Ofu County is a county in the Manu'a District in American Samoa. [1] [2] [3] It was the result of the subdivision of the prior Luanuu County in two, with the other newly created county being Olosega, first reported on the 1930 U.S. Census. It is now contiguous with its only village, Ofu.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 466 | — |
| 1940 | 500 | +7.3% |
| 1950 | 576 | +15.2% |
| 1960 | 605 | +5.0% |
| 1970 | 412 | −31.9% |
| 1980 | 345 | −16.3% |
| 1990 | 353 | +2.3% |
| 2000 | 289 | −18.1% |
| 2010 | 176 | −39.1% |
| 2020 | 132 | −25.0% |
| U.S. Decennial Census [4] | ||
Ofu County was first recorded beginning with the 1930 U.S. Census. [5] It had previously been within Luanuu County. Its population zenith was in 1960, with 605 residents. It has since experienced a dramatic population decline (as has the Manu'u District), losing over 2/3 of its population as of 2010.
Vaoto Marine Reserve, spanning 16 hectares (40 acres), is situated seaward of the Ofu Airport landing strip and Vaoto Lodge, adjacent to the Ofu unit of the National Park of American Samoa. Its establishment aimed to protect a coral reef and sandy beach that are easily accessible to visitors. The reserve is notable for hosting a remarkable population of Blue coral (Heliopora coerulea), a rare and threatened species. [6]
The Ofu unit of the National Park of American Samoa encompasses approximately 607 hectares (1,500 acres), featuring a coral reef and lagoon alongside a white-sand beach. This environment supports hundreds of reef fish species, corals, and various marine organisms. The beach, flanked by mist-shrouded rainforest pinnacles and sculpted volcanic rock formations, is regarded as one of the most exquisite in the South Pacific. The Ofu unit also provides the park’s most accessible snorkeling opportunities. [7]
Ofu County and its namesake island encompass a single settlement known as Ofu Village, which is divided into two main sections: Ofu and Alaufau. These sectors occupy the western coastal terrace, situated adjacent to a sheltered reef flat and lagoon. The lagoon lies opposite Nuʻutele Island and Nuʻusilaelae Island, while the largest stretch of arable mountain slope lies inland. Historically, additional coastal villages on Ofu Island occupied parts of the southern and southeastern shoreline, including the area called Toʻaga. Limited archaeological evidence suggests that, in later prehistoric times, some habitation may also have spread inward, into the region used for intensive gardening. Although many houses in Ofu Village have been rebuilt using modern materials such as concrete and corrugated metal, the village retains a traditional layout. At its core is the malae — an open common space used for gatherings and ceremonies—bordered by the community church and the guest house of the high chief, which doubles as the meeting place for the American Samoa Fono. Individual household plots, conceptually stretching from the beachfront to the mountain slope, are arranged along the island’s central sandy roadway. [8]
The Samoan Islands are an archipelago covering 3,030 km2 (1,170 sq mi) in the central South Pacific, forming part of Polynesia and of the wider region of Oceania. Administratively, the archipelago comprises all of the Independent State of Samoa and most of American Samoa. The land masses of the two Samoan jurisdictions are separated by 64 km of ocean at their closest points.
The National Park of American Samoa is a national park of the United States located in the 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.
Taʻū is the largest inhabited island in the Manuʻa Islands and the easternmost volcanic island of the Samoan Islands. Taʻū is part of American Samoa. In the early 19th century, the island was sometimes called Opoun.
Ofu and Olosega are parts of a volcanic doublet in the Manuʻa Islands, which is a part of American Samoa in the Samoan Islands. These twin islands, formed from shield volcanoes, have a combined length of 6 km and a combined area of 12 square kilometers. Together, they have a population of about 500 people. Geographically, the islands are volcanic remnants separated by the narrow, 137-meter-wide (449-foot)) Āsaga Strait, composed of shallow-water coral reef. Before 1970, people crossed between the two islands by waiting until low tide and then wading across the shallow water of the strait. Since 1970, there has been a bridge over the strait, providing a single-lane road that connects the two islands.
The Manuʻa Islands, or the Manuʻa tele, in the Samoan Islands, consists of three main islands: Taʻū, Ofu and Olosega. The latter two are separated only by the shallow, 137-meter-wide Āsaga Strait, and are now connected by a bridge over the strait. The islands are located some 110 kilometers east of Tutuila and are a part of American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States. Their combined area is 56 square kilometers, and they have a total population of 1,400. Taʻu is the largest of these islands, with an area of 44 km2 (17 sq mi), and it has the highest point of the Manuʻa, at 931 meters. Politically, the islands form the Manuʻa District, one of the three administrative divisions of American Samoa.
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.
The Western District is one of the three primary divisions of American Samoa. It consists of the western portion of Tutuila Island. It has a land area of 74.781 km2 (28.873 sq mi) and contains 29 villages plus a part of Nuʻuuli village. Among these is the largest village of American Samoa, Tafuna, at its eastern end. The district's total population as of the 2010 census was 31,329.
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.
Tafuna is a village in Tualauta County, Western District, American Samoa. It is the most populous village in American Samoa, with a population of 7,988 according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
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.
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.
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.
Olosega County is a county in the Manu'a District in American Samoa. It was the result of the subdivision of the prior Luanuu County in two, with the other newly created county being Ofu, first reported on the 1930 U.S. Census. It contains the two villages of Olosega and Sili.
Taʻū County is a county in the Manu'a District in American Samoa. Taʻū County is home to the villages of Lumā and Siʻufaga, which are commonly jointly called Taʻū Village.
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.
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.
Luanuu County is a former county in the Manu'a District in American Samoa. It reported on the 1912 special census and the 1920 U.S. Census. It was subdivided into the present Ofu and Olosega Counties in 1930. It contained the villages of Ofu, Olosega and Sili.
Mount ʻAlava is the second-highest mountain on Tutuila Island in American Sāmoa. Its summit has an elevation of 491 meters. The summit of the mountain can be reached via the Mount Alava Trail. Also known by the name Mount Alava Adventure Trail, this steep route features 56 ladders and 783 steps. A broadcast station was established on Mount Alava in 1964.
Larsen Bay is a bay in the Western District, American Samoa. Comparable to its neighboring Fagatele Bay, Larsen Bay serves as a vital habitat for marine biodiversity. Larsen Bay, covering approximately 0.46 square miles, is located east of Fagatele Bay, stretching from Steps Point to Sail Rock. The bay features a steep descent to depths exceeding 500 meters and is characterized by rich coral coverage and diverse marine species.
14°10′30″S169°37′05″W / 14.175°S 169.618°W
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