Fagaalu is a village in central Tutuila Island, American Samoa. It is also known as Fagaalo. It is located on the eastern shore of Pago Pago Harbor, to the south of Pago Pago. American Samoa's lone hospital, Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center, is located in Fagaalu. The village is centered around Fagaalu Stream.
Fagaalu has been named one of the best places to surf in American Samoa.Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western Samoa and American Samoa. Lonely Planet. Page 162. . It is one of thirteen villages in American Samoa that have been declared Marine Protected Areas.
History 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 Fagaalu.Kennedy, Joseph (2009). The Tropical Frontier: America's South Sea Colony. University of Hawaii Press. Page 203. . During World War II, the U.S. military established facilities in Faga'alu, including a telephone exchange and a warehouse complex that monitored the entrance to Pago Pago Harbor. This expansive complex featured over 50 buildings, such as a U.S. Marine camp, multiple warehouses and truck sheds, a large mess hall, shower facilities, a tailor shop, and a post exchange. The telephone exchange was situated underground in the far northwestern corner of the installation and was accessed via a short tramway.
Geography Fagaalu Bay is located between Niuloa Point in the south and Tulutulu Point in the north. The bay is considered a part of "outer Pago Pago Harbor." The main drainage in the Fagaalu watershed is the Fagaalu Stream and its 8 tributaries. The stream is known as Matafao Stream in the drainage's upper reaches near Mount Matafao. Smaller drainages are situated on the southeast and northeast sides of the village. Matafao Stream begins at around the contour and continues downslopes to a stream fall. It becomes Fagaalu Stream at around above sea level. It discharges into the Pacific Ocean in Fagaalu Bay. Gobie fish, Mountain bass, and Freshwater eel have been observed in Fagaalu Stream.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Pages 25-1, 25-4 and 25-5) Fagaalu Bay is a calm bay with a cricket field, boat ramp, and basketball and volleyball courts.Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Manu'a Islands. Page 39. .
Most of Fagaalu is located at elevations well above potential tsunami elevations, and also set back a considerable distance from the ocean.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Page 25-16)
In the central parts of Fagaalu is a road turning north to LBJ Hospital and other medical facilities. At the end of this road are the waterfalls Fagaalu Falls. Fagaalu Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island with its coral heads and reef formations, and sea life such as turtles and reef sharks.Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Manu'a Islands. Page 40. .
Whale Rock Whale Rock is a coral formation located in Fagaʻalu. It lies in the middle of the channel inside the entrance to Pago Pago Harbor. The formation is approximately 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter and is submerged under 16 feet (5 meters) of water. During bad weather, waves break over Whale Rock, making it more noticeable due to the surf. In calm conditions, it is easily seen beneath the water's surface.U.S. Defense Mapping Agency (1977). "Sailing Directions for the Pacific Islands: Volume 3, the South-central Groups". U.S. Department of Defense. Page 166.
Economy
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 - contour at the west end of Fagaalu. It is operated and owned by Samoa Maritime. As of 2000, the Samoa Maritime Quarry generated around of reject material per week.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Pages 25-12 and 25-16)
The LBJ Hospital complex consumes . The location of the hospital is a former marsh which was filled in the early 1960s in order to accommodate the hospital.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Page 25-13)
LBJ Tropical Medical Center
Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center is the only hospital in American Samoa and the only prescription pharmacy on the island. It has been ranked among the best hospitals in the Pacific Ocean. It is home to an emergency room and there are doctors on duty at all hours.Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western Samoa and American Samoa. Lonely Planet. Page 161. .
Tourism Fagaalu is home to Virgin Falls, which is a tourist destination on the island. A 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.Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 179. .Schyma, Rosemarie (2013). Südsee. DuMont Reiseverlag. Page 268. .
Fagaalu is home to Le Fale Pule Lodge, which sits high up on a hillside above Matafao Elementary School in Fagaalu. The hotel offers panoramic views of Pago Pago Harbor, and is located above sea level. Four of the rooms are in the main house, while there's also a separate cottage with outdoor Jacuzzis.Stanley, David (2004). South Pacific. Moon Handbooks. Page 484. .
In 1972, the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation approved a project to develop a park in Fagaalu Bay. Fagaalu Park is located at the outer part of Pago Pago Harbor and is a grassy park with picnic tables and a white-sand beach.Rawlings-Way, Charles (2016). Lonely Planet South Pacific. Lonely Planet. Page 303. .Atkinson, Brett (2016). Lonely Planet Rarotonga, Samoa & Tonga. Lonely Planet. Page 151. . A boat ramp has been constructed at Fagaalu Park on government-owned land administrated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The construction was initiated after the former public boat ramps at Fagasa and Pago Pago were damaged from the 2009 tsunami. The park is used for recreational activities such as picnicking, swimming, fishing, and camping.
On Tutuila Island, the majority of sea turtle sightings take place in Fagaalu Park, Lion's Park in Tafuna, and Gataivai (in Pago Pago Harbor).https://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/American_Samoa/10.pdf (Page 39)
Demographics YearPopulation 2020 731 2010 910 2000 1,006 1990 1,006 1980 757 1970 900 1960 531 1950 395 1940 197 1930 106 As of the early 1980s, 21 percent of Fagaalu residents were born abroad. By 1990, 42 percent of residents were born outside of American Samoa. As of the 1990 U.S. census, the village was home to 153 houses. Historically, residential development has taken place along the south and north sides of Fagaalu Stream. Another residential area is found upland of Fagaalu Park along the shoreline road and adjoining steeper slopes.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Page 25-12)
Notable residents Elama Faatonu – 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 Jerome Kaino – New Zealand rugby union player (born in Fagaalu; raised in Auckland, New Zealand) A. U. Fuimaono – politician Tai Enosa – rugby player Vincent Smith Ho Ching – founder of the Tutuila's first school for individuals with disabilities, Fautasi racing crew member, and representative for American Sāmoa at the South Pacific Festival of Arts.Sutter, Frederic Koehler (1989). The Samoans: A Global Family. University of Hawai'i Press. Page 207.
References