Aunuʻu, American Samoa Explained

Aunuʻu
Settlement Type:	Village & Island
Pushpin Map:	American Samoa
Pushpin Label Position:	top
Pushpin Mapsize:	300
Subdivision Type:	Country
Subdivision Type1:	Territory
Subdivision Name1:	American Samoa
Subdivision Type2:	County
Subdivision Name2:	Saʻole
Area Total Km2:	1.517
Area Total Sq Mi:	0.5857
Population As Of:	2020
Population Total:	402
Coordinates:	-14.2833°N -170.56°W

Aunuʻu is a small volcanic island off the southeastern shore of Tutuila in Saʻole County, American Samoa. It has a land area of 374.83acres, and a 2010 census population of 436 persons. Politically, it is a part of the Eastern District, one of the two primary political divisions of American Samoa.^{[1] [2]}

Aunuʻu Crater contains the freshwater Faʻamulivai Marsh, the largest such wetland in American Samoa. It was formed from the drainage of the low-lying crater. It is part of a protected National Natural Landmark on Aunuʻu that was designated in 1972. The Pacific black duck was seen in the marsh in 1976, but it may now be extinct in the region; another significant local bird is the purple swamphen. This marsh is the only place in American Samoa where the Chinese water chestnut grows.^{https://web.archive.org/web/20070929164529/http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wetlands/wet_aunu.htm}

Since the 1960s, the Aunuʻu people's main economic activity has been growing taro and producing faausi.^[3]

Demographics

Year	Population^[4]
	402
	436
	476
	463
	414
	425
	436

Aunuʻu has two historical sub-divisions: Salevatia, and Alofasau.

Geography

Aunuʻu is the only place in American Samoa where taro is cultivated in paddy fields, which occupies about 5 percent of the land. The remaining land is mostly wet and unsuitable for cultivation and is primarily covered by non-edible trees, bushes, shrubs and weeds. Agricultural runoff and erosion do not appear to threaten nearshore water quality, as these flow into Pala Lake and the wetlands areas (Pedersen 2000; Tuionoula 2010). Aunuʻu is said to produce the best taro in American Samoa (Best 1992).

Geology

The island is less than 1sqmi in area, and around half of that area is a cultivated plain on which Aunuʻu's villages are located. There are several beaches consisting of coral rubble and sand, and sea cliffs. The eastern half of Aunuʻu is rimmed by a geologically recent volcanic cone. The highest point on the crater rim is above sea level. Within the crater is the Faʻimulivai Marsh, which contains a freshwater pond. The crater is one of the few places in American Samoa where evidence of the more recent episodes of volcanism can be observed. The eruptions at Aunuʻu occurred at approximately the same time as the volcanism at Leala Shoreline in Taputimu, while the eruptions that formed Rainmaker Mountain, Matafao Peak, and the ridges of Vaiʻava Strait are much older. Aunuʻu Island has the only quicksand area in American Samoa, and also the territory's only lakes: Pala Lake is just north of the village, and Red Lake is inside the crater. Maʻamaʻa Cove is on the far eastern edge of the crater.^[5]

History

• 1500-900 BCE - The earliest human settlement of the Samoan archipelago is estimated to be around 2900–3500 years before the present (1500-900 BCE). This estimate is based on dating the ancient Lapita pottery shards that are found throughout the islands. The oldest shards found so far have been in Mulifanua and in Sasoaʻa, Falefa. The oldest archaeological evidence found on the islands of Polynesia, Samoa and Tonga all date from around that same period, suggesting that the first settlement occurred around the same time in the region as a whole to include Aunuʻu.
• 100-600AD - The first recorded settlers of the Marquesas were Polynesians who arrived from West Polynesia. Early attempts to carbon-date evidence from the site suggested they arrived before 100 AD, with other estimates proposing settlement from 600 AD, but several more recent independent studies suggest that they arrived more recently. In Te Henua ʻEnana (North Marquesan) and Te Fenua ʻEnata (South Marquesan) oral history - Aunuʻu is possibly mentioned in Moriori genealogy (23) as Raunuku.6 Kahotu, King of Aunuu, coincides with Kopotu, sixth King of Tonga. Tona-Nui appears in the title of the eighteenth King of Tonga—Havea-Tui Tonga-Nui-i-buibui (N.B.—Modern Tongan for Nui is Lahi). This is their oral history of where their original settlers came from.^[6]
• 1835 - A whaling vessel set out from Aunuʻu for the Manuʻa island and was lost at sea with all of its crew in the vicinity of Aunuʻu.
• 1863 - On January 24, 1863 the first Mormon Missionary, Kimo Belio and Samuela Manoa, of Hawaii arrived in Aunuʻu and were accepted by the Aunuʻu Matai.^[7]
• 1877 - In this year war commenced in Tutuila. High Chief Mauga rebelled against the Government of Tutuila, the Taimua and Pule, where on December 8, 1877 Mauga escaped to Aunuʻu where he was defended by Aunuʻu island warriors from its natural fortress.^[8]
• 1887 - King David Kalākaua of Havaii sent his ship the Kaimiloa to Samoa to seek political alliance with another Polynesian nation. On June 15, 1887 the Kaimiloa arrived in Apia Harbor. With the German presence at Apia Harbor, the Kaimiloa trip was nothing more than a visit. Before returning to Hawaiʻi a few Hawaiʻians left the Kaimiloa to reside on the Samoan Island Aunuʻu and marrying Samoans. Pa Taua, on the west coast of the village of Aunuʻu, is the site of ruins that were once towers used to hold the four cannons from the Kaimiloa, a Hawaiian Kingdom steamer. The cannons were used by the people of Aunuʻu to repel a canoe fleet invasion and are now on display at the Jean B. Haydon Museum in Pago Pago.^[9]

Transportation

Aunuʻu has a few government cars, and a number of family owned/operated motorboats to shuttle people to and from its small boat harbor in Auasi. A lake, called "Vaisuakoko", or Blood Lake, is nestled in the island's sprawling crater. Hiking the island is difficult, as it is densely forested and full of thick bushes, with steep cliffs along the south coast. The island has a stretch of red quicksand at Pala Lake, fairly close to the village, and taro swamps behind the village. There is a cove, called "Maʻamaʻa Cove," on the east side of the island.^{[10] [11]}

Boats providing ferry service to and from Aunuʻu may be hired at the boat dock at Auʻasi on Tutuila. The American Samoa Department of Port Administration maintains facilities at Auʻasi and Aunuʻu but does not track vessel arrival or departure data in either location (C. King 2010b). Aunuʻu is popular for hiking and school tours. The coral reef surrounding Aunuʻu is considered low use for recreational snorkeling (Spurgeon et al. 2004).

Wildlife

Aunuʻu has a population of around fifty gray ducks (anas superciliosa), locally known as toloa. Pairs of these birds have also been sighted in Futiga, Nuʻuuli, Alao, and Leone, however, they may not be based on those islands; they may belong to the population that lives on Aunuʻu.

Notable people

• Faalupega o Aunuu Afio Lupega (Lemafa ma Lutali), Susu le Saʻo (Sagale), Afio le Tama-a-aiga (Fonoti), Susu Saʻole o le Maʻopu, Mamalu maia oulua fofoga o le Saʻole (Taufi ma Fuiava), ma le suafa o Gogo Faapea foi le mamalu ia Saleaaumua.^[12]
• Aifili Paulo Lauvao (December 24, 1919 – August 1, 2002), was twice governor of American Samoa (1985–1989, 1993–1997). The founder of the U.S territory's Democratic Party, he had a long career in the legislature and the judiciary in American Samoa. Governor Lutali was a preservationist who wanted to preserve large areas of the territory's nature. Lutali also worked to preserve American Samoa's ancient sites and historical buildings. He revitalized the Historic Preservation Office.^[13]
• Tiaina Baul "Junior" Seau Jr. (/ˈseɪ.aʊ/; SAY-ow; January 19, 1969 – May 2, 2012) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). Known for his passionate play, he was a nine-time All-Pro, 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was elected posthumously to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.^[14]

See also

• List of National Natural Landmarks in American Samoa

References

• Aunuʻu: Block Group 4, Census Tract 9502, Eastern District, United States Census Bureau

Notes and References

1. Tuʻuʻu, Misilugi Tulifau Tofaeono (2002). History of Samoa Islands: Supremacy & Legacy of the Malietoa (na Faʻalogo i Ai Samoa). Tugaʻula Publication. Page 427. .
2. Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. .
3. Web site: American Samoa Govt keen to develop Aunuʻu island. December 10, 2013. RNZ.
4. Web site: American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016. American Samoa Department of Commerce. 2019-07-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20190214131436/http://doc.as.gov/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/American-Samoa-Statistical-Yearbook-2016.pdf. 2019-02-14. dead.
5. Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002). Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas. Bess Press. Pages 281–282. .
6. Web site: Journal of the Polynesian Society: Front Matter and Contents, P Ii-xii .
7. Web site: Elder Nattress Visits Community Where First Baptisms Occurred in Samoan Islands . 15 November 2021 .
8. Web site: Chapter V — A record of events in Samoa since 1822 NZETC .
9. Web site: Hawaiʻian Monarchy .
10. Stanley, David (2000). South Pacific Handbook. David Stanley. Page 444-445. .
11. Stanley, David (2004). Moon Handbooks South Pacific. David Stanley. Page 479. .
12. Mataitusi, Vaifale P.F. (2001). Tusi faalupega o Tutuila ma Manuʻa / Vaifule Fuluifaga Fausia Sanelivi Pita Mataitusi. This is the official salutation for the Island of Aunuʻu to honor the leaders.
13. Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. Page 200. .
14. Web site: Junior Seau's Family Will Not Be Allowed to Speak at His Hall of Fame Induction . New York Times . 24 July 2015 . 20 October 2022.