The Council of Samoan Chiefs and Orators in Hawaii, ATOA-O-ALI'I, is sponsoring an observance of the 44th annual Samoan Flag Day at the state Capitol today. The event commemorates the raising of the U.S. flag in American Samoa on April 17, 1900, which made it a territory of the United States.

The public is invited to the signing of a proclamation with Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona at 2 p.m. today at the Capitol. On Saturday, a flag ceremony will be held at the Capitol from 9 to 11 a.m.

ATOA-O-ALI'I is a nonprofit organization started in 1965. The group next year will return to Ke'ehi Lagoon Park, where previous Samoan Flag Day celebrations have been held.