Afono

Afono
Afono
Village
	Afonotele
	Afono
	Coordinates: 14°15′51″S170°39′3″W / 14.26417°S 170.65083°W
Country	United States
Territory	American Samoa
County	Sua
Area
• Total	1 sq mi (3 km2)
Elevation	85 ft (26 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	524
• Density	450/sq mi (170/km2)

Last updated February 10, 2024 • 2 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Afono (Samoan: Āfono) is a village on the northeast coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. One of the island's more populous villages, it is located on the edge of Afono Bay, at the eastern edge of the National Park of American Samoa. It is connected by Highway 6 to Vatia, which lies along the coast to the northwest, and to Aua, on the edge of Pago Pago Harbor to the south via a winding stretch of highway which crosses the spine of the island.

Geography

Afono is a village on the north shore of Tutuila Island in American Samoa, located by Afono Bay. Afono is situated over Afono Pass, which sits in-between Rainmaker Mountain and the Maugaloa Ridge. The village is home to traditional thatched huts.^[3] It is reached by following Highway 6 northbound from the village of Aua. The road from Aua includes several steep switchbacks up to Rainmaker Pass, and continues equally steeply down to the village of Afono.^[4] The village borders the Tutuila-section of National Park of American Samoa.

Afono spreads out across the backside of Rainmaker Mountain. Afono Bay is home to a pebbly beach but it is almost non-existent except at low tide.^[5]

National Park

Access to the Tutuila unit of the National Park of American Samoa is primarily through a paved road which runs along the perimeter of the upper end of Pago Pago Harbor. Lateral roads lead to Fagasā Pass and the park's western end and to Afono Pass at its eastern end. The latter lateral road also leads to the villages of Afono and Vatia. Road signs marking entrance points to the National Park unit have been placed along the Afono/Vatia road near Matape Hill/Craggy Point, near the park boundary in the vicinity of Afono Pass, and above the village's western side.^[6]^: 21, 31 A National Park Service visitor center has been proposed in Afono.

The stands of endemic broadleaf forest located between Fagasā and Afono provide habitat for large numbers of native bird species. The best and biggest known roost on Tutuila Island for the Sheath-tailed bat is located in the Anapeʻape Cove near Afono. Two decades ago 10,000 sheath-tailed bats were occupying the caves.^[6]^{: 129, 131}

Lands within the Tutuila unit presently under cultivation for substance agriculture are confined to areas above Afono and Vatia villages.^[6]^: 145

Demographics

Population growth^[7]
2010	524
2000	530
1990	434
1980	284
1970	278
1960	184
1950	169
1940	138
1930	96

Related Research Articles

Pago Pago is the capital of American Samoa. It is in Maoputasi County on Tutuila, which is American Samoa's main island.

The National Park of American Samoa is a national park in the United States territory of American Samoa, distributed across four islands: Tutuila, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta‘ū. The park preserves and protects coral reefs, tropical rainforests, fruit bats, and the Samoan culture. Popular activities include hiking and snorkeling. Of the park's 8,257 acres (3,341 ha), 2,500 acres (1,000 ha) is coral reefs and ocean. The park is the only American National Park Service system unit south of the equator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tutuila</span> Largest island in American Samoa

Tutuila is the largest and most populous island of American Samoa and is part of the archipelago of the Samoan Islands. It is the third largest island in the Samoan Islands chain of the Central Pacific. It is located roughly 4,000 kilometers (2,500 mi) northeast of Brisbane, Australia and lies over 1,200 kilometers (750 mi) to the northeast of Fiji. It contains a large, natural harbor, Pago Pago Harbor, where Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, is situated. Pago Pago International Airport is also located on Tutuila. The island's land expanse is about 68% of the total land area of American Samoa. With 56,000 inhabitants, it is also home to 95% of the population of American Samoa. The island has six terrestrial and three marine ecosystems.

Fagatogo is the downtown area of Pago Pago. Located in the low grounds at the foot of Matafao Peak, it was the location of the first American settlement on Tutuila Island. It includes the sub-village of Malaloa. Today, Fagatogo is the government, commercial, financial, and shipping center of Tutuila. It is also the administrative capital of American Samoa. It is the location of the American Samoa Fono (legislature), and is listed in the Constitution of American Samoa as the territory's official seat of government. Its population is 1,737.

Utulei or ʻUtulei is a village in Maoputasi County, in the Eastern District of Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa. Utulei is traditionally considered to be a section of Fagatogo village, the legislative capital of American Samoa, and is located on the southwest edge of Pago Pago Harbor. Utulei is the site of many local landmarks: The A. P. Lutali Executive Office Building, which is next to the Feleti Barstow Library; paved roads that wind up to a former cablecar terminal on Solo Hill; the governor's mansion, which sits on Mauga o Alii, overlooking the entrance to Goat's Island, and the lieutenant governor's residence directly downhill from it; the Lee Auditorium, built in 1962; American Samoa's television studios, known as the Michael J. Kirwan Educational Television Center; and the Rainmaker Hotel. Utulei Terminal offers views of Rainmaker Mountain.

Rainmaker Mountain is the name of a mountain located near Pago Pago, American Samoa on Tutuila Island. Rainmaker Mountain traps rain clouds and gives Pago Pago the highest annual rainfall of any harbor. The average annual rainfall on the mountain is around 200 inches (510 cm). It has a three-pronged summit. Rainmaker Mountain and its base were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972 due to the slopes’ tropical vegetation.

Aūa is a village on Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is located along American Samoa Highway 001, and is the southern terminus of American Samoa Highway 006. Aūa is located at the foothills of Mount Peiva on the eastern shore of Pago Pago Bay. The hamlet of Leloaloa is also a part of Aūa.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to American Samoa:

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Centered on 14.3°S 170.7°W, it is east of the International Date Line and the Wallis and Futuna Islands, west of the Cook Islands, north of Tonga, and some 500 kilometers (310 mi) south of Tokelau. American Samoa is the southernmost territory of the United States and one of two U.S. territories south of the Equator, along with the uninhabited Jarvis Island.

Aʻoloau is a village in the west of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located inland, 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Pago Pago. It is also known as Aʻoloaufou, which means "New Aʻolou". An abandoned area in town by Aʻoloau Bay is known as Aʻoloautuai, which means "Old Aʻoloau". Aʻoloau's nickname is Nuu Puaolele which means the Fog Village.

Pago Pago Harbor on Tutuila Island in American Samoa is one of the world's largest natural harbors. The capital, Pago Pago is located on the inner reaches of the harbor, close to its northwesternmost point. It has the highest annual rainfall of any harbor in the world. It is also considered one of the best and deepest deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean or in Oceania as a whole. Pago Pago Bay is over 400 feet (120 m) deep and two miles (3.2 km) long. As part of the Pago Volcano caldera, the harbor is 50% landlocked.

Fagaʻalu is a village in central Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is also known as Fagaʻalo. It is located on the eastern shore of Pago Pago Harbor, to the south of Pago Pago. American Samoa's lone hospital, Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center, is located in Fagaʻalu. The village is centered around Fagaalu Stream.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matafao Peak</span> Mountain in American Samoa

Matafao Peak is a mountain in American Samoa, on the island of Tutuila. With an elevation of 653 metres (2,142 ft), it is the highest peak on Tutuila Island. The mountain, like Rainmaker Mountain across Pago Pago Harbor, is a remnant of a volcanic plug and is part of the volcanic origins of the island. The mountain can be hiked from the high point of the Pago Pago-to-Fagasa Road. It is designated a National Natural Landmark above the 492-foot (150 m) level, an area known as Matafao Peak National Natural Landmark.

Vatia is a village on Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is a north shore village located on Vatia Bay. The road to Vatia, American Samoa Highway 006, is the only road going through National Park of American Samoa. Vatia is a scenic community at the foot of Pola Ridge and surrounded by the national park. It is only reached by Route 6 which traverses the national park before reaching Vatia. There was once a hiking trail over Maugaloa Ridge from Leloaloa, but since the completion of Route 6, this trail is now overgrown. It is home to a beach, and panoramic views of jungle-covered peaks surround the village on all sides. Vatia is the center of the Tutuila-section of National Park of American Samoa. It is located in Vaifanua County.

Maʻopūtasi County is located in the Eastern District of Tutuila Island in American Samoa. Maʻopūtasi County comprises the capital of Pago Pago and its harbor, as well as surrounding villages. It was home to 11,695 residents as of 2000. Maʻopūtasi County is 6.69 square miles (17.3 km²) The county has a 7.42-mile (11.94 km) shoreline which includes Pago Pago Bay.

Fagasā is a village in the Eastern District of Tutuila Island in American Samoa. The village lies by Fagasa Bay, on the north shore of the island. Its name is Samoan and translates to "Forbidden Bay." The village borders the Tutuila-section of National Park of American Samoa. The trailhead to Mount ʻAlava is located near the village by Fagasa Pass.

Itūʻau County is a county in the Eastern District in American Samoa. The official name is Itūʻau ma Nofo, however, it is commonly known as just Itūʻau. It is divided into northern and southern parts by the highest part of the Tutuila's central mountain range. It is peculiar in that it had no county chief. In Nuʻuuli in the south, power was divided between village high chief Savusa and the Four Chiefly Houses of the Soliai, Tago, Levu, and Alega. In Fagasā in the north, leadership was shared by the Tupuola and the Alo. The physical division of the county by mountains combined with the lack of a high chief made the county a battleground (itu'au) in ancient times.

Amalau is the name of a valley and a bay within the National Park of American Samoa. Amalau Valley is located between Vatia and Afono, and it is an isolated valley with various wildlife such as large numbers of native bird species and flying fox megabats. Amalau Valley is reached on the road leading to Vatia. There are only a few homes at Amalau.

Pola Island is an island just offshore from the village of Vatia on Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is also known as Cockscomb. Pola Island is designated as part of the National Park American Samoa, and is a popular tourist attraction. It is located on the west side of Vatia Bay, and serves as both a landmark and an icon for Vatia. Pola Island has been named one of American Samoa's Seven National Wonders by the Pago Pages. It has been named "the most beautiful natural feature of Tutuila Island” by travel guide publisher Lonely Planet. Pola Island is known for its high cliffs, populated by seabirds, and is one of American Samoa's primary seabird nesting sites.

References

↑ Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. Page 424. ISBN 9780824822194.
↑ Rieth, Tim & Addison, D.J. (2008). "How Dark Are They? The Samoan Dark Ages, ~1500-1000 BP." In D.J. Addison & C. Sand (Eds.), Recent Advances in the Archaeology of the Fiji/West Polynesia Region, 2008 (page 92). University of Otago Studies in Prehistoric Anthropology No. 21.
↑ "Tradewinds Hotel – Pago Pago, American Samoa". Archived from the original on 2018-05-01. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
↑ Swaney, Deanna (1990). Samoa, Western & American Samoa. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 146. ISBN 9780864420787.
↑ Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunuʻu, and Manuʻa Islands. Page 53. ISBN 9798556052970.
1 2 3 National Park Service (1997). "National Park of American Samoa, General Management Plan (GP), Islands of Tutulla, Taʻu, and Ofu: Environmental Impact Statement" (PDF).
↑ "American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016" (PDF). American Samoa Department of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2019-07-25.

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[1] Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. Page 424. ISBN 9780824822194.

[2] Rieth, Tim & Addison, D.J. (2008). "How Dark Are They? The Samoan Dark Ages, ~1500-1000 BP." In D.J. Addison & C. Sand (Eds.), Recent Advances in the Archaeology of the Fiji/West Polynesia Region, 2008 (page 92). University of Otago Studies in Prehistoric Anthropology No. 21.

[3] "Tradewinds Hotel – Pago Pago, American Samoa". Archived from the original on 2018-05-01. Retrieved 2017-10-26.

[4] Swaney, Deanna (1990). Samoa, Western & American Samoa. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 146. ISBN 9780864420787.

[5] Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunuʻu, and Manuʻa Islands. Page 53. ISBN 9798556052970.

[NPS-6] 1 2 3 National Park Service (1997). "National Park of American Samoa, General Management Plan (GP), Islands of Tutulla, Taʻu, and Ofu: Environmental Impact Statement" (PDF).

[7] "American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016" (PDF). American Samoa Department of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2019-07-25.

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