A Park Program for American Samoa, 1965 Study

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I INTRODUCTION

II AMERICAN SAMOA, THE SETTING

III A RECOMMENDED PROGRAM

A. Proposed Samoa National Historical Park
B. Proposed System of Territorial Parkx
C. Pago Pago Bay Parks
D. The American Samoa Center
E. Mount Alava Aerial Tramway
F. Village Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facilities

IV MISCELLANEOUS RECOMMENDATIONS

V APPENDIX

A. Proposed Samoa National Historical Park
B. The American Samoa Center

VI ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

VII BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

In response to a request by Governor H. Rex Lee of American Samoa and. the Director of the Office of Territories, the Director of the National Park Service designated, a team of four National Park employees to assist and. advise the Territorial Government of American Samoa regarding the potential for parks and. development of prospective park lands in the islands. Governor Lee's request arose from a report made by Myron D, Sutton, Assistant Chief, Division of International Affairs of the National Park Service after a short visit to American Samoa in 1964.

In requesting assistance the Acting Director of the Office of Territories indicated that the islands would need a zoning plan for identification and protection of existing scenic and recreational resources. It was also felt that a museum was needed to provide protection and interpretation of artifacts and relics of native origin. Advice as to facilities for promoting public understanding of the local scenes as well as customs, traditions and history of the Samoan people was solicited. Governor Lee reviewed these criteria and related matters with the team shortly after their arrival. Members of his staff supplemented and elaborated on these details from time to time.

The team arrived in Pago Pago on April l8. All of the islands were visited except Rose and Swains Islands, which are believed to be relatively insignificant so far as park possibilities are concerned.
Due to time limitations the team was unable to get into the remoter parts of Tutuila and. the south and east portions of Ta'u. Three team members left the islands on May 10 while the fourth remained through May l6. The team was made up of the following park people: John S. McLaughlin, Superintendent, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, who was the team's Chairman; Russell Apple, Superintendent, City of Refuge National Historical Park, Hawaii; Merrick Smith, Supervisory Landscape Architect, Western Office of Design and Construction, San Francisco; and Raymond Price, Staff Curator, Western Museum Laboratories, San Francisco.

II. AMERICAN SAMOA, THE SETTING

American Samoa consists of the eastern islands of the Samoan group in the South Pacific located approximately 2300 miles southwest of Hawaii and l600 miles northeast of the northern tip of New Zealand. The islands, situated in the heart of Polynesia, l4o south of the equator, are seven in number: Tutuila; Aunu'u; the three islands of the Manu'a group, Ta'u, Olosega and Ofu; and two coral atolls. Rose and Swains.

The islands are an unincorporated territory of the United States, administered by the Department of the Interior. The capital and Government administrative offices are on Tutuila at Pago Pago. The total area of the territory is 76.1 square miles. The people of American Samoa are American nationals and represent one of the few remaining groups of Polynesians retaining the major part of their traditions and. culture. The population has increased from about 5,700 in 1900 to nearly 21,000 today.

The climate of American Samoa is pleasantly tropical. The coolest months are from May to November when moderate southeast trade winds blow. Temperatures range during the year from 70° to 90° F. Humidity is almost constantly at about 80°. Heaviest rainfall occurs from December through March and averages 200 Inches per year.

Of volcanic origin, the main islands are a series of ridges interspersed with craters rising abruptly from the sea. The largest, Tutuila, has an irregular shape and is approximately l8 miles long and 7 miles across at the widest point. A mountain range extends the length of Tutuila, which is nearly bisected by Pago Pago Bay, one of the finest and most beautiful harbors in the South Pacific. Mountains on the islands attain considerable elevation with Olomatimu on Ta'u reaching 3056 feet, Matafao on Tutuila, 2l4l feet, Piumafua on Ofu, 1587 feet. These island peaks in their ocean-blue setting, clothed in verdant green tropical vegetation offer spectacular scenic views. The islands of Olosega and Ofu, with small areas of approximately 1500 and 2000 acres respectively reaching relatively high elevations, are particularly attractive with their steep green slopes and grey Cliffs. Coral reefs off the coasts make the ocean swells break in great white waves that are a wonder to behold. The islands of American Samoa have varying and beautiful scenic qualities and a particular charm which combine to give visitors the feeling that they are discovering and experiencing the true, unspoiled South Pacific. The thatched villages lend enchantment to the scene and an altogether peaceful, pleasing and unusual impression greets the traveler.

The people of American Samoa are Polynesian and closely akin to other islanders of the central and eastern Pacific from the Hawaiians in the north to the Maoris of New Zealand. Seafaring ancestors of present day Polynesians were settled in Samoa by 1500 B.C. About 700 B.C., some Samoans sailed eastward, peopled other island groups and are ancestors of Polynesians now found in the Marquesas Islands, Easter Islands, Society Islands (Tahiti), Cook Islands, Hawaii, New Zealand and other Pacific isles.

Samoa's basic economic and political unit, the Matai system, is an extended family organization, a clan, composed of related kin tracing their origins back through generations to mythological ancestors. Within their extended group, which is administered by a Matai - the family head - a collective family economy prevails. The Matai is responsible for control of family lands and property and represents the family in political affairs. He is responsible for the family's protection and well-being. The Matai title is not hereditary although heredity is one of the factors considered by the family in choosing its Matai. Samoans are a friendly and generous people, well known for their splendid physique and love of ceremony.

In accordance with the provisions of the Instrument of Cession of 1900 and 1904, land ownership is retained by the Samoan people, under the Matai system, to preserve their rights and property according to their customs. The Government owns land in the Pago Pago harbor and airport areas and leases a relatively small acreage for experimental farm purposes; otherwise the land is owned by the Samoans.

The principal local industry centers around fish canning plants in Pago Pago. Copra (dried coconut) is exported in varying amounts. Another source of income stems from native handcrafts such as laufala floor mats, tapa cloth, woodcraft, shell and basket articles. Basic foods for local consumption include taro, yams, breadfruit, fish, bananas, papayas, pineapple, limes and coconuts.

Tourism is of importance, but lack of facilities and accommodations for care of visitors has been a drawback to development of the full tourist travel potential. With the Pago Pago International Airport in operation and scheduled completion of the 100 room hotel in September, 1965, travel to American Samoa is bound to increase, Tourism will undoubtedly provide the base for the greatest source of income to American Samoa if facilities are made available and the islands' outdoor recreational resources are properly promoted, conserved and developed.