American Samoa National Park

Authorized October 31 1988

10,000 acres

For some 3,000 years, the people of Polynesia's oldest culture have been keenly attuned to their island environment, holding it to be precious and managing it communally. The name they gave their land reflects their attitude: Samoa means "sacred earth."

Located about 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii, American Samoa, a US territory, comprises five volcanic islands and two coral atolls. In 1988 Samoan tribal chiefs agreed to lease a portion of their lands for a national park. In 1993 a 50-year lease was signed that enables the National Park Service to manage an area of rain forest, beach, and coral reef on three islands. Samoans help manage the park, and their villages offer a few guest facilities.

The park protects hundreds of plant species in five distinct rain forest communities: lowland, montane, coast, ridge, and cloud. It is the only such rain forest on American soil, similar to forests in Africa and Asia. Among the fauna visitors can see are myriad tropical birds and the endangered flying fox—a fruit bat with the wingspan of an eagle.

On Tutuila, American Samoa's largest island, lofty volcanic ridges overlook the deep blue waters of Pago Pago Harbor. Except for a few settlements, and the scenic drive that skirts the harbor and the dramatic southern coastline, there is little level land. Atop this crumbled terrain and plunging steeply toward the sea on the island's northern side lies the park area—about 2,500 acres of land and some 1,200 acres of ocean. Parkland on Ta'u, the easternmost island, encompasses about 5,400 acres— including Lata Mountain, American Samoa's highest peak—and 1,000 acres offshore. Unforgettable is the panoramic view from the cloud forest toward the rugged cliffs of the southern coast. Small and remote, Ofu Island includes what many call American Samoa's loveliest beach. Its main attraction, though, is the 350-acre coral reef, one of the best examples of healthy coral reef in the Pacific.