the prayer service that local Tongans can share and comfort each other for their loss.
He described the King as an intelligent and forward thinking monarch who will be sorely missed.
"On behalf of the Tongan community of American Samoa and all the Tonga residents [send their] deepest sympathies and condolences for the departure of our beloved King, George Tupou the 5th."
Americian Samoa's secretary of Samoan Affairs, Atiulagi Pese, will represent the government at the funeral.
