Exploring the Islands of Sacred Earth

Talofa! The people of American Samoa and the National Park Service welcome you to the heart of the South Pacific, a world of sights, sounds, and experiences you will find in no other national park. Located some 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii, this is one of the most remote national parks in the United States. There are no federally-owned lands; parkland and water are leased from native villages and from the American Samoa Government. The park preserves the only mixed-species paleotropical rainforest in the United States, habitat of flying foxes (fruit bats}, and Indo-Pacific coral reefs. In keeping with the meaning of the word Samoa—"sacred earth"—the park helps protect fa'asamoa (fah-ah-SAH-mo-ah}, the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the 3,000-year-old Samoan.

As a visitor to the National Park of American Samoa, you have the opportunity to see lands and waters that are largely undeveloped. You will not find the usual facilities of most national parks. Instead, with a bit of the explorer's spirit, you will discover secluded villages, rare plants and animals, coral sand beaches, and vistas of land and sea. The 13,500-acre park includes sections of three islands—Tutuila (too-too-EE-lah), Ta'ū (tah-00), and Ofu (OH-foo). About 4,000 acres of the park are offshore and underwater. Almost all the land area is rainforest.

On the main island of Tutuila, the park encompasses the north-central part of the island, from the steep ridgeline above Pago Pago (PAHNG-oh PAHNG-oh) Harbor to the north coast. The sheer cliffs of Pola Island are home to seabirds like frigatebirds, boobies, white terns, tropicbirds, and brown noddies.

Sixty miles east of Tutuila are the Manu'a Islands: Ta'ū, Ofu, and Olosega (oh-low-SENG-ah). The first people on the Samoan Islands came by sea from southeast Asia some 3,000 years ago. Samoans believe the sacred site of Saua on Ta'ū is the birthplace of all Polynesia. From Saua around Si'u Point is the dramatic southern coast of Ta'ū, where waves crash against the rocky coast and sea cliffs stairstep to the 3,170-foot (966-m) summit of Lata Mountain, the highest point in American Samoa. These are some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world. Ta'ū is also where anthropologist Margaret Mead conducted studies in the 1920s for her controversial book Coming of Age in Samoa.

National parklands on Ofu lie along the southeast coast. Here you will find coconut palms swaying in the warm ocean breeze along secluded beaches. Bring snorkeling gear to observe hundreds of species of fish, corals, and other marine life in its fringing reef. From Ofu, cross the bridge to visit rainforest-cloaked Olosega.

Explore and enjoy this unique national park in the heart of the South Pacific and the welcoming people of American Samoa.

Fa'asamoa—The Samoan Way

Samoans consider this island world to be sacred. Lands, waters, and food sources are managed to sustain them for the future. Samoan culture, customs, and traditions emphasize the importance of the extended family, the aiga (ah-ING-ah). Each aiga's lands are managed by its chief, or matai (mah-TIE), for the common good.

The Samoan people welcome visitors and many will share their homes with you on a "homestay". While here, observe these customs as a sign of respect:

• Always ask permission before taking photographs, using the beach, or engaging in other activities, however unobtrusive they may seem. Permission will almost certainly be granted.

• In a traditional home, called a fale (fah-LAY), sit on the floor before talking, eating, or drinking. Cross your legs or cover them.

• Sunday is for church, rest, and especially for quiet. Activities acceptable on other days, like swimming, may not be allowed.

• Each evening around dusk, villagers observe a time for prayers called Sā. If you are in a village during Sā, stop and wait quietly until Sā ends. It is not necessary to stop for Sā on the main roads.

• It is considered an honor to be asked to share ava (a local drink made from the pepper plant). To show respect, spill a few drops on the ground or mat in front of you, then raise your cup and say "manuia" (mahn-WE-ah) before drinking.

• Do not eat or drink while walking through a village.

Rainforest

From the mountaintops to the ocean's edge, the islands are covered with mixed-species, paleotropical (Old World) rainforests. They are closely related to those of Asia and Africa, as opposed to neotropical (New World) rainforests of Central and South America. In mixed-species forests, no single tree or plant species dominates. This is the only rainforest of its kind in a US national park. About 9,500 acres are protected here.

Depending on elevation, the forest can be characterized as coastal, lowland, ridge, montane, or cloud forest. In addition to many species of trees, plants found here include vines, ferns, lichens, epiphytes (air plants), and mosses.

Because fa'asamoa is important to this park, subsistence farming is allowed on some parklands. You will see small plantations of taro, coconut, banana, breadfruit, papaya, mango, and other crops grown for family consumption. Don't confuse these crops with native rainforest.

Coral Reef

Each island of American Samoa supports a coral reef ecosystem in its coastal waters. Rose Atoll and Swains Island are coral atolls with well developed reef systems. The five volcanic islands are surrounded by narrow fringing reefs. Tutuila and 'Aunu'u also have barrier reefs offshore.

These coral reefs support a variety of marine life typical of tropical Indo-Pacific waters. To date, over 950 species of fish and over 250 species of coral have been documented. The park's fringing reef on Ofu is a well-preserved example and easy to reach for snorkeling. Remember that coral is made up of living organisms and can be easily damaged. It is unlawful to collect coral—or any other marine life.

Birds and Bats

Bats are the only native mammals found in American Samoa. The two species of flying fox (fruit bat) and one insect-eating bat species are harmless to people. The Samoan flying fox and the white-collared flying fox have wingspans close to three feet. They play an essential role in the rainforest by pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. The Samoan flying fox has the habit of flying during the day as well as at night. You might see them along the ridges of the Amalau Valley on Tutuila.

Birds are the most abundant and diverse animals in American Samoa, as they are on most oceanic islands. The park is home to over 35 resident and migratory species, including seabirds, water birds, forest birds, and shorebirds. The cliffs and sea stacks are ideal nesting habitat for seabirds like boobies and frigate birds. The rainforests are home to collared kingfishers, cardinal and wattled honeyeaters, blue-crowned lories, Samoan starlings, purple-capped fruit doves, many-colored fruit doves, Pacific pigeons, and banded rails.

Samoa: The Heart of the South Pacific

The Pacific Ocean occupies a third of Earth's surface. Of the thousands of islands scattered throughout this vast world of water, most are not large enough or hospitable enough for humans. Some, like the Samoa Islands, possess such beauty and exotic quality that they have inspired famous works by artists and writers.

The Samoa Islands are part of Polynesia, a triangular area of the Pacific bounded by Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island. The Samoa Islands have been populated for 3,000 years, but known to the western world for little more than two centuries. So important is Samoa to Polynesian culture that many believe this was where all Polynesian people originated.

The Samoan archipelago includes the US territory of American Samoa and the independent nation of Samoa {formerly Western Samoa). The island chain stretches east to west for over 300 miles between 13° and 15° south latitude.

Your trip to this part of the South Pacific should include both Samoa and American Samoa, which share a common language and culture, yet have distinct natural features. English is widely spoken throughout the islands. On opposite sides of the international dateline, American Samoa is one hour earlier than Hawaii and Samoa is one day earlier.

American Samoa, the only US territory south of the equator, consists of seven islands: five rugged, highly eroded volcanic islands and two coral atolls. The land area totals 76 square miles. Approximately 70,000 people live here, most on the main island of Tutuila.

The nation of Samoa lies 60 miles west of Tutuila. Its main islands of 'Upolu and Savai'i constitute a much larger land area than American Samoa. Between these two large islands are the small islands of Manono and Apolima. On the southern part of 'Upolu is O Le Pupu Pu'e National Park, one of several areas that preserve the natural environment. Robert Louis Stevenson lived near the capital of Apia for the last years of his life, 1890-94. His home Villa Vailima is open to the public. On less-developed Savai'i, the traditions of fa'samoa are more prevalent. You can also enjoy a walk among the treetops at Falealupo Rainforest Preserve.

Exploring the Park

(click for larger maps)

Getting Around
American Samoa is a plan-as-you-go destination. Park rangers at the visitor center can tell you about local travel and lodging on all the islands. On Tutuila, the main island, you can use local, unscheduled "aiga" buses or taxis, or rent a car. On the smaller islands of Ta'ū and Ofu, you have to walk or catch a ride from a friendly local. You will need to schedule a plane or boat to reach Ta'ū, and a boat from Ta'ū to reach Ofu.

Where to Stay
You can stay in hotel-style lodging or with a Samoan family. Samoans are hospitable and eager to share their culture with park visitors. Ask a park ranger how to arrange a "homestay." Camping is prohibited within the park.

Climate
Expect temperatures in the low 90s°F (30s°C), high-humidity, and frequent showers.

Clothing
Samoan custom calls for lightweight, casual clothes that cover most of your body. Even while swimming, wear modest clothing—no bikinis.

What to Do in the Park
Tutuila: Stop first at the visitor center in Pago Pago to learn on the islands. Be sure to get information about homestays and hiking. Afterward, enjoy these drives:

• Rt. 005 over scenic Fagasā Pass at the southern tip of the national park to the village of Fagasā.

• From Aūa, take Rt. 006 over Āfono Pass to the village of Āfono, then on through Amalau Valley and around the headlands to the village of Vatia. While in the Amalau Valley, look for the Samoan flying fox, which flies during the day.

Ta'ū: Walk to the park from Fiti'uta. Hike to Si'u Point for a spectacular view of the rugged south coast. If you want to explore these mountains, you will need to hire a local guide. Wherever you go, watch the sky for flying foxes.

Ofu: Hire a boat in Ta'ū to reach this island. Visit the ranger station to learn more about the pristine beaches and coral reefs. Bring snorkeling gear with you; none is available here.

For a Safe Visit
Tropical sun is intense! Wear sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing. • Carry insect repellant. • When hiking, carry 2 to 3 liters of water per person. • Ask at the visitor center about trail conditions. • Always snorkel with a partner. • At the beach, watch out for falling coconuts. • Don't touch coral! Cuts from coral take a long time to heal. • Watch your step on coral rubble and rocky areas. • Medical treatment is available only on Tutuila. • Service animals are welcome. • The park and the territory are underdeveloped for accessibility; inquire before you come. • For firearms regulations see the park website.

Tutuila

The volcanic island of Tutuila is the largest of the seven islands in American Samoa. Pago Pago Harbor, a collapsed volcanic caldera, is one of the largest natural harbors in the South Pacific. It cuts deeply into the southcentral coast almost dividing the island in two. From east to west, a steep mountainous spine runs the 20-mile length of the island, punctuated in places by notable summits including Matafao Peak, Tutuila's tallest mountain at 2,142 feet; North Pioa Mountain, popularly known as Rainmaker Mountain, 1,718 feet; and Mount 'Alava, looming over Pago Pago Harbor.

About one mile southeast of Tutuila's eastern tip is the volcanic island of 'Aunu'u (ow-NOO-oo), the smallest inhabited island. It can be reached by boat and explored by foot in a day.

After you visit the national park, visits to the east and west ends of the island will reveal more island and ocean scenery and insights into Samoan culture.

The Manu'a Islands

The Manu'a Island group, 60 miles east of Tutuila, includes the volcanic islands of Ofu and Olosega {joined by a bridge), and Ta'ū. They are sparsely populated—each village has only a few hundred people.

On Ta'ū, the national park includes the southeastern half of the island. American Samoa's tallest peak, Lata Mountain (3,170 feet) lies within the park and overlooks the island's rainforest and steep cliffs. The national park area on Ofu features sand beaches and coral reefs with a mountain backdrop.

Besides their natural features, the Manu'a Islands provide many opportunities to experience Samoan culture.

Farther east lies Rose Atoll, a US National Wildlife Refuge. North is Swains Island. These atolls are not open to visitors.

Source: NPS Brochure (2012)

Establishment National Park of American Samoa — Oct. 31, 1988

For More Information Please Visit The OFFICIAL NPS WEBSITE

The contents of brochures, site bulletins and trading cards (denoted with a colored caption) can be viewed by clicking on the cover. Most modern-day brochures, however, are cover only (denoted by a white caption) due to photograph copyrights. These items are historical in scope and are intended for educational purposes only; they are not meant as an aid for travel planning. The dates under each brochure do not reflect the complete range of years that a particular brochure was issued.

1997-1999		cover only 2012-2014		cover only Date Unknown (Samoan Edition)
Day Hikes 12/2011		Day Hikes 06/2013		cover only Tutuila Island Local Area / Island Map 11/2012
American Samoa: 2011 Environmental Trends November 2011		What You Can Do Before the Next Tsunami Date Unknown		American Samoa a place of spectacular beauty at our doorstep Date Unknown
Archaeolgy 2007	U.S. Naval and World War II History Date Unknown	How to survive a Tsunami in Tutuila and Manu'a Islands 2012

A Park Program for American Samoa (April-May 1965)

A Preliminary List of Coral Species of the National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 155 (E. DiDonato, C. Birkeland and D. Fenner, November 2006)

A Survey of Laufuti Stream, Taú Island, National Park of American Samoa NPS Technical Report NPS/NRWRD/NRTR-2001/290 (Robert P. Cook, August 2001)

American Samoa Coastal Resilience Assessment (Greg Dobson, Ian Johnson, Virginia Kowal, Kim Rhodes, Kristen Byler and Bridget Lussier, 2021)

An Annotated Checklist of the Fishes of Samoa NOAA Technical Report SSRF-781 (Richard C. Wass, May 1984)

Botanical and ethnobotanical inventories of the National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 170 (D. Ragone and L.H. Lorence, November 2006)

Botanical inventory of the proposed Ta'u Unit of the National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 83 (W.A. Whistler, February 1992)

Botanical inventory of the proposed Tutuila Unit of the National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 87 (W.R. Whistler, April 1994)

Coral Bleaching, Mortality and Benthic Community Assemblages on the Reefs within the Pacific Island Network National Parks NPS Natural Resource Report NPS/PACN/NRR-2021/2322 (Amanda L. McCutcheon and Sheila A. McKenna, November 2021)

Coral Reefs in the U.S. National Parks: A Snapshot of Status and Trends in Eight Parks NPS Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/NRR-2009/091 (Nash C. V. Doan, K. Kageyama, A. Atkinson, A. Davis, J. Miller, J. Patterson, M. Patterson, B. Ruttenberg, R. Waara, L. Basch, S. Beavers, E. Brown, P. Brown, M. Capone, P. Craig, T. Jones and G. Kudray, April 2009)

Corals of National Park of American Samoa (Eva DiDonato and Charles Birkeland, c2007)

Ethnographic assessment and overview National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 152 (J. Linnekin, T. Hunt, L. Lang and T. McCormick, November 2006)

Foundation Document, National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa (June 2017)

Foundation Document Overview, National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa (January 2017)

General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, National Park of American Samoa (October 1997)

Geologic Resource Evaluation Report, National Park of American Samoa NPS Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/GRD/NRR-2008/025 (T.L. Thornberry-Ehrlich, February 2008)

Inventory and Monitoring of Seabirds in National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 136 (P.J. O'Connor and M.J. Rauzon, October 2004)

Junior Ranger Activity Book, National Park of American Samoa (2014; for reference purposes only)

Long-Range Interpretative Plan, National Park of American Samoa (August 2002)

Machine learning analysis reveals relationship between pomacentrid calls and environmental cues (Jill E. Munger, Daniel P. Herrera, Samara M. Haver, Lynn Waterhouse, Megan F. McKenna, Robert P. Dziak, Jason Gedamke, Scott A. Heppell, Joseph H. Haxel, extract from Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 681, January 6, 2022)

National Park Feasibility Study: American Samoa Draft (July 1988)

Natural History Guide to American Samoa (P. Craig, ed., 2002)

Natural History Guide to American Samoa 2nd Edition (P. Craig, ed., 2005)

Natural History Guide to American Samoa 3rd Edition (P. Craig, ed., 2009)

Natural Resource Condition Assessment, National Park of American Samoa NPS Natural Resource Report NPS/NPSA//NRR-2019/1894 (Peter Craig, Jeremy Wimpy, Nathan Reigner, William Valliere and Tonnie Cummings, March 2019)

Paka Fa'asao o Amerika Samoa Tusi o Galuega a Junior Ranger (Date Unknown; for reference purposes only)

Park Newspaper: January 2015

Permanent forest plot data from the National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 98 (A. Whistler, December 1995)

Reconnaissance Survey of Olosega and Sili Village Lands For Natural and Cultural Resources, National Park of American Samoa (November 9, 1999)

Relative coastal vulnerability assessment of National Park of American Samoa to sea-level rise USGS Open-File Report 2005-1055 (Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler and S. Jeffress Williams, 2005)

Resource Management Plan, National Park of American Samoa (August 22, 1994)

Species composition and forest structure of tree communities in four permanent forest monitoring plots in the Ta'u unit of the National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 138 (Edward L. Webb, Martin van de Bult, Wanlop Chutipong and Md. Enamul Kabir, February 2007)

Status of Landbirds in the National Park of American Samoa (Seth W. Judge, Richard J. Camp, Visa Vaivai and Patrick J. Hart, extract from Pacific Science, Vol. 76 No. 2, 2022)

The distribution and abundance of land snails in the National Park of American Samoa with particular focus on Partulidae Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 125 (R. H. Cowie, and R. P. Cook, October 1999)

Trip Planner: 2012 • 2014

Underwater Acoustic Monitoring at the National Park of American Samoa (Date Unknown)

The Tahiti petrels: night on Mount Lata, Ta'u, National Park of American Samoa Pacific Islands Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report No. 131 (Mark J. Rauzon, December 2003)