Pago Pago Harbor

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Pago Pago Harbor is capable of accommodating the largest cruise ships. Line5318 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg
Pago Pago Harbor is capable of accommodating the largest cruise ships.
A portion of the docks at Fagatogo in Pago Pago Harbor. In the background is Rainmaker Mountain. Fagatogo Dock.jpg
A portion of the docks at Fagatogo in Pago Pago Harbor. In the background is Rainmaker Mountain.

Pago Pago Harbor on Tutuila Island in American Samoa is one of the world's largest natural harbors. [2] 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. [3] It is also considered one of the best and deepest deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean or in Oceania as a whole. [4] [5] 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. [6]

Villages along the harbor include several communities in the Greater Pago Pago Area, including Utulei, Fagatogo, Malaloa, Pago Pago proper, Satala, Anua and Atu'u. The legislature and High Court are located in Fagatogo, while the executive offices are located in Utulei. [7]

Pago Pago Harbor is surrounded and sheltered by mountains such as Mount ʻAlava, Mount Matafao and Rainmaker Mountain (Mount Pioa). [8] The entrance to Pago Pago Bay is marked by two mountains: Peiva in the east and Matafao Peak in the west. [9] The harbor is all that remains from the volcanic crater that built Tutuila Island. At some point, one wall of the crater collapsed and the sea came rushing in creating a near complete shelter from the power of the sea at large. [10]

The village communities which lie within the Pago Pago Bay Area are jointly known as Ma'upūtasi (“the only house of chiefs”). They are Pago Pago, Aūa, Fagatogo, Leloaloa and Faga'alu. [9]

Tsunami

Fagatogo was struck by a tsunami on 29 September 2009, causing damage and rock slides. [11]

A significant amount of debris and oil were dumped into Pago Pago Harbor during the earthquake and tsunami, which devastated communities along the harbor's coastline, including Pago Pago. Debris including cars, household items, and boats were thrown into the harbor by the force of the wave. According to the 14-page American Samoan government report, Post-Tsunami Coastal Resource Damage Assessment, "The inner section of Pago Pago Harbor is severely polluted and will require an extensive cleanup program with a significant amount of manpower ... The destruction is everywhere." An oil spill approximately 40 feet (12 m) wide occurred at the mouth of Pago Pago Harbor as a result of the tsunami. Barrels containing fuel were thrown into the harbor by the tsunami and washed up on shore. [12]

It was suggested that one must avoid eating any fish or invertebrate caught in Pago Pago Harbor because they are contaminated with heavy metals and other pollutants. [13]

Related Research Articles

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

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

<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</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.

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.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rainmaker Mountain</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern District, American Samoa</span> District of American Samoa

The Eastern District is one of the primary districts of American Samoa. It consists of the eastern portion of Tutuila, American Samoa's largest island, plus the island of Aunu'u. The district has a land area of 67.027 km2 and a 2010 census population of 23,030. It contains 34 villages plus a portion of Nu'uuli village. Among these are Pago Pago, Fagatogo, and Utulei.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Naval Station Tutuila</span>

United States Naval Station Tutuila was a naval station in Pago Pago Harbor on the island of Tutuila, part of American Samoa, built in 1899 and in operation until 1951. During the United States Navy rule of American Samoa, from 1900 to 1951, it was customary for the commandant of the station to also serve as Military Governor of the territory. Benjamin Franklin Tilley was the first commandant and the first officer responsible for the naval station's construction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government House (American Samoa)</span> United States historic place

Government House, also known as Building No.1, Naval Station, Tutuila or Government House, U.S. Naval Station Tutuila, is a historic government building on the grounds of the former United States Naval Station Tutuila in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Built in 1903, it has served as a center of government on the island for much of the time since then. Government House was listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

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

Alega is a village on the southeast coast of Tutuila Island, American Samoa. One of the island's least populous villages, it is located to the east of Pago Pago Harbor and to the west of Faga'itua Bay.

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

A'oloau 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 A’oloaufou, which means "new A’olou". An abandoned area in town by A'oloau Bay is known as A'oloautuai, which means Old A’oloau’. A'oloau's nickname is Nuu Puaolele which means the Fog Village.

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.

<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.

Fagatogo Market is a market centred in the Fagatogo area of Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa. It opened in 2010 for farmers and fishermen to sell fruits, vegetables and fish. Souvenirs are sold among live entertainment here when cruise ships are in town. It lies in front of Pago Pago's main bus terminal. Nearby are Fagatogo Square Shopping Mall. Mount 'Alava, the canneries in Atu'u, Rainmaker Mountain and Pago Pago Harbor.

<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 ‘Alava is located near the village by Fagasa Pass.

Satala is one of Pago Pago’s constituent villages and is located in Pago Pago Bay on Tutuila Island. Satala is in Maoputasi County in the Eastern District of the island. It is home to the historic Satala Cemetery, which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, and the government-owned Ronald Reagan Marina Railway Shipyard.

References

  1. ↑ Joanne Thomas. "American Samoa Cruises". USA Today.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-30. Retrieved 2017-10-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2017-10-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ↑ United States Central Intelligence Agency (2016). The World Factbook 2016-17. Government Printing Office. Page 19. ISBN   9780160933271.
    - Grabowski, John F. (1992). U.S. Territories and Possessions (State Report Series). Chelsea House Pub. Page 52. ISBN   9780791010532.
  5. ↑ Kristen, Katherine (1999). Pacific Islands (Portrait of America). San Val. Page 12. ISBN   9780613032421.
  6. ↑ Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. Page 30. ISBN   9780896103399.
  7. ↑ Tutuila Island Map, National Park Service.
  8. ↑ "Port of Pago Pago, American Samoa". Department of Port Administration. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  9. 1 2 Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. Page 436. ISBN   9780824822194.
  10. ↑ Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 164. ISBN   9780864422255.
  11. ↑ FILI SAGAPOLUTELE. "Residents flee tsunami after strong quake in Samoa". Associated Press. Archived from the original on October 3, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Coral Reef Advisory tsunami report focuses on extensive marine and coastal debris". Samoa News . 2009-10-07. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
  13. ↑ "Natural History Guide To American Samoa". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 28 May 2010.

14°16′34″S170°40′34″W / 14.276°S 170.676°W / -14.276; -170.676

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