American Samoa has celebrated its new designation as a Preserve American site with dancing, singing and speeches at Utulei Beach.
The event was attended by religious and government leaders and staff from the National Oceanic and Atmoshperic Administration who are in the territory for a week of workshops.
The concept of Preserve American was developed during the Bush administration to promote historic or cultural preservation.
The Governor, Togiola Tulafono, says American Samoa met the criteria and can boast a robust history and living culture.
"This recognition is a wonderful blessing for our people, the community and the territory, to enhance, perpetuate and extend programmes that maintain a sense of place and its unique relationship with nature so that we allow others to experience with us the Pacific way to our traditional Samoan way of life."
