Fagaʻalu, American Samoa

In April 1941, members of the 7th Battalion showed up in villages throughout Tutuila Island. Later that month, the battalion cleared large jungle areas and began on the construction of the Camp Samuel Nicholas in Faga{{okina}}alu.Kennedy, Joseph (2009). The Tropical Frontier: America's South Sea Colony. University of Hawaii Press. Page 203. {{ISBN|9780980033151}}. During World War II, the U.S. military established facilities in Faga'alu, including a telephone exchange and a warehouse complex that monitored the entrance to Pago Pago Harbor. This expansive complex featured over 50 buildings, such as a U.S. Marine camp, multiple warehouses and truck sheds, a large mess hall, shower facilities, a tailor shop, and a post exchange. The telephone exchange was situated underground in the far northwestern corner of the installation and was accessed via a short tramway.https://npshistory.com/publications/npsa/brochures/naval-ww2-history.pdf

Faga{{okina}}alu Bay is located between Niuloa Point in the south and Tulutulu Point in the north. The bay is considered a part of "outer Pago Pago Harbor." The main drainage in the Faga{{okina}}alu watershed is the Faga{{okina}}alu Stream and its 8 tributaries. The stream is known as Matafao Stream in the drainage's upper reaches near Mount Matafao. Smaller drainages are situated on the southeast and northeast sides of the village. Matafao Stream begins at around the {{convert|1400|ft}} contour and continues downslopes to a stream fall. It becomes Faga{{okina}}alu Stream at around {{convert|500|ft}} above sea level. It discharges into the Pacific Ocean in Faga{{okina}}alu Bay. Gobie fish, Mountain bass, and Freshwater eel have been observed in Faga{{okina}}alu Stream.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Pages 25-1, 25-4 and 25-5) Faga{{okina}}alu Bay is a calm bay with a cricket field, boat ramp, and basketball and volleyball courts.Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Manu'a Islands. Page 39. {{ISBN|979-8-5560-5297-0}}.

Most of Faga{{okina}}alu is located at elevations well above potential tsunami elevations, and also set back a considerable distance from the ocean.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Page 25-16)

In the central parts of Faga{{okina}}alu is a road turning north to LBJ Hospital and other medical facilities. At the end of this road are the waterfalls Faga{{okina}}alu Falls. Faga{{okina}}alu Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island with its coral heads and reef formations, and sea life such as turtles and reef sharks.Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Manu'a Islands. Page 40. {{ISBN|979-8-5560-5297-0}}.

Whale Rock is a coral formation located in Fagaʻalu. It lies in the middle of the channel inside the entrance to Pago Pago Harbor. The formation is approximately 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter and is submerged under 16 feet (5 meters) of water. During bad weather, waves break over Whale Rock, making it more noticeable due to the surf. In calm conditions, it is easily seen beneath the water's surface.U.S. Defense Mapping Agency (1977). "Sailing Directions for the Pacific Islands: Volume 3, the South-central Groups". U.S. Department of Defense. Page 166.

File:Lbj tropical medical center.png

There were 53 commercial business enterprises found in the village as of 2000. Several of these are located along the shoreline road and Dr Jim Turner Rd. Businesses include two bakeries, grocery stores, retail shops, and a laundromat. A quarry operation is located between the {{convert|100|ft|adj=on}}-{{convert|125|ft|adj=on}} contour at the west end of Faga{{okina}}alu. It is operated and owned by Samoa Maritime. As of 2000, the Samoa Maritime Quarry generated around {{convert|500|cuyd}} of reject material per week.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Pages 25-12 and 25-16)

The LBJ Hospital complex consumes {{convert|7|acre}}. The location of the hospital is a former marsh which was filled in the early 1960s in order to accommodate the hospital.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Page 25-13)

{{Main|Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center}}

Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center is the only hospital in American Samoa and the only prescription pharmacy on the island. It has been ranked among the best hospitals in the Pacific Ocean. It is home to an emergency room and there are doctors on duty at all hours.Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western Samoa and American Samoa. Lonely Planet. Page 161. {{ISBN|9780864422255}}.{{cite book|last1=United States. Congress. House. Committee on Natural Resources. Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs|title=Assessing Current Conditions and Challenges at the Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center in American Samoa: Oversight Hearing before the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs of the Committee on Natural Resources, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, Tuesday, July 25, 2017|date=2017|publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office|location=Washington, DC|url=http://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo87099|access-date=4 February 2018}}

Faga{{okina}}alu is home to Virgin Falls, which is a tourist destination on the island. A {{convert|0.6|mi|adj=on}} hike past the LBJ Tropical Medical Center leads to a small rock quarry. From there, a trail climbs past a series of waterfalls, known as Virgin Falls. Several of the waterfalls have pools used for swimming.Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. Page 179. {{ISBN|9780864422255}}.Schyma, Rosemarie (2013). Südsee. DuMont Reiseverlag. Page 268. {{ISBN|9783770176946}}.

Faga{{okina}}alu is home to Le Fale Pule Lodge, which sits high up on a hillside above Matafao Elementary School in Faga{{okina}}alu. The hotel offers panoramic views of Pago Pago Harbor, and is located {{convert|300|ft}} above sea level. Four of the rooms are in the main house, while there's also a separate cottage with outdoor Jacuzzis.Stanley, David (2004). South Pacific. Moon Handbooks. Page 484. {{ISBN|9781566914116}}.

In 1972, the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation approved a project to develop a park in Faga{{okina}}alu Bay. Faga{{okina}}alu Park is located at the outer part of Pago Pago Harbor and is a grassy park with picnic tables and a white-sand beach.Rawlings-Way, Charles (2016). Lonely Planet South Pacific. Lonely Planet. Page 303. {{ISBN|9781786572189}}.Atkinson, Brett (2016). Lonely Planet Rarotonga, Samoa & Tonga. Lonely Planet. Page 151. {{ISBN|9781786572172}}.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/american-samoa/tutuila/activities/faga-alu-park/a/poi-act/1456133/362248|title = Faga{{okina}}alu Park {{pipe}} American Samoa Activities}} A boat ramp has been constructed at Faga{{okina}}alu Park on government-owned land administrated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The construction was initiated after the former public boat ramps at Fagasa and Pago Pago were damaged from the 2009 tsunami. The park is used for recreational activities such as picnicking, swimming, fishing, and camping.{{Cite web|url=http://www.samoanews.com/node/6833|title = Fishing, swimming, marine science at youth camp|date = 15 July 2012}}

On Tutuila Island, the majority of sea turtle sightings take place in Faga{{okina}}alu Park, Lion's Park in Tafuna, and Gataivai (in Pago Pago Harbor).https://www.sprep.org/att/IRC/eCOPIES/Countries/American_Samoa/10.pdf (Page 39)

As of the early 1980s, 21 percent of Faga{{okina}}alu residents were born abroad. By 1990, 42 percent of residents were born outside of American Samoa. As of the 1990 U.S. Census, the village was home to 153 houses. Historically, residential development has taken place along the south and north sides of Faga{{okina}}alu Stream. Another residential area is found upland of Faga{{okina}}alu Park along the shoreline road and adjoining steeper slopes.http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Page 25-12)

• Elama Fa{{okina}}atonu – Olympic sprinter for the American Samoa
• Anthony Liu – Olympic judoka
• Leonard Peters – former football safety and current rugby union player
• Junior Sifa – American rugby union player
• Kaino Thomsen-Fuataga – Samoan Olympic taekwondo practitioner
• Nathaniel Tuamoheloa – Olympic wrestler for ASA
• Ching Maou Wei – Olympic swimmer
• Jerome Kaino – New Zealand rugby union player (born in Faga{{okina}}alu; raised in Auckland, New Zealand)
• A. U. Fuimaono – politician
• Tai Enosa – rugby player
• Vincent Smith Ho Ching – founder of the Tutuila's first school for individuals with disabilities, Fautasi racing crew member, and representative for American Sāmoa at the South Pacific Festival of Arts.Sutter, Frederic Koehler (1989). The Samoans: A Global Family. University of Hawai'i Press. Page 207. {{ISBN|978-0-8248-1238-6}}

{{American Samoa}}

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Category:Villages in American Samoa