Vaipito Valley

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Map of Pago Pago. Pago Pago Harbor.jpg
Map of Pago Pago.

Vaipito Valley is a valley in Pago Pago, American Samoa. Situated inland, the valley lies at the head of Pago Pago Harbor and follows the course of the Vaipito Stream, the main drainage system for the Pago Pago watershed. The valley rises to an elevation of approximately 600 feet, forming a natural low point in the surrounding mountain range, and serves as a primary residential area in Pago Pago village.

Contents

Vaipito Valley serves as the meeting point for three streams — the Vaipito Stream, Leau Stream, and Vaima Stream — which all flow into Pago Pago Harbor. The valley is framed by two mountains: Fatifati Mountain to the north, standing at 370 meters, and Palapalaloa Mountain to the south, reaching an elevation of 470 meters. [1]

Description

The valley holds considerable historical importance due to evidence of ancient Samoan Plainware pottery, a type of clay pottery dating back over 1,500 years. Artifacts, such as open, plain-design bowls with rounded bases, have been uncovered at various sites in Vaipito Valley, where the pottery fragments are believed to have been discarded. These ceramic finds are dated between 350 BCE and 10 CE. [2] [3] In addition to pottery, Vaipito Valley has revealed structural elements like rock foundations and terraces, known locally as lau mafola, which are believed to be remnants of early house sites. [4] [5]

The Vaipito Stream, a 1.7-mile (2.7-kilometer) waterway, flows through the valley and converges with Laolao Stream near Pago Pago Park before discharging into Pago Pago Harbor. This water network supports the local ecosystem and plays a significant role in the valley’s drainage system. A paved road off Route One near Spenser's Store allows access through the valley, leading up a ridge and across to Fagasā, which is a northern coastal village.[ citation needed ]

Recreation

The village of Fagasā is located immediately over the Fagasā Pass from the Vaipito Valley. [6] At Fagasā Pass, hikers can access trailheads for Mount ʻAlava on the north side of the road and Mount Matafao on the south side. The Mount ʻAlava Trail also descends to the village of Vatia. [7] [8] The Mount ʻAlava Trail is the only hiking trail in the Pago Pago section of the National Park of American Samoa. [9]

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References

  1. ↑ Winterhoff, Ernest H. (2007). “The political economy of ancient Samoa: Basalt adze production and linkages to social status”. University of Oregon. Page 108. Retrieved on December 21, 2024, from https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/items/96233f10-12ad-4025-9f55-af2357b4103a
  2. ↑ Craig, Peter (2009). Natural history guide to American Samoa. National Park of American Samoa. Page 19. Retrieved on January 20, 2024, from https://www.nps.gov/npsa/learn/education/upload/NatHistGuideAS09.pdf.
  3. ↑ Sand, Christophe and David J. Addison (2008). Recent Advances in the Archaeology of the Fiji/West-Polynesia Region. Department of Anthropology, Gender and Sociology. University of Otago. Dunedin: New Zealand. Page 110. ISBN 9780473145866.
  4. ↑ Rieth, Tim (2008). How Dark Are They? The Samoan Dark Ages, ~1500-1000 BP. Retrieved on January 20, 2024, from https://www.academia.edu/1758604/How_Dark_Are_They_The_Samoan_Dark_Ages_1500-1000_BP.
  5. ↑ Sand, Christophe and David J. Addison (2008). Recent Advances in the Archaeology of the Fiji/West-Polynesia Region. Department of Anthropology, Gender and Sociology. University of Otago. Dunedin: New Zealand. Page 91. ISBN 9780473145866.
  6. ↑ Swaney, Deanna (1990). Samoa: Western and American Samoa. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 146. ISBN 9780864420787.
  7. ↑ Stanley, David (1989). South Pacific Handbook. Moon Publications. Pages 358 and 362. ISBN 9780918373298.
  8. ↑ Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002). Field Guide to the Sāmoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas. Bess Press. Page 284. ISBN 9781573061117.
  9. ↑ Hunt, Errol (2000). South Pacific. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 392. ISBN 9780864427175.

14°16′41″S170°42′23″W / 14.27806°S 170.70639°W / -14.27806; -170.70639

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