Fagaʻalu, American Samoa

Fagaʻalu is a

Fagaʻalu has been named one of the best places to surf in American Samoa.

In April 1941, members of the 7th Battalion showed up in villages throughout Tutuila Island. Later that month, the battalion cleared large jungle areas and began on the construction of the Camp Samuel Nicholas in Fagaʻalu.[4]

Geography

Fagaʻalu Bay is located between

Most of Fagaʻalu is located at elevations well above potential tsunami elevations, and also set back a considerable distance from the ocean.[7]

In the central parts of Fagaʻalu is a road turning north to

There were 53 commercial business enterprises found in the village as of 2000. Several of these are located along the shoreline road and Dr Jim Turner Rd. Businesses include two bakeries, grocery stores, retail shops, and a laundromat. A quarry operation is located between the 100-foot (30 m)-125-foot (38 m) contour at the west end of Fagaʻalu. It is operated and owned by Samoa Maritime. As of 2000, the Samoa Maritime Quarry generated around 500 cubic yards (380 m³) of reject material per week.^[9]

The LBJ Hospital complex consumes 7 acres (2.8 ha). The location of the hospital is a former marsh which was filled in the early 1960s in order to accommodate the hospital.^[10]

LBJ Tropical Medical Center

Fagaʻalu is home to Virgin Falls, which is a tourist destination on the island. A 0.6-mile (0.97 km) hike past the LBJ Tropical Medical Center leads to a small rock quarry. From there, a trail climbs past a series of waterfalls, known as Virgin Falls. Several of the waterfalls have pools used for swimming.^[13][14]

Fagaʻalu is home to Le Fale Pule Lodge, which sits high up on a hillside above Matafao Elementary School in Fagaʻalu. The hotel offers panoramic views of Pago Pago Harbor, and is located 300 feet (91 m) above sea level. Four of the rooms are in the main house, while there's also a separate cottage with outdoor Jacuzzis.^[15]

In 1972, the

On Tutuila Island, the majority of sea turtle sightings take place in Fagaʻalu Park, Lion's Park in Tafuna, and Gataivai (in Pago Pago Harbor).^[20]

Demographics

As of the early 1980s, 21 percent of Fagaʻalu residents were born abroad. By 1990, 42 percent of residents were born outside of American Samoa. As of the

• Elama Faʻatonu – Olympic sprinter for the American Samoa
• Anthony Liu – Olympic judoka
• Leonard Peters – former football safety and current rugby union player
• Junior Sifa – American rugby union player
• Kaino Thomsen-Fuataga
  – Samoan Olympic taekwondo practitioner
• Nathaniel Tuamoheloa – Olympic wrestler for ASA
• Ching Maou Wei – Olympic swimmer
• Auckland, New Zealand
  )
• A. U. Fuimaono – politician

References