Fagamalo, American Samoa

Last updated
Location of Fagamalo on Tutuila Island Fagamalo village pos.jpg
Location of Fagamalo on Tutuila Island

Fagamalo is a village in American Samoa. It is located on the north shore of Tutuila Island. The village was long only reachable by narrow trails over rugged vertical terrain. The trails were often obscured by brush and seldom traveled because they traversed the thick rain forests. It often required hours of hiking before reaching the village. [1] Route 1 now climbs steeply and winds up to the village of Fagamalo, where the road ends. [2] It is located in Lealataua County in the Western District of Tutuila Island. [3]

Contents

The coastline between Fagamalo and Fagasā Bay is a rugged and scenic stretch of shoreline which contains the coastal villages of A'asu and Fagasā. This stretch also contains Sita Bay, a cove which has been home to large colonies of flying foxes. Massacre Bay is where a battle between French sailors and Samoans happened in 1787. Pā Cove is near the village of Fagamalo and is the site of a prehistoric village. It has been noted in Samoan legends. [4]

In 1987, researchers from University of Oregon discovered the site of the legendary village of Ā on a ridge above Fagamalo. Initial tests showed that the site was occupied in 600 BCE, which makes it the oldest known village on the island. [5] The village mayor of Fagamalo was charged with attempted murder in 2005. He was held on a $50,000 bail after allegedly jeopardizing the lives of two fishermen. [6] In 2010, Fagamalo was the first village in American Samoa to create a designated protected marine area. [7]

Etymology

The name of the village, Fagamalo, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as “Conquerors' bay". [8]

History

The Community-Based Fisheries Program (CFMP) was established in 2000 to promote locally driven marine conservation in American Samoa. This initiative encouraged villages, such as Fagamalo (home to the Fagamalo Village Marine Protected Area), to develop and manage their own marine protection policies. Initially, these protected areas were not legally enforceable under the jurisdiction of the American Samoa Government (ASG). In 2005, a court case challenged the authority of village residents in Fagamalo to enforce CFMP regulations. In response, the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) proposed legislation to grant legal enforcement authority over Village Marine Protected Areas (VMPAs) to the agency. This legislation was passed in 2008 with the goal of ensuring that the territory's waters remained safe habitats for marine life, thereby supporting the sustainability of fish, shellfish, and other species for the benefit of American Samoa’s residents, future generations, and visitors. By 2016, VMPAs covered approximately 25% of the coral reef areas in American Samoa. [9]

Demographics

YearPopulation [10]
2020 37
2010 47
2000 39
1990 92
1980 68
1970 62
1960 93

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pago Pago, American Samoa</span> Capital city of American Samoa

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

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

Poloa is a village in American Samoa. It is located at the west side of Tutuila in the Alataua District. The village has 193 residents in 2010. The main denominations in the area are Methodist and Christian. Poloa has one elementary school. It is located in Lealataua County.

<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.

<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.

<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.

ʻAmanave is a village on the coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located close to the island's western tip, Cape Taputapu, and to the south of the village of Poloa. It is located in Lealataua County.

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

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.

ʻAoa is a village on the north-east coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located on the north coast, close to the island's eastern tip, at a narrowing of the island and is connected by road with Amouli on the south coast. ʻAoa is the oldest site on Tutuila to yield ceramics. Located in a large U-shaped valley on the northeast coast of the island, ʻAoa sits on a wide, sandy beach fronted by a large, deep bay. Fresh water is supplied by a steady river which runs through the village. It is located in Vaifanua County.

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.

Futiga is a village in the southwest of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located inland, 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Pago Pago, between the villages of 'Ili'ili and Puapua. It is in Tualatai County.

<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. Aʻasu lies on Massacre Bay and can be reached from a hiking trail in Aʻasufou.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Taputapu</span> Cape in American Samoa

Cape Taputapu is the name of a cape located in the Western District of American Samoa. Located in Tutuila, it is the island's westernmost point. The cape was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1972.

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

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.

<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.

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

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taputimu, American Samoa</span> Place in Tutuila Island, American Samoa

Taputimu is a village in southwestern Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is the nearest village to the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, although the main access is from the neighboring village of Futiga. It is home to Leala Shoreline National Natural Landmark and Leala Sliding Rock. Leala Sliding Rock is a natural rock formation between Vailoatai and Taputimu, which is a scenic landmark as well as a natural playground or slide. It was created by the ebb and flow of the ocean; the erosion has created a smooth shoreline site. It is located in Tualatai County in the Western District of Tutuila.

<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">Pola Island</span> Island in American Samoa

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fogamaʻa Crater</span> Valley basin in American Samoa

Fogamaʻa Crater is a valley basin on Tutuila Island, American Samoa, immediately north of Larsen Bay. It is within the village of Futiga, just below Logotala Hill. It is also known as Hidden Beach or Larsen’s Cove.

References

  1. Watt, Abbie Le’ala Lam Yuen (2000). Tini: Trailblazer in the Wake of the Pitcairn. Teach Services, Inc. Page 21. ISBN   9781572581661.
  2. Hunt, Errol (2000). South Pacific. Lonely Planet. Page 396. ISBN   9780864427175.
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (2000). Census of population and housing (2000): American Samoa Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics. DIANE Publishing. Page 146. ISBN   9781428985490.
  4. http://www.npshistory.com/publications/npsa/feasibility-study.pdf (Pages 61 and 65)
  5. Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). A History of American Samoa. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 334. ISBN   9781573062992.
  6. "American Samoa chiefs charged with attempted murder". 4 November 2005.
  7. "Fagamalo in American Samoa first village to create protected marine area". 8 May 2010.
  8. Churchill, W. (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), page 191. Retrieved on December 6, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2307/199273.
  9. Poblete, JoAnna (2020). Balancing the Tides: Marine Practices in American Sāmoa. Sustainable History Monograph Pilot. Pages 113-116. ISBN 9780824883515.
  10. "American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016" (PDF). American Samoa Department of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2019-07-25.

14°17′56″S170°48′36″W / 14.29889°S 170.81000°W / -14.29889; -170.81000