Shortly after the earthquake, President Barack Obama issued a federal disaster declaration, which authorized funds for individual assistance (IA), such as temporary housing. The Greater Pago Pago Area was home to 8,000 residents in 2000,[18] and 15,000 in 2010. The tsunami caused moderate to severe damage to villages, buildings and vehicles and caused 34 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The frequency of hurricanes hitting Pago Pago has increased dramatically in recent years. Half of American Samoa's inhabitants live along Pago Pago's foothills and coastal areas. [4][5]:52[6]:12 The harbor is also one of the best protected in the South Pacific,[7]:11 which gives American Samoa a natural advantage with respect to landing fish for processing. The initial reason for the U.S.’ interest in Tutuila was the desire to use Pago Pago Harbor as a coaling station. [24]:30–31 The town is also the southernmost U.S. capital, and the only one located in the Southern Hemisphere. Tuna cannery. The other major contribution was a cannon which came off Kamiloa, a 171-ton steamer and the only warship in the fleet of King Kalakaua of Hawai'i. Hans Folke and Merete Borch: "Amerikansk Samoa" in. [34] American interest in Pago Pago was also a result of Tutuila's central position in one of the world's richest whaling grounds. [80] The main downtown area is Fagatogo on the south shore of Pago Pago Harbor, the location of the Fono (territorial legislature), the port, the bus station and the market. [23]:188, Pago Pago was a vital naval base for the U.S. during World War II. Pago Pago, Tutuila, American Samoa,Part of gallery of color pictures of Oceania by professional photographer QT Luong, available as prints or for licensing. Naval Station Tutuila Historic District are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. 69.3 percent of visitors are from the United States as of 2014. [16][17] One of the villages is itself named Pago Pago, and in 2010 had a population of 3,656. The station commander doubled as American Samoa's Governor from 1899 to 1905, when the station commandant was designated Naval Governor of American Samoa. It was also the first such unit to be deployed in defense of an American island. [83] One of the Goby species, Stiphodon hydoreibatus, is endemic to the Samoan Islands and found nowhere else on Earth. The U.S. quietly purchased land around the harbor for the construction of the naval station. The President gave a speech where he laid out the American policy for its lone South Pacific territory. [129] The tramway was repaired, but closed not long after. First Lady Lillian "Lily" Lee unveiled the official seal of American Samoa carved on ifelele by master wood-carver Sven Ortquist, which was mounted in front of the new Fono. Atkinson, Brett and Charles Rawlings-Way (2016). Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga announced in 2014 that he would look into restoring the cable car. "[25][26][27][28][29][30], An early name for Pago Pago was Long Bay (Samoan: O le Fagaloa), which was a name used by the first permanent inhabitants to settle in the Pago Pago area. Farmland is also found by Fagatogo, Atu'u, Punaoa Valley, Lepua, Aua, and Leloaloa. [106] It has been named one of the best deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean,[4][136] or one of the best in the world as a whole. Several video screens and panels inform visitors about Samoan dolphins and whales. [114], The American Samoa Community College (ASCC) was founded in July 1970 by the American Samoa Department of Education. Scheduled intra-territorial flights are available to the islands of Ta‘ū and Ofu, which take 30 minutes by air from Pago Pago. [23]:339, On September 25, 1991, downtown Fagatogo received a new landmark: the Samoa News Building. The U.S. Navy responded a few months later by dispatching Commander Richard Meade from Honolulu, Hawaii to assess Pago Pago's suitability as a naval station. Rumors of possible annexation by Britain or Germany were taken seriously by the U.S., and the U.S. Secretary of State Hamilton Fish sent Colonel Albert Steinberger to negotiate with Samoan chiefs on behalf of American interests. Fagatoele Lokeni in 1970 and 1968, respectively. [43][44], At the beginning of the 20th century, Pago Pago became American Samoa's port of entry. [60][23]:292, Shortly after Christmas in 1970, a village fire destroyed the legislative chambers and adjacent facilities. [130], Another noted view is that from the top of the pass above Aua Village on the road to Afono. Pago Pago (/ˈpɑːŋɡoʊˈpɑːŋɡoʊ/ PAHNG-oh-PAHNG-oh; Samoan: [ˈpaŋo ˈpaŋo])[3] is the territorial capital of American Samoa. Pago Pago is located 18 degrees south of the equator. [12][13][14] Pago Pago is home to the territorial government, all the industry and most of the commerce in American Samoa. ft. in July 2019, adding new demonstrations and exhibits. [3][93] Its park visitor center is located at the head of Pago Pago Harbor: Pago Plaza Visitor Center (Pago Plaza, Suite 114, Pago Pago, AS 96799). [72][73] It was an 8.3 magnitude earthquake which caused 5-foot (1.5 m) waves to hit the city. In the village of Pago Pago, from Malaloa to Satala, there are a total of eleven rivers or streams. 4 Fiatele Taulago Te’o was killed in Vietnam and his body was flown home to Pago Pago where his many awards were presented to his parents. Sufficient land was obtained in 1898 and the construction of United States Naval Station Tutuila was completed in 1902. Excise taxes, however, were imposed on automobiles, firearms, luxury goods, and auto parts. The park houses businesses such as the American Samoa Development Bank. [103], Pago Pago has been named one of the wettest places on Earth. [23]:139–140, The first American flag was raised on April 17, 1900, at Sogelau Hill above the site of the new wharf and coaling facilities in Fagatogo. [79] This shopping mall is next-door to Fagatogo Market in Fagatogo, which is considered the main center of Pago Pago. The school had two teachers and forty students at the time of its opening.[45]. The tuna canneries, which provide employment for a third of the population of Tutuila, are in Atu'u on the north shore of the harbor. Canned tuna is the dominant export. Lane Fatutoa Levi and LCpl. Apollo 10, Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 13, Apollo 14 and Apollo 17 landed by Tutuila Island, and the crew flew from Pago Pago to Honolulu on their way back to the mainland. Starkist Samoa is a tuna cannery sited on the northeastern side of Pago Pago Harbor in the village of Atu'u. She was later the main character in the popular short story, Rain (1921), a story of a prostitute arriving in Pago Pago. [56]:512 Of the 88,650 international arrivals in 2001, only 10 percent were tourists. It receives 119 inches (300 cm) of rain per year. Check Reputation Score for Makerita Tuna in Pago Pago, AS - View Criminal & Court Records | Photos | Address, Email & Phone Number | Personal Review | Income & Net Worth In June 1890, the U.S. Congress passed an appropriation of $100,000 for the purpose of permanently establishing a station for the naval and commercial marine. Looking to expand your search outside of Pago Pago? [143], Bus- and taxi services are based in Fagatogo.[144]. Charlie the Tuna, the longtime mascot for StarKist, has his own statue outside the StarKist canning company in Atu'u on the north shore of Pago Pago Harbor. [23]:302, Shipping in and out of Pago Pago experienced an economic boom from 1970–1974. In July 2014, the EPA in American Samoa reported a discharge pipeline break at the StarKist facility there was spilling wastewater into the inner Pago Pago Harbor. Service to American Samoa by air was offered by Pan American (four weekly flights), Air New Zealand (four weekly flights), and UTA (four weekly flights). Pago Pago Harbor on Tutuila Island in American Samoa where many of the U.S. tuna purse seine vessels homeport. [39]:84–85, Despite being a part of the United States, Great Britain and Germany maintained a strong naval presence in the Samoan Islands. [3] It is notable for its ability to extract rain in tremendous quantities. The college's first courses were taught in 1971 at the Lands and Survey Building in Fagatogo. Sixteen remaining structures from the U.S. [106] Around 90 percent of American Samoa's population lives around Pago Pago. [145]:416–417, During World War II, guns were emplaced at Blunt's and Breaker's Points, covering Pago Pago Harbor. [146] It is located in the Autapini area, which is between Malaloa and Happy Valley. Naval Station was visited by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt on August 24, 1943. [43][47] The Sadie Thompson Inn was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2003. [7]:61 Tourism, entertainment, food, and tuna canning are its main industries. A 1,630-foot (500 m) high mountain, Mount Pioa (Rainmaker Mountain), is located at the east side of the bay. The national park is home to tropical rainforest, tall mountains, beaches, and some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world (3,000 ft, 910 m). Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — If tuna canner StarKist & Co departs American Samoa for a location with cheaper labor costs as the company has previously warned, the impact on the US territory's economy would be substantial. FREE Background Report. [23]:357, Since 2000, American Samoa Department of Education through its school athletic program is the host of the East & West High School All-Star Football Game. The President and First Lady returned to American Samoa in December 1966, on their way to Prime Minister's Harold Holt's funeral in Australia. The two ships, Comoran and Abarenda, fired the national salutes. 16.6% were Asian, while 4.9% were white. Pago Pago proper was home to 225 registered commercial enterprises as of year 2000. It is home to several restaurants, shops, bars, and often live entertainment and music. Conversely, the lowest temperature on record was 59 °F (15 °C) on October 10, 1964. Some parts were previously owned by the Polynesian Land Company, while other tracts were still owned by Samoan families. Mauga welcomed the missionaries and gave them support. It is in Maoputasi County on the main island of American Samoa, Tutuila. The Greater Pago Pago Area was home to 11,500 residents in 2011. Thirteen cruise ships were scheduled to visit Pago Pago in 2017, bringing 31,000 visitors. Its location is centered on It is east of the International Date Line, while Samoa is west of the Line. [75], Pago Pago is in the Eastern District of American Samoa, in Ma'oputasi County. Pago Pago is also the location of the StarKist tuna cannery in the U.S. territory. USS Abarenda, home of B. F. Tilley and his new government, was in the harbor. [50], Pago Pago and the U.S. Pago Pago International Airport is located at Tafuna, eight miles (13 km) southwest of Pago Pago. Under the provisions of the agreement, StarKist also must improve safety measures and comply with federal environmental laws at its tuna processing facility. On Friday, 14 October, Tri Marine told the 800 employees at its Samoa Tuna Processors cannery plant in Pago Pago it will be shutting down the facility later this year. The Hawaiian king sent the ship to the Samoan Islands in an effort at creating a Polynesian kingdom. The windy season lasts from May to October. [100], Pago Pago is vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. [102] The average annual temperature recorded at the weather station at Pago Pago International Airport is 80 degrees, with an average relative humidity of 80 percent. [77] It is located at 14°16′46″S 170°42′02″W / 14.27944°S 170.70056°W / -14.27944; -170.70056. [145]:411–412 Over fifty pillbox fortifications can be found along the coastline on Tutuila Island. American Samoa / s ə ˈ m oʊ ə / (locally / ˈ s ɑː m oʊ ə /; Samoan: Amerika Sāmoa, [aˈmɛɾika ˈsaːmʊa]; also Amelika Sāmoa or Sāmoa Amelika) is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of (the independent nation of) Samoa. Major points of interest on Tutuila are the capital, Pago Pago, the tuna canneries, the television transmitters atop Mt Alava, the industrial park, numerous relics of WWII and government offices. [37] It was primarily used as a fueling station for both naval- and commercial ships. The current Barstow library, constructed in 1998, opened on April 17, 2000. Pago Pago is home to one of the deepest natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered from wind and rough seas, and strategically located. [71], On September 29, 2009, an earthquake struck in the South Pacific, near Samoa and American Samoa, sending a tsunami into Pago Pago and surrounding areas. PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — The world's largest supplier of canned tuna has agreed to pay a $6.3 million penalty for wastewater violations in American Samoa, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday. The excise tax was heaviest on secondhand motor vehicles and machinery. The Fono (legislature) served as an advisory council to the governor. This permit was last issued on: February 26, 2020. [62], Mike Pence was the third sitting U.S. Vice President to visit American Samoa[64] when he made a stopover in Pago Pago in April 2017. 3, 2017 in 1898 Vaopito Stream took place at the ASG-owned Ronald Reagan Shipyard vulnerabilities heavy. 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