Pacific Island Paradises

Tula Afono Aua Fagaitua Aoa Alao Aunu'u Fagaalu TUTUILA Airport Paradise found The islands of American Samoa form the eastern part of the Samoan Archipelago and are populated by Polynesians. Five volcanic islands, Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega and Ta'u, and two atolls Swains and Rose make up the Territory of American Samoa that has a total land area of 76 square miles. History Archaeologists believe early Polynesians travelled from Southeast Asia into the Pacific populating the islands of the western Pacific from Papua New Guinea to Tonga and Samoa. Sometime later they migrated east and populated the Cook Islands, Niue, Tahiti and Rapanui (Easter Island) before heading north to Hawaii and south to Aotearoa (New Zealand) on the last legs of the great Polynesian migration. Today, Samoans are regarded as the largest full-blooded Polynesian race left in the world. Nature The National Park of American Samoa is one of the most remote national parks in the United States. Also one of the newest, it was authorised by the US Congress in 1988 and officially established in 1993 when a 50-year lease was signed with villages and the American Samoa Government. The 10,500-acre park is spread over three sectors on three islands–Tutuila, Ta'u and Ofu. Almost all the land area of these volcanic islands– from the mountaintops to the coast–is rainforest. About 2,500 acres of the park is underwater, offshore from the three islands. 8  www.paradisesonline.com Culture Fa'a Samoa culture and customs are over 3000 years old and have changed very little over this period. The major western influence accepted into Samoan customs has been Christianity that forms the spiritual basis of the society. Matai or chiefs make up the heads of the extended family units and each person has a responsibility for the wellbeing of the family. Sunday is a day of worship throughout American Samoa and government offices and businesses are closed on this day. All Samoans are Christians and in every village residents will be seen dressed in their Sunday best heading off to church. Visitors are most welcome to worship in a faith of their choosing and there are many religions represented on island. Shopping American Samoa boasts a wide range of retail outlets offering tax free shopping throughout the main island of Tutuila including a couple of shopping malls, Fagatogo Square and the Laufou Center as well as a couple of US mainland stores. As well as these major outlets, there is a wide range of boutique and general stores offering everything from traditional Samoan handicrafts to US made clothing and international goods at very reasonable prices. Great gifts to take home include the traditional Samoan puletasi for women which is a two piece long fitted blouse

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