Day in the Life

Aunu’u is a small island of approximately 350-400 people. The single village island is a few miles (via boat) off the far eastern portion of Tutuila. The island is quiet in comparison to the main island of Tutuila but the sounds of barking dogs, crowing roosters, geckos chirping, church choirs singing, children at play and waves crashing are nearly ever present. While there are a few trucks and one van on the island, walking is the main form of transportation. From where I live, the elementary school is less than a mile. In the opposite direction and nearly the same distance from the house is the wharf. Most any afternoon, except Sunday, a large group of children can be found swimming around the coming and going 6-person commuter boats in that wharf. There are a few small stores that offer some canned foods and soda but for the most part, all food and supply shopping is done off island, by everyone. The commute time from Aunu’u to the market area of Tutuila is considerable due to the irregularity of commuter boats and bus transportation on the main island. There are significantly fewer busses that run to the far eastern side of the island. As far as geography is concerned, there are a number of beautiful spots on this island. I favor snorkeling near the cave just past the quicksand. There exists what seems to be untouched reef with amazing schools of colorful fish. Many locals have told me they believe that area is haunted and don’t venture near there often, if ever. Trash is riddled along the coast and in some areas is actually dumped along the coastline. There is one paved path curves through the rainforest running from one end of the village to the other and ending/starting at the elementary school. From that paved path there is a secondary path that leads to a partially graveled road traveling up the mountain. That path is for tsunami evacuations. There are only a few houses on the mountain and most everyone in the village, near the wharf. Continue Reading More...

Ta'u

I live in the village of Faleasao on the island of Ta’u, in the Manu’a cluster of islands of American Samoa. There are three villages on Ta’u: Faleasao, Ta’u, and Fitiuta. In total, there are approximately 1,000 people among the 3 villages, and there are approximately 250 people in Faleasao – it is the smallest of the 3 villages. All the villages are on the coast, and there are grade schools (K-8) in Faleasao and Fitiuta. The high school is located “upstairs” –not in any village, but up the road from Ta’u approximately 3/4 mile. There is 1 road connecting the 3 villages, and it is approximately 7.5 miles from Faleasao to Fitiuta (Ta’u is about 1 mile over the hill from Faleasao). The airport is located in Fitiuta. Continue Reading More...

Ofu/Olosega