The Samoan community in Hawai'i is preparing to welcome the head of state of Samoa, Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi, to Honolulu, with a cultural 'Ava Fa'atupu, or Royal 'Ava Ceremony.

The ceremony will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday at Ke'ehi Lagoon Park, 465 Lagoon Drive.

The event is open to the public, organizers said.

The historical occasion is being coordinated by the Samoans United In Action Organization.

This is a very rare opportunity for the public to witness the Samoan Royal 'Ava Ceremony. It is performed only for Samoan kings, and will be a great experience for all who attend — especially Samoan youth so they may learn about and be a part of their rich history, organizers said.

The ceremony includes three royal presentations — the 'ava, sua and ta'alolo. These are performed with a specific protocol based on age-old Samoan tradition. More than 100 Samoan warriors will stand guard throughout the ceremony.

His Excellency Tupua Tamasese Tupuola Tufuga Efi will also speak at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa on Tuesday. Samoa's head of state will be in Hawai'i for a three-day stopover en route to Samoa from China where he was an honored guest of the Chinese government at the Olympics in Beijing.