Fagasā, American Samoa
Fagasā | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Panorama from Forbidden Bay near Fagasa | |
| Etymology:Samoan:"sacred bay" | |
  Fagasā | |
| Coordinates:14°17′14″S170°43′06″W/ 14.28722°S 170.71833°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| Territory |  American Samoa |
| County | Ituau County |
| Area | |
| • Land | 1.65 sq mi (4.27 km2) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 577 |
Fagasāis a village in theEastern DistrictofTutuila IslandinAmerican Samoa.The village lies by Fagasa Bay, on the north shore of the island. Its name isSamoanand translates to "Forbidden Bay."[1]The village borders the Tutuila-section ofNational Park of American Samoa.[2]The trailhead toMount ʻAlavais located near the village by Fagasa Pass (onRoute 5).[3]
Fagasa has two sub-villages:Fagatele(Big Bay) on the west side, where Leʻatele School is located, andFagaleʻaon the east side, by the chapel of theCongregational Christian Church in American Samoa(CCCAS).[4]: 32
Forbidden Bayhas been described as one of the most beautiful bays in the South Pacific Ocean.[5]It can be reached by boat or from Fagasā by foot.[6]
Aporpoisesanctuary is located in Fagasa Bay.[7]
Etymology
[edit]The name Fagasa translates to "Sacred Bay." The village's high chiefs, elders and orators all believe the name derived from the legend of Liavaʻa.[4]: 29
History
[edit]The first European expedition to ever set foot on Tutuila was headed by FrenchmanJean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse,who landed at Fagasa in 1787. This encounter, however, ended tragically. A battle between the French and the Samoans found place inAʻasu,where twelve sailors and 39 Samoans were killed.[8]On December 10, 1787, two French parties arrived at Tutuila. One underLapérouselanded at Fagasa, while the other, under M. DeLangle, landed at Aʻasu a few miles to the west. In Fagasa, Lapérouse discovered a little bay and a sizable village, which was walled off from the rest of Tutuila Island by mountains. Lapérouse and his party were welcomed in the village and also permitted to take water from the two streams flowing through the village.[9]: 5–6
In 1836, a group of five BritishLondon Missionary Society(LMS) missionaries, accompanied by their wives, anchored in Fagasa Bay. At Fagasa, reverendArchibald Murraywent ashore and asked for the leading authority in the area. He was sent to the High Chief Mauga atPago Pago.He returned on foot to Fagasa with Pomare, the chief's son, and rejoined his colleagues before setting sails forUpolu Island.The formalChristianizationof Tutuila andManuʻa Islandsis said to stem from this voyage.[9]: 37–38
In the early hours of January 11, 1942, a Japanese submarine surfaced near Fagasa and then sent more than a dozen shells over the mountain and onto the vicinity of theNaval Station Tutuila.There was only one direct hit, which was the only Japanese-owned structure in the archipelago (owned by Frank Shimasaki).[9]: 241 [10]
In March 1991, a prehistoricadze quarrywas discovered at Fagasa and was recognized as a possible major stone tool production site for the region and islands as far away as theMarquesas.[11]
Demographics
[edit]| Year | Population[12] |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 577 |
| 2010 | 831 |
| 2000 | 900 |
| 1990 | 717 |
| 1980 | 657 |
| 1970 | 649 |
| 1960 | 442 |
Religion
[edit]Fagasa's main church is theCongregational Christian Church in American Samoa(CCCAS). It was the first religion to be established in Fagasa. At the end ofWorld War II,villagers decided to construct the first chapel in the village. Although transportation was difficult, the villagers carried materials and supplies over their shoulders from the Mafa Pass and down to Fagasa. The church is located right where the steep winding road ends and the flatland begins.[4]: 39
Geography
[edit]Fagasā is situated on the north shore ofTutuila,2 miles (3.2 km) southwest ofPago Pago.A stream withfalesbeside it follows the steep valley down to Fagasa.[13]The buses to Fagasa go every hour from the bus station atFagatogo Marketin Pago Pago.[14]Fagasā is located in theNofoaarea ofItūʻau County.[15][16]
Fagasa lies northwest ofPago Pagoand is separated from the populated southern shore of Tutuila by a range of high mountains. It is located within a half-moon bay and enclosed by rugged mountain ridges. The road leading to Fagasa is a cut-off to the left from the main road in Pago Pago proper. A 10-minute drive connects Fagasa to the capital. The drive's highest point is the Mafa Pass, an open tunnel where visitors will first see Sacred Bay in Fagasa.[4]Numerous monuments of historical sites have been put up by theAmerican Samoa National Parkhere, and a walking trail to the Mount ʻAlava Towers takes off from the Mafa.[4]: 27
The soil is rich for vegetation and forests. Families have developed the land near their homes for agricultural crops. Fagasa is surrounded by a mountain range from either end.[4]: 43 Surrounding mountains include theFuaau Ridge,Taumata Mountain,Leele Mountain,andFatifati Mountain.Leele Stream flows down from Leele Mountain and through the village before discharging into the Pacific Ocean. Another stream, Leua, flows from Fatifati Mountain and down through Fagasa. On clear days, one can see the mountains ofUpolu Islandover the horizon.
The shoreline from Fagasā Bay toVatia Bayis within theNational Park of American Samoaand contains the longest stretch of undisturbed and uninhabited coast on Tutuila Island. The forest along this coastline has never been disturbed, and steep cliffs are found here along with scenic coves such asTāfeu Covenear Vatia. There are also waterfalls, streams, and forest-covered ridge tops.[17]
Fagasā Pass
[edit]At Fagasā Pass right outside of town is the primary trailhead for theMount ʻAlavaTrail. This 7-mile roundtrip trail leads to a mountain summit with panoramic views ofPago Pago Harborand surrounding areas ofTutuila Island.The trail goes through dense rainforest in theNational Park,home to a variety of tropical bird species andfruit bats.Halfway up the mountain is a coconut- and banana plantation.[18]
National park
[edit]The Tutuila unit of theNational Park of American Samoais situated between the villages on Fagasā on the west andĀfonoon the east. The southern boundary follows along the crest of the Mount ʻAlava-Maugaloa Ridge abovePago Pago Harborfrom Āfono Pass to Fagasā Pass. Access to the Tutuila portion of the park is via the road which runs along the perimeter of the upper Pago Pago Harbor. Lateral roads lead to Fagasa Pass the park's western end. From the Fagasā Pass National Park entrance, there is an unpaved road leaving hikers to the top of Mount ʻAlava. The road was originally constructed in order to service the television transmitters on the mountain. Road signs marking entry points to the National Park can be found near the trailhead at Fagasā Bay, and along the national park side of Fagasā Bay in order to mark the park's boundary from the ridge top down to Siufaga Point.[19]
JaggedMount ʻAlavadominates the scenery on northern Tutuila Island. A 6-mile (9.7 km) roundtrip trail leads up to the 1,585 ft. peak. The view from atop Mount ʻAlava contains both the south and north sides of the island's Pacific coasts as well as the deep inlet inPago Pago Harbor.[20]
Boat tours arranged by the government regularly sail around the north coast villages of Fagasā, Āfono, andVatia.[6]
Attractions
[edit]World War IIrelics can be seen on the mountain ridges and shorelines of Fagasa. The American Marines left Fagasa on August 15, 1945, after it was officially declared that the Japanese forces had surrendered to the United States. On the shorelines ofFagafueandSika,one can still find the pillbox forts or gun turrets the Marines utilized as coastal lookouts during World War II.[4]: 37
There is a marine life sanctuary in Fagasa Bay. Tourists often hike from Mafa Pass to the Mount ʻAlava Towers, which is the main transmitting antennas of the American Samoa Government's TV station.[4]: 44
Notable people
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Things to See in American Samoa | Frommer's".
- ^Talbot, Dorinda; Swaney, Deanna (1998).Samoa.Lonely Planet. p. 166.ISBN9780864425553.
- ^Stanley, David (1999).South Pacific Handbook.Moon Travel Books. p. 437.ISBN978-1-56691-172-6.
- ^abcdefghFaiʻivae, Alex Godinet (2018).Ole Manuō o Tala Tuʻu Ma Fisaga o Tala Ave(in Samoan). Amerika Samoa Humanities Council.ISBN9781546229070.
- ^"Things to see and do in American Samoa".World Travel Guide.Retrieved19 October2022.
- ^abFidgeon, Tamsin (2004).Columbus World Travel Guide 2004-2005.Highbury Columbus Travel Pub. p. 9.ISBN9781902221847.
- ^Goodwin, Bill (2006).Frommer's South Pacific.Wiley. pp. 400–401.ISBN9780471769804.
- ^Talbot, Dorinda; Swaney, Deanna (1998).Samoa.Lonely Planet. p. 13.ISBN9780864425553.
- ^abcGray, John Alexander Clinton (1980).Amerika Samoa.Arno Press.ISBN9780405130380.
- ^Kennedy, Joseph (2009).The Tropical Frontier: America's South Sea Colony.University of Hawaii Press. p. 207.ISBN9780980033151.
- ^Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009).A History of American Samoa.Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. p. 357.ISBN9781573062992.
- ^"American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016"(PDF).American Samoa Department of Commerce.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2019-02-14.Retrieved2019-07-25.
- ^Leib, Amos Patten (1972).The Many Islands of Polynesia.Scribner. p. 67.ISBN978-0-684-13010-1.
- ^Stanley, David (1999).South Pacific Handbook.Moon Travel Books. p. 446.ISBN978-1-56691-172-6.
- ^Krämer, Augustin (2000-01-01).The Samoa Islands.University of Hawaii Press. p. 424.ISBN978-0-8248-2219-4.
- ^U.S. Census Bureau (2000).Census of population and housing (2000): American Samoa Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics.DIANE Publishing. p. 210.ISBN9781428985490.
- ^"National Park Feasibility Study"(PDF).National Park Service. July 1988. p. 61.Retrieved19 October2022.
- ^"Day Hikes"(PDF).National Park Service.Retrieved29 December2021.
- ^National Park of American Samoa, General Management Plan (GP), Islands of Tutulla, Ta'u, and Ofu: Environmental Impact Statement(PDF)(Report). U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service. 1997. pp. 2, 21 and 31.
- ^Hughes, Holly; Murphy, Sylvie; Flippin, Alexis Lipsitz; Duchaine, Julie (2010-02-02).Frommer's 500 Extraordinary Islands.Frommers. p. 86.ISBN978-0-470-50070-5.