Dear Editor,

October is a special month for Samoans.

It is when we celebrate White Sunday, where families come together to reaffirm their Christian values, strengthen their bonds and celebrate our children who are the future of our nation.

It is a time to make many special memories that we all hold dear to our hearts. Watching our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren dressed in their best white outfits.

Reciting their bible verses in the longest church service of the year has always been the highlight of our White Sundays.

As we watch our children enjoy themselves, we also remember our parents who each year made the sacrifices to make this a truly special day.

Our children always look forward to new white dresses and shirts, special gifts and delicious food prepared for White Sunday to'onai.

Somehow parents always make it happen, with love. And it is a special occasion for businesses to increase their sales revenue. This is also the month when we commemorate Pink October.

It reminds us to make sure that our grandmothers, daughters, sisters, and nieces are screened for any cancerous risks to their health.

Cancer is not selective about who it strikes.

I had the special privilege of meeting many cancer victims who fought the brave fight and used their experience to bring awareness to the need for early screening and treatment.

I even had my head shaved bald in a fundraising event that was full of fun, which I will always remember fondly. They were courageous people of all ages and from all walks of life.

From young children to professionals and a former Miss Samoa who was dignified and poised in her fight. They are our heroes.

October is the month of heavy rainfalls that last several days, with flooding, thunder and lightning storms, and strong easterly winds that signal the rise of the palolo - our special Samoan caviar.

This delicacy rises from the coral at 5 am in Samoan waters, but in American Samoan reefs, they rise at 12 am.

The palolo is a worm-like creature that lives in shallow coral reefs and each year it rises in

October and November coincide with the seventh day following the full moon. And it is also the month for hosting CHOGM in Samoa this year.

May our Octobers continue to be filled with special memories and inspire us to greater days ahead.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP