Tula, American Samoa

Last updated
Tula
Village
American Samoa location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Tula
Location in American Samoa
Coordinates: 14°15′10″S170°33′56″W / 14.25278°S 170.56556°W / -14.25278; -170.56556
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
TerritoryFlag of American Samoa.svg  American Samoa
County Vaifanua
Area
 • Land0.51 sq mi (1.3 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
308
 • Density794.5/sq mi (306.8/km2)

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. [1]

Contents

Tula is located on Cape Matātula. It is the site of the former upland ridge settlement of Lefutu (AS-21-002). [2] Cape Matatula, which is the northeastern point of Tutuila Island, consists of high rocks that project some distance seaward, forming a prominent headland. The cape's rugged terrain and protruding rocks make it a notable geographical feature. [3]

Etymology

The name of the village, Tula, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as “Bald” or “Bare”. [4] Lefutu, which is a hamlet [5] or inland village in Tula, translates to “Barringtonia tree”. [6]

History

Tula was one of the first settlements on Tutuila, having been settled by 600 BCE. [7] [8] Numerous ancient artifacts have been discovered at the prehistoric quarry near the town. [9] The Lau'agae Ridge Quarry is the largest of its kind on Tutuila Island. [10]

The prehistoric village of Tulauta (AS-21-1) is located approximately 500 meters inland from the coastal village of Tula. It is situated at the rear of the Tula Valley. [11] [12] Large quantities of basalt debris have been found at Tulauta. [13]

During World War II, the U.S. Marine Corps constructed a radar station at Cape Matātula in Tula. This installation included 14 buildings, such as living quarters, mess halls, and storage facilities, to support radar operations. [14] [15]

In 1985, Gould, Honor, and Reinhardt asserted that the abundance of basalt flakes at the site indicates that Tulauta was among the largest basalt quarries and lithic or adze manufacturing centers in Polynesia. Features identified at the site include 10 to 13 house foundations, two pigsty enclosures, several graves, rock alignments, pits, fireplaces, and walls. One house foundation, elevated higher than the others, is hypothesized to have served as the base for a chief’s house. Additionally, potential evidence of a fale aitu (spirit house) or related structure exists, and a malae (ceremonial ground) may be present in a featureless area dividing the northern and southern clusters of structures. Archaeologists have consistently noted a significant number of basalt artifacts at Tulauta, with over 200 adzes and more than 100 flake tools recovered from the site. Radiocarbon dating results have varied: Frost reported dates of approximately 2560 ± 140 BCE and 630 ± 70 years BCE. Gould obtained dates of 190 ± 80 years BCE and 420 ± 80 years BCE. [16]

Geography

Tula is the easternmost village on Tutuila Island, [17] [18] and is situated on the rugged northeast cape of Matātula. [19] It is home to wide, white sand beaches and a prehistoric quarry. The Samoa Observatory, established in 1974 by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sits on Cape Matātula just outside the village of Tula. [20] NASA's Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) measures more than 40 trace gases involved in stratospheric ozone depletion, climate change, and air quality at the observatory. [21]

Cape Matā'ula and the nearby village of Onenoa feature small plantations, high cliffs, and forested slopes. [22]

Since 1961, American Sāmoa has witnessed significant changes in its wetlands across different regions. Wetlands in Tula have experienced an 8-acre decrease since 1961, amounting to a 58% loss. [23]

Geology

Tula is closely associated with the geological features of the Olomoana Volcano. The volcanic rocks in this region consist predominantly of olivine basalts, which are geographically limited in extent. Geological studies suggest that these formations resulted from volcanic activity on the northeast rift of the nearby Ālōfau Volcano during the final stages of Pliocene volcanic activity on the island. Evidence of this contemporaneous activity includes the overlapping of Ālōfau volcanic flows on the western slope of the Olomoana volcanic cone. The Olomoana volcanic system spans approximately 2.4 square kilometers and dominates the landscape surrounding the peak near Tula. Notable geological features include several intrusive volcanic plugs, crater fills, and cinder cones, prominently exposed along the eastern coastline. Cape Matatula, within the vicinity of Tula, is recognized as the largest intrusive volcanic plug in the area. This region is characterized by interbedded flows and palagonitized vitric tuffs. Additionally, the Lefulufulu'a trachyte plug intrudes through these layers, adding to the complex geological history of the area. A large, partially exhumed cinder cone is visible in the stream bed that drains towards Tula, offering further insight into the region's volcanic heritage. [24]

Demographics

YearPopulation [25]
2020 308
2010 405
2000 413
1990 423
1980 347
1970 329
1960 340
1950 261
1940 104
1930 128

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of American Samoa</span>

The flag of American Samoa consists of a red-edged white triangle pointing towards the hoist charged with a bald eagle clutching a war club and fly-whisk, with dark blue upper and lower triangles. Adopted in April 1960 to replace the "Stars and Stripes" as the official flag of the territory, it has been the flag of the Territory of American Samoa since that year. The colors used epitomize the traditional colors of the United States and Samoa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Samoa Community College</span> Land-grant community college in Mapusaga, American Samoa

American Samoa Community College (ASCC) is a public land-grant community college in the village of Mapusaga, American Samoa. Only legal residents of American Samoa who have graduated from high school or obtained a General Equivalency Diploma are admitted to ASCC.

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> Mountain in American Samoa

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">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.

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

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.

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. It is located in Vaifanua County, American Samoa.

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.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pago Pago Harbor</span> Bay in American Samoa

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.

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.

The Lau'agae Ridge Quarry is a prehistoric stone quarry on the eastern side of the island of Tutuila in the United States territory of American Samoa. It is located on a ridge above another archaeological site, the prehistoric village of Tulauta. The site includes a carpet of stone flakes, evidence of rough stonework, signs of habitation, and two tia'ave, oval stone platforms found in abundance on the island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean P. Haydon Museum</span> United States historic place

The Jean P. Haydon Museum is a museum in Pago Pago dedicated to the culture and history of the United States territory of American Samoa. It contains a collection of canoes, coconut-shell combs, pigs’ tusk armlets and native pharmacopoeia. It also houses exhibits on natural history, tapa making, traditional tattooing, as well as a collection of war clubs, kava bowls, and historic photographs. Constructed in 1913 as U.S. Naval Station Tutuila Commissary, the building was home to Tutuila Island's Post Office from 1950 to 1971. The museum has displays of various aspects of the Samoan Islands’ culture and history. It is the official repository for collections of artifacts for American Samoa. Funded by the American Samoa Council on Arts, Culture and the Humanities, it is the venue used for numerous of the cultural resource activities in American Samoa.

<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">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">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.

Lauliʻi is a village on the eastern side of Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is located in Sua County. Entering the village of Lauliʻi, one has to climb a small hill where a lighthouse is located. The village's rugby club is named after the lighthouse — Moli ole Ava. It is one of the most successful and oldest clubs in the territory. Many well-known players have emerged from Lauliʻi, such as Vui Eli Tagaloa, the current coach, Ropeti Taula, and others. The village is divided into two sections: Lauliʻituai and Lauliʻifou. As of Late 2020 there are 6 Christian Worship Churches in Lauliʻi. The Methodist, The Catholic, The London Missionary Society, Church, Assembly of God, Church of Christ Latter Day Saints Lauliʻi Ward, Saint John's Episcopal Church. Breakers Point Naval Guns, which is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places is located at Tafananai near Lauliʻifou.

Leloaloa is a village on Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is located in Maoputasi County. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the village had a population of 448. It is the birthplace of former United States Representative Tulsi Gabbard and of American Samoan House of Representatives member Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao.

References

  1. ↑ Census of population and housing (2000): American Samoa Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics (2000). DIANE Publishing. Pages 13 and 147. ISBN   9781428985490.
  2. ↑ Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. Pages 497-498 and 432. ISBN   9780824822194.
  3. ↑ U.S. Defense Mapping Agency (1977). "Sailing Directions for the Pacific Islands: Volume 3, the South-central Groups". U.S. Department of Defense. Page 169.
  4. ↑ Churchill, W. (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), page 193. Retrieved on December 6, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2307/199273.
  5. ↑ Krämer, Augustin (1994). The Samoa Islands: Constitution, pedigrees and traditions. University of Hawaiʻi Press. Page 432. ISBN 9780824816339.
  6. ↑ Churchill, W. (1913). Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa. Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), page 192. Retrieved on December 6, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2307/199273.
  7. ↑ Lonely Planet (1990). Samoa: Western & American Samoa. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 135. ISBN   9780864420787.
  8. ↑ Stanley, David (1999). Moon Handbooks Tonga-Samoa. Moon Travel Handbooks. Page 163. ISBN   9781566911740.
  9. ↑ Murrow, Tony and Malama Meleisea (2000). Samoa: Pacific Pride. Pasifika Press. Page 42. ISBN   9780908597192.
  10. ↑ Stubbs, John and William Chapman (2023). Architectural Conservation in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands: National Experiences and Practice. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781003807940.
  11. ↑ Clark, Jeffrey T. and David J. Herdrich (1988). “The Eastern Tutuila Archaeological Project, 1986: Final Report”. The Eastern Tutuila Archaeological Project, 1986. Page 26.
  12. ↑ Weisler, Marshall (1997). Prehistoric Long-distance Interaction in Oceania: An Interdisciplinary Approach. New Zealand Archaeological Association. Page 73. ISBN 9780959791549.
  13. ↑ Birx, H. James (2006). Encyclopedia of Anthropology. SAGE Publications. Page 2049. ISBN 9781452265360.
  14. ↑ https://npshistory.com/publications/npsa/brochures/naval-ww2-history.pdf
  15. ↑ https://gml.noaa.gov/publications/summary_reports/summary_report_4.pdf
  16. ↑ Clark, J. T., & Herdrich, D. J. (1993). "PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT SYSTEM IN EASTERN TUTUILA, AMERICAN SAMOA". The Journal of the Polynesian Society, 102(2), pages 157–158 and 166. Retrieved on December 11, 2024, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20706503.
  17. ↑ Lonely Planet (1990). Samoa: Western & American Samoa. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 148. ISBN   9780864420787.
  18. ↑ Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 178.  ISBN   9780864422255.
  19. ↑ Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands: An Outline of a Monograph With Particular Consideration of German Samoa. University of Hawaii Press. Page 432. ISBN   9780824822194.
  20. ↑ Stanley, David (2004). Moon Handbooks South Pacific. Page 479. ISBN   9781566914116.
  21. ↑ "Cape Matatula". Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment. NASA. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  22. ↑ Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 178.  ISBN   9780864422255.
  23. ↑ Aalbersberg, William and Batiri Thaman (2001). Proceedings of the Pacific Regional Workshop on Mangrove Wetlands Protection and Sustainable Use. Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Page 85. ISBN 9789820402515.
  24. ↑ Keating, Barbara H. and Barrie R. Bolton (2012). Geology and Offshore Mineral Resources of the Central Pacific Basin. Springer New York. Page 152. ISBN 9781461228967.
  25. ↑ "American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016" (PDF). American Samoa Department of Commerce.
  26. ↑ 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 133-134. ISBN 9829036022.
  27. ↑ Sutter, Frederic Koehler (1989). The Samoans: A Global Family. University of Hawai'i Press. Page 203. ISBN 9780824812386.
  28. ↑ 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. Page 162. ISBN 9829036022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.