Alao, American Samoa

Last updated
Alao
Village
American Samoa location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Alao
Coordinates: 14°16′3″S170°33′49″W / 14.26750°S 170.56361°W / -14.26750; -170.56361
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
TerritoryFlag of American Samoa.svg  American Samoa
County Vaifanua
Area
  Total
0.56 sq mi (1.45 km2)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
275
  Density490/sq mi (190/km2)

Alao is a village on the narrow east coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located close to the island's easternmost point, just to the north of Aunu'u Island. Alao is home to white sand beaches, and is one of the oldest settlements in all of American Samoa. [1] It is located in Vaifanua County, American Samoa. [2] [3]

Contents

The village gained international attention in 2005 when the village council moved to ban Asian-owned businesses within village boundaries. Its ranking chief, Sogimaletavai Leo, told reporters that the village wanted to protect small Samoan-owned businesses. He also explained that it has been an increased number of Asian-owned stores popping up in neighboring villages on the island's east end. [4]

Olomoana Hill behind Alao is one of very few places in Tutuila where trachyte occurs. [5]

A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is located in town.

History

In the late 19th century, the village of Alao became the first foothold for the Mormon church on Tutuila Island. [6]

Demographics

Population growth [7]
2020 275
2010 495
2000 528
1990 463
1980 274
1970 390
1960 386
1950 324
1940 195
1930 138

Geography

Alao is situated near the southeastern tip of Tutuila Island, where the hamlet of Utumea is located. [8] There is a white sand beach that stretches the whole length of the village of Alao. [9]

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fagatogo, American Samoa</span> Village in American Samoa, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aunuʻu, American Samoa</span> Island in American Samoa, United States

Aunuʻu is a small volcanic island off the southeastern shore of Tutuila in Saʻole County, American Samoa. It has a land area of 374.83 acres, and a 2010 census population of 436 persons. Politically, it is a part of the Eastern District, one of the two primary political divisions of American Samoa.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leone, American Samoa</span> Village in American Samoa, United States

Leone is the second-largest city on Tutuila Island's west coast. The village is on the south-west coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Leone was the ancient capital of Tutuila Island. Leone was also where the Samoan Islands’ first missionary, John Williams, visited on October 18, 1832. A monument in honor of Williams has been erected in front of Zion Church. Its large church was the first to be built in American Samoa. It has three towers, a carved ceiling and stained glass. Until steamships were invented, Leone was the preferred anchorage of sailing ships which did not risk entering Pago Pago Harbor. Much early contact between Samoans and Europeans took place in Leone. In the early 20th century, Leone was one of the centers for the Mau movement in American Sāmoa.

Nuʻuuli is a village on the central east coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located on a peninsula several miles up from Pago Pago International Airport. Nuʻuuli is located between Pago Pago International Airport and Coconut Point. It is a shopping district which is home to stores, groceries and many more shops. In the early 20th century, Nuʻuuli was the headquarters for the Mau movement in American Sāmoa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afono, American Samoa</span> Village in American Samoa, United States

Afono 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.

Alofau is a village on the southeast coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located at the eastern end of Faga'itua Bay, six miles east of Pago Pago, between Pagai and Amouli. It is home to Alofau Village Marine Protected Area. It is an agrarian and traditional village. It is also a poor village with residents with low literacy and high unemployment rates. As of the U.S. Census 2000, the per capita income was $4,357 and 67 percent of children were below the poverty line. 15.6 percent of residents were receiving public assistance. It is lauded as a kava place in the Manu'a Songs. Alofau is located in Sa'Ole County.

Āmouli is a village on the southeast coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa at the narrowest point of the island. It is located to the west of 'Au'asi, immediately to the south of ʻAoa on the north coast. It was home to 920 residents at the 2010 U.S. Census, all of which were Pacific Islanders by race. It is located in Sa'Ole County.

ʻAuʻasi is a village in the east of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. One of the island's more populous villages, it is located on the south coast, close to the eastern tip of the island and to the smaller offshore island of Aunuʻu. It is located in Saʻole County.

Fagaʻitua is a village in the east of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located on the central coast of Fagaʻitua Bay. It is in Sua County, a county also known as ʻo le falelima i sasaʻe. Fagaitua is located at a shallow bay on the south coast of the island, in-between Lauli'i and Alofau. It is home to Luafagā, Le'iato's house of chiefs, and the big malae Malotumau.

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">Aʻasu, American Samoa</span> Village in American Samoa, United States

Aʻasu or Āsu is a village on the north coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located to the west of Fagasa and northwest of Pago Pago. It is one of multiple villages involved in an archaeological survey of the island. Old Aʻasu lies on Massacre Bay and can be reached from a hiking trail in Aʻasufou.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maʻopūtasi County</span> County in American Samoa, United States

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.

Tula is a village in the Eastern District of Tutuila Island in American Samoa. Tula is located in Vaifanua County and had a population of 405 as of the 2010 U.S. Census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Itūʻau County</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saʻole County</span>

Saʻole County is a county in the Eastern District in American Samoa. The county consists of Aunu'u Island together with its foothold upon Tutuila Island, Ālōfau and Āmouli.

Vaifanua County is a county in the Eastern District in American Samoa.

Sātele Tapumanaia, son of Queen Salamāsina, born in the 16th century, is thought to be the first holder of the chiefly "Sātele" title of the village of Sālani in the Faleālili subdistrict of Ātua,'Upolu.

References

  1. Goodwin, Bill (2006). Frommer’s South Pacific. Wiley. Page 401. ISBN   9780471769804.
  2. Tu’u’u, Misilugi Tulifau Tofaeono (2002). History of Samoa Islands: Supremacy & Legacy of the Malietoa (na Fa'alogo i Ai Samoa). Tuga'ula Publication. Page 427. ISBN   9780958219914.
  3. Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. Page 424. ISBN   9780824822194.
  4. "American Samoa village bans Asian-owned businesses". 28 January 2005.
  5. Whistler, W. Arthur (2002). The Samoan Rainforest: A Guide to the Vegetation of the Samoan Archipelago. Isle Botanica. Page 98. ISBN   9780964542631.
  6. Sunia, Fofō Iosefa Fiti (2001). Puputoa: Host of Heroes - A record of the history makers in the First Century of American Samoa, 1900-2000. Suva, Fiji: Oceania Printers. Pages 87-88. ISBN 9829036022.
  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.
  8. Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. Page 432. ISBN   9780824822194.
  9. Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Manu'a Islands. Page 49. ISBN 9798556052970.
  10. Sutter, Frederic Koehler (1989). The Samoans: A Global Family. University of Hawai'i Press. Page 191. ISBN 9780824812386.