Vailoatai is a village in southwestern Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa. It is located on the eastern end of Leone Bay. The village is known for its beautiful malae (ceremonial village-green), nested along the island's rugged southern coast and lined by the fale tali mālō (guest houses) of its village chiefs.
The original name of the village was Tuāulu.Fai’ivae, Alex Godinet (2018). Ole Manuō o Tala Tu’u Ma Fisaga o Tala Ave. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. . In 1926, Tuāulu and another village called Vailoa, combined to form the Vailoa-tai village.Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940 Although the village is officially named Vailoatai according to the American Samoa Constitution, "Vailoa-tai" really only refers to the area of village towards the sea ["tai" - the side towards the sea or seaside]. Other areas of the village include Vailoa-uta ["uta"- the side towards the land or inland] and Falīlī. Together, the village as a whole is commonly referred to as Vailoa.
Vailoatai along with Taputimu, Itū'au (Malaeloa) and Fūtiga form the itūmālō (county/district) of Tuālātai. The village serves as the county's principality as the titular head of the district (fa'asuaga) is located here.
Etymology
The Vailoa name is short for "le vai na le iloa" (the unknown/unseen water) in reference to the legend of a time long ago when King Tuimanu'a and his traveling party stopped in the area and the difficulty they encountered in their search for water.Ua Tala le Ta'ui, Volume 2, page 16
Another version is that the Vailoa name is short for "vai-vai-loloa" (land always covered with water) in reference to the Vailoa-uta area that was covered by water or a lake. The area is still prone to flooding during heavy rains due to its geography.
The name of the village, Vailoa-uta, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as “Long River Inland".Churchill, W. (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), page 193. Retrieved on December 6, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2307/199273.
Pre-1900 history
Vailoatai is a historical marker of the Ātua (a political district of 'Upolu) migration to Tutuila with many Vailoa family names originating from the Ātua sub-district of Faleālili.Krämer, A. (2000). The Samoa Islands: An Outline of a Monograph with Particular Consideration of German Samoa. Constitution, pedigrees and traditions--. United States: University of Hawaii Press., Page 424 The village honors this legacy to this day, recognizing Faleālili in its fa’alupega (ceremonial greetings).Krämer, A. (2000). The Samoa Islands: An Outline of a Monograph with Particular Consideration of German Samoa. Constitution, pedigrees and traditions--. United States: University of Hawaii Press., Page 448
The migration of Ātua families to Tutuila occurred after the defeat of Mālietoa by Tui ĀtuaFreeman, J. (1943). THE SEUAO CAVE. The Journal of the Polynesian Society, 52(3), 101-109. Retrieved August 7, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/20702941Tauiliili, Pemerika L. Anoafale O Le Gagana Ma Le Aganuu, Page 9.Va'a, Unasa L.F. "Aspects of Western Samoa Migration to American Samoa" (PDF). The Journal of Samoan Studies. 3: 1. in the 16th century.Henry, Fred (1939). Elementary Geography of the Samoan Islands, Government of American Samoa, Tutuila, Page 10. The political effect of this migration was the addition of six more counties to the original four counties of TutuilaHenry, Fred (1939). Elementary Geography of the Samoan Islands, Government of American Samoa, Tutuila, Page 10 to make the overall organization of the island in keeping with the 'Upolu pattern.Krämer, A. (2000). The Samoa Islands: An Outline of a Monograph with Particular Consideration of German Samoa. Constitution, pedigrees and traditions--. United States: University of Hawaii Press., Page 424
The village and the district became a proponent of this government (mālō) as can be seen in the old Samoan parable, the War between Tuveve and Sātele.P., Vaʻa, L. F. (1987). The Parables of a Samoan Divine: An Analysis of Samoan Texts of the 1860's. Australia: Australian National University, Page 70
Fofō ma Aitūlagi (an honorific that is still used to refer to the entire western district)Churchill, W. (1913). Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa. Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), 187-193. doi:10.2307/199273 became le Falelima i Sisifo (the five houses of the west), which includes Ālātaua, Fofō, Leāsina (Aitūlagi), Tuālā-tai and Tuālā-uta (Ma’upū) counties.Henry, Fred (1939). Elementary Geography of the Samoan Islands, Government of American Samoa, Tutuila, Page 21.
Sua ma Vāifanua (an honorific that is still used to refer to the entire eastern district)Churchill, W. (1913). Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa. Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), 187-193. doi:10.2307/199273 became le Falelima i Sasa’e (the five houses of the east), which includes Itū'au (ma Nofoa), Ma’opūtasi (Launiusaelua), Sā’ole, Sua and Vāifanua counties.Henry, Fred (1939). Elementary Geography of the Samoan Islands, Government of American Samoa, Tutuila, Page 26.
The raising of the U.S. flag over Tutuila saw the end of Ātua's influence over the island, much to the relief of local chiefs who were tired of the endless wars in 'Upolu.Henry, Fred (1939). Elementary Geography of the Samoan Islands, Government of American Samoa, Tutuila, Page 12. They did not want to remain under the control of 'Upolu paramount chiefs, Germany or Great Britain.Kruse, Line-Noue Mamea (2018). The Pacific Insular Case of American Samoa PC's Sātele of Vailoa and Fuimaono of Aoloau/Vailoa were two of the signatories to the Tutuila Deed of Cession in 1900.Simanu, '. M., Papaliʻi, A. M. S. (2011). 'O Faia Fa'atumua O Samoa Mai Tala O Le Vavau. Samoa: National Foreign Language Resource Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, page 198
Fa'alupega: Ceremonial Greetings of Vailoatai Sources:PSalua, F. S. F. T. (1995). O le tafatolu o au measina: Samoa. New Zealand: Department of Communication of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, Page 196Methodist Church in Samoa (1985), O Le Tusi Fa'alupega o Samoa Atoa, Page 249
Afio mai lau afioga Sātele o le alo o Salamāsina
Afio mai alo o Fānene
Susū mai le sa'o o Tuiāsina ma le 'āiga sā Tuiāsinā
Alala mai lau tōfā Maiavatele, ma le fofoga ole Availopā
Mamalu mai le 'āiga Faletolu ma Faleālili
Although the above is the only referenced/cited fa'alupega the contributor has for the village, it is not the one currently in use. Refer to a chief of the village for the correct fa'alupega. Titles greeted with "susū mai" are typically associated with Sā Malietoa titles while "afio mai" are Sā Tupua related.
20th century
In 1907, the village celebrated the opening of its first Christian chapel with the London Missionary Society (LMS). LMS missionaries note that an elaborate feast marked the special occasion with attendance by dignitaries and family members from around the island.The London Missionary Society Tutuila Mission. ASHPO(2012).
In 1915, the Manu'a islands suffered severe damage from a hurricane, and the village hosted (among other villages in Tutuila) many residents from Manu'a while relief efforts took place there.American Samoa: A General Report by the Governor, 1925Shaffer, Robert J. (2013), American Samoa, 100 Years Under The United States Flag, Page 145
In 1926, the three-part village council of Vailoa (-uta), Tuāulu, and Falīlī decided to consolidate the village to where it is now called Vailoa-tai.
In 1934, the Marist Le'alā School for boys opened up in the area between Vailoatai and Taputimu. The school, however, is no longer in existence.Fai’ivae, Alex Godinet (2018). Ole Manuō o Tala Tu’u Ma Fisaga o Tala Ave. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. .
During World War II, U.S. Marines built an airstrip that spanned Leone, Vailoa-uta and Taputimu. The whole area was leased by the American Samoa Government and the federal government to construct a back-up airstrip for the main airport at Tafuna during World War II. It was started early in 1943 - probably in January. It was completed on 30 September 1943.
Unfortunately, the airstrip could not be used due to prevailing winds, which made take-offs difficult.Gray, J.A.C. (1960). Amerika Samoa and its Naval Administration. Page 243. Only two planes were able to make use of the airstrip before it was abandoned.Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). A History of American Samoa. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. Page 238. Government facilities and residential units have since been built over the old airstrip.
In September 1965, Leone High School was opened in the Vailoa-uta area of the village. The school was designed for students from the Western District and transfer students from Manu'a. Village elders note that the malae of Vailoa was once located where the high school stands today.
In May 1968, the government radio station WVUV-AM moved from Utulei and began operations at its new quarters in Vailoatai, next to Leone High School.The Broadcasting Yearbook. United States, Broadcasting Publications Incorporated, 1991.page 391968 Annual Report Am. Samoa, pg 15
In the early 1970s, Governor Haydon pushed to privatize the station despite opposition from the Fono. By 1975, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the application by Radio Samoa, Ltd. to take over WVUV-AM from the government.Federal Communications Commission Reports. V. 1-45, 1934/35-1962/64; 2d Ser., V. 1- July 17/Dec. 27, 1965-.. United States, Federal Communications Commission, 1976.
By the late 90's, the old station had gone off air and is now defunct. South Seas Broadcasting, Inc. bought what was left of the station, and in 2008, opened WVUV-FM at the Aitūlagi Building office complex in Tafuna.
Flag Day
Vailoatai has been a proud participant in the territory's annual celebration and commemoration of the April 17, 1900 raising of the American flag, performing the siva ma pese (song and dance) portion of the Flag Day event in 1988, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012 and 2014.
The village regularly participates in the Flag Day's cricket (men's and women's) games and fautasi (traditional Samoan long boat) races.
However, the last year the village fautasi, the Fa'asaulala, participated in the annual race was 2014.
The village also performed its siva ma pese program for the Independent State of Samoa's celebration of their independence day in 2010 and 2012.
Fa'asaulala Record History
Fa'asaulala – to be demanding, exacting Milner, G. B. (1993). Samoan Dictionary: Samoan-English, English-Samoan. New Zealand: Polynesian Press.
Pre-Christian meaning – to be oppressive, to be tyrannicalSamoan Dictionary: English and Samoan, and Samoan and English, with a Short Grammar of the Samoan Dialect, London Missionary Society's Press, 1862 – English language, George Pratt
1913 - [24 -34 OARS] 3RD PLACE (OUT OF 3)
1947 - 1ST PLACE (OUT OF 3)
1948 - 2ND PLACE (OUT OF 2)
1979 - 1ST PLACE (UNKNOWN)according to eyewitness accounts, substantiating documentation/record needed
1982 - 2ND PLACE (OUT OF 3)
1987 - 5TH PLACE (OUT OF 9)
1996 - 2ND PLACE (OUT OF 7)
1997 - 5TH PLACE (OUT OF 7)
2000 - 4TH PLACE (OUT OF 6)
2001 - DRAW
2002 - 5TH PLACE (OUT OF 8)
2003 - 4TH PLACE (OUT OF 6)
2005 - 3RD PLACE (OUT OF 8)
2006 - 4TH PLACE (OUT OF 9)
2008 - 5TH PLACE (OUT OF 8)
2009 (BLUE SKY RACE) - TIED FOR 6TH PLACE (OUT OF 8)
2014 - 8TH PLACE (OUT OF 9)
Founding legend
In the book, Ole Manuō o Tala Tu’u ma Fisaga o Tala Ave, the village of Vailoa defeated the cannibal king Tuife’ai with the assistance of two brothers from Ātua, High Chiefs Lutu and Solosolo.Ua Tālā le Ta'ui, Lomiga 1(2009), Page 25. The two brothers then sailed further east and established themselves as Sa'ousoali'i of Launiusaelua.Ua Tālā le Ta'ui, Lomiga 4(2021), Page 105.