Management

Laws & Policies

 

The National Park of American Samoa is spread across the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, and Taʻū. It includes thousands of acres of rainforest, coastline, and coral reefs that come from “Old World” ecosystems similar to those in Southeast Asia. The park was officially created in 1993 through a special agreement between the American Samoa Government and the National Park Service.

What makes this park unique is that the land is not owned by the U.S. government. Instead, it belongs to the local villages—such as Fitiuta, Faleasao, Taʻū, Olosega, Ofu, Afono, Vatia, Pago Pago, and Fagasa—and is leased to the National Park Service for 50 years. Because of this partnership, the park is managed together with village leaders to protect the area’s natural environment, archaeological sites, and the traditional Samoan way of life. This cooperation helps preserve not only the plants, animals, and coral reefs, but also the cultural practices and land traditions that have been passed down through Samoan families for generations.

 

Studies conducted to determine the feasibility of establishing national park areas in American Samoa:

• 1965. A Park Program for American Samoa Proposed by the American Samoa Study Team, National Park Service.
• 1988. National Park Feasibility Study, American Samoa. Prepared by the National Park Service and the American Samoan Government.

 

Left image
Read notes from the 1965 study team - click link in above paragraph.
Credit: NPS Document

Right image
Click the link in the above paragraph to read the 1985 feasibility study that came out of the 1965 study.
Credit: NPS Document