Aunuʻu, American Samoa: Difference between revisions
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The main sources of economic activity for the Aunu’u people since the 1960s have been [[taro]] and production of [[faausi]].<ref>http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/230665/american-samoa-govt-keen-to-develop-aunu'u-island</ref> |
The main sources of economic activity for the Aunu’u people since the 1960s have been [[taro]] and production of [[faausi]].<ref>http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/230665/american-samoa-govt-keen-to-develop-aunu'u-island</ref> |
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As a result of the [[rising sea levels]], it has been suggested that Aunu'u residents should leave the island for good.<ref>http://www.samoanews.com/local-news/rising-sea-levels-threaten-life-we-know-it-aunuu?fbclid=IwAR3yhA6AbKEYjyLvkZckyJZQ29tejEG6ZP2-hzjkiSGgAP1LNMQWJWYE7xk</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
Revision as of 22:06, 13 September 2019
Aunu'u | |
---|---|
Village & Island | |
![]() | |
Coordinates: 14°17′2.7″S 170°33′37.5″W / 14.284083°S 170.560417°W | |
Country | ![]() |
Territory | ![]() |
County | Sa'Ole |
Area | |
• Total | 1.517 km2 (0.5857 sq mi) |
Population (2012) | |
• Total | 443 |
Designated | 1972 |
Aunu'u is a small volcanic island off the southeastern shore of Tutuila in American Samoa. It has a land area of 374.83 acres (0.59 sq mi; 1.52 km2) and a 2000 census population of 476 persons. Politically it is a part of the Eastern District, one of the primary divisions of American Samoa. The island is located in Sa'Ole County.[1][2]: 424
Faimulivai Marsh is a freshwater marsh in Aunu'u Crater and 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 Aunu'u which 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 that has Chinese water chestnut.[1]
The main sources of economic activity for the Aunu’u people since the 1960s have been taro and production of faausi.[3]
As a result of the rising sea levels, it has been suggested that Aunu'u residents should leave the island for good.[4]
Geography
![](/upwiki/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Txu-oclc-23029825-aunuu_island-1989.jpg/220px-Txu-oclc-23029825-aunuu_island-1989.jpg)
Aunu’u, which is a small island at the southeast tip of Tutuila, has three villages: Saluavatia, Leauuliuli, and Alofasau. However, politically the tulafale divides it into two sections, Saleaaumua and Saole. To Saole belongs all of Saluavatia and half of Leauuliuli whose other half together with Alofsau make up Saleaaumua so that here three villages of a community - if one wanted to consider Aunu’u such - belong to two communities.[2]: 433
Aunu’u has a swampy crater. West of Aunu’u is two large submarine coral banks, the Nāfanua bank and the Taemā bank. Associated with these names is the story of Tilafaigā and Taemā, one of the oldest stories of Tutuila Island in the accounts of the ancestors of the Le'iato, the most powerful family of chiefs.[2]: 423
Aunu’u is a car-free island. Motorboats shuttle constantly over to the small boat harbor at Auasi. The island has a lake, Red Lake, which is nestled in the sprawling crater. The island is densely forested and cliffs along the south coast along with the thick bushes make hiking the island difficult. The island has a stretch of red quicksand at Pala Lake, fairly close to the village. There are also taro swamps behind the village. Ma’ama’a Cove is a cove on the east side of Aunu’u.[5][6]
Geology
The island is less than 1 sq. mi. in area and around half the island is a cultivated plain on which the village of ‘Aunu’u is located. The island is home to several beaches composed of coral rubble and sand and sea cliffs. The eastern half of ‘Aunu’u is rimmed by a geologically recent volcanic cone. The highest point on the crater rim is 310 feet above sea level. Within the crater is the Fa’imulivai Marsh which includes a freshwater pond. The crater is one of few places in American Samoa where one can observe the more recent episodes of volcanism. The eruptions at ‘Aunu’u occurred at approximately the same time as the volcanism at Leala Shoreline in Taputimu, while eruptions that formed Rainmaker Mountain, Matafao Peak, and the ridges of Vai'ava Strait are much older. ‘Aunu’u Island has the only quicksand area in American Samoa, and also the territory’s only lake. Just north of the village is Pala Lake, while Ma’ama’a Cove is on the far eastern edge of the crater.[7]
Demographics
Population growth[8] | |
---|---|
2010 | 436 |
2000 | 476 |
1990 | 463 |
1980 | 414 |
1970 | 425 |
1960 | 436 |
Wildlife
Aunu’u has a population of around fifty gray ducks (anas superciliosa), locally known as toloa. Pairs of these birds have also been sited in Futiga, Nu'uuli, Alao, and Leone, however, these may be from the population on Aunu’u.
See also
References
- ^ Tu’u’u, Misilugi Tulifau Tofaeono (2002). History of Samoa Islands: Supremacy & Legacy of the Malietoa (na Fa'alogo i Ai Samoa). Tuga'ula Publication. Page 427. ISBN 9780958219914.
- ^ a b c Krämer, Augustin (2000). The Samoa Islands. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 9780824822194.
- ^ http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/230665/american-samoa-govt-keen-to-develop-aunu'u-island
- ^ http://www.samoanews.com/local-news/rising-sea-levels-threaten-life-we-know-it-aunuu?fbclid=IwAR3yhA6AbKEYjyLvkZckyJZQ29tejEG6ZP2-hzjkiSGgAP1LNMQWJWYE7xk
- ^ Stanley, David (2000). South Pacific Handbook. David Stanley. Page 444-445. ISBN 9781566911726.
- ^ Stanley, David (2004). Moon Handbooks South Pacific. David Stanley. Page 479. ISBN 9781566914116.
- ^ Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002). Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas. Bess Press. Pages 281-282. ISBN 9781573061117.
- ^ "American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016" (PDF). American Samoa Department of Commerce.